₦airaland Forum

The immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, says that when he took over as governor in 2007, the Rapid Response Squad, which is an arm of the Lagos State Police Command set up to respond to emergencies within the state, had only 37 guns.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, however, said after investing heavily in equipment for the police, the capability of the police was boosted, thereby leading to a huge reduction in the rate of crime in the state.

Fashola said this during a programme on Channels Television titled “View from the top,” on Monday.

He said, “We need to provide equipment and resource for security personnel. If they do not have equipment and resource, they will not be able to do their work. One of the things I found out at the security town hall meeting was that the Rapid Response Squad that was responsible for responding to violent crimes, had only 37 rifles at the time.

“And that was the period when we had bank robberies almost every day of the week. People forget that now. We had robberies and carjacking and what we used to see was that police would respond after the robbers had gone.

“So, during my first meeting with them, I asked them why they arrived at crime scenes late and we learnt there were no vehicles, no fuel supply and more importantly, they did not have enough guns. Most of the guns were at the police stations and the RRS of almost 2,000 personnel had only 37 guns.”

Fashola said his administration started life insurance policy for the policemen and also acquired bulletproof vests and thousands of patrol vehicles to make their jobs easier.

He said the policemen were paid monthly allowance to augment the salaries they received from the Federal Government.

Fashola, who left a debt of over N150bn for his successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said he did not regret procuring loans to finance capital intensive projects as this was the practice in developed nations.

http://www.punchng.com/news/rrs-had-37-guns-when-i-became-governor-fashola/

INTROVERT:
Blowing his trumpet....



Osun NLs living in Osun, is he speaking the truth?

I'm not from Osun state but as long as people remain unpaid for months, that is gross inefficiency and irresponsibility by this man...

DankemzI:
Story for Mami Water
But you're being paid fully bah??
Why cant you forfeit your Salary/Loot that can pay your workers for a month or so.......
Is the world's tallest drum built by this man?

Aregbe should keep quiet and bow his head in shame. Even if he built 1 million skyscrapers, won't people feed. It's a shame to see the calibre of people leading this country. How can you not get paid for over good half of the year. Na wa oooo...i fear dis man ooo...

The Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, said on Tuesday that his administration had performed creditably well despite its inability to pay its workers in the state for the past seven months.

According to a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Tuesday by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, governor scored himself high. He spoke during a courtesy visit to him by the Osun Action Strategy and Development Group.

He, however, said he was pained by the inability of his government to pay workers but also sympathised with workers while assuring them that the hardship would soon come to an end.

The statement read, “Despite the financial shortage, even the most virulent critics of this government cannot deny that the administration has performed creditably well.

“This government built roads, schools, supplied students with Opon Imo (Tablets of Knowledge), distributed uniforms to all public students in the state, created welfare programmes for the old and vulnerable people as well as supporting farmers.

“No state has done what Osun did in the area of security, which today has totally checked crimes and other anti-social activities in the state. Huge amount of money was committed to purchasing armoured personnel carrier and ambulances which are strategically located in the state and responding to distress calls round the clock.

“If all the programmes, with huge cost involved, are factored into the accruable revenue of the state, it will be crystal clear why the state is where it is today.”

Describing the situation as an economic tragedy, he said the current misfortune of the nation’s economy remains a gross mishandling by the last administration of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He stated that the unchecked oil theft under the PDP, in which the nation was losing 400, 000 barrels per day, culminated in the drastic reduction of oil price in the international market.

“This price fall has created for the country a tragedy of huge proportion that translated into economic disaster, pains and agony for the workers across the country,” he said.

Aregbesola said the state collected N5bn as monthly allocation in February 2013 but the allocation drastically reduced to a mere N540m in April 2015.

He said further, “As we are trying to find solution to these challenges, we must not also run away from what brought us to this situation.

“For those who think this is an opportunity to pillory us in this economic condition, I pity them. Only God does not fail. We shall overcome; we shall recover from this challenge. I sympathise and feel for the workers. I appeal to them to bear with us as we work assiduously to end this problem. I assure them that the period of agony will soon be over.

“It is disheartening for people to work and such work fails to translate into wages. It is a harrowing experience for both workers and the government.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/my-administration-has-performed-well-says-aregbesola/

kelechiMarie:
A
Charming and irresistible-check
problem solver
i'm not a talker though,i doubt that i can talk my way out of any situation.

Hmmmm...maybe you used your right hand

Who would have thought you could learn so much about yourself based on your finger length? Above you’ll see three different hands labeled A, B, and C. With each one, the ring, middle and index finger are different (or sometimes the same) lengths. Put your left hand up and find the one that most closely matches you. I think A describes me best....

