The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fashola

  • 73 robbers, 8 policemen killed in Lagos

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, on Thursday revealed that about 73 armed robbers and eight policemen have been killed in Lagos during exchange of gun fire between the police and robbers in the last one year.

    Aderanti disclosed this at the 8th Town Hall Meeting on Security held at the City Hall, Lagos Island.

    He said the robbers were killed between November 2013 and October 2014, adding that the police also arrested 423 armed robbers and foiled 372 armed robbery incidents within the period.

    The commissioner also added that the police recovered 255 arms, 4,043 ammunitions and 560 stolen vehicles.

    Other statistics as disclosed by the police boss include, 833 stolen vehicles in Lagos in the last 12 months, with the breakdown revealing that 358 vehicles snatched by robbers at gun point, 468 others stolen from where they were parked and seven others driven away.

    He added that there were 68 armed robbery incidents in Lagos in the last 12 months, while 280 people were murdered in Lagos in the same period.

    He explained that reasons behind the high cases of murder in the state, include gangsterism and rivalry, motor transport unionism, thuggery, youthful exuberance, unemployment and politics.

    In his remark, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the logic behind the fund was to have a platform to tackle security challenges in the state.

    “We use our resources to protect ourselves and others instead of using it to protect ourselves alone. And that is where the real battle against crime begins, at the organic cutting edges of the agencies in the divisions and area commands within the states, with effective visible patrol presence and early intervention on a daily basis,” the governor said.

    Fashola appealed to corporate bodies and individuals to continue to support the STF, saying that any setback allowed would have untold consequence.

     

  • Fashola presents 2015 budget to House

    Fashola presents 2015 budget to House

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Monday presented a budget proposal of N489.69 billion for the 2015 fiscal year to the Lagos State House of Assembly for approval.

    The budget which is the last to be presented by the governor is the same as that of 2014, which stood at N489.69 billion.

    The budget comprises capital expenditure of N249.232 billion (51 per cent of the total budget) and a recurrent expenditure of N239.948 billion (49 per cent).

    Fashola said the budget retains its zero deficit in order to ensure that the next government does not inherit a deficit.

    The capital to recurrent ratio of 51:49 for 2015 is the same as that of the 2014 budget.

    A breakdown of the budget showed that Economic Affairs has the highest allocation of N146.305 billion, followed by General Service (N107.69 billion), Housing and Community Amenities (N82.14 billion), Education (N49.033 billion), Health (N44.619 billion) and Environmental Protection (N34.953 billion).

    Others are – Public Safety and Order (N15.547 billion), Recreation, Culture and Religion (N3.118 billion), Social Protection (N1.589 billion), Planning Reserve (N2.26 billion) and Contingency (N2.448 billion).

    Fashola said,“ As you will observe, we have retained essentially the same budget size as 2014. This is for many reasons. One reason is that we have kept a zero deficit in order to ensure that the next government does not inherit a deficit. This will give them room to start off very quickly when their programmes begin to crystallize and they may need to raise funds in order to start off.

    “Another reason is that our budgets, like all good budgets are not only defined by plans and expectations, they make more sense if they are defined by resources. Our resources have been severely adversely affected by the management and lack of transparency of the Federal Government and her agencies of the nation’s oil proceeds.”

     

     

  • 19 APC Ekiti lawmakers, others protest at Fashola’s office

    19 APC Ekiti lawmakers, others protest at Fashola’s office

    TILL smarting from the abrupt usurpation of their electoral mandate, the 19 All Progressives Congress party members of the Ekiti state House of Assembly in company of their counterparts from the Lagos State House of Assembly and some civil society organisation members at the weekend staged a peaceful protest to the office of Governor Raji Fashola to express their grievances over Ekiti impeachment and the police assault on the National Assembly on Thursday.

    Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of the House who led the lawmakers to the governor’s office, said that the lawmakers embarked on the protest to register their grievances to Governor Raji Fashaola, urging him to convey their displeasure over the unfortunate incidence to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Justifying the protest, Ikuforiji said it was imperative in view of the current happenings in the polity.

    “We are here to express our grievances about the political situations in the country, especially about the Ekiti impeachment and the recent fracas in the National Assembly. We are fully with the lawmakers, all hands must be on deck to save Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

    While noting that the 16 years experience of democracy in Nigeria is the longest since independence which should be sustained, the Speaker said all concerned Nigerians should speak against the ills bedeviling the nation.

    “It is the duty of every citizen of the country to defend our democracy and that is the reason why we had a special sitting today for the Ekiti lawmakers to express their view to the public.

    “We want the governor to convey our grievances to the president over the situation in Ekiti and the National Assembly, it is an abuse of the legislature,” he stressed.

    Fashola, while responding to the lawmaker’s plight, said it was unusual for the House of Assembly to stage such a protest to the state house.

