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. ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin The Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that none of its members defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Scores of PDP members, including former 16 council chairmen, their deputies, supervisory councillors and councilors, had on Saturday defected to APC at an event to mark democracy day in the state. At the event, factional caretaker chair Abdullahi Samari announced that no fewer than 3,500 members of the PDP decamped to the fold of APC. But spokesperson of PDP in the state Tunde Ashaolu described the claim as false and misleading, adding that the “theatrical show that took place at Banquet Hall on Saturday was an attempt at face-saving by the governor. Read Also:  APC suspends Plateau caretaker chairman The PDP said: “Governor AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq was mocked by members of his party for staging what they described as a scam and macabre dance, and cautioned him to stop embarrassing the party. The APC membe...

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has confirmed July 9 as the burial date for the late founder of the church, the late Prophet Temitope Balogun (TB) Joshua. The church said in a statement: “We know you are aware that our father in the Lord, Prophet TB Joshua, has been taken home to be with the Lord. We want to assure you that nothing will stop the work of God at The SCOAN from moving on. Prophet TB Joshua may be absent in the body, but he is present in the spirit (Colossians 2:5); indeed, God is even more powerful at distance! Read Also:  TB Joshua’s spirit appeared to me after his death — Jaiye Kuti “We want you to know that we are currently preparing for the week-long service from 5th to 11th July, 2021 in honour of Prophet TB Joshua’s life and legacy. He will be laid to rest at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos. “All services will be broadcast live on Emmanuel TV. The services which will be open to the...

By Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on Monday called for the empowerment and protection of people living with albinism. He spoke during a virtual event marking World Albinism Day with the theme: “Strength beyond all odds”. In a statement by his spokesman Mr Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said:  “There is a need to see it for what it is, a genetic difference not a contagious disease or a public health problem.” Osinbajo said there was the need to “have frank and robust conversations around the protection and empowerment of our compatriots that live with albinism”. Read Also:  Obaseki pays N1.5m medical bills for three albinos “These conversations will drive change in the public domain, where sociocultural perceptions of Albinism that are rooted in ignorance and superstition can finally be laid to rest. “We must also go further to take deliberate steps as private individuals and public servants by giving them equal opportun...

By Bolaji Ogundele, Sanni Onogu, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Jos President Muhammadu Buhari, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila,  Deputy Senate president  Ovie Omo-Agege amd Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, have extended their best wishes  to The Nation Editorial Board Chairman Sam Omatseye, on  his 60th birthday. In a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari lauded Omatseye for what he called  his contributions to sustaining the image of the media as an integral part of democracy. He noted that the renowned media guru had done much to earn himself a space in media hall of fame, both at home and on the international stage. The statement said: “President Muhammadu Buhari extends his best wishes to the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation , Sam Omatseye, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. “President Buhari joins members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the literati in celebrating ...

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have scheduled a meeting for on Wednesday to, among others, strategise on how to ensure the implementation of financial autonomy for state Judiciary and Legislature. The Head, Media and Public Affairs, NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo said, in a statement yesterday, that the issue would form a major item on the agenda of the virtual meeting, scheduled for 2pm. Bello-Barkindo said the governors would also deliberate on the Memorandum of Action (MoA) endorsed by representatives of the NGF, the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN). and other stakeholders before the over two-month-old strike by judicial and parliamentary workers was suspended. Read Also;  NGF 30-man team visits Lagos to understudy state’s IGR template He noted that efforts were already under way in states to either constitute the States Accounts Allocation Committees (SAAC) or to inaug...

By Olusegun Adeniyi It was also a Tuesday, exactly 28 years ago today, when the chairman of The Nation editorial board, Mr Sam Omatseye, was to mark his 32nd birthday in Abuja. At that period, I was the Abuja Bureau Chief for African Concord, a fanciful title conferred on me by the trio of the magazine’s publisher, Mr Deji Abiola, editor-in-chief, Mr Lewis Obi, and editor, Mr Soji Omotunde, even when I was just another bloody reporter in the vast media empire of the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola at the time. And it was precisely because of Abiola that Omatseye’s birthday assumed some significance that day. As the deputy political editor at National Concord, Omatseye had arrived in Abuja from Lagos to monitor the release of the results of June 12, 1993, presidential elections conducted three days earlier. Since it was clear that our chairman and Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Abiola, was going to become the president-elect, the Abuja Concord office where Chief Ol...

