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  • Lagos BRT 50% discount ends tomorrow

    Lagos BRT 50% discount ends tomorrow

    The 50% discount on BRT transport fares in  Lagos state expires tomorrow. This discount kicked off on 2nd August 2023 and was part of the palliative put in place to bring succor to the lives of citizens in the state. The discount was implemented after a directive from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who said that the measure was to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government as well as the harsh economic situation in the country.

    The expiration announcement was made in a statement shared on the X account of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority yesterday.LAMATA noted that transportation fares will revert to their pre-August 2 rates from Monday, November 06.

    Read Also: FG to open up 28 States for water transportation

    The agency called on residents to take note of the change and make necessary preparations for the resumption of regular transport fare rates that were in place before the adjustment made in August.

    According to the statement, “The 50% rebate in transport fare in the regulated transport system in Lagos ends on Sunday. The 50% fare rebate was announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on August 2, 2023. The public is hereby informed that from Monday, November 6, 2023, transport fare will return to the pre-2nd August 2023 rate.”

  • LSFA Technical Director Taju Disu: How Lagos Won Football Golds

    LSFA Technical Director Taju Disu: How Lagos Won Football Golds

    New Technical Directorate of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) Taju Disu was over the moon on the final day of the National Youth Games, which took place in September in Asaba. He is happy because Team Lagos emerged victorious and won both the male and female football events of the games.

    The girls’ team thrashed Team Ogun 5-0, while the boys’ team defeated Team Plateau 2-1 in the finals of the football events to help Team Lagos finish overall second behind hosts Delta State.

    The ex-international who worked directly with the coaches of the football teams to the games, credited LSFA chairman, OgboniFouad Oki for providing guidance and clear objectives to achieving the feat.

    He said: “The feat was achieved through sheer objectivity and undistracted focus under the able leadership of LSFA chairman, OgboniFouad Oki. Worried over the dipping football fortunes of Lagos State, the new LSFA Board resolved to once again make Lagos the hub of Nigerian football, and the best way we felt this could be achieved is by developing the game at the grassroots. We carried out a week-long open screening exercise at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, where hundreds of youngsters were given ample chance to prove their mettle in boys and girls categories. We were majorly concerned about age and ensured only U15 players were selected. Taking overage players to win gold at the National Youth Games would have rubbished our efforts because the players will fade out when they should be peaking.

    Read Also: Lagos Women’s Run organisers jack up prize money

    “The players were taken straight to camp after the selection process. We registered them for the U18 MKO Abiola Memorial Cup in Abeokuta, where they distinguished themselves against older opponents. With these, the players went to the Youth Games battle-ready. We are not surprised that they excelled in Asaba because we worked with unity of purpose and everyone, especially the coaches carried out their duties conscientiously.”

    As the Technical Directorate of the LSFA, Disu said his focus would be on grassroots football developments, training coaches and referees regularly, and giving all stakeholders a level playing field to excel.

    He added: “I am charged with the duty to the formulation of  guidelines, strategies, and policies for the training and the technical development of coaches, providing advice to the Executive Council on coaching and technical development matters in general, for the strategy, development and technical direction of the Technical Directorate, for the preparation and implementation of technical programmes at the grassroots and juvenile, thereby preparing football coaches and footballers for the future, and I am required to build the capacity of the of Technical Directorate of the Association that will include but not limited to the following departments; coach education, referee education, talent identification, performance analysis, technical studies and video analysis, health and nutrition, sports psychology, strength, and conditioning.” 

    AT YOUTH GAMES

  • Lagos secures $1.35b deals for 4th Mainland Bridge, Blue Rail

    Lagos secures $1.35b deals for 4th Mainland Bridge, Blue Rail

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Access Bank for long-term infrastructure projects.

    The deals were signed at the Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2023 in Guyana.

    The governor listed some of the key projects to be serviced by the agreements, to include  Fourth Mainland Bridge, Omu Creek Project and 2nd Phase of the LRMT Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. He said his administration was committed to creating a better future for the state.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a post shared via his handle, @jidesanwoolu, on X (formerly Twitter), said: “It was a significant moment in Guyana at the Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2023 as we’ve secured a partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Access Bank for a massive investment of $1.352 billion in Lagos.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly amends Appropriation Law 2023

    “This investment will power our long-term infrastructure projects, demonstrating confidence from international and local partners in our growing economy.

