NEWS
Shettima, Akpabio, Abbas, Obi, Senators Storm Kano for Sen. Barau’s Son’s Wedding
From Longtong Yakubu, Kano
The ancient city of Kano was agog weekend as Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Governors, Senators and other dignitaries graced the wedding of Sen.
Barau Jibrin’s son in Kano.The wedding Fatiah between Abdullahi Barau Jibrin(Amir) and Bilkisu Aliyu Sani Madaki, the daughter of the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep Aliyu Sani Madaki, took place at the Isyaka Rabiu Juma’at Mosque, Goron Dutse, in Kano after the juma’at prayers on Friday.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Abdullahi Mahmud Salga tied the knot between the couple after a dowry of N500,000 was paid.
In a speech shortly after the wedding ceremony, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the presence of Peter Obi at the wedding ceremony as signs of a united Nigeria.
According to him, the wedding ceremony, which had in attendance so many high profile personalities shows that Senator Barau Jibrin is a peaceful Man and man of the People.
“You can see that, even the LP Presidential Candidate Peter Obi and his People are here, this tells you that Nigeria will remain united as one entity.”
Akpabio however, admonished the newly wedded couple to leave in Peace, love and also tolerate one another.
(2)Isese: Relocate Kwara State Capital to Neutral Ground, OPC Advises FG
From Alfred Babs, Ilorin
Oodua People congress (OPC) has advised the Federal Government to relocate Kwara state capital from Ilorin to a neutral ground that is away from the present location if the Muslims refuse to accommodate people of other religions.
The state coordinator of OPC, New Era in Kwara state Comrade Bayo Fabiyi made this suggestion in a statement as a way settling the impasse between Isese people and Muslim clerics in Ilorin.
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The OPC coordinator in a statement on Sunday, explained that there were several areas in the state, which included the entire Kwara South, North and some parts of the north of the state where they practice Isese traditional religion and other religions as well as Islam without confrontation.
“There are Muslims in other places co- habiting with their Isese and other religious brothers without crises or disturbances.
“Therefore, if Ilorin is the only place where Isese becomes a challenge, the status of Ilorin as a state capital should be changed while the ancient town can be allowed to remain purely Islamic place because of all towns in Kwara, only Ilorin is where Islamic extremism thrives.
Fabiyi said that while he would advice all Isese people never to fight or kick against the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, as a Royal father over all, he also advised that Muslim clerics follow the “deenukum waliya deen” Principle of Islam and allow Isese people to practice their religion without troubling or causing intrusion into their mode of worship.
He criticized the Muslim fundamentalists who ignored several other serious issues such as cultism and other issues of insecurity but chose to selectively face Isese group that are just practicing their religion without hindering the peace of others.
Fabiyi also reiterated that insecurity in Kwara was occasioned by the admittance of Fulanis who were displaced from Igangan in Oyo state into Ilorin.
He lamented that against his earlier warnings when Abubakar Iskail was not heeded that the group when chased from Igangan in Oyo state would settle down in Ilorin, but nobody yielded his advice.
The OPC coordinator lamented that he raised this alarm long ago about the impending danger of allowing the man to take abode in Kwara state “but no one in the security architecture of Kwara state listened to him.”
He advised that the only way to end insecurity in Kwara is by nipping it in the bud and chase intruding Herdsmen who allegedly involved in kidnapping be chased out of KWARA.
NEWS
LASG Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainability, Rapid Urban Growth
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban growth, while prioritising safety, sustainability, and resilience.Ms Bakarat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, made this known on Thursday during a news conference announcing the 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference and Exhibitions.
