THEME: What am I voting For?

I welcome old and new participants to our 6th edition of the Gabfest. There are many other things you could be all doing instead of being here. So, I am grateful for your participation and I do not take it for granted.

An unquantifiable amount of gratitude must go to all those who expend their valuable time and resources to put this together.

As the years and number of participants have increased, so too I believe have the number of persons involved in planning.

It would be invidious of me therefore to attempt to thank them all individually except to do so by expressing gratitude to the Temple and B-Direct groups and those affiliated with them for the Gabfest.

This year, the GABFEST is modelled around our electoral choices and by extension, our lives over the next few years and the theme is “What am I voting for”?

We have listened to the illuminating contributions of our panelists and I think they deserve commendation for the perspectives they have shared.

What I propose to do is to attempt to tie our votes to what happens to us.

First, I will like to speak about democracy and urge all of us to interrogate our knowledge and understanding of this concept after this gathering has ended.

This is because it is democracy or the idea of it that allows us to talk about voting or better still having a say or making a choice on how our lives are ordered.

A good starting point is to remind ourselves that democracy is a man-made idea that is not timeless. It is not a divine concept and therefore, it is limited in what it can achieve.

Therefore, democracy can become obsolete, like other things that man has created, unless we renew and re-invent it. But that is a matter for another forum and another day.

The next thing to say, is to remind ourselves why democracy was created.

The simple answer is that democracy was created to end tyranny, minority rule and dictatorship.

It replaced the rule of one person with the rule of many people, now called the majority.

It was not concerned about the price of food, access to water or the good life in that sense even though this was a sublime end. The more manifest purpose can be put this way: “You alone as the leader cannot decide for us. We are more than you numerically. We all want a say and we will decide by votes, and agree with the majority.”

Is the majority always right? I leave you to decide.

Before this becomes a treatise on democracy, let me go to the issue of the day. There is an increasing awareness and mobilisation for registration to get permanent voter’s cards (PVC).

Before I go on, let me disclose that I belong to a political party, that I am aware that the campaign season has not started and that this programme and what I say are not intended to advance or limit the cause of any political party or their candidate. And I will do my best to keep it that way.

When the time for campaigns come upon us, I intend to be involved. For now, the question is why are we getting our PVCs and why do we want to vote?

I have heard some people who should know better, say on national TV that: “People are angry, so they must go and get your PVCs and vote.”

Really?

Anger is the only reason they offer.

If voting is about a choice about my life and that of my children, will I decide things in my life in anger? Who does that?

Rational and sensible people don’t make choices by anger or in anger. Anger is not a strategy. At best, it is an emotion.

Will you build a house in anger? Take a loan in anger? Marry a spouse in anger? Start a family in anger? Or set up a business in anger? I presume not. So please don’t listen to those closet party supporters or pseudo nationalists. They are more ignorant than you.

Although section 24 of the constitution which sets out duties as citizens of Nigeria does not make voting one of our duties and I think this is a big omission, I think one good reason for which we should vote is that it is a civic responsibility (not duty).

Which takes me to the heart of the matter. Now that I know why I got my PVC and I think it is responsible citizenship to vote, “What am I voting for”?

This question is still pertinent because it seems to lie at the heart of the disconnect between the elected and the electorate. I will try to illustrate with a few examples.

Let us start with the most important government – The Local Government.

It may surprise many people when I say it is the most important government because when we talk about human capital development we are talking about the development of the most important resource of any country. This starts from conception and goes on through birth, early education and health care.

I don’t know how many participants at today’s meeting have ever read our constitution and how many who have read it, have read the fourth schedule of the constitution.

If you do, you are likely to agree with me about the importance of the local government, because you will find that it is the local government that is responsible for primary education and primary health.

The Federal Government and by extension the Presidency to whom we often look for the solutions to our problems do not own one primary school or one primary healthcare facility.

It is in these facilities that the foundations of literacy, early education, antenatal care, immunisation for the first five years of a child’s life are undertaken. This is where the odds of a child’s life, whether he or she will survive early childhood diseases and become skilled and productive in future, are determined.

When you add to this, the responsibility of the local government for sanitation, which is the heart of public health, that determines whether your child will be exposed to diseases and fall sick or not, please ask yourself the question posed by the theme of this GABFEST: “What am I voting for?” if you vote at all during local government elections.

Let me quickly conclude this part by letting you know that out of the over 200,000 Km of roads in Nigeria, the Federal government owns 35,000 KM (17.5%); the state government own 31,000 km (17.5%), while the local governments combined own 132,000km (65%).

Therefore, you will see how critical Local Governments are to our mobility, our ability to trade, our ease of doing business and getting things done efficiently.

Put differently, what percentage of people need to move from one state to another daily to earn their livelihood as against the number that need to move from their ward to another to go to school, work and their places of business.

When you factor the number of people in Nigeria who are traders, you should be interested in the Local Government because the Constitution makes them responsible for markets.

Let me quickly deal with legislators at state and federal level. Their primary job is to make laws through which policies that will improve our lives are affected.

If you look at the second schedule of the constitution, you will see two parts. Part one contains matters over which federal legislators (House of Representatives and Senate) can make laws. These are the responsibilities of the federal government. This is the Exclusive legislative list.

Part two contains matters of which both states and the federal government can make laws.

In this part, states are at liberty to go on their own. So, we have state roads, state schools (secondary and tertiary), state hospitals (General and Tertiary).

These are matters over which legislators can make laws at state and federal level. Their other job is to represent us. By this, they bring our problems to the attention of the Executive, at State or Federal level for Executive action to bring about a solution.

Thirdly, they help to check on the Executive to ensure that they do not oppress us, that they use public funds to deliver public goods in the exercise of their oversight responsibility.

It is not their responsibility to build roads, schools, primary healthcare centres, boreholes or supply street lights which we ask them to do in our constituencies.

