The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State House of Assembly

  • Nine candidates jostle for vacant Lagos Assembly seat

    Nine candidates jostle for vacant Lagos Assembly seat

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said that nine candidates will contest for the vacant Eti-Osa Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly bye-election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seat became vacant following the death of Mr Kazeem Alimi who represented the constituency in the Assembly.

    Alimi died on July 18 at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital during an illness, and was buried on July 19, two weeks after his 50th birthday celebration.

    The lawmaker, who represented Eti-Osa Constituency I, was until his demise, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs.

    The spokesman for INEC in Lagos State, Mr Femi Akinbiyi, told NAN on Friday that nine political parties would be jostling for the seat in the bye-election slated for Sept. 30.

    Akinbiyi noted that the constituency had only six registration areas (Wards), saying that the name of the candidates had been published at the INEC office in the constituency.

    “Nine candidates will be vying for the position, and their names have been published at our office in the area.

    On preparations for the poll, Akinbiyi said: “As part of our preparations, the commission has concluded training of supervisory presiding officers who will in turn train other ad-hoc staff.

    “The training of ad-hoc staff will hold from Sept. 21 to Sept. 23 to deliver the commission’s mandate,” he said.

    According to him, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security has met and given assurance of security during the poll.

    Akinbiyi said that the commission had received most of the non-sensitive materials for the election.

    He said that INEC would ensure free, fair and credible poll.

    According to him, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sam Olumekun, has urged eligible voters to come out en mass to vote for the candidate of their choice.

    “We don’t want apathy; every eligible voter should participate. All issues pertaining to security has been taken care of, and we promise a level playing ground for all contestants.

    “We want everyone to play according to the rules. I expect a non-violent bye-election, ” Akinbiyi quoted REC as saying.

    NAN reports that the six registration areas in the affected constituency include Victoria Island II, Ilasan Housing Estate/Moriyegun 5 and Lekki/Ikate.

    The others are Ilado/Eti-Osa, Aja/Sangotedo and Ado/Langbasa/Badore.

  • Relocate Apapa tank farms- Lagos Assembly

    Relocate Apapa tank farms- Lagos Assembly

    Lagos State House of Assembly Thursday at plenary called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC) to relocate the tank farms in Apapa to a less congested area, saying that it is causing traffic logjam and endangering the lives of the residents.

    Hon. Mojisola Miranda, representing Apapa Constituency 1 raised the issue under matter of urgent public importance during plenary, saying that the activities of the trailer drivers in Apapa are not only affecting traffic in the area, but that it has extended to other parts of the state.

    Adding that the traffic jam is making life difficult for workers and school children in the area.

    She urged the Assembly to invite the state’s acting Commissioner for Transport and the Managing Director of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to brief the House on how they would handle the matter.

    This was supported by the lawmaker representing Apapa Constituency 2, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh.

    Jimoh, who said that he had been having sleepless night on the matter, stressed that the residents of the area have been coming to him on the issue and that it should be resolved once and for all.

    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, emphasized that the House should not wait until the necessary officials were invited to brief them, but that necessary steps should be taken urgently to handle the situation.

    “It is better we caution the trailer drivers to stop parking on the roads and bridges in the area. We will definitely call on the officials of LASTMA and Lagos State Safety Commission on the matter.

    “We also have to call on the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to provide alternative roads to motorists, while the roads in Tin Can Island are being repaired,” he said.

    Obasa stated that the tank farms should be relocated from the area because, according to him, they were located in the area before the place became a densely populated area.

    In his comment, Hon. Rotimi Olowo from Shomolu Constituency 1 stated that the activities of the trailer drivers were affecting the economy of the state.

    He said that the House had invited the people in charge of the road in the past and that the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was a powerful union and that the House should meet the trailer drivers on the issue.

    Also commenting, Hon. Abiodun Tobun from Epe Constituency 1 wondered why the Federal Government that he said is collecting money in the ports was not doing the necessary things about the roads there.

