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Culture of Excellence in the Centre of Excellence: The Tokunbo Wahab Charge

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5 months ago

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When in 2019, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu appointed Tokunbo Wahab as the Special Adviser on Education in Lagos State Government, those who know him felt the appointment wasn’t as befitting, as they believed he has more capacity for even bigger roles. Little did they know that it was a good thing for him. Crawl before walking; precept upon precept.

He turned that position into a high performing role. Among many other achievements is the addition of 2 new state-owned universities to the tertiary institutions by the State government – Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).

It was against this background, that after a landslide victory in the 2023 election, giving a second term to the Sanwo-olu Administration based on numerous achievements of the Governor and his team, Tokunbo Wahab was named the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources.

Many who know him well could not but hail the Governor’s choice and appointment, believing this as a more befitting role for the Honourable Commisioner. He came on board fully prepared, and in one week, Lagos felt him. A new Sheriff is in town.

Lagos, the most boisterous city in Nigeria, the 5th largest economy in Africa, and the most populated City in Africa has its accolades and myriad of challenges.

Chief amongst these challenges is that of the Environment. Flooding, Dirts, Waste Disposal and Management, Noise Pollution, Environmental Degradation are key issues the Lagos populace deals with on a daily basis.

However, the main cause of all these is the “Culture of Impunity”, that ‘I don’t care attitude’ and sense of irresponsibility by the citizenry.

Tokunbo was undaunted by any of these. It is therefore instructive to note that in the very first week of assuming office, he unveiled a vision “towards a cleaner and greener lagos”, and he set to work with a clarity of purpose and deep sense of urgency.

He engaged his team and Agencies within his Ministry, identifying the challenges, the hotspots,blindspots, and the usual suspects as they set out on this daunting task of cleaning up lagos.

Firstly the markets were visited to ensure cleanliness, and those found wanting in keeping to the environmental fidelity were shut. Markets like Alayabiagba, Ile Epo, Owode Onirin, Alaba International Market, Mile 2 fruits market, Ajah Market etc. were either self-censoring or sanctioned.

Today, the fear of the ministry and its officials is the beginning of wisdom for markets, lounges, religious centres and environmental offenders.

Today, markets and estates are using their initiatives to ensure a clean and habitable environment even before the visit of officials.

At some point when some zealots in one particular market went on the Social Media with spurious allegations that certain officials were demanding bribes to reopen their market, the Honourable Commissioner challenged them to name the culprits if there were such.

Keen Observers knew immediately that this was a trumped up lie; those who know, can vouch without wincing that the new Commissioner cannot be bribed or bought.

With what? they’ll be quick to ask. God has blessed him beyond his imaginations, and this silent philanthropist has been adding value to numerous people’s lives across the country for years even before finding himself in public service.

This “Do Good” Lawyer has been a phenomenal personality who has been blessing thousands of people via Education, Health, Legal and other supports from Epe to Ogbomosho, Lagos to Borno and across the landscapes.

If you will name 20 performing political appointees in Nigeria today, Tokunbo Wahab will stand tall amongst them; if you name 10 appointees or Govt official that has ever served in Lagos State since 1999, he will be a leading figure; and if you are required to name one topmost performer in the current Sanwo-olu Administration, he will take the day.

Lagos is wearing a new look right now. The “Culture of Impunity” is changing across locations with his war against street trading, dirty markets, open defecation, etc. amid his flood prevention drive, water management, environmental protection, and several other initiatives. The ‘culture’ of impunity has been replaced with a new ‘Culture ‘ of Excellence befitting Lagos which prides herself as the “Centre of Excellence”.

This is one appointment that best describes the saying, ‘a square peg in a square hole’.

It is believed that the acknowledgement of his achievements in the last few months will serve as a call to greater service and a testament that Lagosians recognise performance and will reward it. Kudos to this high performer and ‘Congratulations’ to Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu for his commitment to exceptional performance. Lagos will not forget you.

