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FRSC urges use of bicycles in Lagos
From Femi Akinola, Lagos
The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has advocated the use of bicycles on some roads in Lagos as a way of reducing the traffic gridlocks.
He also urged the state government to fully implement the Traffic Law 2012 to bring sanity back to the roads, even as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said his government had strong political will to take tough decisions and implement effective strategies to bring about a robust traffic management system.
Oyeyemi and Ambode spoke yesterday at a One-Day Transport Summit held in Lagos.
The FRSC chief executive said he believed that full implementation of the state traffic law was inevitable to ensure free flow of traffic. He also reiterated the need to empower traffic officials and install monitoring cameras at major road intersections to record traffic offenders, while advocating the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transport in some areas of the city.
Governor Ambode said with the realities on ground, immediate solutions were needed to achieve future aspirations in respect of Lagos traffic.
He said the state was a victim of its success as many people leave their states to seek better opportunities in Lagos, adding that this comes with certain challenges.
“But we have the political will and are ready to take whatever tough decisions you come out with to resolve the challenges,” he told participants at the summit.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola expressed confidence that pragmatic solutions would be found to tackle the gridlocks while the General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bashir Braimah, called for attitude change by motorists towards LASTMA officials on the roads.
We’re implementing transition c’ttee report-El-Rufai
From Andrew Agbese, Kaduna
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday said he had already started implementing the report of the transition committee set up to work out a blueprint for his administration even before it concluded work because the recommendations were good.
The governor formally received the final report of the committee yesterday. He had shortly after the inauguration of his administration, received the interim report of the committee which he said had informed some of the policies of his government.
In a brief ceremony at the State House in Kaduna, the governor said it was because he was impressed with what the committee had done that he appointed many of its members in his cabinet.
“Members of the 2015 Transition Committee can be justly proud that their efforts helped to chart a path for our government, showing us where the challenges were and what we could do to maximise the potentials. I believe that it is no accident that nine of our 13 commissioners were drawn from the membership of the transition committee such as are our SSG, Chief of Staff, many special advisers, and other senior administration officials,” he said.
El-Rufai said so far, his administration had succeeded in legislating on a new logo to begin the rebranding of the state, constituted the State Executive Council, appointed special advisers, other aides and some key heads of parastatals.
“Our Finance Commissioner and the vibrant Accountant General are pushing forward initiatives to control and manage public finances. Our Attorney General has pushed a programme to protect witnesses and have a process of judicial review to govern the rehabilitation of victims of substance abuse. The local government commissioner has ensured that legitimate funds go to all LGs in a coordinated and disciplined manner while supporting those LGs that face liquidity challenges. He is also leading in the reform of our entire local government system in the state,” he added.
Chairman of the committee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and the conducive environment created for them to work.
FG trains 786 head teachers
From Bola Ojuola, Akure
The Federal Government has commenced the training of 786 head teachers of public primary schools from the North East and North West geo-political zones of the country as well as principals of Junior Secondary Schools and Federal Unity Colleges.
The training which is being carried out at the National Institute for Education Planning and Administration (NIEPA) Ondo in Ondo State is aimed at providing professional leadership and management for the schools in other to improve pupil’s achievements and the quality of education.
At the opening ceremony yesterday in Ondo, the Director General and Chief Executive of the Institute, Dr Peter Kolawole Ojedele, said the choice of training was strategic because the head teachers form the pivot of which the education super structure revolve but had been neglected for long.
Ojodele also said at the quarterly meeting of the Federal Ministry of Education on Millennium Development Goals ( MDGS) programme early this year, a directive came that principals of Junior Secondary Schools and Federal Unity Colleges should be part of the training since they have roles to play in the achievement of the goals and objectives of basic education.
According to him, the ability to acquire and utilize knowledge and skills effectively is the key to growth and development that will propel Nigeria on as one of the 20 largest economies by 2020.
He said to achieve this best place to start from is the grass roots which is the basic and post basic school level. So far, he said, the institute had trained 36,000 head teachers of primary schools since the commencement of the programme in 2011.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Mai Yakubu Maigama, in his goodwill message, urged the participants to put into practice, all the knowledge acquired to improve the lot of the children. He said the federal government would continue to invest in the teachers to ensure that the quality of education improves at all levels in the country.
Ondo warns against exam malpractice
From Bola Ojuola, Akure
The Ondo State government yesterday warned against any form of examination malpractice by students writing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)ý in the state.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko gave the warning through his Deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, at a meeting in Akureý.
He warned of his administration’s zero tolerance for any form of examination malpractice.
Dr Mimiko said nobody would be spared if caught in any malpractice during the examination in the state.
He said several measures had been taken adopted to check the menaceý.
According to him, an examination ethics and disciplinary committee ý has been set up to handle reported cases and other forms of academic fraud.
He added that a desk officer had been appointed for all activities of exam ethics marshalsý in the state.
A non- council member representing Nigeria on Board of Trustees of the WAEC Endowment Fund, Dr U. B. Ahmed, said a major objective of the Council Endowment Fund was to support awards for outstanding performances by candidates.
Ahmed noted that the results of candidates eligible for awards should have been obtained at the first attempt and at one and the same sitting.