Alleged LGs Fund Misappropriation: Ogun Assembly Summons Accountant-General, Others

Mohammed Shosanya

Ogun House of Assembly, Thursday summoned the State Accountant – General and also all members of the Joint Account Allocations Committee to appear before the House over the current issues regarding local government funds in the state.

Its Speaker,Mr Olakunle Oluomo,who issued the invite during plenary in Abeokuta,noted that the reason for the invitation was for thorough explanation to the House on what was happening at the local governments so that the people of the state could be fully briefed.

He explained that the meeting would afford the Assembly to know what was happening and thereafter take necessary action.

“We have the power to investigate what’s happening in our state and then do the needful.But I want to appeal to those that are concern to please let’s maintain law, peace and order in our various places particularly in Ijebu East local government where I heard that protest are going on.

“Everyone should calm down and allow us to do our job.I hereby invite the accountant- general of the state and all members of the joint account allocations committee to appear before the house on Friday by 1pm.

“They are to come and explain to the House what exactly is happening so that the people of the state shall be fully briefed,” he said.

The Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo, had revealed that the 20 local government since the inception of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, have been running on zero allocation.

In a letter which he wrote to former Governor Olusegun Osoba which has went viral, Adedayo alleged that the local government funds were being diverted by the Governor.

He also wrote the EFCC and ICP to investigate the Governor.

While the state government has debunked the allegation, explaining that it has always augment the allocation, Adedayo was on Thursday suspended by the legislators I’m his local government for three months.

He was suspended on allegations of financial misappropriation.

He was on his way to the office of the Department of State Services, DSS, where he had been invited on the same issues when he was suspended.

Hip-Hop Legend,Lil Wayne Returns To“VMAs”With First Performance In A Decade

Mohammed Shosanya

Lil Wayne, Anitta, Doja Cat, Kelsea Ballerini, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER are joining the ever-growing roster of global superstars slated to perform at the 2023 “VMAs,” airing LIVE from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Wednesday, September 13

Lil Wayne

The 5x GRAMMY Award-winning and multi-platinum global music icon returns to the “VMAs” stage for the first time in more than a decade where he will perform his new single dropping on 9/1, “Kat Food”, live for the very first time.

With a discography highlighted by over 120 million records sold worldwide including 26 million albums, Lil Wayne has cemented his legacy as one of the best-selling artists in history and one of the most influential artists in Hip-Hop. In 2022, Lil Wayne earned his first Diamond certification from the RIAA with his generational smash hit “Lollipop” feat. Static Major. The 14x nominee will once again compete in the “Best Hip-Hop” category for the coveted Moon Person, an award he first won in 2008.

Anitta

Global sensation Anitta sets her return to the storied MTV stage where she will bring Brazilian Funk to the masses performing a medley of hits from her latest release Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story. The performance arrives on the heels of last year’s fiery debut where she also made history with her first “VMAs” win as the only Brazilian to ever take home an MTV Moon Person. She looks to repeat her win in the “Best Latin” category this year.

Doja Cat

The 4x “VMAs” and GRAMMY® Award-winning global superstar, is set to make her MTV return following her memorable hosting and mesmerizing gravity-defying performance of “Been Like This” and “You Right” in 2021, where she also took home two awards including “Best Collaboration.” The 23x nominee is up for 5 awards this year, including “Best Video of the Year” and “Artist of the Year.” She last won in 2022 for “Best Choreography.” Her first-ever North American tour will kick off later this year with Ice Spice and Doechii.

Kelsea Ballerini

Multi-platinum country superstar Kelsea Ballerini is slated for a show-stopping “VMAs” debut performance, treating fans to a world premiere performance off the expanded version of her latest deeply personal, critically-acclaimed EP Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good).

Kelsea’s first-time appearance on the storied MTV stage comes on the same day as her 30th birthday (Sep 12) and in the midst of a record-breaking year for the songstress, who just wrapped three sold out legs of her headlining tour and a successful trio of coast-to-coast fan screenings for the EPs short film, which she wrote and co-directed.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER (“TXT”) featuring Anitta

The global Gen Z icons and former MTV PUSH artists will premiere a brand new single and make history with their “VMAs” debut as the first K-Pop band to cross-genre for an international performance with Brazilian superstar and global sensation Anitta. Ahead of their highly-anticipated 3rd studio album The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, slated for October release, the Billboard 200 topping 4x nominated group hopes to win a Moon Person for “Best K-Pop” and “Push Performance of the Year.”

Burna Boy Enjoying Unmerited Recognition-Patrick Doyle

Veteran Nollywood actor, Patrick Doyle,says the recognition singer Burna Boy has continued to enjoy is undeserved.

Doyle criticized the artiste,noting that the singer has “done nothing by himself that can be remotely described as great.”

According to him,Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo and I.K Dairo, paved the way for the likes of Burna, who need to be “respectful of their diligent and truly pioneering predecessors.”

He added:”The credit for the feats that appear to be puffing the likes of Burna Boy up have to be properly ascribed to the greats who cleared the thorny paths that have created pathways for his likes to walk through practically effortlessly.

