The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos 2019: Sanwo-Olu visits Jakande, secures his blessings

    The first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has blessed the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praying for his success in the general elections.

    During a private visit to Jakande’s house in Ilupeju on Monday, Sanwo-Olu received the blessing of the 89-year-old former governor to contest for the Lagos top seat.

    Describing the octogenarian as his father and political mentor, Sanwo-Olu said the visit was to seek the blessing of Jakande and intimate him of the strides taken so far in his efforts to govern the state.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu’s royal acceptance

    Sanwo-Olu said: “As the first executive governor of Lagos, Baba Jakande is well-respected and he is someone all of us look up to for political direction. He is an arrowhead of progressive politics and constitutional democracy. Coming to greet him in this festive period is appropriate. But, I am also using the opportunity of this visit to draw on his experience and seek his blessing, as a leader, in my intention to govern our dear state.”

    Jakande informed Sanwo-Olu that he had read his professional profile and achievements, which, the former governor said, stood the APC candidate out as the best person to lead the state.

    Jakande blessed Sanwo-Olu’s candidacy and prayed for his success in the election. He also advised the APC candidate not to let the people down if elected, saying welfare of the people must be the priority of his government.

     

  • Lagos tackles domestic violence among women

    In commemoration of this year’s 16 days of autism to end violence against women, Lagos state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has organized a 2018 WAPA connect conference tagged; Fostering Harmonies Living Through Reforms; Strengthening of social services and substantive equality among women and Yoruba girls..

    Speaking at the conference held at Agidingbi, Lagos, the Commissioner for Women Affairs  and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Lola Akande said the conference was aimed at the advancement of Women’s right,  fostering domestic harmony and tackling the menace of gender based violence among other burning issues among Women.

    According to Akande, the theme is aimed providing strategies and modalities in sustaining gender equally for women and girls, promoting harmonies living through family reforms among others.

    Read Also: Lagos Accord Party denies endorsing Agbaje

    ‘While lamenting that the root of most of the hostilities leading to dishonoring and violence in homes are the two challenges of gender discrimination and poor access of women and young girls opportunities that bring out the best in them,  Akande pointed out that this present administration through the ministry has made significant impact through critical intervention programmed to end violence against women. “Some of these actions include marital dispute  mediations forceful (teen)  child marriage reserve and disruption of buttered women among others” She said.

    Also speaking on theme,  Member House of Assembly,  Honorable Funmilayo Tejuosho enjoined Lagos resident to understand that some laws such as domestic violence bill sponsored in the state to keep the marriage intact and to also follow up and counsel the couple. ” So that we can keep the marriage together and keep violent out of the marriage

    “In Lagos, these laws are well implemented, and we as legislators must continue to exact laws that will stand the test of time”, she said.

    Other resource persons spoke on topics such : Promoting Harmonious Living through family reforms ; Sustaining gender equality for women and girls;Making impact through social change among others.

     

  • 2019: Stakeholders advocate multi-agency synergy

    Thought leaders from the security, safety and media industry have advocated robust public enlightenment and advocacy education on critical issues towards a hitch-free 2019 elections.

    They said this at the monthly Enterprise Security Risk Management Round Table dialogue recently organised by Academy Halogen in Ikeja, Lagos State.

    Speaking at the roundtable, the Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Adekunle Ajanaku noted that based on past and contemporary development, elections in Nigeria are prone to violence and civil disturbances mostly orchestrated by political sponsors using vulnerable youths as tools.

    “Electoral violence has become a vocation,” he said.

    “As there are perpetrators there are ‘investors’ in the crime too. This is mostly aided by drug abuse and youth vulnerability among other factors.”

    Dr. Abdulrazaq Balogun, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) mentioned unresolved issues arising from the electoral primaries amongst the political parties as a major factor likely to pose risks to the coming election. Aside this, he noted that concentration of more politicians in two or three political parties and complex electoral processes are risks that require thorough understanding.

    Speaking on the pivotal role of the media in ensuring a trouble-free 2019 elections, a journalist with The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Joe Agbro, described the media as integral and a vital vehicle for disseminating information to the masses. But he expressed worries on the role of media houses as gatekeepers and agenda setters in recent times, stating that ownership influence still affects the quality and quantity of information flow before, during and after elections.

    “Media is very important in election conversation,” he said.

    Read Also: Voter education brings INEC to Crawford

    “Information dissemination is germane to mobilization of electorates. We have found that ownership influence may affect what is published. And there is also the issue of fake news on the rise now. These are risks affecting the judgment of the electorates. They can lead to crisis.”

    On her part, Mrs. Bamidele Olateju, an influential online newspaper columnist with Premium Times noted that there is need to include youth in strategies aimed at reducing risks associated with Nigeria’s coming election. She explained that Nigeria has a huge Youth population who can be communicated to through the social media.