    Tobun added that the government could get a location close to Tin Can Island Port to park the trailers and that Lagos State should be allowed to control the ports.

    Hon. Rasheed Makinde, in his contribution said that some of the trailers come from the eastern and northern parts of the country and that they disobey the laws of the state.

    These views were supported by other lawmakers, who urged the House to urgently handle the matter.

  • Lawmaker hails Ambode on expansion of MMIA road

    Lawmaker hails Ambode on expansion of MMIA road

    …Lauds South East governors for proscribing IPOB

     

     

    Member of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu has hailed the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for the on-going reconstruction/expansion of the road leading to Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

    Idimogu spoke at a press briefing with the Assembly correspondents on Tuesday at the Assembly complex.

    The expansion of the road, which in the lawmaker’s constituency, Oshodi/Isolo 2, according to him will boost the economy and development of his constituency and the state.

    According to him, the expansion of the road would add more value to the constituency and the socio-economic activities of the constituents would increase the standard of living of the residents.

    He explained further that the constituency has been benefitting tremendously from the Ambode led administration eversince the beginning of the administration, urging the constituents to cooperate with the state government and contractors on the execution of the project.

    “My constituency has benefitted a lot from Governor Ambode’s administration and I will appeal to my constituents to give massive support to the government as the expansion period may take months before completion”, Idimogu said.

    The lawmaker added “I will appeal to our performing Governor to also look at the link roads to that road under reconstruction now and other link roads in the constituency as they need more attention as it would make it easier for visitors especially foreigners to access other parts of the constituency and state for businesses and hotel accommodation.

    He called on the construction company to provide alternative routes for the commuters so as to ease traffic as the project implementation is ongoing.

    The lawmaker also implored Ambode to construct pedestrian bridges at the Oshodi- International Airport road for the safety of pedestrians crossing the expressway.

    Speaking on the proscribing of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) by the South East Governors’ Forum, the legislator who is the only non-Yoruba lawmaker at the Assembly explained that the governors have done the best to ensure there is peace in the geopolitical zone, saying that the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct.

    “The proscription of the IPOB by the South East Governors was a good decision and a good step in the right direction for the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria. I want to say that the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct. My brother ‘Nnamdi Kanu is supposed to put forward his position and relate with other ethnic nationalities on what he wants. If he articulates it well to them, they will buy into his idea. Articulating his positions in a violent way is not acceptable and is condemned totally”

  • Lagos Assembly lauds govt over schools

    Lagos Assembly lauds govt over schools

    Chairman, Committee on Education of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon Lanre Ogunyemi has praised the state government for providing a condusive enviroment for smooth resumption of pupils for the new academic session in public schools.

    He gave this commendation when he led members of the committee on a visit to Lagos State Model College, Ajah to observe the resumption of schools for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The lawmaker said they were impressed with what they saw during the surprise visit.  He said with the provision of modern infrastructure by the state government, the schools, teachers and pupils were ready for the new academic session.

    “Despite coming early and unannounced, we met the students and teachers on ground, a clear indication of their readiness for the new academic session,” he said.

    Ogunyemi also donated N300,000 to the college on behalf of his daughter, Dr. Olubukola Ogunyemi, who a former pupil of the school.

    The lawmaker, who represents Ojo Constituency 2 in the Assembly, used the opportunity to call on private organisations in the state to support the government on education.

    “We are calling on more corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to support the government in education, and look into our riverine areas to support education there,” he said.

    On Monday, many schools across the state made extra efforts to receive their pupils and get them ready for academic activities.

    To encourage pupils to show up on the first day of resumption, a teacher Oduduwa Government School, Papa Ajao, Mushin, who simply referred to himself as Mr Rahim, said they were made to write tests

    “We conduct a pre-resumption test so that the pupils can know what will be involved in the term and also introduce them to their new class teachers and new classes, as well as so many other things that can bring to success of the school”.

    Not many pupils showed up at the Ovie Children School, Mushin, a situation the head teacher, Mr. Olasukanmi Fayola, attributed to the heavy downpour.

