Journalists denied access into auditorium as Sanwo-Olu swears in commissioners, advisers

There was tight security and rowdiness as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State swore in commissioners and special advisers on Tuesday, as members of the press were not given opportunity to enter the venue.

The venue of the event, Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, was filled with security operatives including policemen, DSS officials and bouncers as people struggled to enter the auditorium, not even journalists were allowed to enter the auditorium.

The Governor’s press crew was not allowed in. They were asked to go to the gallery where they cannot have proper view of the event.

All pleas fell on deaf ears as task force police officers were waiting for the final order to drive the journalists away.

In the end, cameramen were allowed into the hall while the reporters were ejected to the gallery.

Gaining access to the gallery was another thug of war. After much hassle, newsmen accessed the gallery amidst anger and frustration.

At the gallery, it was difficult to observe happenings inside the hall as decorative curtains blocked the view.

Nigerians react as Makinde picks 27-year-old as commissioner

Nigerians have trooped to social media on Tuesday to give plaudits to the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde for nominating a 27-year-old man as commissioner.

This was revealed in a message issued by the Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin on Monday.

The young commissioner-nominee was identified as Seun Fakorede, a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University.

He bagged a civil engineering degree from the OAU in 2016.

Ogundoyin wrote: “Let’s clear the air, the Oyo State House of Assembly has received the name of the 27-year-old Seun Fakorede of Ibarapaland as commissioner-nominee from the Oyo State government led by Governor Seyi Makinde.”

Here are some of the reactions on social media:

A commentator wrote: “Everytime Seyi Makinde is trending, it’s always about another amazing thing he has done in Oyo state. 

With all the campaign our governor here did, me I’ve not heard of any significant thing he has done since assuming office.”

Another wrote: “Governor Seyi Makinde appoints a 27yrs old young man into his excos. Good decision from him. Hope the young man won’t disappoint the youths, he should work hard so other governors will see reason to bring more youths onboard.”

Hornomeh wrote: “Seyi Makinde the kind of politician we need.”

@PeterJev: “Meanwhile, I’m moving to Ibadan soon. The state has a reasonable Governor.”

Kwara workers locked outside secretariat gate as Gov Abdulrazaq pay surprise visit

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, Monday warned civil servants in the state against lateness and poor attitude to work.

He said late coming and poor attitude to work certainly will not be tolerated.

The governor who was at the state government secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital,at about 7.55am met most offices under lock with a large number of the workers yet to report to duty.

Visibly unhappy about the development, he said late coming was not helpful for government business in the 21st century.

For over one hour during the visit, only a few workers were at work as most of the offices were locked at 9am.

According to a statement by his Spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said,” late coming and poor attitude to work, certainly will not be tolerated.

”He said the civil service should be business-like and efficient in service delivery.

“As we try to support the civil service, to deliver on its mandate, we expect a drastic shift from old practices that have taken our state nowhere”, the governor added.

Hundreds of the workers who came to work late were still locked outside the main gate by the time the governor left the secretariat a few minutes before 10am.

Ekweremadu: Embassy in Germany confirms attackers may be imprisoned

The Nigerian Embassy in Germany has said those who attacked former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, will be prosecuted under German laws.

Members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday, beat Ekweremadu up, as he arrived the venue of an event where he was to speak.

Under German laws, physical assaults are punishable by fines or imprisonments of up to 10 years, depending on the gravity.

In a statement on Monday evening, the Embassy assured they will be prosecuted, to serve as deterrence to others planning such assault.

“The Embassy of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany wishes to react to viral videos of a vicious physical attack on the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, by some members an illegal and terrorist entity named Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( POB) in Nuremberg on 17th August 2019.

“The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany under the auspices of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Invitations were extended to Nigerian dignitaries, including the Distinguished Senator and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

“The Nigerian Ambassador also honoured the invitation but arrived at the venue shortly after the incident.

“The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.

“The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German law.

“This would deter future acts of violence against officials of the Nigerian Government on German soil particularly against the backdrop of threats by the proscribed IPOB to carry out similar attacks on more Nigerian dignitaries, especially those from the South Eastern part of the country,” the statement read.

Gov. Fayemi bars Ekiti officials from speaking English, gives reason

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Monday banned state government officials and other participants from speaking the English language at cultural and traditional functions.

Fayemi said his government is desirous of promoting arts and culture in the state and reignite communication through Yoruba and Ekiti dialect, stressing this makes the step imperative at this point in time.

He made this known in Ado Ekiti during the first Ekiti State Arts and Culture Stakeholders’ Forum with the theme: ‘ Arts and Culture for Economic Prosperity” held at the state capital.

The Governor, represented at the event by the Head of Service, Mr. Deji Ajayi, revealed that the state will hold its Festival of Arts and Culture in December, 2019, as part of the ways to boost the economy of the state, adding that there were empirical statistics and evidence to prove that there was need for the state to enhance the skills and capacities of the youths, since government alone can’t solve the issue of endemic unemployment in the system.

