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2023: Sanwo-Olu Takes Campaign To Ikorodu, Assures Residents Of More Fulfilled Promises [PHOTOS]

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  • Governor reels out achievement records in Lagos East
  • Imota Rice Mill, Lekki Deep Seaport set for commissioning in January
  • Governor to hand over Oba Sekumade Road, Ipakodo Road, Eleko-Epe Highway 

Ikorodu Town Hall, on Tuesday, bubbled with political activities as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) took its governorship campaign to the Lagos East senatorial district.

Tumultuous crowd of residents, party stalwarts and leaders from all towns in the Lagos East Senatorial District of the State converged on the Ikorodu city centre to drum support for the re-election of APC gubernatorial standard bearer, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

Candidates of the party running for national and State legislative seats in the district also led scores of their supporters to the campaign attended by members of the State cabinet, Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members, and various political support groups.

It was time for Governor Sanwo-Olu to showcase his administration’s scorecard in projects and promises fulfilled to residents in the Lagos East, which comprises Ikorodu, Kosofe, Somolu and Epe provinces.

The Governor said the quality of projects and programmes initiated by his administration had positively changed the socio-economic narrative in the district, improving the wellbeing of the people.

Sanwo-Olu regaled the crowd with the list of infrastructure projects ready to be commissioned in the Lagos East District, disclosing that President Muhammadu Buhari would be in the State in January to inaugurate the 32-metric tons Rice Mill project built by his administration in Imota.

He said: “Today, we have come to you to seek your mandate and support for another term. We are here with our hands full of fulfilled promises, which are already changing the socio-economic situation in this part of Lagos. After this campaign, we will be coming back to Ikorodu for the formal commissioning of Oba Sekumade Road and Ipakodo Road. The President will also be coming in January 2023 to inaugurate the Imota Rice Mill, which we have completed and has been in operation.

“Also in January, the first deep seaport we have initiated in the Lekki Free Trade Zone is due for inauguration. In the same free zone, we have the biggest refinery to be commissioned by Mr. President. The first phase of the six-lane Lekki-Epe Expressway from Eleko to T-Junction getting ready for completion and will be formally opened. We have delivered Mother and Child Centre in Epe, just as we opened regional emergency centre in Epe. These are some of the projects sited in the Lagos East and they are verifiable.”

Sanwo-Olu said the approval and the siting of an airport in Ibeju Lekki was another “step forward” towards delivering his administration’s agenda of Greater Lagos and keeping the Lagos East on the path of economic prosperity.

The Governor said the creation of Lekki Free Zone was a triumph for the vision of the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who initiated the idea that had transformed Epe Division into a new economic hub.

Sanwo-Olu said his Government had started development of West Africa’s largest Food and Logistics Park in Ketu Ereyun, Epe. He added that his administration, in the last three years, had empowered thousands of young farmers and entrepreneurs in agro business.

In road infrastructure, Sanwo-Olu has completed the first phase of Ijede Road, while construction work is being completed on Ogombo Road. He said the network of roads inaugurated by his administration in Soluyi community in Gbagada had not only improved mobility, but also life quality.

The Governor pledged his commitment towards the timely delivery of Gberigbe Road, Agric-Isawo Road, Igbogbo-Bayeku Road and the ongoing phase two of the Lekki-Epe Expressway from Eleko to Abraham Adesanya.

In housing, Sanwo-Olu delivered the 480-unit Ibeshe Housing Scheme and 744-units in Sangotedo, while work is being carried out on Ibeshe Scheme II and Sangotedo Scheme II.

He said: “We have also made a lot of progress in education, which has improved access to quality learning. We have not only achieved the full upgrade of Lagos State Polytechnic to a full-fledge university, we have also brought huge relief to our youths and their parents from the 60 per cent reduction in tuition fee.

“To ensure residents enjoy the benefits of efficient transportation system we have put in place, we procured and deployed more high and medium capacity buses to transit passengers from Ikorodu to Lagos Island and Oshodi. We are currently restoring the Ijede Jetty, just as we upgraded Badore Jetty to boost safe waterways transportation for those in coastal communities.”

Sanwo-Olu told the Lagos East residents that APC remained the party to beat. He urged them to get their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and vote en mass for all the party’s candidates in the general elections.

Lagos APC chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, described Sanwo-Olu and his running mate as “effective crisis managers”, noting that the State was lucky to have the duo at the time of emergencies.

The party, Ojelabi said, had strengthened itself on the ideals of social equality and brought programmes targeted at alleviating burdens on people. He cited the recent reduction of tertiary institution school fees by 60 per cent as deliberate to create more access for the youth

He said: “We want you to renew your hope with us for a better Lagos and Nigeria. We are presenting the best candidates for State and national elections. Today, we want to sign another accord and renew our commitment to deliver more projects that will make your lives better.”

Former Deputy Governor and party leader in the division, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, said Lagos East benefited greatly from the Sanwo-Olu administration in the areas of education, housing and infrastructure.

The GAC leader said the best way to appreciate the Governor’s performance was to re-elect him to complete various projects being undertaken by his administration.

See photos below;

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Owa Obokun: Adeboye Backs Another RCCG Pastor To Become Monarch

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has endorsed Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, a Deputy Continental Overseer in the United States, to succeed as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. This endorsement comes after the throne became vacant due to the death of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.

Church Times reports that Adeboye publicly supported Adeyokunnu for the position during the pastor’s 70th birthday celebration in the US. Pastor Adeboye had previously backed another US-based church leader, Ghandi Afọlabi Ọlaoye, for the position of Soun of Ogbomosoland.

Notably, Pastor Adeyokunnu is the younger brother of Pastor Folu Adeboye, the wife of Pastor Adeboye.

