FrontLineNews

     The City People Magazine at her 2023 Annual City People Awards for Excellence today in Lagos honoured the Chairman, House Committee on Information Strategy and Security in Lagos Hon (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode popularly known as Omoj'omolo with the likes of Ekiti Governor; Biodun Oyebanji, broadcast guru; Prince Bisi Olatiko of Biscon Communications, the popular motivational speaker and comedian; Dr Helen Paul PhD and several others.  Ogundipe who is representing the people of Oshodi-Isolo constituency-1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly was honored as the Politician of the Year.  The publisher of the magazine Prince Seye Kehinde in his welcome address thanked everyone for gracing the occasion and he described the event as the face of the organization and the selection process of the awardees has always been meticulously done over the years. In his citation at the Award night, Ogundipe was described as a smart, intelligent and thorough politician...

  .........11 Officers indicted as panel final reports recommended dismissal, reduction in rank, compulsory retirement for Officers Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday,  arraigned 12 Officers before Disciplinary Panel for various Offenses bothering on corrupt practices and absenteeism in line with the extant rules as guided by the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The Acting General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Bakare Oki Olalekan disclosed that the disciplinary panel which was statutorily constituted with three (3) Permanent Secretaries in attendance adjudicated cases of corrupt practices levied against these 12 Officers and forwarded their recommendations to the State Civil Service Commission for ratification in line with the Public Service Rules. Mr. Bakare Oki confirmed that the panel recommended various punishment ranging from dismissal, reduction in rank and Immediate termination of appointment from the State Public Ser...

  *Says Tinubu poised for entrepreneurship, innovation-driven environment Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the private sector forms an integral half of the crucial foundation that holds the Nigerian government.  He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to creating an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation.  This, according to him, explains why the president's vision for Nigeria is grounded in eight priority areas, including poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, and equitable access to capital.  The Vice President spoke on Thursday while commissioning some projects, including the Ijele 93.1 FM Radio Station, Phase Two of the SEOF Touch-a-Life Housing Project and the AEMSL Meter Factory, in Anambra State.  He stated: "This gathering is a reminder that the private sector forms the other half of the government's crucial foundation. Whatever innovation we design, whatever ideas we explore, whatever interests we pur...

  _*Charges students to be proud of Oshodi*_ The member representing the people of Oshodi-Isolo constituency-1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode  today charged the students of Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade-Oshodi to always be proud of the area by being good ambassadors of the community with their attitude and actions in the public. Hon Ogundipe made this known to the students while delivering his Keynote address as the Chairman of the day at the 2023 Annual Inter-House Sports Festival at the school premises.  In his words"I am always proud of Oshodi anytime, anyday and anywhere. I never for once regretted being born, bred and brought up in Oshodi for once rather it is an advantage. The background made us to be resolute and focus on our studies and education. Today, many of us that grew up are glad we did and to the glory of God many of us are doing well in our various callings. Research showed that many of the children born in hig...

  Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, presented N703.03billion Budget Proposal for the year 2024 to the state House of Assembly. This is against the N472.250billion budgeted for the 2023 fiscal year. Giving a breakdown of the budget tagged "The Budget of  Sustained Growth and Development," the governor noted that it is made up of N287.37 billion Recurrent and N415.66 billion Capital expenditures. He explained that N95.05 billion will be used for Personnel Costs, N27.35 billion as Consolidated Revenue while N59.09 billion will go for Public Debt Charges. Speaking further, Prince Abiodun noted that N105.88 billion is for Overhead Cost while Capital Expenditure will gulp N415.66 billion. On sectoral allocation, he said the sum of N109.219 billion, representing 16% will go for education, N81.185 billion representing 12% will be for health, while N28.886 billion, representing four percent will be for housing and Community Development. Also, the governor disclose...

. Asks new NDLEA officers to make their impact felt as 2,500 cadets graduate from Academy Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has warned that there will be no room for internal sabotage in the renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country. Marwa gave the warning in his remarks at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 on Thursday 30th November 2023 at the NDLEA Academy, Jos Plateau state. While reminding the gathering that the ceremony completes the addition of 5,000 personnel to the NDLEA workforce, he charged them to make their impact felt. According to him, “Within that 30 years, the world of illicit drugs had become complex and more devastating to society, and the dynamics of the Nigerian drug situation had become more dire. That was why the 2018 Drug Use Survey jolted Nigeria and sounded the alarm bell on the inevit...

  ...says perpetrators'll be fished out, dealt with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured the family of the slain Director of Finance and Administration in the Governor's Office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi and people of the state that the perpetrators behind the killing will be caught and brought to justice. Prince Abiodun also said that his administration would take full responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of the family Oyekanmi left behind. Governor Abiodun stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the home of the deceased former director on Thursday. Mr. Oyekanmi was attacked and murdered on Wednesday within the Abeokuta metropolis while on an official assignment. An emotional Governor Abiodun described the deceased as diligent, hardworking, honest, and God fearing. He said that the Governor's Office and the entire state workforce have been devasted by the killing, assuring that everything possible will be done to bring the perpetrators to justice. ...

