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Tag: Lagos State Government (LASG)

  • Lagos faults FG’s directive on allocation of funds to LGs

    The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, SSG, Tunji Bello has expressed displeasure of the state government on the Federal Government’s directive on local government’s financial autonomy and direct allocation.

    According to him, it negates the principle of true federalism as the FG has no business in the management of council funds, adding that this is the position of Lagos State Government and Lagosians on the issue.

    Bello made the remark on Monday in his office while responding to a question by the team leader of the Senior Executive Course (SEC), 41, 2019 of The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, who are on a 5-day study tour to the state, Dr. Nasirudeen Usman,  Director of studies NIPSS.

    Usman was speaking on the new directive on council allocations and its implication for universal healthcare delivery.

    Bello said it was high time Federal government allowed true federalism to play out as it is practiced in developed countries like: United States of America, Canada, Australia, Germany, India among others.

    He said: “On the issue of LG funding, I disagree with the FG because it has no business in dabbling into council’s administration, it’s unfair. It’s completely a state matter. Nigeria is running a federal system of government.

    “Constitutionally, states should be allowed to run their councils because it’s not the way councils are being run in Kano they will be run in Lagos or Kwara State. Even, the way Mushin LGA will get run in Lagos is not the way Surulere or Apapa council will be run because they run on different terrain. States should be allowed to determine their councils’ funds

    “FG should give each state the council fund for appropriate deployment of the fund with proper monitoring mechanism.

    “This is one of the problems Nigeria is facing today. In a true federalism there are responsibilities to be left in the hands of the states to take charge.

    “Even the issue of policing should be managed by the states. And if the issue of insecurity in the country must be quickly and effectively tackled, the states must take off with state policing.

    “The Armed forces, including the Police are overburden, they are overstretched. It’s high time we looked at these matters and address the issues squarely in the interest of Nigerians in the long run,” Bello said.

    Last week the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) issued new guidelines on direct allocation of funds to the local government without the interference of the states.

    The spokesperson for the NFIU said with effect from June 1, any bank that allows any transaction from any local government account without the funds first reaching a particular local government account will be sanctioned locally and internationally.

    And that the Joint Account System in place will only exist for the receipt of allocations but not disbursement, according to the guidelines.

    All financial transactions by local governments will be registered and monitored by the NFIU through e-payment module.

  • Sanwo-Olu must fulfil his promises to Badagry division – Lawmaker

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Akande, has urged the  state Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to fulfil promises made to the Badagry division during electioneering.

    Akande, representing Ojo Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    He urged Sanwo-Olu to prioritise massive rehabilitation of the roads in Badagry division.

    According to him, the governor-elect should ask for wisdom from God to fulfil the promises and surpass the successes of the previous administrations.

    Akande, who described Sanwo-Olu as an embodiment of knowledge based on his antecedent, said: “We want him to look at the roads in the state, especially the ones in Badagry division.

    “We don’t have a solid government presence in the division and our roads are so bad.

    “We want Sanwo-Olu to look into this and meet the promises he made to our people by giving us access roads.

    “He should give us electricity to change the commercial activities of the state.

    “We want Lagos state to be industrialised and the only way that can be done is through power supply, which is another aspect he wrote down in his diary during his electioneering,” he said.

    Akande, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, advocated for massive investment in the youths, saying that “a state or country that does not develop the youth will be in comatose.

    “The government should help the youth to develop, support them to become somebody and actualise their dreams; some of the youth are inventors and they only need a little support to excel.”

    On the caliber of cabinet members for the governor-elect, Akande said that the selection would be done by the leaders of the party, who had the technicality of doing that over the years.

    “Since the time of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  to that of former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and now Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, we have been having best brains as our cabinet members in Lagos and we have been achieving.

    “Now, our agitation is that we are going to the next level. We will do that by harnessing the best brains to work with the governor-elect.

    “It is not just for one person to do. The governor-elect cannot do it alone. The lead

  • LASG unveils policy to better public transportation

    The Lagos State  Government ( LASG) on Friday unveiled a  policy that would provide a framework within which transport infrastructure and services would be efficiently deployed in the state.

    The Commissioner for Transportation,  Mr Ladi Lawanson,  unveiled the policy before relevant stakeholders at the  Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja.

    He said that the policy, when eventually adopted would ensure that the sector complies with international security and safety standards.

    Lawanson in his remarks commended the state governor,  Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for his commitment to the sector.

    He said that the forum was to enable the team of consultants midwifing the document to collate opinions from other stakeholders.

    “The document is in tandem with the government’s avowed commitment to continual improvement of the citizens’ welfare as it touches on other modes of transportation, hitherto,  unfathomed into the state’s transportation subsector.

    “Essentially, through the document, we shall seek to provide a framework within which transport infrastructure and services can be used efficiently.