    “Our youth population is huge, they are tech savvy and equally vulnerable. We need to engage them via social media. In our sphere of influence we can engage and educate them properly on the attendant risks associated with the coming elections”, Olateju said.

    Director General, Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP), Mr. Olayinka Odutola described election period in Nigeria as a period prone to many risks some of which poses multiple socio-economic challenges for the country eventually. He explained that risks associated with the coming election can be categorized under people, process, systems and external events.

    The participants were unanimous that there is need for a robust strategy to reduce the risk of the coming 2019 election.

    In his recommendation, the Group Managing Director, Halogen Security Company Limited, Mr. Wale Olaoye, advised the use of technology in solving electoral issues. Dr. Balogun also advised that the social media space should be regulated to reduce incidence of fake news and other bad influence on the polity.

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Aladesanmi Adebayo advocated for more quality media orientation to the masses and key stakeholders involved in the election business. “If we can control public perception of issues involve in election, there will be less problem. Let the right information get to the people at the right time”, Aladesanmi said.

    To avoid or reduce emergency risks before, during and after the election period, Mr. Femi Giwa, Director of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said there is need for key stakeholders involved in election management to build trust and synergy.

    Chief Operations Officer, Academy Halogen, Dr. Wale Adeagbo, said that the Academy will  continuously galvanize rich thought leadership ideas capable of igniting the right rhythm in the nation’s economic and social space.

    Academy Halogen, a subsidiary of Halogen Security Group is an institution dedicated to enterprise security risk management, thought leadership and policy development.

  • Lagos CJ inaugurates 47 new sheriffs to quicken trials, justice

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, on Monday inaugurated 47 newly-recruited court sheriffs to quicken trials and justice delivery.

    Justice Oke charged them to shun corruption and be above board in the discharge of their duties.

    The court sheriffs are responsible for serving court papers on litigants as well as enforcing the orders and judgments of the court.

    Justice Oke, at the induction, which held at the premises of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, noted that the sheriffs were critical to the smooth running and efficiency of the justice system.

    According to her, the court could not assume jurisdiction without the proper service of the originating processes.

    She explained that the recruitment and training of the new court sheriffs were targeted at overhauling the old order characterized by “complaints of delays in service, failure to serve, falsification of affidavits of service, delays in reporting service, laziness, ineptitude, corruption, among other issues”.

    The Chief Judge said the recruitment was part of her administration’s “wide range of far-reaching innovations” to address the some of the lapses in the justice system.

    Read Also: 2 die, 6 injured in Lagos/Ibadan expressway accident

    “You are a new breed. You represent a new dispensation in the Sheriff Corps, and by the Grace of the Almighty God, you have come in at this time to breathe new life and, by God’s grace, to change the old order.

    “You cannot afford to blend with the system. You are expected to stand out, you are expected to stand for what is right at all times.

    “Shun all forms of corruption and take your jobs seriously,” the CJ told the new recruits.

    She disclosed that a number of the old sheriffs had been dismissed for unethical conducts.

    At the ceremony, the 47 new sheriffs were presented with certificates, marking their completion of a three-week induction course, which they reportedly took at the Lagos State Judiciary Training School.

     

  • NYSC Lagos to provide 20,000 corps members for election

    The Lagos State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Prince Mohammed Momoh, has said the scheme would present a list of over 19,000 corps members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to participate in election duty today.

    In an interview at the closing of the orientation programme for Batch C Stream II corps members yesterday, Momoh said once corps members who apply for redeployment to Lagos are settled, the list would grow to over 20,000 that would work as ad-hoc staff of INEC for the 2019 elections.

    “INEC has said we should send the list of corps members on December 14th but we are sending it tomorrow (today) because we worked well ahead of time.  Before the election we will have well over 20,000 that can be deployed for the election.  Even those that are being relocated to Lagos, the moment they settle down, we will upload their names and send to them,” he said.

    The NYSC Coordinator said during the camp, the Batch C Stream II corps members got preliminary training on the roles they would play during the election, including how to use the card reader.  He said more training would follow soon, assuring the corps members of their safety during the elections.

    Read Also: NYSC DG, 229 others promoted by Army

    “Here on camp, you have been given preliminary training by INEC on the conduct of electoral processes and the use of the card reader.  As soon as you settle down in your different places of primary assignments, you will be given further detailed training to equip and enhance your capacity in delivering a hitch-free and credible election in 2019.  I want to assure you that the election secruty committee headed by the Commissioner of Police, has put in place specific and strategic plans to ensure your safety and security during the elections,” he said.

    Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to corps members and camp officials who distinguished themselves during the three-week orientation programme, notably Dr Anya Onyedikachi and Dr Olawale Ogedengbe.

    Momoh said the corps medical doctors helped save the life of a fellow corps member whose heart stopped beating after a seizure on their way to the hospital.

