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Tag: Fashola

  • Fashola presents N489.69bn 2014 Budget

    Fashola presents N489.69bn 2014 Budget

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) on Wednesday presented the sum of N489.69 billion 2014 budget to the state House of Assembly for approval.

    Fashola, who presented the budget before a large audience of various stakeholders, party chieftains and captains of industry amongst others, said the proposed budget shows a slight drop of about N10billion from the N499.604 2013 budget.

    He said the budget has N234.665 billion as recurrent expenditure and N255.025 billion capital expenditure, which is in the capital to recurrent ratio of 52:48 as against 58:42 in the 2013 budget.

    He said the budget has a Total Personnel Cost/Total Revenue of 19 per cent; Total Personnel Cost/IGR, 27 per cent and Personnel Cost as percentage of Recurrent Expenditure of 37 per cent, adding that a zero deficit financing requirement is proposed for 2014 budget.

    Other breakdown in the budget are – General Public Service (N100.215 billion); Public Order and Safety (N17, 977 billion); Economic Affairs (N160.046 billion) and Environmental Protection (N39.727 billion).

    Others are the sum of N50.537 billion budgeted for Housing and Community Amenities; N37.8 billion for Health; N3.482 billion for Recreation, Culture and Religion; N77.423 billion for Education and N2.466 billion for Social Protection.

    “Because this is the last full year budget that my administration will implement, it represents a slight reduction in budget size when compared with the 2013 budget. Its focus will be to complete on-going projects, and consolidate on the gains we have made,” Fashola said.

     

  • Fashola, others seek laws to regulate traditional medicine

    Fashola, others seek laws to regulate traditional medicine

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has called for a more effectice regulation of traditional medicine.

    He sought its full integration into the health care system for a better harnessing of their benefits.

    Speaking at the African regional forum of the International Bar Association (IBA) conference in the United States , the governor said those referred as herbalists could be made to play more economic and health roles in Africa.

    Speaking on the topic: Off to the witch doctor! Regulating African traditional and indigenenous medicine, he said traditional medical practice cannot be wished away.

    According to him, they provide medical care for a large section of the people.

    “It exists and serves a segment of our society and some people believe in it because it works for them.

    “Integration is the key. There is no medical production that does not have its foundation in nature. Traditional medicine is based on beliefs and the acceptability of the practice is something that you really cannot legislate,” he said.

    He said Lagos has a Traditional Medicine Regulatory Board which not only registers the practitioners of traditional medicine, but also regulate what they do.

    He, however, cautioned that government cannot over-regulate the practice.

    If it does, the best results from their practice may not be achieves because some of their practices cannot be verified with empirical facts.

    Fashola called for more pragmatic regulation and full integration into the orthodox practice where possible.

    He said Lagos has trained hundreds of traditional medicine practitioners on how to improve their services.

    Fashola condemned the attitude of some practitioners who claime to solve all manner of ailments.

    The keynote speaker, Dr. Emmanuel Fashakin classified his experience with African traditional medicine into the good, the bad and the ugly.

    He noted that traditional medicine is orally passed on from generation to generation, possibly because of the lack of education among its early practitioners.

    He said traditional medicine is divided into two, the physical and metaphysical.

    The physical traditional African medicine is divided into herbal medicine, hydrotherapy and radiant healing, he said.

    He named some of the plants in the practice as Fennel, Serpentine, Digitalis, etc.

    Fashakin called for serious regulation of the practice, which he said should include registration of its practitioners, enabling laws to guide the practice, education of the practitioners and users, and possibly integration with the orthodox medicine.

    Dr. Joy Sackey noted that there is room for traditional medicine practitioners in Africa.

    She said Ghana has about 45, 000 of them, which was why the government enacted the Traditional Medicine Practice Act in the year 2000.

    Accordint to her, the Act led to the establishment of a Council to regulate traditional medicine and its practitioners.

    She called for balancing, integration and need to introduce basic standards, as well as promote collaboration between modern and traditional medicine practitioners.

    Dr. Richard Marlink condemned traditional medicine practice because according to him, it lacks standardised forms, its claims cannot be verified by empirical means and so, if it cannot be proved, then it does not exist.

