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Tag: MUDASHIRU OBASA

  • ‘Not too young to be Lagos Governor’ – Speaker

    ‘Not too young to be Lagos Governor’ – Speaker

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, says he’s not too young to be a state governor. The speaker stated this on Sunday at the annual Obasa Youth Crusade in Agege LGA of Lagos State.

    The event was organised by Obasa Youth Alliance (OYA) in Agege to celebrate the speaker’s birthday. Obasa will be 52 years old on Monday, Nov. 11. Obasa said that he would continue to hearken to directives and progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, this is paramount as against focusing on his political ambitions. He said that the party’s decision was superior to personal ambitions.

    “Though, I am not too young to become Lagos State governor, but I want to let you know that we will continue to work toward the progress of the party, rather than focusing on personal ambitions.

    “We will not stop in whatever we are doing, particularly when it comes to issue of mandates. It is not about personal aspirations.

    “It’s not because we want to become something or aspire to become governor of Lagos State. No!

    “Our concern is to develop our party, to encourage our party in the grassroots and all over the state. That is our major concern.

    “This will tell those who believe that what we are doing is purely about selfishness, let us correct their impression.

    “We are party people. We believe in the party and we have reason to deliver, positively,” he said.

    Obasa said that, as beneficiaries of the party, the members must work and focus on party’s success during election and not personal political agenda.

    The speaker added that party members must not allow the party to fail, under any circumstances.

    “We all witnessed the last election; and it was a terrible one. People voted along tribal, ethnic and religious sentiments.

    “My concern is that such must not happen again. Many reasons have been alluded for our failure in the first election to our Igbo people. But that was not the first election we had in Lagos State.

    “Are the Igbos just new in Lagos State? Are they just appearing in Lagos State? So something, probably, was wrong somewhere. We must look at that and correct it. That is what we stand for now,” he said.

    Obasa said that his immediate concern was to focus on promoting grassroots development and house-to-house financial empowerment.

    “We are working toward promoting good governance and reaching out to the grassroots through house-to-house development plan.

    “So, when the next election comes, we can stand boldly that we are going to deliver. That’s the most important thing. Aspiration will come later.

    “For now, our concern is to entrench APC all over Lagos State. Not to bother about those who have been alleging, mischievously, that every step we take is because we want to be governor.

    ”Yes, I will like to become governor, and I will also like the experience, because in Lagos today, we know how it works.

    “We have God. Secondly, we have leaders. Leader of leaders who we all believe in, President Bola Tinubu. We all trust his judgments. And the party structure,” Obasa said.

    Convener of the event, Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola, said that it was phenomenal to organise the event for the benefit of the residents.

    Abiola, who is also the vice chairman of Agege LGA, declared the 2024 event extremely successful.

    “This crusade was initiated to celebrate the Speaker for the fact that he is a man who understands leadership.

    “Obasa is a man who has given leadership to the young people in Agege. Young and vibrant people are now in government. They have come into leadership roles through this man.

    “If a man is such a blessing to the community through infrastructure development and youth empowerment, it is of essence that we celebrate him,” he said.

    Abiola explained that, to avoid claims of favourism, tribalism and other sentiments, the organisers decided on raffle draws.

    “From food items to appliances. This year we have added the star prize of N300,000 to two individuals and a mini-bus.

    “Luckily, the man who won the minibus is a voluntary youth organisation member of Lagos State government,” he said.

    Over 2000 residents benefited from the draws, winning various items. Mr Joseph Phillips, a staff of Lagos State security outfit, won the star prize.

  • How to address moral decadence in society – Lagos Speaker

    How to address moral decadence in society – Lagos Speaker

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa says good parenting is key to addressing  moral decadence in the society.

    Obasa said this at the 15th Annual Hijrah Lecture/Du’A at the Assembly complex on Friday.

    The lecture, organised by the House, had the theme: “Addressing Increasing Wave of Moral Decadence in the Society”.

    The speaker said to curb moral decadence in society, parents needed to return to good and godly parenting.

    “They should transfer the good ideals that were handed over to them by their forebears to their children.

    “Also the religious institutions should go back to the old ways of teaching and preaching morals.

    “While educational institutions should go back to the basics of teaching morals that would have positive impact on society”he said.

    Obasa said everyone had a roleto play in achieving an upright society.

    The speaker also urged clerics to do their best make things better in their time.

    Obasa advised  them to always guide their followers  to be responsible citizens.

