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PHOTOS: Soludo Sworn In As Anambra Governor

Professor Charles Soludo has been sworn in as the governor of Anambra State.

Former governor, Peter Obi, Bianca Ojukwu and other dignitaries were present for the brief ceremony.

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has described the informal sector as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural preservation of every nation.

Oyetola said this during a meeting with members of the state’s artisan Workers Union on Tuesday in Osogbo.

The governor was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.

Oyetola said the sector is one the largest employers of labour in the developing world generating income, providing important and unique skills development.

The governor said due to its importance
to the positive contributions to the economy of the state, his administration had made it its priority to see to its survival and sustainability.

Oyetola, who commended members of the informal sector for their support for his administration, said the government would continue to provide a business friendly environment for the survival of their businesses.

The governor also said that the values in the repositioning of Osun economy has made his administration to put necessary focus on the continued survival of the sector.

He said his administration would continue to patronise them for economic development and viability.

On the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Oyetola urged members of the association to vote for him for continuity.

The governor, who assured them of support at all times, said their votes for him during the election is for economic stability, progress and development.

He said if reelected, his administration would not withhold its support to the association but it would rather put more efforts into their survival.

Oyetola urged them to get their Permanent voter cards and use the same to vote for him, urging them not to allow any inexperienced politicians to deceive them.

The governor said the economic prosperity of members of the association is his priority and that the State’s Civic Engagement Centre would continue to engage them for their businesses to thrive.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the union, Kareem Owolabi, commended the governor for his various human race programmes for the masses in the state.

Owolabi noted that members of the association were beneficiaries of the government’s monthly food support scheme, which he said had greatly increased their output.

He also said that members of the association were the first to benefit from the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) empowerment programme of the state government.

“The recently introduced Gbowoga initiative to empower artisans as well as SMEs had immensely benefited us.

“We were given about 1000 forms to be distributed to our members in all the local government areas in the state.

“We also benefited from the N30,000 empowerment programme by the state government.

“We are indeed grateful to the governor and we promise our continued support for his administration”, he said

The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON Alh. Zikrullah Hassan has led a delegation to Saudi Arabia to familiarize with the new management of Mutawifs Company for Pilgrims from Africa non Arab countries popularly known as Mu’assasa.

The visit was necessitated by the need to acquaint NAHCON leadership with the new set-up sequel to the establishment’s status having been changed to a company by the Saudi’s Government for service enhancement. It is hoped that NAHCON leadership will have a first hand detailed description of the new role of the establishment in Hajj service delivery.

Also among the essence of the visit is the privilege of making prior enquiries about new arrangements for the forthcoming Hajj 2022.

Nigeria’s delegations were well received by the Company’s Vice Chairman, Mr Muhammad Burhan Saifuddeen at the Company’s headquarters in Makkah.

Another place visited by the NAHCON delegation was the office of Nigerian Consul General in Jeddah, Amb. Abdulkareem Mansur.

Among the Chairman’s entourage are NAHCON’s Makkah Liason Officer, Uztaz Lamim Abubakar, his Special Assistant (Technical) Dr Danbaba Haruna and his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Bunyamin Omowabi.

APC Convention Committee Chairmen, Co-Chairmen, Secretaries (FULL LIST)

Ahead of the March 26th APC Convention, a list of various committees with Chairmen, Co-Chairmen and secretaries has been released.

Below is the full list

By Adelowo Abeegunde

Nigeria despite its over 200 million population is bedeviled with leadership challenges. The political landscape is full of different leaders, most lacking essential leadership qualities. Many claim to be leaders but can not raise a finger for their followers.

Different authors have defined leadership in different ways. According to Keith Davis, “Leadership is the ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. It is the human factor that binds a group together and motivates it towards goals.”

Leadership has also been described as the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal.

Leadership was simplified by that popular and great author, John C Maxwell, who says that, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”.

Leaders provide guidance, direction, authority, control, management, superintendence, supervision, organization, government, orchestration, initiative, and influence among others.

No wonder the former Governor of Osun and current Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said: “Power is responsibility”. If power is responsibility, then, one can safely call a young, energetic, focused and dynamic Ishola Olateju, a leader.

In my own understanding of what leadership entails, I have come to the conclusion that having more of Teju among our young politicians of today, is all that we need for a productive leadership in no distant time in Nigeria.

Olateju, the Personal Assistant to Aregbesola has been a source of joy to everyone that has crossed his path. He is a cheerful giver and philanthropist extraordinaire.

I did not meet him when he was either the Personal Assistant to Governor Aregbesola nor as a Personal Assistant to the Minister of Interior, I met him as Teju, after he left the Government house in Osogbo when a friend recommended me to him. He immediately contacted me on phone, and fixed a meeting at a venue the following day, the rest they say is history.

Since I got to know this enigma, I have seen him building people. Instead of just giving them fish, he provides the fish and still teaches them how to fish. He provides answers to the most difficult questions and finds solutions even to the most naughty situations, which is marveling and astounding.

