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Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos launches Reality TV to showcase emergency rescue operations

    Lagos State Government has launched a reality television programme to showcase the efforts and strategies of emergency management agencies before, during and after rescue operations, with the view to deepen safety of lives and property in the State.

    The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan disclosed this at a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on Tuesday.

    The commissioner said the programme, tagged ‘Lagos Rescue’, was also designed to enlighten residents of their responsibilities during emergency situations.

    He said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, in the last three and half years, had invested massively in safety of lives and property and towards enhancing the activities of emergency management agencies, adding that the new initiative was another demonstrable commitment to the welfare of the people.

    According to Bamigbetan, “Lagos Rescue is an initiative of the Lagos State Government to showcase the efforts of the State Emergency Management Agencies at addressing emergencies in order to ensure the safety of lives and property. The programme is also meant to highlight the roles and responsibilities of the citizenry during emergencies for regular smooth operation.

    “In his spirited efforts to ensure that Lagosians live in peace, and also promote an accident-free society, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode approved the reality programme in view of the many benefits it offers the State. This is in addition to the huge funds regularly allocated to the emergency management agencies to strengthen their capacity to manage an emergency.”

    Stressing that everyone has a role to play in emergency rescue operations, Bamigbetan said the government, as a sensitive and responsible entity, decided to come up with the programme to send the right message to the citizenry, adding that the programme would focus majorly on the activities of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the Lagos State Fire Service.

    Giving further details, Bamigbetan who addressed the briefing alongside Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna; Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy,  Mr Fola Adeyemi, said the State Government remained committed to the safety of lives and property.

    He said: “While we cannot avoid emergency in the State, the government remains committed to ensuring immediate and effective response to emergency situations.

    “As such, Lagos Rescue is people-centric as it will present real-life experiences involving our emergency rescue operations in order to achieve two major objectives of teaching viewers how we go about saving valuable lives of Lagosians and making them identify how they could have prevented casualties that result from such emergency situation.”

    He, therefore, urged residents to take advantage of the programme which would be showing on Lagos Television every Sunday by 10:30pm, and also provide valuable feedback through the various social media platforms of the State Government.

     

  • Lagos Assembly resumes from three-week recess

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday resumed plenary without deliberations on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s 2019 budget proposal.

    The lawmakers commenced a three-week recess on December 18, 2018 for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

    The House which resumed on Monday, failed to discuss any issue before adjourning to Thursday, Jan. 10, due to its inability to form a quorum.

    The session was presided over by the Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu Constituency I.

    Lagos State Government on January 3 said it had already presented to the house an N852. 317 billion budget proposal for 2019.

    The government had been criticized for not keeping to its tradition of presenting its annual budget before the beginning of a new year.

    Read Also: Agbaje faults appointment of new Lagos HOS

    But, in a statement on Jan. 3, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Olusegun Banjo, explained that the 2019 budget was already before the State House of Assembly and was intended to be read on Dec. 24, 2018.

    Banjo said that Ambode had also sent a verbal message on his intention to present the budget on December 24, 2018, after the State Executive Council had approved it on Dec. 19, 2018

    “But the ceremony was postponed as the House was on recess and could not form a quorum,” Banjo said.

    He explained that in order to meet the traditional presentation, a formal letter was also sent to the House on Dec.ember28, 2018, forwarding the contents of the budget.

    “It is expected that when the House reconvenes, the Speaker would inform members of the budget proposal sent by the governor and take the necessary action,” Banjo added.

    Meanwhile when the house resumed plenary on Monday, it only sat to adjourn.

    Mr Moshood Oshun, the Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts (State), moved the motion for adjournment while Mr Segun Olulade, representing Epe II seconded the motion.

    NAN

  • Save us from land grabbers, Ilubinrin residents pleads

    The Residents of Ilubinrin, Badore in Eti Osa Local Council in Lagos State made up mainly of fishermen and women took to the street in protest in their community calling on the state government to save them from suspected land grabbers who are encroaching on their properties.

    The protest took them from Badore junction to Ilubinrin bearing placards with various inscriptions.

    Baale and Secretary of the Community, Chief John Gandonu and Pastor Francis Ayodele who led the protesters said they have sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) appeal to the state government over alleged encroachment of their properties.