  ... Expends N1 billion on 41 Centres Across the Country The European Union (EU) has asked the federal and state governments to take the battle against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) to new heights by funding the 41 existing Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) already existing across the country.  The appeal came on the backdrop of revelation by the EU that over a billion Naira has been expended so far on establishment and sustenance of SARCs across the country. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the 9th Network Conference of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) as one of the activities lined up for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2023, the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, while disclosing that over 35,000 survivors have so far benefitted from the services of the centres across the country, said the federal and state governments need to take ownership of SARCs by adequately funding them. Themed 'Fu...

  Head of Operations, NEMA Sokoto Operation Office Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi advocated for strengthening of synergy among stakeholders as the only way to be on top of any disaster situation. While acknowledging the rubbost collaboration between NEMA and some key stakeholders like the Federal Road Safety Corp, the Head of Operations also called on participants to continue to reach out to each other.  The meeting also was used to prepare the minds of stakeholders toward the 2023/24 Operation Eagle Eye which will soon be launched. The FRSC also gave an update about the 2023 MBER Months campaign/Operation Zero Tolerance.  The meeting featured rubbost discussions on particularly how to bring sanity to the high traffic situations in certain areas of Sokoto State and also how to discourage reckless driving in the period of the Yuletide. Heads of various Federal Organizations in Sokoto State were in attendance. They include, the Zonal Director, ICPC, Mr. Tukur Makama, Sector Com...

  Delivered By President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja Wednesday, November  29, 2023    1. In furtherance of my sacred duties and obligations as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is my honour to be here today to present my administration’s 2024 Budget Proposal to this Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly. This moment is especially profound and significant to me because it is my first annual budgetary presentation to the National Assembly. 2. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, I commend your swift consideration and passage of the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bills and the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. Your prompt action underscores your devotion to economic development and to the greater welfare of our people. It also highlights your desire to work in close collaboration with the Executive branch. We do not serve oursel...

  Ogun State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun has commiserated with the family of Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi,  the late  Director of Finance and Accounts,  in the office of the Governor, who was killed in cold blood by suspected armed robbers on Wednesday in Abeokuta,  the state capital.  Oyekanmi was on official assignment within the metropolis when he met his untimely death in the hands of his assailants. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,  Lekan Adeniran. Abiodun described the incident as a rude shock to him, as he called for prayers for the immediate family of the late director for them to have the necessary fortitude to bear the great loss. "I was devastated  and extremely shocked upon receiving the cold-blooded murder of Oyekanmi, in the hands of criminal elements and enemies of our State. "It is indeed a collosal loss for our administration to have lost such dedicated, truthful, and diligent off...

  The Ogun State Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of the Olokola Deep Seaport located in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known during a breakfast meeting with Chief Executive Officers of the OPS in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday. Governor Abiodun noted that the construction of the Olokola seaport would provide another opportunity for companies in the state to move their goods and equipment in addition to the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, which is almost on completion stage, and the planned Dry port to be located at Kajola, an outskirt of the state capital. Prince Abiodun said: "I want to share with you the fact that whilst we are talking about our road, rail and air transport, we will be signing very soon a Memorandum of Understanding with the private sector players for the construction of our seaport in Olo...

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said the registration for its 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, begins on January 15, 2024 and ends on February 16, 2024. Similarly, the board, in a statement on Wednesday, said it fixed March 7, 2024 for its MOCK-UTME, while the main UTME will be held from April 19 to 29, 2024. In the statement released by its spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, the board explained that the dates were fixed “based on the series of recommendations emanating from a two-day Information Technology (IT) and Management Retreat held between 26th and 28th, November 2023.” According to JAMB, “Candidates are expected to print their examination slips from 10th April 2024.” The statement read in full: “Based on the series of recommendations emanating from a two-day Information Technology (IT) and Management Retreat held between 26th and 28th, November 2023, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has fixed 15th January t...

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria's national defence and internal security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope. Addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2024 Federal budget proposal on Wednesday in Abuja, President Tinubu said the nation's internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities with a view to safeguarding lives, property, and investments across the country. He said the proposed budget prioritizes human capital development, with particular attention given to children, because human capital remains the most critical resource for national development. "To improve the effectiveness of our budget performance, the government will focus on ensuring value for money, greater transparency, and accountability. In this regard, we will work...