It is also not their constitutional responsibility to attend our children’s weddings, birthdays or naming ceremonies or provide money for these things. Neither is it their responsibility to provide sewing machines, keke marwa, motorcycles or korope which we demand of them. “So what am I voting for?”

At a recent event at the Yoruba Tennis Club where I delivered a lecture titled “What can the president do for me?”, not a few who expected me to announce a presidential bid seemed disappointed that I did not speak to that matter of their expectation.

I do not know how many recall the contents of my speech about how I tried to show how more important the Governor of my state is to my development than the president of Nigeria.

For example, I pointed out that there is nowhere in the constitution that security is listed as the responsibility of the Federal Government or President alone.

In the second schedule of the constitution where the responsibility of the Federal Government is set only, you will see responsibility for the police, the armed forces etc, which are law enforcement agencies; but you will not see the word SECURITY.

If you take a narrow view of what security entails, you might be tempted to conclude that this is only a federal affair.

But if you understand that these, agencies except for the deterrence that they may offer, usually arrive when there is a breach of security. You will see the point that I make that Security is an all-government affair. This is supported by section 14 2(b) of the constitution where the word “Security” is used.

It provides that:

“(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government;”

It does not say which government and my view is that it is every government; local, state and federal.

Security therefore involves more than the deployment of armed personnel. It is the effective deployment of socio-economic resources to create a state of harmony. Breaches of security have evolved from conflicts over land, for which the federal government has no responsibility or control, to conflict over natural resources over which the federal government has responsibility and control.

Governors have as much a responsibility to keep us safe. It starts in my view with how they oversee the development of the human capital. This is less of a federal responsibility and more a state one, because people live in states. Where are you voting for?

I have always held the view that in a diverse country where we have elected local government and state leaders, our prosperity will be built from bottom-up and not the other way round.

So in relating this to the choices we make at local, state and federal level, I have often ask people to list five things they want a president to do for them, bearing in mind that since 1999, the honeymoon with our elected presidents have never lasted long.

Some of the five (5) things in no order of preference that often come up are:

SECURITY
I have already spoken about this as a shared responsibility. I believe families who raise their children well, around a sound moral and educational compass can contribute to our collective safety. Afterall, no child was born a criminal or deviant.

ELECTRICITY
Our collective understanding of this utility as a government-only responsibility must change and this in part explains why privatisation of federal government electricity assets took place in 2013. From a staff strength of over 50,000 people, before 2013, the Ministry of Power had only 700 staff when I became minister of power in 2015. The reality we must deal with is that the assets to generate and distribute power has been sold to private businesses. Federal government now only controls the transmission, which is the transport-like side of a supply chain.

Production and distribution are now private businesses. Admittedly FGN is still the regulator and has powers to sanction non-performers.

These are the questions you should be asking any person who wants to be your next president:

A. What are you going to do to make sure that the power transport vehicle does not break down?

B. What are you going to do about the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to make it more efficient?

But please note that responsibility for electricity is not only the federal government alone. By the third alteration to the constitution in 2010, item 14 a, b and c have been added to the concurrent list of the 1999 constitution empowering state governments to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas not covered by the national grid. Please ask your governorship candidate what they want to do.

By the mini grid policy which I initiated, you can now generate your own embedded power under license. Please go to the NERC website for details.

SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS

I think we need to understand that the majority of schools and hospitals do not belong to the local, State and federal governments. They belong to us, private individuals, companies, religious organisations etc, although the government has regulatory oversight of all of them.
Let me share some duties.

UNIVERSITY STATE FEDERAL PRIVATE
165 47 43 75

In Lagos in 2010 or thereabouts there were 10,001 schools. 1001 were primary schools belonging to the Local Government. 660 were secondary schools belonging to the state government, with Kings College, Queens College and FG College Ijanikin 3 (THREE) Secondary schools belonging to FGN; and University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology along with Federal College of Education.

The remaining over 8300 schools were privately owned.

This situation was not too different with the health institutions with about 1000 under our state health facility management register at the time. Federal government owned Igbobi orthopaedic, Federal medical centre Ebute-Metta, LUTH, Idi-Araba and Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, in addition to Military Hospital, Awolowo Road, and a few by other military and paramilitary agencies.

Local government had 245 primary facilities and the state government owned 25 General hospitals and LASUTH Ikeja. Meaning over 700 facilities were privately owned.

WATER SUPPLY
It’s true that the Federal Government has a Ministry of Water Resources. But its role is supervisory. To ensure that there is no over-abstraction of water resources from rivers and lakes I wanted to the detriment of others.

How that water is pumped to the waterworks, owned by the state, treated to world health standards for consumption and piped to offices and homes, is a state responsibility and not a federal one.

If we understand how critical water is to sanitation hygiene and our lives, we should not only be concerned about what we are voting for but who we are voting for.

If you run a business that needs water, this is not the job of a president.

BUSINESS AND JOBS
If your business deals with ports (air and sea), customs and tariffs, these are Federal responsibilities for the president, senators and House of Representatives.

So too matters relating to VAT, company tax, interest rates, exchange rate and inflation. They fall under what are categorised as fiscal and monetary policies.

The latter, monetary policy, such as exchange, interest and inflation rates are carried out by the central bank on behalf of the government, because the central bank of Nigeria is owned by the government.

Let me be clear that while the Central Bank of Nigeria can do a lot about how foreign exchanges bought and sold, she can do very little about how much FX is available. This is the function of our productivity export and import. If we earn more, the Central Bank of Nigeria sells more, otherwise the factors of economic exchange such as demand and supply and scarcity take control and determine price. And this takes me to the larger issue of economy and productivity.

The global powerhouse for these are MSMEs in every country of the world. They contribute 50% at least and upwards to employment and growth worldwide. Nigeria has 40 million of these MSMEs ranging from traders, transporters, law firms, accounting firms, dental clinics, estate surveying firms, small factories producing Agro products, water, paint, doors etc.