    The Residents complained that a businessman (names withheld), who operates Boat Transportation Business in the axis was encroaching on their land and harassing them with uniformed task force operatives.

    They appealed to the government to save them from invaders, as they would not want to take laws into their hands.

    Expressing displeasure over the development, Mrs Mary Gandonu, a woman leader of Ilubinrin, urged government to consider the right of people living in that area and halt the activities of the grabbers.

     

     

  • ‘Lagos 2019 budget already before Assembly’

    Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olusegun Banjo on Wednesday night said the states’ 2019 budget proposal of N852.317billion was already before the House of Assembly.

    According to a statement by the commissioner, the budget would have been read before the House on Monday December 24, 2018 but the ceremony had to be postponed because the Assembly was on recess.

    “The Governor had sent a verbal information to present the budget on Monday, December 24, 2018 after the State Executive Council approval on December 19, 2018, but the ceremony was postponed as the House was on recess and thereby could not form a quorum.”

    Banjo said to meet the traditional presentation, a formal letter was sent to the House on Friday, December 28, 2018, forwarding the contents of the budget.

    “It is expected that when the House reconvenes, the Speaker would inform members of the content of the Budget proposal sent by the Governor and take necessary action.

    The commissioner said the size of the 2019 budget proposal forwarded by the Governor to the House is N852.317billion.

  • Indigenous Lagosians endorse Sanwo-Olu

    The Committee of Indigenous Associations of Lagos State, an umbrella body of all indigenes of  Lagos, has set an agenda for the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    If he is elected in the next month’s general election, the Lagos indigenes want the APC candidate to restore the prestige of the state by pushing for a special status for Lagos. They also called for restoration of Lagos environment and incorporation of indigenes in the governance of the state.

    At a consultative meeting held at the Awori House in Oregun, the association, which comprises leaders from all the five divisions of the state, endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu, with the agreement that he would get a special status for Lagos. They promised to stand behind the APC candidate in his effort to take the state to another level in development.

    Describing the Awori, the indigenous Ikorodu, the Epe inhabitants as well as the people of Isale Eko extraction as “original stakeholders” in the Lagos project, Sanwo-Olu said his intention to govern the state was not to fulfil an agenda against any ethnic group making up the state.

    He said the meeting was necessary to listen to the concerns of the indigenes.

    The APC candidate said his reason for running for the Lagos top seat was not for personal aggrandizement, but to deploy his three-decade of professional expertise spanning both public and private sectors to elevate the fortunes of the Lagos for the benefit of residents and indigenes of the state.

    He said: “Since I declared my intention to run for the governorship seat of our state, I have consulted widely with various interest groups and stakeholders in the Lagos project. I believe my consultation would not be complete without meeting with the indigenes of the state. I’ve come to listen to your concerns as indigenes of Lagos.

    “I am also a son of the soil. My lineage is a full-fledge Lagos. My father and grandfather are indigenes of Okepopo area of Lagos Island. In fact my great grandfather’s house is still seating in Omididun in Lagos Island. My mother is of the Cole family of Lagos Island. I’m also married to a Lagosian, who has Brazilian and Yoruba ancestries. However, I am not seeking to become the governor of Okepopo or Lagos Island.

    I’m not fulfilling any agenda against any ethnic group whose people are part of indigenous people of Lagos. I will be the governor of all.”

    Sanwo-Olu allayed the fears of the Awori indigenes of Lagos, noting that his government, if elected, would address all their grievances.

    Beyond the quality of his academic qualifications and professional experience, the APC candidate said the most valued credential he would bring to governance is his integrity. He promised not to betray the trust bestowed on him by the amalgamation of the indigenous Lagosians.

    He said: “Integrity is my greatest qualification I am putting at stake in this race to govern Lagos. My five-point programmes contained in my manifesto are carefully designed to take Lagos to a new level of development. Everybody will be part of our government and no discriminatory agenda will be initiated against anyone, irrespective of ethnic group or status.”

    Responding to some of the concerns raised by the Lagos indigenes, the APC candidate promised that his government would review the physical planning and environmental laws of the state, with the aim to restore sanity and improve the mega city status of the state.

    He also said his administration would prioritise the provision of quality education that would be driven by technology. Under him, Sanwo-Olu said the state would revive its agriculture and improve transportation system.

