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  Mama” @ 80 and other birthday stories. By LANRE ADEWOLE  Last Monday, the pioneer Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Chief (Mrs) Oluremilekun Debbie Olowu was 80 and fittingly, the President of the Republic, led the tribute choral.  I have known the one fondly called “Mama” by her own for close to 25 years, though the circumstances of our first meeting are a bit vague now.  But in no time, mother-son relationship developed between us and subsisting, though I have not seen her in a while.  This is not a biography. It’s a personal testament to grit, determination and dedication, all rolled into a woman of steel. In her NEMA days and later foray into Osun politics, Mama came as tough as they get.  In writing this, I had to consult a Nigerian global expert in disaster management who worked closely with Mama for years, before becoming a United Nations consultant; Dr. Olusegun Ojo, who should ordinarily hold professorial chair ...

  The Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 General Election and disqualify those whose names are 3not contained in their parties’ membership registers. The committee made the call in a letter dated Sept. 30, 2026, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Prince Bayo Balogun, drawing the attention of the commission to the provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026. Balogun also sought clarification and appropriate action by INEC towards ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Act by all registered political parties. He recalled the commission’s response dated July 26, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, in which INEC expressed concerns arising from judicial pronouncements and ongoing judicial proceedings over the interpretation, constitutionality and enforceability of certain provisions of Section 77. According to him, the commission’s position wa...