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Funsho Doherty raises concerns over LASG’s partnership with Oando on electric vehicles

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1 year ago

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The Governorship candidate of the ADC in the March 18 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, Funsho Doherty, has expressed concerns over the recently announced partnership between the Lagos State Government (LASG) and Oando, in which the latter is to deliver electronic vehicles for the state.

Doherty in an open letter to the State’s Office of Public-Private Partnerships said the deal lacks transparency as information regarding details of the partnership were not released to the public.

He also expressed concern that the partnership did not follow the state’s law regarding PPP, which states that such concession must be approved by the State’s Assembly. According to Doherty, the partnership has taken off without recourse to the State’s law.

Issues of public concern:

Highlighting the fears over the deal, which he described as ‘issues of public concern, Doherty in the letter said:

“Last week, Oando PLC, a private sector company, announced that it has commenced implementation of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). This partnership with LASG was confirmed by the Lagos State Governor in a Statement on the Subject. These developments raise a number of issues that are of grave public concern:
“1. There is very limited transparency around this PPP initiative. Given its proposed scale, public significance, potential cost, and possible impact, the disclosures made by LASG are manifestly inadequate.
“2. The terms of the MOU entered into by LASG with Oando have not been disclosed, including whether it is binding or non-binding, and what commitments are being made by, or required of, either party under the MOU and/or any subsequent and related agreements.”
In his third concern, Doherty cited some laws of the states that stipulate that:

The Office of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP office) is mandated to “ensure that PPPs for the provision and development of public infrastructure or public assets in the state are in accordance with prevailing Government policy and public interest”.
Concession Agreements are subject to approval by the House of Assembly. Concession Agreements are defined in the PPP law as “any agreement between the Government and any person, firm, company or limited liability partnership for the construction, maintenance, operation, or management of public infrastructure, assets and facilities over an agreed period of time”.

Both the PPP office and LAMATA fall within the designation of “procuring entities” under the LASG public procurement law which generally provides for open competitive processes for significant procurements of goods and services.
According to him, it is not evident from the information so far disclosed in the public domain, that these laws and provisions relating to PPPs were either complied with or not applicable, prior to commencing this partnership.

“It is alarming that, according to the recent disclosures, the partnership is now considered to have moved forward into a pilot operational phase, by virtue of Oando having taken delivery of some buses and other operating infrastructure,” he said.
The Governorship candidate also queried Oando’s corporate governance issue, citing its recent case with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The partnership:

Oando in its corporate disclosure filed with the NGX Group, said the PPP, which builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it signed with Lagos State last year, provides for Oando to deploy an Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Ecosystem including electric mass transit buses, charging stations and other supporting infrastructure.

The Company anticipated that it may ultimately roll out up to 12,000 buses and will transition the current combustion mass transit buses to electric, starting in Lagos State and eventually across the country.

Oando Group’s Chief Executive, Mr. Adewale Tinubu commented that “Public Private Partnerships have been critical to getting the project to this point and will continue to fuel our expansion across the entire country”.

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Nigeria @64: Oando Boss, Wale Tinubu Urges Nigerians to work together 

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2 days ago

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October 1, 2024

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As Nigeria celebrates her 64th Independence anniversary, the Group Chief Executive of Oando group, Mr. Wale Tinubu, has enjoined the citizens to work together for the growth of the country.

 

In a statement posted on his social media handles, Mr. Tinubu wrote:

 

 

‘’Stitch by Stitch, We Weave Our Nation’s Tapestry.

 

 

 

 

As we celebrate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, we reflect on the journey that has brought us this far. Like a tapestry woven with care and precision, our nation is a beautiful blend of diverse cultures, resilient spirits, and bold aspirations.

 

 

 

Today, we honour the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future filled with promise. Let us continue to work together, stitch by stitch, building a nation that is vibrant, inclusive, and unafraid to dream big.

 

 

 

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!