They generally employ between 10 and 200 people at the most and this is where most of us belong. They need land, water, building approvals, have to pay three years rent all at local levels in their states.

What will they be voting for? What will their state legislators and governors offer to make them prosper? How long does it take to get a C of O on a permit to build an office? Can they connect to public water supply and will the state government produce power for them?

So we might wonder how to get candidates to address these issues. One way is to look at what their manifestos present and what their political parties profess. The other way is to attend rallies they organise, but I tell you this is often a one-way conversation because we cannot ask questions at those rallies.

Debates and town hall meetings provide perhaps the best way to put their feet to fire and we as political employers of these public servants can organise these debates and town halls along our economic and social groupings.

In doing so, we must be sensitive, because the candidates cannot attend all debates and Town hall meetings. In some cases we must be willing to accept their accredited spokesperson but this must be an exception and not the rule.

After all they are the ones looking for our votes and we are the ones who seek to employ them.

Now let me go back to the person who said you are angry and should get your PVC in order to vote.

What I did not tell you at the beginning was that he said you must be angry because you don’t have electricity. What he also conveniently did not say was that he participated in the government exercise of selling the Discos and Gencos as an adviser of the Government in 2013. Because of the nature of his job, he was in a position to know, if he did his job well, that some of the people the Discos and some Gencos were sold to were AMCON debtors.

What you must know is that AMCON is the acronym for Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, by which private citizens and companies (about 300 of them) who owed large sums of money running into over Trillions of Naira to our banks, were bailed out with public funds to prevent the banks from collapsing.

Where were these people expected to get the capital to inject into the Discos and Gencos? Deliberately and inadvertently, this person has some responsibility to carry for your lack of power. If it is true that you are angry, he is not fit to advise you how to vote.

I urge you to vote by holding debates and town halls where you put questions to the candidates to test their abilities. I urge you to vote by looking at what the candidates have done before, this is like asking for the referees during an interview or talking to a previous employer. This is how to recruit an employee. Not by anger.

Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honorable Minister of Works and Housing

