The Federal Government has hinted at the banning of some plastic products, expressing support for the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban Styrofoam and other single-use plastics.

The government says that the ban of some plastic materials is inevitable, even as it urged Nigerians to be prepared for “wholistic circular management of our waste”.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

Menace of single-use plastics needs to be addressed

Salako said the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban Styrofoam and other single use plastics is “a strong signal to businesses and the general public that the menace of single use plastics needs to be comprehensively addressed, if Nigeria is to deliver on her environmental agenda of sustainability.

The minister commended the Lagos State Government for the bold decision to go ahead with the ban.

He said the Federal Ministry of Environment recently inaugurated “an interagency committee to continue the process of robust consultation across government, across businesses and with all stakeholders to birth a sustainable solution that is sensitive to the Nigeria context”.

Banning of some plastic products inevitable

Salako said the ministry is examining policies and initiatives that will drive the production of alternatives to plastics.

• He said, “The current poorly regulated and indiscriminate use of plastics has to be addressed, and Nigerians must prepare for the inevitable change in this area, including banning of some products.
• “In the interim, Nigerians are advised to take personal deliberate environmental actions to reduce and reuse plastics and also explore the growing market of recycling for their plastic waste.
• “In the coming days, robust awareness campaign and sensitization will be rolled out to prepare Nigerians for the inevitable ban of some plastics and the wholistic circular management of our waste.”

What you should know

• Recall that a few days ago, the Lagos State Government had announced the banning of the usage and distribution of single-use plastics especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam across the state due to the menace such plastics are causing on the environment in the densely populated state.
• The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who explained further said that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts.
• He added that the State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment especially for a coastal city.

[Nairametrics]

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted 1,897 senior Police officers to the next rank.

Among the notable officers promoted on January 23, 2024, included AIG Dasuki Galadanci, AIG in-charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, who has been promoted to a deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) to represent the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.

Galadanci will replace DIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, who is expected to retire on February 2 this year.

The commission also elevated 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors-general of Police. However, one of the Commissioners for promotion to AIG was stepped down to enable the Commission review the pending disciplinary matters against the officer, which was sent to the PSC by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The new AIGs are; Yetunde Longe, CP Eastern Ports, Port Harcourt; Haruna Gabriel Garba, CP Federal Capital Territory; Tajudeen Akinwale Abass, CP Delta State; Rex Dundun, CP General Investigation, FCID Annex Kaduna; Durosinmi Olatoye, CP Akwa Ibom State; Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, CP Adamawa State; Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi, CP Ondo State; CP Julius Alawari Okoro; CP Plateau State; George Chijioke Chuku, CP Benue State; Paul Alifa Omata, CP K9 Force Headquarters; Yusuf Adesina Akeem, CP Research and Development, Force Headquarters; Bzigu Yakabu Kwazhi Dali, CP Osun State; Idris Nagoyo, Police Mounted Troop Squadron and CP Ogundare Dare Emmanuel, CP Ekiti state.

The commission also promoted 21 deputy commissioners of police to the substantive rank of commissioners; 20 assistant commissioners to deputy commissioners, 109 chief superintendents to assistant commissioners and 184 superintendents to chief superintendents.

It also considered and approved the promotion of 1,549 assistant superintendents to deputy superintendents.

Spokesperson of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday, said the chairman of the commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, who presided over the management meeting of the commission, had accordingly given anticipatory approval for the appointment of one DIG and promotion of 1,897 senior police officers recommended to the commission by the inspector-general of police.

The 14 commissioners of police and 21 deputy commissioners appeared before the management of the commission for an interactive promotion interview, a condition precedent for their elevation to the next ranks.

Ani further stated that at the interactive session, Arase charged the officers to quickly settle down to their new ranks and go forth and win the war against banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes in the country.

[Leadership]

The Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has abolished the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader of the group, presently occupied by Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan.

Rising from its monthly meeting held at the country home of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, the Ondo state, the group said that the decision was to halt the polarisation.

At the instance of the leader, Pa Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, was mandated to preside over the meeting.

According to the group’s communique read to newsmen, by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by a 92-year-old, Professor of Surgery, Samuel Ibikunle from Ogun State and seconded by Dr Niyi lkuomelo from Ondo state.

Professor lbikunle, while moving the motion said that ” based on the report of the reconciliation committee, that it has reached a dead end and is unable to achieve reconciliation, l, Prof Samuel lbikunle of Ogun state Afenifere, hereby move that the offices of the acting leader and deputy leader should be dissolved into an Afenifere Elders Caucus to be constituted by the leader.”

The communique reads “A motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by Dr. S. J. Ibikunle from Ogun State. It was seconded by members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States.

“When the matter was thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously carried.

“Flowing from this, the Leader then declared as follows: that “In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided as follows: the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader has now been abrogated, the responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus which is hereby constituted.

“Members of the Elders Caucus* are as follow: Chief R. F. Fasoranti – Chairman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, HRM Oba Olu Falae, HE Senator C O Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Arch Bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa rtd, Prof Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi, Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof Samuel Ibikunle, Chief Femi Aluko, Prince Alonge, Dr Yomi Finnih, Prince Olusi, Hon Korede Duyile, Prof Ropo Sekoni, Hon Lekan Alabi and Dr Kunle Olajide.

Also, the group, in the communique, condoled the people of Ondo State over the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The group equally resolved that “There is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.

“Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such.

“Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.

“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.

“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining for instance, Oyo State government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around.

” Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatized hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into Billions of Naira would have been prevented.

“To facilitate the issues in 1 and 2 above, Afenifere again reiterated that the time for Restructuring the country is NOW.

” It therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.

“The organization took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that will quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal.

“The meeting took note of the report that Miyetti Allah Hore set up a 1,144-strong Nomad Vigilante militia in Nassarawa ostensibly to provide security for Fulani herders.

“Afenifere was of the opinion that Miyetti Allah, being a non-state actor, should not have power to do a thing like that.

” It therefore considered the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) to checkmate Miyetti Allah on the issue as timely and in order.

“The meeting expressed the hope that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be giving the necessary push so that life can be easier for the people of Nigeria.

“Among the means of achieving this are taking steps that would strengthen the value of our currency, the Naira, reduce costs of energy (fuel in particular) through local production of petroleum products as well as regular supply of electricity.

“In view of the current high cost of living, Afenifere urged the Federal Government, through its various organs in charge of finance and fiscal policies, to accelerate actions that will strengthen the value of our currency, enhance productivity, reduce costs of items and services all geared towards reducing inflation and enhancing the welfare of the people.

“The meeting renewed its call on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to further encourage the teaching and usage of Yoruba language in schools.

” This can be done by making the language the medium for teaching at elementary and lower level of secondary education as well as making it compulsory for students at school certificate examination level.

” It also urged parents and guardians to teach their children the language as well as encourage its usage as much as possible both in verbal and literary communications.

Pa Fasoranti at the close of the meeting “encouraged Afenifere members to be more committed to the noble ideals that the organization stands for and display Omoluabi ethos as they project Afenifere further in their respective states.

He prayed “for the success of government at all levels so that the people can enjoy a better lease of life.

Present at the meeting include Prof Ropo Sekoni, Otunbo Kole Omololu, former governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Osun deputy governor, lyiola Omisore, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Agbakin Ademola Folarin, Pastor Bola Bolawole, Chief lmam of Yorubaland, Abduraheem Aduranigba amongst others.

Olayide Owolabi Adelami, the nominee for the position of deputy governor of Ondo State, is scheduled to undergo screening before the Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday, January 26.

The speaker of the Ondo Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, announced this during Wednesday’s plenary after reading a letter from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Oladiji said the governor acted in line with Section 191(3) b&c of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

Here are 11 things to know about the new Ondo deputy Gov nominee

1. Chief Adelami who hails from Owo, Owo local government area

2. He was born over six decades ago to the family of Oluka Oribokun by Pa and Mrs Amos Adelami.

3. Adelami was an APC governorship aspirant in 2020 but stepped down for the late Akeredolu.

4. He was first enlisted into the Federal Civil Service as an Accountant II in December 1983

5. Adelami retired as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly l in April 2018.

6. He graduated from the prestigious Imade College in Owo before proceeding to The Polytechnic, Ibadan for his GCE A level

7. He later went to the University of Lagos for his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He further got an MBA degree from Ogun State University.

8. In 1988 he was later posted to the National Assembly Provisional Office, Abuja as one of the pioneer staff of the Constituent Assembly which metamorphosed into the present-day National Assembly.

9. In 1996, he was invited to help in setting up the Accounts Department of the Petroleum Special Trust Fund.

10. In 2014, he was promoted to the position of Secretary (Permanent Secretary) at the Directorate of Procurement, Estate and Works. A position he held until he was appointed as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly.

11. He also served at the Family Support Trust Fund as head of the Finance and Accounts Department between 1996 and 2000.

[TheNation]

A Nigerian man, Saheed Wahab, reportedly died a day after relocating to the United Kingdom for his master’s degree.

Wahab, who arrived at Teesside University, UK, as a student on January 15, 2024, to start his programme reportedly died on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

The death was confirmed in a statement released by the Nigerians in the UK Community and posted on the group’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

The statement partly read, “Following the sad news we received regarding the death of Mr Saheed Wahab, a student at Teesside University who died a day after arriving in the United Kingdom from Nigeria.

“He was here to start an MSc qualification, but unfortunately he died on Tuesday (16th January) afternoon in Teesside.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his sins and accept his return.”

The community noted that it has reached out to the family of the deceased for burial arrangements.

The statement noted, “We have reached out to his wife and family members in Nigeria, and they’ve given us permission to act on their behalf and arrange a funeral service for him here in the United Kingdom.

“We’ve also been able to contact the coroner where his remains is.”

Following his death, his Janazah (funeral) arrangement has been scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Jamia Masjid Al Madina, 133a Waterloo Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 3JB.

