– bill scales second reading at Lagos Assembly

Majority of the lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday supported the Market Authority Bill currently being considered by the legislators.

The bill scaled second reading on the floor of the House with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, committing it to the House Committee on Local Government. The committee is expected to report back to the House in two weeks.

The bill, if passed, aims to provide for the registration, formation, organisation and operation of market operations in the State.

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, chairman of the local government committee, said the bill tries to address some anomalies in the extant law and would make it mandatory for all markets to be duly registered.

His colleague, Rauf Age-Suleiman, noted that the composition of the board of the bill is all-encompassing.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, noted that the Iyaloja-General belongs in the Market Advisory Council as captured in the bill. As such, it would amount to dual roles if she is added to the Market Board.

On his part, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh said the bill makes it mandatory for the appointment of the board members to be ratified by the House. He also noted that the bill would help to scrap situations where traders arbitrarily apportion titles to themselves.

“Clause 18 talks about an advisory board which the Iyaloja-General is going to be heading. That tells us that our Iyaloja is in a better position to give the necessary advice,” he said.

While Hon. Stephen Ogundipe said the proposed law would be appreciated by Lagosians, his colleague, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, urged that the bill should make it necessary for only honest people to gain positions.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Aro Moshood emphasised that the bill ensures the cleanliness of markets, their effective management and takes care of gridlocks caused by the activities of traders and buyers.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Suspend Probing Of Ex-Chairman, Adesina Sikiru Now – Leagues Of Registered Political Parties Tells Ogun Assembly

Sahara Weekly Reports That The League of Registered Political party has requested for the suspension of Probe of Local Government Chairmen most especially the immediate past Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Hon. Sikiru Adesina (ESKAY) by the Ogun State Assembly.

It is on record that a few days ago a group that called itself Ewekoro Concerned Citizens wrote a petition to Ogun State House of Assembly against Hon. Sikiru Adesina ESKAY out of political bitterness to stop his second bid ambition of returning as Ewekoro Local Government Area Chairman .

Recognizing the fact that the said petition was born out of ill feelings and the fact that the timing is very wrong because of the ongoing processes of Primary Election Exercise to select candidates for the November 16 Local Government Election, the League of Registered Political Parties cautioned the Ogun State Assembly from been use as an agent of vendetta and blockage for the aspirations of notable politicians who have served the State in one or two capacities.

In a letter written to the House through the Hon. Speaker by The League of Registered Political Parties signed by it’s Chairman Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday and copy made available to newsmen in Abeokuta today, LRPP asked the House of Assembly to suspend any probe/ panel of the former Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Hon Sikiru Adesina ( ESKAY) until the conclusion of the November 16 Local Government Election.

“The above named Organization is using this medium to call on the Speaker and the entire members of Ogun State assembly not to allow some desperate politicians to use the hallow chamber of the assembly Probe Panel as instrument of vendetta and blockage for aspiration of some immediate past Council Chairmen who are willing to re contest the November 16 Local Government Election.

The League of Registered Political party frowned and condemned in totality the timing of the invitation of Hon. Sikiru Adesina (ESKAY) the immediate Council Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government by the House of Assembly.

It’ is pertinent to state here clearly that we are not shielding the former Chairman from making explanations and clarifications on the allegations at an appropriate time but not this time that the Primary Elections that will provide candidates for the November 16 Local Government Election is ongoing.

In the interest of Justice, equality and fair play we hereby request for the suspension of any probe or panel with connection to any Local Government Election Aspirants till after the November 16 Election”

South East Development Commission: Rt Hon Ben Kalu’s Masterstroke

By Ogo Okereke

Fifty five years after the civil war, the lingering effects of the war is still visible among the Igbo. Ndigbo being the worst hit of the civil war, still bear scars from the war,with ongoing displacement, poverty, trauma, environmental degradation, security concerns, infrastructural deficit and marginalization.

At one time or the other, past Nigerian presidents made varying efforts to address the negative effects of the civil war on the Igbo people, but they all left limited impact.

The most striking was the 3R sophistry by General Yakubu Gown in January 1970. Gowon had assured the world that there would be Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (3R), of the Igbo land,as a result of the war ravages, but 54 years after, the South East has witnessed the direct opposite of the 3Rs, even in exponential proportion.

In a similar move, General Olusegun Obasanjo, established the South East Development Initiative(SEDI), to address regional development challenges, but the challenges still persisted.

Alhaji Shehu Shagari made a corresponding effort in his launching of the Presidential Task Force on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, for the sole purpose of addressing the civil war’s effects, but the impact was small scaled,due to his short tenure in office.

Other efforts by Gen Ibrahim Babangida,spanned across the introduction of the National Commission for Refugees,Displaced Persons and Rehabilitation to confront the plight of war-affected communities.

Gen Sabi Abacha, came up with the National Council on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, while President Good luck Ebele Jonathan, launched the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peace in the Niger Delta, which included initiatives for the South East. He also established the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, to promote education in the region.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his own dimension to tackle the region’s infrastructure deficit, began the construction of the second Niger bridge, the Enugu-Portharcourt Expressway and also, formed the Presidential Committee on South East Initiative (PCSEI), to handle the regional development challenges.

While these attempts were aimed to grapple with the negative effects of the civil war, they have been criticized for being inadequate,slow paced or politicized. The South East region still demands sustained attention and investment to fully handle the effects of the civil war. These were the pitfalls of past efforts to reposition the region.

None of the struggle by past national leaders could actualize the setting up of a South East Development Commission(SEDC), that will solely tackle head on the numerous challenges facing Ndigbo from education,healthcare, marginalization, security, infrastructure, and others.

