PRESS RELEASE

…74-year-old Woman Wins 2-Bedroom Flat, As COWLSO Conference Ends
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday called on women to mobilise massively to elect the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President in 2023, recalling how he (Tinubu) revived the economy of the state from bankruptcy in 1999 as Governor.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 22nd National Women’s Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, said the way to build the nation of our collective dreams is for women to mobilise their husbands, cousins, and children to vote for Tinubu who has a track excellent excellence performance.
The Governor, who was represented by his. Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said: “We are a nation of history and part of our problem as a nation is that we have forgotten our history; is that we have westernised ourselves; is that we have broken our developmental trend. How do we bring it back? We must bring it back by allowing people who have precedents to do the work. It is as simple as that.
“Look at how beautiful and impactful this conference had been. It is because everybody came together to work hard led by a very competent First Lady. So, if we want a nation our own children and grandchildren will be happier than us, it is time to vote for a man who has done it before.
“There are no two ways about it; we must look at what people have done and how they have done it. People forget that in 1999, Lagos State was bankrupt; this state does not have a single ambulance in 1999. Only seven percent of the roads in Lagos State were tarred in 1999. So, a lot has happened and the foundation was laid by the man Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are not being sentimental; we are just saying let us move our country forward. We belong in the nation of the disciplined and respected not just we go somewhere and they are saying Nigerians should move to one side. No! We are a very important people and the future of the black man in the world rests on Nigeria and we should not miss this opportunity.”
Also speaking, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum called for deliberate actions against hurdles that stifle development of women and their participation in governance and development.
Zulum, who was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Borno State, Hauwa Abubakar, said: “These hurdles undermine women’s ability to fully contribute to societal development which is exacerbated by poverty and lack of skills and formal education in our communities.
“We must strive hard to improve the situation of young women in Lagos and Nigeria by collaborating with well-meaning individuals, groups and organisations. We must, therefore, recognise community leadership and civic engagement skills as essential tools that will enable young women to participate in governance and development.
“There is need for collective action by men, women and youths in addressing existing barriers. This can generate more innovative and effective outcomes.”
In her remarks, Lagos State First Lady and COWLSO Chairman, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu said with the high-level participation of political and economic leaders and women from across the country as well as the quality of contributions during the interactive sessions at the conference, she was confident that the discussions would elevate the status of women to spring forth and stand out in all spheres of life in line with the theme.
She also urged the Federal Government to address Nigeria’s porous borders and other security challenges, just as she said women have a key role to play in tackling insecurity in the country.
“As women, it is time for us to lend our voice to the security issues in our country and not leave it only for the men to ensure that every one is security conscious. When you see something, say something and do something.
“From discussions at the Conference, we were told that we have over 261 borders, out of which 137 are porous. To the wives of security personnel attending this conference, it is time to put the word out there and pass across the message to our spouses to ensure that this country is safe; to ensure that poverty is eradicated. It is only when poverty is eradicated; it is only when there is security that people would want to come to Nigeria and invest.
“Every woman here is a stakeholders with regards to security. Our voice is what we have and we must use it constructively; to brainstorm, to speak out, and to stand out.”
She also urged women to embrace forward thinking mindset, saying: “Henceforth, our women in Nigeria must be forward thinking and unite to move forward.”
At the ceremony, a posthumous award was presented to the late South-West APC Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson. Other award recipients were the Wife of the First civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, and media personality, Funmi Iyanda.
Earlier at the Gala Night, several interesting prizes were won, while three lucky participants won the star prizes.
They were: Mrs. Abiola Liadi, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service, who won a Turkish Return Ticket; Mrs. Adebisi Ikusawe, a civil servant with the Lagos Island Local Government, who won a brand new GAC Sport Utility Vehicle; and a 74-year-old Alhaja Olushola Oyedele a.k.a Iya Luku Mushin, who won a two-bedroom apartment at LagosHoms, Sangotedo.