    On the much-talked about Agboyi-Ketu Bridge, Sanwo-Olu promised that it will be constructed and delivered by his administration if elected.

    Sanwo-Olu dismissed the concern raised by Alhaja Aishatu Onitiri Kuye, that his choice of running mate was a discrimination against womenfolk. The APC candidate said he had always enjoyed working with women because of their efficiency and result-oriented, promising that women would be the driver of his government.

    Prof. Rasheed Ojikutu, one of the leaders of Awori extraction, and chairman of the coalition  described the meeting as family affair, saying it was the first time the Awori people would be united to meet and support a candidate they believed in.

    He urged members of the association to support the candidate, noting that Sanwo-Olu had the habit of fulfilling promises.

     

  • Lagos pays N41.8b to 10,286 retirees

    The Lagos State government has paid accrued pension rights of N41.812 billion to 10,286 retirees under the Pay As You Go pension scheme in the last 41 months, the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, has said.

    He spoke at the 58th edition of Retirement Benefit Bond Presentation Ceremony held at the LASPEC Complex, NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said another 139 public service retirees were presented retirement benefit bond certificates worth N632.3 million for the month of December.

    The commissioner stated that majority of those paid were from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    He recalled that about two weeks ago, precisely, November 29, 2018, total number of 137 retirees received Bond Certificates worth N739.9 million.

    He said:“Government will continue to ensure prompt payment of all the rights and entitlements due to its workforce as a way of motivating them to effectively and efficiently discharge their duties as expected. The state government has never failed to remit monthly contributions into Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) maintained by the 13 approved Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

    “So, within a period of three weeks, the government has brought joy to a total number of 276 retirees and payment made is N1.37 billion. The state has consistently distinguished itself as a leading state in the management of pension and pensioners. Hence, the government has won several awards for excellence in pension administration. In December, 2018, the commission won the distinguished award of excellence on pension matters for year 2018 by Peninscope Professional Warranty Limited.”

    The Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folasade Onanuga, explained that the state government has always been in the vanguard of employees’ welfare.

    She said the governor has not derailed in his promise to give priority to workers’ welfare”.

    While advising retirees to spend wisely in retirement and take proper care of their health, she pointed out that they are at the evening stage of their lives and as such, they should be mindful with the things that they do.

    She stressed that the Additional Voluntary Contribution will guarantee more comfort in retirement as the funds can be accessed immediately by a retiree on retirement.

    In appreciation, the beneficiaries applauded the pace of clearing the backlog by the present administration and prayed that it continues in 2019.

    Also, the state government through the commission has paid to the 11th batch of named beneficiaries of eight deceased employees, insurance benefit worth N15, 696,022.83 million. Over N447, 968 million had been paid. This is designed by law to alleviate the immediate needs of the family members left behind.

  • Ambode’s wife welcomes first baby of the year

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday, 1st of January welcomed the first baby of the year in the State that was delivered at 12am to the family of Mr and Mrs Adegbesan at Island Maternity, the baby weighed 3.7Kg.

    The annual celebration of the first baby of the year in the State held separately at Shomolu General Hospital, Maternal and Child Care Centre (MCC), Gbaja, and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital Tuesday.

    The governor’s wife restated her call for pregnant women in the State to always patronize government health facilities for safe delivery and also immunize their children against killer diseases.

    She said it was important for mothers to give quality attention and priority to the well-being of their children in the overall interest of the society.

    “The huge government expenditure on infant and maternal health infrastructure, could only be justified by commensurate use of the modern facilities by the women, their babies and the children”, she said.

    She noted further that government’s efforts in stemming maternal and infant mortality would be slow in materializing, if expectant mothers did not go to the centres to use the facilities.

    According to her, “I wish to note that Lagos State Government has continued to strengthen the health sector with the provision of neonatal care units, equipment and resources to our State hospitals, to enhance the quality of maternal and child care services in our State.

    “The workers in the Primary Health Care centres and General Hospitals are committed and determined to provide quality care, but you have to go there and use the facilities. Mother and Child Centres are also being located in nearly every neighbourhood of the State, for excellent infant and maternal health care delivery.”

