Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

A petrol-laden tanker has exploded in the Sari Iganmu area of Lagos State.

 

It was gathered that the incident happened on Thursday evening.

 

The cause of the explosion is however yet unknown.

Meanwhile, officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services are currently combating the fire.

 

The spokesperson for the agency, Shakiru Amodu, in a terse statement sent to our correspondent, said, “Tanker fire is being combatted at the Lagos Quadrapoint Bridge, by National Arts Theater, Iganmu as Sari Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews combine efforts to tame the raging fire.”

 

Details later

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has described the Military, especially the Army as the pillar of Nigeria’s survival as a nation.

He also commended the Army for shunning anti-democratic tendencies, saying democracy is a necessity for societal development.

A statement made available to journalists by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed disclosed that the Governor spoke while hosting the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja at his country home in Ede on Thursday.

 

He added that the Military rather than embarking coup d’etat, should engaged in democratic correction mechanism, describing the Nigerian military as a thorough bred professional service which uphold respect for the national constitution while serving as a protector of the democratic process as well as national stability.

 

He said, “The military, especially the Nigerian army, is a critical pillar of our national life. We owe the military accolades and commendation for securing and protecting the nation.

 

“Our existence as a nation that is united despite challenges is linked to the patriotism and sacrifice of the military. When the civil population is sharply divided , the military remains united.On many occasions, the military saved our nation from disintegration.

 

“Your reaching out to the civil population as a policy is a giant step to further unite the nation. I commend this civil- military rapport, the Osun state government enjoys a close relationship with the military establishments in the state”.

 

Governor Adeleke further expressed his appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for the speedy intervention during the recent Ifon -Ilobu crisis, noting “Your patriotic action is laudable. We deeply appreciate you”.

 

Responding, the Chief of Army Staff said he was in the state in continuation of his nationwide visit to army formations in the country, noting that he was at the Governor’s residence to pay homage.

He assured the Governor of deep support for democracy and good governance, assuring that the engineering construction arm of the army is prepared to undertake projects from any willing states

 

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson made this known in a statement on Thursday.

Olukoyede is billed to serve for a term of four years, upon confirmation by the senate.

Below are key things to know about the new EFCC boss:

 

Olukoyede was born in Ikere-Ekiti on October 14, 1969.

 

The new anti-graft agency chair is an indigene of Ekiti State.

 

He is an alumnus of Lagos State University; University of Lagos; Institute of Arbitration ICC – Paris, France and University of Harvard (Kennedy School of Executive Education).

 

He is an experienced lawyer specialised in compliance management, corporate intelligence, and fraud management.

 

Olukoyede has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018).

 

He is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG.

He served as EFCC Secretary under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2018 to 2023.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.

 

Olukoyede’s appointment followed the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency for a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

 

”By the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President,” President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

 

”Mr. Ola Olukoyede is a lawyer with over twenty-two (22) years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence. He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023). As such, he fulfills the statutory requirement for appointment as Chairman of the EFCC.

Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda is a public administrator with extensive experience in public finance management who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Business Administration from the same university. He began his career as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. From there, he went into banking, including successful stints at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank,” the statement reads.

 

President Tinubu therefore tasked the new leadership of the Commission to justify the confidence reposed in them

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday appointed five new Chief Executive Officers across multiple agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy with immediate effect.

 

The President made this known through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints new leadership across the communications, innovation, and digital economy sectors.’

 

He listed the new CEOs as Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission; Nkechi Egerton-Idehen as Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited; Kashifu Abdullahi as Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency; Dr. Vincent Olatunji as National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and Tola Odeyemi as Postmaster General, Nigerian Postal Service.

However, the DG of NiTDA, Abdullahi, was reappointed for a second term in office.

 

Tinubu also approved the appointment of a new Special Adviser on Technology and Digital Economy, Idris Alubankudi.

 

Alubankudi’s appointment is meant to “maximally leverage Nigeria’s proven technological and digital economic prowess to reposition the nation’s economy toward greater financial inclusion,” Ngelale wrote

NiTDA DG, NDCP CEO reappointed

 

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday sacked the Chief Executive Officers of three agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy with immediate effect.

 

The affected CEOs include the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; the Nigerian Postal Service’s Sunday Adepoju; and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited’s Tukur Funtua.

 

The President made this known through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints new leadership across the communications, innovation, and digital economy.

He listed the new CEOs as Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC; Nkechi Egerton-Idehen as Managing Director of the NIGCOMSAT; and Tola Odeyemi as Postmaster General of NIPOST.