    “This will lead to a safe and environmentally friendly manner of operations capable of buoying the private sector’s confidence to invest in and improve upon,” he said.

    The commissioner said that the policy was the first in the history of the state and, indeed,  the country.

    He stressed that despite all government’s strides in promoting public transportation, there had never been a policy regulating the sector.

    Dr Tajudeen Kayode, the Dean of the School of Transportation Studies, Lagos State University, (LASU), said the policy would, among others,  establish an agency – Lagos Transport Authority (LTA), which would regulate all modes of transportation in the state.

    Prof.  Samuel Odewunmi, Dean of the School of Transportation in LASU highlighted the institutional framework for the policy.

    He said that all the agencies operating within the transportation sector should be brought under one umbrella for maximum supervision, coordination and regulation.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Olufemi Salaam, said the policy was to complement the various initiatives being put together by the government to promote safe,  and affordable public transportation.

    Salaam said that when fully in place, the policy would help promote safety of lives and properties across all the identified modes to which the government was committed to explore.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 35 suggestions from 25 stakeholders would be included in the document.

    Among such initiatives identified was the place of none motorised mode of transportation, improved access to public transportation by the aged and people living with disabilities.

    It would also include how to enforce guidelines that would aim at sanitising the operations of commercial (yellow) buses and their operators, especially,  the agbero (tout) system as well as motorcycles and tricycle operations in the state. (NAN)

  • Lagos commended for hosting successful carnivals

    Lagos commended for hosting successful carnivals

    The Lagos State Government ( LASG ) has been commended for hosting  successful carnivals  in 2017 which were devoid of violence and vices.

    Benedict Afagwu, popularly known as ‘DJ Humility’, told newsmen in Lagos that the success was due to the provision of security agents at strategic locations where the events took place.

    “The Lagos State Government carnivals held in 2017 were successful and glamorous.

    “The carnivals attracted lots of people and provided avenues for revellers to relax and cool off in preparation for harder work in 2018,” he added.

    DJ Humility also said that the carnivals provided opportunities for petty traders to make an income which alleviated the harmful effects of unemployment in the country.

    “Lots of traders were seen around carnival grounds making sales and increasing their incomes as they engage with fun seekers in an atmosphere of merriment.’’

    Read also: Wazobia FM pledges more carnivals

    DJ Humility started making waves when he emerged the overall winner in the Benson & Hedges DJ Championship in Year 2000.

    He has won several awards and worked with several popular music artistes to create beats for melodious songs.

    Some of his hit songs include, “All Over Me” featuring Ice Prince, “DJ’s Anthem” featuring Kevino, “Conga” featuring Timaya, and “Badman”, featuring Sugarboiz, among others.

    DJ Humility is currently a radio DJ in one of the radio stations in Lagos State.

    NAN

  • Trader arraigned for N240, 000 fraud

    Trader arraigned for N240, 000 fraud

    A 28-year-old trader, Chima Akwo, has been docked at an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for fraud after he allegedly obtained power shower worth N240,000 from a businessman under false pretences.

    The accused is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining an item under false pretences, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused, who resides in Apapa area of Lagos, committed the offences on Sept.15 at the Satellite town in Lagos.

    Read also: Court docks dispatch riders for stealing N643,388

    Kokoye claimed that the accused obtained power shower worth N240,000 from one Obinna Akanazu with a promise to pay him the following day.
    He said that the accused started using the power shower but refused to pay Akanazu as promised.

    Kokoye said that the complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested for questioning.

    The offence contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Section 314 of the law prescribes a 15-year jail term for offence of obtaining items under false pretences.

    The senior magistrate, Mr M. A. Etti granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with one surety in like sum.

    Etti said the surety must be gainfully employed and must also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the

    He adjourned the case until Dec.29 for mention.

    NAN

  • LASG to partner NGO on skills’ acquisition training for youths

    LASG to partner NGO on skills’ acquisition training for youths

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) is to partner Hindsight Development Organisation, an NGO,in the  training of  youths in programmes and skills that would propel their total development.

    Mrs Atinuke  Odjenima, the Executive Director of the NGO  disclosed this during an interactive session with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos saying youth development would be part of its activities in the forthcoming “2017 Nation Building Conference” in Lagos.

    She said that the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sport and Social Development would be collaborating with the NGO during the programme where youths would be trained on various vocational skills for self development and leadership.

    She said that during the conference, resource persons would present papers on how the youths could do : bead-making, hat making, ICT-related skills and others.

    She added that some corporate organizations and philanthropists had also indicated their interests to be part of the conference as part of their own philanthropic gestures and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    “Our trainings are focused on the students in Primary and secondary schools, fresh graduates and Corps members, imbibing in them, leadership skills, sense of patriotism and civic responsibility,” she said.

