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THE MANDATE MOVEMENT HOLDS SPECIAL INTERFAITH PRAYERS/THANKSGIVING FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU

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blacktalker
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Nigerians from various walks of life have converged on Ikeja to offer prayers and supplications on behalf of President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his seventy-second birthday.

Speaking at an Inter-Faith Prayer and Thanksgiving Ceremony organized by a Socio-Political Group, “The Mandate Movement, TMM” they hailed President Tinubu as a Resilient Democrat and Economic Reformer whose ways must be committed to the hands of God

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa urged members of TMM, All Progressive Congress, APC, and all residents of the State to garner support for the president and other leaders within their communities to ensure development gets to every nook and cranny of the Country.

Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Tayo Ayinde, who said prayers are important at a time like this, urged all to pray that God enables the president to leave a lasting legacy upon which other presidents can build upon.

In his welcome address, the Leader of The Mandate Movement, Cardinal James Odumbakun expressed belief that the president was selected by God to lead the country at this time, hence all Nigerians regardless of their faith, status, tribe, and gender must support his administration to turn things around positively.

Muslim and Christian clerics at the event urged Nigerians to always include leaders and government administrators in their prayers for ultimate wisdom to steer their affairs of the respective domains.

Blacktalker can report that the event had in attendance members of TMM in the State Executive Council and the Legislative, Religious Bodies, Party Faithful, Market men and women among others.

GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU, DANGOTE FLAG OFF DISTRIBUTION OF EIGHTY THOUSAND BAGS OF TEN KILOGRAMMES RICE TO VULNERABLE LAGOS RESIDENTS

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blacktalker
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To cushion the effect of the current increase in prices of foodstuffs and economic hardship in the Country, eighty thousand bags of ten kilogrammes of Rice will be distributed to vulnerable Lagos residents.

This is courtesy, a Non-Governmental Organization, Aliko Dangote Foundation under its National Food interventions programme to support other  interventions by the Lagos State Government.

Speaking during the official flag-off of the rice distribution at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu lauded the effort of the Foundation in easing the pains of the vulnerable in the state, with a call on other well meaning Nigerians and Corporate Organisations to follow this stride in supporting the State government. 

Chairman of the Foundation, Aliko Dangote who noted that the food interventions began thirty years ago, as Ramadan initiative, but extended due to the Country”s current situation said one million bags of ten kilogrammes of Rice will be distributed in across the Country before the end of Ramadan.

He promised to use his wealth to cater for those in need in accordance to the command of Allah.

On her part, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, hinted that the Dangote foundation would be in charge of the distribution through Civil Society Organisations, NGOs, Disability clusters, Religious and Community groups among others.

Africorp Consortium, Mouka’s Parent Company Strengthens Ties with Oyo State Government

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blacktalker
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Africorp Consortium, Mouka’s parent company, has affirmed its commitment to exploring investment opportunities in Nigeria, with a focus on Oyo State.

This came to bear when the company hosted a delegation from the Oyo State Government, led by Governor Oluseyi Makinde.

In May 2023, Mouka’s Management team, led by the Managing Director, Mr. Femi Fapohunda, in the company of Mr. Jaafar Harti, CEO of Africorp Consortium, visited Oyo State. 

At Casablanca, the Governor also met with the Chairman of Africorp Consortium, Mr Saad Berrada Sounni, in the company of Mouka’s Management team for deliberations. His Excellency has since confirmed that land has been allocated and payment received from Africorp in Oyo State, hence the signing of the memorandum of cooperation between both parties.

Signing a Memorandum of Cooperation cements this strategic alliance and paves the way for a series of joint initiatives. With its multi-sector expertise and commitment to continental development, Africorp Consortium looks forward to actively contributing to the economy of Oyo State. Value-creating projects will be implemented as part of this partnership.

The collaboration between Africorp Consortium and Oyo State will focus on areas of mutual interest, including industrial development, promoting sustainable agriculture, education, and the responsible exploitation of mineral resources. This joint initiative is a testament to the shared commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of local communities.

Governor Makinde welcomed this partnership, viewing it as a crucial step towards achieving the State of Oyo’s long-term development goals. 

“We are impressed by the achievements of Africorp Consortium, both in Morocco and in Nigeria through its subsidiary Mouka, and we are convinced that this cooperation will open up new avenues for growth and innovation, thus reinforcing our commitment to the economic and social development of our State,” he stated.

