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Sanwo-Olu Seeks Recognition Of 37 LCDAs, State Police, Genuine Federalism In Constitution Review

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Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu Seeks Recognition Of 37 LCDAs, State Police, Genuine Federalism In Constitution Review

Sanwo-Olu seeks recognition of 37 LCDAs, state police, genuine federalism in Constitution Review. Mr Sanwo-Olu said it was unfair that the state, which he said carries the burden of many other states, does not enjoy special status.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on the National Assembly to be fair to the state by enlisting the 37 local council development areas and granting the state a special status in the constitution.

Mr Sanwo-Olu made the call at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Lagos.

“What we are asking is that the 37 local council development areas we have given birth to since 2000 should be listed in the constitution.

“Can we have a child who is 25 years old and without giving them a birth certificate?. Let us get our birth certificates,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said it was unfair that the state, which he said carries the burden of many other states, does not enjoy special status.

Further justifying his call for special status for the state, the governor said Lagos and Kano States were created in 1967, but that in 1991, Jigawa was carved out of Kano State.

The governor said Lagos had remained the same with 20 local governments, while Kano now has 44 LGs, and Jigawa has 27 LGs. He described the arrangement as unfair.

“As a nation, we cannot and we should not continue to deceive ourselves. We must be guided by the principle of inclusiveness, equity, and justice.

“It is not about emotion, it is about facts and fairness. Is that fair? Is that right?
“This issue of special status for Lagos is not a unique thing to Lagos; it is the same in Brazil, Indonesia, and others.

“When you move your capital from one place to another, you do not abandon where you left. For me, as a nation, let us be fair to Lagos and everybody,” he said.

He stated that the state contested the population figures of the Nigerian Population Commission in the 2006 census in 19 local government areas at the tribunal.

“The tribunal agreed with us on what we raised in 18 local government areas. Let us even agree with the figure, Alimosho LGA in 2006 was given the population of 1,371,000 while Bayelsa has a population of 1.67 million,” he added.

Mr Sanwo-Olu highlighted the need for genuine federalism and devolution of powers, state police, electoral and judicial reforms, a special seat for women, among others.

He stated, “Just for the simplicity of it, state policing is not about semantics, it is about the protection of the people. So, let us have it.”

Corroborating, a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Abiodun Ogunleye, stated that the state had met all the conditions to have the 37 LCDAs recognised in the nation’s constitution.

Mr Ogunleye also called fiscal federalism, which would allow state control of their resources, while contributing to the centre.

Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu

A former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, said the state had the highest population, but fewer local governments when compared to its counterparts across the nation.

Also, an APC chieftain and former Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Lanre Balogun, reiterated the recognition of 37 LCDAs and the creation of state police.

Responding, Ibrahim Isiaka, the House of Representatives Deputy Chief Whip and chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, assured stakeholders that the National Assembly would address all demands.

Economy

Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki

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Obaseki

Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki

Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.

He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.

Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.

Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.

‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’

Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.

“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.

“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”

He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.

“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.

Obaseki

Obaseki

“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.

“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”

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Economy

Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training

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Teachers Register For Special Training

Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training

Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.

He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”

Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.

“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.

“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.

Teachers Register For Special Training

Teachers Register For Special Training

He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.

“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.

He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.

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PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery

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Leadway Pensure

PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery

PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality

service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.

Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.

Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.

From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.

“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”

Leadway Pensure

Leadway Pensure

Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.

“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.

As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.

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