ENFORCEMENT OF LAGOS 2012 TRAFFIC LAW - GOKADA, OTHER OPERATORS STAGED A PEACEFUL PROTEST

BY, Rofit Salako:

A peaceful protest has been staged by some owners and riders on the platform of Opay and Gokada transport services against the ban of motorcycle and tricycle by Lagos State Goverment which is taking effect from February 1st.
The Lagos State Government earlier in the week announced plans to commence total enforcement of the 2012 state Traffic Law on activities of motorcyclists, popularly called Okada and tricycles (popularly known as “Keke Marwa”) on restricted routes and bridges.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Frederic Oladeinde, and Moyosore Onigbanjo, Commissioners for Transportation, Attorney-General and Justice, respectively, at a joint press briefing, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
The commissioner said the measure became necessary following flagrant disregards to the traffic law by the operators and moreso, the need to further ensure the safety of lives and property of residents and members of the public in general.
The peaceful protests comes after managements of Gokada and Max NG ride-hailing services made an appeal to the state government to rescind the decision, stating that their operators were compliant with the 2012 traffic law and the social impact made by the ride services in terms of job creations.
Mr. Tayo Bamidiro, Chief Executive Officer, MAXOkada, stated that the company has created 2,200 direct jobs for our drivers and full-time staff and 73,000 indirect jobs.
It is expected that those jobs and investments made will be lost when the 2012 traffic law goes into full effect come February 1, 2020.

No More Trampling On People's Rights, Ogun CP Warns Police

By Rofia Salako
The era of alleged trampling on fundamental human rights of people by police is gone, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kennet Ebrimson on Tuesday has said.

Speaking at a reception to welcome him to Ota Police Area Command, Mr Ebrimson said he had read a riot act to police officers and men under his watch  to desist from old fashion of harrassing and torturing people to obtain confessional statements.

"All policemen have been adequately briefed and instructed to respect fundamental rights of people they are protecting to ensure we do proper service delivery to people we are paid to serve", he said.

"I have warned them and in line with what we have been doing so far, we made it a point of duty to ensure proper service delivery without trampling on the fundamental rights of residents or citizens.

"We cannot keep on harassing people without bringing their dignity to nothing. Beating, torturing are indices of violation of fundamental human rights.  But I can assure you that under my watch this will not happen", he said.

He spoke further, "I assume my office on 27th November 2019.  One of the places I quickly wanted to come and visit and see the stakeholders is Ota Area Command.

"But as at the time I came in, exigency of duties (and you know that was the preparatory period of the festival). I had to start working on the operational orders.

"I have to start placing necessary security on ground, so that the people of Ogun State would enjoy the festival without any a hitch.  I thank God that vision actually came to happen from the commendation we have been receiving that the yuletide and Christmas was very peaceful in this place.

"I took over from my good friend, my course-mate who laid the good foundation upon which I’m standing.  I promise to surpass whatever achievement he has recorded".

Talking about Community Policing, the CP appreciated the robust partnership existing among security sister agencies.

"The royal fathers are critical stakeholders to community policing.  I am more than delighted from the mammoth crowd that I have seen this morning.


"What you have done has given me the hope that community policing is in action. Your presence here is an eloquent testimony of the philosophy of community policing whereby all the stakeholders are talking on the same forum.

"The Area Commander and his men have demonstrated to me this morning that they are on ground and have the partnership and collaboration of all the stakeholders, those in uniform and outside the uniform.

"That is what the Inspector-General of Police has been preaching.  We must carry our people along, so that we do a better police service delivery.

"If there is no synergy, no understand, no collaboration, no partnership, I’m sure, most of you wouldn’t have been here this morning.

"So I want to congratulate and thank you immensely from the bottom of my heart that you have made my day by being here this morning.  I want to thank you all.