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has given candidates who have generated their profile codes until today to complete their registration for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry Examination. The board asked the candidates to visit specially-designated registration centres to complete the registration. The board stated this on Monday, in a statement by its Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja. According to the statement, each candidate posted to any non- JAMB-owned computer-based test (CBT) centre is expected to pay the registration fee of N1,000. Read Also;  Row over ‘JAMB regularisation’ It said: “The candidates who have not registered but have secured the profile codes and initiated the registration process are expected to visit specially designated registration centres to complete the registration on Tuesday, 15th of June, 2021. “Designated registration centre for each candidate is being forward...

By Tajudeen Adebanjo The Lagos State Ferry Service Company (LAGFERRY) has flagged off a promo tagged “Sailin ‘N’ Smilin” Raffle Draw. LAGFERRY said it was meant to encourage water transportation and also reward customers. At a briefing in Ikoyi Terminal, LAGFERRY’s Managing Director AbdoulBaq Ladi Balogun winners would go home with a brand new car and other mouth-watering prizes. According to him, everybody that patronise the company will win something. Balogun said since its February 6 inauguration by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, LAGFERRY has moved 502,000 people on the Lagos waterways. “We achieved this feat with 12 boats and now the governor has added eight other boats making 20. This is excluding other private operators or local boat operators. Read Also:  LAGFERRY commutes 200,000 passengers in 150 days “In Nigeria, no boat operator owns up to 20 fleets in operation. We are making history by having that much in our fleet,” he said. He recalled how transported the Sup...

By Oyebola Owolabi The search has begun for children to be recognised as child heroes in the 2021 Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) . The IIDA award , in its 13th year, is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Dufil Prima Foods Plc., makers of Indomie Noodles, to honour heroic Nigerian children. It identifies, celebrates, and rewards the exemplary accomplishments of children who have shown uncommon courage and determination in precarious situations. The award also encourages excellence and diligence in children. Read Also:  Imo decries rising cases of violence against children The search will cut across eight states of Lagos, Osun, Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, Enugu, Kwara, and Abuja, and will last for seven weeks. Head of Marketing Sukhman Kaur said the initiative is significant as it is rooted in the recognition of children whose best efforts are often overlooked in the society. She said: “This initiative is a reflection of the importance and belief of our co...

By Ekaete Bassey Nollywood actresses, Iyabo Ojo and Mercy Aigbe have sheathed their swords and embraced peace. Both movie stars were guests at Toyin Lawani’s wedding ceremony on Saturday, June 12 and showed up in stunning outfits. Recall that last year, a popular Instagram blog revealed there was a silent beef between Mercy and Iyabo Ojo. It was reported Mercy got angry because Iyabo didn’t acknowledge her when she posted the photo of her late mother. Although the duo neither confirmed nor debunked the story, they haven’t been seen together in public for a long time and it led fans to believe that there was indeed a silent beef between both ladies. READ ALSO:  Toyin Abraham weighs in on bad friends However, that has been quelled now with the recent photo they shared. Their mutual friend, Toyin Abraham seemingly took credit for bringing the ladies together as she shared the photo with the caption; “Yesss I did it! iyaboojofespris realmercyaigbe love you both #ilovepeace #il...

By Fredrick Nwabufo SIR: Is a critic condemned to only hunt for faults? Should he be impervious to hope, optimism and positivity or should he be amenable to fairness, truth and sanguinity – even if the facts are not in harmony with his public posture? It is customary here once you are branded a ‘’critic’’ of the government you are expected to only breathe fire like a dragon – ‘’see no good, speak no good; – just attack and attack’’. This is the fallout out of militarised socialisation – a hangover of military-era opposition. During Nigeria’s military rule, scorched-earth activism/criticism was the definitive approach to the government and rightly so. Down with the Kaiser! If you betray any emotion for the Kaiser, then you are a traitor who must be hanged ‘’comrade-style’’. Insecurity remains a detraction to the achievements of the Buhari administration. While most of us agree that the performance of the government on security has not been impressive, very few may want to acknowled...

Editorial It is tragic that Nigeria has become a killing field. Across the country, whether in the east, west or north, the story is one of mass killings, as if life has become worthless. One of such killings took place in Igangan, Ibarapa, Oyo State, where about 11 people were murdered in cold blood. According to reports, the invasion of Igangan lasted for about five hours, during which many houses, including the palace of Ashigangan of Igangan, Oba Lasisi Adeoye, vehicles, and a filing station were also razed. Surprisingly, despite the hype about security consciousness in that part of the country, attackers operated for hours, maiming and killing citizens. While the attack lasted, where were the police, the army, the Department of State Security and a host of other security agencies? According to reports, the state government was warned about the impending attack. If that is true, we condemn the lack of protection of the citizens, whose lives and properties have now been destroyed....

