BIG STORY

Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Stakeholders Collectively Speak Against Protest; Commend Council, Boss Rasaq Ajala

Published

5 months ago

July 31, 2024

In a united stance, stakeholders in Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area have rejected the planned nationwide protest scheduled to start on August 1, 2024.

At a meeting convened by Council Chairman Honourable Razaq Olusola Ajala, attendees were urged to prioritize peace and stability in the area.

The gathering aimed to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining calm and preventing external influences from sparking unrest and chaos in the community.

From clerics: Christians, Muslims and traditional worshipers; youths under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria; transporters; market men and women; security agents; parents’ forum; the community development committee (CDC); to the staff and management of the council, it was a unanimous decision: no to protest!

First to speak was the Chairman of the council chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Venerable Dr EO Babatunde Durowoju who told the gathering that CAN in Lagos have unanimously said no to protest.

“This is a message from our leader in Lagos State, Reverend Stephen Adegbite. All of us in CAN have decided against any form of protest and we’ve communicated this to our branches and our members,” he said.

His message was echoed by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Aselapa and his counterpart from the traditional religion genre. They both stated that they have warned members of their congregation not engage in any action or utterances that can cause chaos

The Area Commander of Area D police command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bamidele Awoniyi expressed appreciation to the council boss for organising the parley saying that it has reduced some of the burden of the police.

“We want our people to maintain the peace and ensure that there is no chaos and violence in this area,” he said.

Comrade Okeyale who spoke on behalf of the NYCN, told the gathering that youths in the state have decided to engage in constructive dialogue with government on any issue.

“It’s the same line we are following here in Odiolowo/Ojuwoye. The Chairman of this council is also taking good care of us just as the Governor is taking good care of us at the state level.

“Thus, it’s our unanimous decision not to engage in any protest,” Okeyale said.

The Iyaloja General of the council, Alhaja Mufliat Abimbola Adebunmi; the traditional ruler of Odiolowo, His Royal Majesty Sikiru Williams Apena; the Vice Chairman of the Council, Seyi Jakande; the Leader of the Council Legislative Arm, Honourable Rilwan Ajenifuja; and the representative of Mushin State Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Nureni Akinsanya all spoke with one voice on the need to avoid actions and utterances that lead to violence.

Rounding up the programme with his speech, Honourable Ajala expressed appreciation to the people for answering his calls.

“I also want to say thank you all for speaking unanimously against protest. It’s not that we’re against protest. No! Protest is part of democracy and it’s the constitutional rights of the citizens to protest.

“But experience has shown that this kind of protest has political undertone and designed to cause chaos, mayhem and looting. We should not allow this to happen,” he said.

Honourable Ajala appealed to the people to have patience with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration noting that the President is working assiduously to make life better for the people.

“It has never happened in the history of Nigeria but the Tinubu administration has started giving students loans for their education and just yesterday, the new minimum wage was signed into law by the President. We’re getting there and soon we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he assured.

Honourable Ajala reminded the gathering of what happened during the EndSARS protests noting how a legitimate protest over alleged police brutality was hijacked by fifth columnists and turned it into a political tool to settle political scores.

“The destruction unleashed on Lagos during that period is still reverberating. But remember, we bear the brunt of the destruction, you and I because the money used in purchasing most of the items and materials is the taxes we pay,” he said.

Ajala assured the people that he would not relent in putting smiles on their faces.

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BIG STORY

Federal Government Earmarks N827bn For Education Infrastructure In 2025 Budget

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2024

PorscheClassy News

Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced that the Federal Government has disbursed a total of N34bn in loans to students studying at tertiary institutions across the country through the “Nigeria Education Loan Fund.”

The President made this statement on Wednesday while presenting the N49.7tn 2025 budget estimates to a joint session of the National Assembly. He also highlighted that the government has allocated N826bn for infrastructure development in the education sector for the 2025 fiscal year.

He stated, “Our administration has so far disbursed N34bn to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.”

“In the 2025 budget, we have made provision for N826.90bn for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education and the nine new higher educational institutions.”

He continued, “We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria. In this way, we have allocated N402bn for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 budget and another N282.65bn for the Basic Health Care Fund.”

“Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians.”

“This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency.”

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BIG STORY

President Tinubu Targets N1,500 Per Dollar Rate In 2025 Budget Goals

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2024

PorscheClassy News

Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, stated that the Federal Government aims to stabilise the exchange rate at N1,500 to the dollar to ensure the smooth implementation of the 2025 budget.

This marks a reduction of about N200 from the current rate of N1,700 to a dollar.

President Tinubu made this known while presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the 11th National Assembly in Abuja.

“The budget projects that inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6% to 15% next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately N1,700 per dollar to N1,500. The base crude oil production assumption is set at 2.06 million barrels per day”, he said.

“The projections are based on the following observations: reducing the importation of petroleum products, increasing exports of refined petroleum”. He added.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: 32 Reportedly Die In Ibadan Children Programme Stampede

Published

14 hours ago

December 18, 2024

PorscheClassy News

At least 32 people have tragically lost their lives during a stampede at a children’s carnival in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Wednesday.

A statement from the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, revealed that the stampede occurred at a private children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun, resulting in the deaths of 32 people, mostly children, with some others sustaining injuries.

He mentioned that the state government promptly deployed a rapid response team to the site following the incident.

The commissioner confirmed that the victims have been transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for medical treatment.

While thanking the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for quickly activating all available response teams to assist at the scene, Oyelade emphasized that the state government will do everything possible to support the victims of the stampede during this difficult time.

He noted that the sate government was not involved in the planning of the carnival, adding that the Ministry of Health was also not carried along in the organisation of the private end of the year children funfair.

Oyelade emphasised the importance of proper coordination when organising events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.

“We are currently awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident,” he said.

The commissioner urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where affected children were taken for proper medical attention, with a valid means of identification:

Patnas Hospital, Basorun
Western Hospital, Basorun
Ringroad State Hospital
Molly Specialist Hospital
University College Hospital (UCH)

“Oyo State Government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary supports arranged for the victims,” he added.

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