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Tag: lagos

  • Wooden bridges to go in Lagos, says govt

    Wooden bridges to go in Lagos, says govt

    All wooden bridges in riverine areas in Lagos State will soon go, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Mr Ganiyu Johnson has said.

    They are to be gradually replaced under a policy adopted by the government, Johnson said at a briefing to commemorate the first anniversary of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration.

    Such areas include parts of Ojo Local Government; Oko-Oloyun in Alimosho and Okota in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government.

    Johnson said the exercise was decided upon following Ambode’s state-wide tour to assess the level of infrastructure and possible rehabilitation.

    Other projects conceived after the tour include the construction of the Ajah flyover and upgrading of the Freedom Road to Admiralty Road in Eti-Osa Local Government Area (LGA); construction of Abule-Egba flyover in Ifako-Ijaye LGA; and rehabilitation and upgrading of strategic arterial and inner roads in Epe.

    Johnson further listed other projects to include the construction of a pedestrian bridge, layby and slip road at Ojodu-Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; construction of the second Ojota pedestrian bridge; reconstruction of Brown Road, Oshodi and rehabilitation and upgrading of Aiyetoro Road (Section 1) and Ishefun/Camp Davis/New Market road (Section 1), both in Alimosho LGA.

    Similarly, the state is at an advanced stage of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a consortium to develop the fourth Mainland Bridge. He explained that the proposed bridge will run from Ajah to Northwest direction towards the lagoon shoreline to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Ikorodu. The approximate length of the bridge is 37.9km with a design speed of 140km/h. On completion, the bridge would drastically reduce traffic volume on Eko, Cater and Third Mainland Bridges.

    Johnson captures the importance and value of the project thus: “This lies in its capacity to rapidly decongest the traffic gridlock within the Lekki corridor and redistribute traffic towards Lagos Mainland, which serves to meet increased future road infrastructure demands.”

  • Lagos decries residents’ non-patronage of PSP operators

    Lagos State Government has frowned at residents’ non-patronage of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators for their waste disposal.

    Commissioner for the Environment Dr Babatunde Adejare expressed the government’s displeasure at the monthly meeting of the Community Development Committees (CDCs) and Neighbourhood Watch (NW), organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in Ikeja last Friday.

    Adejare urged the CDCs to educate residents to patronise the PSP and desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels and patronising cart pushers.

    Adejare, represented by a Director in the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Stephen Adeniji, said overtime the PSP operators had encountered challenges, such as high cost of maintenance of operational vehicles, low compliance to service and low income due to defaulting tenements.

    “The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is currently educating the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and the public on government policies on solid waste management.

    “The PSP also encounters other challenges, such as bad road network, narrow streets in some communities, low suspension of electricity cables and operations in riverine areas,” he said.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications Kehinde Bamigbetan advocated the setting up of CDA Patrol Units to monitor PSP activities in their domains and ensure that residents patronise the PSP operators.

    “The patrol units should be able to know the houses not patronising the PSP operators and know where residents of such houses dump their wastes or refuse,” he said.

    Bamigbetan urged the Neighbourhood Watchers to ensure that they know people living within their domains and the type of jobs they do so as to prevent crime in their areas.

  • Lagos is Africa’s Jazz capital, says Ambode

    Lagos is Africa’s Jazz capital, says Ambode

    The Lagos Sate Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said that his administration is committed to positioning the State as a destination with rich entertainment content.

    Speaking at the Lagos International Jazz Concert held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the 2016 International Jazz Day which attracted dignitaries as well as local and international jazz artistes, Ambode said the event was part of efforts to join the rest of the world, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to celebrate the day.

    “This musical show is a continuation of our promise to Lagosians that we will use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the arts as well as sports to create jobs and opportunities for our people and to position Lagos State as a destination with rich entertainment content,” the governor said.