    She further said that the group was in partnership with the Lagos state ministry of youth, as a stakeholder  in the development of youth policies for the state.

    Odjenima also advocated collaboration among all sectors in training youths toward leadership positions in the country.

    NAN reports that Odjenima, the convener of the 2017 conference, visited the agency in company with Messrs Olufemi Babalogbon and Sope Afolayan who are also members of the NGO’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

    She said that those currently in leadership should start mentoring the youths on the essence and prospects of good leadership.

    “The youths should be properly oriented with the right mindset, values and attitude, so that they can build a sustainable family, community and nation,” she said.

    She said that her NGO was running on a vision which would create a better society where love in leadership, positively nurtured mindsets, values and skills would be the order of the day.

    She said that such orientations which could be achieved through holding of seminars, conferences and publications would orientate the young citizens on how to be  better citizens in future.

    Odjenima noted that there was need for good leaders to always exhibit love in their style of leadership, adding that it was wrong not to practice what was preached.

    Read also: Lagos, 9mobile partner on coding centres

    “We can’t be preaching and be orientating about love in leadership and yet, we are not showing it as an organization.

    “ Hindsight Development Organisation embarks on some social, community project whereby we show what love is in practical and also encourage leaders to lead by example.

    ” So when we are talking about leadership, we want to use this medium to encourage such people who have done well in any aspect of their lives by giving them an award of recognition,” she said.

    According to her,  we need to orient our children on the essence of good leadership which is why we created clubs in primary schools, to catch them young.

    “The foundation is focusing its attention on children and youths to ensure they attain greatness.

    “So we need to catch them young and that is why we are  having leadership clubs in primary and secondary schools where we think we can best achieve this objective.

    She added that young people needed to understand community development, respect their elders and the authority and focus more on entrepreneurship to reduce high level of unemployment and crime in the society.

    Earlier, the Acting  Head of Lagos office of NAN, Mr Idonije Obakhedo, in his welcome address, expressed gratitude to the group for choosing to partner with the agency.

    “You have taken a good decision by choosing to promote issues on nation building from the youths point-of-view.’’

    According to the Deputy Editor-in- Chief, we are most concerned by your choice of mobilising the youths toward good leadership skills for national development.

  • We will use tourism, festivals, carnivals to boost revenue – LASG

    We will use tourism, festivals, carnivals to boost revenue – LASG

    The Lagos State Government ( LASG ) on Friday said that it would use tourism – related activities such as festivals, carnivals, exhibitions and conferences to boost the revenue base of the state.

    Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Acting Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that tourism is a veritable platform that can be used to drive revenue earnings of a state.

    According to her, the policy thrust of the government is to partner with the private sector in boosting the revenues of the state.

    “The government door is open for public and private partnership to increase its Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) through tourism and other related activities.

    “Lagos State Government is ready to partner any individual and corporate body with laudable initiative that will move the tourism industry forward, and indeed other sector of economy, ”she said.

    Akinsola said that festivals draw attention of international participants, tourists and investors closer to feel and see what a state or country could offer in terms of its tourism, arts and culture potential/assets.

    “It will also help to boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs for indigenes, boost commercial activities, increase hotels and other related tourism outfit patronage, ”she said.

    She said that local and foreign visitors would visit tourist sites, patronise local cuisines, buy locally-made goods/souvenirs and also do business.

    “When hotels and other tourism outfits are selling, they pay their tax, and by extension, revenue is coming to the state,” Akinsola said.

    The acting commissioner assured local and international tourists/visitors of maximum security in all the tourist sites across the state.

    “The government is working closely with security agencies to ensure adequate security in the state.

    “As far as security is concerned, all hands are on deck to combat any unforeseen challenges; the emergency and safety in Lagos State is intact, ”she said.

    She said the Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration was working assiduously in placing the state as premium destination for tourism.

    “The state government has partnered many organisations on tourism programs such as beer festival, tourism summit, art exhibitions, cultural day and several others.

    “Government is still ready to collaborate with more organisations and provide opportunities for new investors in the sector,”she said.

    NAN

  • Automobile, technicians seek support of LASG

    Automobile, technicians seek support of LASG

    The Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association ( NATA ), on Thursday appealed to the Lagos state government ( LASG ) to allocate land for its members to build workshops across the state.

    Mr Jacob Fayehun, the newly elected state chairman of the association, said that inadequate space for workshops have posed a great challenge to the auto technicians in Lagos.

    Fayehun said that the challenge which had lingered for so long has constituted a major setback to the growth of the association.

    “We are begging the Lagos State Government to come to our rescue by providing adequate mechanic villages for our members similar to the one in Ogun and other states in the country.

    “Lagos state should not be exceptional in terms of giving empowerment to artisans.

    “We have the highest number of artisans in the state which consist of over two million members.

    “We are tired of being push around, chase here and there, we need our permanent site across the geo-political zones in the state.