    “They went above the call of duty by volunteering to accompany the corps member to the hospital even though they were not on duty.  During the trip to the hospital in our ambulance, they said he had a seizure and his heart stopped.  One of them had to apply the mouth to mouth resuscitation while the other pressed his chest.  That saved the corps member’s life,” he said.

  • Ajimobi, Ambode to women: Remain focused against all odds

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday called on women in the country not to give in to challenges in the pursuit of their dreams.

    The governors spoke at the closing ceremony of a three day National Women Summit organised by the Oyo State Officials Wives Association (OYSOWA) at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    The summit themed “Against All Odds”, the seventh in its edition was an initiative of the wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

    Ajimobi in his remarks called on women to be supportive partners of their husbands, while ensuring that they instilling moral virtues in their respective homes and society.

    He commended his wife for her support in the transformation of the state into a modern one, describing her as a pillar behind his achievements.

    In what could be described as a pre-valedictory speech, the governor commended members of the state executive council for the supportive role in the administration’s achievements.

    Ambode in his goodwill message, described the theme ‘Against All Odds’ as very apt and timely, saying there could never be success without odds or challenges.

    He said “There are always odds against us, our wishes, our aspirations and our objectives, but we must against all odds push toward. The world we live in today does not take excuses.

    “The world is changing everyday and women are now more at the forefront of things. They are now agents of change and no more referred to as weaker sex.

    Read Also: Ajimobi’s aide, others for award in Ondo



    “Against all odds, we must always push forward with the determination to succeed,” he said.

    He reminded the participants that the success of the summit depended on their abilities to translate the values gained positively starting from their respective homes to the family and the larger society.

    “From a family, women can initiate a spark change which can cascade every effort to any level and every sector of the nation. With focus, perseverance and determination, you can transform yourselves, family and the country against all odds.

    “I commend our sister for initiating and sustaining this summit for seven years. Apart from Lagos State which had sustained the programme in the last 18years, only Oyo out of others has emulated this.”

    A communique issued by the participants at the end of the summit described women as “the largest reserve of untapped talents in the world.”

    The communique read by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs Ololade Agboola, charged women to mother the world by instilling moral values in the children and society.

    It charged the state and local governments to set aside funds aimed at catering for women, who are victims of domestic violence in the society.

    “Government should be more proactive against domestic violence and ensure enforcement of existing laws on same matter.

    “Women should work beyond rhetorics and be encouraged to involve actively in partisan politics,” the communique reads in parts.

  • Police arraign two men for stealing N13,000

    Two men, Jinadu Kosoko, 40, and Shefiu Alao, 35, who the police accused of stealing N13,000 belonging to the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), on Friday appeared in a  Chief Magistrates’ Court in Badagry, Lagos State.

     

    The police charged Kosoko and Alao with two counts of stealing and breach of peace.

    The police prosecutor, ASP Akpan Ikem, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on Nov. 27, at about 9 a.m. at Sabo Bus-stop, Ajangbadi area of the state.

     

    Read Also: Police warn against buying phones from strangers

     

    Ikem alleged that the accused persons conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace .

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    After the charges were read to them, the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

     

    Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until Dec. 18, for further hearing.

     

    . (NAN)

  • We’ll arrest street kids, dump them in govt house – Falana

    Activist-Lawyer Mr Femi Falana on Thursday threatened to begin “arresting” street kids and moving them to government houses if the authorities fail to see to their welfare.

    Falana warned that an organization he belonged to would begin the operation in January from Lagos State.

    He said he had also filed a suit to compel the arrest of parents who prevent their children from going to school, or withdraw them prematurely.

    Falana spoke at the Third Professionals’ Week annual public lecture, themed ‘Corruption, ethics and good governance”, organised by the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Lagos chapter.

    A former Lagos State University (LASU) Vice Chancellor, Prof Lateef Hussain, chaired the occasion, while Osun State Attorney-General, Dr. Surajudeen Bashiru; a former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Monday Ubani, immediate past President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Arc. Abimbola Ajayi and Chief Executive Officer CMC Connect Ltd, were discussants.

    Falana bemoaned the rising menace of abandoned children and urged the government to take over their education.

    Read Also: Evans: Police hid me from Falana in a toilet

    He said: “I belong to an organization and we’re are starting with Lagos by January next year, any child we see on the streets of Lagos, we are going to arrest the child and dump that child in Alausa (Lagos State secretariat and seat of government), so that the people in Alausa will have sleepless nights putting all our children in school.

    “We have already filed a case in Abuja to arrest all parents who refuse to put their children in school, or who withdraw their children from school.

    “About four days ago, 12 parents were prosecuted in Niger State for withdrawing their children from school, so, we are not going to say it is not our business.”

    He argued that if government officials invested more in education, they would have less to steal.