    According to Ambode, the Lagos Jazz Concert took its cue from the success of One Lagos Fiesta, held on the eve of New Year’s Day, noting that there were at least four different jazz concerts across Lagos on Friday evening with artistes from all over the world, including several Grammy award-winners who performed.

    Governor Ambode expressed optimism that next year’s concert which will herald the Lagos @ 50 celebrations, coming up May 27, 2017, would have successfully placed the State as a destination of choice and one deserving of the Jazz Capital City appellation.

    Among dignitaries who graced the concert include former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams, Rtd Justice of Supreme Court, George Oguntade, among others.

    Artistes who lit the stage with scintillating jazz performances included former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, award winning Afrobeat musician, Lagbaja, veteran jazz diva, Yinka Davies, Jimi Solanke, Dare Art Alade, two time Grammy award winner, Lekan Babalola, Grammy award winner, Kirk Whalum and other local and foreign jazz artistes.

  • “I have bought over 4,256 stolen phones”

    “I have bought over 4,256 stolen phones”

    A man arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command for being a major buyer of stolen mobile phones in Lagos, has confessed to have bought over 4,256 mobile phones from robbers, pickpockets and one – chance gangs operating in the state .
    The suspect, Kazeem Bamidele, 42, who is the Second Vice Chairman of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers’ (NURTW), Ajegunle Unit, equally confessed to the RRS Intelligence Team that he has over 52 boys in Lagos State, who steal and sell “clean phones” to him constantly.
    Kazeem, popularly known as “Elewure” in the social circle, was arrested , when the RRS Intelligence Team quizzed two stolen phones users in Kogi State in connection with abduction and robbery cases in Lagos State.
    The operatives had upon returning from a week – long investigation to Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kogi State, swung into actions by arresting Elewure from his shop in Boundary Market, Ajegunle, after he was fingered to have been the seller of two Blackberry Z10 phones and a CAT phone collected from victims of robbery and abduction incidences in the metropolis.
    Kazeem said, “I have over 52 boys who sell clean stolen mobile phones to me. On the average, I receive 38 ‘clean’ phones in a week. I have been in the business for more than two years”
    He also confessed that ” Boundary Market in Ajegunle, where I have office and shop, is where they sell the phones to me and that is where the buyers equally get them. I know they are stolen phones. Nearly every guy in Ajegunle is involved in this kind of runs. It is what they do to survive.”
    “I was pushed into the business by family pressure. I have two wives and seven children. I have so many dependants. What I pay as school fees alone is staggering ” the suspect claimed
    Bamidele also stated that ” I had too many problems in life. My mother gave birth to 13 children for my father. Though both of them are no more, only three of us are left. I am the breadwinner of the family’ ”
    “My first wife’s children are part of the predicament I have. Since I married the second wife, I have not known peace. Can you believe that since I was arrested, she has never called or visited me? I know this is a lesson for me in life. She has seven children for me and what I paid as school fees for her children is staggering”, he stated.
    He continued that “I started out in life as ‘elubo’, pepper and maize grinder. I know that most of these phones were gotten from pickpocketing, one chance and robbery” .
    The suspect added that ” My second wife has mounted so much pressure on me to quit the business long ago but the financial pressure was stunning. I think I have come to a point I don’t need to be advised to stop it now”:.
    He revealed that ” I buy Infinix Hot 2 at N10k and sell N12,000; Blackberry Z30 at N20,000:00 and sell at N22,000:00; buy Infinix Hot Note at N15,000:00 and sell at N17,000 and Samsung Galaxy X3 at N11,000 and sell at N14,000. I don’t buy iPhone because of its locking system”.
    Investigators revealed that as at the time of his arrest, five stolen mobile phones were found with him. He is presently helping the police to pick up his boys from their hide-outs, bus stops and routes of operations.
    Already, two commercial buses “danfo” used for robbery and one chance operations are presently at RRS Headquarters in Alausa.
    It was also learnt that the suspect revealed to the police most of the boys ,who bring phones to his shop , stay in hotels around the state.
    ” some of the phones traced to Elewure were that of high profile members of the society as well as celebrities” our source said.
    According to the Police PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos the force was following up the suspect’s revelations and is making steady progress in the investigations of the case.
    The suspect has been transferred to SARS for further

  • Ambode and Lagos’ wheel of justice

    A democracy consists of three vital organs of government: the executive, legislature and the judiciary. The legislative arm formulates policy and enacts it as law, the executive carries out policy in action while the judiciary applies the law according to rules of procedural justice and resolves disputes. To guarantee freedom which is the hallmark of democracy, these three arms must be separated as much as possible and balanced against each other. For a successful democracy, the existence of a free and fair judiciary is a must.

    It is in view of the significance of the judiciary in a democracy that the Akinwumi Ambode administration has embarked on critical reforms geared towards oiling the wheel of justice in the state. One of such is the establishment of mobile courts. The introduction of the courts is one way the state government planned to ensure preservation of civility and peace in the society. The courts were inaugurated to summarily try traffic as well as environmental offenders and mete out immediate punishments to those convicted. This is also a way to decongest the courts and not add to inconclusive cases that have been in courts for years.

    The courts have since been operating in line with the constitution, thus dispelling residents’ fear about transparency and lack of bias in the prosecution of offenders. Consequently, justice is being dispensed at mobile courts with respect to the fundamental human rights of defendants arraigned in the courts. Starting with five vans, prosecution of offenders is being handled by lawyers in the state Ministry of Justice, while lawyers from the Office of Public Defender, OPD, responsible for provision of free legal services to the residents, are available to defend offenders who so desire.

    To further underscore the fact that Lagos is in the lead in legislation and law reform initiatives in Nigeria, the Ambode administration launched the ‘Revised Laws of Lagos State. The need for legislations to be up to date and relevant cannot be over-emphasised in ensuring the necessary legal infrastructure for socio-economic transformation. Lagos as the commercial capital of Nigeria faces enormous challenges in ensuring the security and economic well-being of its residents.

    The publication of the 2015 Laws of the State, marks the beginning of the process of continually making the laws accessible to the general public not only in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, but also beyond its borders globally.

    It highlights the resolve of the Ambode administration to make the Laws of Lagos State available online and accessible from any part of the world. To this end, Lagos State Law Reform Commission is at an advanced stage of developing an online platform for accessing the laws of the state and downloading such laws. The online platform will also provide access to all the laws that have operated in the state since inception in 1967. This will fulfill the obligation of the Lagos State government to create easy access to the laws, thereby promoting a platform for accountability and responsibility.

    More importantly, creating an online access to the Laws of Lagos State will be of a great service and benefit to investors and would-be investors in the state. Not only will such a platform enable investors to make informed decisions about investing in the state, but it will also help them to appreciate the various legal protections available for their persons and investment.

    Furthermore, the publication of the Laws of Lagos State is a step in the direction of the justice and security sector reforms which the present administration promised it will pursue in order to strengthen the rule of law in Lagos State.

    Another decisive judicial reform of the Ambode administration is the availability of all Lagos State Laws online. Hence, lawyers, investors and the public can now have access to all the laws of the state. This is a reflection of the commitment of the administration to drive governance and administration of justice in the state through innovation and technology.

    This innovative digital platform is the first of its kind, and another expressive proof to the tradition of excellence which Lagos is known for. Lawyers and the entire public could, therefore, now visit the site at www.laws.lagosstate.gov.ng  to view the laws and make their purchases.

    Having the Lagos State Laws available online offers everybody access to search, view and download the laws anywhere in the world by just the click of a button. The online platform is set to fulfil the obligation of the state government to create easy access to the laws, thereby promoting accountability and responsibility,and to enable investors to make informed decisions about their investments in the state.

    As a further way to integrate judicial reforms in the state, a plan to establish a DNA forensic centre, which will be the first of its kind in the country and will be located in a public health facility on Lagos Island, has been unveiled.