Although, one may not be surprised as he is a close staff of Rauf Aregbesola, a man ahead of his time. I guess, he has learnt a lot from his boss.
One unique thing about Olateju is his ability to listen to different opinion before making his final decision. We have had to argue, postpone the argument to start the following day and at the end, the best decision would taken for the benefit of all. A man with a large and kind heart, unimaginable forgiving spirit, Teju is ready to embrace his worst enemy just for the peace to reign.

Ishola Olateju, is a woman’s favourite anyday, caring with a soft mind which make him the best any woman will pray to have as husband, no wonder you see them flock around him, maybe because of his love for his late mother, Teju, would never allow a tear on a woman. He once told me how passionate he is to the fight against discrimination of women and children in the society, which birthed a foundation to cater for their needs. His love for the female gender and his passion to always support them has created some bad notion about him most especially those that do not know how the growth of people especially the downtrodden involving women and children is dear to him.

A young man with wide coverage across the country, Teju can boast of at least a friend in each local Government across the country as a detribalised Nigerian. Teju is as close to his fellow Yoruba as he is close to either an Hausa or Igbo descedent.

Today, the Ishola Olateju Foundation has trained more than 300 Igbominas in Kwara state in different handwork and provides working tools for them.

Ishola Olateju has extended the work of the Foundation to include taking care of the elders and aged in Igbomina land. Last year during his 40th birthday, Olateju, distributed millions of Naira to older women in Igbomina land. He recently distributed hundreds of Jamb forms to students across the area. Hundreds have also benefitted from the scholarship scheme of this great philanthropist.

Without sounding immodest, Teju has provided jobs for more than 200 Indigenes of Igbominaland in different fields of endeavour and I doubt if there is a home in the area that has not benefited from his far-reaching gestures.

Olateju, a graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic and currently, an undergraduate student at the prestigious University of Ibadan, is a leader to behold. His leadership virtues are worth extolling.

The popular ‘Not too Young to Rule’ is just icing on the cake of this man of the people and I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he will make Nigeria proud in a no distant time.

Olateju is a leader we are all proud of. Nigerians should watch out for this young leader.
As you add a year today, let me join your friends, family and Political associate to wish you the best in all your endeavours. I pray that the happiness you gives out will come back to you in multitudes. Happy birthday to the people’s Comrade.

Abeegunde, a close associate of Ishola Olateju writes from Abuja.

Prince ‘Folahan Adeniyi Ibokun-borned ( in Obokun State Constituency of Obokun Local Government Area) and seasoned banker with a foremost bank in Nigeria has described the 2022 budget of Osun State as a template for sustainable governance, just as the incumbent Governor of the State has christened it a “Budget of Sustainable Development”. However, he pointed out that only the reelection of Governor Gboyega Oyetola could make this possible. He applause the Executive Governor for the courage and commitment to declare his ambition for the second term in office; recommending that not only the traditional rulers should cue behind him but also civil servants, pensioners, market men and women, artisans, and youth should stand by the “Ileri-Oluwa Advocate”


While reviewing the budget as a banking guru, he commented that Osun government’s vote of with 58.7% to capital expenditure and 41.3% to recurrent expenditure is highly commendable and achievable.



He applauded the State House of Assembly for timely passage of the bill and give kudos to Mr. Governor for giving accent to the bill, and thereby turning it into an Act. This, he said, will ensure January to December budget cycle, which he described as significant to ensuring economic and governance stability within the current calendar year.

He agreed with the majority of the populace who are declaring for the candidacy of His Excellency, Gboyega Oyetola. In his words, “there cannot be any capable, eligible and formidable candidate for the position of Governorship in the State of Osun in the next election coming up in July 2022, within the All Progressives Congress party than Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Having gone through the bill; he lauded Osun 2022 budget elements, adding that it alludes to the fact that the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has been pursuing participative and entrepreneurial governance which has help him deliver on social, economic, infrastructure and human capital development needs of the people of Osun, home and abroad.



He concluded that Gov. Oyetola been a technocratic cum politician has turnaround the course of governance in Osun, and he should therefore be assured of support of his likes from Osun; home and abroad.

• 

Each new year is like a door, a portal that opens to a beckoning future. But also one that closes upon what has passed. Upon reaching this door, we all must be cognizant and attentive to the lessons of what has already come so that we better navigate that which is yet to come. This new year is no different.

Foremost, let us thank God that we have reached this moment. The outgoing year had its blessings but for many of us it was a hard and difficult one of serious challenges and struggle. The entire world continued to be troubled by the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant social and economic woes. Nigeria fought wisely and bravely to prevent the worst of the pandemic from visiting us. We succeeded in great part but we still felt and feel the effects of this unprecedented public health challenge.

While we still contend against this scourge, let us take great solace in one incontestable fact. With relatively few resources, we have contained this disease more than it has contained us. This speaks to the strength and resilience of our national spirit. This episode has shown us that when we put our collective will and energy to a thing, nothing will stop us from our common purpose. Nothing can beat back our pursuit of the common good.

