metro
We will remodel danfo buses, not scrap them – Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Government will not scrap the yellow buses popularly known as ‘danfo’, but remodel them to meet modern standards, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said.
He stated this when he featured on a Channels Television programme on Sunday.
Sanwo-Olu said it would not be fair to scrap the ‘danfo’, adding that they had served Lagos residents for a long time.
He said, “It will be unfair for us. These (their operators) are important stakeholders. They served our citizens. They served Lagosians for a long time. It became the print of Lagos, the yellow buses.
“Let’s be very creative. Let’s see how we can remodel them without scrapping them. We are collaborating with them. You know that our citizens now deserve newer models of cars.”
The governor also said the state had signed an agreement with a local bus manufacturing company to replace buses burnt during the #EndSARS protest.
He said although the buses were insured, the insurance did not cover such “unforeseen circumstances”.
Sanwo-Olu said, “We are trying to replenish them, we have started the compensation and the interesting thing is that we are working with a local bus manufacturing company.
“And it is going to come almost with the same specifications of the ones that were unfortunately destroyed so that Lagosians can have the same feel of the buses. They were insured. Insurance will never cover you 100 per cent.”
Speaking on transportation in the state, Sanwo-Olu said a mega city like Lagos should not make use of one mode of transportation, adding that his administration was working towards exploring other options.
He said, “One-third of Lagos is water. That is natural. It will be unfair on us not to utilise that opportunity. Lagos in terms of area is also even below the sea level.
“About 33 per cent of our landmass is water. We need to create that infrastructure. The infrastructure for water is terminal.”
The governor also spoke on the construction of light rail in the state, saying the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level did not back the project when it was initiated.
The governor said his administration was determined to construct the red and blue light rail lines across the state.
He said, “Lagos was not with the Federal Government at that time so the PDP government never gave Lagos the right of way from the red line now which is from Oyingbo, Ebute Meta all the way to Agbado, which was where we all grew up, that rail corridor.
“When I was in the BRF’s government, we never actually started the red line then. It was the blue line that we started in 2010. If we step back then, you remember we have always had that rail corridor.
“So the Federal Government never gave us that opportunity to be able to do the red line then. So it is just now that we are doing the red line.”
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
metro
Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy
Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy
The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.
The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.
The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.
It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.
According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.
The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”
“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.
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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.
It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.
“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.
“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.
Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy
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