The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State

  • ‘Sanwo-Olu will not disappoint Lagosians’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftains Valentine Buraimoh and Olayiwola Ishiaq Oba have said that Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not disappoint Lagosians.

    They assuered that the incoming governor will fulfill his campaign promised and take the state to greater hieghts.

    Buraimoh, Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Council, congratulated Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and House of Assembly member-elect Mojisola Ali Macaulay for their victory at the poll.

    At a recent stakeholders’ meeting  attended by market men and women, youths, students, clerics, artisans, peasants and Igbo residents,  he said their political labours will not be in vain.

    Buraimoh said: “I want to thank the national leader of the All progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support. He said he was going to support us financially and he did “so also for the success recorded in south west in the just concluded election .

    “I also want to thank the residents and good people of Amuwo-Odofin Odofin for believing in my government and leadership.”

    At the meeting were Alhaja Memunat Ajao, local party chairman Elder Ayodele Ogungbiye, Ali Macaulay,  Olayiwola Oba, Nuru Umaru, Olanrewaju Muhammed, Tunde Ajayi, Alhaja Toyin Yusuf Adesanya, Seriki Abdullahi Jagaban, Deacon Oladejo,Prince Rasheed Otolorin, Elder Ariyo, and Alhaja Ariyo.

    Oba, a lawyer and leader of ‘Team 11,’ which spearheaded the campaigns, thanked party faithful for their loyalty and commitment.

    He said: “The Team 11 was organised to ensure the success of the election. I want to commend the ward chairmen, the counsellors, and the executive chairman for his support the intelligence effort from the state ,the DSS athe chairman youth council of Nigeria”

    Alhaja Alao urged the lawmaker-elect to fulfill her promises to the people after her inauguration.

    Macaulay defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate,  Dipo Olorunrinu, at the poll.

    Urging the people to support his administration in its quest for infrastructural development, Buraimoh said: ‘’I will conclude by saying that this partnership will not stop at this victory chapter but continue into several projects that will ensure that Amuwo-Odofin becomes number one amongst committee of local governments.”

  • Sanwo-Olu condemns cases of Lagos collapsed buildings

    The Lagos State Governor-Elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday described recent collapse of buildings in the state as most unfortunate.

    But he praised the swift actions taken by the current administration in the state to address the problem.

    The Governor-Elect spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari alongside the Deputy Governor-elect, Femi Hamzat.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun capable, says Oyetola

    He said: “It’s an unfortunate incident. Incidentally when I was in government before, I used to be the Vice Chairman of the building collapse committee. It was something that happened about 8-10 years ago, which was what led to the creation of an agency which we called Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA  at that time, which was meant to begin to identify structures way ahead before such incidences occur.

    “But it’s an unfortunate thing, extremely very unfortunate and it is not something that we will like to see it happening again. So the current government has started very quickly, ensuring that they test the integrity of a whole lot of properties we have there.

    “You know Lagos State is part of the old colony of Lagos and it is not unexpected that you see houses that are over a century old and in those numbers so we need to be real and know that Lagos truly really needs regeneration especially Lagos island.

    “That was one of the things we promised during the campaign trail so it’s to have a conversation round the families and see the kind of re-development that is important as is being done in a lot of other big cities like Lagos.” he said

    According to him, he was in the State House alongside his Deputy-Elect, Femi Hamzat, to pay courtesy on the President and congratulate him for winning the Presidential election.

    On what he is offering the people of Lagos when he assumes office, Sanwo-Olu said he has seen the challenges ahead and will come up with solutions without delay.

    “We are very excited that we have seen all the challenges ahead of us and we will certainly be bringing about solutions that will very quickly solve all of our various challenges in Lagos and we know that with a mega city of our status, it comes with a lot of challenges but we are lucky that we have been part of it before now so we are excited that we are bringing solutions to problems that we identified on the campaign trail.

    “We will very quickly bring about positive development that would improve the quality of lives and ease all of the challenges that we currently see in Lagos,” he said

  • SERAP seeks compensation for victims of building collapse in Lagos, Ibadan

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Lagos and Oyo state governors to take immediate action to address the numerous ongoing human rights impacts of the building collapse in their respective states to avoid further damage to the human rights of the people affected.

    The organization urged the two governors to ensure access of victims and their families to effective remedies in a transparent manner, “specifically, access to justice, adequate compensation, reparation, and guarantees that incidents like these can never happen again.”

