The Lagos State Police Command has given a one month grace to motorists for the regularisation of vehicle documents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, in a statement on Tuesday, said the command had suspended the ongoing Operation Velvet for one month based on the appeal of the Governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, and members of the state House of Assembly.
Oti said, “The authorities of the Lagos State Police Command have suspended the ongoing Operation Velvet for a period of one month with effect from Tuesday, October 30, 2018, to enable motor vehicle and motorcycle owners’ to have time to regularise their documents.
“The operation, aimed at enforcing all relevant traffic laws to restore orderliness on our roads and highways, was put on hold for a period of one month based on the appeal of the executive Governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the honourable members of the state House of Assembly.
“However, the command wishes to warn all road users that the grace period should not be interpreted as a period of lawlessness on the city roads. It is a time allowed to get the vehicle documents and necessary permits.
“It warns that the command will continue to enforce laws against driving on BRT lanes, parking at unauthorised places thereby causing gridlock and driving against traffic (one way).”
Jimi Agbaje Explains Why He Is Not Campaigning Yet.
Many Lagosians have criticised Jimi Agbaje for being "too quiet" and not making his presence felt in the political landscape of Lagos. The criticisms come in two forms:
1) Some people say that Mr Agbaje is only seen when it's time to contest elections and then he disappears after losing the election and is not seen until four years later when it's time to contest another election. They say that he doesn't speak out about the issues that affect Lagosians in the intervening years between elections. For example, they say that he didn't say anything when issues like poor refuse collection and terrible traffic jams were plaguing Lagosians. Some people compare him to Engineer Funsho Williams who always spoke about issues that affected Lagosians, regardless of whether it was an election year or not.
Funsho Williams contested for the governorship of Lagos in 2003 on the platform of PDP. He lost to Bola Tinubu of the AD. You would have thought that his loss would have been the end of the story, but it wasn't.
For several months c2003-2005 there was a fantastic advertisement battle between Funsho Williams' camp and Bola Tinubu's camp. It was simply fantastic.
There were no insults or personal attacks. Instead each day Funsho Williams' team picked a sector of life in Lagos and criticised it based on available facts and figures. They went through education, transport, the economy, etc. and presented facts to back their arguments that the government of Bola Tinubu was not doing what it was supposed to do.
Dele Alake replied on behalf of the government. He refuted Engineer Williams' claims with facts and figures of his own. Every advert that the Williams' camp placed was followed by an advert by Dele Alake. There was no name calling or personal attacks. It was strictly an issues based battle. In fact, both camps occasionally complimented each other. This is what politics should be!
I never missed a newspaper because I didn't want to miss one of those adverts. It was rivetting and satisfying. This is what politics should be!
2) Some people also criticise Mr Agbaje because they believe that he has not made any major statement since he won the PDP governorship primaries. They say that the candidate of the APC, Babajide Sanwo-olu has been in the news virtually every day since he won the primaries. He has been holding town hall meetings, meeting with stakeholders, etc. but nothing has been heard of Mr Agbaje.
Well, Jimi Agbaje has now reacted to the criticisms.
Jimi Agbaje @jimiagbaje
Good morning Lagos, my team and I have gotten a barrage of questions asking why I haven’t been actively campaigning in public and I think it's about time that we addressed it.
Let’s be clear, the INEC rules guiding this election unequivocally state that campaigning for the 2019 gubernatorial elections shall not begin until the 1st of December, 2018. In their words - not mine - and I quote,
“For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party (not just candidates) shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”
Now if that is the rule, then we have no choice but to abide by it - even if it might sound unpopular to do so. And quite frankly, what precedence would we set if we are not keeping to the rules of competition.
To my supporters and well-wishers, I understand that we’re anxious to get this campaign on the road, but it’s important that we are also mindful of the bigger task ahead - which isn’t just about winning an election but about changing mindsets
and sending a strong message across Lagos that under our watch, it wouldn't be business as usual. If our goal is to bring reform and order to governance in Lagos, if our mission is to fundamentally transform the way government works for the greater good of our people
and not a few vested interests, then we must begin by setting an example by obeying instructions. So I implore everyone to please hold on to those wonderful banners, posters and boards until the 1st of December. Let’s win this one again, the right way.
Friends, we have an opportunity in this election to really make it about the people of Lagos and not our personal egos. Currently, Lagos ranks as one of the top 7 economies in Africa yet - like a good friend of mine puts it, “majority of us work like elephants but eat like ants."
What happened to Lagos? The size of our economy today is as large as the entire economy of Nigeria in 1999 yet we cannot boast of the sort of infrastructure that is worthy of a mega city of our status. Think about that for a second.
In this election there are real issues that must be addressed and bold ideas that must be proffered if ever we are to win the Lagos that this generation desires. I'm not under any illusions that this would be easy - which is why we need all hands on deck.
Everyone counts in this struggle to wrestle our dear state from the clutch of overlords and vested interests and I cannot wait to hit the trail to meet and interact with you all.
So if there’s anyone out there who is looking to be part of this dream to set a new trajectory for Lagos -one that puts the interest of the greater good of our people above any one entity; If there's anyone who senses the urgency of the moment and wants to be part of the solution
to the issues that are preventing us from reaching our true potential as a state, we'll be glad if you join us at (link: http://jimiagbaje.com/volunteer) jimiagbaje.com/volunteer where thousands of men and women, young and old, are making their voices heard as we forge a future worthy of the great people of this state.
In closing, let's continue to act as great ambassadors of Lagos and true citizens of Nigeria even as we work within the guidelines of the upcoming election. In the end, the Lagos that this generation desires can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is ours. God bless
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was on Brekete Family Show on Human Rights Radio 101.1 FM, Abuja this morning and he spoke with the show's host, "Ordinary President" Ahmad Isah.
Brekete Family Programme is a radio discussion programme that airs on Human Rights Radio 101.1 FM Abuja between 9am – 10am Mondays to Fridays.
It is conducted in pidgin English and features real life issues and events concerning human rights and contemporary societal issues; it also allows people to call-in during the program.
It is produced by Discovery Media and anchored by 'Ordinary' Ahmed Isa. Ahmed Isa is the founder and president of Brekete Family. It has a slogan Hembelembeh... Olohlololoh!
Thread by @toluogunlesi:
Vice President @ProfOsinbajo is on Human Rights Radio 101.1FM right now. Brekete Family. Tune in. #AsoVillaToday
VP is on a pidgin level on Brekete Hot Seat. 101.1FM. The interview is starting on a bants note but it’s gon heat up, as per Brekete
First question loading.
Conversation starts with context of where Nigeria was when PMB/PYO took office. No savings buffer. Oil prices down drastically, serious disruption of prod by militancy in 2016. FG responded with Bailout for States, halted grand corruption, started infrastructure . #VPOonBrekete
VP: “This government is for the masses. Our focus is how tings go better for common man.” 500,000 @npower_ng beneficiaries - graduates employed and deployed for work and learning. Each beneficiary gets an electronic tablet that provides self-development material #VPOonBrekete
VP: We also have N-Build, which is for artisans & technicians, being trained, also under @npower_ng.
We also have @MarketMoni & @Trader_Moni (for petty traders). TraderMoni is getting to 2 million petty traders by December. “No govt dey give petty trader money.”
#VPOonBrekete
VP tells story of one market he went to where he met a woman selling ponmo. Her entire stock was N5k. “These are the people @Trader_Moni is meant for.”