    Obasa counselled that  it was not enough to make laws, but people should  also exhibit good qualities at all times.

    Speaking at the lecture, Sheikh Ridwanullah Jamiu, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Lekki Phase 1, urged parents to caution their children against influence of social media.

    “We should let them be careful of the social media because that is where they are learning most of these things.

    “Don’t give phones to your children while they are still in primary or secondary schools.You can when they get to university ” he said.

    Jamiu also urged parents to be the first teacher  and role model to their children.

    According to him ,children tend to copy what their parents do and learn fast from their actions.

    “Let us make responsible choices for our children because the choices we make fir them can shape their behaviour”,he said.

    Also, Sheikh Sulaiman Onikijipa Al-Miskinubilahi, the General Overseer of Al-Amani Islamic Organisation, said good moral conducts and honesty would help make a decent society.

  • Lagos Assembly to pass law regulating alms begging

    Lagos Assembly to pass law regulating alms begging

    Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, says the legislative arm is considering passing a law to regulate alms begging in the state.

    Obasa said this in an interview on the sidelines of the launch of the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation in Lagos.

    He said that there was need for such legislation.

    The foundation was launched at a public presentation sponsored by Lotus Bank in Lagos.

    It aims to empower less privileged Muslims and alleviate poverty by promoting Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf.

    Obasa explained that the proposed law would empower the state government and foundations like the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation to regulate aid soliciting.

    According to him, the law will also ensure donations reach the needy without them having to beg on the streets.

    He noted that the rising number of beggars in Lagos necessitated this regulation.

    “We are looking at how we can manage such situations to stop beggars from parading the streets of Lagos begging for alms.

    “Following such legislation, anyone caught begging on the streets or aiding such, particularly among children, would also be sanctioned according to the law,” Obasa said.

    Speaking on the foundation’s launch, Obasa highlighted the benefits of Zakat, which helps both payers and beneficiaries by eradicating poverty.

    “It is important for anyone blessed by God to reach out to the less privileged.

    “This should start from the immediate family and extend to every other member of society.

    “The essence is to make everyone equal, or at least to move people from poverty and make them feel comfortable,” he added.

    Sheikh Sulayman Nolla, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, emphasised the foundation’s goal of unifying all Muslims in Lagos.

    Nolla, also the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, noted that the foundation serves all, regardless of religious background, and aims to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by pooling resources.

    Mrs Kafilat Araoye, Managing Director of Lotus Bank, stated that the bank is supporting the foundation financially, technically, and administratively, ensuring adherence to Sharia and Islamic finance principles.

    Araoye stressed the need for permanent solutions to poverty rather than temporary palliatives, given the country’s current economic realities.

    Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, requiring eligible Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth annually to aid the poor.

    It is typically 2.5 per cent of a Muslim’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount, or “nisab,” each lunar year.

    Sadaqah is a voluntary charitable act, while Waqf is an Islamic endowment of property for charitable or religious purposes.

  • Tinubu will fix Nigeria – Lagos Speaker boasts

    Tinubu will fix Nigeria – Lagos Speaker boasts

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa has urged Nigerians to have trust in the capacity of  President Bola Tinubu to address present economic challenges.

    Obasa  made the call on Friday in Lagos ,at the Inter-Faith Prayers and Thanksgiving Service ,to commemorate the president’s  72nd birth anniversary.

    The programme , organised by the Mandate Movement, a group within Lagos chapter of APC,had the theme:”The Resilient Democrat and Reformer: President Bola Tinubu”

    Obasa  assured that the economic challenges facing the country at the moment would soon be surmounted as the president was working hard to fix them.

    “We just have to appeal to Nigerians to exercise patient, we must realise that Tinubu came on board at the very critical moment of a sick economy.

    “You will realise that since he came in, he has been doing everything with his team to proffer lasting solutions to the challenges facing the country.

    “As you can see ,the dollar is around N1270. At a time it was about N2000, and  we still have the belief that it  will go down to N500.

    “So let us exercise patience, let us cooperate with this government and contribute our own quota so that  Nigeria can move forward,” he said.

    Speaking, Odunbaku said the  group decided to celebrate the president because of his many achievements as a politician and as the country’s leader.

    Odunbaku ,who is a leader in Lagos APC, said the programme was also organised to pray for the president to have long life and wisdom ,to continue to serve the country well.

    “Today is a special for us in celebrating our leader, our father our mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as he clocks 72.