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Society

Book Launch: You Can Become Unstoppable, Says Olusola Oduola

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3 days ago

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September 30, 2024

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Olusola Oduola, the author of the book entitled, ‘Rising Above Adversity: Stories of Resilience and Triumph’, has insisted that regardless of one’s setbacks, “You can become unstoppable.”

 

 

Speaking at the launch of his book on Monday, August 5, 2024, which was held at the MKO Abiola Gardens Estate Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, Oduola who declared that not all storms come to disrupt the life of a person, maintained that, “Some come to clear your path and that when life throws a curveball at you unexpectedly, and it knocks you down or takes you out, how do you deal with it?”

 

Referring to the words of the American poet, Berton Braley on the ‘Will to Win’, the author said, “You can become unstoppable no matter the magnitude of your setbacks.”

 

On his part, the Managing Partner, Alex Taiwo & Co Limited, (Human Resource Consultants), adds that, “Adversity comes to all. Whether you are big or small, young or old, wealthy or not, learned or unlearned, at different stages of life, you have to build yourself abinitio,” explaining how to bounce back after an adveristy.

 

Also Mr Tope Makun of T Consult Limited (Business Consulting & Services) referred to a recent study about a factor that emerged as a significant predictor of success — GRIT.

 

In his words: “GRIT is an acronym for Growth, Resilience, Instinct, and Tenacity. The meaning of the acronym reflects the definition of GRIT referring to one’s ability to show bravery and resolve when confronted with setbacks and obstacles as a major success factor.”

 

The proprietor of Preston International Schools, Akure, Ondo State, Toyin Ajayi stressed the need for resilience and perseverance to help surmount the hurdles along life’s journey and the fact that these ingredients are exhibited in the real-life stories in the book ‘Rising Above Adversity’, “Gives hope to the reader that it is also possible to bounce,” just as Reverend Festus Oyeniyi, in doing Justice to the book, highlighted the salient issues in the 9 chapters as contained in the book.

 

Aside from the speakers, other personalities present at the book launch are the chairman of the occasion, Prof Modupe Asokhia – The Pro-Chancellor of Crawford University; Ebenezer Falade – Managing Director/CEO of JDB Nigeria Limited (Builders & Civil Engineering Company); Eni Ibukun Adebayo – CEO of Cleanace Dry-cleaners and Launderers, and Richard Fadiora – CEO Richard Brainsworth Resources Limited (Real Estate Developers).

 

The book, which is an inspiring collection of real-life stories, showcases individuals who have overcome incredible challenges, embodying the spirit of resilience and triumph.

 

Through a series of captivating narratives, Olusola Oduola sheds light on the power of the human spirit to rise above life’s adversities.

 

To acquire the book, you can visit any of the author’s partner bookshops in Lagos including the following:

 

* @Patabah Books

 

* Bible Wonderland

 

* Roving Heights

 

You can also scan the QR code posted on the author’s timeline at The Knights’ Place on Instagram to order your copy directly.

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Society

If I say anything without seeing Bobrisky and EFCC Chairman, let me die. – VDM tells Reps panel

Published

3 days ago

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September 30, 2024

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Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has declined to speak further on the allegations by Idris Okuneye, fondly called Bobrisky, that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Correctional Services demanded the sum of N15m from him to serve his prison term at a VIP Section of the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre, Lagos.

 

Invited to the podium to brief the Investigating Committee, VDM said, “I don’t know why I will be here and the person who made these allegations is not here.

 

“Bobrisky said in the voice note that there is a godfather. Maybe the godfather told him not to come. He has disrespected this committee by not coming here.

 

 

You are already threatening me with arrest. If you detain me, I will stay in the cell.

 

“If Bobrisky is not here, I will not say anything. If I say anything, let me die,” he said.

 

At the time of filing this report, members of the committee were prevailing on him to speak on the allegations, assuring that Bobrisky would similarly face the panel.

 

 

 

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