    SERAP, in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare said the dual incidence of the collapsed building  tragedies point to weak enforcement of building regulations and oversight by the two states.

    It said the twin incident require urgent need for effective action and reforms.

    SERAP said its concern for the victims stemmed from the fact that  responses so far by the governments of the two states have been insufficient to deal with the massive extent of the human costs of the incidents.

     “These incidents come as a tragic reminder of the mismanagement, weakness in the regulatory and monitoring regime. The governments should have done more to prevent them from happening. The governors should act decisively on their commitments to do everything in their powers to prevent more such tragedies, and to bring to justice those responsible, to serve as a deterrent and end the negligence at which many are carrying out their duties.”

    The statement read in part: “Schools should be a sanctuary – a place where children can learn, develop and play with their classmates, and prepare for their future lives in society.

    “Collapse of school building due to weak enforcement regulations or corruption is an implicit attack on the right of Nigerian children to education, life, and human dignity. Such situation creates an environment of fear and severely diminishes the quality of children’s education.

    “The tragedies demand accountability and both Lagos and Oyo states should accept responsibility for these incidents; promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate exactly how they happened, and publicly apologise to the victims, their families and Nigerians. Building developers and contractors can only be properly held to account if the two states do the right thing for the harm they have caused.”

    “SERAP is seriously concerned about the frequency of building collapse in the country.

    “Many buildings within Lagos and Oyo states reportedly remain in breach of minimum standards. Both governments should urgently take effective monitoring and enforcement action and provide conclusive evidence that buildings within their states are safe, strong, stable and meet applicable legal and building standards.

    The organization urged all levels of government to monitor and effectively enforce compliance by public and private actors with their regulatory and environmental standards in order to prevent other tragedies,.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari and all the 36 state governors should publicly commit that they will do everything possible to prevent new tragedies like those of Lagos Island and Bode, Ibadan.

    “We condemn the collapse of a three-storey building in Ita Faji area of Lagos Island with over 20 people including school children reportedly dead and 45 injured, and the collapse of a two-storey building in Ibadan, Oyo State, with some people reportedly injured.

    “We stand in solidarity with those affected and ready to help by providing free legal advice, assistance and support in order to ensure that justice is not only done, but also seen to be done in these cases”, the organization stated.

  • Mainland residents give kudos to Tinubu, Tunji Bello

    A broad spectrum of residents of Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State has commended the APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to them, played the most pivotal role to ensure a landslide victory for the party at the recently concluded general election, not only in Lagos State, but the nation as a whole.

    The mainlanders also expressed that one particular factor for which they will ever remain grateful to the APC leader was his achievement in producing a wonderful leader like Hon. Tunji Bello, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, whose pragmatic intervention in the affairs of Mainalnd Local Government Area has not only turned around the lots of the people for the better, but also contributed to the massive votes recorded in the area, during the gubernatorial and presidential elections.

    President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Alhaji Kareem Osoba, commended Hon. Tunji Bello for his mobilizational acumen, humility, empathy, listening ear and, above all, his immense philanthropic gesture to the people which contributed largely to the victory of the party in Lagos Mainland.

    Theatre artistes and members of CAMPAN Mainland chapter, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, Sherifat Ilerika, Alhaji Abiodun Kakawa, Alhaji Saheed Yusuf (aka Saida Theatre), said that mainlanders owe Hon. Tunji Bello a huge debt of gratitude for the landslide victory recorded by the APC at the gubernatorial election.

    “As a strategist, Tunji Bello knows that as artistes, we have a large body of fans and followers. For this reason and particularly because of his natural spirit of generosity to everyone who crosses his path, he takes special interest in us. He has been taking active interest in our welfare. Therefore, when he appealed to us to support the APC because of the progressive cause it champions, we had no option than to listen to him. After all, one good turn deserves another.

    Hon. Oyedeji Tunde Osele, National Secretary Video Club Owners’ Association of Nigeria, said: “Tunji Bello’s contribution in lifting the APC to an enviable height in Lagos Mainland is fantastic. He has done very well; he has proved himself to be a real master of the game. He indeed saved the day because prior to the elections, there had been lots of aggrieved members.

    President Association of Lagos State Indigenes, Mainland chapter, and also a chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Ganiyu Salako, said Tunji Bello inspired party members to mount an aggressive door-to-door campaign in the Mainland Local Government Area.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun capable, says Oyetola

    Governor Gboyega Oyetola  of Osun State has expressed confidence in the ability of  the governors elect of  Lagos State ,Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and  of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun ,to perform to the expectations of their people.