OLUBUKONLA NWONAH
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY
20TH OCTOBER, 2022
PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU REITERATES DEMAND FOR STATE POLICE
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday reiterated the demand for State Police in Nigeria, saying it will help governors to protect the life and property of their citizens, which they have sworn to, as well as ensure peace and tranquillity within their states.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated the call for State Police when the Commissioners of Police Service Commission (PSC) led by the Acting Chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Marina.
The Governor said his administration will continue to provide adequate first-class security for the entire local and foreign citizens within the state.
He said: “We reiterate and seek your cooperation on our collective agitation for a State Police. This is my view and the view of a lot of my colleagues and citizens that given the age of our democracy, policing at the community level is not only desirable, but it is also important and it is what should be done and what we require.
“We will continue to advocate for State Police. We have said that State Police is not in any form to retrench or reduce whatever the Nigerian Police is doing now. There would still be clear responsibility that would be federal in nature; they would still have direct responsibility and oversight to continue to address.
“We also know that if you look at the ratio of Policemen to our huge population, we are still far from what it should be. So, for us, it is really another level of employment generation; providing what we are sworn to do, which is the protection of life and property; ensuring there is peace and tranquillity within our State.
“We know it is a constitutional thing and we are pushing at various stakeholders’ levels but even at an administrative point of view, let the point be made that when you (the Commissioners of Police Service Commission) came to Lagos, these are our own views and reasons. It is not long overdue and everybody can do it at their own measure.
“We have a huge task to continue to provide adequate first-class security for our entire local and foreign citizens that are here in large numbers. The population is growing on a daily basis and we need to be proactive to be able to respond and be able to ensure that we don’t have space for criminal-minded people or people that have other intentions within our own territory.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who commended the work of the Lagos Police Command led by the State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said his administration will continue to encourage the Police to do what is right at all times.
Speaking during the visit, Justice Ogunbiyi commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration on the issue of security, saying security is top-notch in Lagos State.
She said: “We can see that security is top notch in Lagos and there is a lot of safety here and we wish and desire that other states within the country will also emulate Lagos because of the security situation which is top notch. Lagos is a model of how to handle security situations.
“The Police are doing a good job in Lagos and they could also replicate in all other states and parts of the country. This is basically why we are here, to appreciate the governor and that he should continue with the good work.”
Justice Ogunbiyi said the Police Service Commission will ensure that Nigeria Police work within the ambit of the law and ensure that they are well looked after, adding that the Commission will make sure the community has confidence in the Police.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
20 OCTOBER 2022

BUHARI APPOINTS EMMANUEL AUDU-OHWAVBORUA AS NDDC ACTING MANAGING DIRECTOR
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua as acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Audu-Ohwavborua, a director in the Delta State office of the NDDC, was asked to take over the running of the commission, pending the setting up a new management team and a governing board, according to a letter, dated 20 October, from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana.

According to the letter, Mr Audu-Ohwavborua is the most senior director in the NDDC.
The NDDC is under the ministry’s supervision.
“President Buhari has approved that the most senior director in the commission should take over and perform the duties of the managing director in acting capacity in line with the provision of the extant Federal Government Circular Ref No. SGF.50/S. II/C.2/268,” the letter stated.
“Accordingly, you are by this letter directed to take up and perform the duties of the Managing Director pending the appointment of a substantive managing director and members of the Governing Board of the Commission,” it added.