    Read Also: Ambode swears in Muri-Okunola as HOS

    Stressing the need for immunization, she said: “My passionate appeal to mothers, therefore, is to ensure they complete the full course of immunization for their children, to prevent childhood killers like measles, diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tetanus and hepatitis, to mention a few. In addition, parents must avoid the use of contaminated water, malnutrition and poor sanitation, as they also contribute to childhood mortality.

    The Governor’s wife also commended the National Population Commission (NPC) for registering newborns at Lagos hospitals, urging parents to always cooperate with the agency, for accurate data compilation.

    Besides, she urged expectant mothers to maintain good hygiene and health-promoting lifestyle in pregnancy, to ensure the well-being of their expected babies.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said as part of efforts to facilitate access to health care, the State Government recently implemented the Health Insurance scheme, and urged all residents to take advantage of the initiative.

    “It is our hope in this New Year, with the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme; more Lagosians will have access to improved services and enjoy the kind of care they would have been unable to before now.

    “With the exemplary leadership of His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, you can be confident that the State will continue to stimulate the required quality of health service delivery that is poised to address existing health gaps and even new health challenges that might emerge in the future,” Idris said.

    Also speaking, wife of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for next year’s gubernatorial election in the State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commended Governor Ambode for his commitment and investment in provision of infrastructure to scale up the health sector.

    Ibijoke, who is the Chief Medical Director of Shomolu General Hospital, said it was on record that the facility had enjoyed tremendous support from the State Government, while the Governor recently approved funds to demolish and rebuild the distressed main building, among others.

    At Shomolu General Hospital, the first baby was delivered by the family of Awofeso Adara Ojo by 1:47am with a weight of 3.0kg, while at Gbaja MCC, the first baby was delivered by the family of Amudalat Ojo by 1:58am with a weight of 2kg.

    Aside the gifts given to the first babies, the wife of the governor also distributed Special Mummy’s Pack to all the babies at the three hospitals.

     

     

  • Ambode assures of greater benefits for Lagosians in 2019

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has assured of more life changing projects in 2019 for the greater benefit of Lagosians.

    Ambode gave the assurance in his New Year message to Lagosians at the grand finale of the 2018 One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) held at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island on the eve of the New Year

    He said though 2018 was a great year for the State, the New Year holds greater promises for all.

    “I want to thank God for giving us this New Year and also thank all residents of the State for being peaceful and for cooperating with our government in delivering services in 2018 and we are ready to take Lagos to the next level.”

    On expectations for Lagos, the governor said irrespective of the fact that 2019 is an election year, the State would witness more prosperity as the enabling environment for the economy to thrive had already been firmly established.

    “I want you to know that 2019 has a lot in stock for all of us and we must stand up for a better Nigeria and a greater Lagos.

    “I believe the GDP of Lagos will grow and I believe irrespective of what is happening, Lagos remains the most prosperous State in Nigeria and it can only get better,” he said.

    The Governor attributed the successes his administration has recorded in the last few years to the sterling efforts of security agencies in keeping the city safe, adding that the State has emerged as the safest place to live in Africa.

    He also assured that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that ongoing capital projects across the State would be completed before the expiration of his tenure in May.

    “The modest successes we have recorded would not have been possible without the efforts of security agencies in the State.

    Read Also: Pensioners praise Ambode

    “I want to appreciate the efforts of security agencies for their dogged contribution in making our State the safest place to live in the country and Africa right now.

    “Let me also assure residents that we are committed to their well-being, security and safety. We also want to assure that we are committed to completing all on-going projects before the end of May,” the governor said.

    The Governor said he was thrilled that the OLF was meeting the set objectives, saying that the positive impact of the fiesta on the economy of the State had been massive and encouraging.

    “The positive economic impact of the fiesta is very visible. You see, at the beginning, we were doing this particular fiesta in just one location but again we have been able to increase it to five locations, eight days, 40 concerts and you can imagine everything surrounding it in terms of employment, job opportunities for food hawkers, artisans and above all, the security that has kept the city very safe.

    “So, we are very excited that this is part of the GDP that we are growing for Lagos and I know that this will be continued by the next government. I am satisfied that we made a promise that we were going to use tourism, entertainment , arts and sports to promote excellence in Lagos and almost four years after, people can see that we have fulfilled it and Lagos is the only destination for people in December, he said.’’

    Besides, Ambode also seized the occasion to urge Lagosians to go all out and vote enmasse for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 presidential election and also for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the March 2 election.

