Tag: Fashola
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Fashola, Lagos Business School sign MoU on competitiveness projects
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos Business School (LBS) on competitiveness project.
The governor said the willingness of his administration to be open showed that those criticising the state’s economy are wrong.
Fashola, who spoke at the Conference Room of the Lagos House, Ikeja, explained that the partnership with the LBS shows that any matter could be debated and analysed for public good, as it is done in several parts of the world.
The governor noted that the project shows that his administration was ready to present its processes to independent teams of academics, professionals and entrepreneurs and also share knowledge and experience with them to benefit from existing human capital in the state.
He said great cities, such as London and New York, share a cordial relationship with their business schools and universities.
According to him, the MoU should have come earlier than now.
Fashola added: “But it is consistent with some of the things that I have advocated, that the town and gown must shake hands. We must implement policies that are consistent with the experience of people out there and the people must also acquire knowledge and skills that are useful for government to discharge its responsibilities.”
The Dean of the Lagos Business School, Dr Enase Okonedo, said the objective is to see how the LBS can make Lagos an attractive place not only for businesses but also for business persons who will come to Africa and take advantage of the potential which has been out there for a couple of years.
She said the Lagos Competitiveness Project is a collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the LBS to competitiveness studies across the 10 crucial sectors.
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Fashola visits LASU
•Students beg governor on fee
Last Tuesday, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) made a surprise visit to the Ojo campus of the Lagos State University (LASU). He was received by the institution’s principal officers led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa.
Others were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Omolara Bamgboye, Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof Kabiru Akinyemi and the Registrar, Barr. Lateef Animashaun.
Fashola visited to inspect the on-going construction of facilities in the school. As he came down from his vehicle, the governor’s first port of call was the Central Library, which is still under construction.
Other buildings visited by the governor included the Senate Building, Science Complex, and Students’ Union building, all of which are still under construction.
The construction work is being carried out by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Students were however caught unawares by the governor’s visit. Femi Olashore, 200-Level Mass Communication, said: “I was surprised to see Governor Fashola’s convoy on the campus. I think no student was aware that the governor was coming for inspection. But it all went well. I hope a befitting structure for my faculty will be built some day by the governor.”
Seyi Makinde, 300-Level Public Administration, said: “We must all thank God that Fashola is justifying his position as the Visitor to LASU by initiating relevant facilities to aid learning and project the school among its peers, but the government must also look into pressing issues such as school fees, which will benefit the generality of the students.”
Other students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, urged the governor to reduce the tuition fees and deliver more democracy dividends to Lagosians.
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Fashola denies applying for Exim Bank loan
Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday denied the report that his government applied for $15.7 million Loan from Exim Bank to underwrite the purchase of 32 American fire-fighting vehicles.
Fashola debunked the report published on the bank website and other national dailies during the inspection of ongoing government projects in Ikorodu axis of the state.
“We did not apply for any loan and I think the interesting thing about that news report is that while it focused on the 15.7 million dollar it omitted what that purpose was meant for,” the governor said at the forum.
Fashola explained that the state executive council did not approve taking loan to equip the state Fire Service but approved purchase of additional 30 new fire engines and other fire accessories from a company based in Illinois, United States.
According to Fashola, “The state cannot obtain foreign loan without the approval of the Presidency and the National Assembly.”
He said the only foreign loan the state government applied for was the second tranche of the N200 million World Bank loan that necessitated his appearance at the National Assembly a couple of months ago, adding that this was meant for quick completion of major projects scattered across the state.
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Fashola redeploys five permanent secretaries
Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has approved the deployment of five Permanent Secretaries in the state public service.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe.
He said the redeployed permanent secretaries are Mr. Taiwo Adetunde Adedeji, deployed from the Ministry of Housing to Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan from Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs to Local Government Service Commission; Mr. Lateef Dada Abari from the Public Service Office to the Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs.
Others are Mrs. Eniola Yonwuren from the Civil Service Commission to the Teachers Establishments and Pensions Office (TEPO) and Mrs. Regina Iyabode Obasa from the Local Government Establishment, Training and Pensions to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The statement also revealed that the 16 newly appointed permanent secretaries have been assigned portfolios.