In his welcome address, the Area Commander, Mr. Monday Agbonika spoke of 9 divisions in the command comprising Sango, Agbado, Ibogun, Ewekoro, Itele, Ifo, Ajuwon, Ojodu, Abiodun and Onipanu.

"The Area Command has boundaries with Lagos in three areas, in the North at Itele, connecting Ayobo, to the south, there is Ojodu/Abiodun, and Abeokuta, to the east at Ewekoro end and Agbara, and Owode Egba.

"It is understood that because of the strategic location of the Area Command, there are some issues that we have to contend with.

"I can also inform here that we are blessed with many tertiary institutions, which include the Covenant University, Ota, The Bells University, Ota, and D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic.

"The Area Command also has many industries and factories. This is one of the highlights of Ogun State because the business, production and economy rely on this region.

"The people of Ota are very hospitable and peace-loving. The major problems encountered in this area are land-related.  Just like Olota told us, a while ago.

"We have been able to keep a low crime profile in this area command due to the fact that officers and men of this command have keyed into the Inspector-General peace vision and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police's peace vision.

"This is community-oriented policing.  You can see from the presence of the stakeholders, the support that we have, the fact that we have been working and extensively engaging the stakeholders within the Area Command.

"This has been the secret of our keeping a low crime profile within the Area Command.

"CP sir, you can tell from the presence of the number of distinguished guests and personalities who have turned up to receive you that we have been complying with your directives of engaging residents in delivering quality police services community safety partnership" he said.

Commenting on behalf of members of PCRC the chairman pledged unflinching support with the police.

Speaking on behalf of royal fathers in Ado-Odo/Ota council area, Kabiyesi Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Oba Samuel Ojugbele urged the police to do thorough investigation before clamping people in cell.

The Kabiyesi complained against some policemen coming from Abuja in the name of Inspector-General of Police special unit to whisk people away to Abuja without incidenting the case at the Ota Area Command on frivolous petitions.

Sister agencies present at the occasion include TRACE Area Commander, Ogun West, Commander Adekunle Ajibade,  Navy representative, FRSC Ota Unit Commander,  Ganiyu Akeem, DSS Director, Civil Defence NDLEA representatives.

OGSG sets to commission Osi-Ota-Ikola-Navy, Ray Power roads

BY Oladele Damilola:

Ogun State Government is set to officially commission the newly reconstructed Osi-Ota-Ikola-Navy, Ray Power road.

The roads are links that connected Lagos State and Ado/Ota Local Government area of the State.
The Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya revealed this in a release made available by the Ministry's Press Officer, Olayinka Olufemi, he said the present administration decided to prioritise the road due to his quest to further open up the State for economic development, adding that Ado -Odo/Ota would be the first Council in the State to have its roads commissioned by the present administration.
Engr. Akinsanya said the completion of this link road had reached advanced level and receiving finishing touches which include; Street lighting, painting of kerbs, road signs and road medians amongst others.
The Commissioner added that on completion, people’s quality of life would be improved, as travellers would have alternative routes to ply, and it would also create mutual economic benefits to both states.
Highlighting the socio-economic advantages of the roads, Engr. Akinsanya said, "Economically, Lagos and Ogun States can benefit from each other, the travel time for travellers would significantly reduce, quality of life would also be improved, while flooding in the area will be thing of the past, as drainages had been properly channelled’’.
While cautioning motorists against over speeding to avoid untoward hazards and accidents, the Commissioner advised pedestrians to be safety conscious by using the walk ways, imploring residents of the State to be patient with the government, as infrastructural development would cover each of the Senatorial Districts.

DISCLAIMER - OLAYIWOLA BALOGUN IS NOT THE CHIEF IMAM OF ILOGBO-ASOWO

The Onilogbo of Ilogbo-Asowo, Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele has advice Olayiwola Balogun to stop parading himself as the Chief Imam of Ilogbo-Asowo or ready to face the wrath of law. 

