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Stakeholders Seek Amendment of Pension For Lagos Governors, Deputy

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IMG-20210611-WA0049Stakeholders Seek Amendment of Pension For Lagos Governors, Deputy
…As Repeal of Governors Pension Law Goes Through Public Hearing

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&HIMG-20210608-WA0018

Stakeholders at a day Public hearing on the repeal of a law for the payment of pension to past Lagos State Governors and Deputy Governors have called for an amendment to the law rather than total repeal.

The law entitled; “A Bill for a law to repeal the law to provide for the payment of pensions and other fringe benefits to public office holders in Lagos State and for other connected purposes,” went through public hearing at the assembly premises on Friday.

The law provided that a former Lagos State Governor or Deputy Governor shall be entitled to pension at the rate of equivalent to the annual basic salary of incumbent Governor or Deputy Governor and other benefits as provided by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

The schedule of the law stipulated that a former Governor and Deputy Governor are entitled to residential houses in any location of choice in Lagos State.

However, any Govenor that has served for two consecutive terms would be given an additional House in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

On transportation, it provides for three cars for a former Govenor, an additional pilot and two backup cars to be replaced every three years.

Also, the deputy Governor, he would be entitled to two cars, one pilot and one backup car to be replaced every three years.

They are both entitled to furniture, domestic staff who shall be pensionable, free medical treatment for them and their immediate family members.

On security, a former Governor would is entitled to two DSS details and one female officer, while the deputy Governor is entitled to one.

There was also a provision of eight policemen, four each for house and personal security for a former Govenor and two policemen, one each for house and personal security for a former deputy governor, while their drivers would be pensionable.

Commenting on the Bill, the Secretary of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Adeyemi Abijo commended the lawmakers for an attempt to repeal the law.

Abijo said that the law itself was against the yearnings of the people.

He said that the law was beyond pension, but that it was aimed at enlarging the coast of past public office holders.

He however, said that if any part of the law should be retained, a certain percentage of basic salaries could be given to former governors and deputy governors as it is done in some parts of the United States of America.

“As a former Govenor you don’t need any support, but security support. They should rather be supporting others.

“The funds that should have been given to them could be used for other purposes,” he said.

Also contributing, the Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Bello Ayodele Mustapha said that past leaders are servant leaders and that they should not expect much from the people.

Mustapha said that the purpose of the law was to reduce corruption, but that the purpose had been defeated.

He however said that some parts of the law such as medical, drivers and security for former governors and their deputies should be retained.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the House Committee on Establishment, Training, Pensions and Public Service said that public hearings were part of the process of making laws in the assembly.

Ogundimu stated that there had been a lot of noise on the law and that it was important for the assembly and the state government to yield to the yearnings of the people.

The Committee Chairman also told journalists in an interview that the House would still wait for the different memoranda from the people of the state.

“We will base our decision on what the people want; whether a repeal or an amendedment. That was why we invited the people to know what they want, which is why we are here.

“Everybody has his own right, individuals are entitled to their opinion. Any former Governor or Deputy that does not want the pension if perhaps it is ammended can donate it to whoever he wants,” he said.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni said in his keynote address that former public officers holders have also agreed to jettison the pension.

Obasa said that contemporary economic reality in the state called for a repeal of the law so that funds could be used for other developmental purposes.

While saying that the state’s past servant leaders were being immortalised through the law, the Speaker said that it formalised the appreciation of their efforts.

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Lagos Island Lawmaker, Afinni Picks Patient Surgery Bill

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Lagos Island Lawmaker, Afinni Picks Patient Surgery Bill

Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim

sponsored by: H&H

“May you never experience such, May God be with you and your household, may you never fall sick, your enemies will never overcome you, These are the prayers from the heart of a resident of Lagos Island constituency ll, Mr. Abiola Shuab when favour falls on him during and aftermart of his successful surgery Operation been sponsored by Lagos Lawmaker, Hon. Lanre Afinni.

