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Lagos State Government Rolls Out 11-Day Programmes For Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat’s Second-Term Inauguration

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Lagos State Government has released 11-day programmes for the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for a second term in office.

The programmes, which will be held in different parts of the State, particularly at the five divisions of Lagos – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe – are lined up to celebrate Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, who have performed excellently in office in the first term, with the promise of improved performance with the aim of effectively achieving ‘A Greater Lagos Rising.’

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, while unveiling the programme at a press conference held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja on Friday, said the 11-day events will hold from May 21 to June 4.

He said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has fulfilled the promise of “A Greater Lagos in many areas of life through the delivery of several life-impacting projects, social investments in our people as well as economic development of our dear State.”

Omotoso, who is the Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat’s second term inauguration ceremonies, said Inauguration Day will hold on May 29 while post-inauguration Jummat and Church services will hold simultaneously in five divisions of the State on Day Nine (June 2) and Day 11 (June 4) respectively.

He also disclosed that projects commissioning will take place in eight local government areas – Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere for three consecutive days from Day Three (May 24) to Day Five (May 26.)

According to Omotoso, Youth Carnival and Robotic competition, which will involve People Living with Disability, will hold on Day One simultaneously in all the Lagos five divisions while “Public lecture titled “The Making of a Beacon: Lagos and the Consolidation of a Democracy that works for all” will be delivered by Prof Adigun Agbaje, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan on Day Two (May 23).

Book Launch and Photo Exhibition, as well as a Stage Drama performance, will also hold on Day Two at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Children’s Day activities, which will hold at the Police College in Ikeja, and Novelty Match to be played simultaneously in five divisions of Lagos are scheduled for Day Six on May 27 while the Pre-inauguration rehearsal will hold on Day Seven (May 28).

Omotoso said the two events scheduled for Day 10 are a Cultural display at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, and an Inauguration Dinner at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

Speaking on the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s achievements in the last four years, Omotoso said the social contract between Governor Sanwo-Olu and the people of Lagos was never taken for granted, adding that the Governor and his team proactively tackled head-on all the challenges that confronted the State within the four years.

He said: “The administration in line with its campaign promise, ensured that all abandoned/ongoing projects too numerous to mention here, were completed; started and completed new projects and worked on a sustainable and enduring future for the State through several bold and audacious policies and projects.

“We can safely state here that it is not by accident that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration continued the Blue Line Rail project and completed it. It also started the Red Line Rail project that is nearing completion amid global economic challenges.

“The Sanwo-Olu administration completed 970 roads – 34 roads in Kosofe, Somolu, Victoria Island and Ikoyi – and 15 bridges. In Ojokoro, 31 roads were completed. It trained 18,000 teachers under the EKOEXCEL programme, set up two varsities and our varsities never went on strike when it was fashionable to do so. We also built four Mother and Child Centres.

“There are several road projects spread across Lagos State, such as the Agege Pen Cinema bridge, the Eleko Junction to Epe rigid pavement roads, the Oba Sekumade and Ijede roads in Ikorodu as well as several hospital projects spread across the State. We completed 18 housing projects.

“This administration also prioritised technology, entertainment and arts and the preservation of our historical and cultural heritage. The Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat administration changed the face of governance in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

“The Blue Line has been commissioned and any moment from now passenger operation will begin. The administration began the Red Line on August 15, 2021. It is almost completed now, with engineers putting the finishing touches to the iconic project. There are 21 ferries on our waterways, which more Lagosians are embracing to commute from one part of the state to the other. The Lagos Rice Mill Imota is in operation. The achievements are, no doubt, numerous and significant because they touch the people’s lives directly.”

Also speaking, the Publicity Secretary of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Seye Oladejo, said the party is proud of the Sanwo-Olu government in the last four years because the administration is committed to the people of the State.

He urged Lagos residents to continuously support the APC government.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

19 MAY 2023

BIG STORY

Equitorial Guinea Sacks Senior Government Official, Baltasar Engonga Over “Sexcapade”

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The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been dismissed following the discovery of over 400 explicit videos involving him with high-profile women across the country.

The dismissal, ordered by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was confirmed by Real Equatorial Guinea, which referenced Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4.

According to the decree, Engonga’s removal was due to alleged professional misconduct and personal behavior deemed incompatible with his public position.

The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation involving the 54-year-old economist, leading to a surprise search of his house and office by ANIF officials.

During the search, they uncovered several CDs containing explicit videos that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

One of the women involved has since committed suicide. It has not been confirmed whether Engonga will face prosecution for his actions.

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BIG STORY

Kaduna Government Gifts N100,000, Smartphones To 39 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters

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The Kaduna State government has provided N100,000 in cash, new smartphones, and additional support to 39 #EndBadGovernance protesters who were recently released from detention.

The government facilitated their reunion with their families on Wednesday, following their release from detention.