     

     

  • Fashola, Tinubu, others pay last tributes to Odunsi

    POLITICAL leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from across the various divisions including the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday converged at the 8th Day Fidau prayers in memory of a departed leader of the party in Surulere area of Lagos State, Alhaji AbdulLateef Babatunde Odunsi.

    The event, which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, featured tributes by the interim Chairman of the APC in the state, Chief Henry Ajomale, and special prayer sessions for the families of the deceased, the state and the repose of the soul of the late political leader.

    Speaking with newsmen after the Fidau, Fashola said the presence of the party leadership from the Lagos Central Senatorial District and across the state showed that the late Odunsi was a man of the people.

    He added, “He was also a servant of the people who did his own stint by serving the State House of Assembly and also in the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) as well as in many other fields.

    “And like all good men and like all great men, he knew when to pass on the torch to the next generation and that generation has come out, to come and pay tribute. We pray that God grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    Aged 82, the late Alhaji Lateef Babatunde Odunsi was a founding member of several progressive platforms having gone into politics since 1957 starting with the Action Group to the Unity Party of Nigeria, the Action Congress of Nigeria and the APC.

    Prominent among those who graced the event were the deceased’s associates including Oba Olatunji Hamzat, Chief James Odumbaku; the Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Lanre Babalola, and former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, among several other party stalwarts.

     

  • Breaking News: Cholera hits Lagos, three dead

    The Lagos State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Cholera in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who confirmed the development in Lagos on Wednesday that out of the 13 cases reported, three persons have died.

    Worst affected places are, Ajeromi, Apapa, Lagos Island, Oshodi and Surulere.

    The commissioner attributed the epidemic to contaminated wells, local food and non-washing of hands.

    He urged residents of the state to report any known case to the nearest health centre.


  • Fashola and traffic chaos in Lagos (II)

    Fashola and traffic chaos in Lagos (II)

    The CDAs will become more active in urging the community members to pay their Land Use charges so that they can enjoy more infrastructures from the government. This will create healthy competition among communities and drastically reduce the rate of default without the government wasting money and time in litigations against defaulters.

    • In all the areas where the government is embarking on major roads construction, there should be a simultaneous provision of more access roads to absorb the imminent traffic inflow.

    For example, the expansion work on Ikorodu road will, without doubt, increase the inflow of more people into Ikorodu (landlords, tenants, business clients and visitors). There is, therefore, an urgent need to work on the access road from Owutu to Ojodu via Isheri Oke as proposed by the state government. There is also a need to create an access road from Ita Oluwo on Shagamu road to link the Owutu – Ojodu/Ikeja road at Igbolonu junction area.

    There is also a need to tar the Owutu – Agbede – Ita-Oluwo road. These, if done, in addition to the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu–Shagamu and Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode roads will go a long way in easing up the traffic to and from Ikorodu thus boosting the economic and social activities in Ikorodu Local Government and the five Local Community Development Associations. The growth and development of the communities will also enhance income generation for the state and local governments in those areas.

    • Transport touts – There are two categories of transport touts that are constituting nuisance in the Lagos State transport system. The first group are the touts that call passengers into vehicles, particularly at Jibowu, Mazamaza, and a few other places. These Touts are fond of embarrassing innocent people by dragging Travellers, pulling their bags, making a mockery of responsible citizens. Government should send plain cloth agents to loading points of inter-state transporters to get a clearer picture of the activities of these Touts and take appropriate actions to curtail their excesses in the interest of security, good traffic flow, and human freedom.

    The second category of Transport Touts are the people working for transport Unions and Local Governments. Some years ago, I sent a comprehensive blue-print to the Lagos State government but it was not even acknowledged not to talk of acting on it. The summary of the suggestion is that the state government should licence few Intra- state transport companies to manage the intra-state transport vehicles in Lagos State.

    As part of the conditions for licensing, these companies will be required to have adequate spaces (land) or the government can assist them to secure spaces where possible, to serve as their motor parks.

    The companies will be given colours, codes or trade marks for identification. Each vehicle will have a number at the front, back and sides so that whenever any of them commits any offence, picking the number (not plate number) will reveal the vehicle and driver details for prosecution.

    All the levies being collected by Transport Unions and Local Governments on the roads will simply be collected by the various companies right in their offices and remit same accordingly. This strategy will keep the touts off the road for the good of Lagos State traffic system.

  • Fashola, Tinubu enjoin selfless service

    Fashola, Tinubu enjoin selfless service

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday urged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of Eid-El-Kabir, especially selfless service and sacrifice to evolve a new Nigeria.

    The duo spoke at the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island.

    They were optimistic that the Nigeria of their dream was within reach, though would require selfless service and sacrifice for Nigerians to achieve this.

    The frontline APC chieftains advised Nigerians to pray for the nation’s unity and forgiveness of sins.

    Addressing reporters after the prayers, Tinubu emphasised the need “to sacrifice at a specific period for the rest of Islam, humanity and for forgiveness of sins”.

    He added: “Sacrifice should teach us indivisible commitment to humanity. We should be able to make sacrifice and forgive. We should be tolerant and obey the calling of the Almighty God.

    “We should pray for the unity of Nigeria and for forgiveness of sins. What Nigerians should ask for is how we will continue to co-exist and be united.

    “We are not supposed to see the difference between religion and faith. Our Independence is not based upon division but on tolerance, co-existence, understanding and secularity of Nigeria. These values are extremely important. It is for us to make progress in this country. That is all we must pray for.

    “Any divisiveness must completely be eliminated; it must totally be neutralised as a country now. What are we, as human beings, to choose for others? Almighty God did not call for war against one another. God did not call for the shedding of the blood of innocent citizens. God wants us to co-exist and worship. A man has the right to desire what he wishes. That is our liberty; that is our right; that is our calling. We should adhere to it.

    “We should acquire knowledge and impart knowledge. We should use the knowledge to better the condition of every human being in the country. We should keep our children in school. Let them be educated; let them be innovative; let them be creative; let them also obey the will and wish of the Almighty God. “

    Fashola noted that sacrifice was necessary in celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir.

    The governor urged every resident “to imbibe the virtue of sacrifice so that we can witness a Nigeria we dream of, which I am confident is within our reach”.

    He added: “But we all need to sacrifice to realise it.”

    Fashola promised that Nigerians would experience the nation of their dream where people “are their brother’s keeper; where people are hopeful day after day and year after year; where all of the promises that we all feel will materialise”.

  • Fashola urges Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerate one another

    Fashola urges Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerate one another

    Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Tuesday urged Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious differences, to embrace peace and tolerate one another.

    Fashola made the call at the Obalende praying ground, Ikoyi, Lagos, where he observed the Eid-El-Kabir prayers.

    The governor, while describing the celebration as a day of thanksgiving, urged Nigerians to toe the line of peace for the stability and progress of the nation.

    “We must seek forgiveness from God and forgive our neighbours and fellow human beings.

    “We must pray that the philosophy and ideal of sacrifice to build our society exists. Because, it is only under the atmosphere of peace that we can prosper and bring economic prosperity to our people,” he said.

    Also, Alhaji Sheik Akewuusola, the Chief Imam of Badagry, urged Muslim faithful to remain holy and impact the lives of the poor.

    Akewuusola said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry, Lagos State.

    He urged Muslims to be kind hearted and always protect one another.

    “Muslims should remain holy in all their endeavours and ensure that they protect one another in various ways.

    “They should be their brother’s keeper and lend a helping hand to the poor.

    “Givers never lack, and in helping those that are in need, blessings shall be upon them,” the cleric said.

    At Ijegun area of Lagos, Alhaji Kareem Oseni, the Imam of Fagbile Mosque, Ijegun,   advised Nigerians to avoid making statements that could be inimical to the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

    “Islam stands for peace; so, all Muslims and indeed Nigerians must work hard to maintain peace, progress and unity of Nigeria.

    “We must be careful not to make any statement that can undermine the nation’s peace, unity and progress,” he said in his Sallah sermon..

    The cleric urged Muslim faithful to emulate the exemplary quality of Prophet Mohammed, who in obedience to God almost sacrificed his only son to Allah, until God provided an alternative.