August24news.com gathered that Mr. Abiola Shuab was suffering from a premium Nasal Nose Blockage and as been placed under drugs and treatment before his doctor prescribed him for a Surgery Operation.

The surgery Operation was carried out successfully by a team of medical expert at the Ilorin General Hospital last Friday.

Upon reaching the Lawmaker for Financial support for the surgery, Hon. Lanre Afinni who represent the good people of Lagos Island Constituency ll at the Lagos State house of Assembly quickly reacted to the request and ask his Committee on Health to rally round Abiola and carry out all the necessary action claiming the bill should be credited on his account.

Commenting on the Goodwill done by Hon. Lanre Afinni is the Apex Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos Island Constituency ll, Chief Babajide Damasio commended Affini for the prompt and good act describing him as a lawmaker of the people who is always at alert for the good gesture.

On his own Part Hon. Lanre Afinni who doubles as the Chairman house committee on Environment at the Lagos State House of Assembly told Our Correspondent that “health is wealth, “we remain committed to our constituents members healthcare, their health is Paramount to us and that is why we have to come to their aid when needed.

According to Afinni, When we came into Office in 2023, we inaugurated several committees to look into the needs of our consistency members in different capacity and appoint professional to head the team in various offices such as Education, Sport, Security, Empowerment, Job Creation and Health.

“On our Health Committee desk, we have been able to organize series of medical talks, we also help with medical bills of our constituency members, We have done 3 editions of the medical outreach program, which includes dentals and distributions of free eye glasses with over 2,000 Two thousand in every edition and the 4th edition will be held in December this year. Afinni Stated.

Mr. Abiola Shuab is an Higher National Diploma holder in Banking and Finance from the prestigious Ibadan Polytechnic, Oyo State and resident of Number 17 Ajanaku Street, Lagos Island East LCDA.

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Smear Campaign Won’t Stop Police Reforms, CASA Stands with IGP Egbetokun

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Smear Campaign Won’t Stop Police Reforms, CASA Stands with IGP Egbetokun

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Civic Alliance for Security Accountability (CASA) has strongly condemned what it calls a coordinated campaign of calumny against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging Nigerians to disregard all unfounded attacks on his person and leadership.

In a statement released on Friday, May 30, 2025, the President of CASA, Charles Egbunike, described the attacks as part of a broader agenda to discredit not just the IGP, but also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under whose administration Egbetokun was appointed.

“These campaigns are not only malicious but deliberately designed to create instability,” Egbunike said. “Those behind them are not just attacking the IGP; they are using him as a tool to hit at the President. This is because of the IGP’s long-standing association with President Tinubu, dating back to when he served as his Chief Security Officer during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State more than two decades ago.”

According to the group, the real masterminds behind the smear campaign are disgruntled elements who lost out following the IGP’s recent reforms aimed at sanitizing the system, especially his decision to implement the position of the law and the Police Service Commission on retirement age and service years. These individuals, who are angry over the unalloyed support Egbetokun enjoys from the President and the members of the Nigeria Police Force, he said, are now collaborating with unscrupulous figures in the online media space who have been paid to do a hatchet job.

“These individuals prospered under a corrupt system and are now resentful because Inspector General Egbetokun has put an end to that era of impunity and unprofessional conduct. They are using faceless online platforms and questionable media outlets to spread lies and cast doubt on the IGP’s credibility. Very soon, we will start revealing the people behind this campaign, including a retired Senior Police officer who is unhappy about the way he left office. We will also expose those paying for online attacks meant to weaken the police and, by extension, the government. This is not just an attack on one man, it is an attempt to undermine national security. We will not let that happen,” Egbunike said.

Speaking alongside Egbunike,  a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Idris Dauda Dabban, described IGP Egbetokun, as a truly professional, hardworking, humble and forward-thinking officer whose leadership is shaping a more disciplined and professional Nigerian Police Force as he advises those who are attacking him for their myopic selfish reasons to desist from it.

