News

Sanwo-Olu Calls for Synergy, Regulation As Lagos, Stakeholders Hold 2020 Water Conference

Published

6 years ago

February 13, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for co-operation among all stakeholders in the water business to enable the state government provide healthy, available and affordable water for all purposes among the teeming populace.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made this call while delivering his address as the host of the 2020 Lagos Water Conference held at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos with the theme Re-positioning Water Governance and Regulatory Dispensation in Lagos State. Represented by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, the governor recalled his government’s commitment to create a safe, healthy and conducive environment for the good people of Lagos State, adding that the pledge is coming to life with the administration’s environmental regeneration programmes, one of which is the regime in the water water sector.

Unveiling the water book

“At the inception of this administration, we pledge to create a safe healthy and conducive environment for the good people of Lagos State, and we have continued to demonstrate our commitment to this pledge through our various environmental regeneration programmes, one of which is the enthronement of the regulatory regime in the water sector,” the governor informed

He noted further that:

“Environmental regeneration programmes in the water sector all over the world are regulatory based and Government cannot do it alone. This is why we have continued to call on major stakeholders in the water and wastewater service provisions and well meaning Nigerians to join hands with our administration in achieving this laudable objective.

“…let me use this opportunity to invite all and sundry to join this train of collective transformation of our state even as I assure all that our administration will continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the water sector.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to ensure that the quality of services in the water sector are well maintained and sustained, adherence to the practice order documents is hereby recommended,” He said.

Mr Bello, on behalf of the governor unveiled the books on water resources management as well as the permit required for stakeholders to get involved in Lagos water business.

Anchored by veteran actor and broadcaster, Yemi Shodimu, the conference which drew together stakeholders in the water business, was an exercise on the reason behind government’s tendency to regularise the business of water in Lagos State as initiated by the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regularisation Commission, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, who is also the convener of the conference.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Adepoju informed the stakeholders that it is basically ripe for the regularisation of the water business in Lagos State as it is no longer going to be an all comers affair. She appealed to stakeholders to see reason with the government and give their maximum cooperation.

Thereafter, speaker after speaker, applauded the government for the lofty decision to regularise water business, saying it was long overdue. Among the speakers were Julius Steyn of Osmotek, South Africa, who spoke on International Best Practice Standard for Water Governance and Regulatory Dispensations Including Examples of Similar Regions; Prof. Ayo Omotayo of the Centre for Planning, Lagos State University, who spoke on Sustainable Governance and Strengthening of Regulatory Framework on Surface and Groundwater Source/Supplies in Lagos State.

Other speakers were Mr. Rotimi Olarenwaju of the Department of Lagos, and Mr. Michael Ale. President, Association of Well Rig Owners and Practioners.

There were also goodwill messages from the Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Engr. Magashir Bashiru Umar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Ronke Odeneye; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce Industry and Co-operative, Dr, (Mrs.) Bola Bola Balogun, and Engr. Lekan Shodeinde with the vote of thanks.

The conference promised the Lagos public of the best of water supply with the new regulatory templates agreed on.

News

OAU: MicCom Institutes Financial Awards for Best Graduating Student, Producing Dept

Published

38 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Makers of fine quality cables and wires, MicCom Cables and Wires Limited, has instituted an annual financial awards to reward the best graduating student, and the department that produces the best graduating student in the Faculty of Technology of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The awards take off with immediate effect.

The revelation was made by the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, while delivering a speech during the 49th Convocation Ceremony of the institution, held at the school’s Amphitheater.

Speaking before a crowd of graduands, academic and non-academic staff, dignitaries and the general public, an elated Bamire announced that the award is instituted in honour of Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, co-founder of MicCom Cables and Wires, and mother of the present Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Olubukola Adubi.

“MicCom Cables and Wires Limited has instituted an Annual Financial Award in honour of Engr. (Mrs) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, FNSE, for the Best Overall Graduating Student (BOGS) in the Faculty of Technology (One Million Naira) and the sum of Ten Million Naira to the Department where the BOGS emerges in the Faculty of Technology.

“This award celebrates exceptional students and the invaluable role of their department in shaping and fostering the future of Engineering and Technology.

“The award is to be presented annually during the University Graduation Ceremony starting this year, 2025. This is to empower the next generation of engineers,” VC Bamire said.

Mrs Ponnle, a certified engineer, died in October 2012 at the age of 68.

This year’s awards were quickly presented to the 2025 winner, Amuke Sunday, who emerged the overall graduating student, while his department, Computer Science and Engineering carted away the N10 million grant.

The CEO of MicCom, Mrs Adubi, was on hand to make the presentations, supported by members of the academic community.

News

N150m Spiritual Intercession Demand: Power Minister Adelabu Petitions DSS Against Primate Ayodele

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Eric

The Minister of Power, Mr. Bayo Adelabu, has accused Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder and head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke Afa, Lagos, of blackmail and attempting to extort N150 million from him for “spiritual intercession” to make him governor of Oyo state.

Adelabu, a former governorship candidate, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Oyo governorship election.

In a petition dated October 13, 2025, signed by Bolaji Tunji, the minister’s special adviser on strategic communications and media relations, to the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adelabu accused Ayodele of making false prophecies intended to malign his reputation after he rebuffed all efforts from the cleric, who allegedly demanded a huge sum of money and expensive spiritual items.

In a series of text messages between Ayodele and Adelabu, seen by TheCable, the cleric asked the minister to bring 24 APC flags for prayers. The cleric also demanded 1,000 pieces of saxophones/trumpets, with the least expensive Nigerian fairly-used grade costing a total of N50 million and the imported grade-one from China at N130 million in total.

Ayodele asked Adelabu to bring the items by April 1. He later extended the grace till April 4.

“Sir, I don’t do this, but because of the love I have for you,” the primate wrote.

The cleric told the minister that he had sent him several letters while he was CBN deputy governor and other times to the minister in Ibadan, but there was no reply. He repeatedly made requests to call the minister, who told him he was on pilgrimage. Ayodele asked him to “recite almu nasira 200 times”.

The cleric told the minister that what he was doing was based on instruction given to him by God. Ayodele repeatedly told the minister that he would rule Oyo state.

”I have divine advice for you sir, which can help a lot sir, kindly pick my call,” a part of the text message read.

”Do vigil and the angel of God is coming to hear request by 1am…I don’t want you to lose the coming election. That is why I’m following the instructions.”

In response, the minister told the cleric that he could not afford the expensive items.

After the incident, Ayodele, while speaking in his church, said Adelabu had failed and would not become Oyo governor.

In some video clips seen by TheCable, Ayodele said Adelabu had made mistakes and his message to the minister was a “warning from God”.

The cleric dared the minister to arrest or sue him.

TheCable

News

Bayelsa Deputy Gov Slumps, Dies at 60

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

Eric

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has died. He was 60 years.

The deputy governor reportedly collapsed in his office in Yenagoa on Thursday, December 11, 2025, around 1:30 p.m., and was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa.

He was admitted into the hospital’s emergency department and placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where efforts to revive him ultimately failed.

Ewhrudjakpo’s media aide, Doubara Atasi, confirmed the death, but declined to provide further details. Hospital sources stated that despite prompt medical attention, the deputy governor could not be revived.

Born on September 5, 1965, Ewhrudjakpo had served as Bayelsa State’s deputy governor since 2020.