[Punch]

A former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, has been nominated as the new Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

Adelami’s nomination came shortly after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the dissolution of members of the State Executive Council in the cabinet, who worked under the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

An alumnus of Imade College, Adelami obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Lagos before proceeding to get his MBA from Ogun State University.

He was a deputy clerk at the National Assembly before retiring in April 2018.

Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed the nomination of Adelami in a statement on Wednesday.

Adelami’s nomination is believed to have laid to rest agitations for the appointment of a new deputy governor for the state following the emergence of Aiyedatiwa.

Aiyedatiwa became the substantive governor of the state after the demise of Akeredolu, who passed on after battling protracted prostrate cancer.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, said the President has no plans to move the Federal Capital to Lagos.

Onanuga said those peddling rumour are dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, trying to draw attention to themselves.

He claimed that those pushing the campaign of falsehood know they are playing politics, albeit dangerous politics to pitch the North against the South.

According to him, Abuja has come to stay as it is backed by law.

His statement followed the recent relocation of FAAN, a department of the Aviation Ministry, to Lagos.

Onanuga said there are many parastatals that are not based in Abuja depending on their mandate, insisting that Administrative decisions should not be politicized.

“President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to move the Federal Capital to Lagos. The rumour first surfaced during the campaign last year by opponents looking for all manners of weapons to stop him. We trashed it.

“Those peddling it anew are dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, trying to draw attention to themselves. Abuja has come to stay. It is backed by law.

“The movement of FAAN, a department of the Aviation Ministry to Lagos, where it was based before former minister Hadi Sirika moved it to Abuja during the last administration, does not amount to moving the FCT to Lagos. The administrative move should have attracted scant attention, as Lagos is the commercial capital and the hub of aviation business in Nigeria. FAAN should be nowhere else but near the industry it regulates. FAAN will still maintain some presence in Abuja, as it is not a wholesale movement.

“Similarly, the movement of some departments of the CBN to Lagos should not trigger any hoopla. The departments concerned, including the bank supervision department, are those dealing with commercial banks, all with headquarters in Lagos. A regulator ought to be close to the businesses it regulates.

“All those pushing this campaign of falsehood know they are playing politics, albeit a dangerous politics to pit the North against the South.

“There are many parastatals that are not based in Abuja depending on their mandate. NIMASA is in Lagos. So is NPA. The National Inland Waterways Authority( NIWA) is in Lokoja, not Abuja. Will the people opposing the movement of FAAN and some CBN departments want those agencies to be in Abuja, where there is no single port and no maritime activity?

“Administrative decisions should not be politicized. Let it not look like whenever we are temporarily not at the helm of affairs, we create all manners of dangerous rumours to distract from the bigger picture and emasculate an administration led by a Southerner.

“Let’s stop the dirty politics. We can’t be playing politics with everything.”

Jean-Louis Gasset has been sacked as coach of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Ivory Coast.

The country’s football federation said in a statement on Wednesday that it had “terminated the contracts” of Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant “due to insufficient results.”

Gasset’s sacking is coming two days after their AFCON 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea.

The result was the heaviest home defeat in Ivory Coast history.

The Elephants are the first AFCON host to lose two group games since they did so in 1984.

However, Ivory Coast still has faint hopes of progressing to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

They will be led by Emerse Fae, one of Gasset’s coaches, on an interim basis.

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has sworn-in Customary Court President (Legal), Mr. Idowu Folami Sodimu and 32 members, in order to enhance prompt dispensation of justice in the state.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Ceremonial Court Hall, Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, Justice Dipeolu implored them to resist the temptation of abusing judicial powers in the course of dispensation of justice.

She said the appointment was based on trust and confidence reposed in them, while administering the oath of office to the newly appointed members, they were urged not to be carried away with enormous powers which various laws have conferred on them and in the discharge of their duties.

She stated that the appointees had special roles to play towards ensuring that justice was delivered at all times, to further improve the standard of the Judiciary, pointing out that government would not tolerate misconduct or indiscipline of any form.

According to the Chief Judge, "As members of Customary Court that have been administered under oath, you have to be good ambassadors of each jurisdiction you represent because you are closer to the grassroots. Do not collect bribes and fair God in all your dealings’’.

In her remarks, the Acting President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Adebisi Femi-Segun, said the appointees had been screened and appointed, in line with laid down procedure which was in accordance with the provisions of section 197(1)(c), 202 and 204 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), the Customary Courts Law of Ogun State 2006 (as amended), as well as Ogun State Judicial Service Commission Guidelines.

Justice Femi-Segun, who charged the appointees to bring their experiences to bear in the discharge of duties, said ethics, decorum and comportment should be observed in their new office, urging them to be faithful to the Oath of Office and impartial in the delivery of justice in their jurisdictions.

"Indeed, you are expected to observe the ethics, decorum and comportment of your new office. It is also expected that you will be faithful to your Oath of Office and dispense justice without fear or favour, as you adjudicate cases assigned to you, please same will not be tolerated in any form or guise.

Responding, one of the appointees, Mrs. Aderonke Jacobs appreciated the state government for allowing them to serve the state, promising to discharge their duties in accordance with the rule of laws and dispense justice without fear or favour.