“Burna Boy has not by himself done anything that can be remotely described as great. He and his peers are recipients of the labours of heroes past. They need to be humble and respectful of their diligent and truly pioneering predecessors.

“Great artistes like Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo, Majek Fashek, I. K. Dairo, and a galaxy of others who paved the way from the 60s, to the 2000s. Greatness and great feats don’t exist in a vacuum. Let us not contribute to the creation of an arrogant and obnoxious monster.”

Stop Assaulting Our Staff,EKEDC Warns Customers

Mohammed Shosanya

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC),has warned members of the public against assaulting or preventing its staff from performing their lawful duties.

The power firm also vowed to mount aggressive war against equipment vandalism and pilferage.

This comes on the heel of the arrest, police investigation, and arraignment of two individuals, one Julius John Adeyemi,who assaulted a staff of EKEDC while performing his duties in the Ijesha area of Surulere, Lagos while the other, Nwokocha Emmanuel, who was illegally found in a distribution substation premises of the Company at Tincan Port, Festac, Lagos, to steal contrary to section 406 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.  

General Manager, Corporate Communications of EKEDC, Babatunde Lasaki,in a statement,described the incidents as criminal and act of sabotage against the operations of the organization. He said “We condemn such callous acts against our staff who go around to discharge their lawful duties. We don’t condone such acts and we advise our customers to use the available channels of redress rather than resorting to self-help.” 

Adeyemi was charged before Mrs Otitoloju of the Magistrate Court 3, Surulere for obstructing the staff from discharging his duties by removing his ladder from an electricity pole and subsequently landing him a blow. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety with a tax clearance certificate and a verifiable address. Adeyemi was remanded in the Ikoyi facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

Nwokocha on the other hand was arraigned before the Magistrate Court 22, Apapa on a two-count charge of breaking and entry with intent to commit felony to wit stealing and illegal or unlawful purpose. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was granted bail in the sum of #50,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum. Nwokocha was also remanded in the Kirikiri medium facility of the Nigeria Correctional Service till his bail conditions are fully met.

Lasaki also decried the act of vandalism and stealing of equipment procured by the company to supply electricity to customers.

He said:“These are the setbacks we experience in our quest to fulfill our commitment to ensuring zero downtime in electricity supply. We hereby call on our communities and other stakeholders to help safeguard electricity installations around them to put an end to this menace.”

He urged them to report suspected cases of vandalism to whistleblower@ekedp.com, call 08000033333, or report to the nearest office or Police station.

How Gulder Lager Beer Is Adding Value To Lives Of Distributors,Retailers In Nigeria

Gulder Lager Beer, a household name in Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage industry,has reiterated its commitment to changing lives in Nigeria.

The spotlight shone brightly at the Gulder Ultimate Reward event held on Tuesday, at the Lascofis Bar in Ogba, Lagos. The event, which will be etched in the minds of stakeholders for a long time, is a further testament to the transformative power of loyalty, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.

Gulder honoured its esteemed partners, who have played pivotal roles in the brand’s journey to excellence. The selected 15 retailers received ten crates of Gulder, while the ten winners in the regions were presented with 42-inch television sets, generator sets, and deep freezers.

Four sub-distributors, the unsung heroes ensuring Gulder reaches every corner of Nigeria, were each rewarded with fifty crates of Gulder and Tricycles, a token of appreciation for their indispensable contributions. The winners were selected across Benin, Ibadan Lagos-North, and Lagos-South regions respectively.

But,the crowning moment of the event arrived with the announcement of the prestigious Grand Prize – a brand new IVM Ikenga car was presented to Taofeek Shodiya of Tasho Limited, a long-committed distributor to Gulder’s success. His extraordinary journey and steadfast dedication to Gulder underscore the brand’s enduring message that loyalty and dedication have the power to elevate lives.

Alhaji Tasho, speaking about his experience, expressed, “Being a Gulder distributor is the best decision I ever made. It’s not just about business; it’s about being part of a family that rewards dedication and hard work. This car is not just a prize; it’s a symbol of the opportunities that Gulder provides to change lives.”

“Gulder Lager Beer has always been more than a beverage; it’s a symbol of strength, determination, and the extraordinary. At the heart of our success are the dedicated partners who have embraced these values.,” stated Chima Dim, Brand Manager, Non-Lager and Craft, Nigerian Breweries.

“We have come to be known as a home brand, a go-to brand for, family, entertainment, and relaxation. Our success story has been one encapsulated and driven by those of our consumers and distributors, and that is why The Gulder Ultimate Reward event is not just a celebration; it’s a testament to the life-changing impact of loyalty and dedication. We are proud to say that being a Gulder distributor is not just a business decision; it’s a journey of transformation, and we look forward to many more shared successes,” he added.

Gulder remains dedicated to providing remarkable experiences and shaping the lives of its partners. The Gulder Ultimate Reward will continue to inspire and motivate partners to reach new heights while reaffirming the brand’s belief that loyalty and dedication are the keys to changing lives.