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Elections: Reelect my husband, he will do more — Lagos First Lady tells professional women
…Canvasses for Tinubu, other APC candidates
Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday at the third sensitisation parley she held with women drawn from various professional organisations and groups in the State, urged the professionals to re-elect Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, her husband, for a second term, assuring them continuity of good governance.
On the significance of participation, she said it is important for all stakeholders to get fully involved in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking at the event which was held at Lagos House, Marina, the First Lady said the parley became imperative in view of the need to sensitise female stakeholders on matters arising regarding the 2023 general elections, particularly on the proper usage of the Permanent Voters Card and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS).
“As explained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), BIVAS is a technology that integrates the three-stage voting process. It is an integrated device that is multifunctional in nature, which serves as Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) during voter registration, voter accreditation on Election Day and also functions as INEC Results Viewing Device (IReV Device) to be used for election results upload on Election Day,” she explained.
She added that the meeting was also aimed at providing a platform for interaction between candidates and the people, thus paving the way for mutual understanding essential to drive inclusive growth and well-rounded development.
She said, “It is in our best interest for every stakeholder to get involved in the electioneering process. We must not only vote but vote properly to avoid void votes, and also ensure that our votes count. As women, we also have a duty to mobilise people to vote and vote wisely.
“For us in Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our Presidential candidate; Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and all APC candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly elections are our candidates.
“Asiwaju Tinubu has a track record of excellent performance in Lagos State and this will be replicated across the country when he is elected. Also, it is not in doubt that Governor Sanwo-Olu has worked towards the Greater Lagos vision of our dreams, and will be doing more to consolidate on the achievements of the last four years when re-elected by the grace of God and the support of the people,” the First Lady said.
Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu appealed to all stakeholders to avoid hate speech that can set the country on fire, and also spread the message against utterances that can trigger violence, adding that all hands must be on deck to achieve a peaceful electioneering process.
At the parley, there were various presentations on the role of women in the electoral process facilitated by former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan; former Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya and Chairman, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Atinuke Onayiga.
There were also presentations by the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson; Member, House of Representatives, representing Eti-Osa, Hon. Babajide Obanikoro and the Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Lagos Island Constituency I, Princess Lara Oyekan Olumegbon.
Professional women in attendance were drawn from the poll of Director-Generals/General Managers of Government Agencies and Parastatals, Directors in the Public Service, Senior Special Assistants to the Lagos State Governor, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU).
Others include Professionals from the Creatives, Hotels Owners and Managers Association Limited, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, Women In International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), Women In Logistics (WILAT), Women In Maritime in Africa, Female Architects of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute Of Architects, Women In Business & Management, BRT Female Drivers, The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) and the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) among others.
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Climate Change: NOSDRA urges staff, Nigerians to imbibe safety measures
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has called on staff of the agency and Nigerians to imbibe safety and health measures as part of their lifestyle.
Mr Cyrus Nkangwung, Director, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), NOSDRA, made the call on Thursday in Abuja, while speaking with newsmen ahead of the 2024 Safety Week for staffers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 World Day for Safety and Health at workplace would be commemorated on Sunday, April 28.
The theme of the event is “Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health.”
Nkangwung expressed concern that unsafe climate conditions had adversely affected the productivity of working people around the world.
He explained that one of the responsibilities of his department was to identify an unsafe climate condition, deemed to likely cause health hazards in the agency and provide necessary precautionary measure for staff.
“We are enlightening our staff to tell them that the consequence of climate change is as a result of some of our attitudes in homes and offices.
“To avoid such attitudes, we are creating awareness so we can have a better environment conducive for work,” he said.
Nkangwung, who decried the nonchalant attitude of some staff towards safety, implored them to desist from negative actions that could impede occupational safety and health in the agency.
He, therefore, urged the staff to make paramount the safety and health measures as articulated by the OSH Department.
“No staff of NOSDRA is worth losing his or her life in the course of discharging official duties and obligations due to the effective measures put in place to ensure occupational safety and health in the agency.”
He applauded the Director- General of NOSDRA, Mr Idris Musa for his unwavering support towards institutionalising the loft policy of occupational safety and health in the agency.
NAN also reports that as part of activities to mark the safety week, NOSDRA is organising lectures on safe driving culture and defensive driving, as well as a talk on basic first aid slated for Friday.
Other activities include, a health and fitness walk on Saturday in Abuja as well as seminar on fatigue /stress management on April 29 in Abuja.
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Court sets aside arrest warrant against Fubara’s chief of staff
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, vacated the warrant of arrest issued on Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, agreed with the CoS’ counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for Ehie’s co-defendants, that the court lacked jurusidction to have granted the order.
Justice Nwite held that at the time the arrest warrant order was made, there was no pending charge before the court.
He, consequently, vacated the warrant issued for the police to effect Ehie and five others’ arrest.
The judge had, on Jan. 31, issued a warrant for the arrest of Ehie over his alleged involvement in the burning of part of the state’s House of Assembly on Oct. 29, 2023.
Those ordered to be arrested along with Ehie are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benneth, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo.
Justice Nwite gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police’s lawyer, Simon Lough, SAN.
He granted the ex-parte application as canvassed by Lough on the grounds that the six defendants had been at large to stand their trial in a seven-count preferred against five other suspected arsonists currently being prosecuted before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon.
But Falana and Aladedoye filed separate motions on behalf of their clients
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the Jan. 31 order made by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye filed an application for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
in a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated Feb. 2 and filed Feb. 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on Jan. 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the I-G (complainant) had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (I-G) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Also, Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed Feb. 9 on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including “an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds which challenge the jurisdiction of this honourable court.
He argued that their appeal would be rendered nugatory if their application was not granted.
The I-G had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37; Prince Lukman Oladele, 47; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, 40; Osiga Donald, 42; and Ochueja Thankgod , 35, before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon on Jan. 25 in Abuja.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The I-G, who arraigned them on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder, declared Ehie and five others, said to be at large, wanted.
Ehie, who was later appointed as CoS after he resigned as member and factional speaker of the Rivers Assembly, was alleged to be among the suspects being charged by the I-G.
His resignation was said to be part of the agreements reached in the bid to reconcile Fubara and former Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the FCT Minister.
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