A) The charming but pragmatic one

This one is me! People who have a ring finger longer than the index finger tend to be charming and irresistible to some at least. A’s are the ones who can talk themselves out of just about any situation. Additionally, they’re aggressive and excellent problem solvers. They tend to be incredibly compassionate and are often scientists, engineers, soldiers, and crossword puzzle masters.

B) The confident, get-it-done type

People with shorter ring fingers than index fingers are the self-confident, get-it-done types. They love solitude in which to work and accomplish the things they need to do, but that doesn’t necessarily indicate introversion. They’re very goal oriented and don’t like to be disturbed. They appreciate what they have but often hunger for more.

C) The peacenik

C’s are the peace-loving conflict-avoiding types. People with even ring and index finger length are well organized and want nothing but to get along with everyone. They are faithful in relationships, tender and caring partners, but beware: C’s have a fiery core that while suppressed in normal day-to-day activities can be dangerous if unleashed. They might be peaceniks, but please, stay on their good side.


Does this sound like you? Which letter are you? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below!

http://higherperspectives.com/finger-length-personality/

Na wa ooo...

Manchester United have been named the 'biggest brand' in football.

Despite another season without silverware, United have overcome Europe's big-hitters at the top of The Brand Finance Football 50, according to a study released on Monday.

The Red Devils are now worth just over $1.2billion (£787.5million), almost $300million more than second-placed Bayern. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea round out the top five.

TOP 10 BIGGEST BRANDS IN FOOTBALL:

1) Manchester United 1206 (US$m)

2) Bayern Munich 933

3) Real Madrid 873

4) Manchester City 800

5) Chelsea 795

6) Barcelona 773

7) Arsenal 703

Liverpool 577

9) Paris Saint-Germain 541

10) Tottenham Hotspur 360


http://m.tribalfootball.com/articles/4081030

Recklessness kills...

No fewer than 34 houses and 70 shops were razed by fire after a tanker bearing 33,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, crashed in Idimu area of Lagos State in the early hours of Saturday.

This comes barely three days after a fuel-laden tanker skidded off a bridge at the Iyana Ipaja area of the state and was engulfed in flames, ravaging 40 shops, four buildings, 25 vehicles and six tricycles.

Similarly, a week ago, about 85 lives were lost to a fire disaster sparked off by a derailed fuel tanker in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Public Relations Officer, National Emergency Management Agency, South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, explained that the flammable liquid was ignited by the flames of a nearby barbecue shop, also known as suya.

He said the driver of the tanker is at large.

Our correspondent observed that the charred remains of the maroon-painted tanker was unbranded and had no number plate.

Also, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the agency received the distress call at 12.08 am and responded promptly.

He said, “Efforts made by the fire service prevented an MRS filling station close by from being engulfed by the fire. We lost some of our fire-fighting equipment to the fire, which could have lasted up to 20 more operations.

Farinloye added that the situation was already under control when NEMA arrived. According to him, the community youths played a significant role in reducing the extent of damage which the fire created.

“Ten of the 34 affected houses were completely destroyed, while the others were partially scorched. Also, 70 shops were burnt. The tanker and a tricycle were the only vehicles affected,” he added.

Speaking to SUNDAY PUNCH at the scene of the incident on Saturday, Head of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Femi Giwa, advised the public to stay away from the areas cordoned off, the buildings razed by the fire, to avoid secondary emergency. “They should ensure that they do not go into some of those shops that are burnt until the integrity of those buildings is ascertained,” he added.

Victims lose properties, life savings

Owing to the fire outbreak caused by the fuel tanker crash, scores of residents and small-scale business owners in Idimu lamented their loss of properties which values run into millions of naira.

Some of the victims, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH in separate interviews, expressed despair over their losses.

‘I have lost N1.5m’

A visibly devastated Mr. Sodiq Olalere, whose shop was razed by the inferno, told our correspondent that he lost about N1.5m worth of goods.

He said, “I sell tables, compact discs and accessories. This is one of the two shops I have. Everything I have in this one got burnt. I wasn’t aware of the fire until later this morning because my phone was switched off all night.

“It was one of the residents behind my shop that contacted me. He had apparently been trying to reach me throughout the morning. As soon as I turned on my phone, I got a phone call from him, informing me that there was a fire outbreak. I have lost at least N1.5m.”

