Metro
Youths Urge Lagos APC to Save Badagry Central from Domination
The race for 2023 is heating up and it is heating up very fast. If you think the action is only about Abuja, you are wrong. The Badagry division is also in strong contention. The youths are ready to take their place. They are saying no more to clear disregard of democratic norms, fairness, and credibility. They are calling for a departure from inactive leadership that is yielding little or no gains for the good people of the ancient city. They are calling for Badagry Central to allow the principle of ‘live and let’s live’ prevail so that power can rotate to Badagry West and Olorunda. Their inputs, they say, matter. Moreso, it should be now.
Here is a little background to the tussle.
Feelers reaching Trek Africa Newspaper establish that there are three zones in the Badagry Division. They are Badagry Central, Badagry West, and Olorunda. Of the three, Badagry Central has taken political power the most. Infact, the current member representing Badagry 1, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode in the Lagos House of Assembly who hails from the Badagry Central zone has been there for 4 terms. 4 terms multiplied by 4 years is a massive 16 years. This fact alone naturally should affirm that other zones should take precedence in the scheme of activities come 2023.
True to that assertion, some youths confirm to Trek Africa Newspaper that the leadership circles in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Badagry have decided that Badagry Central should take a back seat in 2023 most especially as the current members of the lower and upper chamber are currently from Badagry Central. This is so that Badagry West and Olorunda can take their turn. But some unscrupulous persons are determined to scuttle that position.
Badagry youths are sensing foul play again. The same way they sensed it 4 years ago. Badagry Central is bent on taking them for a ride again. Case in point, the incumbent state legislator who has been holding the position for almost 16 years wants to leave to get the Badagry constituency seat in the Federal House of Representatives. At the same time, a current aide and Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu who is supposed to busy himself with the job at hand is jostling for the seat in the State Assembly. And they are calling the bluff of the other zones. What is left? Nothing! Nothing for the people of badagry west and Olorunda zones, nothing for the umpteenth time.
The people of Olorunda want the Lagos House of Assembly next year as they do not have any aspirant for the House of Representatives. It is only fair that the state seat be ceded to them. On the other hand, the people of Badagry West desire the Federal House of Representatives and have aspirants. They ought to have that. This should not be too much to give. Current office holders continue to hold on to power and do not want to give room for other party faithfuls. This is unacceptable.
Is this how Badagry will be led in the next 4 years? A situation where Badagry West leaders handpicked the SA to the Governor in the parlour of the incumbent LGA Chairman Badagry West? A situation where few leaders will disrespect the entire APC membership base for pecuniary gains? A situation where someone who is supposed to concern himself with the business of government that the Governor committed to him is junketing for the legislative seat without resigning from the executive role? A situation where the serving lawmaker would be dishing out command to aspiring youths to forget their aspiration because he feels it’s all about him?
This is unacceptable. The people of Badagry deserve a change. They want their voices heard. They are calling on the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the entire leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state led by Hon. Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi to weigh into the matter. They want the state executives to stop Badagry Central from further contempt of other zones. They want the state executives to stop Badagry west from futher imposing of a sitting officer .The principles of fairness and democracy should be allowed to work. It is time for Badagry to be rescued. ‘Live and let’s live’ so says the maxim.
A prominent Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, tragically passed away on Saturday after collapsing during a church thanksgiving service held in honour of his wife’s 60th birthday.
The incident occurred at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters, Egbeda, Lagos State, leaving family, friends, and well-wishers in deep shock.
In a now-viral video shared on Facebook by Ayoade Ojeniyi on Sunday, the late businessman appeared visibly distressed, gesturing frantically—apparently requesting water or an inhaler—moments before slumping while delivering his testimony.
The thanksgiving service had been organised to celebrate his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele, with a grand reception scheduled to follow immediately after at Noble Castle Events Centre, Igando.
However, those plans were abruptly halted when news broke that Akinyele had collapsed in church. Despite frantic efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
One of the event vendors, who shared their experience via Facebook, said they had arrived at the reception venue as early as 10 am for the party, which was set to commence by 2pm.