    “We need to be established and also improve our work to meet up with the international standard,’’ he said.

    Fayehun alleged that some members have turned to road side mechanics contrary to the policy of transforming the state to a mega city by the present administration.

    “If government had provided a befitting site for artisans it would not have been so,’’ he said.

    Fayehun added that the state government recently mandated the NATA members to desist from working at the road side and under the bridges across the state.

    The chairman appealed to the state government to provide alternative site as mechanic villages to allow them function and work effectively in the state.

    “Since the government of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, no other subsequent administrations have provided mechanic villages to the artisans.

    “Jakande was the governor who introduced mechanic villages in Lagos, since 1983, no other government has continued from where he stopped,’’ the chairman said.

    According to him, NATA members were being chased away from some of the allocated mechanic sites especially at Ojota, Agidingbi, Surulere and Ikorodu which have been accredited to the members since 1980 to 1981.

    Fayehun said that the growth in the number of artisans in the state has been affected as a result of inadequate site for workshops.

    “We urge the government to consider the number of artisans involve in the association like mechanics, rewire, battery chargers, panel beaters and other automobile artisans by providing mechanic village for us to advance our work,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • VIOs not completely banned from Lagos roads – LASG

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) says it has not completely  banned the operations of  the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) being performed by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said this in separate interviews granted the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    They said that the VIS officials only went for training to improve their services in line with global best practices.

    NAN reports that Gov. Akinwumi Ambode had on May 4 ordered the VIOs to keep off the roads following complaints from the public on how they were discharging their functions.

    Elegushi, said, “Nobody is banning VIOs from the roads; there is no directive to that effect from the governor of Lagos State.

    “Right now, the VIS officials in the state are undergoing training on how they will improve their services on Lagos roads.

    “It is a month’s long event for the officials where they will undergo intensive training so that they will be able to deliver quality and better service across the state.

    “ We all believe that VIOs need to perform their functions in a more civilised way and be technologically driven,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Steve Ayorinde, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, told NAN that that LASG’s order to the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to vacate the roads was to pave way for its reforms.

    It is also come up with improved service delivery in the state, the commissioner said.

    “There is an ongoing reform as to how the VIO carries out its operations, which might require that the inspection officers are off the streets at this point.

    “The government is keen to have their operations more streamlined and technologically-driven in order to serve the good people of Lagos better,” Ayorinde said.

    The state government believed that the officials needed to acquire more training so that they could serve residents of the state better, he said.

  • Lagos@ 50: Ojuloge Monument to discourage violence against womanhood – Ambode

    Lagos@ 50: Ojuloge Monument to discourage violence against womanhood – Ambode

    The ‘Ojuloge’ Monument unveiled by the Lagos State Government (LASG) on Thursday to celebrate womanhood and educate the public on how to discourage violence against womanhood.

    Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State said this during the unveiling of the structure erected at the open intersection between the National Theatre complex and the Nigerian Breweries complex at Iganmu, Lagos State.

    Ambode was represented at the event by the Lagos State Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs Yetunde Onabule.

    NAN reports that `Ojuloge’ can be defined as the beauty of a woman is in her face and her eyes.

    Ambode in his speech said, “The commissioning of this monument is also part of the activities to celebrate Lagos @ 50.

    “The structure depicts the beauty of the Lagos woman and seeks to educate the public that our culture does not tolerate any form of abuse on our women.
    “The abstract monument called ‘Ojuloge’ conveys a sense of style and fashion as well as depicts the concept of a beautiful Lagos woman,” he said.
    The governor said that the statue alongside other monuments across the state represents an important part of Lagos State’s commitment to promote tourism.
    “This will serve as an important tourist attraction and also tell our stories to visitors in a creative manner.

    “The statue represents who we are as a people. It also represents our heritage which can be preserved for generations coming behind us.’’

    Ambode urged the public to protect the statue against vandalism through inappropriate and unauthorised contact to guarantee its longevity.

    Also, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimbe Akinsola, said that ‘Ojuloge’ was just one out of 19 structures to be inaugurated across the state.

    Akinsola said that the Lagos State Government remained dedicated to attaining excellence in the state using tourism, arts, culture, hospitality and sports to achieve this purpose.

    “Since the inception of this present administration, there has been tremendous development in all sectors across the state transforming Lagos State to an Iconic city, “she said.

    The commissioner also assured residents of the state that the six art theatres would soon be established.

    She also said that the state government would renovate the National Art Theatre, Iganmu.
    Mr Olurotimi Ajayi, the Chief Executive Officer, Modupe Studio, said that the concept of the structure depicted the richness and glamour of the Lagos woman.

    Ajayi said that the idea originated from the age long idea where people talked about women as ‘Sisi Eko’.

    He said that if the structure was well preserved it could last forever for the education and benefit of future generations.