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Mojisola Meranda: 5 things you need to know about 1st Lagos female speaker
Mojisola Meranda has emerged as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following the impeachment of Mudashir Obasa over multiple fraudulent allegations.
Meranda, who was Obasa’s deputy, was immediately sworn in after Obasa’s impeachment on Monday, January 13, 2025.
With this development, Meranda becomes the first female speaker of the Lagos State Assembly.
If you’ve never heard about her, here are five things to know about the Lagos lawmaker representing Apapa constituency 1.
Early Life
Meranda was born on August 16, 1980 into the popular Akapo family in Lagos.
Family
Meranda was born to the family of late father, Chief Taoreed Lawal-Akapo was the Ojora of Lagos from 1977 to 1993, and and Princess M.A Lawal Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru.
Education
Meranda started her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary School and then moved to Randle Primary School, at Randle Avenue in Surulere from 1986 to 1992. She proceeded to the Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School (1992–1996) and Ansar-ud-Deen Secondary School (1996 -1998) for her secondary school education.
In 2013, she graduated from Lagos State University with a Bachelors of Science in Public Administration.
Lagos root
Meranda hails from a royal house in Lagos and her brother, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal is the Oniru of Iru land.
Political career
The 44-year-old lawmaker is one of the four women in the Lagos House of Assembly. Meranda was first elected as a member of the Lagos Assembly in 2015 having served in different capacities at the Apapa local government. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
Meranda grew up in a family of politicians and developed interest in politics when she worked as a personal assistant to Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant on technology and special projects to Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure and Lagos State governor.
News
Makinde Swears in 48 Permanent Secretaries in Oyo State
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, swore in 48 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state’s Civil and Public Service. The governor urged them to perform their duties diligently and contribute to the state’s sustainable development agenda.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Executive Council Chamber, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Governor Makinde emphasized that the appointments were based on merit, objectivity, and a transparent process free from external interference. He described the event as historic, noting that the positions were long-standing vacancies now filled to enhance governance.
Makinde highlighted the significance of appointing Permanent Secretaries in key sectors like education and local government. He explained that this move aims to encourage diligent workers, institutionalize excellence, and promote career progression in these critical areas.
“History is being made today because appointing 48 Permanent Secretaries is no small feat. These vacancies existed, and we simply followed a fair and merit-based process to fill them,” the governor stated.
He lauded the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, for her role in managing the appointment process and emphasized the importance of recognizing and rewarding contributions in the education and local government sectors.
“Our future depends on how well we educate our children. That’s why we appointed Inspectors-General and Tutors-General in education to build a solid foundation. Similarly, at the local government level, we want to encourage those working tirelessly at the grassroots,” Makinde said.
He advised the newly appointed officials to uphold the oath they took, remain fair, and strive to justify their appointments through exemplary service.
The 48 Permanent Secretaries include 15 from the mainstream Civil Service, 15 from the education sector (Inspectors-General of Education and Tutors-General), six from health, and seven from local government. Additionally, the appointments include the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House and the Surveyor-General of the state.
The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Deputy Governor Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, PDP National Deputy Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chief Judge Justice Iyabo Yerima, and other top government officials and stakeholders.
Governor Makinde concluded by encouraging the appointees to serve diligently, ensuring their actions benefit the people of Oyo State.
Daily Sun
Politics
PDP Replaces Southeast National Vice Chairman
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, has nominated South East Zonal Youth Leader of the party, Chidiebere Egwu as the replacement of the embattled National Vice Chairman of the party, Ali Odefa in the zone.
In a letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Illiya Damagun and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the party said it nominated Egwu to replace Odefa who it suspended from the party..
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki had upheld the suspension of Odefa by the Ward executive of the PDP, Oguduokwor Ward in Onicha LGA for alleged anti-party activities.
The Oguduokwor ward disciplinary committee of the party after hearing the allegations against Odefa, recommended the expulsion of the former Zonal Chairman of the party last month .
PDP Leaders in the state who okayed the expulsion, unanimously endorsed the replacement of Odefa.
The party leaders include; Chief Onwe S. Onwe, former Acting National Secretary, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the party, Chief John Igboke, former Deputy National Youth Leader, Chief Paul Okorie, a former governorship aspirant.
Others include, Chief Austin Edeze, a former governorship aspirant and Director General, 2023 PDP Governorship Campaign Council, all the National Assembly and House of Assembly candidates of the PDP in the 2023 General elections among other high-ranking party members.
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