 

However, the duo of Kashifu Abdullahi and Dr Vincent Olatunji were reappointed as Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, respectively.

 

Tinubu also approved the appointment of a new Special Adviser on Technology and Digital Economy, Idris Alubankudi

 

Alubankudi’s appointment is meant to “maximally leverage Nigeria’s proven technological and digital economic prowess to reposition the nation’s economy toward greater financial inclusion,” Ngelale wrote.

The Lagos State Government has commenced demolition of buildings erected on drainage channels in Lekki Phase 2, to correct the perennial flooding that has become a threat to residents whenever heavy downpour occurs in the community.

The multi-million naira buildings were removed by the government by the enforcement unit of the Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources following expirations of notices served to owners.

 

The exercise which was expected to have commenced on Monday, was actually carried out on Wednesday, along Mobil Road, Lekki Phase 2 after the one-week notice.

 

In a video trending online, the state government heavy bulldozer was seen pulling down a marked highrise building found to have contravened the Lagos state environmental law.

 

Recall that, the State Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab had last weekend, during an on the spot assessment, on company of other senior government officials, ordered the demolition of all structures marked and served notices found contravening the relevant law of the state.

 

An unspecified number of multi-millions naira buildings were already marked for removal for various environmental offences, ranging from building on drainage channels, lack of approvals, among others.

 

Similarly, the state Government has declared enforcement of a zero tolerance on all forms of street trading in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island.

 

Wahab, who made this declaration on Tuesday, added that henceforth no form of hawking, street trading and display of wares on walkways and setbacks would be allowed in the listed areas

 

Wahab stated that the state environmental sanitation laws would be fully applied with mobile courts ready to dispense justice to all those who run foul of the law.

He stressed that the action was in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. PLUS Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promote a cleaner and greener Lagos, while ensuring total enforcement of the environmental sanitation laws and create a safer state for all.

 

The comissioner, while sounding a note of warning decried the prevalence of traders at bus-stops, roundabout as well as pedestrians bridges in the listed areas, defacing the aesthetics.

 

He mentioned that the actions of the traders and their customers not only obstruct free flow of traffic, aid crime but also contribute to indiscriminate littering which eventually end up blocking the drainage systems.

 

Wahab, noted that Lagos, a megacity that is developing into a smart city, had no place for street traders who not only constitute an eyesore to the aesthetics of the city and expose themselves to hazardous situations but also constituted a threat to the security of lives and property.

The latest enforcement drive against street traders in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island will be sustained to restore the original masterplan of the areas,” the commissioner vowed.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has relaxed the 24-hour curfew on the warring communities of Ifon and Ilobu to a 12-hour restriction a peace agreement reached by the two towns.

The two communities located in Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas of the state had engaged in violent clash over land, forcing the state government to imposed a 24-hour curfew on the communities after eight persons were reported dead and several properties destroyed.

Meanwhile, Ifon community had earlier in a statement beg the governor to relax the curfew pledging commitment to the peace accord reached last weekend.

 

The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi in statement on Tuesday said Governor Adeleke has ordered the review of the 24-hour curfew to a 12-hour restriction of movement.

 

It added that the state government will possessed the disputed land, pending the total resolution of the clash, saying that security operatives deployed to the towns will continue with the duty of peace keeping pending the directive of the governor.

 

It reads: “Based on the recent Peace Agreement signed by Ifon and Ilobu Communities of Orolu and Irepodun local governments respectively, the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke is happy to state that the two communities are gradually embracing the need to engender peace and harmony, forthwith.

 

“Premised on this, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, has relaxed the 24 hour curfew to 12 hours daily, beginning from 6pm to 6am with immediate alacrity.

 

“That the Joint Security Task Force comprising the Nigeria Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agents should, however, continue their normal 24 hours surveillance of both Ifon, Ilobu and Olokanla communities.

 

“That the good people of the two local governments should go about their businesses without any fear or apprehension anymore as their security are guaranteed with the eagle eyed security personnels in place.

That, anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or instigating any act,knowingly or unknowingly, to mortgage the lasting peace being currently envisioned in the warring communities would be made to face the music,via necessary prosecution, in line with the dictate of the law of Nigeria.

That, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the umpteenth times, appreciates the resolve of the leadership and people of the warring communities to embrace peace.

 

“That, the present administration, under Governor Ademola Adeleke holds unity and peaceful co-existence of the people of Ifon, Ilobu and Olakanla sacrosanct just as it holds it for the entire villages, towns and cities of the state of the living string; and

 

“That Osun state government, once again, sympathizes with the families of victims of the communal clashes