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Crisis ridden Lagos Assembly deepens as embattled Obasa forcefully takeover speaker’s office … presides over 4-member plenary ..we”re standing with Meranda, 36 lawmakers insist 

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Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda
By Our Reporter
The crisis bedeviling  Lagos State House of Assembly for sometime now  took a frightening dimension  on Thursday morning, following the withdrawal of all the police escorts of the Speaker, Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda.

Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa

The withdrawal of the security details has escalated across the state, with several groups condemning the action of the police authorities.
As at the time of filing this report some groups were expressing fears of the safety of the Speaker, stating that the withdrawal of her security details has exposed her to danger.
Daily Echoes Media gathered from a  report made available to the media which says, “All Police escort guarding Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda and those safe guarding the Lagos House of Assembly has been withdrawn with immediate effect leaving the house and the speaker vuberable to attack!!!”
Shortly after, the ousted Speaker of the House, Hon Mudashiru Obasa resumed into the House and gained access to the Speaker’s office.
Obasa made a dramatic return after arriving at the Assembly Complex with security operatives.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa told reporters on the premises of the House.
Asked whether he has been reinstated as speaker, Obasa said, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”
The embattled former Speaker presided over plenary with four other members at the chamber.
As at the time of filing the report, the outcome of the plenary session was not made public.
Meanwhile, we gathered that since the removal of Obasa on January 13, the House has been engulfed in a series of crisis.
The situation has so far been escalated with Department of State Services also got involved.
Though, DSS has given an explanation that the acting Clerk of the House, Babatunde Ottun invited them to provide security, the House condemned the action of the operatives.
The House had argued that the operatives were not invited to lock up the Speaker and other principal officers’ offices.
In the meantime, Thirty-six of the membership of Lagos House of Assembly have resolved to stand firmly behind Meranda.
The decision of the 36 members, who gathered at the Assembly garden on Thursday afternoon, followed the ousted Obasa’s forceful takeover of the office 9of the speaker, aided by retinue of thugs and armed men.
The lawmakers, who had earlier on February 17, passed a vote of confidence on Meranda, dared all consequences to stand by their earlier decision.
A lawmaker who pleaded anonymity, said he and his other colleagues are resolved to ensure that their decision to remove Obasa stands.
“He was not elected speaker from his constituency. We all endured his master-slave relationship for close to 10 years. Now, we have said enough is enough and we are not looking back,” the lawmaker said.
However, four out of 39 other lawmakers, Hon Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly called, Osmak, representing Mushin Constituency 1, Hon. Olumoh Sa’ad Lukman representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 1, Hon.  Abdulkareem Jubreel Ayodeji representing Agege Constituency II and Noheem Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency II, have been spotted accompanying Obasa to the complex.
As at the time of filing this report, the doors to the office of the Speaker had been forced open by Obasa loyalists, with huge-chestesd thugs scattered over strategic places in the complex.
Also, some armed miscreants, who accompanied Obasa to the complex were seen making threatening remarks, and vowing to take possession of all the offices in the complex.
The access roads to the complex have been taken over by people suspected to be Obasa’s thugs who arrived the scene in unmarked Kombi buses .
Motorists were forced to drive through alternative routes as all entrances have been blocked to traffic.
Daily Echoes Media noted that several women groups have also described the withdrawal as an attack on all women in Nigeria, claiming that Princess Meranda is being victimised because of her gender.
“What exactly do they want. This woman did not impose herself on the House. Her choice as Speaker was a unanimous decision of the House. By removing her security details, they have simply exposed her to unnecessary danger. This is not good for our country. It is not good for our democracy. All these dangerous politics must stop.
“I tell you, all these are happening to the Speaker because she is a woman. We know all those behind the crisis, and it is high time they realised that they cannot continue to push women down in the politics of Nigeria. We are still deliberating on what to do, and by the time we are ready, they will realise that women too have powers to defend a fellow woman,”  a leader of the women groups stated.
Another woman leader in the state, who pleaded anonymity, called for action from the women groups in the country. “The time has come for all women in the country to join hands and defend a fellow woman. Speaker Meranda has displayed a true quality of a well-brought-up princess, but the men are not seeing this. All they want is to relegate us to the background in the scheme of things. All her colleagues came together to pick her, but they are okay with. The question that should be asked now is if they act same way if Meranda were their daughter,”
Aside the women, many Nigerians have spoken against the attempts by the powers to arm-twist the assembly members.