    “Due to the heavy down pour, pupils did not show up as expected but this term is full of lots of activities that will not only build the children mentally but teach them how to be better citizens.  Everything being taught in school will be used in their day-to-day activities.

    The reverse was the case at Crown Gate Nursery And Primary School, Somolu, where Head Teacher, Mrs. Anthonia Okunlola said the turnout of pupils was high.

    “Despite the heavy downpour a lot of students turn out well to school and new students were enrolled in d school”.

    Ahead of resumption, she said the school: “renovated and decorated the classrooms… the teachers also prepared their lesson notes; and we also had meeting to discuss areas we are lacking.”

  • Lagos bye-election: We are stepping up campaigns – AD

    Lagos bye-election: We are stepping up campaigns – AD

    The Alliance for Democracy ( AD ) said on Sunday that it was stepping up preparations for the Sept. 30 Lagos State House of Assembly bye-election for the Eti-Osa State Constituency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had scheduled the bye-election to fill the vacant seat in the house following the death of Mr Kazeem Alimi on July 18.

    Mr Kola Ajayi, the State AD Chairman, told NAN in Lagos that following the emergence of Mr Sofe Samson as the party’s candidate for the poll in a recent primary, the party would soon begin its campaign for an “impressive showing” in the bye-election.

    AD, formed in 1998 by the late Sen. Abraham Adesanya, ex-Lagos State Gov. Bola Tinubu, now National Leader of the ruling APC and others, was until 2003, a vibrant opposition party in Nigeria under the President Olusegun Obasanjo-led government.

    Following a leadership tussle between Sen. Mojisola Akinfenwa and Chief Bisi Akande, erstwhile Osun governor, the Akande faction merged with other opposition parties to form the Action Congress of Nigeria and subsequently, the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Ajayi said:“We have conducted our primary during which Mr Sofe Samson emerged by consensus.

    “His name has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as our flag bearer.

    “We have perfected plans for the election and campaign will soon begin and we are sure of doing well.”

    According to Ajayi, AD is a popular party in the state with a carefully designed programmes to meet the yearnings of the people.

    On calls for the country’s restructuring, the party chairman said: “It is time for the Federal Government to act.”

    He said the current structure of the country needed to be tinkered with to “fortify the country and help it meet its aspirations.”

  • Kudos for Lagos schools renovation

    Kudos for Lagos schools renovation

    Chairman, Committee on Education of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the ongoing renovation of schools.

    Ogunyemi spoke with reporters after he led his committee members on a tour of some of the renovated public schools.

    He said he was impressed with the renovation and rehabilitation he saw during the tour.

    “This government must be commended for its efforts. The Governor has really done so much in the last two years, particularly in overhauling infrastructure in the education sector.

    “What we have seen so far shows that there is so much hope for education in the state and I would say that the dilapidation of infrastructure in the schools has been turned around.

    “I must commend the governor and the Ministry of Education ably led by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, for a job well done, and for monitoring the contractors to deliver a good job,” he said.

    Ogunyemi also praised the  House of Assembly for ensuring that the executive is closely monitored: for appropriating funds, following up and monitoring to ensure funds are judiciously used.

    Ogunyemi recalled how the committee, as part of its oversight functions, visited Model College, Meiran, about a year ago, and complained about its poor facilities. He  is happy that the government promptly responded and the school now wears a new look.

    He said: “We visited the school over one year ago and we complained about the state of facilities there. The hostel accommodation, the toilets, the classrooms, the water system have improved.

    “The House of Assembly is happy that our Governor is working and that the Ministry of Education is responsive to the observation of the House.

    “I think on the whole, we are pleased that our oversight function is yielding the desired results. We came and we spoke, and the government has responded.”

    According to him, the committee would ensure that upgraded facilities are used very well. He added that the principals of the schools have been told to ensure that the hostels masters and captains ensure facilities are maintained.