By Sam Omatseye My first meeting with M.K.O. Abiola came early in my career as a reporter with the Newswatch magazine. I had come early to the office, and assistant editor Dare Babarinsa asked me to accompany him to the chief’s house for an interview. I was a society reporter covering the popular celebrity column Newsliners, and my social diary had no urgency. I was free to be hunted. I jumped into Dare’s eternal beetle. Excitement ran in my blood like a swallow cruising under an eave, though I suppressed it beside Dare. I had not seen MKO up close. The last time he was within my ken was at Ife when red-blooded radicals booed him out of the majestic Oduduwa Hall. He was regarded as the icon of parasitic capitalism, a robust bug of rapine and glamour. We did not have to wait long at his reception, but not before I had a sense of the man’s aura among the fair sex when a vainglorious young lady’s lips unfurled fantasies about her intimacy with the great man. She probably thought she al...

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka; John Ofikhenua, Abuja; Bassey Anthony, Uyo; Augustine Okezie, Katsina; Segun Showunmi, Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan; Linus Oota, Lafia; Elo Edremoda, Warri; Nsa Gill, Calabar; Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt; Osagie Otabor, Akure; Duku Joel, Damaturu; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta; Bisi Olaniyi, Benin; Chris Njoku, Owerri; Simon Utebor, Yenagoa; Toba Adedeji, Osogbo and Tajudeen Adebanjo Nigerians are seeking urgent action on the power crisis. There are tales of woe across the country on the worsening electricity supply. Many businesses struggle to stay afloat because of the huge spending on diesel. Many other firms have been forced to close down. Some consumers, especially those yet to be metered, lamented that despite the epileptic supply, they are ripped off through very high bills. Others urged the Federal Government to reverse the power sector privatisation. President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, told our correspon...

By Lekan Ale · Regina Askia The American-based registered nurse (RN) healthcare and educational activist and television producer writer found fame as an actress and model Askia-Williams is married to American Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Williams, nephew of Ron Everette and grandson of Fess Williams. together The couple has two children – daughter Teesa Olympia and son Rudolph Junior. Askia-Williams’s other daughter, model Stephanie Hornecker, is from a previous relationship. · Ik Ogbonna Actor and model Ik Ogbonna got married to a Columbian, Sonia Morales on June 29, 2015 in Belgrade, Serbia. They have a child together. · Ufuoma McDermott Ufuoma Ejenobor got married on 23 April 2010 to Steven McDermott. Ufuoma and Steven McDermott have two children: Son Isio Jared (born 10 October 2012) and daughter Kesiena (born 8 August 2015). · Uche Jombo The Abia-born Actress, screenwriter and film producer married American born Kenney Rodriguez in 2012 in Puerto Rico and they both have a son togeth...

By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his best wishes to Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr Sam Omatseye, clocking 60. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari lauded Omatseye for his contributions to sustaining the image of the media as an integral part of democracy. Buhari noted that the renowned media guru had done much to earn himself a space in media hall of fame, both at home and on the international stage. “President Muhammadu Buhari extends his best wishes to the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Sam Omatseye, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Read Also:  Buhari not opposed to restructuring – Okechukwu “President Buhari joins members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the literati in celebrating one of their own, who has distinguished himself in his career and gained recognition nationally and internationally for dilig...

By Ayowole Olotupa-Adetona SIR: The challenges facing Nigeria are mounting by the day. If Chinua Achebe was to be alive, he might have considered writing ‘Things Fall Apart Again’. Many Nigerians are genuinely searching for the way out, while many are outrightly disinterested in the entity called ‘Nigeria’. Who would blame them? Maybe changing the country’s name might appease them though. With mayhem unleashed on a daily basis in Nigeria, the entire citizenry and government are largely insecure. However, the hysteria of this insecurity seems to bear heavily on the government, such that anybody and anything appears as a threat to them.  This is a government only at ease with their praise drummers; the driving philosophy is, ‘If you’re not for us, you’re against us’. But can’t we choose just to be for good and progressive governance? There is a dire need for the government at the federal level to re-examine their perception on several issues. The southeast are a threat and menace...