Sensitisation on the Monkey Pox diseases began yesterday at Lafiagi, headquarters of Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The advocacy is being sponsored by the government, through the Ministry of Health Emergency Response Team, World Health Organisation (WHO) and AFENET.

One case was recorded in the council last week.

The team was led by the ministry’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO), Dr. Fatimah Lah.

Residents were educated on the causes, symptoms and preventive measures against the disease. Emphasis was laid on the importance of early presentation at any health facility so that appropriate help is obtained, and necessary information could be sent to relevant authorities to provide supporting medication.

The team also did necessary contact tracing by taking samples from suspected members and identifying contacts in the community and neighbouring villages. It also hailed the council’s Disease Surveillance and Notification team, urging it to remain responsive always and give necessary updates to the headquarters.

The Federal Government has granted 694 of the 12,387 applications for the first page of the National Housing Programme (NHP).

Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola said this yesterday when he handed over keys to beneficiaries in Osun State.

Fashola said the handing over of keys to beneficiaries held simultaneously across the country.

The minister, who was represented by the Osun Housing Controller in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Nureen Abiola, added: “We have entered a season of completion and handover of keys to beneficiaries, in 35 states and the FCT, who subscribed through https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ for the sale of these completed houses.

“We have therefore offered these housing units to the public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the portal to carry everybody along. While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility, and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and tent-to-own which we encourage applicants to pursue.

“The web-portal was launched on November 12, 2021, and has received 12,387 applications from Nigerians, of which 694 applications have been approved.”

Fashola hinted that four people fully paid for their houses within the estate comprising 76-units of one-bedroom and three-bedroom.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry Bashir Alkali said over 1,500 building contractors have been employed under phases I, II and III of the programme since the inception in 2016, with over 15,000 direct and 55,000 indirect jobs created.

“During this period, the ministry is building over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, of which 2,665 have been completed in 35 states and the FCT,” Alkali added.

The Ondo House of Assembly has urged the Ministry of Environment to develop a blueprint on waste management towards tackling environmental hazards.

This followed the adoption of a motion by the Majority Leader, Oluwole Ogumolasuyi, after an interactive session with the environment team, led by the commissioner, Sunday Akinwalere.

Speaker of the House Bamidele Oleyelogun called on the ministry to initiate a waste management structure that will re-enact the cleanliness which the state was known for.

He urged the ministry to furnish the House with the roles of all agencies in charge of waste management, as well as areas where the House could be of help.

The speaker also admonished the ministry to explore the possibilities of generating wealth from waste and actively engage youths in its activities.

Akinwalere thanked the lawmakers for their concern on the state’s cleanliness. According to him, the fovernment has procured two additional amphibious excavators to aid the dredging of river channels.

He solicited the lawmaker’s support in funding, and pledged to work on all observations raised by the House to address current environmental challenges.

Fourteen families which were displaced during the construction of the Pen-Cinena Bridge in Agege area of Lagos State have been resettled.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu handed over the apartment keys to them today at the unveiling of ‘Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments’ inside the existing Ijaye Housing Estate at Pen-Cinema.

The ‘Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments’ are four new structures comprising 48 units of 2 and 3 bedroom flats, and four units of 4-bedroom maisonette, making 52 apartments in total.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the initiative as a testament of his administration’s commitment towards providing affordable housing for Lagosians.

He said his administration had opened about 16 housing estates and 4,000 apartments since inception in 2019.

Managing Director of the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) Oluwatobiloba Lawal said ‘the highlight of this event is the reallocating and handing over of keys to families that were displaced as a result of the construction of Agege Pen-Cinema bridge free. This is another expression of this administration’s uncommon compassion and strong determination to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Lagos’.

Representative of the alottees Mrs. Esther Ogunbanjo, who spoke for the others, thanked the government for keeping to its promise of resettling them. According to her, they had lived in their homes for over 35 years before the bridge project started five years ago and their homes were demolished.

“We are grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu for keeping to his promise of resettling us. He has a listening ear and so put joy had no limit. We also promise that everyone in this community will vote for the governor in the 2023 election because his administration keeps to promises,” she added

Thirteen teachers and education administrators in the Lagos State employ were yesterday gifted with brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for being exceptional in their profession.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented the cars to the winners at this year’s Teachers’ Merit Awards ceremony at Sports Pavilion, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The recipients are made up of three teachers and one administrator each at primary, junior secondary, senior secondary school levels and one special teacher with hearing impairment. Of the number, seven are women.

They are Michael Ayoola, Bolanle Alamu, Adeola Adefemi, Soji Megbowon, Yahya Adesokan, Lukman Agbabiaka and Omolayo Fadayomi. Others are Bolanle Aremu, Olubukola Dosunmu, Oluseyi Amao, Olusegun Muftau, Okubukola Adesanya and Adenike Ojo.

Sanwo-Olu, who urged the winners not to relent in their pursuit of excellence, said the gesture was aimed rewarding hard work, resilience and commitment to duties and encouraging others to healthy rivalry for greater service.

He hailed the winners and other semi-finalists for their efforts, asking them to be more committed to duties.

The governor said his administration was targeting to build 50 additional comprehensive schools to complete existing ones and make then Information Communication Technology (ICT) compliant.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting qualitative education.

Commissioner for Education Folasade Adefisayo congratulated the outstanding teachers and school administrators, saying they have made education exceptional through their leadership roles.

Chairperson of Nomination Committee Mrs. Lai Koiki said 3,582 applicants were screened to 22 semi-finalists before arriving at the 13 winners.