    The governor said that though the executive and legislature in Lagos state disagree but they are never on the opposite side.

    “It is a very unusual thing to see members of the House protesting like this, though we disagree but not in opposite side. We have made a clear choice in a way in which we want to be governed.

    “I share your concerns and every person who is concerned about Nigeria should also be worried about the situation in Ekiti Assembly and the National Assembly.

    “I think Mr. President has a moral duty to the country. He should not be leader of a side,” Fashola said.

     

  • Fashola, Abdulsalami, others to bag meritorious award

    Fashola, Abdulsalami, others to bag meritorious award

    LAGOS State governor, Babatunde Fashola, former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, (Rtd) and other eminent personalities in the country will on November 23rd receive a meritorious award for their contributions to the growth and development of the country.

    The annual award ceremony organized by HOG magazine will take place at Memory Gathering Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. President of Nigerian Guild of Editors and Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, The Sun newspapers, Mr. Femi Adesina, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Sam Nda- Isaiah, among others will also be honoured. Explaining the rationale for choosing the inductees, the publisher, Rupert Ojenuwa said: “Those to be inducted into the HOG’s Hall of Fame were selected based on the fact that their contributions to development of their respective fields have remained consistent and changing the lives of the people around them.

  • Fashola approves appointment of four new judges

    Fashola approves appointment of four new judges

    Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN),  on Wednesday approved the appointment of four new high court judges for the state.

    According to a statement issued by Mrs. Grace Alo, spokesperson for the Lagos State Judiciary, the newly appointed judges would be sworn-in on Friday.

    The statement further disclosed that the approval followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

    The judges are – Mrs. Iyabo Akinkugbe, Mrs. Serifat Sonaike, Mr. Abdulfattah Lawal and Mr. Abisoye Bashua.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the appointment brings to 54, the number of judges in the state judiciary.

     

  • Fashola’s wife lifts the visually impaired

    Fashola’s wife lifts the visually impaired

    The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, has demonstrated her commitment to giving succour to the less-privileged, with the donation of a vocational training workshop for the visually impaired under their umbrella group, the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB).

    Commissioning the project at the Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Oshodi, she said the gesture was prompted by her desire to touch lives positively.

    She explained that the initiative was a fulfillment of the birthday promise she and her husband, Mr Babatunde Fashola, made in 2012 when they visited the school.

    Mrs Fashola, who bagged the Honourary Membership of the FNSB, pledged her support to the organisation, even after the expiration of her husband’s tenure.

    The society’s chairman, Mrs Biola Agbaje, said the workshop was renovated 10 years ago by some philanthropists from the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, had remained in bad state.

    “For many years now, our students have been taught in the school’s common and dining rooms and even under trees in our compound. Two years ago, God heard our prayers and directed the first lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola to us. She actually jump-started what we are seeing today. She arrived quietly that first day she visited us. On the governor’s birthday on June 28, 2012, the first couple spent part of the day with us here at the VTC. Our fortunes changed that day. Before leaving, the governor made a handsome personal donation and pledged to complete the renovation,” said Mrs Agbaje.

    She said the governor had also secured scholarships for all the students in the school through the state scholarship board since 2013.

    Fashola, she added, pledged to finance a new hostel that would accommodate about 120 students. She promised effective utilisation of the workshop.

    One of the students, Mr Ebong Essienkan, thanked Mrs Fashola and sought her support in creating job opportunities for them.

  • Fashola: we’ve delivered on our promises

    Fashola: we’ve delivered on our promises

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has criticised the Federal Government on its inability to contain the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

    He said the government’s failure on security was responsible for the sect’s takeover of some parts of the country.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the public draw of the monthly Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMs) at LTV 8, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

    Fashola said the situation in the country would change if Nigerians chose their leaders based on the best criteria rather than religious or ethnic bases.

    He said: “Be on your guard in 2015. Don’t fall for just any line. We, on our part, we see promises as something sacred and must be kept. We make promises and we keep them.

    “We promised to deliver 200 homes monthly and we have kept our promise. These are the physical examples that we keep our promise and it is not about tribe or religion.”

    The governor advised Nigerians not to base their decisions on who lead them during the next dispensation on tribal or religious sentiments.

    “When you are making your choice, forget about religion, forget about tribe because you are not choosing us to come and pray for you, but to work for you. God has already chosen the reverends and the imams who will pray for us and give us full spiritual diets.

    “What we need now are people who will help us face our physical battles such as providing electricity, schools, security, health care and jobs. That is what we need.”

    The Executive Secretary,Lagos HOMs, Akinola Kojo Sageo said Lagos HOMs had held nine draws and given out 331 homes.

  • Boko Haram: Fashola blasts FG, tasks Nigerians on new leaders

    Boko Haram: Fashola blasts FG, tasks Nigerians on new leaders

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has criticised the Federal Government over the activities of Boko Haram militants, saying government’s failure on security was responsible for the sect’s takeover of some parts of the country.