He said, “From today henceforth, the government has banned the speaking of English in any cultural programme. Whoever that will participate in any traditional programme must speak Yoruba or our dialect”.

Speaking on the relevance of arts and culture to national development, Fayemi said: “In the primary school teachers’ recruitment exercise we advertised recently, we wanted to employ 1,100 teachers and over 19,000 had applied on our website. This shows that government must develop the skills and capacities of our youths to be able to be on their own.

“We are going to organise Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture in December this year to enhance our capacities in crafts, dancing, weaving and other vocational areas of arts.

” We should not forget to teach our children those values that will make Ekiti to remember their heritage and sustain our culture as a people.”

Ooni of Ife states position on herdsmen attacks, Buhari govt’s Ruga policy

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi has stated that he and other traditional leaders were working with President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to deal with the menace of violent herdsmen.

He made the disclosure in a chat with journalists on Sunday in Canada, at the end of his official visit to the country.

Ogunwusi was honoured and presented a key to the city of Brampton in Toronto by the Mayor, Patrick Brown.

On the recent kidnappings in the South-West by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Ooni said that the emphasis should be on bad Fulani people.

”The bad herdsmen are the one to be dealt with. Even the president has been trying to separate the good ones from the bad ones. We are glad that they have been trying to proffer solution to what is going on.

“We are working closely with the Federal Government, and we are letting them know that it is a collective problem. If there is no adequate security, there wont be any investment.”

On the Ruga settlement saga, the monarch said: “Nobody is supporting RUGA; as said earlier, the president said the issue would be discussed better at the appropriate time.

“We should not allow something that would cause problem in the future. We are all Nigerians; if you want RUGA, individuals should go and get land.

“Igbos have investments in Yorubaland; Yorubas also have investments in Igboland. Yorubas have investment in the North; they did not do it for free; the Northerners also have investment in Yorubaland”.

When asked if the clamour for regionalism should be adhered to for the purpose of dowsing the tension, Ooni posited that if that would give youths a sense of belonging and inclusiveness, then it should be adopted.

He added that any structural adjustment that has the potential of taking people out of poverty should be considered.

NYSC: Basic requirements for orientation camp

It is barely few hours to the commencement of activities for the 2019 Batch B Stream ll Orientation Course across the country.

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC on Saturday, 17th August 2019 released call up letters for prospective corps members.

However, there are certain things a prospective corps member must do or have to be admitted to, or survive the camp.

Podium media has gathered a comprehensive list of essential things corps members-to-be must take to camp. Among the items are some life saving tips listed below:

1. Authentic Student ID Card – (Original and photocopies)

2.Certificate /Statement of Result from your School (Original and 6 Photocopies) in addition if you are a Medical Doctor, Pharmacist or an Optometrist you will be expected to bring along original of your registration certificate with the Nigerian Medical Council, Pharmacist Board or Optometrist Registration Council and evidence of completion of housemanship or internship.

3. NYSC Call-up letter (Original and 6 photocopies)

4. Recent Passport Photograph – WHITE BACKGROUND (24 copies)

5. Compulsory medical certificate from a government or military hospital showing health status.

Going to camp with the above listed documents and items will get you through your registration at the orientation camp, up to the point of collection of mattress and your NYSC KIT.

The NYSC kit consists of: 2 round neck loosely fitted white T-shirts, 2 pair of white shorts, One NYSC crested vest, a pair of NYSC khaki (Jacket, Belt and trousers), a crested NYSC cap, a pair of Jungle boots, a pair of NYSC white tennis shoes.

Meanwhile, here’s a list of 10 survival kits during the three weeks.

1. ROUND-NECKED WHITE T-SHIRTS: This is an essential outfit worn everyday in camp throughout your 3 weeks.

2. WHITE SHORTS: NYSC would give 2 pairs of shorts you may need extra 4 pairs so as not to be stranded because you wouldn’t be able to wash daily.

3. PLAIN WHITE TENNIS SHOES/ WHITE SOCKS: It’s advisable you get one pair of rubber to save yourself from stress alongside leather tennis shoes.

4. CEREALS/PROVISIONS: Essential for those who would not like camp food with cup, plate, water bottle(useful on parade ground or long hours lectures)

5. TOILETRIES: antiseptics, insecticides, towel, sanitary pads, this is essential to keep you from infections and skin reactions.

6. MOSQUITO NET: Take along with a rope to tie it to your bunk to avoid malaria.

7. CASH: At least 25,000 with your ATM card ,there are lots of things that take up money in camp like food, charging of phones, etc.

8. WAIST POUCH: Very essential, it serves as your bank and locker for important items. Things like phones, money, ID card, keys, ATM cards etc.

9. TORCHLIGHT OR RECHARGEABLE LAMPS: In preparation for morning drills at 5am and at night after lights out.

10. PADLOCKS: please lock your boxes and bags to avoid regrets. People who lost things to thieves due to carelessness.

Others are: bed sheets, Pillow Cases, Pillow, Power bank, pain relief drugs, antibiotics etc.