According to Olalere, he hurried to the shop and arrived at around 10am to find that none of his wares could be salvaged. He said he had had the shop for two years, while expressing his regret that he could not be there on time to put out the fire.

‘Over N5m gone’

Chiwendu Okoli, whose older brother owns a supermarket on Ejigbo Road, a few metres from the scene of the incident, said his family had lost more than N5m to the disaster.

With a gloom look on his face, he told our correspondent that he arrived soon after the fire began but the inferno was too fierce to be put out. Okoli said it destroyed everything in the shop beyond salvage.

Provisions store ravaged

Similarly, Mrs. Bukky Adeyanju, who had a provision store, put her loss at about N300,000. Burnt exercise books, egg trays, packaged foodstuffs, deep freezer, bags of sachet water, among others, were seen in her shop.

Adeyanju said she was devastated by the extent of damage done to her shop.

Neighbours and sympathisers were seen gathered around her, offering words of condolence.

N900,000 goods destroyed

In the same vein, a boutique owner, Mrs. Lola Abiola, who was inconsolable when our correspondent arrived at her shop, told our correspondent that the fire destroyed her goods worth about N900,000.

She was also surrounded by sympathisers, who prevented pressmen from getting closer to her.

‘New business plans thwarted’

Juliet Ochang, who lives on Ejigbo Road, also said she lost N106, 000 to the fire, which had just been contributed by family members and friends for her to start a new trade.

“I went for a vigil last night and when I came back, the entire building was in flames. I had planned to shop for goods such as chairs, small generators and clippers to launch my business,” she lamented.

‘We broke fence to escape’

Another resident on Ejigbo Road, Adeyemi Musa, who narrated how he escaped being consumed by the fire, said the fire almost consumed his house but for prompt reaction from occupants of the building.

According to him, about 50 residents occupied the house.

Musa said, “I was inside when, all of a sudden, I heard a loud bang. I thought it was a bomb. I ran outside and saw the flames coming towards my house. I quickly broke the fence behind my compound so that the people in my building could escape.

“It was with the help of one of our neighbours who sells water that we were able to contain the fire. We mixed the water with detergent to quench it considerably.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/another-lagos-tanker-fire-razes-34-houses-70-shops/

Aitee1:
sometimes those who fly solo have the strongest wing.

Not so sure if this your quote applies in this case ooo.

Adaeze003:
Money...

Low self esteem...

Lack of parental guidance or love...

And yea choice...

Also very true...

EroticAngelina:
True. buh that guy isn't the only guy in the world.

A lady who refuses to opt out of an abusive relationship is only encouraging the guy the more to continue with his acts. Not sure why you will receive constant slaps and blows from someone and you will still see him as your messiah...which kind love be dat

buygala:
Now op,

Who should we be laughing at?

The girl who was going about her business, or your jobless self who couldn't find anything better to do than taking pishures of busy people at odd nocturnal hours?

Op, One of the major steps to having a long and good life is minding one's own business

Very True!

No woman should endure any form of maltreatment from any guy.

It is sad when you find a beautiful young lady with potentials clinging to a guy who treats her badly, even hits her and feels good about it.

They give you so many reasons why they cannot leave him. Here are some sad reasons.

1. Fear: Most ladies hang on to unhealthy relationships because they are afraid of the future. They do not see any life outside being with the guy.

2. Loneliness: Most girls dread being lonely. They rather be with someone, than stay single.

3. Sympathy: Women, being nurturers tend to get convinced when the guy appeals to their motherly side.

4. Emotional and material investment: Ladies tend to hold on to unhealthy relationships, because they feel they are the ones to lose out. They begin to calculate the “body,” financial, emotional investments they have made.

5. Pressure: Sometimes, family and peer pressure make them hang on .

6. Hope: Sadly, most ladies in unhealthy relationships actually hope the guy will change.

OREMUSSANCTUS:
Fayose
D man whose political wisdom surpasses or equals dat of "awolowo"
D "mugabe" of our generation
How I wish say na sahara reporters d guy beat
I for happy

No wonder your moniker even sounds complicated...Anyway, in case you don't know, Awolowo was never a tyrant, hence no comparison between Awo and Mugabe...

Some thugs loyal to Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday descended on The PUNCH Correspondent in Ekiti State, Kamarudeen Ogundele, beating him to stupor while on official duty.

The thugs, who continued to lay siege to the House of Assembly Complex and all roads leading to the state capital, attacked him around noon on Bank Road, very close to a road-block mounted by the police near the Assembly complex.

He had gone to gauge the mood in town when the thugs descended on him for trying to take the picture of women praying for peace in the state, about 200 metres away from the Assembly complex.

