society
Attempt to burn down our heritage won’t be a wise move’ — Lagos Indigenous Youths warn ahead of planned protest
•‘We’ll defend our State against politically motivated protest’
•How Lagos youths have benefited from the Govt, by Ogunlende
Indigenous youths of Lagos State have come together to speak out against what they called “warmongering” and “violent rhetoric” by some people planning to stage ‘Hunger Protest’ in the State.
Steer clear of Lagos, the youths warned troublemakers who they accused of hiding their intention to unleash terror in the State under the guise of the protest.
The youths, under the banner of Indigenous Youth Network, comprising young people and youth groups from all the five traditional divisions in Lagos, held a press briefing on Sunday at the “Three Wise Men” statue along Olowopopo Way, Ikeja.
Led by Mobolaji Ogunlende from Badagry Division, Lagos indigenous youths said they were not opposed to citizens exercising their fundamental rights to demonstrate peacefully whenever they were not satisfied with any policy of the Government, but they vowed to defend their heritage against any form of violence during the planned protest.
Ogunlende said the group strongly believed the planned protest was politically motivated, adding that youths in Lagos would only support move bordering on constructive dialogue rather than joining opposition forces bent on destabilising the country under the guise of demonstrations.
Lagos youths advised those sponsoring the protest to have a rethink, while pledging support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom they described as “kind and humane” leader.
Ogunlende said: “We, the Lagos Indigenous Youths Network, stand before you today to reflect on our progress as a State and express concern over the planned protest in Lagos. While we acknowledge the fundamental right to protest, we believe it must be constructive and in the best interest of the people.
“We are not against the citizens constructively engaging their leaders when it is crucial but the moment when such engagement becomes a platform for tension and warmongering sponsored for political scores, then it is time to call for caution. This is what we have observed.
“Intelligence gathered reveals that the planned protest is politically motivated and not in the interest of Lagosians, who are peace-loving and hardworking. We are coming together to defend our heritage and State against any possible destruction by agents of violence masquerading as lovers of the people.”
Ogunlende recalled the violence that trailed the EndSARS protests of 2020 during which Lagos suffered targeted arson attacks on its numerous public properties. He stressed that the State was yet to recover from the incident, adding that taxpayers still paid for the effort to rebuild the torched facilities.
Rather than contriving crises that would make Government spend on rebuilding, Ogunlende said the State’s resources should be channeled into productive Initiatives in benefit of the residents.
Ogunlende reeled out various State Government-led efforts and initiatives that had been of benefit to residents and which he believed should dissuade those being recruited for the protest in Lagos.
He said: “Do you know Lagos is paying above the minimum wage and does not owe workers salaries? Lagos does not owe pensioners. This is the only State that has cleared all pension backlog. Lagos does not discriminate between indigenes and non-indigenes. Our hospitality is second to none. Lagos provides free healthcare to expectant women, while also providing subsidised education to all residents, regardless of their origin.
“Lagos built Red Line and Blue Line rail projects that have changed the face of transportation in our State forever. We have Independent Power projects powering key infrastructure in the State. Lagos developed its own port and the Lekki Free Trade Zone. Lagos has built more roads, bridges and flyovers to cater for the growing population. Lagos built BRT systems and has provided sufficient buses for municipal transportation.
“State Government has been paying bursaries to students in tertiary institutions without fail. Lagos provided EKO CARES under which we had the Ounjè Eko Sunday Market where prices were slashed by 25 per cent. Transport fares were slashed by 25 per cent; the reduction is still on. Lagos provided grants to 20,000 residents to start businesses. We have a Government that prioritises the affairs of the youth beyond rhetoric.”
Ogunlende said Lagos deserved the support of the youth in order to do more, rather than being destabilised under the guise of a protest.
He said the Government was aware that more work needed to be done, urging young people to work together to make the State safe for investment.
Photos 6326/6323: Member, Lagos Indigenous Youth Network, Kehinde Motajo; Comrade Ayodele Adewale; Leader, Lagos Indigenous Youth Network, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Head, Lagos Indigenous Youth Network – Ikeja, Prince Temitope Oshoja and member, Lagos Indigenous Youth Network, Dr. Seriki Muritala during a World Press Conference of the Lagos Indigenous Youth Network on ‘Peaceful Dialogue over Protest’ held at the Statue of the three Wise Men, Nurudeen Olowopopo road, Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, 28/07/2024.