    “As we move forward, this investment will help us realise key projects, including Fourth Mainland Bridge, Omu Creek Project and 2nd Phase of the LRMT Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. We’re committed to creating a better future for Lagos and its people.

    “Our vision for Lagos is becoming a reality with the Lekki-Epe International Airport and the Lagos Food Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe. These projects will further boost our economy and serve generations to come.  The future of Lagos is brighter than ever.”

  • BREAKING: Lagos secures partnership for construction of Fourth Mainland Bridge, others

    BREAKING: Lagos secures partnership for construction of Fourth Mainland Bridge, others

    Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed a partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Access Bank for long-term infrastructure projects in the state.

    The deal was signed at the Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2023 in Guyana.

    The governor mentioned some key projects including Fourth Mainland Bridge, Omu Creek Project, and the 2nd Phase of the LRMT Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, noting that his administration is committed to creating a better future for the state.

    Sanwo-Olu in a post shared via his handle, @jidesanwoolu, on X (formerly Twitter) said: “It was a significant moment in Guyana at the Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2023 as we’ve secured a partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Access Bank for a massive investment of $1.352 billion in Lagos.

    Read Also; Tinubu’s 2023 supplementary budget scales second reading in Reps

    “This investment will power our long-term infrastructure projects, demonstrating confidence from international and local partners in our growing economy.

    “As we move forward, this investment will help us realize key projects, including the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Omu Creek Project, and the 2nd Phase of the LRMT Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. We’re committed to creating a better future for Lagos and its people.

    “Our vision for Lagos is becoming a reality with the Lekki-Epe International Airport and the Lagos Food Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe. These projects will further boost our economy and serve generations to come. The future of Lagos is brighter than ever.”

  • Lagos is Africa headquarters of gaming

    Lagos is Africa headquarters of gaming

    Lagos State has been announced as Africa’s headquarters of International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) at the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) conference in Botswana.

    Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), Bashir Abiola-Are, was appointed member of IAGR Board.

    It recognises his dedication to regulation of gaming in line with global best practices.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu felicitate Oba of Lagos at 80

    Abiola-Are hailed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for positioning Lagos in the gaming world.

    He said: “If you have ideas without the support of your principal, and a team of dedicated staff, your success will be limited. That is why I thank Sanwo-Olu who supports our work as part of his THEMES Plus agenda.

    “We cannot quantify the gains of having Lagos as Africa headquarters of International Gaming Standards Association.”

  • List of markets shut by new Lagos commissioner

    List of markets shut by new Lagos commissioner

    Lagos State Government has shut down a few markets owing to waste management and other environmental infractions.

    The markets were closed in a joint operation by enforcement officers from Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) on the directives of Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

    Read Also: Lagos shuts Mile 12, Owode Onirin markets for environmental infractions

    Here is a list of markets that have been shut down:

    1. Ladipo Market

    2. Alaba Rago Market in Ojo

    3. Alade Market in Ikeja

    4. Mile 12 market

    5. Owode Onirin market

    6. Oyingbo market

    7. Alamutu Ologede market

    8. Ile-Epo Oke Odo market

    9. Alaba International Market

    10. Trade Fair Complex, Ojo

  • Senate urges FG to curb flooding in Lagos, Ogun

    Senate urges FG to curb flooding in Lagos, Ogun

    The Senate has urged the Federal Government to convene stakeholders’ meeting to assess the recurring flooding incidence  in some communities in Lagos and Ogun states with a view to finding a lasting solution to flood disasters.

    The Senate’s resolution was sequel to a point of order moved by Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC-Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary.

    The motion was titled:”Flood Disaster in Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu and several other communities in Lagos and Ogun.”

    The Red Chamber also commiserated with the victims of the flood disaster and commended the government of Lagos and Ogun for their handling of the crisis occasioned by the flood disaster.

    It also directed the relevant committees of the Senate to provide adequate funding for NIMET, Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with their mandates.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    Abiru in his lead debate said that a number of communities close to the coast lines in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos and other communities in Ogun State had always experienced flooding whenever the Oyan River Dam was opened.