    Fashola, who spoke on Wednesday during the public draw of the monthly Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme’s (LagosHOMs) at LTV 8 Agidingbi, Ikeja, said the situation in the country would change if Nigerians choose their leaders based on the best criteria rather than religious or ethnic bases.

    He lamented that the country handed over intact to President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has degenerated, so much so that some parts of the country have fallen into the hands of the insurgents.

    The governor said, “They enjoy making promises they cannot keep. You have heard promises about security, not so? Promises made four years ago. But, we handed them the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with all its components parts intact and we are back four years after with some parts of Nigeria already taken away from them and they are saying the next four years will be better.”

    He advised Nigerians to be wary of politicians who come to them during this electoral period to make superficial promises, urging the electorates to critically assess the track records of the politicians and their political parties before deciding on them.

    “It is election time and they will start coming with vote catching promises, but they have never kept their promises before.

    “We on our part, we see promises as something sacred and must be kept. We make promises and we keep them. We promise to deliver 200 homes monthly and we have kept our promise. These are the physical examples that we keep our promise and it is not about tribe or religion,” he stated.

    Fashola also advised Nigerians not to base their decisions on who lead them during the next dispensation on tribal or religious sentiments.

  • Lagos waste dump worth N5m daily income, says Fashola

    Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola said waste management has become a big business, adding that the famous Olusosun waste dump in Ojota is capable of generating N5million daily.

    The governor, who spoke  during the closing ceremony of this year’s Lagos State Science and Technology (LASSTECH) Week  at the Main Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, said the state government had intervened in the business by providing hand gloves and face masks to people who do business at the place to reduce the risk of contacting disease.

    He told a group of students drawn from public primary and secondary schools in the state that the government is investing massively in education because it believes it holds the promise of lasting happiness for all.

    According to him, waste management has become an imperative in view of the damage the activities of man has done to the environment, adding that the government has completed a sorting and recycling plant in Alimosho which would be commissioned for use soon.

    Addressing the pupils, he said there was no substitute to hard work, promising that the state government will continue to invest in their future by providing the infrastructure necessary for them to acquire knowledge.

    According to the governor, other nations have gone ahead of the country, stressing that the state government is investing  youths ducation not only to catch up with those other countries but to also overtake them.

    He advised the students to take their studies seriously, arguing that hard work makes them fulfilled.

    He also enjoined the pupils to ensure that they allocate one hour daily to serious studies after the normal school schedule, stressing that adherence to such a tight schedule does not only enthrone self-discipline in them but also makes them to inculcate the habit of planning.

    He said: “Work hard, never be afraid. Nothing is impossible because everything that was said to impossible before are now possible. Hold on to your dreams. Every dream you have must come to pass but you must work hard; work first and then pray. That is what the scripture says.”

    Responding to questions asked by the students, Governor Fashola said he is motivated to work because of the belief he has that Nigeria is yet to attain its full potential. He said he also beleives in Lagos State that had provided him the opportunity to serve.

    On challenges, he told the students that being entrusted with the responsibility to look after the welfare of 21million people itself is a huge challenge.

    He said he does not beleive he has enemy, adding that people with strong opinion about what they think should be have the right to do so.

    He however said his administration always welcomed constructive criticisms, arguing that it makes the government to  do more.

  • Don’t allow frustration to dim your desire for Nigeria – Fashola

    Don’t allow frustration to dim your desire for Nigeria – Fashola

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Tuesday challenged thousands of All Progressive Congress (APC) youths in the state not to allow the present frustration in the system deter their desire for a new Nigeria.

    Fashola, who spoke at an APC Youth Summit, held at Onikan stadium, Lagos, said it was important to crave for a new Nigeria, where the leaders will place more value on human lives as the greatest asset than any other natural resources.

    He said the process to effect the desired change has started, urging them to go out and obtain their permanent voters card (PVC) in order to vote for their desired candidates.

    Fashola alongside the youths in a voice vote outlined their vision for a new Nigeria.

    He said, “Each one of us will have a unique idea of the type of Nigeria we want, because we are different in many ways, but I think that because of our reality all of us can agree on a frame work that allows our expectations to be met.

    “A new Nigeria that we desire should be a safer and more secure Nigeria, where our children will not be kidnapped and we will not be bombed out of existence but can live our life to the fullest.”

    The governor added that in the new Nigeria, citizens expect government to account for resources and put an end to the endless missing of money from the federation account.

    “A new Nigeria should be a better governed Nigeria, we expect our government to account for our resources and the billions of dollars that go missing will stop, and public funds are no longer lost to boyfriends and girl friends.”

    He said the funds generated from the country’s resources would be properly channeled into establishing developmental projects such as roads, schools, hospitals and other amenities that will improve the living standard of the people.