    He described the two of them as “capable and able given their antecedent.”

    Governor Oyetola stated this in a message of congratulation to the governors-elect, who, like him, are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The governor’s  Chief Press Secretary, Mr Adeniyi Adesina, quoted him as saying that the election of Sanwo-Olu will allow the continuation of the purposeful and people-centred administration in Lagos, which Asiwaju Bola Tinubu started in 1999.

    “The Lagos State Governor-elect has a foundation to build on. He is no doubt capable of carrying on the banner of making Lagos the Centre of Excellence based on the existing roadmap. He has a capable Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who has equally proved his mettle in the public and private sector in the previous positions he occupied,” Oyetola said.

    The Osun State Governor said Prince Abiodun “excelled as a private section player, an experience he will take to governing Ogun State.”

    Oyetola said Ogun State is lucky to have Abiodun as governor-elect at this time of economic engineering.

    “He will take Ogun State to the next level. He excelled in his private business, he will do well running Ogun State,” Oyetola added.

    Sanwo-Olu will succeed outgoing Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode,  while Abiodun will take over from outgoing Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun on May 29

  • Queens, Kings Colleges hit semifinal of GTB Masters Cup

    As the queens and kings of schools in Lagos State, Queens and Kings Colleges were the first teams to secure their places in the semifinal of season eight of the annual 2019 GTB Masters Cup.

    In the quarterfinal matches played at the Campos Mini Stadium in Lagos Island, Queens College showed their prowess on the field of play with a 6-0 thrashing of Anwar-Ul-Islam Girls High School to be sure of their spot in the last four of the girls’ event.

    After playing goalless draw at full time, Corona School and Atlantic Hall had to settle their encounter through penalty. With both sides finding the back of the net in the shootout, it was the Epe-based Atlantic Hall that carried the day with a 4-3 win.

    Itire-based Ansar-Ud-Deen Girls High beat their counterparts from Isolo 3-0 to join the list of teams in the last four of the competition.

    Unlike Queens College which had an easy win over their opponent in the quarterfinal, Kings College was made to work harder for their victory with a hard-fought 4-3 win over Jibril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Whitesand School overcame Baptist Academy 2-0. CMS Grammar School was 1-0 better than Federal Science and Technical College in the boys’ event.

    For the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Segun Agbaje, staging the tournament would produce stars for the country.

    “We are delighted to organize this tournament for the eighth edition, not only because of the platform it provides for the emergence of amazing football talents, but also because we see firsthand its impact in helping young people build a healthier lifestyle at this critical stage in their lives,” Agbaje said.

    He added: “At GTBank, we will continue to create and invest in initiatives that bring the values of sports to school compounds to ensure that young people that are passionate about sports have the opportunity to hone their talents and build character whilst still very focused on their academics.”

    The financial institution is a leading advocate of sports education as a major way of promoting the values of excellence and fair play whilst laying a solid foundation for the emergence of sporting talents.

    Alongside the GTBank Masters Cup, the Bank organizes and sponsors several other football programs, such as the GTBank Principals Cup tournaments in Lagos and Ogun States, the GTBank Super Cup and the Players Development Programme.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s victory well deserved, says APC chief

    LAGOS State Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu deserves his victory at the polls, grand patron of Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group in Lagos, Chief Lanre Razak, has said.

    He congratulated him and attributed the landslide victory to the goodwill All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu enjoyed among Lagosians.

    Razak said the triumph of the APC governorship candidate over his opponent in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimmy Agbaje, and the election of 40 lawmakers from the APC into the House of Assembly was the best way the electorate could appreciate Asiwaju Tinubu for his contributions to the socio-economic development of Lagos State.

    He said in a statement in Epe that people should expect good governance and more dividends of democracy from the incoming governor, considering his pedigree as a former private sector guru and a participant in the Lagos State public service for years.

    He assured Lagosians that Sanwo-Olu would prioritise the interest of the ordinary people.

    Razak, ex-commissioner for Public Transportation in Lagos, said: “I want to assure Lagosians that there will be more socio-economic transformation during Sanwo-Olu’s tenure as governor. The people of Lagos State as well as other Nigerians will be happy that they have made the right choice in electing him.