    “Not just 72, but 72 as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the first birthday since he assumed office as the president.

    “So we strongly believe  that it is worthy to celebrate the president and  give glory to God for what He has done through him.

    “Since the president has asked us to celebrate him on a low key, so we are only praising God’s name”,he said.

    An Islamic cleric, Dr Hammed Olanrewaju, said the president deserved prayers as he had been doing his best to  address issues facing the country.

    He described Tinubu as builder of men,saying Obasa ,the Chief of Staff to Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu,Mr Tayo Ayinde,were some of the people the President had helped politically.

    He said Tinubu  was a listening President and someone who loved the masses.

    The cleric prayed God to grant Tinubu good health and long life.

  • Lagos Assembly constitutes 40 standing committees

    Lagos Assembly constitutes 40 standing committees

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday constituted 40 standing committees for the 10th Assembly, for effective operation of its oversight function.

    The assembly has been operating with ad-hoc committees since its inauguration by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on June 6.

    The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, during plenary, named himself as the Chairman of Selection Committee while the Majority Leader, Mr Noheem Adams, oversees the Business Rules.

    The speaker said the Chief Whip, Mr Fatai Mojeed, would head the Ethics Protocol & Privileges committee while the Public Account (State) would be headed by Mr Kehinde Joseph.

    Obasa said the Public Account (Local) would be chaired by Mr Akinsanya Nureni; Civic Engagement, Lukmon Orelope; Information Strategy & Security, Mr Stephen Ogundipe; while Chairman Agriculture is Mr Olootu Emmanuel.

    He said: “Other committees and heads are, Economic Planning & Budget, Mr Saad Olumoh; Education Ministry & Agency, Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara; Education Institution, Mr Ajani Owolabi; while Science & Technology is Mr Seyi Lawal.

    “Also included are Environment Parastatal, Mr Adebola Shabi; Environment Ministry, Mr Lanre Afinni; Establishment, Training & Pension, Mr Aro Moshood; Energy & Mineral Resources Mr Sabur Oluwa; Waterfront Infrastructure Development is Mr Yishawu Gbolahan.

    “Also, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Sylvester Ogunkelu; Transportation, Mr Temitope Adewale; Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Abiodun Tobun; while Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation is Mrs Lara Olumegbon.”

    According to the speaker, the Works & Infrastructure would be headed by Mr Desmond Elliot; Wealth Creation & Employment, Mrs Foluke Osafile; Finance, Femi Saheed; Health Mr Musbau Lawal; Home Affairs, Mr Abdulkareem Jubreel; Tourism Art and Culture is Mr Boonu Solomon.

    Obasa also said that the Youth and Social Development would be chaired by Mr Biodun Orekoya, Judiciary, Human Right, Public Petition & LASIEC, Mr Ladi Ajomale; Lands, Mr Seyi Lawal; Housing, Mr Segun Ege; CBD, Mr Oladele Ajayi.

    The speaker said  the Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relation would be chaired by Mr David Doherty, Local Government Administration and Community Affairs, Mr Okanlawon Ganiyu and Compliance Legislative, Mr Setonji David (Deputy Chief Whip).

    He said the Procurement would be headed by Mr Samuel Apata; Interparliamentary, Mr Kasunmu Adedamola (Deputy Majority Leader); Public Private partnership, Mr Yinka Esho; Overseas Investment, Mr Ogunleye Gbolahan.

    Obasa urged the committee chairmen to see the position as a call to serve the people of Lagos State and not to cater for personal interest.

    The speaker advised the house committee chairpersons to live up to expectations by serving their respective committees diligently.

  • Pressure mounts over Sanwo-Olu’s rejected commissioner-nominees

    Pressure mounts over Sanwo-Olu’s rejected commissioner-nominees

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has come under fire for failing to confirm 17 persons nominated for the position of Commissioner by the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Recall the House of Assembly last Wednesday rejected 17 commissioner nominees of Governor Sanwo-Olu, including former Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and former Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

    TNG reports while the House confirmed 22 other commissioner nominees of the Governor; it did give any reason for rejecting the 17 commissioner nominees.

    Meanwhile, several activists have heaped pressure on the Lagos Assembly, demanding the House to make public the rationale for rejecting 17 commissioner-nominees.

    Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a Human Rights Activist, on Tuesday urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to make public its reason for not confirming the appointments of 17 commissioner-nominees.

    Okei-Odumakin, also the President of Women Arise, said in Lagos that LSHA needed to clear the air by making its findings public on why the nominees were rejected.