Sola Fajobi is a Content Creator, Media & Entertainment Entrepreneur. He resides in Lagos.

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Politics

PDP insists Rivers assembly members who joined APC have lost their seats

Published

2 days ago

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May 17, 2024 2:55 pm

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has not changed its stance on the Rivers state house of assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Thursday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the clarification is a rebuttal to a “mischievous report” that the party is considering changing its position.

Ologunagba said the report on social media “falsely” claimed that “there are plots to compromise the party’s position and provide an unattainable lifeline” to the former members of the Rivers state house of assembly who dumped the PDP.

“The Party also clarifies that it is not under pressure from any quarters to compromise its position in court, wherein it had already clearly stated that the former Rivers state lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from December 11, 2023, when they publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC,” the statement reads.

“Our party therefore stands by its position that the affected members have since lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly having arrogantly committed an unpardonable constitutional breach.”

In December 2023, 27 members of the Rivers house of assembly defected from the PDP to the APC.

On Friday, a state high court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, restrained the defected assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The court also granted an interim injunction restraining Martin Amaewhule from parading himself as a speaker of the house.

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Politics

I was offered money to impeach Fubara, says ex-Rivers speaker, Edison Ehie

Published

6 days ago

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May 13, 2024 4:22 pm

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Edison Ehie, a former factional speaker of the Rivers house of assembly, says he was offered money to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

Ehie, who is currently chief of staff to Fubara, was one of the lawmakers loyal to the governor.

He became speaker in October 2023, a period when legislators loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), made an attempt to impeach Fubara.

The impeachment proceedings were halted after President Bola Tinubu brokered a peace deal.

The rift between Fubara and Wike has polarised the Rivers assembly.

Speaking at an event in the Ahoada east area of Rivers, Ehie said he rejected the money he was offered to oust Fubara.

“They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested,” Daily Trust quoted him as saying.

“They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted.”

On Friday, Fubara gazetted an executive order moving the sitting of the state house of assembly to the government house.

Last week, a court restrained Martin Amaewhule and 25 members of the assembly from parading themselves as speaker and legislators respectively.

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Politics

Fubara gazettes executive order moving Rivers assembly sitting to government house

Published

1 week ago

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May 11, 2024 7:05 am

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Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has gazetted an executive order moving the sitting of the state house assembly to the government house.

The executive order 001 is dated October 30, 2023.

The governor said the sitting of the state parliament will henceforth take place at the government house until the assembly complex, which was affected by fire in October, is renovated.

“That on the 29th day of October 2023, a fire incident occasioned by unknown persons burned and damaged the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the gazette reads.

“That the Hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and thus not conducive for the business and proceeding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That it is expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of the burnt and damaged chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That it is further reasonable to ensure that the business and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not impeded and frustrated.

“Now therefore, I, sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State this 30th day of October 2023, pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby issue, order, and direct that all proceedings and business of Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, renovation or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are completed.”

The gazetting of the order comes in the wake of a renewed political crisis in the oil-rich state.

THE CRISIS

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised since 2023 following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

In December, 27 members of the assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers assembly has 32 seats. One lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, died in September 2023.

In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected speaker of the factional assembly, after his removal as house leader by members led by Martin Amaewhule — amid the plot to impeach Fubara.

Edison later resigned as a lawmaker to become chief of staff to the governor.

The lawmakers in the Awaewhule-led faction are loyal to Wike.

The political crisis took a new twist on Wednesday after Victor Jumbo, a lawmaker representing the Bonny state constituency, was elected factional.

On Friday, a state high court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction restraining Amaewhule from acting as a speaker of the Rivers assembly.

Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Jumbo and two assembly members — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy — loyal to Fubara.

There are rumours that Fubara is plotting to demolish the state assembly quarters in Port Harcourt.

Amid the speculations, some armed police officers on Friday barricaded the two entrances to assembly quarters.

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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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