BRF: THE OMOLUABI EKO AT 59
By Hakeem Bello
“What will protect all of us when all is said and done is law and order.”
If there is a quiz to guess which Nigerian public servant said the above, chances are most will answer: Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF).
Yes, of course. The quintessential lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is not just a champion of Infrastructure development and deep thinker, he is a stickler for law and order.
He is 59 today.
Quite perceptively and against the run of high public expectation, BRF decided to remain president of his home rather than joining the initially crowded train for the Presidency of the country. But without a doubt, his confidence in, devotion and commitment to the development of Nigeria remains ever unwavering.
Indeed, BRF has become a brand name for efficiency, effectiveness, diligence, commitment and tenacity of purpose. The name will continue to resonate long after he leaves public office and whenever and wherever there is a need for devotion to duty, progressive idealism and commitment to Law and Order.
Probably because of his desire to serve away from the mainstream leadership – which agrees perfectly with his often-stated philosophy of commitment to service to one’s fatherland even “without a title or an office” – his engagements with the public will continue to revolve around the preoccupation with the attainment of a better society, governed by law and order, for all.
Just as Gabfest, a youth-focused conversation platform created in 2016 to commemorate BRF’s birthday. This year’s edition will explore the theme, “Why am I Voting?”
This topic which agrees significantly with the mood of the nation, currently undergoing the processes leading to the 2023 General Elections, will seek to examine the motivations of a cross-section of Nigerians behind their electoral choices.
During Gabfest 6, carefully selected panelists will interrogate their personal desires and expectations in relation to the Nigerian elections. Is their focus on transparency? Is it on better power or healthcare? Is potable water their challenge? Do they intend to vote across party, gender or ethnic lines? Have they voted in the past and for what position? These are just some examples of the questions that will hopefully yield a robust and lively discussion.
Having addressed such testy questions as, “Restructuring for a Better Life – Lessons from Brexit” and “What can the President Do for me?” in previous public lectures, you can trust Mr Fashola for encouraging a discourse on such a simple yet challenging question as “Why am I Voting?”
Perhaps as a prelude to this and a proof of his avowed commitment to the essence of performing basic civic obligations and maintaining order to keep society functioning optimally, Fashola in a virtual presentation he made recently at a symposium in Lagos with the theme, “Driving and the Nigerian in You” interrogated the nexus between individual conduct and public well-being.
In the presentation, he sought to graphically illustrate that it is neither solely the failure on the part of government nor lack of good roads that cause traffic jams or road mishaps on the nation’s highways and intra-city roads but the non-compliance to Law and Order by some members of the public including even the supposed law enforcers in some instances.
According to him, “We are converting what we built for traffic movement into other uses. It is totally against traffic and all other kinds of laws. So, I still say that traders cannot trade on our streets, buses cannot park on the sidewalks. Pedestrians must leave the roads. They must remain on the sidewalks that separate pedestrians from motorists. If these things happen, we will leave the stress, the tensions, accidents and the deaths that we experience as a result of those anomalies.”
The point must, perhaps, be made here that in advocating the adherence to Law and Order by the citizens, BRF has not in any way tried to shield the elite and the leadership from the guilt of infractions of law and order in their duties.
As a matter of fact, there are very many occasions when in his tour of duties as Governor or Minister, he had personally enforced the law, especially traffic laws, on government officials including high ranking police and army officers.
But he, however, maintains that it is incumbent on all citizens to insist on the compliance to Law and Order whenever their rights are being infringed upon by political office holders and those in positions of leadership.
And to prove his earlier assertion that 87 percent of road crashes in the country are caused by human factor, he showed an abridged version of the 2021-April 2022 monthly reports of road crashes across the country by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) saying the situation had been so since he had been Minister.
“What I have done is to separate those items which are human causative factors of road crashes and I have come up with 19 of such factors. I listed 13 of these factors which cause up to 87 percent of road crashes. And I say if these are eliminated, we would have eliminated by 87 percent the cause of road crashes,” he said.
Fashola, who cautioned against indiscriminate donation of motorcycles and tricycles to illiterate youths by politicians and elites in society in what they refer to as “Empowerment”, added, “We see a lot of motorcycles now inflicting pains on our lives. But who are the biggest donors of this Korope and Maruwa (Tricycles)? …Politicians, government officials and the elite; they call it empowerment…”
Saying all Nigerians have a role to play in bringing about law and order in the country, the Minister recalled an incident in Lagos, when he was State governor, when a citizen, Lanre Adio, insisted on his right of way to Lagos Mainland when a convoy of buses driving against traffic tried to force him out of the way, thereby causing a serious traffic jam on the Third Mainland Bridge.
“I had finished my work in Alausa one day and we were heading to the Island on Third Mainland Bridge. Normally at that time on a normal day, traffic would be light on the Island-bound traffic from Alausa. But this night the traffic was heavy. And as we inched towards it, I had to send some of our security details to go and see what was happening; and you can bet or imagine what happened,” the Minister narrated.
“Citizen Adio was driving with his daughter on the Mainland-bound side heading for the Oworonsoki end of the road. They were on their right side of the traffic and they were heading home when a long convoy of vehicles, including a public transporter who was driving against traffic was asking those who had the right of way to leave. Many left, but Citizen Adio was scandalised so he refused to leave.”
Fashola said in his presentation that despite invectives thrown at him by passengers in the offending bus, the man stood his ground till he arrived the scene and used his power of law enforcement “to force all the convoy back, made some arrests and then set Citizen Adio on his way.”
Posing the question, “Are we ready to act like Citizen Lanre Adio?” he asked his audience and proceeded to list more of the ways through which the high and the low contribute to dysfunctionality in society. “So, we must bring all of these to bear on ourselves. What will protect all of us when all is said and done is law and order, for the rich and the poor. We cannot trade on the streets, we cannot have big men driving unregistered vehicles or they cover their name plates and we cannot identify who did what with the vehicle. It makes crime detection very difficult. And at the end of the day it is just Law and Order.”
Rooted in the evergreen definition that “Law and Order exists for the purpose of establishing justice,” BRF has, in his now nearly two decades of public service, preached and led by example the essence of Law and Order as a foundation on which the sustainable development and progress of any nation could be laid.
He has continually built on this philosophy, perhaps with the consciousness, without doubt, that when Law and Order fail to establish justice “they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of progress”.
So, what has all this got to do with the coming General Elections, and what is the relation to the topic of the Sixth Gabfest. The truth of the matter is that this election will afford the people of Nigeria the opportunity to choose leaders that will maintain Law and Order and the Rule of Law.
With political parties waiting to begin official campaigns in earnest, BRF could only mean that any conversation involving compliance to Law and Order must involve everyone, including those aspiring to political leadership and those entrusted with the enforcement of Law and Order.
And if the topic, “Why am I Voting?” could also be expanded to read “Why am I voting for Candidate A or Candidate B,” then the question challenges all electorate to interrogate their true reason and motives for voting any aspirant to the position of leadership. Can such aspirants fulfill the yearning for security, peace, unity and good governance?
In that virtual presentation, BRF also spoke of the importance of continuity in governance especially good governance and knowledge and understanding of leadership. Citizens, he said, must not only appreciate good governance when they experience one but must also insist on it under any leader that emerges after the elections.
He elaborates on this by recalling the investments as Governor of Lagos State for two terms of eight years.
“When I look back to some of the investments that we made in Lagos and also across Nigeria; the Drivers’ Institute and training schools set up to train people to improve productivity, to set order and separate motorists from motorcyclists and all that, it is really a matter of regrets that we are still where we are. Many of the gains have been rolled back,” he said.
Stretched further, the topic, “Why am I Voting?”, could also mean that citizens must be ready to challenge their leaders when they are derailing from the path of good governance; when they deliberately tow the path of negligence in matters pertaining to the interest of the electorates and inclining to situations unacceptable to them.
Surely, as BRF turns 59 today, many Nigerians would wish him a happy birthday as a shining example of good leadership in whose steady hands the legacy projects of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in life-defining road transport infrastructure are making rapid progress towards the finish line. They are also looking up to him for dedicated service to the nation at whatever level he chooses to be going forward with or without a title.
Happy Birthday, BRF.

● Mr Hakeem Bello, FNGE, is Special Adviser, Communications
to the Hon. Minister

Okowa salutes Dein of Agbor at 45

Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Benjamin Ikenchukwu, Keagborekuzi 1, on his 45th birth anniversary.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday, in Asaba, Okowa described the monarch as one of Nigeria’s most respected kings, whose virtues testify to his pedigree.

He noted that the monarch’s reign had been peaceful and commended him for creating an investor-friendly environment since he ascended the ancient throne of his forefathers.

According to the governor, Dein Keagborekuzi’s reign has been of great benefit to the people of Agbor Kingdom, Delta State and indeed, the nation.

“Over the years, His Majesty has continued to support the state government in addressing issues of unemployment, social deviance and other vices among youths in his Kingdom.

“You have remained a source of pride and inspiration to the traditional institution with your royal carriage which you have exemplified in the discharge of your duties.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Your Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchukwu I, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, on the occasion of your 45th birth anniversary.

“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to give you good health and wisdom to pilot the traditional affairs of your kingdom and offer valuable contributions to the development of our dear state and country in the years ahead,” he said.

PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU UNVEILS DIGITISED CONTAINER CLASSROOMS, AS 13 ‘OUTSTANDING’ LAGOS TEACHERS GET BRAND-NEW SUVs

…Vetland Junior Grammar Sch revamped, remodelled to modular learning centre

…‘Lagos has championed new transformation in education’ – Parents

Lagos State Government has unveiled a set of technology-driven modular learning spaces, introducing an innovation to the design of a modern classroom.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, commissioned a nine-classroom block built to replace decrepit concrete structures in Vetland Junior Grammar School, a Government-owned model college in Agege Local Government Area. The interactive modular classrooms were improvised using standardised reusable freight compartments, known as container.

