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CSO Organises Thanksgiving Service, Acknowledges God As Source Of Strength, Power

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Civil Society movement as been described as a movement that is powered by the spirit of God and strengthen by God Himself.

Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, Acting President and General Secretary, Network of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria disclosed this on Sunday at the thanksgiving service of the organisation held at Hill-City Christian Centre, Ugbo, GRA, Benin City.

He said as a civil society movement, it was wise to give thanks to God who saw them through last year despite the challenges and tough times, acknowledging God as their source, strength and inspiration in carrying out civil work freely to humanity.

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According to him, in the year 2020, many died, many were hospitalised and many organisations folded up due to the challenges in the year but none of their members died and that the organisation is still in existence, hence it’s worth thanking God.

“It very wise to appreciate God who is our source, our strength and our inspiration in doing the work of civil society freely to humanity. It is not by our strength.

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“Civil society movement is a movement that is powered by the spirit of God in man. When men have the spirit of God, they stand against injustice; they stand for truth; they stand for those who cannot speak for themselves. God is the voice of the voiceless. God cannot come down, He uses men.

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“So, we have no other source, our source is God, and that is what we have demostrated here today by coming together to the house of God to give Him thanks, to show that He is our source, and He is our everything,” he said.

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Members of the organisation receiving prayers during the thanksgiving.

In his Sermon, Rev. Olu Martins, founder of Hill-City Christian Centre who happens to be amongst the civil movement described the civil movement as a movement that is not working to make name but for a better society.

“No one pays civil organisations for all they do. As a civil society organisations, we are not looking for name but a better society,” he said.

On his part, chairman of the organising committee, Comrade Maxwell Amen Iyamu said looking back at 2020 challenges arising from COVID-19 pandemic, EndSARS and other challenges, it worth giving thanks to Almighty God who saw them through the year unharmed.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 Second Wave: Private School Owners Express Readiness To Resume

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While stating that the thanksgiving was the first organised by the organisation, Comrade Iyamu said being people who have been fighting for justice, God and even nature as been protecting them from some authorities they engaged in the course of the work.

Those who were at the thanksgiving include Comrade Austin Osakue, spiritual leader, Talakawa Palliament, Comrade Kola Edokpayi among others.

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Lagos Unveils Artisan Certification To Curb Building Collapse

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The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

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Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

READ ALSO:Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

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It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

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Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

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On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

READ ALSO:Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

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In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

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In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

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Edo deputy gov warns MOWAA Against encroachment

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Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has warned management of Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) to adhere strictly to laid-down demarcation between the museum and the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH).

Idahosa, who gave the warning when he visited the site on Thursday, expressed displeasure over MOWAA’s alleged encroachment on ESH land despite earlier directives.

The deputy governor stressed that governor Monday Okpebholo had mandated him to ensure compliance with the demarcation lines.

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“Governor Okpebholo asked me to advise and also warn the MOWAA management to stick to the demarcation lines between the ESH and the MOWAA institution,” the deputy governor said.

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During the visit, Idahosa supervised the demolition of parts of the obsolete tuberculosis building at the hospital and monitored debris clearance to facilitate the hospital’s expansion project.

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Recounting earlier efforts, he said: “Few weeks ago, we were here to give demarcation on the boundary between MOWAA and the ESH.Apparently, the MOWAA management decided to encroach on the land given to ESH.

“We came to let them know that the Edo State Government is firm on it, and we have given them the right coordinates. We have also sealed the part that belongs to the ESH, so MOWAA, at this point, can no longer encroach.”

Idahosa emphasized that the government’s priority remains the security and health of Edo people, noting that compliance with lawful boundaries is in the interest of both institutions.

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READ ALSO: Idahosa Lauds Edo Specialist Hospital Facilities

This is not a witch hunt. The governor is fair enough to allow MOWAA to continue with whatever we met on ground. He has not encroached or done anything contrary to the law. Hence, they should also stick and abide by the law,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director of ESH, Dr. Anthonia Njoku commended Okpebholo for protecting the hospital’s expansion interest.

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Similarly, the Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, Mr. Imoisili Igabali noted that negotiations had been ongoing with MOWAA over the demarcation and that a temporary perimeter wall had been set up in the meantime.

As an agency, our responsibility in the state is to ensure that development in the state is done according to laid down rules and regulations,” Igabali stated.

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Police Begin Enforcement Of Tinted Glass, Siren Regulations In Edo, Delta

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The Zone Five Police Command have begun enforcing the ban on the unauthorised use of sirens and tinted glass permit regulations.

NAN reports that the zone five command located in the South-south Geo-political Zone comprises Edo and Delta.

This is contained in a statement by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tijani Momoh, in Abuja.

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The exercise, the command said, is in line with the existing laws and directives of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, which apply to all vehicles with tinted glasses, whether factory or non-factory fitted.

READ ALSO:Edo Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers In Gun Duel

Momoh quoted the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Salma-Dogo Garba, as saying that the enforcement would also affect the subsisting ban on the unauthorised use of sirens.

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According to Garba, there will also be strict enforcement on the use of revolving lights, Police SPY and unallocated official number plates, as well as the use of unregistered vehicles.

“In view of the above, motorists yet to register their vehicles with tinted glasses are strongly advised to do so at www.possap.gov.ng.

“Thereafter, they should proceed to their state command headquarters for physical verification.

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Those who are not desirous of obtaining the tinted glass permit are advised to remove such tints or replace the factory-fitted glasses with transparent ones, as legally provided by the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act 2004.”

The AIG warned field operatives and their supervisory officers to ensure that the exercise was carried out with utmost professionalism, devoid of any form of harassment or extortion of motorists.

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He stressed that any officer found wanting would be duly sanctioned, while the concerned supervisory officer would be held liable.

Garba further urged motorists to cooperate with the Police during the exercise in order to ensure public safety and national security.

READ ALSO:Police Rescue Mother, Baby, Five Others From Kidnappers In Kwara

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He also charged residents to promptly report any form of harassment, extortion, or other unprofessional conduct to the nearest police station, the commands CRUs, or the ZPPRO.

NAN reports that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that strict enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit requirement will begin across Nigeria on Thursday.

The directive comes under the authority of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, a law intended to bolster security and curb criminal behaviour.

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Under the new mandate, all vehicles with tinted windows are expected to carry valid and verifiable permit documents, which must be presented whenever requested by law enforcement.

NAN

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