Several Igbo leaders had equally attempted to bring the South East Development Commission Bill to Law, but Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu’s efforts remained phenomenon.

Let me quickly give an overview of the actions of some of our Igbo representatives in actualizing this course,so you could appreciate better, the leadership excellence of the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu in 2015, sponsored a Bill similar to the SEDC, but it didn’t pass the second reading. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in 2017, introduced a Bill,but it stalled,due to lack of support. Governor Dave Umahi in 2018, advocated for a South East Development Commission,but his efforts were met with limited success. In 2019, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the highest socio-cultural organization in Igbo land, went a step higher in pushing for the actualization of SEDC, but it did not gain traction.

Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in 2020, rewrote history, by successfully sponsoring the SEDC Bill which passed the second reading and eventually passed into Law in 2024. This can only be likened to GRACE.

Interestingly, the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill to Law, marks a significant milestone in the quest for a regional development and growth. The ground breaking legislation sponsored by the indefatigable number 6 citizen of the country,is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the welfare ane progress of the region. The combination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker,Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, broke the over 54 years jinx with the SEDC Law.

President Tinubu has shown a major departure from the Buhari’s regime, by signing the SEDC Bill into Law. This further shows his intention about the development of the South East region and his believe in building the nation in the fulcrum of fairness, equity and unity, hence his commitment to ensuring equitable development, inclusive governance,and the provision of qualitative services to all Nigerians, no matter where they reside,while knitting more tightly together the national fabric.

Like the North East Development Commission (NEDC), which brought tremendous transformation in the North East, especially on the area of humanitarian support (where Internally Displaced Persons and victims of insurgency were aided), education/healthcare support(schools and healthcare facilities are being built and upgraded), economic empowerment; through skills training, entrepreneurship support and job creations and initiatives. Environmental remediation of areas in the region suffering ecological issue, pollution,among other interventions, the South East Development Commission will facilitate the development of critical infrastructure such as roads,bridges and public buildings in the South East region. The commission can implement policies and programs to boost economic growth, create jobs, and provide access to credit facilities for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Under education and healthcare, the SEDC can invest in education and healthcare infrastructure, improving access to quality education abd medical care.

SEDC will address environmental degradation by cleaning up pollution,rehabilitating damaged ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices.The commission will ensure Ndigbo have a stronger voice in national politics and decision-making processes.

It can promote and preserve Igbo language and culture, collaborating with security agencies to address insecurity challenges in the region, manage special intervention funds to address specific regional challenges.

The South East Development Commission can foster economic integration and cooperation among southeastern states, addressing historical injustices and lingering issues from the civil war, such as, rehabilitation of war-affected areas and compensation for victims.

While past efforts to reintegrate the Igbo people met minimal result, the SEDC which covers the five eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, would go a long way to assuage the feelings of the Igbo with respect to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region, as well as,tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or development challenges in the region.

However, by addressing these issues, the SEDC would help to bridge the developmental gap, promote economic growth, and improve the overall well-being of Ndigbo.

The key point of discussion is that the South East Development Commission, stands out from previous initiatives, as it incorporates vital elements that guarantee its long-term viability and success,such as:
*Legislative Backing:The commission is legislatively backed, giving it a strong legal foundation and authority to operate.
*Structured approach: SEDC has a clear structure, mandate, and funding mechanism, ensuring a systematic approach to development.
*Regional focus:The commission is specifically focused on the South East region, addressing its unique challenges and needs.
*Inclusive representation: It has a board comprising representatives from each South East state, ensuring diverse perspectives and regional buy-in.
*Comprehensive scope: The commission’s mandate covers various aspects, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development.
*Sustained commitment:SEDC is designed to be a long-term initiative, ensuring consistent effort and progress.
*Community engagement:It encourages community participation and ownership, fostering grassroots support and inclusivity.
*Accountability mechanisms:It has built-in accountability mechanisms, ensuring transparency and effective use of resources.

Though past efforts, while well-intentioned, often lacked one or more of these elements, limiting their impact and sustainability. The SEDC law addresses these gaps, providing a robust framework for meaningful reintegration and development.

At this juncture, it won’t be out of place if I say that Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu is not playing politics of rice and wrappers, but diving into the mainstream of governance, which goes beyond just touching the lives of an individual or group of people. Myopic critics would seek for mere empowerment for a set of people, but a strategic thinker, seeks for lasting avenues that could create endless opportunities for the entire region. He has created a platform for coordinated development, empowering the region to unlock its vast potential. “What no past Igbo leader could ever achieve, Ben Kalu broke the jinx”.

He made a historic achievement that can positively impact the lives of millions, leaving a lasting legacy. He prioritized the region’s interest over his personal gain and has established a precedent for future leaders to follow, encouraging them to prioritize regional development.

BOK as he is fondly called by friends, has demonstrated foresight and understanding of the needs of his region with an unwavering commitment,which showed dedication and perseverance in pushing for the Bill’s passage,despite potential obstacles.

This goes ahead to remind me of the words of Zig Ziglar that says,”With hardwork and determination,you can achieve anything you set your mind to”.

His suave, assertive, sagacious, outspoken and visionary dispositions were highpoints in achieving the South East Development Commission and they remained a very inspiring and veritable source of hope for Ndigbo. “Indeed, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu,is a beacon of hope and a pillar of transformation for the South East region”.

The South East Development Commission, a long-awaited initiative decades in the making, was finally brought to fruition by Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu and his team.