  In a swift response to the plight of flood victims in Ogun East, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has released a comprehensive set of relief materials for distribution. This action follows a Senate resolution initiated by His Excellency, Senator Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, on July 5, and subsequent assessment visits to erosion sites in Sagamu and Ijebu areas facilitated by the senator. The relief materials include: (i) 800 bags of rice (10kg) (ii) 800 bags of beans (10kg) (iii) 800 bags of garri (10kg) (iv) 40 kegs of vegetable oil (20 ltrs) (v) B0 cartons of seasoning (vi) 800 pieces of nylon mats (vii) 400 pieces of blankets (viii) 800 pieces of wax prints (6 yards) (ix) 800 pieces of guinea brocade (5 yards) (x) 400 pieces of plastic buckets (21 ltrs) (xi) 800 pieces of women’s wear (xii) 800 pieces of men’s wear (xiii) 800 pieces of children’s wear (new) (xiv) 100 cartons of toilet soaps (xv) 300 bags of cement. The distribution process will adhere to a list of...

  UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Matthias Schmale has sent an appeal to all stakeholders mitigating against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) to step up investment to end violence against women and girls. Schmale made the appeal at the media briefing and official Orange lighting ceremony of UN House ceremony on Tuesday night in Abuja. The event was organise d by the UN Women as part of activities lined up for the 16-days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Schmale talking on the theme of this year’s celebration of 16 days of activism:“Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence,” said: “Investment obviously mean money, we need to continue to push for gender-responsive budgeting at Federal and State levels, that is one of the responsibilities and it grows in power. “The private sector needs to step up, UN Women representative and some other group with the private sector would agree to setting up a fund to actually fight GBV. “So, that is few thought on investm...

The Supreme Court of Nigeria today, Wednesday, 29th November, 2023 varied it's order in the Judgment on Old/New Naira decided between the Federal Government and States of Federation by extending the validity of the Old Naira notes to continue to circulate as Legal Tender with the New Naira notes beyond 31st of December, 2023.  The ruling was delivered on the application brought by Hon Attorney General of Federation and Minister for Justice Lateef Fagbemi SAN.  Recently unavailability of both old and New Naira Notes in Banks which is attributed with panicky hoarding of the notes have hit many States of Federation ahead of December, 2023 Supreme Court deadline and the intervention of the Supreme Court is necessary to normalize the situation. The Attorneys General of States who filed the suit before the Supreme Court were represented in Court, except two states who were duly served with hearing notice but did not send Counsel to represent them.  Sir Charles Titiloye, Hon. At...

    The  Federal Capital Territory ,Abuja  Police Command has arrested one Abraham Aliyu for allegedly hitting his employer, Mrs. Dzuma Jidayi, on the head with an iron rod and ending her life. This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba, while parading about 43 suspects at the command headquarters on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The CP noted that the suspect, who had been on the run, committed the heinous crime on October 10, 2023, in the Garki area of the territory. It was initially reported that Mrs Dzuma was stabbed to death. However, according to the commissioner, a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was working in a water factory belonging to the deceased and he killed her with an iron rod. “On 12/11/2023, police operatives from Homicide section finally arrested one Abraham Aliyu who has been on the run after killing one Mrs. Dzuma Jidaji at CBN Quarters Garki on 10/10/2023,” the police boss stated. “Investigation revealed ...

  Ogun State Government will, on Friday, December 1, distribute 5000 Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to beneficiaries. A statement issued on Tuesday by the office of the Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, said Governor Dapo Abiodun will present the certificates to beneficiaries, thus enhancing the value of their properties, as they can be used as collaterals, while house and landowners can also take advantage of the state's proximity to Lagos to maximise value. The beneficiaries are drawn from the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) and the immediate pass administration’s Home Owners Charter (HOC). The event will be held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. According to the statement, beneficiaries would be mandated to present valid means of identification. They will also be accredited by the Bureau of Lands & Survey before the commencement of the distribution. "The present administration in the state...

The United Nations has advocated for solution based approach to reporting on climate change, insisting that this is more productive than the glum approach mostly used by journalists to paint the negative impact of the global threat. The UN Resident Coordinator, Matthias Schmale,who gave the advised at the media sensitization for journalists on Climate Change and COP28, in Abuja, reaffirmed the global body commitment to supporting Nigeria's climate change efforts. He said: “We at the UN including other partners are firmly committed to supporting Nigeria in particular the government in its climate change efforts .we will continue as UN, our close partnership with the federal government as we will work together to implement our agreed sustainable development cooperation frame work which covers the period from 2023 to 2027. Nigeria is implementing improved management of climate change risks and building resilience to adopt to its  long term impact through the nationally determine contr...

  Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has continuously given incredible support to the Nigerian military and in many instances risked his life visiting frontlines to motivate troops, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has declared. The minister made the remarks on Tuesday at the council chamber of the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri.  He said: “My brother (Governor Babagana Zulum), the troops here in Borno and indeed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) asked me to send their appreciation to you for all the support that you have been rendering to the military. You have been supporting us in all our operations, thank you most sincerely. Sometimes you even risk your life supporting and encouraging our personnel, we appreciate you.” The minister noted that their visit was at the instance of President Bola Tinubu to assess the security situation in the theatre of operations in Borno State in order to see the end of the over a decade of insurgency. The minist...