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Probe: Lagos Assembly Summons Former Commissioner Of Tourism Over Dismal Greater Lagos Fiesta

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Lagos State House of Assembly at the Plenary on Tuesday calls on Hon. (Mrs) Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture over poor performance of Y2019 Greater Lagos Fiesta.

This is sequel to the motion moved by Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja, Chairman House Committee on Tourism Arts and Culture for the need to question the Commissioner on how funds allocated for the Fiesta was expended.

Hon. Solaja, in his submission, said that Lagos State has been known for organising the Greater Lagos Fiesta, since Governor Babatunde Fashola’s regime which is meant to showcase Lagos State as a place where people come to commemorate the crossover into the New Year.

“The Y2019 Fiesta was an eye sore, despite being invited by the Committee to give a brief about the itinerary before the event; The Commissioner said that the Fiesta was going to hold for two days, instead of 7 days. This Fiesta is to occupy the delinquents in the State for the duration and is to be compared with other carnivals, however, the Fiesta turned out to be a disaster and we therefore need to call on the former Commissioner to give an account of the whole process.”

Hon. Rotimi Olowo representing Somolu I, in his opinion supported the motion, that the carnival is not a one man show, as it is meant to be all inclusive because the essence is to promote culture & tourism in the State; however, it ended up being a disaster and one damage can go a long way to disregard the culture, arts and tourism of Lagos State.

Also contributing, Hon. Mojisola Lasbat representing Apapa I sustained the need to summon the ex-Commissioner for Tourism as well as the current sitting bodies that would be involved in the upcoming event. She noted that the event, a 7-day program cuts across all divisions which also helps in keeping the youths and delinquents involved as well as showcasing upcoming talents.

Hon. Tunde Braimoh representing Kosofe II congratulating the mover of the motion ascertains that public servant is public image and to whom much is given, much is expected. “The Constitution mandates and enjoins us that all must answer to the call of the Law and the Commissioner involved must explain how the humongous fund ventured into the Y2019 Fiesta was expended. Tourism is the future of Lagos which can serve as a cash cow if judiciously managed and utilized. The Commissioner must be brought to account.” He said.

Lending his voice, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu I, noted that the Lawmakers are representatives of each constituency and there was so much complaints raised against Greater Lagos Fiesta Y2019 which was established to raise the bar of tourism in Lagos and has been improving each year since inception until the turning point of Y2019.

He further stated that the volunteers and sponsors who ought to participate in the event boycotted the event and wide range publicity was not given to the event based on the orders of the organizer and it is pertinent that the bodies involved are called for a total review in order to sustain the interest of the State.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-Osa II asserted that the motion is apt as the House needed to investigate for knowledge sake and to reassure Lagosians also to mitigate the effect of the Fiesta’s poor performance.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun I, said, “Tourism contributed ₦800bn to the internal revenue and Lagosians made ₦50bn, which is not something that can be wished away especially imagining how much was lost in revenue from the last Fiesta; therefore we must call on all involved bodies to give account to figure out ways to forge ahead.”

Consequently, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to submit a clean copy of the prayers to the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

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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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