Each of the classroom compartment is adequately-insulated to give comfort and create a conducive ambience for hybrid learning for children in the public secondary school.

The project is completed with three laboratories and four staff rooms – all made from container. There are also recreational facilities, including a five-aside football pitch, a multi-purpose-built court, which can be used for a variety of games, such as volleyball, long tennis, badminton, and basketball.

The classrooms and their ancillary facilities have their dedicated energy source, off grid; they are powered by solar panels, which guarantee constant power supply to enable teaching and learning.

The entire project was conceived and delivered by Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) set up in 2019 by the Governor to implement interventions designed to improve access to basic education.

Sanwo-Olu, at another event held in the State House, Alausa, rewarded 13 outstanding teachers selected across the six education districts in Lagos. The teachers were presented brand-new vehicles for their passion and deployment of modern techniques to teach pupils.

The recipients were part of the finalists nominated for the Year 2021 Teachers’ Merit Award by the Screening Committee led by the chairperson of Association of Private Educators in Nigeria, Mrs. Lai Koiki.

Unveiling the school project, the Governor said the IT-enabled modular interactive classrooms would make a lasting impact in the State’s effort to make basic education accessible.

Aside from equipping the classrooms with interactive touch-screens, Sanwo-Olu said the pupils would be given electronic tablets to aid both in-class and virtual learning.

He said: “This is the future leaning in public basic education in Nigeria and Africa. The development of containerised modular classrooms is a welcome milestone on our journey towards ensuring that no child is left behind in Lagos.”

“Our goal, as a Government, is to build learning spaces of the future, thereby bequeathing public schools that are driven by cutting-edge technology and that can compete favourably with the best schools anywhere in the world.”

Sanwo-Olu congratulated all the 620 pupils who are beneficiaries of the state-of-the-art school. He said the children in public schools deserved the best quality of education to prepare them as part of a solution provider in the 21st century.

Having provided the modern facilities for their learning, the Governor charged the pupils to take full advantage of the opportunity to excel in their studies to justify the intervention.

The upgrade of the model college, Sanwo-Olu said, is part of the strategic interventions initiated in the public school system, which have led to the rehabilitation and modernisation of over 200 public schools.

He said: “So far, this administration has constructed more than 800 new classroom blocks in the public school system of Lagos and supplied about 150,000 units of furniture to our public schools across all six education districts of the State. The intervention has scaled up output in teaching and raised academic excellence.

“We have also improved security in our public schools by installing watch towers, perimeter fences, panic bells and flood lights, and have prioritised the comfort of boarding students through the provision of beddings and other necessary items. As the beneficiaries can attest to, the welfare and training of teaching and administrative staff in our public school have received significant attention as well.”

Sanwo-Olu urged administrators, teachers and pupils of the model college to take full ownership of the facilities provided and ensure the infrastructure is maintained.

Chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Barr. Omoyele Akintayo, said the feat by the State Government would champion a new course of transformation in the country.

Akintayo hailed Sanwo-Olu for listening to the yearning of the parents to rebuild the school with structures that have a modern outlook.

“I cannot hide my feelings and emotions today. I’m highly delighted. There is no amount of accolades and encomiums that can be adequately showered on Sanwo-Olu that will be enough to show our appreciation for this world-class innovation,” the PTA chairman said.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, said the feat was another promise kept by the Governor, noting that the Sanwo-Olu administration’s education reforms had transformed public schools.

She said the model college deserved the gesture, given the academic excellence it had turned out in national examinations over the last three years.

“This is an iconic building that will last for ages and transit our children into the 21st century-based knowledge,” the Commissioner said.

Giving more details on the structures, SCRPS chairman, Mr. Hakeem Smith, said the containerised structures were raised on high density rafts carefully calculated to hold both live and dead loads.

He said the floors were made of terrazzo material for durability, adding 30 convenience facilities were fitted in the academic area, while two composite toilets, which are water-free, are built for visitors and security guards.

He said the school was also rebuilt with a water system fitted with a filtration compartment to deliver potable water to the pupils.

Koiki, Director of Green Springs School, applauded the State Government for creating a reward system for teachers, stressing that the initiative had recognised the importance of education as bedrock of development.

Recipients of the brand-new vehicles are Adenike Ojo (Junior Secondary School Administrator), Folasade Oyedeji (Junior Secondary School teacher), Oluseyi Amoo (Junior Secondary School teacher), Olubukola Dosumu (Junior Secondary School teacher), Olusegun Muftau (Primary School administrator), and Fauziyat Adegeye (Primary School teacher).

Others are Michael Ayoola (Primary School teacher), Omolayo Fadayomi (Primary School teacher), Bolanle Alamu (Senior Secondary School administrator), Adeola Adefemi (Senior Secondary School teacher), Soji Megbowon (Senior Secondary School teacher), Yahya Adesokan (Senior Secondary School teacher), and Lukman Agbabiaka (Special Education Needs teacher).