    “But let me make this strong appeal to them that all they need do is cooperate with the incoming governor by paying their rates and taxes as and when due and watch Lagos grow in leaps and bounds in infrastructural development and human capital like never before. Everybody will be happy for it.

    “He has the fear of God and will always put the interest of ordinary Lagosians first in the development of the state. He believes God gives power through the people, who will be his first priority in office because good governance is about the people.”

    Razak, the Balogun General of Epe, attributed Sanwo-Olu’s overwhelming acceptance and support by Lagosians to Asiwaju Tinubu’s sterling performance while in office and subsequently the continued trust and confidence Lagosians have in his leadership.

    Tinubu’s leadership traits and administrative style while in office as governor for eight years, he said, remained second to none and a golden era of the state, adding that serving and incoming governors across the states should draw from his fountain of wisdom and wealth of experience.

  • Buhari sympathizes with families, victims of Lagos building collapse

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed extremely sadness over the collapse of a building housing a school in Itafaaji area of Lagos, which left fatalities, particularly of small children.

    The President, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, sympathized with the parents and relations of the deceased, wishing them God’s comfort.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari must have a workable policy’

    He also wished the injured speedy and complete recovery.

    The President commiserated with the government and good people of Lagos State, and pledged assistance of the Federal Government as may be required by the state.

    “It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly those so young and tender. May God grant everyone affected by this sad incident fortitude and succour,” the President said.

    He charged the Lagos State government to do all that is needful, so that such tragic developments do not recur in future.

     

  • APC thanks Lagosians

    LAGOs State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday thanked Lagosians for voting its flagbearer, Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor.

    The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, assured that the incoming governor will not dissapoint them.

    The statement reads: The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the good people of Lagos State for massively voting its candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Olufemi Hamzat in the gubernatorial election held last Saturday.  The party said that such long-standing fidelity was responsible for the success of the party in all the elections conducted this year and the huge success story which the APC has become in Nigeria and in Lagos.

    “Lagosians know the reliability of the Leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of APC. It says that Lagosians have continued to trust the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu because he had not disappointed them and such confidence was shown in the comprehensive victory APC scored in Lagos last Saturday.

    “We commend Lagosians for receiving well the decent and robust campaign of our candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which hinged on furthering the development of Lagos and ensuring better life for all Lagosians irrespective of religious, tribal or political affiliation. We know this resonated with the good people of Lagos who responded with their massive votes on the 9th of March to elect him as Governor of Lagos State.

    “We note that while our party was focused on showcasing its achievements in Lagos, our rivals concentrated on waking and feeding primordial sentiments in a bid to divide Lagosians on tribal, religious lines. We are happy that Lagosians accepted our message based on our achievements in the past 16 years and through that massive endorsement, expressed their willingness to continue to stick with our party as it continues to deliver the dividends of democracy for the good of all Lagosians.

    “Lagos APC notes that our victory is a product of hard work, determination and good service delivery and we promise we will do more to justify this solid and impregnable confidence in the years to come. We want to assure Lagosians that we know that the reward for hard work is more work and we are determined to do more in the next four years.  We assure Lagosians that in the Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat team, we have two potential governors in one team and that will ensure that Lagosians get double ration for their unflinching trust and support to our great party.

    “Thank you Lagosians and please continue supporting APC for the good, progress and welfare of all Lagosians”.

  • ‘Sanwo-Olu’s victory is confidence vote for Tinubu’

    The Grand Patron of the Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group in Lagos State, Chief Lanre Razak, has congratulated Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his victory at the polls.

    He attributed Sanwo-Olu’s landslide victory to the goodwill the  All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, enjoyed among Lagosians.

    Razak said Sanwo-Olu ’s triumph over his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, as well as the election of 40 lawmakers from APC into the House of Assembly, was the best way for the electorate to appreciate Asiwaju Tinubu for his invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of the state.

    In a statement in Epe yesterday, Razak said the people should expect good governance and more dividends of democracy from the incoming governor, considering his pedigree as a former private sector guru and a participant in the Lagos public service for years.

    Read also: ‘Why I pound yam at Mama Afrika Restaurant, Newark’

    He said he was confident that Sanwo-Olu would prioritise the interest of the ordinary people.

    Razak, a former commissioner for Public Transportation, said: “I want to assure Lagosians that there will be more socio-economic transformation during Sanwo-Olu’s tenure. Lagosians and others will be happy that they have made the right choice.”