    Alfa Azeez Misbideen, a Muslim cleric, told NAN that Eid-el-Kabir offered Muslims the opportunity to be grateful to God for providing the alternative.

  • Pa Kasumu: family waits on Fashola

    Pa Kasumu: family waits on Fashola

    Family members of veteran actor, Kayode Odumosu, otherwise called ‘Pa Kasumu’ are wary of the story of the proverbial housewife, who threw away the tadpole-infested water, thinking the rumbling cloud will emit torrent. Reacting to the rumour that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has offset the N12 million needed for the treatment of their father’s kidney, heart and stroke ailment, the actor’s son, Jide Odumosu, told The Nation that, although the Governor facilitated a medical test which was conducted on Saturday, it is not yet certain, the exact help which the Lagos state helmsman may be rendering.

    Jide said it was necessary to clear the air, as there are media reports, stating that their family has collected N12 million from the Governor in lieu of the actors’ medical treatment abroad.

    “The truth of the matter is that the Governor has intervened by asking us to take him to a hospital in Ikoyi for a medical test. It is not true that the Governor has given us N12 million. The Governor himself has not told us that he is going to foot the bill. But he paid for the medical test which was performed on him on Saturday.”

    Asked if the Governor visited the actor personally, Jide said he (Fashola) was represented by his personal doctor. He would not know how much the test cost, but said it was totally on the Governor’s bill. He disclosed that apart from the two tests done on Saturday, another one is expected to be conducted today, also on the Governor’s bill.

    On how much has been realised from public contributions so far, Jide said the amount received so far is less than N1.5 million, out of which N1 million was donated by a Commissioner in Lagos State. Responding to whether his father’s colleagues have been of any help so far, he noted that the N1 million donation was facilitated by some of his (Pa Kasumu) colleagues in the film industry.

    Jide revealed that some of the tests carried on the actor where to determine the state of his brain, as the ailment appears to be affecting his brain. He said the second test was necessitated by the initial one, whereby the neck region was discovered to have also been affected.

    Reports say the actor is being affected by partial stroke, to which his son admitted, said to be progressive. He expressed fear that the situation is already affecting the actor’s sight and speech. As it is now, his father suffers a heart, liver and brain problem, Jide, second son of the actor, confirmed.

    Should Fashola’s aid reach the Odumosu’s it will be another of such help from the Governor, who, last year, donated N4.5 million to ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ star, Ngozi Nwosu, for a medical surgery abroad.

     

  • Fashola to offset actor, Pa Kasumu’s medical bill

    Fashola to offset actor, Pa Kasumu’s medical bill

    There are indications that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has indicated his willingness to offset the N12m medical bill purportedly needed by veteran actor, Mr. Kayode Dosumu popularly known as Pa Kasumu for the treatment of his kidney and liver ailments.

    A family source revealed that although the governor is presently in the United States, he has reportedly contacted the actor on his intention to foot the entire medical expenses.

    It would be recalled that the ailing thespian had added his voice to a media campaign by his colleagues, friends and family members, pleading with the public to help save his life by donating towards his treatment.

    Fashola’s aid for Kasumu is coming on the heels of his donation of N4.5million to ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ star, Ngozi Nwosu last year for a similar surgery abraod.

     

  • Fashola: ‘Lagos Solar Generation’; Ibadan-Lagos-disgrace; RCC/ BJ emergency repairs pls;  Lifejackets pls

    Governor Fashola invites us to ‘Let’s talk power’ so let us talk ‘Solar Power’. Governor Fashola, if countries with minimal sunshine, like the UK and Germany, can have rooftop solar panels and solar energy powering cities like in Spain, the USA and Israel, ‘Can You Please Take Lagos Solar?’ The cost of solar equipment, under-education in solar potential and lack of solar planning laws hinder progress. The Lagos State Building Code should encourage new buildings to have a solar component and be more environmentally friendly.