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
29 JUNE 2022
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU HANDS OVER 48 UNITS OF GREATER LAGOS LBIC APARTMENTS IN AGEGE
…Says project is administration’s commitment to providing affordable housing for Lagosians
…“We promise you our community votes in 2023”, beneficiaries tell Governor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday unveiled and handed over 48 units of Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments in Ogba-Ijaiye, Pen-Cinema of Agege, saying the project is a testament to his administration’s commitment to providing affordable housing for Lagosians.
The Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments comprise two, three-bedroom flats and four units of the four-bedroom maisonette. It is a joint venture arrangement involving Lagos Building Investment Company PLC (LBIC) and RPDC Limited.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in fulfillment of his administration’s promise during the official commissioning and hand-over ceremony of the apartments, held at Agege, handed over keys to 14 families that were displaced as a result of the construction of the Agege Pen Cinema with no payment or charges.
Speaking at the event which was attended by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other government officials and people from the private sector, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the commissioning and handing over of the project is a testament of his administration’s commitment to providing affordable housing to the good people of Lagos State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that since the inception of his administration, it had commissioned not less than 15 affordable and decent housing projects and delivered more than 3,526 housing units across the State, noting that the ongoing land reform was its commitment to addressing the challenge of housing deficits in Lagos state.
He said the housing estates provided by the Lagos State Government are in addition to the thousands of units being delivered exclusively by the private sector, which is on an even bigger scale, adding that the ongoing land reforms are aimed at making it easier for private players to deliver more affordable housing that meets the needs of the population.
He said: “The commissioning and handing over of this project are testament to our commitment towards providing affordable housing to the good people of Lagos State. Given the significance of shelter as a basic human need, this administration has been determined, from Day One, to decisively tackle the housing challenges faced by the residents of Lagos.
“For us, this is not only about the availability of housing, but also about the affordability. We are concerned about ensuring that, not only are the houses reasonably priced but that there are also creative financing mechanisms that give people the capacity and convenience to pay based on their incomes.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also noted that the most efficient way to addressing the housing challenges facing Lagos as a megacity is for the government to enable and empower the private sector to deploy its abundant capital, noting that public-private partnership, with each player bringing its strengths to bear, will deliver sustainable projects that benefit the people and the State.
He said the Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments are an example of what is possible in this regard.
“It is my pleasure to announce that the 14 families that were displaced because of the construction of the Agege-Pen Cinema Bridge, will now be accommodated under this scheme and that their flats will be allocated to them at no cost. Under our watch, Lagos will continue to work for all its people, regardless of tribe, colour, age or religious affiliation.
“I would like to use this medium to appeal to all our agencies in the housing sector to continue to engage robustly with the private sector, as well as other stakeholders, to address the housing deficit in Lagos State.
“I enjoin us all to continue to support this administration as we strive to make Lagos State a truly 21st Century economy, a place where every resident can aspire to have adequate, safe and affordable housing options, in line with the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goal 11 which aims to promote sustainable cities and communities.”
In his address, the Managing Director, Lagos Building Investment Company, Oluwatobiloba Lawal, said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment in ensuring that the housing deficit in Lagos State is reduced and affordable to Lagosians is praiseworthy.
He said the commissioning of the Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments is “a testament of Mr. Governor’s commitment to the provision of affordable shelter that could stimulate the economic growth of the state hence, the THEMES agenda is working.
Speaking on behalf of the 14 families who were allocated apartments in the Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments, Mrs. Esther Ogunbanjo, recalled that about five years ago, their flats were demolished for the Pen Cinema Bridge.
She, therefore, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling his promise to compensate them and promised that the residents will vote massively to re-elect Governor Sanwo-Olu during next year’s governorship election.
“Everyone will agree with me that housing is one of the basic requirements of every human being. When his Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu emerged as the executive Governor of Lagos State, he promised to build another place for us. Although we did not believe him; we are here today to collect the keys to our place.
“Today our joy has no measure. By the special grace of God, we promise you the vote of everyone in this community in 2023. This is clear evidence that his Excellency will deliver his clear manifesto to the people. We wish you success in the upcoming election in 2023,” she said.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
29 JUNE 2022
PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS ON TRAJECTORY TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SANITATION SERVICES
…As LASWARCO Holds 3rd International Water Conference

The Lagos State Government has said it is working assiduously to expand access to clean water and sanitation services with a commitment to close the existing gaps in the sector in the best interest of residents and the general public.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Lagos International Water Conference (#LIWAC2022) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday.

LIWAC is an annual conference organized by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) with the aim of bringing together stakeholders in the water supply sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in Nigeria and beyond to inspire ideas for the advancement of the sector.

According to Bello, the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu remained committed to expanding access to water supply in line with the THEMES Development Agenda for a greater Lagos.

He said the theme of this year’s edition of the conference – “Unlocking Investment and Sustainable Access to Clean Water and Sanitation Services: The Regulatory Imperative,” was specifically aimed at expanding conversation towards the greater agenda of exploring opportunities both in the public and private sectors to deepen access to clean water and sanitation services.

“It is no gainsaying that the resolution of the multifarious challenges confronting the water and wastewater management sector in Lagos requires a dedicated and thoughtful approach to delivering the ideals of SDG-6 to the citizenry.

“I am quite assured that the array of speakers and panel discussants from Organizations such as USAID, WaterAid, African Development Bank (AFDB), Organised Private Sector, and WASH Specialists, amongst others, lined up for this intellectual engagement will not only do justice to the theme of the Conference but also leave us with a worthy and practical road map to the resolution of water security problems,” Bello said.

In her remarks, Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs. Funke Adepoju said it was gratifying that LIWAC had become a veritable platform to exchange transformational and innovative ideas toward finding lasting solutions to water supply and sanitation challenges, especially in a megacity like Lagos, with over 24Million people and a projected annual growth rate of 3.2%.

She said the present administration recognizes that Lagos, as the 7th fastest growing city globally with the highest GDP and IGR in Nigeria, cannot achieve the agenda for a greater city-state without igniting the water economy.

She added: “The highlights of past editions have already attracted investment through a partnership with WaterAid to strengthen capacity building and promotion of water sector regulation.

“Also, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the LUWASH program, a first step towards enhancing urban water service delivery in Lagos State by improving infrastructure and accountability, strengthening regulatory oversight of the LASWARCO, and strengthening the financial, and technical capabilities of Lagos Water utilities and private water vendors.”

Going forward, Adepoju said the Commission was working on the co-creation concept facilitated by WaterAid to demonstrate public-private partnership (PPP) regulation and community engagement through improved water supply delivery services as well as ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of existing major water works, all geared towards improving access to clean water.

