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My resilience after playing out of Senate power game, facilitated rail project – Sen. Akanbi
RAIL service system between Lagos and Ibadan was recently flagged off by Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. But the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, Adesoji Akanbi has said the project was made possible by him after raising concern to include the omitted project in 2017 appropriation budget.
Senator Akanbi in an exclusive interview with Mega Icon Magazine on Monday, however lamented how he was played out of senate power game for not supporting the choice of Senate President, Olubukola Saraki but supported the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ahmed Lawan during the inauguration of the 8th Assembly Senate leadership.
According to him, this is why he was not subsequently given any committee chairmanship despite the fact that he is the most ranked senator from Oyo State owing to position he had held in the National Assembly in the past as well as representing the most populated senatorial district in Nigeria.
The lawmaker, however said despite playing him out of power game in the Senate, it was through his resilience that he was able to lobby and facilitated a giant project which has multiplying effects on the nation’s economy despite not being a member of committee on transportation.
PHOTOS: Ongoing construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway Line with Extension to Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
He said: “my playing out of Senate power game is rather a blessing for me because despite the fact that I’m not a member of committee on transportation, I was able to lobby and facilitated the construction of Lagos-Ibadan rail project which will soon be ready for commuters’ use. I also fought for people whose properties were demolished and lands taken to construct the rail road to get compensated. By the time the project is completed, it will improve transport links with Lagos, the national economic nerve centre and major port to other state capital across the country”.
Akanbi noted further that Lagos, as waterway for exportation and importation of goods will have links to other states and regions especially rural areas to convey farm produce for exportation and therefore boost country’s GDP and reduces wastages of agricultural produce. He said therefore, it will reduce road accidents and improves economic lives of farmers in rural areas and facilitate smooth agricultural value chain as it will provide ready made market to sell the farm produce.
Senator Akanbi added that this project has facilitated the approval of Ibadan-Kaduna rail project saying this will enhance an active and vibrant railway system which will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of up to 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per annum.
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Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has extended warm felicitations to Barrister Sarafadeen Ali, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, on the occasion of his 61st birthday.
In a statement released on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Saturday, Akande lauded the lawmaker, describing him as a luminary whose life has been marked by distinguished service to the nation.
“Today, I join the world in celebrating you on your special day, as you mark 61 years of God’s abundant love and glorious impact on humanity,” the former NCC gaffer expressed.
He added, “I wish you many more years of God’s grace in your life.”
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.
He emphasised, “The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending the naira, and that is certainly not our objective.”
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