No matter what may confront us, God never leaves us bereft of hope or positive solution. It is upon us to find the God-given courage and vision in ourselves to stand up to problems that seek to shackle us that we may bring these problems low. So that we may elevate this nation and its people to a much higher place. I say this not just to say a nice thing during the holiday season. I say this because it is our greater truth. It is our national destiny. In this new year, let us seize that destiny as never before. So I enjoin you to enter 2022 with hope and with the unyielding determination that our hope and collective toil will succeed in bringing forth a more prosperous and just nation. Hope that things will be better.

Insecurity is here in many areas. But we will battle and battle and battle it again until it is subdued and extinguished from the face of the nation. President Muhammadu Buhari and our security agencies are doing their best to confront the menace. The President has vowed to end this evil. Let’s us join and support him in this common cause regardless of partisan or other affiliation.

We have an economy to continue to build. Youths in need of jobs. The elderly and the sick in need of care. Infrastructure in need of building. Poverty in need of chasing away. Hunger in need of disappearing. Compassion and care in need of growing.
Let us focus on these things. For in achieving these things, we achieve a better Nigeria for us all.
I urge Nigerians to continue to be law-abiding, peaceful and most strongly committed to the national project upon which we have embarked and for which so many have toiled and sacrificed.
Let us vow in unshakable promise to dedicate this year and our strongest effort to the welfare and progress of our people.
On behalf of my family and associates, I wish you all happy and memorable new year.

SIGNED
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Hon. Justice Tijani Bolarinwa Oyegoke Babalakin, an influential Judge who retired as a supreme court justice has died.

He was aged 94

This was contained in a release by the Chairman of MUSWEN, Alh. Kunle Sanni on Saturday.

Babalakin the father of the billionaire businessman and lawyer, Wale Babalakin who was called to the London Bar in the late 50s died on the early hour of Saturday.

“Ina lillah waina ilaehi rojiun
We annouce the death of a great Nigerian and pious Muslim and retired Justice of the Supreme Court Jusice Tijani Bolarinwa Babalakin who died this morning in Lagos at the ripe age of 94
Baba was an active member of the Muslim Association Of Nigeria, Ansarudeen society and former president of the Muslim Ummah of South west MUSWEN
He is survived by many children and grand children including Dr Abdurauf Bolanle Babalakin (SAN) and a celebrated atchitect in lagos Tayo Babalakin (FNIA FNIQS)
Baba would in sha Allah be buried today 4th of December in Gbongan his home town
May Allah blot out his sins accept his acts of Ibadah and grant him Jannat Firdaous”

He hailed from Gbongan in Osun state and janazah prayers will be held at his residence in Gbongan.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Innovation for Empowerment and Sustainable Peace Initiative (IESP Initiative) has written the National Assembly demanding the immediate invocation of the law and suspension of three of its senior officers who involved in falsification of records, latent illegality, abuse of power and forgery.

In a petition dated November 16, 2021, which was leaked to the press, counsel to the IESP Initiative, Masalaha Law and Associates berated the legislative arm of government for failing to apply the right procedure in dismissing the officers.

The affected officers are Okpara Michael Nnaechi, Dauda Ibrahim El-Ladan and Adebanjo Ademola.

The NGO argued that if the National Assembly could fold its arms and fail to send the accused individuals who falsified and forged their records to where they belong, it is a dent to the anti-corruption toga of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The letter reads: “That a further report was written by the National Assembly to the
Copy of the same report as requested by the Nigeria Police Police dated November 22, 2020 issuing a Certified True Copy.

“That having received the CTC as mentioned above, the State
Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the Nigeria Police wrote another letter requesting the release of the above named persons (Staff), dated the 27th November, 2020, acknowledged received by the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly on the 2nd December, 2020,

“That however, to the surprise and consternation of Our Client the entire staff of the National Assembly and the world at large, nothing was ever heard of this matter again, a situation which has emboldened the above named persons (Staff) and which may unquestionably set a bad precedence for all and sundry.

“We hereby state categorically that it is both illegal and
unconstitutional to falsify record and or commilt forgery by not just any Public officer but more so in the law making arm of the society…if allowed unchecked this will further entrench the rumours that Nigeria is fast becoming the capital of corruption in
the world.

“That Our Client was bewildered and justifiably miffed even in the face of the above indictment against the above named persons
(Staff), they are now individually boasting of how they bribed their way into sitting on an indictment of this proportion.”

The Innovation for Empowerment and Sustainable Peace Initiative (IESP Initiative) stated further that it being a concerned party now lives in justifiable awe of further watching the disintegration of the country’s moral and principles.

It urged the Clerk to the National Assembly to wade in and comply with the Law before it invites the media into the whole scenario.

The Honourable Commissioner Representing Osun state at the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Adeoye Abdulrasak has felicitated the Executive Governor of the state of Osun, Mr. Isiak Adegboyega Oyetola on his 67th birthday anniversary. He described the Governor as a blessing to Osun State and the nation at large.

Hon. Adeoye stated this in a congratulatory message personally signed by him and released in Abuja on Wednesday.

He described the Governor as an epitome of good governance who has been running the affairs of the state in an excellent way. He listed some of the Governor’s achievements such as: rehabilitation of health care centers across the state, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, massive road construction and infrastructural development.

He urged the people of Osun state to continue to support the government of Governor Gboyega Oyetola and ensure his reelection into office come 2022.