Many of the loyalists of the governor and members of the Peoples Democratic Party lined up all the major streets leading to the complex to prevent the 19 APC lawmakers from gaining entry to the assembly to actualise their move to impeach Fayose.

His dress was torn into shreds by the hoodlums who were angry with him for taking picture after seizing his phone.

He said, “I was about leaving the place when I saw the women praying for peace to reign in the state. I felt it was a spiritual approach to the trouble in the state, so I decided to take the picture. The thugs emerged from their hideouts and swooped on me.

“I kept shouting ‘I’m a journalist’ but they did not show me mercy as they pounced on me. They were like 50 persons kicking me all at the same time. They dragged me out of the car and continued hitting me. At a time, one of them went to carry a big plank of wood in an attempt to hit my head.

“Two policemen raced to the scene to intervene but they were overwhelmed by the mob. One of the policemen started shouting, ‘run, run, run, don’t let them kill you!’ I thought the end had come because they continued beating me. Luckily for me, a few among them felt they had beaten me enough and started fighting their colleagues to let me go. I capitalised on their disagreement and with the help of the police, I quickly escaped.”

The governor later called one of the leaders of the Nigerian Union of Journalist in the state to apologise for his supporters’ action. He also expressed regret over the mob action.

While condemning the incident, Fayose said the action of the overzealous men should not be taken for action of his government.

He assured journalists that they would be guaranteed freedom to discharge their duties without fear or favour in the state, and without intimidation from any quarter.

Meanwhile, riot policemen took over the Efon Alaaye, the border town of Ekiti State with Osun State, where some supporters of the PDP had prevented free vehicular movement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Idowu Faleye, has said the insistence of the 19 APC lawmakers to impeach Fayose would definitely affect their political future in the state.

eazisky:
A shame to u might be another mans pride, so zip up ur lips

I can see why he is your role model...

eazisky:
Fayose begs no one i repeat, have u ever asked ur self why fayose is a role model to many?

What a shame? Role model to you...

kazmanbanjoko:
His impeachment notice has already been signed by PMB. So, he should not bother begging him.

eazisky:
Some punks here believed fayose will be i impeached,


the fayose i know begs no one, ask obasanjo

When lightening struck, Gbagbo begged, Samuel Doe did and the list goes on and on...In a nutshell, even the most hardened minds bow along the line. Let his a*ss be on fire and let's see if he won't beg...

kokozain:
why are these guys calling on baba when he was not the one that gave ekiti lawmakers mantle of power. Or they think its like before that mama peace will be jumping from one state to another in place of her hubby. This is the change we are talking about baba will never intervain.

It is a show of shame for Fayose and PDP. So now he acknowleges Buhari, forgetting all the rain of abuse and curses he passed to the general before election.
Fayose, in everything you do, always remember that thunder will continue to fire you...

Tension rose again in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday as supporters of the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and some Peoples Democratic Party members laid siege to the state House of Assembly in Ado Ekiti .

Their action was to prevent the 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers from gaining entry to the assembly to actualise their move to impeach Fayose.

While the siege lasted, the national leadership of the PDP and Fayose urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter.

News had filtered into the state on Sunday night that the lawmakers had assembled in a hotel in a neighbouring state preparatory to sneaking into Ado Ekiti to remove Fayose and his deputy, Kolapo Olusola.

It was gathered that the news made the police to quickly cordon off the major roads leading to the Assembly complex with their patrol vans and an Armoured Personnel Carrier .

The PDP members and commercial motorcyclists blocked the secretariat and NTA roads which also lead to the complex.

As of 3p.m on Monday, the policemen, the PDP members and the commercial motorcyclists were still seen blocking the roads.

As the tension heightened, Fayose made a statewide broadcast during which he again called on the people to defend the mandate given to him by them.

After the broadcast, commercial life in the city went dead as traders hurriedly locked their shops while civil servants closed their offices and left for their homes.

Fayose had before the broadcast told journalists that all the entitlements of the APC lawmakers had been paid, contrary to Speaker Adewale Omirin’s denial.

The governor flaunted copies of Skye Bank cheques dated May 26, 2015 and issued to the lawmakers to corroborate his claim.

One of the cheques, which bore the name Boluwade Kehinde was received on behalf of the lawmaker and had a sum of N2, 149, 052 .37 on it.

Fayose warned that it would amount to contempt of court for Omirin and his colleagues to continue with the impeachment proceedings against him.