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2nd Phase Leaders Complete Training on Leadership and Mediation – Gen. Elaye Lauds Otuaro’s Visionary Drive

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Administrator of the PAP, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, flanked by trainees at the end of leadership training and their masters displayed in exposures

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The 2nd Phase Camp Leaders’ training on “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation”, sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has successfully come to a close Friday on a commendable note.

The intensive leadership-building initiative, held under the distinguished leadership of the Administrator of the PAP, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, aimed to equip leaders with practical skills in peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict resolution—critical tools for sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region.

Reacting to the successful completion of the programme, General Elaye ThankGod Dollar Slaboh, National Chairman of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, alongside his national leadership, congratulated the participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the training.

General Elaye commended Dr. Otuaro for his visionary leadership and strategic direction, which is rapidly changing the dynamics of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, shifting it towards human capital development and long-term peace.

He emphasized that such initiatives are essential for reinforcing grassroots leadership and consolidating the peace already being enjoyed in the region.

> “This training is not just a success for the 2nd Phase; it is a win for the entire Niger Delta. The wisdom of High Chief Otuaro in investing in leadership and conflict resolution will continue to bear fruit,” General Elaye stated.

 

The Presidential Amnesty Programme continues to champion developmental engagements that bridge gaps, empower beneficiaries, and promote sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.

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Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards

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Minister of Regional Development, EngrAbubakar Momoh (right) receiving a n award from Executive Secretary/ National Coordinator of the Institute, Dr. Musa Aliu Yakub Okhumeode

 

Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards

By Our Correspondent

Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh has been conferred with two Awards by the Institute of Professional Economists and Management Policy (IPEPM) tagged ‘ Excellent Leadership Award and Professional Doctorate Fellowship Award”.

Receiving the Awards today in his office, Engr. Momoh, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and reiterated that true governance is about leaving a lasting legacies.

He further said “My track record speaks for itself and is a testament to the awards I have received “.

He used the opportunity to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and resilience in ensuring the holistic development of the country.

According to him, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development is a bold step to integrate all Regional Development Commissions under one coordinated umbrella.

The Ministér said that the recognition bestowed upon him further reinforces his commitment to service and to impact mankind.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is the Executive Secretary/ National Coordinator of the Institute, Dr. Musa Aliu Yakub Okhumeode, said the courtesy visit was to present the prestigious Awards in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contribution to regional and national Development, as well as to seek partnership in strategic training programmes.

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Minna Lack of Sensitisation responsible for transporting small arms and light weapons to criminal gangs-Enanch and offi officials

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The Zonal Director, North Central, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr Abdul Adamu,NUJ council chairmen and otticials and others omrade Abu Nmodu

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Zonal Director, North Central, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche made the submission during a visit to the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Minna.

Of recent, many Nigerians have been apprehended with cache of arms and ammunitions meant for delivery to bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.

This has raised questions as to why some individuals will willingly allow themselves to be used as couriers of illegal weapons to criminals.

The Zonal Director, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche said lack sensitisation on dangers of such acts and intelligence from people are contributing to the spread of arms.

He observed that porous or poorly managed borders and activities of local fabricators who manufacture guns are other sources of weapons proliferation that the Centre is trying to address.

Mr Adamu Enenche who solicited the support of members of the NUJ to enable the Centre to achieve its objectives, promised to synergize with other sister agencies.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu expressed optimism that there would be great reduction of criminal activities once the issue of small arms are resolved.

Comrade Nmodu urged the Centre to be open for collaboration with the Union especially in the area of training members on it’s activities.

Across section of members of the Union who spoke on the occasion stressed the need for the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons to deploy officers of the Centre to the grassroots for easy intelligence gathering.

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