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Without Adequate Security, Nigeria Can’t Have Rapid Development-Chief Kenny Martins

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By Michael Effiong
Governments at all levels in Nigeria have been enjoined to take the security of lives and property seriously in order to ensure that the country reach its desired growth potentials.
The advice was given by Security expert and former National Co-ordinator, Police Equipment Foundation, Dr Kenny Martins while delivering a paper on the topic “Security Challenge and Implication on National Development as guest speaker at the 4th Annual Lecture of Integrity Reporters Newspapers at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.
Dr. Martins who took his audience through his own personal peace building interventions across the country including in Edo and Rivers State, stated that  the present government has to do more because citizens have been doing their bit, noting that rapid development would be a mirage if the present state of insecurity persists.

Michael Effiong James, representative of Chairman of the occasion, Bashorun Dele Momodu delivering his remarks

According to him “Everyday, we are lectured that security is a collective responsibility. We are doing our bit; using tall fences and barbed wires to demarcate our houses, paying trillions of naira every year to hire security devices to protect our business, residential premises and estates. We also pay our taxes to maintain our three tiers of government, their elaborate security services and the Armed Forces. We therefore expect governments at all levels to play their part as well, in ensuring the security of lives and property in the country.
He noted that the lack of security in the country has far reaching implications on national development and he highlighted them as follows: loss of lives and properties, negative effect on the economy, rural-urban migration, rise in crime rate, wasted years (youths are forced into IDP camps or streets), loss of foreign investors, destruction of national institutions, large allocations for purchase of security and war equipment.

Michael Effiong James, Barr. Oguntimehin and Dr Kenny Martins at the launch of the special edition of Integrity Newspaper

He concluded that while we cannot completely avert all crises, especially those that arise from natural events like flooding, we should do our best to avoid activities that could lead to crises.
In his words “The organisation like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should be empowered and trained to take over the management of the big crisis situations in the same way as the National Guard in the United States, to allow the police concentrate on their core duties of prevention, detection and prosecution of crimes and minor fracas while the military should concentrate on defending the country against external aggression.
Adding that it is not enough to merely borrow the US presidential system but we should replicate some of the institutions that they have used to sustain their democracy. Dr Martins then rounded off thus “Crisis is an ill wind that blows nobody any good, the earlier we get that, the better for everybody.
In his comments, Chairman of the occasion, The Boss Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu, who was represented by Editor, Ovation International, Mr Michael Effiong James noted that without security there can be no progress. He noted that the issue of security has become this bad because of the lack of leadership and direction from the government, especially the federal government.
He urged Nigerians who are unhappy with the current situation to express their discontent with their votes, adding that it has become a vicious circle to blame the government while the people are themselves to be blamed for voting for an inefficient and unfeeling government.
He then thanked the management of  Integrity Newspaper for organising the lecture series which he noted would help to bring attention to the terrible state of security in the country.
Also speaking at the event, security experts Commodore Kunle Olawunmi and Mrs Tanwa Asiru drew attention to the tactics being deployed by the administration, they affirmed that the government needs to multi-task and think outside the box to solve the problem which has become multi-faceted.

Mr Adewale Ogunniran, Mr Seun Oloketuyi & Michael Effiong James during presentation of awards

Hon. Ahmed I. Omisore, Director-General BAT Foundation who  represented Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa urged political office holders to realise that good governance is directly linked to the issue of security. He noted that when people in positions of responsibility fail to deliver democracy dividends, they are sowing the seed of insecurity. He urged government at all levels to pay attention to the issue of education.
In the course of the event awards were presented to some worthy Nigerians including Mr Seun Oloketuyi (Organiser, BON Awards), Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The event which had top broadcaster, Deji Balogun as compere was attended by Nigerians from all walks of life  was also graced by Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, Asoju Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland who represented Aare Gani Adams.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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