    Ogunyemi explained that it is important for the state government to overhaul the facilities in the schools regularly. He therefore used the opportunity to call on corporate organisations, well meaning members of the public and philanthropists to support government to make education better.

    “We need public spirited individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to come up and exhibit corporate social responsibility and support education.

    “Education will always produce personnel that would go back to work in those organisations.

    “I am happy that some organisations, individuals and corporate bodies are contributing to move education forward in the state,” Ogunyemi said.

    Some other schools visited by the committee included Millennium Junior and Senior Secondary School, Egbeda; Estate Junior High School, Ifako/Ijaiye; and Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Agege.

     

     

     

     

  • Lawmaker sues for peace, donates food items to Muslims

    Lawmaker sues for peace, donates food items to Muslims

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 11, Hon. Jude Idimogu, has appealed to both Muslims and Christians to unite and give their support to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government’s efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the country.

    Idimogu, who made the appeal during the just-concluded Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, said efforts of the government would only be meaningful when both parties see themselves as one entity irrespective of religion, tribe; language and party differences.

    In a chat with Southwest Report in Lagos, he said: “Let us work together, both Christians and Muslims and support the government of the day so that our country would be better off.  The present government will not go back in its efforts to ensure a corrupt-free nation.”

    Meanwhile, he has provided food items such as rice, noodles, vegetable oil, salt, tomatoes, beverages and cash donations to the Muslim brothers and sisters for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Both party and non-party supporters of the Muslim community in the constituency benefited from the donations; including the security agencies and the physically-challenged.

    According to him, in time of festivity, God Almighty (Allah) approves that we share with others whatever we have such as food, drinks, and any edible items that come from our heart, noting that it always pays to give to others.

    “I know it has not been so easy. Most people are not finding it easy. So, I think I should be with them, felicitate, and rejoice with them in good and bad times. That is why I am doing this.

    “All I know is that they are members of my constituency. I cannot provide all their needs. Whatever I can do to assist them I will and leave the rest to God.

    “I love serving people and giving to others. I am better off when I give to others even if I am hungry. I believe in sharing with others.

    “I hope to continue to serve my constituency, Lagosians and the entire nation, to be a mouth piece for them. I will continue to work for my party. All I know is that I am a servant, we will continue to work for the benefit of our people,” Idimogu stated.

    He commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his visionary transformation of the state, adding that Lagos is a state to be counted upon in terms of good governance in Nigeria.

    According to him, the Lagos State government is committed to delivering the dividends of democracy through infrastructural development, including roads, schools, health centres that would give meaning to the lives of residents.

    While commending the governor’s determination to achieving good road network, Idimogu appealed to the state governor to give priority attention to the inner roads, including Isolo/Ejigbo Road, adding that inner roads are critical to the development agenda of the government.

    “We need roads, especially internal roads. Though there is fund constraint, the truth is that if we can develop the inner roads, it will speed up even development,” he said.

    Idimogu noted that members of the House and other principal officers had resolved to join hands with the government in order to move Lagos forward.

    “Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are aware that Lagos is a state with high level of standard and excellence. We will support the governor and help him move Lagos State forward,” he said.

  • Lagos Assembly urges contractors to speed up work on model colleges

    The Committee on Education of the Lagos State House of Assembly has urged contractors handling  the model college in Awori, Lagos City Model College and Angus Memorial College to speed up work in the schools.

    Chairman of the Committee Hon. Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, who led other members to the project sites on Monday, said the projects were important and ambitious, stressing that they were giant strides of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    “The model colleges visited would have 26 classrooms each; they would have laboratories and other facilities. These are world class facilities that befit a model college.

    “The essence of the visit is to assess the projects based on the desire of the government. We have visited the three model colleges that ought to be pilots for other model colleges in the state.

    “We are pleased with what we saw at Angus and Lagos City Model College, Kings Country Project, but we are unhappy with what the contractor at Awori College, Eldorado Engineering, did after collecting 40 per cent of the fund.”

    The lawmaker, however, expressed optimism that if given the necessary back up, the contractors handling Angus and Lagos City Model College would do their best within the one year specified for the completion of the projects.