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, CALLS HIM SOLDIER OF DEMOCRACY
President Muhammadu Buhari joins the Government and people of Ekiti State in mourning the passing of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, who died on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, aged 66 years.
President Buhari said the late Speaker had distinguished himself as a key soldier for democracy and was widely admired as a humble grassroots political leader who relentlessly championed the interests of his people.
“He served the State and its people diligently and devoted his life to uplifting common good,” said the President.
He prayed for the repose of his soul and fortitude on the part of his family, friends, admirers and the entire people of the State in bearing the loss.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 20,2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS GM/CEO OF NATIONAL THEATRE, PROF. SUNDAY ENESSI ODODO AT 60
President Muhammadu Buhari shares in the joy of celebrating the 60th birthday of the General Manager/CEO of National Theatre, Prof. Sunday Enessi Ododo, on 21st October, 2022, congratulating the screenwriter, playwright, poet and renowned thespian on the milestone.
The President rejoices with the Professor of Performance Aesthetics and Theatre Technology, his family, friends and professional colleagues on the occasion of his birthday, knowing that he has invested many years in the development of performance arts in the country, with evidences in the entertainment industry, which currently impacts on global screens and stage acts.
President Buhari affirms that the works of dramatists and theatre-makers, like Prof. Ododo, have significantly contributed to the understanding and acceptance of Nigeria across the world, creating identities, lifting and giving relevance to folklores and cultures, and pushing barriers on performances that have culminated in recognitions and awards.
The President believes the scholar’s versatility and flexibility in teaching the theories and practice of theatre and other literary genres continue to inspire new interest in research on Nigerian and African culture, paving way for the younger generation to embrace theatre as participatory communication and platform for benchmarking and networking.
President Buhari applauds Prof. Ododo for his diligence in supervising the structural and operational turnaround of the National Theatre.
The President prays for the well-being of the award-winning director and actor, and that of his family.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 20, 2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI RESTATES COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP WITH GERMANY, SIEMENS TO IMPROVE ELECTRICITY GENERATION
• WELCOMES TRAINING OF 5,000 NIGERIAN ENGINEERS UNDER PPI
Nigeria remains dedicated to the partnership with Siemens and the German Government to improve electricity generation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari pledged on Thursday in Abuja.
Receiving officials of Siemens Energy AG at State House, the President urged them not to relent in ensuring that government’s commitment to Nigerians in delivering the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) is fulfilled.
The President told the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Siemens Energy, Dr. Christian Bruch, the CEO of Siemens Africa, Nadia Haakansson, and the CEO of Siemens Nigeria, Mr. Seun Suleiman, that the outcome of the collaboration will deliver critical business enablers and opportunities to engage young enterprising Nigerians in various endeavours.
The President also welcomed the training of 200 Nigerian engineers on network development studies under the initiative, saying that this represents ”a very important upskilling and knowledge transfer process.”
The President added that he looks forward to the 5,000 engineers that would have been trained by the end of the programme.
Recounting his promise to Nigerians earlier in this administration to improve electricity supply by resolving capacity deficit across the sector’s value chain, the President lauded the German Government, through the former Chancellor, Angela Merkel, for graciously supporting the country, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Siemens.
He also thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the German Government’s continued support for the PPI.
”A plan to deliver capacity improvements of 2,000 Megawatts in the transmission-distribution interface is now firmly the focus of PPI Phase I.
”In April 2022, the Honourable Minister of Power briefed me on the outcome of his visit to Germany where he held meetings with Siemens executives.
”That visit was fruitful in emphasizing the need to expedite delivery of the pilot PPI project, elements of which have started arriving in the country.
”The Honourable Minister also mentioned that you, Dr. Bruch, will pay a visit to Nigeria, and we are glad that you are with us today.
”The PPI remains a priority project for our Administration and Nigerians believe in the value that the Siemens’ brand can deliver.
”On our part, nothing is spared to ensure we improve the lives and livelihoods of our citizens,” he said.
President Buhari expressed delight at some notable progress on the implementation arrangements of the PPI, adding that the first batch of two power transformers already delivered by Siemens would be commissioned in November 2022.
”I have been reliably assured that 10 Power Transformers and 10 Mobile Substations would have been completely delivered and installed by May 2023.
”This is in spite of production challenges and constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has severely impacted global production and supply chain.”
The Nigerian leader thanked the Government of Germany for approving Euler Hermes to provide cover for the financing of the PPI pilot project, noting that this will serve as a template for the subsequent phases.
Acknowledging that the overall frameworks for technical and commercial arrangements are being concluded, the President said:
”However, what I would like to see is that we attain completion of the entire transaction process by December 2022. This will entrench the mandate of the PPI in full committal terms.”
The Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, thanked the President for ”the remarkable vision of PPI, adding that Nigerians will be thankful to him for a long time after leaving office, “because the power sector will be revitalized.”
He said Siemens was one of the world’s best in power, ”and will surely deliver.”
Dr Christian Bruch, after sympathizing with Nigerians affected by the current devastating flood, said his team was fully committed to the PPI, ”and we will push forward in the weeks and months ahead, as we need to move the process faster.”
He also promised to continue with trainings and improvement of capacities, adding that though general elections were ahead in Nigeria, ”the power initiative will continue, as we are fully committed, and will accelerate the process.”
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 20, 2022

Buhari sacks Akwa, approves new NDDC Governing Board

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Effiong Akwa as the sole administrator of the Njger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

A statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Patricia Deworitshe, said Mr Akwa’s sack, which has been approved by Mr Buhari, takes effect from 20 October.
The ministry supervises the activities of the NDDC.
The statement said Mr Akwa was appointed interim administrator for the duration of the forensic audit into the operations of the commission and that the audit has been concluded, apparently justifying his removal.
“President Buhari has also approved the constitution of a new Management Team and Governing Board of the NDDC in line with Section 5(2) of the NDDC Act, 2000.
“The names of the nominees for the new management team and Governing Board are to be transmitted to the National Assembly for approval,” the statement said.