Regarding the new development, Mouka’s Managing Director, Mr. Femi Fapohunda, said the market leader continues to set the pace in the industry. 

“For us at Mouka, our mission is to add comfort to the lives of millions of Nigerians by providing top-quality sleep products. To ensure we achieve this, we are proud to say that we are the most widely distributed brand in our industry. With over 3,000 branded outlets, our consumers don’t need to travel far to find their Mouka. With this new development, Mouka will also deepen its penetration in Western Nigeria to safeguard its position as a market leader. Not only will we be adding comfort to life through our widely distributed products, but we will also be providing jobs for the good people of Oyo state, who will be recruited directly by Mouka and many more who will secure jobs with our trade and distribution partners.”

Blacktalker can report that Mouka is a proud member of the Dolidol Group, which is part of the Africorp Consortium and has its headquarters in Morocco. The company has been in operation since 1959 and is exclusively endorsed by the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy and the National Association of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists.                                 

LAGOS STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION PLEDGES COMMITMENT TO COMBAT VOTER APATHY

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blacktalker
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The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has pledged to its commitment to crucial programmes and community based initiatives that will combat voter apathy in the State.

Permanent Secretary of LASIEC, Mrs Lyla Morenike Oki, highlighted the significance of 2024 as a pre-election year, noting that LASIEC, under her leadership, is working tirelessly to ensure active participation in the electoral process to uphold democracy.

Mrs Oki outlined strategies focusing on voter education, sensitization, and engagement, while emphasizing the use of drama as a powerful tool to convey messages effectively, starting with a series of skits across all the Twenty Local Government Areas and Thirty-Seven Local Council Development Areas of the State.

She said in collaboration with the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, LASIEC aims to address challenges within the electoral system and promote public confidence and trust, while also highlighting the importance of drama as an artistic expression to engage the electorate effectively.

The Permanent Secretary reiterated LASIEC’s commitment to conducting seamless local government elections and becoming a leading Election Management Body in Africa.

EASTER: GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU DIRECTS OPENING OF ‘OUNJE EKO’ MARKET ON GOOD FRIDAY

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blacktalker
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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the food discounted sales programme ‘Ounje Eko’ Sunday Market should take place on Friday 29th March, 2024.

This is in the spirit of the Easter celebration. 

A statement by the Commissioner of Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, vendors will be at the 57 centres across the five divisions of the State, except the State Secretariat market, to sell various items at 25% less than the usual market prices.

The Statement highlighted that on sale will be food items, such as rice, beans, pepper, bread, eggs, garri among others, noting that the discount market is part of measures rolled out under the umbrella of EKO CARES to cushion the effect of the hard times on Lagosians. 

”Mr. Governor has promised that his administration, through the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), will work assiduously to ease the economic burden on Lagosians. Other EKO CARES initiatives, which will be formally opened soon, cut across health, education and transportation sectors. 

”The “Ounje Eko” Market pilot scheme, which began on Sunday, March 17th 2024, will continue after the Easter celebration, the statement added.”

LAGOS RECEIVES DANGOTE’S RICE SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS

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blacktalker
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S&P Identifies Dangote Refinery as Major Driver of Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

…..‘This is extreme kindness, compassion’- Sanwo-Olu hails Dangote Foundation’s largesse

Lagos State Government has received 80,000 bags of 10 kilogrammes of rice to bolster its interventions targeted at ameliorating the impacts of current hardship on vulnerable households in the State.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, personally received fully loaded trucks laden with 80,000 units of 10kg bags of rice supplied by Aliko Dangote Foundation for immediate distribution to various segments of the vulnerable population.

Africa’s richest man and Chairman of Aliko Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was accompanied by his billionaire associate, Mr. Femi Otedola, and daughter, Fatimah Dangote, to fulfill the corporate social responsibility aimed at supporting the nutritional needs of residents in the fasting period and easing the prevailing situation of hardship.

The intervention was part of the Foundation’s ongoing rollout of one million bags of 10kg rice to vulnerable families across 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with Lagos taking the second largest share of the largesse.

Sanwo-Olu described the gesture as an “extreme act of kindness”, noting that Dangote had always stood out as a “unique breed of citizen” enamoured with love and compassion for the downtrodden.

The Governor said: “For extending this gesture of love and kindness to the needy and vulnerable people in the country, Alhaji Dangote has shown that he is a Nigerian who has chosen to be different. The trait of Dangote’s humanity is not just living in his body; he has, by this huge intervention, openly demonstrated the trait of human kindness he possesses in no small measure.

