News
Sanwo-Olu swears in Energy Commissioner, Ogunleye, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Daramola
Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday sworn in two new members into the executive cabinet.
The new cabinet members include Mr Abiodun Ogunleye as the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources and Mr Olufemi Daramola as Special Adviser on Infrastructure.
Speaking during the ceremony at the Exco Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu urged the newly appointed cabinet members to start working immediately and take their responsibilities to an enviable height, to meet the yearnings and expectations of Lagos residents.
He said that it was clear that the new cabinet members would add value, as they had been carefully chosen. According to him, it is clear that the new two executive members have the pedigree that can take their responsibilities to an enviable position.
“Engr Daramola is a young man that I have followed up and I have seen his tenacity, commitment to ensure that he puts his very best into assignments and responsibilities that have been given to him.
“He is an example to all other public officers and civil servants that, the Lagos State Executive Council is not an exclusive preserve of external appointees. If you have done well and we see it, you can indeed, get on to this level.
“I am sure there are other Permanent Secretaries that would aspire to get to this level. We believe that as a former Permanent Secretary, who we know too well, he (Daramola) would bring a lot of experience into his office as a Special Adviser in the Office of Infrastructure.
“Mr Biodun Ogunleye is a man who has a lot of energy. It is not a coincidence that he is Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources,” he said.
The governor said that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources was an important one because the government had led the conversation for the actualisation of the unbundling of the sector.
“So, we have carefully brought in someone that we believe can help achieve and realise the energy sufficiency that we require in Lagos.
“The needs of Lagosians and their aspirations is that every household wants power.
“They want a sector that will completely meet the yearning of the citizens and we believe with his (Ogunleye) expertise, industry knowledge and wealth of experience, we hope that he will hit the ground running knowing fully well the expectations of that office,” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the family members of the newly sworn-in cabinet members, saying that they had donated to government, people that would be use very adequately to help achieve government’s objectives.
Giving the Vote Of Assurance, Ogunleye expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the Lagos State Government. He promised that they would do their best to ensure that the purpose of the THEMES+ agenda were actualised.
News
Okpebholo orders freezing of ALL Edo government accounts
Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has ordered a freeze of all bank accounts belonging to the state government.
Okpebholo issued the directive on Thursday through Fred Itua, chief press secretary to the governor.
He asked commercial banks, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to immediately comply with the order or face severe consequences.
“All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the coffers of Government until further notice,” the statement reads.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order without further delays.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands.”
Okpebholo also directed relevant agencies to reverse the naming of the ministry of roads and bridges to the ministry of works — a nomenclature changed during the Godwin Obaseki administration.
“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges,” the statement reads.
“Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge
“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the state.”
The development comes days after Okpebholo took over the reins of power in Edo.
The governor had earlier ordered an indefinite suspension of revenue collection in the state — including at motor parks.
News
NESREA seals two facilities in FCT, Kogi for violating environmental regulations
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed two facilities in Abuja and Kogi for breaching environmental laws.
The facilities are Geld Construction Limited, located in Abaji, FCT, and Arno Energy, a charcoal production company in Okaba, Kogi.
In a statement on Wednesday, Amaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s spokesperson, said the companies were sealed for failure to conduct their environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Ejiofor noted that the facilities also failed to provide important environmental documents, including an air quality permit, an environmental audit report, and a waste management permit, necessary for maintaining standards in companies.
“The EIA provides guidance on mitigating the negative impact of a facility’s operations on the environment,” the statement reads.
“Their failure to do so led to the closure of the facilities to save human health and the environment.”
The NESREA’s spokesperson added that the facilities were also operating in an environmentally harmful manner, resulting in negative impacts on the host communities and the environment.
She said procedural measures, including the issuance of compliance notices, had been taken to force the facilities to address and rectify their violations.
Innocent Barikor, the director-general of NESREA, urged industry operators to ensure their activities and operations follow the stipulations of the law.
News
Federal high court to commence Christmas vacation December 16
The federal high court says it would go on break from December 16 to mark the Christmas holiday.
In a circular, John Tsoho, the court’s chief judge, said the Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt judicial divisions would remain open to the litigating public during the break.
Tsoho added that the court would resume proceedings on January 6, 2025.
“The vacation is pursuant to the provisions of order 46, rule 4 (c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended),” the circular reads.
“Only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, arrest or release of vessels and matters that concern the vacation judges shall entertain dire national interest.”
The notice added that Emeka Nwite and M. S. Liman would be judges at the Abuja division during the vacation, while Akintayo Aluko and Isaac Dipeolu would sit at the Lagos division of the court.
P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed would be the adjudicators at the Port-Harcourt division pending the resumption of complete court activities.
-
Celebrities6 days ago
AY Makun, Basketmouth discuss their 17-year feud
-
Education5 days ago
Keystone Bank Renovates Schools In Zamfara, Says Governor Lawal’s Feats In 17 Months Surpass Over 20 Years Of Previous Administrations
-
Business3 days ago
No November salary for workers without valid residents registration number, says Kwara state government
-
World1 week ago
Trump claims victory over Harris in US presidential election
-
Special Features5 days ago
Bodex Media Announces Frank Edoho as Host for Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH) 5th Edition
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Davido under fire for participating in US election
-
Celebrities5 days ago
Why would you post pictures in your underwear? – Portable out calls Tiwa Savage
-
World1 week ago
Trump will bring the world closer to peace, says Tinubu in congratulatory message