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Mass Transit: Governor Abiodun launches Wifi enabled buses, promises water taxies coming

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Determined to enhance intra and inter city transportation in Ogun, the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, launched the State Mass Bus Transit System.

The official launch of the buses fitted with Wifi and other gadgets, the governor observed is in line with the transport master plan aimed at providing efficient and affordable means of moving people from one location to another.

The event was attended by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Speaking further at the event held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun also disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed between the state and a private firm for the construction of the Olokola Seaport.

“It is important to know that the whole essence of the transportation master plan is for us to efficiently move people either intra-state or inter-state.

We are the industrial capital of this country and neighbour to the biggest economy which is Lagos State. We see the cross border migration everyday and the trouble our people go through.

“Our transportation master plan has proffered suggestions and solutions for us to deal with this. Today, we are launching these mass transit buses. The pilot phase will start from Abeokuta and we will expand it to other cities”, the governor noted.

He said his administration is also developing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes in conjunction with the Lagos State government under the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Cooperation, adding that the State buses would move people from Abeokuta through Mowe, Kara axis to Marina as well as from Ifo and Ado Odo-Ota axis to Lagos and vice versa.
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“Very soon, we will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with a private sector player for the construction of the long awaited Olokola Port. The Olokola Port will soon be a reality. We are also committed to having water transportation by having water taxies.

“This is why we have come up with a multi-modal Transportation Master Plan that we launch today. This transport policy takes into consideration the short, medium and long term approaches to the development of our transport sector. This will include road, rail, water and air transportation plans for the State”, he explained.

He emphasised that the multimodal transportation master plan of his administration stems from the comprehensive and well researched Urban Transport Policy and Strategic Transport Intervention Plan.

In his remarks, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, lauded the state government for operating a purposeful government, saying all the legacy projects carried out by the governor would continue to speak for him after leaving office

The Minister who reiterated the commitment of the government at the center in improving on transportation system across the country, informed that the construction of Lagos -Calabar rail line that would pass through Lekki Deep Seaport down to Epe township, would soon commence.

He stressed that the government has continued to implement the rail line master plan project initiated by President Olusegun Obasanjo regime.

Former governor of the state and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aare Olusegun Osoba, who spoke on behalf of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noted that Abeokuta has always been a commercial centre, adding that with the launch of the mass transit buses, the present administration has succeeded in restoring the past glory of the state in terms of transportation.

He declared that he would continue to support the Abiodun-led administration in its efforts at meeting the needs of the people.

In his remarks, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, appreciated the state government for providing modern system of transportation, saying the scheme would go a long way at alleviating the suffering of the people from moving from one place to another.

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FCCPC seals warehouse with mislabelled, expired products in Ekiti

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says a warehouse selling harmful products in Ekiti state was raided and sealed on Wednesday.

In a post on X, FCCPC said the raid was carried out after receiving intelligence reports that there were unsafe and expired products in the warehouse located in Ado-Ekiti.

After confirming the reports, FCCPC said the place was sealed.

“Following intelligence reports, our operatives raided a warehouse suspected of selling harmful products, including vegetable oils, cereals and other fast-moving consumer goods,” the commission said.

“During the raid, the FCCPC found evidence of expired goods still on the shelves, deceptive labels on products, fake barcodes, and repackaged, potentially unsafe products.

“The warehouse is now sealed, and the owners along with a supplier are being investigated. Appropriate enforcement actions will follow.”

The commission said it would remain vigilant in protecting consumers and ensuring a fair marketplace in Nigeria.

On April 18, FCCPC raided two 4U Signature supermarkets in the Wuse area of Abuja.

The supermarkets were accused of overcharging customers by implementing prices different from those listed on the shelf tags.

Four days after the supermarket was sealed, FCCPC summoned the owners of Royal Choice, a Chinese supermarket in Abuja, for allegedly refusing to sell to Nigerians.

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Sanwo-Olu’s deputy chief of staff, Gboyega Soyannwo dies at 55

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Gboyega Soyannwo, deputy chief of staff to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, is dead.

Soyannwo died on Wednesday after a brief illness, at the age of 55.

In a statement, Gbenga Omotoso, the commissioner for information and strategy in Lagos, said Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the family of the late deputy chief of staff.

The Lagos governor said he had lost a “brother and a servant of the people”.

“With deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the deputy chief of staff (DCoS) to Mr Governor, Mr Gboyega Soyannwo,” the statement reads.

“Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.“

Soyannwo was appointed as the deputy chief of staff to Sanwo-Olu in 2019. He was reappointed in 2023.

He was born on October 3, 1968.

He had his primary education at the Corona School Victoria Island, Lagos, from 1974 to 1980 and proceeded to Kings College for his secondary education from 1980 to 1985.

He obtained a B.Sc. in economics from the University of Lagos.

He started his career at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1992 as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He also worked in some financial institutions in Nigeria before joining the public service.

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Faulty aircraft: Tinubu should travel by road or use commercial flight, says rep

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Ali Isa, a member of the house of representatives, says President Bola Tinubu should travel by road or use commercial flights for official engagements.

Isa, the minority whip and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing the Balanga/Billiri federal constituency of Gombe, spoke on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday.

Isa was contributing to a motion sponsored by Satomi Ahmed, chairman of the house committee on national security and intelligence, on the need to probe the status of the presidential fleet.

Recently, Tinubu reportedly used a chartered aircraft from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia after the presidential jet developed a fault.

Early this month, Vice-President Kashim Shettima also cancelled his trip to the United States due to a fault developed by the presidential jet.

Shettima was to represent Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa business summit.

‘TINUBU SHOULD TRAVEL BY ROAD’

Isa said the president and the vice-president can travel by road or fly commercial airlines when they are going on official engagements.

“Mr Speaker, since an issue has been raised, I would advise that the president should suspend using the presidential aircraft; if there is a need he can use either commercial or chartered aircraft,” the lawmaker said.

“And another option that will also help Nigerians is if the president can travel by road. Nigerians will have hope that our roads will be repaired.”

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker who presided over the plenary, said the president should not travel by road.

“Are you saying, Mr president, the number one leader should travel around by road?” Kalu asked.

But Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, corroborated Isa’s position that the president can use commercial aircraft.

“I have not seen anything wrong with a public office holder using public aircraft. The prime minister of the UK uses British Airways. It is commercial,” Chinda said.

“We should be thinking of how to resuscitate the Nigerian Airway.

“British Airways is not a British Air Force; it is a British private company. If we have planes in the presidential fleet, they should be maintained, and the president and vice president can use them.

“If for any reason we have failed to maintain them, it is not for it to be discussed on the floor of the house.”

However, Sada Soli, a member from Katsina countered Chinda, saying that the UK prime minister uses a special British Airways plane.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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