Connect with us

Latest News

Why I Sacked My SSG, Commissioners, Others – Okowa

Published

on

Why I Sacked My SSG, Commissioners, Others - Okowa

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday explained why he dissolved his executive council.

The governor said he sacked the council because it was becoming full of distractions to his administration.

He cited the problems of the personal ambitions of some members of the State Executive Council for the 2023 general election .

The governor had on Tuesday, sacked the 25 commissioners, the secretary to state government, chief of staff; senior political adviser; chief strategist and special advisers.

During his quarterly media briefing in Asaba, Okowa said: “There was the need to re-work the exco in such a manner that there will be less stress such that those in exco would have their minds fixated on what we intend to achieve in the next two years, rather than on their private ambitions and beliefs.

“At some point in time in the course of an administration, there are always reasons to take some actions. If I tell you that there is no reason, then why would I have to dissolve the exco? I believe we have been on in this administration in the past six years but two years in this tenure, we have two years to go.

“Obviously there has been a lot of distractions among some members of exco. We have been working effectively and strongly. Some of them have been very useful and I must thank them. I must acknowledge that a lot of them have worked with me to be able to achieve that which we have achieved.

“But in the next two years, we need to be able to reduce the level of distraction in governance. And if you do not take that action I may have an exco that is currently divided in the two years and that will not enable me to achieve my vision.

READ ALSO: Senate Asks Govt To Suspend Deployment Of 5G Network

“So I thought there was the need to re-work the exco in such a manner that there will be less stress such that those in exco would have their minds fixated on what we intend to achieve in the next two years, rather than on their private ambitions and beliefs.”

On the gentleman agreement for the rotation of the governorship position of the state, he said: “A gentleman agreement is an agreement that is not written and l want to believe that that is what it’s supposed to be.

“But whether there was any formal meeting in which a gentleman agreement was reached, there was no formal meeting where a gentleman agreement was reached and that is the truth as of today.

“It means that whatever we are doing or talking about today is about what is fair, what is equitable, and how to define what is fair and what is equitable and justiciable.

“On allegations of intention to hand over to an Ijaw man, it’s only God Almighty that knows who will be governor after me. I cannot pretend to be God, I don’t know who God is going to bring and I don’t have the intention of playing the role of God.

“You will hear a lot more things just as they said I want to hand over to an Ijaw man, I don’t think that I have the strength to play God but the issue is when the politics starts, politics will be played, and God Almighty will take the decision on who will be governor.

“But as I said, at some point in time as a party, because I can only speak for my party, that we will sit down to look at issues to find out what truly will be fair, what truly will be justiciable, and what should equity really mean. On where the governorship is going, I think if you pray God will reveal it to you.”

On the refund of £4.2million from the United Kingdom, Okowa said his government had suggested some projects in the state to the federal government which the money could be used to finance.

On the controversy generated by the resolutions of the southern governor’s meeting in Asaba, Okowa said: “It is for the unity of Nigeria. Ranching is best for the country and accepted by the northern elders and governors.

“Those who reacted against it got it wrong and they are not fair to the southern governors. It stops constant clashes among the residents and herders. The case of restructuring through devolution of powers, state police and others will also go a long way to uplift the country.”

 

Read more authentic news on our social media platforms

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Latest News

BREAKING:Lagos Govt Arraigns Chrisland School, Principal, Others Over Death Of Pupil Whitney Adeniran

Published

on

Chrisland pupil Whitney

The Lagos State government has arraigned Chrisland School, Opebi, its principal, vice principal and two other employees over the death of one of the school’s pupils, 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran.

On Wednesday, the government of Lagos State had filed charges against Chrisland School and four others over the death of the 12-year-old pupil, Whitney Adeniran.

The school and its workers were accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts.

The workers who were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria and Chrisland School Limited.

The school principal, Mrs Belinda Amao, broke down in tears while in the dock as the court and counsel tried to agree on a date for the commencement of the trial.

Whitney died during the school’s inter-house sports competition at Agege Stadium in Lagos on February 9.

Blessing Adeniran, her mother, had accused Chrisland of negligence over her daughter’s death.

The school’s management, however, dismissed insinuations that there was foul play in the death, saying she slumped in public.

Chrisland also argued that Whitney complained about “not-too-buoyant health” a few days before she died.

However, an autopsy conducted at the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH) confirmed that the deceased died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.

In the charges filed on behalf of the state government by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Babajide Martins, who disclosed that their negligence killed Whitney because they failed to ensure her safety.

The charge also disclosed that they all acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.

The offences are contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015

If found guilty, the offences carry a penalty of life imprisonment and two-year jail terms respectively.

On Tuesday, the state government granted access to Chrisland High School, Opebi branch, to open for physical learning ahead of the school’s forthcoming examination after parents’ appeal.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered that the school be shut down on March 3, 2023, following the investigation into Whitney’s death.

Sanwo-Olu through the state Ministry of Education said the closure of the school would pave the way for unhindered investigation and afford all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and friends of the deceased, time to grieve.

The reopening followed an appeal by the Parents of all Chrisland School Units who visited the Ministry of Education on Monday to seek the government’s understanding for “the sake of 500 plus students some of whom also have terminal examinations.”

The management of the school had tendered an apology over Whitney’s death.

Continue Reading

Latest News

BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

Published

on

Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

Continue Reading

Latest News

Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

Published

on

BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

Continue Reading

Top Stories

%d bloggers like this: