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Dispatch rider dies in multiple accident in Lagos

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A dispatch rider was confirmed dead, and two others were rescued following a multiple vehicle accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

According to Bakare-Oki, the accident occurred near Chevron, heading towards Ikota, along the expressway.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that a high-capacity ‘T&M’ bus (AKD 952 XZ) lost control due to brake failure while speeding, colliding with an oncoming ‘KIA RIO’ vehicle (BDG 853 DA).

“The impact caused the KIA RIO to crash into a dispatch motorcycle (KTU 695 QK) at the opposite direction.

“The dispatch rider was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others sustained serious fractures and were rushed to a nearby hospital by a good samaritan, who was driving along the expressway,” he said.

He added that police officers from Ajiwe and Ilasan Police Stations provided security during the rescue operations conducted by LASTMA personnel and other emergency responders.

Bakare-Oki extended condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathised with the two injured victims.

He also urged motorists, particularly high-capacity bus drivers, to ensure their vehicles were in proper working condition, especially the brake system, before embarking on any journey within or outside the state. (NA

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Recruitment: Senate probes MDAs’ compliance with federal character principle

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The Senate has mandated its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to investigate the compliance by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with federal character principle, in line with sections 14(3) and 14 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The upper chamber said that the investigative hearing was to ensure fair and equitable representation across all zones and ethnic groups in appointments, promotions and recruitment.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu) at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ngwu, in the motion entitled: “Urgent need to address systemic abuse and ineffective implementation of federal character principle in Nigeria’s public sector”, said systemic abuse had become a major challenge to achieving balance and equity within Nigeria’s public service.

He said that the challenge was due to limited recruitment opportunities, skewed promotions based solely on years of service and insufficient avenues for worker-mobility outside the public sector.

According to him, the federal character principle mandates fair representation in federal appointments to reflect linguistic, religious and geographic diversity of the country.

Ngwu quoted section 14(3) and (4) of the constitution as stipulating that “no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups should exist within the federal government or its agencies.

He said that despite the focus on geographical quotas, imbalances still persisted with some institutions, often relocating problems rather than resolving them, while certain zones remained under-represented.

The senator expressed concern that the process of addressing public sector disparities had been undermined by institutional inertia and lack of accountability.

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This, he said, was particularly prevalent in the area of recruitments at senior levels and influenced more by internal preferences than by merit and fairness.

“The quota system has, in many cases, created confusion between merit-based recruitment and equitable state representation, to the detriment of discipline, morale and institutional efficiency,” he said.

The lawmaker said that the constitutional criteria for equitable distribution of employment required that each state contributes its proportionate quota of 2.75 per cent to the national workforce.

“The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) account for 1.00 per cent of the workforce, while catchment areas are to address localised recruitment for junior staff up to 75 per cent of positions,” he said.

He also said that Order 96(27)(b) of the senate rule 2023 and sections 62, 88, 89, 143-(4) of the constitution gave its committee power of legislative oversight on matters relating to implementation and monitoring of policy on federal character.

Ngwu alleged that various federal institutions had consistently failed to adhere to federal character mandates, often by-passing regulations in their recruitment exercises, adding that evidences abound.

He listed some of the agencies to include: Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries like Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Others, he said, were NAFDAC, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Pension Commission (PenCom), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

He also listed Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) and National Library of Nigeria (NLN) among those flouting the federal character principle.

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He said that the contempt emanating from the foregoing, if unchecked, would continually erode efficacy of section 14(d)(e) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, Part 1(1)-(2) of the Subsidiary Legislation 23 of 1997 and section 11(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

Ngwu expressed concern that the Federal Character Commission (FCC), although constitutionally empowered, remained hindered by chronic underfunding, political interference and limited enforcement capabilities.

The senate, following intense debates from Sens. Abba Moro,(PDP-Benue), Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi), Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa), Olalere Oyewumi (PDP-Osun), Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra), Anthony Ani (APC- Ebonyi),Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo), mandated the committee to turn in its report in three months. (NAN)

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Zamfara Uproar: Civil society gives gov Dauda 14 days to reinstate sacked workers

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The Zamfara Civil Society Organisation (ZCSO) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Dauda Lawal, demanding the reinstatement of recently dismissed workers.

The group condemned the mass dismissal as unjust and detrimental to civil servants in the state.

In a statement on Monday, ZCSO’s Secretary, Kabiru Ahmad Bukuyum, criticised the governor’s decision, arguing that the grounds for the dismissals were insufficient. The workers were reportedly sacked for absenteeism, but Bukuyum asserted that their absence was due to unpaid salaries, not negligence.

“The governor’s justification for these suspensions is baseless and unfair. Many of these workers could not report to work because they had not been paid on time. Despite receiving substantial federal allocations, the state government continues to delay salary payments,” Bukuyum said.

He warned that if the government failed to act within 14 days, civil society groups and affected workers would have no choice but to stage protests and occupy government offices until the teachers were reinstated.

He said many view the action as a move to sideline certain civil servants, plunging thousands of families into economic hardship.

“Governor Lawal’s decision reflects a blatant disregard for the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Instead of addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and poor infrastructure, his administration has chosen to inflict unnecessary suffering on workers,” Bukuyum added.

He further accused the governor of neglecting the welfare of civil servants despite increased federal allocations to Zamfara State. “What the state has received in federal allocations in the past two years surpasses previous administrations’ funding. Yet, salaries remain unpaid, and there is no effort to increase the minimum wage,” he noted.

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ZCSO has urged Governor Lawal to reconsider his decision and prioritise the welfare of Zamfara’s workforce. The group insisted that a transparent and fair approach should have been adopted, such as performance assessments and structured transitions, rather than mass layoffs.

“The affected workers, many of whom have served the state diligently, now face an uncertain future. The governor’s silence on their fate speaks volumes about his administration’s lack of empathy. If this injustice is not addressed, it will set a dangerous precedent for governance in Zamfara,” the statement said .

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APC Coordinators’ Forum Pledges Support For Gov. Uba Sani’s Continuity In 2027

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

The APC Coordinators’ Forum has unanimously declared its total support for Governor Uba Sani’s continuity in office beyond 2027, citing his track record of good governance and impactful leadership within his first two years.

The forum made this declaration on Tuesday during a press briefing in Kaduna, where its Chairman, Mal. Nasiru Shehu (Excellency), highlighted the governor’s achievements.

Addressing Journalists, Shehu emphasized that Governor Uba Sani’s administration has significantly transformed Kaduna State, particularly in rural development, infrastructure, and security, reducing rural-urban migration and improving citizens’ quality of life.

Also, speaking on behalf of the 23 APC Local Government Coordinators, Danatus Adamu outlined some of the governor’s key accomplishments, including:

1. Road Construction – The administration has embarked on the construction of over 700 roads, with 22 roads already completed and commissioned, improving intra-state connectivity and boosting economic activities.

2. Agricultural Support – The government has distributed fertilizers and farming implements to cooperative societies across the state, enhancing agricultural productivity and food security for farmers.

3. Improved Security – Since assuming office, Governor Uba Sani has made remarkable progress in tackling insecurity. Today, farmers can safely return to their fields, and residents now enjoy improved security, with a reduced rate of kidnappings and attacks.

4. Education Reform – Understanding the financial burden on students and parents, the governor reduced tuition fees across all tertiary institutions in Kaduna State by 30%, making education more accessible to all.

5. Religious Harmony and Social Cohesion – His commitment to unity and inclusivity was demonstrated during the Ramadan Iftar, where he brought together people of different religious backgrounds, fostering peace and mutual respect in the state.

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The forum also extended its appreciation to Hon. Abubakar Shehu Giwa, the Political Adviser to the Governor, for his dedication and tireless efforts in promoting the APC and the administration’s achievements across the state.

Additionally, the forum acknowledged the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Prof. Mohammed Sani Preth (Mamman Zazzau), for his steadfast support and unwavering commitment to the party’s success in Kaduna State.

In light of these achievements, the APC Coordinators’ Forum of Kaduna State formally declared a vote of confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s leadership. The group reaffirmed its full support for his re-election bid in 2027, believing that his continuity in office will further accelerate development in the state.

“Governor Uba Sani has demonstrated exceptional leadership, inclusivity, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of Kaduna residents. We strongly believe that his continued leadership beyond 2027 will bring even greater progress to our dear state,” Mal. Nasiru Shehu stated.

With growing support from political stakeholders and grassroots mobilizers, the APC Coordinators’ Forum vowed to intensify efforts in ensuring that Governor Uba Sani secures a second term, confident in his ability to sustain and expand the developmental strides witnessed under his administration.

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