Great Emma's Blog

Editorial The Lagos State government has sent the appropriate warning to schools in the state that it would no longer condone cheating in examinations by punishing 46 secondary schools over examination malpractices. The malpractices occurred in the 2020 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Twenty-seven of the schools were punished for malpractices in WASSCE and the rest for infringements in BECE. The public relations officer, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mr Olaniran Emmanuel, said the sanctions were sequel to the recommendations of the panels set up to investigate the allegations, based on the directive of the commissioner for education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo. We commend the state government, even if what it did is what is expected of any responsible institution in the circumstance. It is not all the time that governments have the courage to take such action, esp

By Raymond Mordi The National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Olawale Oshun, has called on the government to restructure the country to save it from collapse. Oshun made the remark yesterday when he led protesters from 25 pan-Yoruba groups at a rally at the Beko Ransome-Kuti Park, Anthony, Lagos. The other groups include Omo Oodua Ronu, Apapo Oodua Koya, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Reformed OPC, Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Group (COSEG), New Era, Oodua National Coalition (ONA), Oodua Youth Movement and Network of Yoruba Alliance. The organisers of the rally, which was part of the historic events marking the 28th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, said they were adding their voices to those of other Nigerians that are not happy with the state of affairs in the country, particularly the growing incidences of violence, kidnappings and the continued preference for open grazing. Oshun said it was in the interest of the government to answer the

Our Reporter Lagos State Government has given 890 Lagosians empowerment tools, including grinding machines, sewing/ whipping machines, hair dressing appliances, sterilising sets, popcorn production machines, generators, gas cookers and cylinders, among others. The donation was made during the 2021 quarterly mega empowerment programme for vulnerable women and indigent residents at an event organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA). Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, said the items would help  in overcoming the effect of the harsh economic realities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Read Also;  Speaker empowers constituents at second anniversary He said the gesture was in line with one of the administration’s objectives to alleviate poverty through the implementation of empowerment programmes targeted at women and other vulnerable groups. The gove

By Gbenga Ogundare The Albino Network Association (TANA) has urged the government to address the barriers that Persons With Albinism (PWA) confront in their struggle to access healthcare services and employment in Nigeria. TANA raised the concerns ahead of the 2021 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), marked every June 13. Its chairman Mr Jaiyeola Fatungase said: “Though in Nigeria, killing and maiming of Persons living with Albinism is rare, the stigma associated with the condition is debilitating. “Many PWAs across communities in Nigeria continue to bear the burden of skin cancer even though it is preventable if detected early. Read Also:  Obaseki pays N1.5m medical bills for three albinos “Poverty, social exclusion, scarce and expensive sunscreen, as well as non-inclusion of PWAs in the health policy of the government is an infringement of our right to health and makes skin cancer a major threat to our longevity especially for those in rural areas. “As one of the marg

By Zainab Olufemi and Halimah Balogun Family members and well-wishers of late Pastor Ibidunni Ituah-Ighodalo on Monday marked the first memorial anniversary of the late pastor, who died on June 14, 2020, with a service at the Trinity House in Lagos. At the event, dignitaries paid tributes to the sterling virtues of the late pastor. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described her as a notable person, who had the heart of helping others in any way she possibly. He added that the pastor ensured she made an impact on the people in the society. Sanwo-Olu added that she was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to serving people selflessly. The governor called on the families of the deceased to take heart and continue to move her legacy forward. Read Also;  Ibidunni, the butterfly, Fashola’s tribute to Ituah-Ighodalo’s wife The widower, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, noted that it has been tough for him since his wife passed on, adding that God has been gracious to him as he was able

By Oyebola Owolabi Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday opened the 110- bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) at the Epe General Hospital. He promised that his administration will build more of such facilities to improve access to the best pre- and post-natal care. He said: “I feel fulfilled to be in Epe to open this facility today. At the opening of the MCC in Badagry last December, I reiterated our government’s commitment to the eradication of maternal and child mortality in Lagos through consistent action and smart investments. Our overarching goal is to eradicate infant and child mortality in our state while our women must no longer die while giving life. “We remain unwaveringly committed to this goal. This maternal and child centre brings to four the total number of MCCs delivered by this administration. The others are in Badagry, Eti-Osa and Igando. Read Also:  Sanwo-Olu commissions ljede, ltamaga, lkorodu roads “We are not done; our plan is to build maternal chi

By Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan The debt profile of the Oyo State Government has reduced by as much as N7.4 billion in the last two years of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, it was learnt on Monday Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Makinde, who stated this while responding to a statement by the Ajimobi Legacy Forum (ALF), said the late governor led a substandard governance. Adisa said his claim was informed by data and statistics from the Debt Management Office, describing a statement credited to the ALF, which accused Makinde of poor governance, as not well-thought-out and premised on fraudulent statistics. The CPS said due to the prudent management of the state’s resources by the governor, the state’s domestic debt was reduced from N99.3 billion, which it inherited from the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s government in 2019 to N91.9 billion as shown by statistics made available by the DMO in March 2021. Read Also:  Oyo will launch anti-open grazing task forc