Oluwatoyin Atanda, the senior special assistant on establishments and training to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has been elected as president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI).

JCI is a non-government youth organisation (NGO) that provides leadership opportunities to young people to create positive changes in their communities.

The NGO has members in over 100 countries and regional and national bodies.

Atanda was elected as the 54th president of JCI Nigeria on October 14. She will succeed Sandra Efemuaye, the outgoing president.

Atanda’s tenure will pilot the affairs of the organisation for the year 2025.

Speaking on her plan for the organisation, Atanda said she will guide JCI Nigeria into a new era of growth and impact driven by the theme “ELV8”.

She said the leadership under her watch will be committed to inspiring transformational change by mobilising Nigerian youths and fostering community development.

“I am honoured to lead JCI Nigeria at such a pivotal time. Our journey ahead is about ELV8ing our members, our organisation, and our nation,” she said.

“Together, we will work towards a future that embodies innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainable progress.”

She said one of her agenda is to revitalise the JCI Nigeria training institute to offer world-class leadership development and professional training.

“By strengthening initiatives like the ten outstanding young persons (TOYP) programme and increasing partnerships with the private sector, I intend to boost member engagement and deliver lasting impact across all JCI platforms,” she said.

A bill seeking to create a new state in the south-south geopolitical zone has passed second reading in the house of representatives.

The proposed legislation, which is co-sponsored by Godwin Offiono from Cross River, and three other lawmakers — scaled second reading during plenary on Thursday.

The lawmakers are proposing to alter the 1999 constitution to create Ogoja state from Cross River.

The bill was voted for when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.

The presiding officer referred the bill to the committee on constitutional review.

This adds to the plethora of bills seeking to create new states in the country.

LEGISLATIVE HURDLE

The national assembly is currently amending the 1999 Constitution.

In January, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, said the amendment would be completed in December 2025.

Amending the constitution to create a new state or adjust boundaries is an arduous task.

Section 8(1) of the constitution stipulates that a new state can only be created if it is supported by “at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new state) in each of the following, namely — “(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives. (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area”.

“(iii) And the local government councils in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for the creation of the state originated.

“(c) The result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the states of the Federation, supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly.

“(d) The proposal is approved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”

No state has been created since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Lagos State Government will be diverting traffic away from a section of Ajose Adeogun Street on Victoria Island for an end-of-year decoration by Zenith Bank Plc.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Osiyemi said that the diversion would be for three weekends starting from Oct. 19.

He said that the exercise would be carried out in three phases with each phase focusing on different sections of the street.

“To this end, the following alternative routes have been mapped out for motorists during the mounting:

“During the first phase which will cover Jubril Martins to Chicken Republic on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, traffic inward Eko-Hotel Roundabout will be diverted to the other half (existing section) of Ajose Adeogun Street by VCP Hotel to form contra-flow traffic, and exit at Eko-Hotel Roundabout.

“Alternatively, traffic inward Eko-Hotel Roundabout from VCP Hotel will be diverted through Jubril Martins into Muri Okunola to link Patience Coker and access Ajose Adeogun Street to connect destinations,” he said.

He said that the second phase would cover the Molade Okoya Thomas to Mounis Bashorun section and would take place on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27.

He added that traffic inward Ajose Adeogun Street from Eko-Hotel Roundabout would be diverted to a right turn into Molade Okoya Thomas to link Mounis Bashorun to access Ajose Adeogun Street to continue journeys.

“During the third phase of the project spanning 10 metres inward Ajose Adeogun on Nov. 2, motorists from Adetokunbo Ademola Street will maintain a lane movement for about 10 metres into Ajose Adeogun Street to connect their destinations.

“Motorists inward Eko-Hotel Roundabout on Ajose Adeogun Street will maintain a lane movement for about 10 metres into Eko-Hotel Roundabout,” he said.

Osiyemi implored motorists to note the ease of movement plan, assuring them that traffic managers would be on the ground in the corridor to minimise inconveniences.