At the birthday celebration, Pastor Adeboye said apart from being his in-law, he had known Pastor Adeyokunnu even before he met his wife.

He said: “I have known him before I got married to his sister and that is for about 60 years now.

“He is the first friend I would have in the Adeyokunnu family apart from my wife.

“He was not a big man like this.

“He was like then the little Bayo.

“But we bonded together speedily.

“He also got born again under my ministry.

“I can still remember the sermon I preached that day, titled: ‘Come and Drink,’ and he is still drinking till today.

“Every opportunity he had, he would want to get a little more.

“He is a warrior.

“He can pray anything out of you.”

Just when Pastor Adeboye was about to conclude his speech and pray for him at the event, he hinted that he may be the next king of Ijeshaland.

He prayed in Yoruba for him while telling participants at the event: “For your information, you don’t speak English in the presence of a monarch in our land because I am also from Ijeshaland.

“So I will not pray in English for him because he is a prince and he may be the next king.”

According to Church Times, apart from being a pastor, Adeyokunnu is a successful businessman with diverse interests in real estate, publishing, aviation, and journalism.

He is of the Bilaro ruling house in Ijeshaland.

His great, great grandfather was Kabiyesi Ofokutu I.

“He is said to have successfully led organisations, handled other men’s burdens, built enterprises, and contributed to community development.

According to a piece by Adunbi Adejuyigbe, which was made available to Church Times, Prince Adeyokunnu began his education at Methodist Primary School and proceeded to Methodist High School, Ilesha.

He later attended the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), where he bagged a degree in English Studies.

“An erudite scholar who has taught Church History, Philosophy, Christology and Eschatology, and in recognition of these contributions, he was awarded two honorary doctorate degrees in the United States of America,” the author stated

Adejuyigbe said further in the piece that Adeyokunnu’s commitment to community development is evident in his philanthropic endeavours.

He added: “He single-handedly spent N7 million of personal fortune to build a security fence around his alma mater, Methodist High School, Ilesha.

“And he has on countless occasions committed funds to the sponsorship of many indigent students of ljesa.

“He built a borehole also in Ira-Ikeji Ijesa.

“These selfless acts earned him accolades from the community and demonstrated his dedication to giving back to society.”

Adeyokunnu is believed to have a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Ijeshas.

Adejuyigbe added: “He has a 20-Year Development Plan: a well-articulated vision for the development and growth of the town, and he is committed to working tirelessly to achieve this vision.

“Prince Bayo’s leadership style is characterised by inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

“He is a listener, a team player, and a leader who empowers others to achieve their full potential.”

 

Credit: Church Times.

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UPDATE: Simon Ekpa’s Offence Not Bailable — Finnish Police

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The Finnish police have stated that Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will remain in custody until his trial.

The police further explained that the Finnish legal system does not allow for bail due to the nature of the offence he is being held for.

On November 21, law enforcement in the northern European nation arrested the pro-Biafra agitator.

He was subsequently sent to prison by the district court of Päijät-Häme for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media”.

Ekpa is alleged to have committed the crime in 2021 in Lahti municipality.

He faces accusations of instigating violence and inciting terror in the south-east of Nigeria through his social media platforms.

The federal government has been seeking Ekpa’s extradition, as he holds dual citizenship in Finland and Nigeria, for prosecution.

Additionally, Ekpa is scheduled to face charges in May 2025.

When asked whether Ekpa’s charges were bailable, Mikko Laaksonen, a senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, replied in an email to PUNCH on Saturday: “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure.”

“Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting the freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable,” he added.

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Wema Bank Emerges Overall Winner For The Third Time At Nigeria Bankers Game 2024

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Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has reaffirmed its dominance by emerging as the Overall Winner at the just-concluded Nigeria Bankers Game (NBG) 2024 Grand Finale. This remarkable achievement marks the bank’s third consecutive win at the prestigious sporting event.

With an impressive tally of 10 gold medals. Wema Bank clinched victories across various categories, including Table Tennis (Female Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles), Volleyball, Scrabble, Video games, 100m Female, 200m Female, and the 4x100m Female Relay.

This year’s NBG also celebrated individual brilliance, with Bukky Olorunmaye, one of Wema Bank’s standout athletes, earning the title of Nigeria Bankers Game 2024 Female Athlete of the Year. Her outstanding performance across multiple disciplines underscores her dedication and resilience, making her a shining example of excellence.

The Nigeria Bankers Game serves as a platform to foster camaraderie, teamwork, and a spirit of healthy competition among Nigeria’s leading banks. It brings together athletes and staff across the financial sector to compete in various sports, showcasing the resilience, talent, and unity that define the industry.

For Wema Bank, this year’s stellar performance further solidifies its reputation as a champion both on and off the field. Through its success in sports, the bank highlights its commitment to promoting teamwork, discipline, and resilience—qualities that also define its daily operations and customer-first approach.

Moruf Oseni, Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating:

“Winning the Nigeria Bankers Game for the third time in a row is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects the resilience, teamwork, and dedication of our staff. At Wema Bank, we are not just about financial innovation; we are enablers of dreams and champions of holistic development. This victory underscores our belief in empowering our people to excel in every aspect of life. Congratulations to all our athletes for their exceptional performance. We remain committed to fostering excellence in every endeavor.”

Reacting to her recognition as the Female Athlete of the Year, Bukky Olorunmaye shared:

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition. Competing alongside so many talented individuals and representing Wema Bank has been a humbling and fulfilling experience. This award is not just mine—it belongs to my teammates and everyone who supported us. Together, we demonstrated the power of teamwork, and I am grateful to Wema Bank for giving us this platform to shine.”

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