He made reference to the ruling by Justice E.S. Chukwu of the Federal High Court, which ordered that the status quo as of April 23 be maintained pending the determination of a motion on notice before him(Chukwu).

The factional Speaker, Dele Olugbemi, and six other lawmakers had in the suit sought an interlocutory injunction among other reliefs restraining the APC lawmakers from commencing impeachment against Fayose.

The governor said, “They have been dropping the name of President Buhari as giving them the backing to impeach me. How can an Assembly, whose tenure will wind up on Thursday be planning this. I wonder why the issue of the past should be allowed to come to play out now.

“As of the day the court gave the order, I mean April 23, Omirin was not the speaker. It will be wrong for the court order not to be respected. This is illegality and I want to raise this for the public to know.

“Omirin had gone to court to challenge his impeachment but he later withdrew his case, which means he accepted he had been impeached. A cost of N100, 000 was awarded against him.

“So, he is not the Speaker. I am calling on well-meaning Nigerians, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, and President Buhari to intervene in this matter.

“How can somebody be living in another state and be planning to invade his own state; this is something else and I view this as a major crime anyone can commit against his people.”

On the payment of the salaries and other benefits to the APC lawmakers, Fayose said, “They came to collect the cheques in Ado Ekiti in company with the Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo.

“The issue would have been discussed publicly during a peace parley but they insisted that it should not be discussed openly because they didn’t want the leaders of their party to know,” he added.

Fayose urged the Ekiti people to keep their eyes on the lawmakers and prevent them from carrying out their plot to remove him.

In Abuja, the PDP accused the outgoing APC lawmakers of trying to cause mayhem as a means of securing political control of the state.

The party warned in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, that its members would be fully mobilised to resist the scheme.

It alleged that the move to create confusion in the state by the lawmakers was a final attempt in their failed mission to unseat Fayose.

The PDP warned the lawmakers to watch their steps and not to take its civility for granted as it would not hesitate to defend the governor with all the force availed by the law.

The statement read in part, “We wish to state in very clear terms that we would not condone any more move by the rejected APC lawmakers to subvert the will of the people of Ekiti state as expressed in the mandate freely given to Governor Fayose.

“These outgoing APC lawmakers whose mandates have already been withdrawn by the people should watch their steps and not in any way take our civility and Governor Fayose’s deportment for peace, unity and harmony for granted.

“We issue this as a final warning. Our members and supporters in Ekiti State are able, willing and ready to defend our mandate using all available instruments granted by the law.

“We have the capacity and will have no other option unless the APC lawmakers retrace their steps and embrace peace. Enough is enough.”

It added that it would not in any way “condone or tolerate any move by the APC lawmakers to subvert the course of justice”.

While commending the people of the state for their courage in standing by Fayose, the party urged Buhari to caution the lawmakers especially given the olive branch already extended to them by the governor.

The party also charged security agencies to be on the alert and ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the state.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, also said that Buhari and the the international community needed to intervene in the Ekiti crisis.

Secondus accused the APC of planning to cause confusion in Ekiti and other PDP-controlled states, warning that such a step was detrimental to the survival of democracy in the country.

He said, “It is the plan of APC to cause crisis in Ekiti State. It is the plan of APC to systematically cause crisis in the PDP-controlled states and this will not augur well for democracy in Nigeria.

“If you recall, PDP has nurtured this democracy for 16 years and we are having today, that has the rule of the game, they are now in power. They were not coerced; they were allowed freedom of the press; rule of law was obeyed and today, Buhari is the President of our dear country.

“We call on the President and we call on the international community to quickly look at what is happening in Ekiti. We ask that the rule of law should be followed.

http://www.punchng.com/news/impeachment-fayose-pdp-beg-buhari-to-intervene/

SWAGGAVILLAGE:
naija and taking justice into their hands een


Hello all nairalanders,my name is Martins,am a final year student at one of Nigerias higher institutions.. I am aspiring to be the next Mr Nairaland but I can't do that without your help.I believe I have got what it takes to snatch the crown if only I can get your support.you can check my pix on my profile to asses..I won't disappoint you if you give me your support.. Right now,I need you to join my campaign team let's plan to win,cos if we don't,it means we are planning to fail..your support will go a long way in boosting my chances.
I can't do it without y'all. You can contact me on whatsapp with 08036841786 to join my campaign group so as to discuss or you can simply quote me your number or PM it to me.. May God bless you all and grant you heart desires as you support me in making mine a reality. Thanks

U miss road...turn left...

Ruq:
Your school, you claim covenant and we see your Matric at Ofa Poly.

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA...very funny...