@Trader_Moni loan starts at 10k, with repayment it grows to 50k, and eventually beneficiaries will graduate to @MarketMoni
VP now speaking about #EnergizingEconomies Initiative, that is bringing stable electricity to markets around Nigeria. Initial phase is ongoing in Sura Shopping Complex (commissioned last week), Ariaria Market, Aba, Sabon Gari Market, Kano, Isinkan Market, Akure, etc #VPOonBrekete
VP: We’re also encouraging State Governments and the private sector to provide power. Nigeria is very big, we cannot depend on one source or one grid. #EnergizingEconomies is focusing on offgrid power. #vponbreketefamily#VPOonBrekete
‘Ordinary President’ now complaining to VP about the harassment traders face from Customs. They’ve asked one woman in the audience to tell her story. #VPonBreketeFamily#VPOonBrekete
Ordinary President is talking about Govt Agencies that are responsive and inspiring. Namechecks @CPCNig:
“That tall gentleman. That man sabe im work! He no give us hope? (Audience: He give us!) He no give us confidence? (he give us!) He no give dis govt good name?” #VPOonBrekete
Ordinary President is now doing Whistleblowing straight to the VP. #VPOonBrekete#VPonBreketeFamily
Calls are coming in from France, Italy, UK, etc. Brekete Family is global. And I think the live-streaming on Facebook helps a great deal! #VPOonBrekete#VPonBreketeFamily
Caller, alluding to the ‘what projects did you start’ debate: “I think I prefer the cook who completes the cooking to the one that starts cooking but never presents any food.” #VPOonBrekete#VPonBreketeFamily
One question comes in challenging the School Feeding Programme in Ogun State
VP is responding w/ the following:
Name and phone number of @NHGSFP Focal Person in Ogun: Mr Leke Adewolu
Contact Details of Schools for the caller to call/Visit for confirmation #VPonBreketeFamily
VP @ProfOsinbajo: “We are not in the business of trying to deceive Nigerians. You can accuse the President and I of anything, but certainly not lying to the people of Nigeria.” #VPOonBrekete#VPonBreketeFamily
VP now asked to round up the show. Also told that he has to shout 3 ‘Hembelembe’ as part of the Brekete Family Tradition. #VPOonBrekete#VPonBreketeFamily
Ex-Nigerian Airways Staff are in the studio to express gratitude: “Our deep appreciation to his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari. Before the election he promised he would pay this [pension], and he did!“
These guys were retired in 2004, and unpaid since then! #VPOonBrekete
VP: If there’s one thing I know about Mr President, he is a man of conscience. If he says he will do something he will do it. And everything he does, is about the common man. I hope that Nigerians will support us to do the things we have promised to do. #VPOonBrekete
Ordinary President to VP: “I want you to personally appreciate the DG of @CPCNig @TundeIrukera, and Servicom. And the IG of Police too dey try.” #VPonBreketeFamily#VPOonBrekete
POLICE TO DECONGEST LAGOS ROADS THROUGH OPERATION RESTORE SANITY
by Security Monitor - 28/10/2018
Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that Operation restore sanity on Lagos roads/Velvet billed to commence tomorrow 29/10/2018, will go on as planned.
However, the aspect of the operation that the deals with the checking of vehicle documents will be secondary as the Police will focus on clearing all encumbrances that give rise to gridlock in order to ensure free flow of traffic throughout the state.
Meanwhile, checking of vehicle documents will commence at a date to be announced later.
It is expected that vehicle and motorcycle owners will use the period afforded to regularise their vehicle documents and ready themselves for the second segment of the operation.
Mintayo: This is Sad. Most times when I read stories like this, I always ask myself how the soldiers that participated in the killings, rapings etc feel after the war. The atrocities they have committed, how do they live with that?
I listened to an interview that General Roméo Dallaire gave to the BBC World Service in the early 2000s.
General Dallaire was the head of the UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda before and during the genocide. He suspected that the killings were about to happen and he asked the UN for more troops (his force was pretty small) but they refused to send more troops to him. The Americans did not want to send more troops to another African country (that they did not really care about) after what happened to their troops in Somalia.
He also asked for permission to seize weapons that the Hutus were stockpiling, but his superiors in New York refused to give him permission.
Eventually he had to focus his small body of troops on parts of Kigali in which he knew that Tutsis were hiding. He eventually saved thousands of Tutsis.
Yet he had post traumatic stress disorder because of the events that he witnessed in Rwanda. He repeatedly tried to kill himself because of the psychological torture he experienced whenever he remembered what happened in Rwanda.
Car Talk › Police Suspend Operation Velvet For One Month by naptu2(op): 3:37pm On Oct 31, 2018
