General
Lagos to Review Requirements for Issuing State of Origin Certificate
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The process of issuing state of origin certificate individuals would soon be reviewed, the Lagos State government has said.
This, according to the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, is because of “verified reports that non-indigenes procure state of origin documents from different unauthorised sources in Lagos, sometimes at the Local Government level or even from some traditional rulers as attested to by the Federal Character Commission.”
The Commissioner described this as “unfortunate,” wondering how “people can descend so low to commit such despicable acts.”
He said in the new process to be announced later, “specific steps will be mapped out to follow due process before the documents are given to anyone.”
Mr Bamgbose-Martins, at a meeting with the members of the Federal Character Commission in his office at Alausa, Ikeja, called on those who issue letters of indigeneship to non-indigenes and those procuring same to desist from such untoward acts, as it is a disadvantage to the real indigenes of the state.
He expressed his displeasure at the rate at which some government functionaries arbitrarily issue the certificate to non-indigenes in order to secure federal appointments.
The Commissioner assured that, henceforth, the Ministry will work more closely with the Federal Character Commission to appropriately address the issue and ensure that indigenes of Lagos State are no longer deprived of their place in Federal appointments and placements.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations is ready to collaborate with the Federal Character Commission to curb this impropriety.
“We will review the process of issuing State of Origin documents and map out specific steps to ensure that due process is followed before the documents are issued”, he asserted.
Earlier, the Commissioner representing Lagos State at the FCC, Mr Abdul Wasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah, stated that the focal point of the meeting was to strengthen the collaborative efforts of the state and federal governments so that indigenes of Lagos State have the equal representation they deserve for federal appointments.
He disclosed that the survey carried out by the commission indicated that most of the candidates, who presented a state of origin document during recruitment, are non-indigenes of Lagos State but had procured such documents from dubious sources, hence, there is a need to call the attention of the state government to it.
Mr Bawa-Allah maintained that the commission will no longer accept documents that do not emanate from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, adding that traditional rulers and local government authorities who issue such documents should be duly informed and educated on the implications of such actions.
“We will work with the State to educate the traditional rulers, through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, so that whatever they are issuing comes with the conscience and consideration of the future of Lagos. From now on, there will be a need to obtain final clearance from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations.
“The final papers must come from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations. Whatever paper we see from the Ministry is what we will recognise as the state of origin document for any federal position”, he asserted.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.
“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.
The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.
He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.
“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.
Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.
He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.
According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.
According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.
He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.
“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.
The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn