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Tag: Lagos State

  • Ambode directs public works to fix Lagos roads in four weeks

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has directed the state Public Works Corporation to fix potholes on major and inner roads across the state within the next four weeks.

    Works and Infrastructure Commissioner Ade Akinsanya said on Friday that the repairs would bring relief and succor to the generality of Lagos residents.

    Many roads across the state are currently littered with potholes caused by the heavy rains of the last few weeks.

    Akinsanya, on an inspection visit to the ongoing Pen Cinema bridge at Agege in Lagos metropolis said the recent torrential rainfall forced a suspension of repair works on many roads in the state.

    The commissioner, however, said that with the rains subsiding, there was need to intensify efforts in completing ongoing repair works and making roads better across the state.

    “The operation fix the pothole will last for about three to four weeks,” he said.

    Reviewing ongoing projects in the state, he said that the state government remains committed to the completion of the over 70 projects across the state.

    He said that the Pen Cinema bridge would be completed by the first quarter next year  while the Oshodi/International Airport Road will  be delivered by December this year.

    Read Also: Buhari, Ambode meet in Abuja

    He said:  “Most of the difficult parts of the work are already ongoing. Overall, we are at about 60 per cent completion stage and right now, we have over 70 major projects ongoing but as can be seen, work is ongoing.

    “Unfortunately, it is difficult to fight nature and rain has not helped and what we are seeing is the result of the heavy downpour for the last few weeks but the work is ongoing and with the cooperation from the contractors, whatever time we have lost, things will be accelerated.

    “We have a good working relationship with Hi-Tech; they are committed to the project and I can assure the people that by first quarter of next year, this project will be commissioned by God’s grace.”

    Akinsanya, therefore, appealed to residents and motorists to cooperate by following traffic diversions put in place to ensure the early and smooth completion of the repair works.

    The commissioner thanked residents for their patience and sued for continued cooperation as the projects progress.

    “Whatever time we have lost on these projects as a result of the rain, pace will be accelerated,” he said.

    The commissioner and his team also inspected ongoing Oshodi/International Airport Road project.

  • Lagos raises transport policy committee

    The Lagos State government yesterday inaugurated a committee to formulate a transportation policy.

    Inaugurating the committee, Transport Commissioner ‘Ladi Lawanson urged members to come up with a policy that would give residents a transport system befitting of a smart city.

    The committee’s lead consultant, Prof. Kayode Oyesiku of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, promised that members would produce a document to be proud of.

    The members are Dr. Kayode Bawa-Allah, Prof. Gbadebo Odewumi, Noble Olasimbo, Dr. Iyiola Oni and Dr. Wale Alade.

    The committee has constituted seven technical working groups.

    It has 16 weeks to submit its report.

  • Ambode says religious leaders development partners

     Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday said he appreciated the contributions of religious leaders towards the development of the State.
    Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, expressed his appreciation at the Presentation of Staff of Office to the Chief Imam of Lagos,  Alhaji Sulaimon Abou-Nolla.
    He described spiritual leaders as development partners and pillars in the effort to bring greater progress and prosperity to the state.
    The governor commended the religious leaders for their roles in sustaining and promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in Lagos State.
    “’Your contributions have greatly aided government’s efforts in the delivery of services and dividends of democracy to the people, especially those at the grassroots.
    “’Your roles in raising awareness and influencing attitudes, behaviors and practices, have also helped us to enjoy relative peace in the state, ” he said.
    Ambode congratulated the newly installed Chief Iman and urged other Muslim leaders and groups to support him.
    Speaking, Sheik Abdul-Hafeez Abou, Executive Chairman, Lagos Central Mosque Council, called for cooperation and peaceful coexistence among Muslims.
    Abou also assured Nigerians that the Muslim community in the country would play a significant role in the country’s bid to ensure a peace during and after the 2019 general elections.
    “As we countdown to another election year, we pray to sustain sanctity of tolerance, honesty and trustworthiness. May Allah make it easy and successful, ” he said.
    In his lecture, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi, President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, urged the Muslim faithful to cooperate and respect the new Chief Imam as his installation was divine.
    “We will continue to pray that God will protect and grant him wisdom as the shepherd and guardian of our faith,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that notable among the 58  recognised personalities conferred with different Chieftaincy titles were the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, who was conferred with the title“Asiwaju Adinni of Lagos State”.
    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun was also conferred with the title “Waziri Adinni of Lagos State”.

  • Lagos is now one party state, says Salvador

    The former Lagos State chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Moshood Salvador on Saturday said the state has become a one party state, following his defection with  thousands of PDP members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Addressing party thousands of party members and stalwarts at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos. He said with his exit, the PDP was completely dead in Lagos.

    Salvador added that in the 2015 election, the PDP and APC polled over 98 percent votes, leaving less than two percent for the other parties.

    He said with his defection with thousands of former PDP members to the APC, there was no more opposition for the ruling APC in Lagos.

    “I must say with all emphasis that Lagos is now a one party state.  With these people that move with me to join the progressives PDP is dead in Lagos.

    “We don’t expect people to join any other political party except the APC. We have records of the abysmal performance of other political parties in Lagos during the last election.

    “We are going to secure 3.5 million vote for Lagos State governorship candidate and over five million for the President in the 2019 election.

    Read Also: Lagos Akwaaba Travel Fair ends on happy note

    “This will be my contribution to the APC in the 2019 election. We hope to garner 99.5 percent votes for the party.”

    Salvador urged the Southwest to return to the progressives, noting that they have noting to gain with the PDP.

    He urged Osun State electorate to vote the APC candidate in the September 22 election, noting that the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration had impacted on the state.

    In his remarks, Lagos APC chairman, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun said Salvador had always been a progressive and would remain in fold.

    He thanked the new members for throwing away their torn umbrellas, stressing that the APC is a family where justice and equity is the hallmark.

    Balogun maintained that the new members would enjoy their stay in the party, noting that the genuine PDP member have moved to the APC.

    “We thank you all for coming to the APC, the this is the party for those who desired justice, equity and fairness. You have taken bold steps to throw away the thorn umbrellas and embracing the broom revolution.”

     

  • Senate 2019: Osinowo wants Ashafa’s seat

    The member representing Kosofe Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sikiru Adebayo Osinowo, has formally joined the race for the senatorial ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East senatorial district thereby signifying his intention to replace Senator Bareehu Ashafa come 2019.

    He declared his interest in the race during a well-attended ceremony at the CMD Event Center, Shangisha, Lagos state.

    The event had nearly all notable political leaders in the district, all the members of the House of Representatives in Lagos East District, all local government and local council development area chairmen and their deputies in the district and most traditional stakeholders in the district in attendance.

    Also, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly were part of the adoption of Osinowo as by party faithfuls as the preferred candidate for APC in Lagos East Senatorial district.

    “Permit me to say it with every sense of humility that with my sixteen years in the Lagos State House of Assembly, I have acquired enough legislative experience to propel me for greater achievement in the Red Chamber (Senate). I have also been actively involved in the political activities of Lagos East Senatorial District for over two decades, and I know where the shoe pinches,” Hon. Osinowo said.

    Read Also: Senate: release of funds to Amnesty inadequate

    Speaking on the declaration ceremony, the Deputy Chairman of APC in the state, Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya, said all APC chieftains in the race must see themselves as ambassadors of the party while seeking the ticket of the ruling party. He begged them all to work with party leaders to ensure a successful conduct of the primaries.

    “We want to appeal to all aspirants to eschew bitterness during and after the primary so that we will all support whoever emerges as a winner. We should go to the poll proper as one united family and win the 2019 elections for our party, not only in Lagos, but throughout the country,” Kaoli assured.

    The council of traditional rulers in the district, as well as several other organisations and groups were unequivocal in the support for Pepper as the candidate of the party in Lagos East. The traditional rulers said based on Osinowo’s antecedents, they have no doubt that he is fit for the important job ahead.

    Former Commissioner in the state and a leader in the district, Dr. Tola Kasali confirmed that the APC will conduct a primary election that will be very transparent and fair to all. that no candidate will cry foul. “Our party believes in democratic norms. We don’t have any preferred candidate every aspirants will be treated equally,” Kasali assured.

  • No rift with Tinubu – Ambode

    …Attends APC delegates’ election In Epe

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday totally played down speculation of rift with the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying reports to such effect were untrue.

    Both the social and traditional media have been flooded with news of a major rift between Tinubu and Governor Ambode over alleged disagreement on the second term bid of the Governor.

    Addressing party faithful in Epe during the election of delegates for the Presidential primary election and national convention of the party, Governor Ambode said the reports indicating a fight between him and Tinubu were out of place and that there was no fight anywhere.

    “I want you to know that there is no fight anywhere. The National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and my good self we are not in any fight, we are not in any controversy.

    “We are praying to God that the best is yet to come and the best will be what Lagos State deserves and I want you to just continue with your prayers that at this time, God will show His hand and make sure that everything that is of blessing to Lagos State and also blessing of Epe will come to pass,” Governor Ambode said.

    He specifically commended all the leaders and party faithful who contributed to the success of the delegates’ election in Epe, saying APC remained the party to beat in Lagos and Nigeria.

    “We have just concluded our Delegates’ Election in Epe Local Government and by consensus, we have picked our three delegates that will be going to the National Convention come October 6 for the Presidential direct primaries and the convention for all other people.

    “I want to say a very big thank you to all our delegates that are present here; I want to say a big thank you to all our leaders that have also supported us to make sure that this event has come and is done very successfully.

    “I want to reiterate once again that our party, All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the party to beat; we are the party at the national level and we are going to remain the party in the State,” the Governor said.

    Read Also: Ambode, Ashafa pick nomination forms

    At the event which was held at APC’s Secretariat in Aiyetoro, Epe, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki (Bamu), Otunba Bode Alausa and Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, the State’ Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, were elected as national delegates from Epe division which comprises of one Local Government Area (Epe) and two Local Council Development Areas (Eredo and Ikosi-Ejirin).

    The party leaders and faithful in the division also took turn to affirm their unalloyed support for the second term bid of the Governor.

    They include the Chairman of Epe Local Government, Adedoyin Adesanya; Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Saliu Adeniyi; Chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, Samson Onanuga: party chairman in Epe Local Government, Otunba Kehinde Adeniyi; State Welfare Officer, Alhaja Abiodun Bankole; former member of House of Representatives representing Epe, Hon Bola Gbabijo and member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency II, Segun Olulade.

    Others are APC Women leader in Epe, Mrs Iyabo Adegboyega; LGA party secretary, Alhaji S.A Owolomose; youth leader, Abdul Ibrahim; Otunba Bode Alausa, Akin Oladipupo, among others.

    Youths in the division also staged a peaceful protest displaying placards of various inscriptions to affirm their support for the Governor’s second term bid.

  • My aspiration has nothing to do with Tinubu – Sanwo-Olu

    Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Wednesday that his aspiration has nothing to do with the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but about taking a new Lagos to the next level.

    Speaking with newsmen at the APC national secretariat after submitting his nomination form, Sanwo-Olu who is widely referred to as the announced candidate of the former Lagos state governor expressed confidence that Lagos state will be better off with him as governor of the state.

    Read Also:Atiku: why PDP didn’t snatch Lagos from Tinubu

    He said that as a three time Commissioner, two time Special Adviser and head of the biggest corporation in Lagos state, he has the acquired experience to run the state.

    He said “There is no doubt that things will be said here and there. I am a full grown man with several years of experience. Like I said, it is about the Lagos of our dream and the Lagos that we want to take to the next level and so, it has absolutely nothing to do with our leader.

    “There is no denying the fact that he has been our national leader and he plays that role not only in the state, but at the national level. He has interest in the improvement and wellbeing of the Nigerian dream.

    “So, by extension, Lagos is a dream that he is passionate about and we will continue to refer to him as our leader. The most other things, is that I am in front of you, this is who I am and this is what I have come to express to you and Lagos will be a better place for all of us.”

    On the supposed controversy generated by his entrance into the race, Sanwo-Olu said “the truth is that I not in Ambode’s shoes right now and what has been generated is a reflection of the fact that people have come to understand and know the kind of person that I am.

    “A whole lot of us had to redefine the Lagos project. This is not the forum where I will begin to roll out to you the very many first that people think were done by some other individuals, but there were other people behind them, that brought out those ideas, policies and implementation plan.

    “There are so many first that I can begin to attribute to myself in the 11 years that I have had to do in the public service. Like I said, I have served three different governors and in three different ministries, serve twice in the governor’s office, Head the biggest agency of government.

    “So, the blueprint that we have been looking at since 1999 was out together by some of us. We are all friends, but it is politics. For me, I think this is the time. I have always told my children; that whatever you believe in stay on that course. So, if I cannot also do what I preach, I will begin to regret when I am 75 that I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”

    Asked why he is contesting the governorship of Lagos at this point in time, he said “I am someone that is over 50 years old, infact I am 53 years old. More importantly, in the last 30 years, I have spent 16 years in the private sector and 11 in the public sector. I have been three time Commissioner, two time special Adviser, I have been Managing Director of the biggest corporation in the state and has served about three governors.

    “So, I have had a dream to obviously contribute more as a Lagosian, as a son of the soil and just to let our people get to the level where they know that governance is all about people, what they expect and what you throw back to them to them to improve the cost of living and security of lives.

    “Given the number of years of my experience in the public and private sector, I think it is appropriate for me now. Certainly, I am not going to wait until the not too young catches up with us. So, it is better for me to bring that aspiration to bear today.”

    The aspirant would not be drawn into the issue of endorsement and a supposed stakeholders meeting saying “I am in Abuja now and certainly cannot know what is happening in Lagos. You are in the media and so have access to information that I don’t have. When I get to Lagos and there is a meeting called by the leadership, I will attend the meeting.

    “But in terms of endorsement, it is a work in progress. People have been asking questions, wanting to know the type of person that I am. I certainly will never say it is hurray because it is a journey and not a destination.

    “It will be very presumptions of me to stand before you and begin to imagine that 57 Chairmen have endorsed me. That mean I am going to sleep. That will not be so.

    “The mandate groups are my people; we are in the same family and will continue to work. It is Lagosians at the end of the day that has the bills to pay. We will ensure that we are not restricted and will get to all those we need to get to and not take anybody for granted”.

  • Police arrest Ifa priestess, two sons over alleged kidnapping

    The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a 60-year-old Ifa chief priestess and her two sons in connection with some kidnap cases in the state.
    The spokesman for the command, CSP Chike Oti, made the development known in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.
    Oti said that the suspects were arrested on Saturday at their home at No.15, Irepodun Street, Egan, Igando, a Lagos suburb.
    He said that the woman was said to be a chief priestess and custodian of an Ifa shrine.
    She was alleged to be aiding her sons, aged 26 and 32, who allegedly lure their victims with charms to their home.
    Oti described the suspects as “deadly bunch of kidnappers”.
    He said that they used the social media to lure their victims and put them in captivity until they paid ransoms for their release.
    “The trio met their waterloo when one Bridget Obazee came to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igando Police Station, CSP Taiwo Kasumu, on Sept. 7 and complained that her brother, Osahon, was missing.
    “The complainant told the DPO that the kidnappers were threatening to kill Osahon if they (family) failed to pay a N1.5 million ransom.
    “She added that they warned her not to involve the police, otherwise her brother would be killed.”
    Oti said that the DPO quickly contacted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, who deployed men from the Intelligence Unit of the command to reinforce the DPO’s team.
    He said that the team immediately set out in search of the suspects.
    “The same day, at about 11a.m., through discreet investigation, the team arrested the woman and her sons, Akeem Bashiru and Ojo Solomon,” he said.
    He said that besides Osahon, the police also rescued two other victims in the home of the suspects, which doubled as their hideout.
    He gave the names of the other victims as Adugbagbe Akindele of No.7 Peace Crescent Salolo, Meiran, Lagos and one Ekwegbalu Augustine, who was lured from Anambra with the promise for a job in an oil company.
    Oti said, “the victims have been held for weeks, pending the payment of ransom by their families.”
    He said that those rescued had been re-united with their relations.
    He said that during interrogation, Solomon confessed that he lured the victims with the promise of getting them employment.
    “He further confessed that he lured some victims for a gay relationship and that their mother empowered him and his brother spiritually,” Oti said.
    He said that the mother used charms to intimidate and instil fear in victims.
    Oti hailed residents of Lagos State for assisting the command with useful information and urged them not to relent.

  • Lagos to mass produce coconut bread

    Lagos State Government is making arrangements with 10 major bakeries for the mass production of coconut bread, “Eko Bread” as a means to provide more market avenue for coconut utilization.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode disclosed this at the 7th Coconut Heritage Festival tagged ‘AGUNKEFEST’, which held in collaboration with the African Coconut Heritage Initiatives to commemorate the 2018 World Coconut Day at the Suntan Beach Front, Badagry.

    Alluding to the fact that Nigeria is ranked 18 in the world as a coconut producing country with Lagos State contributing 70 per cent of the total production, the Governor said his administration would continue to create the enabling environment for investments in coconut production, commercialization and utilization in the State.

    Ambode who was represented by the Special Adviser on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, said his administration places high premium on sustainable food production which is the impetus driving the various activities in the agricultural sector with a renewed commitment to support initiatives geared towards revamping and developing the coconut industry to global standard and recognition.

    “Coconut tree has been identified as the most useful single tree in the world in terms of versatility, product utilisation and longevity. Therefore, taking coconut to another level with this type of programme is long overdue.

    “A major step taken towards achieving this goal is the establishment of the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) to uphold the State’s comparative advantage in coconut production,” he said.

    He said that the Model Coconut Processing Centre in Mowo Badagry has been fully rehabilitated and available for training of prospective coconut processors, as well as provide services to existing processors at affordable cost.

    Read Also: Lagos State combats domestic violence in the riverine areas

    “To expand the scope of coconut processing operations and further collaborate with the private sector, the state government has distributed coconut processing equipment to coconut processors in twelve local governments and local council development areas in the State as part of its empowerment programmes in the coconut value chain,” he said.

    Other efforts by the State Government to create an enabling environment for coconut production, commercialization and utilization, according to the Governor include, the  rehabilitation of the coconut belt, massive production of improved coconut seedlings; capacity building/empowerment of coconut value chain actors; production of coconut derivatives on demonstration basis; encouragement of proliferation of coconut cottage industries for value addition and technological advancement in the coconut value chain.

    Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Culture, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson said that the objective of celebration was to draw global attention and beam searchlight on Badagry division of the State thereby showcasing its rich cultural and traditional values to attract both domestic and international tourists to the division and the State.

    Giwanson said the focus of the State Government was to create the needed environment that is private sector driven hence, the beginning of the collaborative and partnership effort between the Lagos State Government and the private sector, African Coconut Heritage Initiatives towards the promotion and celebration of the coconut festival this year which is a noble cultural asset in Lagos State.

    In addition, the Special Adviser said the Festival was part of the promotion of the enormous Tourism potentials of Lagos State to the world, which according to her had started to yield monumental dividends, adding that the hosting of the event would further boost and sustain it.

    Highlights of the event include exhibitions, parades, command performances by various cultural groups and cooking competition, while awards were presented to winners as well as presentation of Tourism Governor of Nigeria to Governor Ambode by the organizers.

  • Lagos records 3,089 cases of gender, sexual violence in eight months

    As response team marks awareness month

     

    The Jakande Estate and Okota areas in Isolo local government have the highest number of reported cases of gender and sexual based violence in Lagos state in the past two years.

    This was disclosed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice/Chairman of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mr. Adeniji Kazeem at a media parley to commemorate the 2018 Domestic and Sexual awareness month at Alausa on Monday.

    The theme for this year’s activities which is slated for this month is, ‘Securing the home against Violence: Everyone’s Responsibility’.

    Kazeem who was represented by Mrs. Fumilola Odunlami, Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary of the ministry further stated that from January to August this year DSVRT has received 3,089 reported cases of domestic and gender violence including child abuse.

    “This indicates that the number of reports has doubled since last year when DVSRT handled a total of 1044 cases for the entire year”, he said.

    According to him while registered total convictions of gender and sexual based violence stands at 180 since 2014, for the period under review, January to August this year, there have been seven convictions for sexual assault.

    The team  he further disclosed, has given a stronger focus on children who have witnessed Intimate Partner Violence, adding that a total number of 1187 children have been exposed to domestic violence within the home this year.

    “Some of these children have been taken through counseling programmes to ensure they are able to psychologically deal with the events they have witnessed without it having a permanent and negative impact on them”.

    Read Also: NGO decries sexual violence -against boys

    There have also been reported cases of child abuse in 17 schools and all the schools involved, he said, are under investigation and all the defilement cases have been charged to court.

    A total of 30 survivors, he said, have benefitted from the state government’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Trust Fund established by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to empower survivors of violence and child abuse by assisting them financially for relocation, medical expenses, business and education.

    Activities lined up to mark this year’s Domestic and Sexual Violence awareness month includes: a walk/mobile gender based violence clinic slated for Wednesday 12th , symposium, proposed for Tuesday 18th, premier of short film on different intricacies of domestic and social violence as well as a commendation/dinner night which will hold in last week of September.

    According to Kazeem, “The DSVRT provides an essential avenue for survivors and third parties to report instances of domestic, child and Sexual abuse…and it adopts a three-pronged approach to address these issues: ensuring the quick dispensation of justice; facilitating the provision of medical-related services  and continual awareness and sensitization”.