    He said the committee would get back to the House on the visit.

    He said: “Given the passion the government has shown on the projects, we feel that we should see what the contractors have done so far.

    “We are concerned about infrastructure in our schools and we believe that these are unique projects that should attract our attention”.

     

  • Youths told to join politics

    A lawmaker and member Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade, has challenged youths to take advantage of the ‘not-too-young-to-run’ bill to prepare themselves for leadership positions in Nigeria.

    Olulade said it was about time the nation experiences a paradigm shift by passing the baton to younger generations.

    The lawmaker, who was one of the speakers that addressed youths at the  Lagos State University Students Union (LASUSU) National Parliamentary Summit, is optimistic that if youths are getting it right in entertainment and sports, they can do better in governance.

    “I want you all to know that the ‘not-too-young-to-run’ bill is for you,’ said the lawmaker.

    “And who says you cannot be a local government councillor, chairman or even a senator of the Federal Republic?  I believe Nigeria can produce great champions for good governance, if they can do so in sports, entertainment and others, “he said at the summit themed: ‘Restructuring Nigeria; The role of youths in National rebirth.’

    “Nigeria can produce great champions for good governance, if they can do so in sports, entertainment and the like,” he added

    Olulade picked holes in the political system, which keeps recycling the old at the expense of youths, who should be empowered for future tasks.

    He urged youths to play more active roles in politics by obtaining voters’ card, aligning with political parties, and attending ward meetings.

    “All you need is to have the right concept and ideology, and be positive in your thinking.

    “Nobody wants hoodlums as leaders, so to be given a shot at leadership you must comport yourself and portray leadership traits,” he said.

    Corroborating Olulade, CEO Global Infoswift Limited, Mr Afolabi Oke, and ace broadcaster Lagos Television, Miss Adetola Kayode, counseled the students to develop themselves by placing value on education and skill acquisition.

    “Youths are the greatest asset Nigeria can ever have and they must rise up to make a change in the current social-political problem inflicted on us by our leaders,” Oke noted.

    Miss Kayode said there was urgent need for relevant stakeholders including youths to discuss the nation’s future.

    Speaking on the theme: ‘The media and restructuring agenda’, she urged the youth to consolidate on the social media phenomenon to further push for their rights.

    “The internet and the world wide web cannot set the agenda for restructuring because the audience is primarily small and that is why both the traditional and the new media must come together and clamour for true restructuring,” she said.

  • Youth body seeks role in politics

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), YouthNext, is pushing for the domestication of the ‘Not too young to run’ Bill in Lagos State.

    Last Thursday, the body staged a rally from Ikeja Under Bridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Members displayed banners and placards with various inscriptions:  ‘YouthNext the future is now’;  ‘The time has come for our voice to be heard’; ‘No to inferiority complex, we are ready to rule with good leadership’ and “Youths are able and strong; We deserve to rule’ among others.

    YouthNext is a youth-focused organisation anchored on engaging youth in politacal participation.

    “We are educating the youths on the need for them to get involved in politics. We are about ensuring that we have a good representation of youths at all levels of government,” said the group leader, Mrs Moremi Ojudu.

    Ojudu craved more opportunities for youths in leadership, saying they are vibrant, energetic and capable to lead.

    “We are saying ‘no’ to the use of youths as thugs, and electoral machines. We say ‘no’ to the abuse of youths, we want to be recognised as a people. We can sit on the same table and rule. We want to rule ourselves, we have energy, and we have vibrancy. We are tired (of being neglected). By 2019, we will vote ourselves, youths should get a voice.

    “We have no money, but we have energy. We don’t want old people to rule us again, we are saying the independent candidature should be passed and domesticated in Lagos”.

    The Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Oyeniran Agunbiade, said their demands were already being considered across Houses of Assemblies nationwide.

    Though not all houses of Assembly would accept their proposals, the lawmaker urged them to expand their agitation by engaging more youths in the rally, but that they should do so constructively.