Top state government officials and private sector operators – the deputy governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; Chairman of LASUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King and Chairperson of TESCOM, Mr. Olabisi Ariyo – attended the event.

All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency in Lagos, Prince Lanre Sanusi has felicitated with House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on his 60th birthday.

Sanusi described the Speaker as a strategic, consummate progressive leader with alluring capacity for human development.

Sanusi, in a statement on Gbajabiamiala’s 60th birthday, said: “Given the symbolism of the attainment of the landmark age of 60 years, especially in a life such as yours that has been exceptionally eventful and fulfilling, there is great cause for thanksgiving to Almighty God for your antecedents.

“It is a joyous moment to look back at 60 years that have been packed with personal achievements and involvements as a Speaker in the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a pro-activist, and a major progressive player on the national political scene.

“I have a special affinity and admiration for men who passionately pursue the selfless path of true service and have the highest respect for men who pursue that path in the areas of socio-political engineering and penchants for a detribalized society, all these are embedded in you, hence, I have no reluctance, therefore, to declare that, you, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila has earned my full respect and my deep admiration as a unifier of our great nation, Nigeria.

“Mr. Speaker, you have always exuded charisma, carriage, dignity, and honor, you are a man endowed with sheer organizational ability, administrative prowess, uncommon trouble-shooting acumen, masterful logic, foresight, and above all, the most colorful speaker in the post-Awolowo era. You are also an outstanding Yoruba Leader who has profoundly shaped and dictated the pendulum of Nigerian Politics from the hallowed corner of the Green Chamber.

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“I have related with you closely for some years now and you struck me as a consummate statesman/politician who is very strategic and thinks on his feet, a gallant Nigerian who continues to fight for the unity of Nigeria.

“Your human capital development is alluring just as you have made personal sacrifices and deployed your socio-political experiences for the benefit of the Country. And today, you are still standing tall, desirous to offer more.

“To me, you remain an exceptional Nigerian citizen whose love for society has rightly earned him a coveted seat in the highest echelons of the select group of the honored and the blessed. I boldly say “ *You are a true progressive, a grassroots politician, and a formidable leader of men”* because your life and times have characterized exemplary leadership for the generation next to emulate your legendary contributions to the development of our dear country.

“As a lawmaker, you have remained consistent in the promulgating the tenets of democracy and you have continued to be that voice of the common man at the National Assembly. Your breed only comes on humanity once in a lifetime.

“Yours is, indeed, a life truly worthy of celebration. You have attained lofty heights not just as an accomplished legal luminary, but also in your continuous committed service to communities and the country. we salute your efforts and dedication to Nation Building and National Development.

“On this auspicious occasion, I congratulate, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on his accomplishments at 60. I wish him many more years, robust health, increased wisdom, and God’s grace as he continues to impact the lives of Nigerians.

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Prince Lanre Sanusi has raised the alarm over what they described as “a sinister and grand plot” to smear him.

One of the party’s leaders in Amuwo Odofin who craved anonymity said some politicians who lost out during the last primaries and are yet to come to terms with present realities have been sponsoring negative media campaigns against Sanusi.

An online news platform, Sahara Reporter published an article on Tuesday June 21 claiming Sanusi was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a petition against him by a logistics company, 4runner Limited.

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According to another top politician in the area, many are still wondering where the information that Sanusi was arrested by the EFCC came from because no such thing happened.

The source, who craved for anonymity, said all the negative stories are being peddled by disgruntled opponents who lost out at the APC primaries for the Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency.

“As at today, Prince Lanre Sanusi has not been invited over by the EFCC on any petition written by 4runner nor the Dallas city government claiming that their COVID-19 materials got missing nor diverted.

“Prince Lanre Sanusi has continually told his followers to ignore the news as it’s a distraction.”

A supporter said Ayo Adewale on May 29 wrote a petition against Sanusi having lost the primary to the latter.

“While we want to use this opportunity to alert members of the public and the good people of Lagos state about this grand plot, we equally want to urge them to take the lies, fake stories and propaganda with a pinch of salt,” he said.

The new monarch of Oworonshoki Kingdom Oba Babatunde Saliu has assured his subjects that his reign would usher in the much-needed peace, normalcy, prosperity and tranquillity.

Oba Babatunde Saliu gave the assurance while addressing some residents of Oworonshoki community and other well-wishers who had thronged his palace to congratulate him on ascending the throne of his ancestors.

In his first public interaction after receiving his certificate and staff of office from the Lagos State Government on Wednesday June 15, 2022, the new Oloworo of Oworo urged the people of Oworonshoki to be at peace with one another, stressing the brouhaha of the obaship tussle is over.

Addressing the crowd in Yoruba, the former Kosofe Local Government Vice-Chairman declared that his reign would usher in peace, unity, normalcy, prosperity and tranquility in the kingdom.

He also prayed smooth conception and easy delivery for the women.

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To the entire sons and daughters of Oworonsoki, Oba Saliu said: “Be at peace with yourselves. There is no more rancour, no more tussle. We are one. We are ready to make peace with everyone”.

The new Oloworo succeeded his late father, Oba Bashir Oloruntoyin Saliu who joined his ancestors last year.

Before his ascension to the throne, Oba Saliu was Vice Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, having won last year’s Local Government elections with Chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe.

He attended Irepodun Primary School, Sari Iganmu, Lagos and Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State.

He holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Business Administration and two Master’s degrees in Philosophy, and Public Administration & International Affairs from the University of Lagos.