    The activist cautioned the House of Assembly not to politicise the confirmation of commissioner-nominees.

    She said that politicising the confirmation of appointments of commissioner-nominees would impact the service delivery of the appointees.

    She said: “In order to clear the air, the House will be fair in the eyes of the public by making its findings on the nominees that were rejected known.

    “There is already a public perception that the legislative arm of the State is at loggerheads with the executive.

    “Such a rejection is an unprecedented development in Lagos since 1999. So by making the findings public, it will instill public confidence and trust in our lawmakers.”

    Similarly, the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to explain the rationale used in rejecting 17 out of the 39 commissioner-nominees sent by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Addressing newsmen in Lagos,  President of the group, Mr Alex Omotehinse, said those rejected were performing commissioners during the governor’s first term in office.

    Omotehinse told newsmen that it was inappropriate for the assembly to play politics with the screening and confirmation exercise by rejecting the nominees without considering their various past achievements.

    The president said it was most disheartening that the 17 nominees were reported to have been rejected on mere voice votes without the assembly putting forward logical reasons or  that they were rejected for lack of merit.

    He stressed that the recent rejection of the commissioners and special advisers forwarded by the governor to the assembly should be a great cause of concern to all well-meaning people of Lagos and the public.

    Omotehinse said that they were not aware that some salient interests were always considered when picking political appointees.

    “For instance, concerns were raised on the imperative to balance religious composition, geographical spread and even for compensation of loyal political devotees.

    “These, however, are never the overriding consideration, merit, needs,  tower high above any other factors.

    “This is why we are overwhelmed on how globally acclaimed, credible professionals like  Abayomi of the Ministry of Health who bailed the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic was rejected.

    “Mrs Folashade Adefisayo,  Omotosho and Sam Ebube of the Ministries of Education, Information and budget and planning respectively, should not  have been rejected by any diligent, patriotic, growth- minded representatives of the people.

    “These are rare breed professionals, quiet, unassuming social achievers that other saner climes are in dire search for their services,” he said.

    Omotehinse said since 1999, persons of different hues have had cause to serve in the state cabinet, majorly on merit and professional criteria.

    He noted that this, no doubt had made the Centre of Excellence to tap from the reservoir of the best brains in the country.

    The president said human rights activists did not only applaud this unique essence of Lagos governance but they also unequivocally identified with it, and strongly recommended same for states in the Federation.

    Omotehinse urged the assembly to be wary of throwing away the baby with the bath water.

    He said the group was not only taken aback by this resolution but gravely disturbed by the  likely fatal consequences this seemingly total politicisation of appointments might have in disrupting the enviable developmental template of the state.

    The activist stated that they were most apprehensive on the prospects of slight rupture in the processes of the state governance, which he said,  would invariably have  viral effects on the country, sub-region and continent.

    He said the state’s governance craftsmanship over the years had never been solely left to the whims and caprices of partisan considerations.

    According to him, this is because since 1999, persons of different hues have had cause to serve in the state cabinet, majorly on merit and professional criteria.

    Omotehinse, who  said Lagos state was strategically positioned to play leading roles in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, said caution should not be thrown to  the winds with intra-party adversarial rocking of the boat.

    He said  though history had severally validated the fact that when elephants fight, the grass became victims, however,  it would be a huge loss if eggheads were sacrificed on the altar of inordinate politics.

    The president said residents   and the civil populace would inevitably bear the brunt if round pegs were in square holes  in the commissioner designations of the state.

    We have rights not to expose screening reports on rejected nominees – Speaker

    Meanwhile, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa has said the Assembly reserves the right to expose screening reports of the committee on the 17  rejected commissioner-nominees.

    Obasa disclosed this at plenary on Monday, warning those planning protests and sponsoring media articles to desist, saying the House would not be threatened over the issue.

    Obasa, who presided over the plenary, said the exercise followed a rigorous and detailed screening of the nominees by an ad-hoc committee led by the Chief Whip, Mr Fatai Mojeed.

    He said it was unfortunate that whenever the House refused to be a ‘rubber stamp’ to a Governor’s request, then it would be interpreted by the public that the lawmakers were fighting the Governor.

    “If anybody wishes to know the reasons for the decision, they should approach the house.

    “However, we will not be forced to spill our observations, and we reserve the rights to expose the report of the screening.

    “We are not going to be threatened by the civil society organisations who wish to protest.