The conference, organised by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), will take place from Dec. 10 to Dec. 11t at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.According to her, the focus of the state government on sustainable development practices is critical, as it faces growing challenges in managing the increasing demand for housing.Odunuga-Bakare said that the state government was also addressing environmental concerns, and improving the safety and integrity of its built environment.She stated that Lagos remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and a major economic hub in Africa.Odunuga-Bakare said that the real estate sector plays a significant role in driving this growth, creating jobs, attracting investments, and contributing to the development of the state’s infrastructure.The special adviser noted that Lagos had become a beacon of progress, innovation and sustainable development in the real estate sector under the leadership of the governor.She said: “The theme of this year’s conference is “Reimagining the Lagos Landscape: Ensuring Sustainable Real Estate Development Practices.“This reflects our commitment to ensuring that the rapid growth of our urban spaces does not come at the expense of safety, sustainability, and resilience.“At the 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace conference, we will be focusing on key areas such as innovation in housing solutions, sustainable building practices, regulatory reforms, and investment opportunities.”The lawyer noted that the conference was not just another event, but a strategic step toward building a safer, more sustainable, and resilient real estate sector in Lagos State.“The event will bring together an exciting lineup of speakers and panelists, including thought leaders, real estate developers, investors, policymakers, and regulators who will engage in deep, insightful discussions on these pressing issues.“We believe that through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a collective commitment to change, we can overcome the challenges facing the real estate sector,” she added.According to her, the conference will also serve as an opportunity for industry professionals to explore new business opportunities, learn from each other’s experiences, and contribute to shaping the future of real estate in Lagos.Odunuga-Bakare further said that one of the most pressing issues the state must tackle was ensuring that its real estate industry remained transparent, accountable, and professional.She emphasised that showed that regulatory frameworks were needed to safeguard the interests of both the public and private sector stakeholders.The special adviser said that made the state to continue to strengthen LASRERA, charged with the responsibility of registering and regulating real estate practitioners in Lagos.Odunuga-Bakare said that by enforcing standards, monitoring compliance, and encouraging transparency, LASRERA ensures that only qualified professionals are involved in real estate transactions.The lawyer added that this was essential in restoring confidence in the sector, while ensuring that the state do not repeat the mistakes of the past.She appreciated all the sponsors, exhibitors, and participants for their invaluable support and commitment towards the conference and the growth of the real estate sector in Lagos.“Together, we will continue to ensure that our state remains a model for growth and development in Africa,”she said. (NAN)NEWS
Harmattan: Fire Service urges Nigerians to Avoid Bush Burning
Niger State Fire Service, has advised Nigerians against indiscriminate bush burning to prevent incessant fire outbreak in the country during the harmattan season.The Controller, Niger State Fire Service, Baba Alhaji-Alikali, made the call in a statement issued by Ibrahim Lokogoma, Ag Senior Fire Prevention Officer, in Minna on Thursday.
Alhaji-Alikali urged all MDA, markets, business premises and cooperate organisations to adhere strictly to fire disaster prevention hints. “Harmattan period is at hand when incessant fire outbreak is experienced and for the safety control against the fire disaster in the state.“People are advised to switch off all electrical appliances and disconnect them from the source when leaving your homes or offices.“Always keep fire extinguishers nearby and do not overload your electrical sockets.“Keep flammable materials away from igniting sources and avoid parking recently-driven vehicles on dry grasses,” he said.Alikali said that fire should be properly put off with water before charcoals are disposed.“Using of defective gas cooker be discouraged, careless discarding of cigarette ends be avoided.“Avoid indiscriminate bush burning, clearing of surrounding to at least 50ft apart to serve as a fire break.“Insure your property against fire,” he said.The fire controller also urged the people to call the fire service immediately for any emergency through the following GSM numbers, 080535833632, 08062420591, 09068795027. (NAN)NEWS
Osun Govt. to Engage Retired Doctors to Augment Workforce — Commissioner
The Commissioner for Health in Osun, Mr Jola Akintola, says the state government is planing toengage retired doctors to make up for the scarcity of doctors.He made this known in Osogbo on Thursday during the ministry’s budget defence at the Osun House of Assembly.The commissioner, who said that the state is facing dearth of doctors, added that “majority have left the country.
“We intend to recruit retired doctors who are not tired to fill the needed number of doctors in our health facilities. “We are planning to engage retired doctors because many of them have travelled abroad for greener pastures.”He explained that when engaged, the retired doctors would bring on-board their wealth of experience to impact the lives the Nigerians andoffer good healthcare to the people.He said the ministry had earlier been given the go-ahead to employ more staff but the issue of the new minimum wage,which was just settled in the state, delayed the recruitment process.On his part, Dr Afolabi Babatunde, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UniOsun Teaching Hospital, while also defending the budget of thehospital, stressed the importance of having more medical staff.Babatunde said that UniOsun Teaching Hospital currently has one nurse to 19 patients, which is not in conformation with the one nurseto three patients recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO).He added that when he resumed as the CMD in October, he did an assessment need of the hospital and discovered that the health facilityspends more money than it generates.He explained that the cost of paying staff not under state government payroll, buying diesel and paying for electricity in a month is aboutN140 million, which is far more than what is generated.He said some key equipment like the CT Scan machine, MRI machine and others are not available at the hospital.He solicited the help of the assembly for more funding, saying “what is allocated in the budget for the hospital is not sufficient.”The Chairman, Osun Assembly Finance and Appropriation Committee, Mr Saheed Fatunmise, who heads the budget defence, said thatthe CMD’s appeal is noted, and the hospital’s budget taken.(NAN)