ILOGBO CHIEF IMAM CHIEFTAINCY TUSSLE – ONILOGBO WARN EGBA LEAGUE OF IMAMS NOT TO INTERVENE

The Onilogbo of Ilogbo-Asowo, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government area of Ogun State Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele has given a strong warning to the Egba League of Imams not to meddle in the appointment of Ilogbo Chief Imam.

Ogun State Deputy Governor canvases support for present administration

*Preaches cohesion among Aworis

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has urged all sons and daughters of Otta Awori to support the 'building our future together' agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun led administration as it would bring more benefits to the town and the Aworis at large.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele stated made this known in her address after receiving an award for attaining the position of  Deputy Governor from Awori Kingdom, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 45th  year anniversary of Iganmode club Otta, held at the Club house, Otta. 

She said that the Governor has shown love to the Aworis by choosing his Deputy Governor from there and also appointed an Awori as the head of Service which has not happened in the history of the state.

"The Governor has also shown love to us with what he has done for us in the first six to seven months of his administration.  We have ongoing infrastructural projects in Otta which are unprecedented in the state as well as have plans for so many other things to boost the industrial sector in Otta. This can only bring benefit to the town and to the Aworis" she said 

While commending the organisers of the event for a job well done, she thanked them for the honour done on her and the head of Service on her appointment as the number one civil servant in  the state.

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and Mayegun of Otta, Senator Kamal Odunsi congratulated the club on the occasion of the 45th anniversary and its giant strides, adding that the club is blessed with illustrious sons who have distinguished themselves in various fields.

He noted that there was urgent need to do a study of unemployed youths that parade the streets, calling on government to facilitate employment through local industries and local government operations, as this move would address the increasing number of miscreants on the streets. 

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the day and Otun Iyalode of Otta, Mrs. Sadat Onimole admonished the founding fathers of the club to give the younger ones the chance to grow, while commending the club for surviving 45 years.

She also congratulated the awardees for being exemplary in their various fields.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President of Iganmode Club, Mr.Fola Akinde pointed out that the club was founded as a socio-cultural group of people seeking and promoting good fellowship, welfare and mutual understanding amongst members within and outside Nigeria regardless of religious and political affiliation.

Highlight of the anniversary was award presentations to founding members, past presidents and trustees as well as recognition awards and honours to deserving personalities amongst who are Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele for her attainment as the Deputy Governor, TPL Amope  Chokor for her appointment as the Head of Service and  posthumous award to Late Prof. Lateef Salako as one time trustee of the Club amongst  several others. 

Caption: From left: Senator Tolu Odebiyi, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Prof. Joseph Chokor, Ogun State Head of Service, TPL Amope Chokor, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Senator Akin Odunsi, Senator Gbolahan Dada and President Iganmode Club, Otta when Club honoured Her Excellency for her Attainment as the Deputy Governor during the 45th year anniversary  celebration at Club' House in Otta, Ogun State.

OTA AWORI, GROUP PROMISES TO REBUILD CHIEF IMAM HOUSE COMPLEX, GIVES EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO 25 STUDENT