They are Dr. John Olusegun Oshinyimika, Office of Youth and Social Development; Dr. Abiola Olawunmi Awonuga, Office of Sports and Mrs. Onikepo Olufunmilayo Animashaun, Ministry of Science and Technology.
Others are Mr. Fariudeen Abisoye Akodu, Public Service Office, Mr. Olatunde Idowu Agoro, Ministry of Rural Development; Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adebusola Balogun, Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture; Mr. Waliu Abiodun Onibon, Parastatals Monitoring Office; Engr. Naheem Olayinka Sahid, Office of Infrastructure.
In addition, Mr. Jamiu Adewale Ashimi, Local Government Establishments, Training and Pensions Office, Mrs. Omotayo Amoke Olabenjo, Civil Service Commission; TPL. Olusoga Olatunji Odunlami, Ministry of Housing; Mr. Adeyinka Tajudeen Jeje, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission; Mrs. Modupeola Agbeke David, Education District I and Mrs. Iyabo Funmilola Osifeso, Education District VI, were also given portfolios.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Ganiyat Adebola Afun and Dr. Francis Olatunde Williams, whose appointment were confirmed, are to retain their previous portfolios which are Office of the Environment and Primary Healthcare Board respectively.
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Fashola tasks Lagosians on law and order
FROM Governor Raji Fashola has come a clarion call to Lagosians: “Security is our collective responsibility.”
He gave this charge recently during the Security Council Meeting, where he reviewed the activities of all the relevant agencies entrusted with the enforcement of law and order in the state.
The over one-and-a-half hour security meeting, which held at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos House, Alausa, was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Manko, all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Area Commanders, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), top officers of the State’s Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in the state.
Fielding questions from Government House Correspondents after the meeting, Governor Fashola said it was informed by the need to reach deep down to the people concerned with the enforcement and maintenance of law and order in the state.
He said the meeting was “a periodic evaluation, a first quarter evaluation of what we did last year and what goals we set for ourselves this year,” adding, “essentially it is that Lagosians should expect a relatively more aware and more committed law enforcement team, a more civilised one, a more firm but courteous law enforcement team, a more crime prevention oriented law enforcement team rather than criminal apprehension security team.”
On the responsibilities of the citizens in the maintenance of law and order in the state, the kernel of discussion at the meeting was that the citizens have some responsibilities of their own in the prevention of crime and enforcement of law and order.
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Fashola envisions a better year
As Nigerians join others in the world to usher in 2013, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has expressed a wish for a better year for all.
He implored residents to stay safe, healthy, shun the temptation to cut corners and be security-conscious.
In his New Year message, the governor urged vigilance and compliance with law and order, which represent the measure of the civilisation of every society and the only way through which it can identify and put pressure on the few people who are making life difficult for the majority.
He added that it was by so doing that the people could bring the few spoilers to justice, secure the state and make it the model mega city.
Governor Fashola said the New Year resolution of his administration is to continue to serve the people and evolve policies and programmes that would secure their life and property, and advance their welfare.
He said given that 2012 had some challenges, particularly in terms of security, everyone must vow to fight the menace if any progress must be made as a nation and a people in the New Year.
He stressed that everyone must realise that security is everybody’s business and that those who make life difficult for the rest, such as kidnappers, armed robbers, suicide bombers and other criminals belong and live within the communities.
Said he: “They are not ghosts but people like you and I. They must be known by some people. It’s our duty as individuals and communities to expose such people. Their activities only benefit a few and the majority suffer.”
Governor Fashola said everyone must respect the rights of others and obey the laws of the land, noting that it would be difficult to realise any noble aspirations or dreams if there is no order in the society.
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Lagos Festival: UK fireworks experts arrive
The newly reclaimed Eko Atlantic City is set to host the biggest cross-over party in Africa as the bouquet of activities by the Lagos State government to mark the Lagos Countdown 2012 gets into full gear.
Part of the high points of the months of preparations for the Lagos Countdown event being driven by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) is arrival of experts brought in by the state government to manage the spectacular fireworks and for the first time in Africa, a Lazer Beam and Water Projection Display to herald Lagos into the new year.
Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, George Noah, who met with newsmen while inspecting facilities for the Fireworks, Laser Beam and Water Projection Display at the Eko Atlantic City, venue of the event, explained that “the strategic intent for hosting the event is to put Lagos on the global tourism map in the league of cities as New York, London, Sydney, Paris, Los Angelis and other major destinations that will be commemorating the cross over into the year 2013 in spectacular ways.”
“What the agency is doing on behalf of the state government is leveraging the proposition of Lagos as a premium destination for business and leisure,” Noah stated.
The Bar beach end of the Eko Atlantic City has already become a beehive of major commercial and leisure activities thronged by thousands of domestic and foreign tourists who are entertained every evening by different artistes at the instance of Nigerian Breweries Plc, one of the sponsors of the event who give away various freebees night after night.
The celebration officially began on Thursday 20th December 2012 as the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola officially “switched on” the Lagos Festival of Lights, heralding the holiday season.
It is anticipated that over 100,000 people will converge on the Eko Atlantic City on the year’s eve to welcome the new year in true Lagos style, while millions of people would experience the event via the mass media as well as the social media.
According to the organisers, there will be restriction of movement from the Adeola Odeku junction along Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, from 6pm on Monday 31st December 2012 till the end of the event. This is to accommodate the mammoth crowd expected at the event.
The Lagos Countdown activities will come to a climax with a thrilling display of spectacular fireworks, laser beam and water projection as never seen before in the entire continent of Africa.
It will be preceded and followed by rich musical performances to be led by an array of A-list Nigerian artistes which will include Tu Face Idibia, Dbanj, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, MI, Burma Boy, Ice Prince, Brymo, Dr. Sid, Durella, Jessy Jagz amongst others. Other activities billed for the cross-over night include an interdenominational prayer session for Lagos State amongst other side attractions.
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Fashola seeks partnership on education
Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has urged individuals, clubs and corporate bodies to partner with the government in the provision of social amenities that could aid quality education.
He made the call on Wednesday at the formal commissioning of Dr. Lucas Memorial High School’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, built by Techno Oil Limited in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Wale Akanni, said such partnership was very necessary.
“This will help in turning around the dwindling fortunes of education in the state,’’ he said, restating that provision of quality education was part of his administration’s 10-point agenda.
According to Fashola, the biggest investment anyone could make in his community was in the area of education and any nation that ignored this was programming its human resources for failure.
“Investment in education is invariably a necessary tool to bring about social, economic and political transformation.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Techno Oil Limited belongs to the crop of transformational organisations, rather than transactional organisations.
“The firm has demonstrated what corporate governance and social responsibility of individuals should be by contributing its quota through the construction of a modern ICT centre for the school within its sphere of influence,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying at the gathering.
The Managing Director, Techno Oil Limited, Mr. Tony Onyeama, said the company had so far spent over N200 million on its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects since it started business 15 years ago.
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Fashola cautions labour unions on frequent strikes
Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday urged labour unions in the country to explore dialogue rather than using frequent strikes to resolve industrial disputes with their employers.
Fashola gave the advice at the Excellence Awards Ceremony of the Lagos Zone of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), at the NAN Media Centre, Iganmu, Lagos.
He said strikes had a deleterious impact on productivity and the national economy, adding that industrial actions should only be used as a last resort.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor as well the union`s National President, Mr. Igwe Achese, were presented with the 2012 NUPENG`s Excellence Awards.
“When you shut down this and that all the time, all in the name of pressing home your demands, you are shutting down the economy because productivity suffers.
“This method may have been right some 50 years ago or during the military regime but not anymore, because by doing that, you will be causing hardships and harming the same government which you elected.
“Therefore, there is the need for labour unions to be more creative and ingenuous in negotiating with their employers.
“If dialogue still takes place after strikes, why can`t it be used all through the process of negotiation?’’ he said.
He commended NUPENG for cooperating with the government in improving traffic in the metropolis and noted, however, that the activities of some of their members still constituted nuisance on the roads.
Fashola said reckless driving by petroleum tanker drivers accounted for a significant number of road accidents, adding that so many lives had been lost to preventable mishaps.