Politics
MEET FIRST FEMALE MAYOR IN THE GAMBIA, ROHEY LOWE
MEET FIRST FEMALE MAYOR IN THE GAMBIA, ROHEY LOWE- She is a proactive female politician and a woman who has deep love and passion for women and the youths.
Lord Mayor Roheyatou Malick Lowe has seen it all in the Gambian political atmosphere. She was elected as the Mayor of Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia and ever since, she has delivered her mandate and ensured her manifestoes were honoured. She is an ardent and loyal member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and according to her, Leadership is about listening to people and knowing their problems in addition to thinking deeply about what the people want because they are the ones who put you into this position and to be quite honest, one should try assiduously to set a very good example.
Being the first female Mayor in the entire Gambia it means Mrs. Lowe has to double her efforts to ensure that women are trusted to hold power, because it is very rare in Africa to see women dominating even a state. Mayor Lowe is an astute and shrewd entrepreneur studied International Relations at the prestigious University of Fahm, Sweden. She also has a strong academic career coupled with a tight theoretical knowledge of public administration. Lord Mayor Rohey Lowe was very active in the political arena and subsequently a member of a party called ‘Social Democrats’ which gave her the opportunity to serve as a key member of the Child Welfare Committee of Nyköping Municipality with the mandate to oversee the schools within her jurisdiction. She came on board as the Mayor of Banjul on 12th of May, 2018 and since her inception, she has demonstrated professionalism, passion, love, determination for the people of Banjul. Through her leadership style, she ensured she displayed her diligence while she also formulated a total inclusion of all the inhabitants of the city of Banjul in policy processes and giving them a voice to engage in all decisions regarding their city.
Furthermore, part of her governance also includes engaging all relevant stakeholders
More especially Civil Society Organisations in Banjul for the growth and development of the City. She also implemented capacity strengthening initiatives in her municipality by restructuring the various departments and hiring qualified technocrats to assist. She has also been a key participant in several international forums advocating the localization of SDGs, furthermore, she was invited by the Canadian government to present the SDGs she has particularly advocated for and implemented in her city.
Through REFELA-THE GAMBIA NATIONAL CHAPTER conducted a fumigation and waste collection exercise for 6 days within the inner City of Banjul (Public places – Markets, Mosques, Churches, Schools, Library and Ferry Terminal), As part of our efforts to suppress the spread of the virus.
On infrastructure, Mayor Lowe was involved in the construction of an Abattoir at the Banjul Albert Market, to enable the women of Banjul to afford the price of meat while she constructed the new Banjul City Council complex. Other of her sterling performances are:
• Construction of modern toilets at the Banjul Albert Market
• Construction of the Multi-purpose Youth for Excellence Centre for the youths of Banjul
• Influenced the implementation of the Banjul Rehabilitation Project, which will address 37km of
Roads, Drainages and Sewage Systems of Banjul.
• Construction of stores and slabs for the women at the Banjul Albert Market.
• Construction of concrete and interlock block roads to the following streets in Banjul:
1. Peel Street
2. Spalding Street
3. Spalding Curve
4. Tally Dawada (Tobacco Road)
5. Haddington Street
6. Primet Street
• After securing 3.1 Million Euros from European Union, The following will go to infrastructure:
1. Green-up the City by planting enough trees.
2. Provide an advance lightening system for the entire City
She is an empowered to the core and an addicted philanthropist and this is why she initiated Rohey Malick Lowe Women and Girls Empowerment Initiative. This initiative through
her personal support was able to launched D10, 000,000.00 (Ten Million Dalasis), to support the women of Banjul who want to start-up businesses or expand their businesses. So far, the initiative have already disbursed the funds to 45 women groups and 30 individual women in business. The initiative have donated Construction Materials to Banjul City Council worth D150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dalasis) for the construction of the Abattoir in the Albert Market.
Mayor Lowe launched the REFELA GAMBIA NATIONAL CHAPTER. This initiative is here for Women Emancipation and Gender Equality to meet the SDGs and African Vision on Human Right and Zero Tolerance of Children on the Streets. She also initiated a team to create awareness on “LOCALIZING OF THE 2030 SDGs AGENDA” in Banjul and by extension The Gambia, knowing fully well that unemployment is the catalyst of poverty; Lord Mayor Rohey Lowe through the Banjul City Council under her leadership recruited 45 youths, trained them professionally and employed them as Securities. This is to render security services to the general public. She also initiated a team to create awareness on “LOCALIZING OF THE 2030 SDGs AGENDA” in Banjul and by extension The Gambia.