    “It is their right. He who lives in a  glasshouse do not throw stones,” he said.

    The Speaker said the assembly would continue to work together with the executive because there was no reason to fight.

    He, however, noted that the assembly had the constitutional rights to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the nominees of the governor.

    TNG reports the rejected 17 commissioner-nominees included former Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

    Other nominees rejected include: Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, Mr Yomi Oluyomi, Mrs Folashade Ambrose, Ms Barakat Bakare, Olalere Odusote, Dr Rotimi Fashola and Mrs Bolaji Dada.

    Others are Mr Sam Egube, Mr Olalekan Fatodu, Mrs Solape Hammond, Mr Mosopefolu George, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, Mr Seun Osiyemi, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi and Dr Olumide Oluyinka.

  • Speaker mum as Lagos Assembly rejects Sanwo-Olu’s 17 commissioner nominees, confirms 22

    Speaker mum as Lagos Assembly rejects Sanwo-Olu’s 17 commissioner nominees, confirms 22

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has rejected 17 commissioner nominees of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, including former commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and former commissioner for information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

    The lawmakers, however, confirmed 22 other commissioner nominees of the governor.

    The exercise, which was done through a voice vote, was sequel to the screening of the nominees at the assembly’s Committee of the Whole at plenary.

    The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over it, said the exercise followed a rigorous and detailed screening of the nominees by an ad-hoc committee led by the Chief Whip, Mr Fatai Mojeed.

    Obasa said the exercise was in line with Section 182 Sub-Section I and II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The speaker said the other 15 nominees rejected were as follows: Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, Mr Yomi Oluyomi, Mrs Folashade Ambrose, Ms Barakat Bakare, Olalere Odusote, Dr Rotimi Fashola, Mrs Bolaji Dada.

    According to him, others rejected include: Mr Sam Egube, Mr Olalekan Fatodu, Mrs Solape Hammond, Mr Mosopefolu George, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, Mr Seun Osiyemi, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi and Dr Olumide Oluyinka

    Obasa listed the 22 confirmed nominees as: Mr Layode Ibrahim, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Ms Bola Olumegbon, Mr Idris Aregbe, Ms Abisola Olusanya, and Mr Moruf Fatai.

    “Other nominees confirmed are Mr Kayode Bolaji-Roberts, Mr Abiola Olowu, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih- Awokoya, Mr Yakub Alebiosu, Mr Lawal Pedro, Mr Tunbosun Alake.

    “Also confirmed are Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, Dr Adekunle Olayinka, Dr Jide Babatunde, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun and Mr Abdulkabir Ogungbo.

    The speaker commended the committee for its effectiveness and urged the confirmed nominees to always remember that they were in office to serve the people of the state and not individuals.

    He also promised that the assembly would continue to do its best in the interest of the state.

    The speaker, therefore, directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Lekan Onafeko, to communicate the notice of the confirmation and rejection of the nominees to the governor.

    The Speaker did not give any reason why the assembly rejected the nominees.

  • BREAKING: Lagos Assembly passes bill on DNA, Forensic Centre

    BREAKING: Lagos Assembly passes bill on DNA, Forensic Centre

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law establishing the Lagos State Deoxyribo-Nucleic Acid (DNA) and Forensic Centre.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the law is to support criminal investigations, law enforcement, preservation of evidence for the judicial system and other connected purposes.

    The bill was passed by the House after it scaled the third reading at plenary on Monday with all lawmakers in attendance giving their approvals.

    The report on the bill had been adopted at an earlier sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa.

    A part of the objectives of the centre includes to provide for the use and regulation of DNA based technology in the State in order to carry out profiling or analysis.

    The centre is to also “carry out other forensic disciplines including, toxicology, drug chemistry, fingerprint examination, firearms examination, tool mark examination, ballistics, trace evidence analysis, questioned document examination and digital forensics to obtain evidence relevant to the investigation of criminal offences.

    “Provide for the use of DNA profiles in the investigation of crime and the use of such profiles in proving the innocence or guilt of persons.

    “Provide for the conditions under which the samples for DNA profiles may be retained or destroyed.

    “Establish a DNA database and a DNA Index System in the State as well as establish a DNA bank for storage of reference DNA samples.”

    The bill gives powers to the centre to take specified bodily samples from certain categories of persons for the purposes of DNA analysis;
    collect, examine, document and preserve evidence which can later be used in the identification of offenders amongst others.