    Falana said: “My position is this: if our governments have to put every child in school, there’ll be less money to steal, because you have to build new schools, expand the existing facilities and recruit teachers from the public purse.”

    The lawyer encouraged professional bodies to do more to stem the tide of corruption and impunity perpetrated or encouraged by their members.

    Citing lawyers as an example, he urged the NBA to dis-bar Attorney-Generals serving under executives who disregard the rule of law.

    Falana said: “If professional bodies are carrying out their statutory duties, it should be possible for the NBA to summon an Attorney-General whose government has disobeyed a court order to say ‘Mr Attorney-General, you either resign from that government or we remove you as a lawyer.’ I can assure you that everybody will sit up.”

    Prof Hussain urged professionals to live up to the ethics of their professions and stand their ground against abuse of due process.

    Dr Bashiru, who was represented by Dr Mubarak Adekilekun, canvassed a return to ethical values, like “discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, religious tolerance, self reliance and patriotism,” most of which, according to him, the country seems to be lacking.

  • Show your electoral strength, Sanwo-Olu’s wife urges women

    Wife of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, has advised women to show their strength in coming general elections. Doing so, she said, would help women get their deserved quota in governance.

    Mrs Sanwo-Olu made the call on Thursday at the campaign office of her husband in Ikoyi during a meeting with women groups led by Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) chairmen and the women arm of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group.

    She said it was high time women in the state organised themselves and united for greater political participation, adding that participation, rather than making demands, in politics and governance would make women to play central role in development.

    Mrs Sanwo-Olu said women would have proper representations in all arms of government both in appointive and elective positions when they show their strength in mobilizing their fellow women for political participation and government.

    Read Also: 2019 : Group backs Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat

    She said: “The role of women in the development of any society cannot be underestimated. We have the numbers, the passion and the ideas to make our society great. Our aim is to make Lagos greater than we have now. What we need is to become more united and focused. This way, we will get more women in elective offices. I look forward to the day we would produce the first woman Speaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly and even the governor. It is possible. We can make this happen.

    As we move ahead in this campaign, I urge our women to carry our message to every ward and unit in Lagos. We must mobilize our women to come out and vote for APC, the party under which my husband and Dr Obafemi Hamzat contesting to take Lagos to greater height. I am assuring all women in Lagos that Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are committed to work for better tomorrow for our children. They have the plans and they have the competence to deliver. Lagos women must come out and vote for APC.”

    The Coker Aguda LCDA chairman, Mrs Medinat Adetutu, who led the women groups, pointed out that Lagos women demonstrated their persuasive power during the recent Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise in which they mobilized themselves across the state for the exercise.

    The women groups declared their support for the joint ticket of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, promising to mobilize their members for grassroots campaign.

     

  • Lagos Govt. empowers HIV patients with trade skills

    The Lagos State Government says it is training 98 women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on various trade skills.

    Mr Peter Obialor, Coordinator of people living with HIV/AIDS, Community Department in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Lagos, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

    Obialor said the empowerment is being conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) with the aim of reducing poverty in the state.

    “This training is organised for people living with HIV to empower them and make them feel among and not to be rejected and discriminated upon.

    “This training at least will help them build their self esteem instead of losing it; and they can equally be free to showcase themselves as people who can do a particular thing.

    “The people are being trained on how to make tie and dye, bead making, makeup, gele tying, cosmetology, hairdressing, event management and catering services.

    “ We give them starter packs which comprises of what their chosen venture required,’’ Obialor said.

    According to him, the participants are from various general hospitals in the state.

    He assured people living with the virus to believe that they had a future and urged them not to think that having “HIV is a death sentence”.

    He said: “HIV is not a sickness, it does not kill; malaria kills faster than HIV.

    “But HIV can live in the body for about three years without one knowing; it is the panic that kills.’’

    Read Also: 360,000 adolescents expected to die of AIDS by 2030 -UNICEF

    He commended the state government for its initiative on this disease, noting that “this is the second time the people of Alimosho local government is benefiting from the state government goodwill”.

    Miss Happiness Chidinma, one of the trainees on Cosmetology, told reporters that she was blessed to be part of the beneficiaries.

    “I feel great and blessed about the training I am currently receiving, I will use the skill to establish a big firm to enable me cater for my children,’’ she said.

    Miss Owolabi Olabisi, an apprentice on Makeup and Gele, expressed joy that she finally learnt the skill she had always had passion for.

    “I am very happy about the scheme because makeup and Gele tying have always been what I have been trying to learn on my own.

    Mrs Amarachi Okafor, a trainee on Catering, also thanked the state government for empowering people living with HIV and “I am determined to set up my business after graduation”.

    Similarly, Mrs Rosemary Chukwuma, the event and decoration instructor, urged the women to be creative to enhance their economic development.

    NAN reports that the training will last for one month.