She expressed optimism that the second phase of Adiyan waterworks project, on completion, would hugely close the existing gaps in water supply by producing an additional 70MGD, just as she assured that the state government, through LASWARCO and other relevant MDAs, would continue to initiate, implement and sustain policies targeted at ensuring residents have access to drinkable water and hygiene services.

On his part, the keynote speaker and Chairman, Global Water Leaders Group, Mr. Christopher Gasson said for Lagos to close the gap in the provision of water supply, there must be a concerted effort and effective policy in place to attract both local and foreign investment.

He said if Lagos could capture all the money currently spent on pure water sachets in the state, it would be the richest and best-performing government in terms of utility in Africa.

SIGNED
OTARU ADEGOKE
CHIEF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, LASWARCO
29TH JUNE, 2022

JULIUS BERGER ABUMET’S CSR ACTIVITY EXCITES STUDENTS AS COMPANY DONATES BOOKS, SUNDRY STUDY MATERIALS TO SCHOOLS IN THE FCT

Students in Government Junior Secondary School, Jabi 1, FCT, Abuja, were full of excitement last Tuesday, when Abumet, Julius Berger’s premium quality and full-service aluminium and glass solutions subsidiary, donated books and study materials in its sustained corporate social responsibility contributions to schools in its host communities.

Addressing pupils and staff of the school, the Commercial Manager of Abumet, Mr. Awwal Abubakar, who handed over the educational item packs to the students, encouraged them to be studious and hopeful for a great future. He said, “Abumet is a subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. It is our culture and tradition to always give back to the society, and that is what we have done. As part of Abumet’s contribution to support the environment where we operate; we select from the orphanages and public schools and donate useful developmental items needed for the students.”

Receiving the items, the Principal, Mr. Akeem Sikiru Adeola described the day as a special day for the school. “I want to thank Abumet for making out time to come for this donation; it is indeed a kind gesture. First, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc stepped in and helped us fumigate the school premises against termites and now Abumet is here to present us with the most needed items of the school. He further said, “We have been having challenges here, especially with inadequate classroom white boards and, now, Abumet has provided us with sufficient white boards to aid our teaching and learning system. Thank you for putting so much effort in the wellbeing of the students. On behalf of the management and students of Government Junior Secondary School, Jabi 1, we say thank you.”

The Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Idris Hadiza in her vote of thanks said, “We appreciate Abumet for what they have given our school today. We now have lots of writing materials and some other things we lacked earlier. Thank you..”

The Abumet delegation to the event was led by Mr. Awwal Abubakar. Other Abumet officials at the ceremony include Chimezie Nnabugwu, Esther Obong, and Grace Kyaan. Other Julius Berger Nigeria Plc officials present at the event include, Michael Ashofor; Sunmonu Ayomide and Uzoma Olivia.

African Leadership Organisation awards Adebola Williams for Outstanding Leadership Excellence

Media entrepreneur and Group CEO, RED | For Africa, Adebola Williams has been recognised for Outstanding Leadership Excellence at the 12th edition of the prestigious African Business Leadership Awards.

Powered by the publication arm of the African Leadership Organisation, the African Leadership Magazine, the Award aims to celebrate exceptional leadership in the African business ecosystem as well as phenomenal contributions to the continent’s socio-economic growth and development.

Adebola Williams received this award for his unique and inspirational contributions to business growth, job creation, youth empowerment, and wealth creation in the media and political space through the RED Group.

“It is always humbling to have the work my team and I do and our accomplishments over the years recognised,” said Adebola Williams, Group CEO, RED | For Africa. “And to receive the Outstanding Leadership Excellence Award on a platform such as the African Business Leadership Awards alongside industry leaders that I have looked up to is even more humbling.”

“I set out many years ago to transform the African landscape through media. This desire has morphed into many forms and led to the birth of the many parts of RED over the years. I have, by no means, accomplished all I have set out to, but I am proud of all we have achieved. This Award is a reminder to me that no act of service, no sacrifice and no good deed ever goes unnoticed,” he added.

Past winners of various categories of the African Business Leadership Awards include President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Former Liberian President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2011); Sudanese businessman, Mo Ibrahim (2012),Former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete (2014); Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan (2015); Tanzanian businessman and philanthropist, Mo Dewji (2016); President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame (2017); Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Abiy Ahmed (2018).