Photos 6369/6363: Members of the Lagos Indigenous Youth Network during their World Press Conference for ‘Peaceful Dialogue over Protest’ held at the Statue of the three Wise Men, Nurudeen Olowopopo road, Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, 28/07/2024.
society
Olukoyede has disgraced President Tinubu’s government, he should resign – Campaign for Democracy
Olukoyede has disgraced President Tinubu’s government, he should resign – Campaign for Democracy
.EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, not fighting corruption
The Campaign for Democracy has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately relieve the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, of his job, saying he has demonstrated lack of capacity to hold such office.
CD, a frontline Civil Society Organization in Nigeria, said it was unimaginable that the former governor, who the same EFCC had placed on watchlist, who the Commission enlisted security agencies in Nigeria and Interpol to help fish out, walked into the EFCC premises, waited for about three hours and no arrest or interrogation happened.
“Instead, they told him to go, that they would get back to him only to issue a laughable statement that he was still a wanted man,” the President, Campaign for Democracy, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, said in a statement on Thursday.
According to him, EFCC’s excuse that they couldn’t arrest him because a sitting governor accompanied him to their office is the main reason Olukoyede should be asked to go.
“Many people had castigated this man for long even though many others believed the case was mainly that of persecution. In all of this, CD did not dabble into the matter. Now that the matter has taken a dramatic turn, one that touches on democratic principles and affects the country’s image, it is pertinent for well meaning Nigerians to lend their voice.
“Associates of the former governor had been raising the alarm that his life is at risk. With the events of yesterday (Wednesday 18th September, 2024), any right thinking person would conclude that his life must be truly at risk.
“You said you couldn’t arrest him or interrogate him in your office because his governor was there, yet you went, at night, to the official residence of the same governor in Abuja to start firing gunshots as if Nigeria is a lawless society. This is unacceptable,” he stated.
The Campaign for Democracy said, in saner climes, the EFCC boss would have been fired the next morning.
“The man, Yahaya Bello, has fulfilled all righteousness. With the turn of events that culminated in a show of shame last night, it appears the EFCC has an ulterior motive definitely different from the fight against corruption,” the CSO submitted.
society
Prophet Israel Genesis and Lanre Teriba Unite at Dele Gold’s Wake Keep, Putting Past Differences Aside ~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
Prophet Israel Genesis and Lanre Teriba Unite at Dele Gold’s Wake Keep, Putting Past Differences Aside
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
During Dele Gold’s wake-keeping service in Lagos on Thursday, September 18, 2024, Prophet Oladele Ogundipe Genesis and Lanre Teriba, also known as ‘Atorise,’ reconciled, illustrating Christianity’s role in promoting unity.
Following Prophet Genesis’s inspiring message, the wake keep turned into a lively celebration, and Dr. Lanre Teriba, known as Atorise, mounted the podium to entertain the crowd, expressing his admiration for Prophet Genesis. Dr. Lanre Teriba sent greetings to Prophet Israel’s wife, whom he warmly addressed as ‘Shola’, indicative of their long-established close relationship.
Atorise began his musical performance with the declaration, ‘No matter how long we fight, we shall settle amicably,’ and reiterated this idea in Yoruba, ‘Ija o do la.’ He then invited Genesis Son, also known as ‘Winners,’ to the stage, noting that him ‘Atorise’ was the musician who performed at his naming ceremony twenty-five years ago.
On stage were prophet Genesis, his wife, Winners, Esther Igbekele, and others, witnessing the successful reconciliation of the Genesis family with Dr. Lanre Teriba, following the amicable resolution of their past differences.
A somber mood settled in as the Genesis message on mortality was presented, commanding the rapt attention of all and eliciting tears from the assembly.
Dele Gold’s wake keep ceremony was attended by a significant number of esteemed individuals, such as Yinka Ayefele, Esther Igbekele, clergy members, and distinguished dignitaries, demonstrating his profound influence on the gospel music industry.
Oluwaseun Fabiyi, a Lagos-based journalist, offers authoritative insights
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