    “The recent release of water from the dam caused unimaginable havoc  to residents’ property and livelihoods, particularly on Tuesday, Oct.24.

    “The  residents of the areas have fled their homes and businesses, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities,” Abiru said.

    The lawmaker further said that there was an urgent humanitarian crisis occasioned by the flood as “those who were sacked by the flood were hanging around with family members and friends.”

    He, however, said that in response to the threatening humanitarian crisis,  the governors of Lagos and Ogun and the Minister of Water Resources have all intervened in their respective capacities.

  • Lagos, Team Illuminate hold Green Students Workshop

    Lagos, Team Illuminate hold Green Students Workshop

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in conjunction with Team Illuminate, an organisation that enables youth in society for sustainability and creates awareness on environmental consciousness among young people, has held a Green Students’ Workshop with eight secondary schools under Education District V of the state.

    The workshop, which held at Awori Ajeromi Senior Grammar School, Old Ojo Road, Amuwo Odofin, had members of Environmental Bee Club (EBC) drawn from eight secondary schools participating.

    The schools are: Festac Senior Grammar School; Festac Girls Senior Secondary School; Amuwo Odofin Community Senior Secondary School; Awori Ajeromi Senior Grammar School; Kuje Senior Secondary School; Amuwo Senior Grammar School; Amuwo Odofin Senior High School and Agboju Senior Secondary School .

    Read Also: Olori Eleyo of Lagos celebrates 30 years

    Activities of the day included three group sessions, namely: Energy Conservation with Miss Toluwalase Abiona (Founder, Zero Plastic Straw Community), Green Spaces & Biodiversity with Miss Sonia Ugwunna (Project Lead, Sustyvibes) and Water Conservation with Miss Favour Inegbedion (Online Eco-activist); featuring brain storming sessions where students put together ideas on how to mitigate global issues, starting from their schools through the Environment Bees Club.
    According to the founder, Team Illuminate, 19-year-old Saviour Iwezue, “The Green Students’ Workshop aims to enable young people start taking action in the school space, towards environmental sustainability. It is to enable schools to be more sustainable and involve every person or every strata of the school in the sustainable practices.”
    Speaking on how the Green Students’ Workshop project was birthed, Iwezue said, “Originally it was my initiative. I had reached out to the government for a partnership; first to the Ministry of Education and they gave me access to 20 schools, to hold training with them, teach them craft – how to craft waste to usable materials. When I got to the district (District V) I was told the commissioner would have to approve such club, which would have taken longer time. I was, however, told that the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources had a club that was running in schools, which I could collaborate with, monitor and bring in my own innovations. That was how this partnership came up.”
    Teachers from each of the schools also had an opportunity to share their experiences organising Environmental Bees Clubs in their respective schools; ideas were shared and they were briefed on methods towards improving their club activities. They were taken through a strategic session on Waste Management for a Sustainable Schools with Miss Mosimileoluwa Alabi, founder, RecyclubNg.
    Students were engaged in an upcycling session, where they transformed a plastic paint bucket into a beautiful Ottoman with Miss Rachel Michael (a craftsperson) and plastic tablespoons to Wall decoration with Miss Seun Oladejo (CEO, House of Waste).
    At the end of the day’s activities, each students received a certificate. They were also offered mentorship opportunities through Team Illuminate’s Green Student Fellowship.
    The teachers also certificates of Appreciation.
    A representative of Director, Co-curricular Science and Technology Department, Mrs Tunde Sevezul, who attended the workshop, said the Lagos State government decided to partner with the 19-year-old because of her ideas which are compliant with the states mega city status and its quest to grow a population of young people who will be compliant with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Lagos engages in business partnership talks with German state

    Lagos engages in business partnership talks with German state

    The Lagos state government has hosted a delegation from Bavaria for a bilateral discussion on areas of investment between the two states.

    The visit was facilitated by German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, a part of the global network of German Chambers abroad, and an official representation of the German economy that provides advisory support services to German businesses that intend to make a market entry into Nigeria.

    The commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment (MCCTI), Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, who received the delegation, said a key priority of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is Making Lagos A 21st Century Economy, by promoting ease of doing business, encouraging sustainable practices and adopting inclusive economy through the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda.