The vendor wrote: “The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had all gone to church for the thanksgiving, intending to proceed to the reception afterwards. Varieties of foods were ready, decoration set, cocktails, emu oguro, and more. The live band had already mounted about 25 speakers. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job.”
The distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, His Excellency, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
In a heartfelt message, Senator Daniel praised Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing for his outstanding dedication and immense contributions to the Nigerian housing sector. He described the celebrant as a shining example in the business community, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the real estate industry across Nigeria.
“You are indeed a source of inspiration to your generation and a shining example within the business environment. There is no doubt that you had written your name in an indelible ink across Nigeria and most especially among the real estate developers,” he wrote.
Senator Daniel also acknowledged Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing’s conferment as the ‘Otun-Asiwaju of Remo Christians’ by the Ogun State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as a reflection of his God-fearing nature, philanthropic spirit, and commitment to humanity.
The senator offered prayers for good health, greater accomplishments, and many more remarkable years ahead for the business mogul.
He concluded by affirming his highest regards and admiration for the celebrant.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has directed Commanding Officers to ensure full deployment of staff for maximum visibility, prompt removal of obstructions and ease of movement on all highways across the country. This is in line with the operational guidelines of this year’s Easter special patrol scheduled to commence from 16th to 23 April, 2024.
According to the Operation Order, obtained by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the objectives of the special operations are reduction in road traffic crashes, road traffic fatalities and road traffic Injuries; prompt response to road traffic crash victims; unhindered in purposeful public education and speedy removal of obstructions from the highways, amongst others.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed assured members of the public that in achieving the objectives of the special operations, the Corps will combine the engagement of the motoring public through purposeful and impactful public education programmes, strengthening of surveillance activities to regulate unprofessional excesses, sustained effective patrol operations as well as adequate monitoring on the highways.
To this end, the Corps would carryout aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 Mobile Courts operations, with the aim of checking the following offences:
Speeding and Dangerous Driving/Overtaking,
b. Lane indiscipline/Route violation,
c. Road Obstructions,
d. Use of Phone while Driving,
e. Overloading,
f. Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations,
g. Passenger’s Manifest Violation,
h. Operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles,
i. Latching and Twist-Locks Violation,
To achieve the aforementioned, over 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, 92 ambulances, 23 tow trucks and 144 motorbikes are being deployed as part of the patrol logistics.
Furthermore, reflective jackets, traffic cones, tyre pressure gauges, a number of extricating machines and digital breathalyzers are part of the tools set aside for the special operations.
Added to the above is, a total of 23 Help Areas mobilised to ensure prompt removal of obstructions, and rescue operations during the period. This, he said, is in addition to the 15 traffic control camps which would be dedicated solely to identifying traffic gridlock areas to be manned by our personnel on 24/7 basis.
For effective monitoring and prompt response, the Corps has put in place a Situation Room at the National Headquarters to monitor the activities across the country, collate and process information for dissemination to relevant commands and stakeholders as the case may be.
This is in addition to 28 Road Traffic Crash Clinics and 53 Zebra points located along the major routes. This would be covered by 92 ambulances to be fully utilized for prompt response to crashes and rescue of injured victims to hospitals for more professional attention.
He also directed the Commanding Officers to liaise with other strategic stakeholders within their operational areas to secure the needed moral and logistics as well as security support. The Corps Marshal identified some of the stakeholders as Military formations (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Police (enroute or resident); DSS (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Immigration Service; the NSCDC (enroute or resident).
Others are Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); State Traffic Management Agencies; State owned NGO’s ambulance Services providers; National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNES);
Federal Road Maintenance Agencies and
Federal Fire Service.
On the overall preparedness of the Corps for the special operations, he expressed optimism that Nigerians would as usual, cooperate with members of the Corps and other security agencies as well as volunteers who would come out to assist the Corps in traffic management.
Expectedly, with the massive deployment of personnel and logistics and the envisaged public support, the Corps Marshal is confident that the celebration would be a huge success.
While reassuring the motoring public of FRSC’s renewed vigour towards entrenching sanity on the roads, the Corps Marshal also wishes all Nigerians safe and peaceful Easter celebrations.