“The donation of 80,000 units of 10kg bags of rice demonstrates the philosophy of the Foundation. This is extending empathy to those in need of little assistance in these difficult times. This direct intervention translates to compassion and goes beyond the pursuit of only profit and wealth. This is a period the Government and private sector need to take joint action to ameliorate the pains being experienced by citizens due to inflation.”

Sanwo-Olu said the supplies would shore up the State-led interventions and help to alleviate the food shortage caused by inflation.

The Governor said his administration had rolled out key multi-sectoral initiatives to assist Lagosians cope, including slashing fares for public transport, reviving health palliative, and discounted food items supplies across the State.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State Government would be distributing 100,000 combo boxes of food items to thousands of households free of charge, urging private organisations to emulate the Foundation’s gesture and support the ongoing efforts by the State to ramp up its interventions.

He said: “We have also secured 100,000 units of combo food packs for distribution to various segments of vulnerable communities in the State. We are finalising the logistics for the delivery. 

This is in addition to the weekly supply of discounted food items to various community markets.

“We embark on these initiatives to accommodate and assist the majority of the population cope in this period. I thank Lagosians for their patience and demonstration of resilience despite the challenges we are all going through. When we work together, we will come out of this situation better and stronger.”

Dangote said the gesture underscored the Dangote Group’s commitment to exhibit a spirit of compassion and solidarity with the vulnerable people, noting that the Foundation had fulfilled the mission yearly over the past 30 years to support Nigerians during fasting periods.

Dangote said Lagos became the second State after Kano where distribution of rice was being done, stressing that Lagos had strategic importance for the success of the outreach.

He said: “We recognise that the current circumstances where a significant number of Nigerians are experiencing hardship due to prevailing food prices inflation require that we, the Dangote Foundation, provide succour for those affected. That is why we have reserved 200,000 metric tons of rice for distribution across 774 Local Government Areas in the country.”

The Foundation’s Managing Director, Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, said the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent compelled the organisation to raise the volume of food items, pointing out that the largesse was being extended to all faiths.

She said the Foundation would handle the distribution of the items, while the Lagos Government would provide the beneficiaries.

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT, LASWA MEET BOAT OPERATORS, MULL ENHANCED WATER TRANSPORTATION 

By
blacktalker
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The Lagos State Government has held a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders operating in state inland waterways to address challenges within the sector and devise strategic solutions to optimize ferry operations.

The meeting was held on the premise of the Commissioner of Transportation, Hon. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, the General Manager, Damilola Emmanuel and management team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, alongside private boat operators.

The high-level meeting was also to  increased efficiency and improved services for commuters on the Waterways.

A wide range of issues were deliberated during the productive session. These included enhancing security measures along the route to the Ikorodu terminal, proposal for the establishment of fuel depots along the Ikorodu waterways to facilitate seamless operations, raising awareness among passengers and captains about safety protocols, and discussing the potential implementation of a ban on alcohol sales at jetties to foster a safer environment for all.

Also, the discussions also encompassed strategies aimed at promoting safe night travel and ensuring stringent adherence to regulations on the waterways, with a paramount focus on maintaining a secure and compliant maritime environment.

In the highlight of the meeting, an official inspection was carried out on new boats designated for allocation to private operators at the Badore Terminal by the Ministry of Transportation. Additionally, a visit to the Tazarn jetty at Badore provided firsthand insights into potential enhancements in both infrastructure and operational procedures.

Blacktalker can report that the collaborative efforts between LASWA, Ministry of Transportation officials, and private boat operators underscore a shared commitment to enhancing water transportation in Lagos State. 

These collective initiatives are designed to create a safer, more efficient, and sustainable maritime sector that benefits all stakeholders and passengers, aligning with the broader vision of improving transportation services across the state.

Residents Describe Orchestrated Video On Ochanja Road Construction As Cheap Opposition Politics

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blacktalker
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…. Commends Governor Soludo’s Commitment to Quality Infrastructure.

The recent fabricated video by certain elements purporting a washed-off portion of the Ochanja road in Anambra State has been condemned by residents of the area. A property owner and resident of the area, Pastor Chinedu Asika,  while speaking on behalf of the residents, denounces the lies being orchestrated and exaggerated in the viral video purporting a washed-off road still under construction.

