Crisis is brewing in Lagos state over the
appointment of Nobel laurate, Wole Soyinka as
the chairman of Lagos at 50 celebrations
Wole Soyinka and Rasheed Gbadamosi were appointed by Governor Ambode as co-
chairmen of the celebration coming up next year but the indigenes of Lagos have rejected Soyinka's appointment because he is not an indigene of Lagos State.
They also complained of how Governor Ambode sidelines Lagos Indigenes and give out appointments to non-lagosians.
Briefing newsmen in Surulere this weekend, the group of indigenes also rejected the
appointment of former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS), Mrs Ifueko Omo-Okauro as the chairman of a committee to
manage the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund, by the Ambode
administration.
Those at the media briefing include Prof. Oluwole Smith, former Lagos
commissioner, Peju Philips; former special adviser on environment, Taofiq
Folami; former solicitor general and permanent secretary, Lagos Ministry of
Justice, Lawal Pedro; the Oba Akran of Badagry, represented by Chief
Gbonugan Ajose-Harrison; Lai Ajayi Bembe, among others.
Reports reaching us said that Professor Smith said Soyinka’s appointment was a
wrong choice and unacceptable.
He also decried the fact that successive administrations in the state had been
towing the same line by by-passing what he says are “true
indigenes” for the past 18 years.
He added by saying henceforth, they (Lagos indigenes) will resist government
decisions to give sensitive appointments to non-indigenes of the state.
He said: ”There are very many elders,
octogenarians, septuagenarians, former
governor, ministers, academic, public and civil
servants and other indigenes both at home and
in the Diaspora, that are more than eminently
qualified to celebrate their state.
”Professor Wole Soyinka’s choice is an insult to
the indigenes and he should decline to serve, to
accord with his reputation as a protester, who
has tirelessly protested wrongs and injustice in
the better part of his adult life.”
”We have decided to cry out, to enable us
partake as our right and in accordance with
extant laws, in the government of the state. We
can no longer afford to keep silent and pretend
that all is well when in fact there appears to be
no future for the indigenes of this state and the
generations yet unborn in the state.
”At the moment, we have six Ibos occupying
seats in Lagos, in the Federal House of
Representatives, non-indigene as a senator,
several non-indigenes in Lagos State House of
Assembly and in the executive council of the
state.
”In the past, indigenes of other states have
taken over our ministerial slot and occupy
positions in various parastatals both in the
state and at federal level. These are not
replicated in any other state in Nigeria.
Smith further stated that indigenes of Lagos state would henceforth closely
monitor and periscope the activities of the present administration in the state.
He warned that appointments in the state must conform with Federal
Character Commission Act, the Nigerian constitution and other subsidiary
legislation.
The Committee for Democracy &Rights of the People (CDRP) had
condemned Eko foundation after its paid advertorial appeared in The Punch
newspaper recently condemning Soyinka’s appointment.
Source: Naij.com
appointment of Nobel laurate, Wole Soyinka as
the chairman of Lagos at 50 celebrations
Wole Soyinka and Rasheed Gbadamosi were appointed by Governor Ambode as co-
chairmen of the celebration coming up next year but the indigenes of Lagos have rejected Soyinka's appointment because he is not an indigene of Lagos State.
They also complained of how Governor Ambode sidelines Lagos Indigenes and give out appointments to non-lagosians.
Briefing newsmen in Surulere this weekend, the group of indigenes also rejected the
appointment of former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS), Mrs Ifueko Omo-Okauro as the chairman of a committee to
manage the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund, by the Ambode
administration.
Those at the media briefing include Prof. Oluwole Smith, former Lagos
commissioner, Peju Philips; former special adviser on environment, Taofiq
Folami; former solicitor general and permanent secretary, Lagos Ministry of
Justice, Lawal Pedro; the Oba Akran of Badagry, represented by Chief
Gbonugan Ajose-Harrison; Lai Ajayi Bembe, among others.
Reports reaching us said that Professor Smith said Soyinka’s appointment was a
wrong choice and unacceptable.
He also decried the fact that successive administrations in the state had been
towing the same line by by-passing what he says are “true
indigenes” for the past 18 years.
He added by saying henceforth, they (Lagos indigenes) will resist government
decisions to give sensitive appointments to non-indigenes of the state.
He said: ”There are very many elders,
octogenarians, septuagenarians, former
governor, ministers, academic, public and civil
servants and other indigenes both at home and
in the Diaspora, that are more than eminently
qualified to celebrate their state.
”Professor Wole Soyinka’s choice is an insult to
the indigenes and he should decline to serve, to
accord with his reputation as a protester, who
has tirelessly protested wrongs and injustice in
the better part of his adult life.”
”We have decided to cry out, to enable us
partake as our right and in accordance with
extant laws, in the government of the state. We
can no longer afford to keep silent and pretend
that all is well when in fact there appears to be
no future for the indigenes of this state and the
generations yet unborn in the state.
”At the moment, we have six Ibos occupying
seats in Lagos, in the Federal House of
Representatives, non-indigene as a senator,
several non-indigenes in Lagos State House of
Assembly and in the executive council of the
state.
”In the past, indigenes of other states have
taken over our ministerial slot and occupy
positions in various parastatals both in the
state and at federal level. These are not
replicated in any other state in Nigeria.
Smith further stated that indigenes of Lagos state would henceforth closely
monitor and periscope the activities of the present administration in the state.
He warned that appointments in the state must conform with Federal
Character Commission Act, the Nigerian constitution and other subsidiary
legislation.
The Committee for Democracy &Rights of the People (CDRP) had
condemned Eko foundation after its paid advertorial appeared in The Punch
newspaper recently condemning Soyinka’s appointment.
Source: Naij.com
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