    The bill also allows the centre decode family ties and relationships of individuals in order to establish identity as well as the identification of abandoned or disputed children and other related issues.

    The centre is expected to recommend methods for optimum use of DNA techniques and technologies for administration of justice.

  • Just as I need Nigeria, Nigeria needs me – Tinubu tells Lagos lawmakers

    Just as I need Nigeria, Nigeria needs me – Tinubu tells Lagos lawmakers

    “Just as I need Nigeria, Nigeria needs me,” said the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

     

    Tinubu, who is a presidential aspirant, stated this on Wednesday during a one-day forum organised by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, for serving Speakers and former Speakers and deputies in Ikeja GRA.

     

    According to him, he will be the courageous leader that Nigeria needs to tackle its challenges.

     

    At the event themed, ‘The legislature,changing times and Nigeria’s democratic journey,’ which was attended by 15 serving House of Assembly Speakers from APC-governed states, the presidential aspirant noted that he was the first state governor to grant autonomy to the House.

     

    He said, “We have the brilliance, the resources and the focus. We do not just know how to run the race and take care of the gear of progress. Nigeria needs drastic courageous changes that will bring revenue and I am that courageous one it needs. I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me. I want to bring same to bear as president of Nigeria.”

     

    “In the face of tyranny, I have survived, struggled for democracy; I have endured the bush path, lived without a family, spent resources. To make Nigeria one is a task and who could do it? I am one. I am the first governor to grant autonomy to the House of Assembly. I survived non-allocation of local government funds. We didn’t suffer; we didn’t retrench. We made progress out of adversity.”

     

    Tinubu, who described himself as a thinker and a doer, posited that as a governor, he inherited N600m as Internally Generated Revenue with zero allocation from Federation Accounts Allocation Committee.

     

    “But we survived and today, Lagos is number one economy. That is why I am begging you to do me a favour so that I can do Nigeria a favour.

     

    “It is a very challenging time for us in the country and we need to decide the next leadership right. We need to intellectually assess the current situation, bring in a person with a clear vision and ability to deliver. Accelerated development of our country is all about thinking, doing and being courageous,” he added.

     

    Obasa described Tinubu as a talent hunter and the brain behind the legislative autonomy of the state.

     

    In his words: “I am standing here before you because Asiwaju is a talent hunter. He is someone that would support you, raise you to a point of leadership and give you room to excel. I can confirm that he is the brain behind the legislative autonomy that we enjoy today at the Lagos State House of Assembly and he did this far before the clamour for it by other states.”

     

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the forum was held as part of wide consultations embarked on by the APC leader in his bid to win the support of the party members across various backgrounds and camps.

     

    He stated, “It is not by chance that you all are gathered here today. It is because we agree totally that you all are important stakeholders that need to be engaged and identified with separately from others.

     

    “You are the real foot soldiers who can go back to the hallowed chambers and pass the message to all members of your respective Houses of Assembly and your former colleagues in the legislature across states.”

  • Nigeria@59: Lagos Speaker says making country great is collective efforts

    Nigeria@59: Lagos Speaker says making country great is collective efforts

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said making the country great should be collaborative efforts of the government at all levels and the people.

    Obasa stated this in Lagos on Monday to felicitate with Nigerians on the forthcoming 59th Independence Anniversary celebration on Oct. 1.

    The speaker advised Nigerians not to relent in collaborating with government at all levels to develop the country and ensure its return to greatness.

    “I am convinced that we are on the way to regaining our lost glory. Nigeria is on the road to greatness and we as government will continue to work toward returning the country back to greatness.

    “However I want to reiterate the fact that government alone cannot achieve our aim of making the country great without the support, cooperation and prayers of our people.

    “Making Nigeria great should be collaborative efforts between the government and the governed.

    “If we’re both united in our efforts and complement each other, Nigeria will bounce back to glory, ‘’ he said in a statement.

    Obasa, who is the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, explained that one way Nigerians could collaborate with government was in the area of fighting crimes.

    He said doing this, the people should be vigilant at all times, saying that Nigerians should cooperate with security agencies by giving information about suspicious people and individuals.

    Obasa said parents should monitor their children on the kind of people they move and relate with, saying that they must not allow their children to be used to cause confusion, chaos and violence in the society.

    He assured Nigerians that the government at all levels would continue to work toward improving their welfare and enhance their standard of living.

    The speaker said on behalf of his colleagues in the Lagos State House of Assembly, he wished Nigerians Happy Independence Day Anniversary.