AIG Dabban (rtd), who was a coursemate of Egbetokun at the Police Academy and later served closely with him, gave personal insights into the character and work ethics of the country’s top cop.

“IGP Egbetokun is a very humble, selfless, courageous and hardworking officer,” Dabban said. “He’s someone who listens, interacts well with people, and genuinely cares about getting the job done.”

Their connection goes way back, not just as coursemates but also as close colleagues posted to the same units and living in the same police barracks. According to Dabban, that experience gave him a front-row view of the IGP’s drive, care for the people and passion for duty.

“After we left the academy, we were both posted back to Lagos. We served in the same unit and even lived in the same barracks at Satellite Police Barrack. I can confidently say I know him very well,” Dabban recalled.

“He’s always ahead, very proactive, never reactive. He doesn’t tolerate anything that goes against the ethics of the Force. He’s very forward-looking, passionate about the job and holds himself and others to high standards. I can say Nigerians are lucky to have this kind of incorruptible cop as their IGP.

“He’s a nationalist, he is never tribalistic or considers religious sentiment. For him, it’s all about the job, work, work, and more work. He’s fully committed to building a better police force that I am certain about.”

Speaking in a similar vein, the Secretary-General of CASA, Emamode Peters, praised IGP Egbetokun for the positive changes he is bringing to the Force.

According to him, Egbetokun is not only a strong leader but also a highly educated officer who brings deep knowledge and discipline into policing.

He said, “One thing I admire most about the IGP is his work ethic. He drives his subordinates hard because he believes in results. Laziness and unprofessional conduct have no place under his leadership. I have personally observed that he leads from the front; he works round the clock, comes to the office early, and spends more than 14 hours in the office daily, and I also know that most days he does not go to bed until 4 am. Because he continues with meetings and work at home. I marvelled at how he attends to the deluge of work and files on his table and he does all of that with vigour and professionalism.”

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NiMet SAPZ Partner to Empower Smallholder Farmers Across Agro Processing Zones

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NiMet SAPZ Partner to Empower Smallholder Farmers Across Agro Processing Zones

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has formalized a strategic partnership with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program to advance climate resilience and sustainable agriculture across key farming regions in Nigeria.

The partnership, formalized in Abuja, will initially be implemented across seven pilot states—Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—with a roadmap to scale nationally. The initiative targets smallholder farmers and agro-processors, equipping them with real-time weather forecasts, seasonal climate predictions, and tailored advisory services to improve decision-making and mitigate climate-related risks.

The SAPZ initiative, a five-year national agricultural transformation program co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to stimulate inclusive agro-industrialization, raise rural incomes, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.

Professor Charles Anosike, NiMet’s Director-General/CEO, welcomed the partnership, emphasizing that meteorological services are critical to enhancing food security and reducing climate risks within Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. “We are proud to support SAPZ’s vision with timely, accurate, and accessible climate information. No farmer should be left behind in the climate-smart agriculture movement,” he said.

Dr. Kabir Yusuf, the National Program Coordinator for SAPZ, emphasized the critical role of climate-smart solutions in addressing the unpredictable weather patterns that pose a threat to agriculture. He stated, “This collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will provide actionable climate data and advisory services to farmers and agro-processors, thereby enhancing productivity, minimizing losses, and fostering resilience.”

Under the agreement, NiMet will provide seasonal rainfall forecasts, localized weather updates, training for extension workers, install mini weather stations, and develop innovative applications for real-time alerts. SAPZ will integrate NiMet’s climate data into its Agricultural Industrial Hubs and Transformation Centers, supporting training, equipment, and infrastructure deployment.

A joint technical committee will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and develop innovative solutions such as localized crop calendars and precision farming tools. The MoU is initially valid for five years, with plans to evolve into a long-term institutional framework supporting Nigeria’s national climate adaptation strategy.

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