Ifako-Ijaiye To Become Most Educated In Lagos, Lawmaker Vows

A Lagos lawmaker, Hon. Adewale Temitope, has vowed to ensure the fulfilment of his promise to make Ifako-Ijaiye the most educated part of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

Adewale, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, says he has distributed over 4000 JAMB forms and another 1,200 GCE forms to students within the constituency with free tutorial classes for a total of 8716 candidates for the examinations.

Speaking while giving out 250 GCE forms to another set of beneficiaries on Wednesday, the lawmaker said he had facilitated the admission of 857 students into various tertiary institutions across the country while 49 outstanding students are beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme.

“Currently, 615 adults are in adult education programmes. It is exciting to note that out of this figure, 50 outstanding adults have been registered for the NECO exams.

“We have also renovated the Ogundimu Primary School, the Fagba Grammar School (junior) complex and the Bishop Oluwole Complex School.

“Beside these, we have given out thousands of school materials and books to pupils and students and facilitated employment for qualified residents of the constituency. These are all done under the Adewale Temitope Adedeji Educational Initiatives (ATA-EI) which has metamorphosed into a foundation,” he said.

Stressing the need to make education a major means for societal growth, the lawmaker added: “I believe every student deserves access to the tools they need to succeed and these GCE slips are a small step towards ensuring that every child can reach his full potential.

“In Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1, our goal remains the same – to make this local government the most educated in Nigeria in the near future. We are on the right track to achieve this and I once again assure you that I remain committed to this goal.”

He advised the beneficiaries of the GCE forms to be serious with their studies and be successful in their exams.

*Nigeria @ 64: ‘’There Is Nothing To Celebrate, It’s A Moment For Sober Reflection’’ – Primate Ayodele

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has revealed that Nigeria has no reason to celebrate 64th independence because the country hasn’t recorded any significant achievements worthy of being celebrated in recent times.

In an independence message to Nigerians, Primate Ayodele stated that he hasn’t seen anything special in Nigeria’s 64th independence celebration because the country is still far behind in terms of development, human capital, leadership, to mention but a few.

The prophet described Nigeria’s democracy as a failure, explaining that independence is more like bondage for the people and the country is gradually moving into a hopeless state because of the kind of people that have emerged as the country’s leaders.

‘’Sincerely, I have not seen anything special in Nigeria @ 64 because there is no serious improvement in terms of what the government needs to do. In terms of human capital, everything is on standstill, in terms of judiciary, it’s something else. We are still seeing things that we can’t be proud of despite being 64 years old. Our democracy has been destroyed, what we have is democracy of failure, starvation, bondage, difficulty. Nigerians have voted for leaders with no conscience. We have been praying but it doesn’t look like this country will get better.’’

While speaking on the current administration, Primate Ayodele made it known that the government is confused and has no fear of God. He also called on the government to embark on seven things to restore hope to the people.

‘’The present government is confused; they don’t have the fear of God and don’t understand why they are ruling. Nigeria @ 64 is nothing to celebrate. The government should do seven things that include stable electricity, educational reforms, Restructuring, Judiciary reforms, economic reforms, security and total overhauling of our petroleum ministry to bring back hope.’’

Explaining further, Primate Ayodele noted that a serious government leading a country that is 64 years old will not allow mediocrity and would let go of any unserious minister or appointee. He frowned at the EFCC chairman for failing to arrest the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello but quick to go after ordinary Nigerians that have committed lesser offences compared to Bello’s.

‘’A serious government leading a nation that is 64 years old would sack people in the oil sector including NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari, Minister of Petroleum and others in the sector. We have ministries that are not performing, the President should remove their leaders.’’

‘’For months, EFCC has been trailing Yahaya Bello all to no avail but if it is an ordinary Nigerian, he or she would have been arrested and paraded. It appears the EFCC chairman doesn’t know his job too, the president should find something to do if not, we will keep encouraging corruption.’’

In the same vein, Primate Ayodele blasted the national assembly for not working towards achieving success in the country. Generally, he noted that leaders of the country have to reflect on what has happened and what should be done instead of celebrating independence at 64.

‘’The national assembly has also failed, they are just going there to relax, President Tinubu should improve and enhance workers welfare. Our sectors are not doing well including communications, we don’t have anything to celebrate at 64, it’s a period to evaluate what we have done so far. It’s a time of sober reflection. There is hunger in the land, a bag of rice isn’t affordable anymore. At 64, a fertile land has failed in agriculture. We have voted for the wrong choice and of course, the result of that will be wrong. It’s 64 years of sadness, without achievement, and failure.’’

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele expressed disappointment in the religious sector especially Christian leaders who are fond of hiding the true situations of things with ‘all is well’. The prophet noted that all pastors have been compromised and what they do now is fashion.

‘’The religious sector too has failed, all the pastors have failed. We have been compromised and all we know how to say is ‘All is well’ but it is not. We only have fashion pastors, they don’t talk when they are supposed to talk apart from ‘All is well.’’

Humpty Dumpty: Godwin Obaseki’s Loud Fall and Adams Oshiomhole’s Unyielding Flame in Edo Polity

By Bolaji Israel

The phrase “Humpty Dumpty” brings to mind fond memories from early school years, referencing a beloved nursery rhyme about a tragi-comic character who fell and shattered beyond repair.

The tale dates back to the late 18th century, featuring an egg-shaped figure who fell off a wall, broke apart, and could never be pieced back together. In contemporary terms, it symbolises a person or entity that, once overthrown, cannot be restored.

The political landscape of Edo State has recently been rocked by the dramatic downfall of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, a situation that has unfolded like a meticulously crafted drama. The decisive triumph of Monday Okpebholo over PDP’s Asue Ighodalo marks not the beginning, but the climax of the unfolding drama.

This saga, marked by betrayal, ambition, and fierce rivalry, saw Obaseki face off against his former political godfather, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who has emerged victorious in this bitter contest.

Once celebrated as a protégé, Obaseki’s trajectory was propelled by Oshiomhole, who played a pivotal role in his ascent to the governorship.

However, the relationship soured, leading to a public fallout that captivated the attention of political observers. What began as a partnership soon devolved into a fierce rivalry, with accusations of overreach and betrayal flying between the two men.

So intense was the battle that Governor Obaseki had to seek shelter far away from his party, APC, which gave him the platform for his first term in office, to a rival political party, the PDP, to realise his second term ambition.

Though the move afforded the embattled governor who was then in the intensive care unit politically the golden opportunity to complete his eight years administration but the battle never stopped between the gladiators.

Obaseki himself has said one key issue his administration had with the former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, was that he (Obaseki) organised a state burial for the Peoples Democratic Party leader, Chief Tony Anenih due to Anenih’s overwhelming contributions to the state.

He explained: “When Chief Tony Anenih died, I gave him a state burial as an APC member and this is one of the thing that caused problem between Oshiomhole and I. He (Oshiomhole) said since he (Anenih) was not an elected official, why would I give him a state burial? I said the man had done more than many governors. So, he deserved it.”

Those sympathetic to Obaseki also insisted that Oshiomhole was one political figure who had consistently condemned political godfatherism and whittled down the political influence of leaders before him including Lucky Igbinedion who had ruled the state between 1999 and 2007. For them, Oshiomhole was wrong to have exerted much influence and pressure on Obaseki as his godfather.

Those who disagreed however didn’t make things easy for Obaseki. They labelled him a betrayal. They hold the view that during the re-election saga, Obaseki cornered and used his then fellow governors even from APC, including Kayode Fayemi etal and also Wike to achieve his aims but later insulted him.

They insist that Obaseki has proven to be a serial betrayal and an ungrateful person who doesn’t respect even the highly reverred Oba of Benin.

As the battle rages, news filtered that Obaseki also initiated several projects but abandoned them midway. The episode of the 18 lawmakers that he refused the state legislators to swear in has also remained a reference.

So, going into the recent gubernatorial elections, the stakes were high. Oshiomhole threw his weight behind Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Obaseki aligned himself with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The election became not just a contest of candidates, but a battle of wills between the two former allies, and ultimately, a test of their political mettle.

As the dust settled, the results were a resounding affirmation of Oshiomhole’s enduring influence in Edo State politics. Okpebholo emerged victorious, securing 291,667 votes against Ighodalo’s 247,274, while Obaseki’s failure was underscored by the fact that he lost in his own local government area, Oredo.

The defeat has been described as nothing short of humiliating for a sitting governor, raising questions about his political acumen and strategic prowess.

Oshiomhole takes no prisoners. So his verdict after the PDP’s loss was swift and brutal – Obaseki is politically dead!

He went further. “They now understand if a man can speak like the King of England, but can’t build classrooms and their children are sitting on the floor, where is the value of the English?

“If you have signed millions of MoUs, brought all manner of consultants, even though you are one of the consultants anyways. The hospital that was built by Governor Oshiomhole you converted it to a private hospital. You ran it by consultants and only the rich can go there. The poor have been forbidden from going there. You demolished the other side of the hospital and replaced it with a museum. You think the poor are stupid?” Oshiomhole queried.

The fallout from this political debacle has not only affected Obaseki but has also ensnared other key players, notably his deputy, Philip Shaibu. Once a loyal ally,
Shaibu found himself sidelined during Obaseki’s administration, with his office relocated and his aides dismissed. The dynamics of their relationship shifted dramatically, leading to speculation about Shaibu’s future in Edo politics.

In a twist of fate, Shaibu has emerged from the shadows, mocking Obaseki’s electoral defeat. His comments during a recent interview highlighted his belief in his own political strength, contrasting it with Obaseki’s lack of electoral success.

Shaibu stated, “I feel vindicated; even the governor couldn’t win his local government. I won my unit, ward, and local government.” His assertion that he had been instrumental in Obaseki’s previous victories adds another layer to this complex political narrative.

The election results have opened the door for a reevaluation of loyalties and alliances in Edo State. Oshiomhole’s triumphant return to power has not only reinstated him as a significant political force but has also left Obaseki grappling with the reality of his diminished influence.

The political tide has turned, and the former governor is now faced with the task of rebuilding his reputation and reconciling with a constituency that has seemingly rejected him.

As the political landscape shifts, one thing is clear: the battle between godfather and protégé serves as a cautionary tale about loyalty, ambition, and the volatile nature of political alliances.

With Oshiomhole basking in his victory and Shaibu relishing his vindication, Obaseki must now navigate the choppy waters of post-governorship life, where the echoes of his political fall continue to resonate throughout Edo State.

Bolaji is a writer, public affairs analyst, poet and public relations strategist.