It was an undiluted joy and jubilations at the Palace of Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege when about 25 pupils from different Goverment Secondary Schools across Ado/Ota Local Government Area, received an educational sponsorship letters from a non-governmental group known as OTA GRAVITY GROUP.The schools were: Iganmode Grammar School, Ansarudeen College, Anglican Grammar School, Sango-Ota High School, and Lafenwa High School, Ota.It was gathered that the group, Ota Gravity Group (OGG), also visited the Chief Imam of Ota, Sheik Buhari, who recently lost his house and other valuable properties to a fire incident and they pledged to be part of rebuilding efforts of the edifice. To this effect, architectural design and perimeter fencing have commenced to give the Chief Imam a befitting apartment.
It was further learnt that OGG has also pledged to support the Kabiyesi Olota’s pet project & initiative known as the Foundation for Economic and Development Initiative   (FECODIN) with N1,000,000 as a contribution to the indigenous empowerment programme at the just concluded Iganmode Cultural Festival.
The two-in-one programme was used to officially introduced the group to the monarch and Ota council of chiefs.
It was gathered that the OGG obtained Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) forms, paid for the exam’s tutorials and vowed to grant all successful pupils scholarship throughout their university levels through the University Education Intervention Project (UEIP) established by the group for the purpose of sponsoring youths education in Ota, the ancient city of Aworiland.
The group, comprises of political office holders, business mogues and captain of industries.
Speaking at the event, the Group’s President, Aare Dele Bankole said the group’s primary objective is to contribute their quotas to the development of Ota, Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.
He said they are the people of likeminds, ready to contribute out of their treasure and talents to render humanitarian service to the less-priviledged young ones in Aworiland through empowering them both on education and skills acquisitions.
Aare Dele Bankole further said sponsoring Ota Awori youths’ education would see to continually improve and prepare the indigenes’ competency to withstand & compete favourably among other communities in the state & Nigeria as a whole. Acquisition of higher education, he continued, would help reduce considerably the high level of marginalisation of Aworis from higher political and governments positions.
The President reiterated the group’s readiness to sponsor less-priviledged youths’ education throughout their choices of  tertiary institutions. Stressing that the group would also partner Olota in all developmental programme or activities that would improve the living condition of Ota indigenes & residents in the community.
The Group’s Public Relations Officer, Hon Nurudeen Aina said the group fostered her core objective on youths’ education & empowerment to complement the government efforts of rebuilding deteriorating quality of education generally.
He said youths are the leaders of tomorrow and it will be highly impossible to become good leaders if they lack quality educational background. Appealing to the youths especially the beneficiaries to put more efforts in pursuing academic excellence at all times and the skies would not be a limit.
The Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs Amope Choker (Née Bankole) who was the special guest of honour at the event urged the youths especially the ladies to avoid unnecessary distraction including irresponsible sexual behaviour, cultism  and other vices that may impede their educational pursuits. She implored the beneficiaries to be study hard for the UMTE examinations, and other excel in the examinations, adding that, this would encourage the sponsorers to do more.
The Olota of Ota and other council of chiefs thanked the group for all these gestures and efforts of making life bearable for the less-priviledged.
The Kabiyesi enjoined all Awori indigenes to always encourage others in diaspora to come back home to participate in the development of Aworiland.
He appealed to the sons and daughters to dig deep in establishing social groups that will encourage the diasporas to come back home and contribute quota to the development of the ancient city of Aworis.
The Kabiyesi noted that the expectation of Ota in Council is to be seeing their sons and daughters in diaspora participating in all activities of the town, this will go a long way in the development of the city, he said.
The Monarch prayed that the Almighty God continue to favour all the group’s members, saying they’ve done wonderfully well and worthy of emulation.
He prayed that God will touch the hearts of wealthy people in Nigeria to participate in  humanitarian services to support the down trodden.
He said like a popular saying: “Think of what you can do for your country not what your country can do for you, all Aworis are expected to think how they can rebuild their community. We have every potential to lead and be the shinning light for others to emulate.
“We are next door Neighbour to Lagos State. We have so many educated elites from Ota. We are one of the most educated groups in Nigeria”, the Kabiyesi concluded.
Members  of the group in attendance include: The Chief Press Secretary to His Excellency,Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr Kunle Somorin; Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to Ogun State Government, Hon Kola Salako; President of the association, Aare Dele Bankole, Hon Aina Akinpelu, former member of Ogun State House of Assembly; Mr Semiu Abiodun Adeniran, ACP Lateef Ahmed, Hon Segun Ojolowo Ojuko, Lady Folake Abiola, Oluwo Itoki of Ota Awori Land, Chief Ganiyu Dada Obanisiro; Seriki of Ota Land, High Chief Lanre Balogun and Chairman ,
Ado-Odo/Ota Local Goverment, Hon Wasiu Lawal