Economy
Femi Falana Urges Nigerians To Demand Accountability From Leaders

Femi Falana Urges Nigerians To Demand Accountability From Leaders
Femi Falana urges Nigerians to demand accountability from leaders. He called on Nigerians to support one another, stressing that “injustice to one is injustice to all.”
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders. He decried the prevailing “rule of rulers” instead of the rule of law.
Mr Falana stated this at the 4th Anniversary of the late Yinka Odumakin Lecture, organised by the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation on Wednesday in Lagos.
The lecture’s theme was ‘Selflessness in Leadership: The Yinka Odumakin Example.’ Mr Falana stressed that leaders must be held accountable for their actions.
Nigerians, he said , should start asking questions and demanding transparency.
He also encouraged Nigerians to request a copy of their local government’s budget.
Mr Falana said the people should ensure senators and House of Representatives members are held accountable for their constituency budgets. He reiterated the importance of questioning leaders and demanding accountability.
“They must ensure the implementation of their budgets. We must begin with the appropriation of state budgets. Let us demand a copy of the budget and seek accountability. “Find out how your local government spends its money. They must implement the budget.
“We must hold them accountable to serve the people. Nigerians need to ask questions,” he said. Mr Falana also criticised what he called the “rule of rulers” rather than the “rule of law.” According to him, the rule of law means everyone is bound by the law and treated equally.
Mr Falana also condemned the Lagos State government for allegedly demolishing homes of the poor without approval, while allowing the rich to bypass similar laws.
“The government is demolishing houses occupied by the poor. But when the rich, including those in Banana Island, do the same, the government ratifies the law,” he claimed.
He called on Nigerians to support one another, stressing that “injustice to one is injustice to all.”
Mr Falana urged Nigerians to hold the government accountable, which he believes is the true way to honour Yinka Odumakin. He described Mr Odumakin as a consistent and courageous advocate for democracy.
“The philosophy of Afenifere, which Yinka upheld, includes education for all, access to healthcare, and full employment.
“For the foundation to remain relevant, this philosophy must be sustained,” he said. Earlier, in his goodwill message, Gani Adams, factional leader of the outlawed Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) , urged the human rights community to continue fighting for democracy.
Mr Adams advised them not to compromise in the interest of the people.
“We must continue what Yinka Odumakin fought for and believed in. “There is a need for pro-democracy activists to focus on reshaping and sustaining democracy in the country,” he added.
Omowole Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) 2023 presidential candidate, described Mr Odumakin as a fearless and courageous activist.
“Yinka always spoke the truth, regardless of whose ox was gored,” he said.

Femi Falana Urges Nigerians
Dr Joe Odumakin, president of Women Arise for Change Initiative, highlighted the importance of equality and justice for all. “The rule of law must be respected by everyone,” she said.
“Nigeria is our country. We must insist on doing things right and ensuring that injustice to one is injustice to all,” she added.
The widow, who is also President of the Foundation, pledged to rededicate herself to the ideals her late husband stood for.
Mr Odumakin passed away on April 2, 2021, during a brief illness.
Dignitaries at the event included Jimi Agbaje, former governorship candidate in Lagos State, and activist, Olamide Fusika (SAN).
Other attendees included veteran journalist, Richard Akinnola, and Edmond Obilo.
Economy
Reps Pays N14.4m To Enrol 800 Constituents In Health Scheme

Reps Pays N14.4m To Enrol 800 Constituents In Health Scheme
Reps pays N14.4m to enrol 800 constituents in health scheme. Mr Etteh noted that with sound health, the people could maximise their potential and benefit more from government plans.
Okpolupm Etteh, the member (PDP) representing Eket/Esit Eket/Onna/Ibeno Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has presented a cheque of ₦14.4 million to the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme for his constituents’ enrolment.
The lawmaker said the sum would cover the enrolment of 800 members of his constituents when he presented the cheque to the Health Insurance during his visit to the office in Uyo on Thursday.
Mr Etteh, represented by Kingsley Mbre, PDP Eket Central, Ward 1 Leader, said he was in support of the ARISE health policy of the Governor Umo Eno-led administration.
Mr Eno flagged off the scheme in the state on Friday, September 20, 2024. Mr Etteh noted that with sound health, the people could maximise their potential and benefit more from government plans and programmes.
The lawmaker urged the people of the constituency to partake and be beneficiaries of the scheme.
Mr Etteh commended the state governor for prioritising the health needs of the people by investing in primary and secondary health facilities across the state.
He added that with the effort, Akwa Ibom would become a haven for health tourists in a few years while assuring that the scheme would be sustained.
The chairman of the scheme, Edikan Ekwere, who, received the team, commended the lawmaker for redeeming the promise he made during the launch of the scheme by Mr Eno.

Reps
Mr Ekwere said the gesture was timely and thoughtful.
He said the scheme, aimed at pooling funds for strategic healthcare purchases, was to ensure all the residents of the state had access to efficient healthcare services to reduce catastrophic health expenditure.
He, however, commended the lawmaker for pledging to sustain the scheme.
Ogbeni Arthur, the executive secretary of the scheme, commended the lawmaker for partnering with the state government.
He assured that the team would embark on a visit for the biometric capturing of the beneficiaries once a suitable date and respective venues were selected.
Economy
PCN Arrests 7 Vendors, Seals 100 Pharmaceutical Premises In Gombe For Regulatory Violations

PCN Arrests 7 Vendors, Seals 100 Pharmaceutical Premises In Gombe For Regulatory Violations
PCN arrests 7 vendors, seals 100 pharmaceutical premises in Gombe for regulatory violations. Mr Chiroma said the arrested vendors had unlawfully broken the official PCN seals on their premises.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has arrested seven vendors and sealed 100 pharmaceutical premises in Gombe State for various regulatory violations.
The violations included the non-renewal of licences and the operation of illegal premises.
Head of Enforcement at PCN, Suleiman Chiroma, said this in Gombe on Thursday.
Mr Chiroma said the arrested vendors had unlawfully broken the official PCN seals on their premises and would be subjected to thorough investigation and prosecution.
According to Mr Chiroma, the enforcement team inspected 144 pharmaceutical premises across the state, of which 100 were found non-compliant and subsequently sealed.

PCN Arrests 7 Vendors
Mr Chiroma reaffirmed PCN’s commitment to ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical regulations in Nigeria.
He said that the council would take all necessary measures to implement the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, which are aimed at sanitising the drug distribution system and curbing the sale of unregulated and substandard medicines.
Mr Chiroma urged pharmacy operators in the state to adhere strictly to regulatory standards by ensuring proper licensing and compliance with pharmaceutical laws to avoid legal consequences.
Economy
Diri Praises Tinubu As ‘Grandmaster Of Partnerships’ For Coastal Road Project

Diri Praises Tinubu As ‘Grandmaster Of Partnerships’ For Coastal Road Project
Diri praises Tinubu as ‘grandmaster of partnerships’ for coastal road project. Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has hailed President Bola Tinubu as the “grandmaster of partnerships” for initiating the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, a long-standing demand of the Ijaw people.
Speaking at an NDDC medical outreach in Yenagoa, Diri noted that despite multiple appeals to the previous administration, his requests for collaboration on critical road projects went unanswered.

Diri Praises Tinubu
However, under Tinubu’s leadership, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road has been awarded, and contractors have mobilized to site.
The governor expressed confidence that Tinubu would see the coastal road project through to completion, emphasizing its significance for the region’s development.
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