Edo Guber: Tinubu congratulates Okpebholo on inauguration

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo on his inauguration today as the Governor of Edo State. In his message, President Tinubu urged Governor Okpebholo to diligently work to enhance the living standards of the people of Edo State and make a significant impact during his tenure. Following his triumph in the state governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Okpebholo officially took over from former governor Godwin Obaseki. Reflecting on the transition, President Tinubu noted that after eight years under Obaseki’s administration, Edo State is rejoining the ranks of the All Progressives Congress. He emphasised the importance of Governor Okpebholo justifying the confidence placed in him and the APC while fostering true democracy and effective governance in the state. The President encouraged Okpebholo to empower the Legislature and other vital government institutions throughout his administration, underscoring that a robust and independent legislature is essential for achieving democratic good governance. Expressing concerns, President Tinubu lamented the previous administration’s attempts to undermine the legislative branch, which hindered its effectiveness for much of its tenure. Additionally, President Tinubu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of the Edo Governorship Election and encouraged the Commission to strive for even greater excellence in the upcoming Ondo Governorship Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024. The President celebrated this milestone as a new chapter in Edo State’s democratic journey and rejoiced with the people of Edo for this momentous occasion.

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CBN, Partners host 2nd IFIC; unveil We-Fi Code, WFID, roadmap for FDPs

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso has reaffirmed that inclusive finance is not just about access to banking—it is the bedrock for #EconomicGrowth in Nigeria. Cardoso restated this at the 2nd International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) in Lagos on Tuesday.  He craved for Bank’s unwavering commitment to financial inclusion, just as he pledged to reduce barriers and make finance accessible to all.  “By reaching the unbanked, we are building a resilient, $1 trillion economy. “Financial inclusion is not just a goal; it is key to poverty reduction, income equality, and economic growth. For Nigeria, this means empowering citizens to save, invest, and thrive economically. “Women are essential to Nigeria’s economic growth, yet they face financial exclusion. When women thrive financially, they uplift families and communities. The CBN is committed to closing this gap, offering support for women and youth to achieve financial independence and drive economic growth,” Cardoso assured.  Nigeria is advancing in financial inclusion through resilient policies, digital solutions, and financial literacy programmes that empower young Nigerians to achieve financial independence, foster entrepreneurship, and drive growth. Let us invest in the next generation!  In a similar vein, CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), Mr. Phillip Ikeazor, called for greater teamwork across government, private sector, FinTech, and civil society to achieve the goal of 95% financial inclusion by 2024.  “Nigeria’s commitment to the #MayaDeclaration has driven progress in financial access. Since our 2012 National Financial Inclusion Strategy, the adult exclusion rate dropped from 46.3% in 2010 to 26% in 2023. A collaborative journey!”

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Elegbeta: Lagos Govt removes shanties, dislodges illegal occupants

In consolidation of existing efforts aimed at reducing the spate of environmental nuisances to the barest minimum in the metropolis, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI effected the removal of 54 illegal shanties which harboured 84 illegal occupants and eight make-shift toilets beneath Eko Bridge at the Ebute-Ero area of the State on Monday. This disclosure was made by the Corps Marshal of the Agency, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd) who led the dislodgement operation. According to the Corps Marshal, ‘‘The Elegbeta Water Channel which spans the Lagos Lagoon right under the Eko Bridge around the Ebute-Ero axis turned home to miscreants, illegal occupants occupying the waterfront, usually in the habit of promoting indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the lagoon, activating the base of the bridge as a criminal hideout and enjoining open defecation, urination have been removed after serving the squatters a seven-day abatement notice which was not adhered to’’. Cole appreciated the laudable leadership of the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stressing that the mandate of the Agency to maintain a cleaner and greener environment as enshrined in the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains paramount and sacrosanct to the collective cleanliness of the State’s environs. The Corps Marshal also sounded a strong warning to environmental defaulters, usually in the habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and water bodies, and erection of illegal structures on road setbacks, lay-bys, kerbs, medians and verges. He maintained that the law will soon catch up with all those involved in due course and deal decisively with defaulters who show clear disregard for the State’s environmental laws. The KAI boss also echoed the need for commuting Lagos residents to make appropriate use of pedestrian bridges instead of crossing highways, affirming that defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted on a daily to serve as a deterrent to others. Also, Cole enjoined Lagosians to be more safety-conscious as the yuletide approaches as he made a case for law enforcement to be provided with community-based intelligence when security issues are identified.

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Dangote donates ambulance to Apapa General Hospital

As part of efforts to enhance performances in its core area of healthcare delivery, the Apapa General Hospital has received a brand new ambulance and consumables donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation. Receiving the donated items, the Medical Director/CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Lateefat Agbaje, stated that the management team reached out to the Dangote Foundation for assistance, and she is happy that the organisation supported them with the donated items. Dr. Agbaje listed other consumables donated by the Foundation as 9500 disposable nylon aprons, 450 booties, 13570 face masks, 670 face shields, 45000 hand gloves, 3743 eyeglasses, 28000 Nurse caps, 37 thermometers, 26,500 PPE corvettes, 3592 theatre booths, and one ultrasound scanner. The hospital team, she said, is working assiduously to improve the facility through various initiatives embarked upon, including ensuring that the clinics are relocated from the hospital upstairs to downstairs for easy accessibility of patients and residents of Apapa. According to her, “Apapa General Hospital is willing to collaborate with the Foundation in the area of pediatric and children’s healthcare services. For instance, during the last anniversary celebration, there was a medical outreach for children in the area”. The Medical Director, therefore, thanked the foundation for its generosity, promising to use them judiciously for an enhanced healthcare delivery to the residents. In his remarks, the Director, Health & Nutrition, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Dr. Francis Aminu said the purpose for the donation of the ambulance and medical consumables is for health and wellbeing of Apapa residents. “To achieve a healthy living, there’s a need to support the hospital to deliver quality health services to residents, especially for children. If the children are healthy, residents would be able to make more economic gain for the family”, Aminu said. He noted that the primary healthcare service is very important to residents, stressing that nobody will want to visit the General Hospital if the primary healthcare is well equipped. The General Hospitals are meant to handle the secondary aspect of health care services. The Foundation, he said, has supported the Federal Government and many States of the federation in the areas of infrastructure, health and education.

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