    Recognise, Reward and Award excellence in solar companies. Increase plans and 2014 budgets  for major solar use in the secretariat and local authorities for security lighting in street lights, bus stops, market, motor parks, neighbourhoods, foreshore lighting, Bar beach, recreation areas, schools, tertiary institutions and hospitals all needing security and lighting all night and solar public buildings and lampposts at festive periods.  The equipment cost is a constraint but the cost of solar panels and batteries has gone down by 80% accompanied by a marked improvement in solar battery efficiency. Solar technology is evolving rapidly as demonstrated at 2013 Solar Energy Expo in Dubai. Nigerians including Engineer Yomi Bolarinwa were there and have 2013 cutting edge knowledge to be tapped –but no one will tap them. Talk to embassies.

    Nigeria should beware therefore of ‘Solar Dumping’, the delivery of old solar technology as ‘aid’ or by solar contractors seeking to drop obsolete solar equipment in Nigeria. Nowadays even two years is old technology. Solar equipment costs are high and it takes five-plus years to recoup the cost in savings from cut electricity bills. It behoves Lagos State, federal government, CBN to come up with a ‘Long Term Solar Loans Strategy’. A low interest, 2-4% multibillion Solar Loan Facility would instantly provide 10,000Mw off grid. Importation duties should be waved. Cleaning of solar panels is work for thousands. Creating ‘The Solar Generation’ would be the next big thing in Nigeria after DSTV, the ‘Generator Generation’ and the ‘Cell Phone Generation’. How the UK is planning 20,000Gw while we are still using the odd solar powered torch is a mystery and misery.

    Wanted: A Governor Fashola driven ‘Solar Lagos Project’. Where are Nigeria’s solar factories making solar panels, flat and curved, and solar batteries? We made glass and batteries at Triplex and Exide. Under Obasanjo we got a tobacco factory instead of cellphone factories so no phones Made In Nigeria. God gave us petroleum but we export it and re-import our needs at huge extra costs. God gave us the sun. We ignore it while countries with 10% sun power their people into the 21st Century. LASU should be given a Lagos State Solar Grant for research into solarising Lagos.

    We must encourage new great leaders. A Fashola led ‘Let’s Act Solar Power’ will place Lagos as a leading solar city in Africa. The reason why Nigerians were considered the ‘Happiest People on Earth’ is not our politics but the fact that the sun remained in our otherwise miserable lives. The politicians cannot yet give the sun only to party members -like allowing only party members to live on the sunny side of the street.  The sun brings a smile to the sick, the broke, oppressed and  miserable. Too much sun is not good but every day starts with that warm glow of hopeful rays.

    About leadership, who allowed the imminent collapse and closure of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with 15 kilometres of traffic five lane wide, 10,000 vehicles long with one million people, daily desperately struggling down that obstacle course? NEMA, if that is not an emergency and disaster, what is? Do we require the death of all these people in a fireball on the expressway? Nigerians know that awarding a contract is never an end to suffering. Nigerians are suffering maximally, stranded for seven hours daily in 2013 while RCC and Julius Berger warm up. Contractors must please show the milk of human kindness. Nigerians expect ‘CONTRACTOR EMERGENCY MEASURES PLEASE’ for patching dangerous pothole and the worst areas within 24 hours pending reconstruction. Painting and deployment of pretty concrete barriers and clearing the median can come later. The main problem areas are Julius Berger areas – very rough/absent road surfaces at the Mountain Top University, Redeem Crossings, Hayday

    Petrol station, Takol, Asese. The road authority should create a Nigerian solution to the massive Nigerian problem of queue jumping– a major cause of prolonged driving time for those who stay in the lanes. The placement of barriers every 20 metres on the shoulders would make it impossible to queue jump.

    Breaking News: The human cannot swim without learning. When will we learn? A life jacket for everyone on the water will save lives. Why is no one listening? We have just lost 42 or 100 citizens and an additional 18 more citizens on the River Niger. Lampedusa, off Italy is the watery graveyard for Africans seeking backdoor entry into Fortress Europe and now over 300 more. None had lifejackets. Is anyone listening? A life jacket costs little compared to a life. A life jacket is reusable, recyclable and is less than a N1 per use if 1000 trips are made. A life jacket keeps the wearer alive. If you do not provide or use a life jacket for your wife, children, relatives or employees you are a murderer or a murdering government and should be tried as such.