    According to him, victory for both and all other candidates of the party would continue the positive economic trajectory the country and the State in particular has witnessed since 2015.

    “It is the best interest of all of us to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari and we assure the President that we would deliver Lagos for him come 2019.

    “In Lagos, we must continue with the plan that has worked and vote Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of Lagos State,” he said.

    The 2018 OLF with the theme, ‘A December To Remember’, continued in its fine tradition of holding simultaneously in five locations including Agege, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe just as it attracted thousands of participants and millions of viewers across the world.

    The highlight of the grand finale at the Eko Atlantic City venue was the spectacular display of fireworks and the raffle draw which saw Mr. Ayodeji Omoboye, a resident in Ikorodu emerge winner of a brand new car from GAC Motors, while other residents went home with consolation prizes.

  • Ambode swears in Muri-Okunola as HOS

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday swore in Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS) in the state.

    Ambode in his remarks at the ceremony held at the Lagos House, Alausa, described the appointment as a new chapter with a high expectation to inject youthful vibrancy in the state’s civil service.

    He tasked the new HOS to adopt creative thinking and growth mindset in the discharge of his new role.

    Ambode expressed strong optimism in the ability of Muri-Okunola to effectively take charge on account of his capacity, knowledge, exposure, experience and youthful energy.

    He, however, urged him to lead by example and encourage accountability and professionalism in the service.

    “Following the swearing in of the new Head of Service, a new chapter has just been opened in the history of the Lagos State Public Service.

    “It is a new chapter with high expectations for the injection of new energy and vibrancy that will move our Public Service to new heights.

    “As the number one Civil Servant in Lagos State, you must demonstrate leadership and lead by example for others, including the Body of Permanent Secretaries, to follow.

    “You have a responsibility to provide direction and encourage accountability, transparency, professionalism and high sense of discipline.

    ”Your actions must be based on sound and objective judgment with consideration for merit and proven record of competence and loyalty,” Ambode said.

    The governor, who underscored the strategic role of the civil service, said the success of government policies and programmes largely depended on the quality and orientation of the civil service.

    Read Also: Ambode’s aide: Sanwo-Olu will deliver

    “Hence the need for the new leadership to implement necessary measures and initiatives to foster growth and development,” he said.

    Responding, Muri-Okunola thanked Ambode for the confidence and trust reposed in him.

    He assured that the public service would improve on all well-known traditions for speedy, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and initiatives.

    46 years old Muri-Okunola is the youngest Lagos HOS ever.

    He was appointed as the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, a position he held between 2005 and 2011.

    Until his appointment, he was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

    Meanwhile, Ambode also swore in six new permanent secretaries into the Lagos Body of Permanent Secretaries.

    NAN

  • Lagos wealth is for the ordinary people – AD

    Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Owolabi Salis has said he will channel state’s resources towards making life better for the ordinary people.

    Salis who made the promise at the graduation ceremony of a free empowerment training scheme in Alimosho area of the state when 550 trainees, added that Lagos commonwealth belongs to the people.

    He noted that over 60, 000 Lagosians has benefited  from the empowerment training in different parts of the state, stressing youths were picked in the different parts of state.

    Sails said the foundation had trained beneficiaries in hair dressing, barbing , building , electrical, plumbing , fashion designing , beauticology , shoe making , soap, balm making , among others .

    He said plans was in place to assist the graduands financially through grants, loan and other facilities that would assist them to become independent.

    “There are monies from Bank of Industries (BOI) and even the Trades Money as well as other programmes meant for poverty alleviation but it doesn’t get to the people but we are presently looking into it and very soon.

    “We are going to be having a seminar whereby we gather all the graduants together and we are going to train them on how to access the funds and also to supervise and make sure it gets to them .

    “Beneficiaries of the empowerment program is not based on party, most of the people that have benefited from the empowerment programs are not from my party  because the program is not political.

    “It is a social event and if I emerged as the governor, it will be ungodly for me to discriminate those who are not in my party, I am not  just the candidates of AD members but I am the candidate of the oppressed people in APC, PDP and other parties.

    “The Alliance for Democracy, AD is made up of credible people from APC, PDP and about 24 other parties. We have just only one objective, and that is to take Lagos State Commonwealth resources and return it to the people and we are going to achieve it,” he said.