According to him; ” There is a small part of the road where the contractors were working before the heavy rainfall. They had not finished that portion of the road before the rain started and obviously, when the heavy rain fell it affected the small part of the road which has now been fixed and it is of high standard from what we can see”.

There is nothing politicians can’t play politics with”, he concluded.

The State Commissioner for Works, Engr Ifeanyi Okoma, laughed off the viral video and condemned the group or persons behind the video, created to mislead the public.

“This is clearly the work of mischief makers trying to sabotage the countless achievements of the Anambra State Government that are working tirelessly to make the State a liveable and prosperous homeland. This false video shows an uncompleted portion of the road that was washed off by the rains that halted the project by construction workers. This is an obvious act of sabotage by enemies of good works in Anambra”, the commissioner stated.

The commissioner further emphasized that the contractor worked on Sunday and only about one foot from where he stopped was washed as a result of the downpour and blocked drainages along the road.

Engr. Okoma added that the road was not yet inaugurated by the State Government as earlier reported by the trending online reports and urged the public to disregard the video.

Also,  the Head of the contracting firm in charge of the Ochanja road project Mark Tu, expressed his disappointment at the video.

“It is a huge disappointment that someone took the time to record such a video. However, I can assure the public that our company has a good track record of delivering quality road projects that stand the test of time, and the Ochanja road project will not be an exception” he said.

Some traders and residents were interviewed in the area, and they lauded the State Government for the construction while expressing their optimism that the weather will allow for the completion of the project to uplift and empower the communities around. They also expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the State Government for the quality of the already asphalted 1.7km road.

The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is committed to building a liveable and prosperous smart megacity by focusing on its 5-Solution Agenda which are: Security, Law and Order; Economic Transformation and Infrastructure; Human Capital and Social Agenda; Governance, Rule of Law and Value System; and the Environment. 

The Governor has demonstrated his two years of excellence in office with over 100 sterling achievements, without borrowing a dime for any project!

Soludo’s administration is committed to Doing More With Less – No Borrowing, which is a testament to Anambra State’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable development, enhancing the quality of life for its citizens, and laying a robust foundation for the future prosperity of Anambra State.

LASU TABLE WATER HITS MARKET

…It is the best around, VC enthuses as she launches water

By
blacktalker
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The Lagos State University, LASU Table Water has officially hit the market following an official launch of the product on Monday, 25th March 2024, by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM.

This is coming weeks after the product got an approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.


The VC described the product as the best Table Water around based on the quality of production and affordable pricing. She urged all members of the university community to patronise the product.

LASU Table Water, the latest effort in the administration’s drive to produce quality and healthy foods for members of the university and surrounding communities, and  enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the university, was unveiled by the VC in the presence of members of the management and other senior officials of the university, at the LASU Water Plant.

Blacktalker can report that the administration had earlier introduced the LASU Bread, which is now enjoying massive patronage among consumers.

The LASU Sachet Water is also expected to be launched after the NAFDAC approval has been received.

LASU TABLE WATER

Easter: FRSC Sets Up 200 Mobile Courts For Traffic Offenders

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blacktalker
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The Federal Road Safety Corps says it has set up more than 200 mobile courts to prosecute traffic offenders during the Easter special patrol operations across the country.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu.

Agwu said the mobile courts were set up to ensure a safe and smooth 2024 Easter celebration.

He quoted the Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, as urging the commanding officers to ensure full deployment of staff for maximum visibility.

Biu urged them to ensure prompt removal of obstructions on all highways across the country.

This, he said, was in line with the operational guidelines of the 2024 special patrol scheduled to commence from March 29 to April 2.

According to him, the objectives of the special operations are reducing road traffic crashes, road traffic fatalities, and road traffic injuries.

“The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, has tasked Commanding Officers to ensure full deployment of staff for maximum visibility, prompt removal of obstructions, and ease of movement on all highways across the country.

“This is in line with the operational guidelines of this year’s Easter special patrol scheduled to commence from March 29 to April 2, 2024.

“As contained in the operation order, the objectives of the special operations are reduction in road traffic crashes, road traffic fatalities, and road traffic injuries; prompt response to road traffic crash victims,” he said.

Speaking further, Agwu noted, “To this end, the corps would carry out aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 mobile courts operations, to check various offenses.

“Speeding and dangerous driving/overtaking, lane indiscipline/route violation, road obstructions, use of phone while driving, and overloading would be thoroughly checked.”

The corps added that it deployed over 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, and 92 ambulances for the Easter special patrol across the country.

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