The reunion ceremony took place at the Children Homes along Kauru Road in Kaduna, where Governor Uba Sani offered support to the protesters, promising to assist them in reintegrating into society.

He assured them of opportunities for empowerment, contingent upon their commitment to lawful and responsible conduct.

Speaking to journalists after the release of the protesters, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, who represented the governor, revealed that Sani had instructed him to gather the credentials of those who have completed their tertiary education.

‘’The governor promised that some of them will be given start-up capital to begin trading, others will be taught skills, and some will be offered employment,’’ he said.

However, the SSG emphasized that the activities and conduct of the released protesters would be monitored to ensure they maintain good behavior, “before these benefits will be extended to them.”

Meyere also noted that the state government had taken the details of the released detainees, including their contact information, telephone numbers, and the names of their Next of Kins, to facilitate tracking and monitoring.

He further explained that the protesters underwent medical evaluations and received psycho-social counseling to encourage them to make positive changes and become productive members of society.

“Both Islamic and Christian religious leaders preached to them to embrace the teachings of their faiths and avoid bad company, so as to benefit from God’s blessings here and in the hereafter,” he said.

Meyere added that the detainees were each given a phone because they had lost theirs during detention, and ‘’the Governor has graciously given each of them N100,000 as a measure of goodwill.”

The state Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, also addressed the protesters during the reunion, emphasizing the government’s commitment to their welfare.

She stated that the 39 protesters, including two minors aged 16 and 17, had received various forms of support from the government.

“We want you to be ambassadors of peace and preach peace within your peer groups, so you won’t be involved in any unlawful protests.

“We want you to return to a more peaceful environment with your families, and then we can invite you back for further training,” she said to the released protesters.

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BIG STORY

Two Robbers Gunned Down, 23 Suspects Arrested In FCT

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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has killed two armed robbers during a gun duel and arrested four others in the Jahi area of the nation’s capital.

Additionally, no fewer than five car snatchers were arrested, and 13 stolen vehicles were recovered during operations carried out by the FCT command’s Scorpion Squad.

Speaking on Wednesday while parading the suspects in Abuja, FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said the armed robbers opened fire on October 21 after seeing police officers who had responded to a distress call about a robbery in the Jahi area.

According to Disu, during the ensuing gun battle, the police neutralized two of the armed robbers, recovered two of their vehicles, and arrested two suspects, Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara LGA, Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA, Bauchi State.

He said, “Upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire, and in the ensuing confrontation, two suspects were neutralized.”

Disu added that after a follow-up operation on October 23, the suspects led police operatives to arrest two additional gang members—Abba Ismail, aka Dan-Abba, and Ashiru Suleiman—who had escaped from the scene.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a gang of armed robbers led by one Dan Auwalu, who is still at large. So far, they have carried out armed robberies in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members,” he stated.

Disu also identified the arrested car-snatching suspects as 32-year-old Arji Thomas from Gwoza LGA, Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Awgu LGA, Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State.

He said the trio—Thomas, Ndukwe, and Sampson—are members of a notorious car-snatching gang led by one Chidiebere, who is currently on the run.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended just as they were about to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D.

“It is important to note that both Arji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe are ex-convicts. During interrogation, they admitted to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, claiming responsibility for numerous car thefts within the metropolis,” Disu added.

Disu also explained how Joseph Abang was arrested. He said one Philemon Olaoluwa reported at the Central Police Station that his mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, had absconded with his car—a 2006 ash-colored Honda Accord with registration number RBC 40—after repairing it and taking it to Jos.

He added that Saidu, who is still at large, handed over the vehicle to Abang, who confessed to being part of a gang of car thieves operating in Abuja, Plateau, and Nasarawa states.

Disu said, “Extensive investigations led police operatives of the Central Police Station to Jos, Plateau State, where Joseph Abang was arrested. During interrogation, he informed the police that he belonged to a gang of car thieves who operated in Jos, Abuja, and Nasarawa State.

“He specializes in receiving, remodelling, and selling off vehicles stolen by his gang members. During a search operation at his residence and place of business, two additional vehicles—a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208—suspected to be stolen were also recovered from him. He is in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

Disu also revealed that a Toyota Hilux with registration number 03A309 FG, stolen by a newly employed security guard, Usman Abubakar, was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.

Disu explained that the vehicle, owned by Mr. Frank Udah, was stolen on October 7 by Abubakar, who had only been employed for three days. Preliminary investigations revealed that Abubakar took the vehicle to Nasarawa State, where he handed it over to two other gang members, who have since been arrested and are facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the security guard, who had been employed for barely three days, stole the said vehicle on October 7, 2024, and took the same to Nasarawa State where he gave the vehicle to two other gang members who were arrested and currently facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State. While the vehicle has been recovered, efforts are in place to arrest the suspect, Usman Abubakar, who is still on the run,” Disu stated.

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