GOOD GOVERNANCE: She also embarked on the Restructuring of Banjul City Council by establishing the following:
1. Office of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer
2. Records office for proper filing system of the institution
3. Settled all Bank Debts for (B.C.C)
4. Re-Instalment of Electricity and Water supply from NAWEC
5. Maximize the revenue to 42%
6. Increased the salary of staff to 50%, plus risk allowances provided to all Revenue Collectors of Banjul City Council.
7. Introduction of a suggestion box for the general public to send in their contributions about what they think the institution should improve on for the development of the City.
• Introduction of the all-inclusiveness approach for the effective running of the Banjul City Council. A clear manifestation is partnering with Civil Society Organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Introduced Accountability and Transparency in the operations of the daily running of the institution.
• Initiated ‘BANJUL RELIEF INITIATIVE’ during the COVID-19 to help the residents of Banjul with essential foods items for them to adhere to the WHO and our Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Regulations in suppressing the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home.
• Initiated “KNOW YOUR COVID-19 STATUS” for the people of Banjul. This initiative gave the residents and commuters of the City the opportunity to know their COVID-19 status.
• Initiated “OPERATIONS 100 THOUSAND FACEMASKS INITIATIVE” for the people of Banjul and by extension The Gambia, in order to fight against COVID-19 in Banjul-The Gambia.
This noble woman is the president of African capital cities sustainable forum, President of Refella The Gambia chapter, Executive member global parliament of mayors, Second vice president of the united democratic party UDP, Founder of the Rohey Malick Lowe women and girls initiative, Advocate of the SDGs and an Active advocate of the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Politics
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
The Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG) has welcomed the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing the complaint filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, said the verdict of the disciplinary body has once again vindicated the Deputy Speaker and reaffirmed the position earlier taken by CRG that the allegations against him lacked merit.
The LPDC, in its ruling referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
According to George, the decision demonstrates the importance of allowing competent institutions to examine allegations objectively rather than rushing to judgment in the court of public opinion.
“From the onset, the Centre for Responsible Governance maintained that justice must take its course. We insisted that competent institutions should be allowed to examine the issues without political pressure or sensationalism. The LPDC’s ruling has now clearly shown that the allegations had no foundation,” he said.
The CRG spokesman further stated that the decision reinforces the sterling reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has over the years built a distinguished profile both as a legal practitioner and as a legislator.
“Honourable Benjamin Kalu is a respected member of the Nigerian Bar and an accomplished lawmaker. Attempts by some individuals to impugn his reputation through unfounded allegations were unfortunate and unnecessary.”
CRG also condemned the actions of certain civil society groups that were quick to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside from office even before any formal determination had been made by the relevant authorities.
George described such calls as premature and irresponsible, noting that they contributed to the politicisation of a matter that required sober institutional review.
“It is disappointing that some civil society organisations rushed to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside without allowing due process to run its course. Advocacy for accountability must be guided by facts and fairness, not by sensational pressure.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the role played by some political actors from the South East who allegedly sought to exploit the controversy for narrow political interests.
According to CRG, it is troubling that certain politicians would attempt to undermine one of their own for short-term political advantage.
“It is even more disturbing that some political actors from the South East appeared eager to weaponise this matter in an attempt to bring down one of their own for cheap political gain. Such actions weaken collective political progress and erode the spirit of solidarity required for national development.”
CRG therefore called on Nigerians to learn from the episode and reaffirm respect for institutional processes and the rule of law.
The organisation stressed that public discourse must be guided by evidence, fairness and responsible engagement rather than rumours or politically motivated campaigns.
“The lesson here is simple: allegations must be tested by competent institutions before conclusions are drawn. Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger when due process is respected and reputations are not casually destroyed.”
CRG concluded by congratulating the Deputy Speaker for maintaining calm and dignity throughout the controversy, noting that his composure reflected confidence in the justice system.
@The Centre for Responsible Governance, Email: [email protected], Instagram: crgngo6, Twitter: crgng06, Threads: crgngo6
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
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