    She said: “Lagos is a top receiving state of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) due to its attractiveness. The state also hosts a considerable number of manufacturing concerns with many success stories to share.

    One of the success stories is the emergence of fintech unicorns and many other tech start-ups. This is why Lagos, the fifth largest economy in Africa, compares favourably with other business capital of the world.”

    Ambrose-Medebem also reiterated the priority accorded to infrastructure development, saying that the efforts are already manifesting in the operation of the Blue Light Rail, the ongoing construction of the Red Light Rail and other projects.

    She assured Bavaria that the ministry will relate with sister MDAs particularly, Agriculture, Energy and Mineral Resources, the Environment and Water Resources, to promote trade with interested international investors.

    Read Also: Barau mourns elder statesman Adamu Fika

    Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Adetutu Ososanya, who described investment opportunities in the state as many, said the state has Enterprise Zones already set aside for development by interested investors.

    She added: “The government is reputed for giving timely support to all investors, and this has led to the timely completion of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, while the Badagry Deep Sea Port and Free Zone are being pursued with strong determination.”

    Leader of the Bavaria Delegation/Deputy Head of Department, Internationalisation, Location Policy, Invest in Bavaria, Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Georg Schmidt, said the team came from an institution responsible for trade promotion.

    “Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, there have been engagements around change in German economic policy, with a lot of talk on Africa, but this came with hesitation as many investors who want to come have limited information. This was until the Lagos Metroline Project hit the media waves in Germany”, he noted.

    While revealing plans to open more work offices in Africa in addition to the one in Johannesburg, Schmidt said the Chamber can match-make interested Nigerian and German businesses willing to partner with each other.

    Other members of the Delegation were Charlotte Griese, Economist, Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, and Timo Player of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria.

  • Lagos promises support for manufacturers

    Lagos promises support for manufacturers

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured manufacturers of his administration’s resolve to improve the country’s business environment.

    The governor gave the assurance yesterday at the completion ceremony of the first 2,000 vehicles assembled by GAC Motors in Lagos.

    He said: ”I stand before you today, enveloped with immense pride and optimism, as we celebrate a monumental achievement in the industrious heart of Lagos. Our vibrant city now hosts a thriving hub of automotive excellence, thanks to the diligent efforts of CIG Motors, a commendable Chinese indigenous car manufacturing entity.

    “Today, we applaud their remarkable milestone of assembling 2,000 vehicles right here on Lagos soil. This accomplishment is not just a testament to their expertise, but a reflection of the promising synergy between international partnerships and local talent.”

    The governor noted that in a rapidly globalising world, ‘such collaborations are the propellers of sustainable economic growth’. He added that the establishment of CIG Motors in the state is a glowing emblem of the state’s openness to investments that foster job creation, skill development, wealth creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

    “This milestone is a solid step towards our aspiration of making Lagos a hub of industrialisation and innovation. It’s a narrative of how international partnerships, coupled with a conducive business environment, can fast-track our journey towards economic buoyancy and societal advancement,’’ he added.

    “On our part, we shall continue to find ways to support your growth and that of other private sector players. Through business-friendly regulations, provision of infrastructure and investments in quality technical education to produce a world-class workforce, we are committed to ensuring that Lagos remains the first choice for business, not only in Nigeria, but across the West African landscape,” Sanwo-Olu added.

    According to the governor, the milestone is not merely a numeric achievement, but also an epitome of multi-sectoral progress that stands to benefit Lagosians in a myriad of ways.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly confirms Sanwo-Olu’s new nominees

    He said: “The ripple effect of CIG Motors’ establishment extends far beyond the automotive sector. It has ushered in a new dawn of employment, providing our industrious youths with well-deserved jobs, thereby contributing significantly to reducing unemployment.

    “Moreover, the skill transfer and technical training programmes initiated by CIG Motors have empowered many unemployed individuals, arming them with the requisite skills to thrive in today’s competitive job market,.”

    Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the LagRide scheme exclusively uses the GS3 SUV and GA4 Saloon cars that are assembled in the state, adding that the vehicles are produced locally to global standards to provide comfort for passengers.