Politics

DIGITAL NIGERIA DAY: ABIODUN REWARDS BEST INNOVATOR

Published

3 years ago

October 24, 2021

DIGITAL NIGERIA DAY: ABIODUN REWARDS BEST INNOVATOR

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Ogun State government has said that it would continue to reward the best innovators, students with outstanding results among his/her peers, so as to encourage them, especially in the future challenges.

The State government made this known at the 2021 Digital Nigeria Day celebration, held in Abeokuta, while rewarding the winner of the competition with cash and commitment to advance her course by nurturing her innovative above incubation stage.

Miss. Rukayat Balogun, who emerged the best among the youth, developed a market guide application which offers business owners and buyers opportunity to know market prices, and seamless advertisement at their various closet.

She hailed the Governor, Dapo Abiodun for giving her opportunity to showcase her intelligence through a pitching event competition for young innovators in Information Technology (IT), organized by the State’s Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), towards encouraging the best amongst them financially, nurture their ideas and recommend them appropriately to the Public, Private and International organizations that could need their services.

Speaking while joining the programme virtually, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dayo Abiodun, said the theme for this year; Digital Transformation; A path for Sustainable Economy in Government and Private Sector, has been a driving force of the present administration, reiterating government’s readiness to support anyone with productive ideas that would move the State forward in terms of digital economy.

Abiodun emphasized that the government has achieved tremendously in sustaining digital economy of the State in the last two years, especially on information Technology, saying the establishment of OgunTechHub where I T managers could acquire more knowledge and boost digital innovations for development of the State was in right direction.

He maintained that Dapo Abiodun has improved the lives of female gender by establishing secure and sustainable livelihoods for them using ICT training with an emphasis on a more wholesome IT professional to increase financial returns from technology through its programme called ABOCODERS Female Coding Class.

In his opening remark, the Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Olakunle Sobola noted that government is passionate on human capital development, noting that thousands of teachers, youths and entrepreneurs have been trained on IT for sustainable developmental goals of the State.

In her welcome address, Director, IT, Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte said the present administration has made positive impacts in Information Technology which has earned the State overall second best State in ICT Penetration and Adoption by the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy in December 2020, among others.

In there separate goodwill messages, Chief Technical Officer, Lead Resources, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle and Head of Department, Computer Science, Crescent University, Dr. Oni Omogbadegun appreciated the State government for its developmental strides in using ICT to sustain State economy, calling on more Private Sector to partner with the State and support citizens with innovations for national development.

Politics

Banwo & Ighodalo Threaten Legal Action Against APC Chairman Over Defamatory Allegations

Published

8 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Banwo & Ighodalo Threaten Legal Action Against APC Chairman Over Defamatory Allegations

Renowned Nigerian law firm Banwo & Ighodalo is preparing to take legal action against Jarrett Tenebe, Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, over allegations described as defamatory and unfounded.

In a formal letter dated December 18, 2024, senior advocate Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) accused Tenebe of making libelous claims against the firm’s founding partner, Mr. Asue Ighodalo. The allegations stem from a December 17 interview on TMC TV/Radio, during which Tenebe alleged that Mr. Ighodalo “stole 21 government vehicles” from the Edo State Government.

Despite a prior demand for an apology and retraction in a December 11 letter, Tenebe has reportedly failed to comply. Banwo & Ighodalo has now issued a three-day ultimatum for him to withdraw the statements or face formal legal proceedings.

In a related statement, the Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) categorically denied the accusations, labeling them a calculated smear campaign intended to discredit Mr. Ighodalo. The statement, signed by TAMO spokesperson Erhabor Emokpae, emphasized that Mr. Ighodalo has an unblemished record of public service. It further clarified that Alaghodaro, a private-sector-driven initiative chaired by Mr. Ighodalo, is committed to driving economic growth and investment in Edo State.

TAMO underscored Mr. Ighodalo’s integrity, noting that he has personally funded his expenses throughout his 16 years of public service, including his tenure as Chairman of Alaghodaro. The allegations of vehicle theft were described as baseless and absurd, with no evidence to substantiate them.

Banwo & Ighodalo has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all legal remedies should the defamatory statements not be retracted. The firm condemned the misuse of misinformation for political gain, warning that such actions undermine public trust and damage democratic institutions.

“We call on all parties to adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and decency in public discourse,” the firm stated.

Should Tenebe fail to meet the ultimatum, the case is expected to proceed to court, with further developments anticipated in the coming days.

Politics

Edo LG Chairmen Reject Suspension, Urge Adherence to Court Judgments By Ifeoma Ikem

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Edo LG Chairmen Reject Suspension, Urge Adherence to Court Judgments

By Ifeoma Ikem

Edo State local government chairmen have denounced their alleged suspension by the State House of Assembly as illegal, urging the governor and lawmakers to respect court rulings affirming their tenure and authority.

On December 17, reports emerged that the Assembly suspended all 18 council chairmen and their deputies following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s petition alleging gross misconduct and insubordination. The petition cited Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000) as its basis.

However, the chairmen, through their legal counsel, Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN), contend that this provision had been declared unconstitutional in a judgment by the Edo State High Court in Suit No. B/257OS/2024. The court established the chairmen’s tenure as a three-year term commencing September 4, 2023.

The council leaders also referenced a Supreme Court judgment voiding state governors’ and assemblies’ authority to interfere with local government administration. They emphasized that their suspension contradicts existing judicial rulings and remains a legal nullity.

A recent interim order from the Edo High Court further restrained the government from obstructing the councils’ operations, assets, and funds. Despite being served notices of these judgments, the chairmen argue that the governor and assembly acted in defiance of the judiciary.

The embattled chairmen called for the governor to withdraw his request to the Assembly and for the lawmakers to rescind their resolution, warning of potential constitutional crises if the orders are ignored.

They urged security agencies to enforce court rulings, safeguard local government properties, and ensure the continuity of governance.

“The rule of law must prevail,” they stated, pledging to remain committed to their constitutional duties.

Politics

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani Restores Abacha Family Lands Revoked by El-Rufai

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani Restores Abacha Family Lands Revoked by El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has reinstated two parcels of land in Kaduna city to the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. The lands had been revoked two years earlier by former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The reinstated properties include one at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, measuring 2,284 square meters (Certificate of Occupancy No. 30575), and another at No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna, measuring 3,705 square meters (Certificate of Occupancy No. 11458).

Reuben Atabo (SAN), the Abacha family’s lawyer, disclosed that the lands were initially revoked in 2022 under Governor El-Rufai’s administration, citing contraventions of terms under the Land Use Act of 1978. The state government had published a notice on April 28, 2022, announcing the revocation of various plots, with Sani Abacha’s name listed as No. 34 among affected title holders.

In response, Atabo filed lawsuits at the Kaduna State High Court, seeking to address the embarrassment caused to the Abacha family name and pursue other claims.

Governor Uba Sani, in two letters dated December 10, 2024, reinstated the titles to the Abacha family through Mustapha Haruna, Deed Registrar, on behalf of the Director General of Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS). The letters, addressed to Mohammed Sani Abacha via the family’s legal counsel, required the title holders to pay outstanding ground rent fees.

The move marks a reversal of El-Rufai’s decision and restores ownership of the disputed lands to the Abacha family.