Press Statement
29th June, 2022
RT. HON. FRIDAY OSSAI OSANEBI IS MY RUNNING MATE AND DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF OUR GREAT PARTY, THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) FOR THE 2023 DELTA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION.
Consistent with section 187(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and in furtherance of the firm resolve of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State to provide responsible and balanced leadership to realise our strategic vision to take Delta from extreme bad governance and Build A New Delta (‘BAND’) on the four pillars of Employment and Empowerment, Development, Good Governance and Enduring Peace and Security (‘EDGE’), and after broad consultations with the leadership of our party, stakeholders within and outside the party and diverse interests across our State in a painstaking vetting process, it is my pleasure to announce to our people that The Rt. Honourable Friday Ossai Osanebi is my nominated running mate and the Deputy Governorship candidate of APC for the 2023 Delta State Governorship election. This momentous decision is for the greater good of all our people and consistent with our unshakeable faith in the immense leadership strengths, innovative energies and resourceful spirit of the youths of this great country.
Born on October 7, 1980 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ossai Osanebi of Umuedem Quarters, Beneku Town in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Rt. Honorable Osanebi is a vibrant, focused, humble, diligent and upward mobile young leader with vast legislative business, general public governance and corporate management experience. He had his elementary education at Eke Model Primary School, Kwale before proceeding to Orogun Grammar School, Orogun. Thereafter, he attended Enugu State University of Science and Technology where he studied Material and Metallurgical Engineering.
In January 2011, Rt. Honourable Osanebi attended a Public Governance course at the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS), London. He was at the University of Oxford, England for an Administration and Policy-making program in July 2012. He participated in the June 2016 edition of the USA Legislature Revenue Management and Budget Process organized by the International Law Institute, Washington DC. In April 2018, he undertook a Leadership Development program of study organized by the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Rt. Honourable Osanebi is a leader of impeccable character. He is a highly competent political bridge-builder and unifier of people. A very successful former National President of Ndokwa Youth Council (NYC), he holds the record of the youngest member of the Delta House of Assembly – representing Ndokwa East Constituency. His sterling qualities earned him several important leadership roles in the Delta State House of Assembly, including the Chairmanship of the House Committee on Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC); Deputy Chief Whip; Chairman, House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs; Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism; and eventually, the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
Rt. Honorable Osanebi constantly demonstrates mature, humane, resourceful and impactful leadership in public governance, legislative business, youth affairs, community relations, and corporate engagements, more particularly in the oil and gas industry where he has carved a niche for himself. He has a unique capacity to make sound and courageous decisions for the good of society. Trustworthy and God-fearing, Rt. Honorable Osanebi is a Christian and happily married to Mrs. Ogechi Osanebi, and they are blessed with children.
Rt. Honourable Osanebi is a philanthropist whose humane, meek and compassionate heart identifies and beats with our everyday and challenged people. For this, he is popularly referred to by many as “The Empowerment Master”. He therefore undoubtedly fits perfectly into our ‘EDGE to BAND’ transformational agenda to reorganize our dear State. His life and beliefs clearly complement my vision of Delta State as a land of respect for and investment in all our people and their interests. He brings huge leadership capital to the table in our collective quest to rescue Delta from indescribable governance rot and restore hope to our people.
May I quickly mention here that Rt. Honourable Osanebi emerged as our Deputy Governorship candidate from a painstaking internal vetting process in which many notable and highly qualified Deltans were also considered. Our Constitution only allows one choice and we know that Rt. Honourable Osanebi is a great choice. Nonetheless, I am confident that with God on our side and by the electoral will of our people, each eminent Deltan who was considered in the vetting process will be given a chance to add value to public governance in strategic roles after the 2023 general elections.
I am confident that working with the Rt. Honorable Friday Ossai Osanebi as our Deputy Governorship Candidate offers Deltans, especially our youths, a unique opportunity to repair our broken leadership foundations and Build A New Delta. This unique moment in our political evolution is clearly orchestrated by God Almighty for His greater glory and greater good of all our people. I humbly urge all our people to embrace this as our real chance for true greatness. We are marching towards the New Delta of our dream, and we are unstoppable.
May the good Lord bless our State and Nation and protect us all.
Signed:
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
Delta State Governorship Candidate of the All
Progressive Congress for the 2023 General Election

PRESS STATEMENT
29TH JUNE, 2022
DELTA 2023: DELTA PDP INAUGURATES PEACE AND RECONCILIATION COMMITTEES
Following the peaceful conduct and successful completion of our party primaries and the overall endorsement of the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has today, Wednesday, June 29th, 2022, set the machinery in motion to reconcile, harmonize and engender unity of purpose in the party, ahead of campaigns for the 2023 general elections, with the inauguration of the Peace and Reconciliation Committees for the three Senatorial zones, in the State.
A statement by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the Party, disclosed that the inauguration and composition of the Committees, was contained in a Memorandum titled: DELTA STATE PEACE, RECONCILIATION COMMITTEES, and signed by the Delta PDP State Secretary, Engr. Dan Ossai, which reads thus:
“Arising from a meeting of the State Working Committee, which held on 24th June, 2022, at the Party Secretariat, Asaba, the following persons have been appointed as Chairmen, Secretaries, and members of the above committees:
DELTA SOUTH
(1). CHIEF P.Y BIAKPARA – CHAIRMAN.
(2). HON. DANIEL MAYUKU –
SECRETARY.
(3). CHIEF IDU AMAIDE – MEMBER.
(4). DR. JOSEPH OTUMARA – MEMBER.
(5). MR. TROPHY KIRIFAGHA – MEMBER.
DELTA NORTH
(1). CHIEF EDWIN UZOR – CHAIRMAN.
(2). DR. FRANK NWAUGO – SECRETARY.
(3). CHIEF GODSWILL OBIELUM – MEMBER.
(4). CHIEF NKEM OKWUOFU – MEMBER.
(5). MRS. EVELYN OROGUN – MEMBER.
DELTA CENTRAL
(1). SENATOR EMMANUEL AGHARIWADO – CHAIRMAN.
(2). CHIEF BENSON OKORODUDU – SECRETARY.
(3). CHIEF, MRS. TESSY TORRU – MEMBER.
(4). CHIEF JAMES AGUOYE – MEMBER.
(5). HON. SOLOMON GOLLEY – MEMBER.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. To meet and reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP.
2. To look at the circumstances that led to their grievances and recommend ways to forestall future re-occurrence and ensure lasting coexistence within the party.
3. To report back to the State Working Committee within Four (4) weeks from the day of their inauguration.
“Delta PDP wishes to reiterate that our primaries were a family affair, conducted with the best intentions for the party and in which everybody is a winner.
“The party is now stronger and more united than ever before and we appeal to our teeming, loyal, and committed members to identify with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee in each zone, as we embrace the healing and harmonization process which binds us together as a formidable, united force.
“Delta PDP is one big family and like we predicted before the primaries, our loyal and committed members have once again proven this beyond doubt and the exercise we conducted has ended in praise for one and all, both at State and National levels.
“As we prepare to hit the campaign trail, covering every Local Government, Ward, and Unit in our usual robust and comprehensive manner, we charge all our members to remain calm, focused, and unwavering in our quest to achieve the main objective, which is landslide victories in all our elections in 2023.
“Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta.
“PDP! Power to the people!!!”
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.