    The centre, which is to address the sophisticated nature of crimes in the state, is being initiated to step up crime fighting in the state. Despite current efforts at fighting crimes, Lagos has continued to face more sophisticated crimes.

    Consequently, crime fighting efforts in the state has to become more precise and intensive, especially in terms of deployment of technology that makes investigation and prosecution and adjudication more effective. The DNA centre will, thus, fulfil an unmet need for DNA profiling, a forensic technique that is now used worldwide.

    DNA profiling involves the extraction of DNA from body fluids, semen, nails, hair and other DNA generic sources. This will invalidate proof of alibi and validate physical presence of the suspect at the scene of the crime and the origin of DNA to the suspect. Though the role of DNA in the justice sector is globally acknowledged, a high-capacity DNA analysis centre is unavailable in Nigeria.

    Thus almost all the DNA testing requirements are done outside Nigeria. This leads to longer times and higher cost of concluding investigation and prosecution of crimes.

    Interestingly, the centre would not only fulfil the growing DNA profiling needs of the judicial process, but could also become a revenue generating centre for the state by serving the public, other states and neighbouring countries. To ensure this goal is met, the centre is to be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to support all levels of DNA collection from people and objects, evidence examination, DNA analysis and provide evidential DNA storage.

    Plato and Aristotle were Greek philosophers who both developed important ideas about the rule of law. According to them, chaos occurs when people are allowed to become lawless in a given society.  It is in order to guide against chaos in Lagos, that the Ambode administration has initiated decisive reforms in the State’s judicial sector.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
  • NiMet predicts cloudy, sunny, hazy weather conditions

    NiMet predicts cloudy, sunny, hazy weather conditions

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Friday morning.

    The predictions are contained in the Weather Outlook issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Thursday in Abuja.

    It stated that there would be chances of isolated thunderstorm over some parts of the high ground areas of the region with night time temperatures of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.

    NiMet predicted that coastal and inland cities of south would experience cloudy conditions in the morning with night time temperatures of 23 to 28 degrees Celsius.

    It added that localised thunderstorms would prevail over Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Owerri in the afternoon and evening hours.

    NiMet also predicted that sunny and hazy conditions would prevail over Nguru, Potiskum and Maiduguri with partly cloudy situation in other areas and night time temperatures of 18 to 29 degrees Celsius.

    According to the prediction, hazy conditions are expected over parts of the North-East, while partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with chances of isolated thunderstorms in few places across the country.

  • Lagos completes restructuring of N167.5b Bond series

    Lagos completes restructuring of N167.5b Bond series

    • Government to reap N40b in five years

    Lagos State has successfully completed the restructuring of its N167.5billion Programme II, Series 1 and 2 Bonds, the Commissioner for Finance, Akinkunmi Mustapha, has said.

    Mustapha said the restructuring which was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week, was achieved through the finalization of a process through which the State worked to reach an agreement with its bond creditors, on accelerating repayment terms.

    He said the transaction will generate savings in excess of N40billion for the State over the next five years was approved by 99.6 per cent of the State’s bondholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting a few weeks ago.

    Mustapha said, “We thank all our bond creditors for their continued support of the State Government, in a difficult market environment. This restructuring completed entirely through domestic capital markets, once again underpins the strength of the Lagos State credit story.

    “Aside the significant cash savings generated, it also creates additional borrowing capacity to enable the state continue its investments in physical, economic and social infrastructure.

    “Much of the significant progress in Lagos State over the last 16 years can be attributed to funding through the debt capital market. Our bondholders’ support of this restructuring confirms the level of confidence the market has in the current administration and Lagos State did not partake in the recent bail-outs provided either by the Federal Government DMO or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” the Commissioner said.

    He said the Chapel Hill Denham acted as Financial Adviser to the Lagos State on the restructuring transaction.

  • Lagos joins rest of the world to celebrate International Jazz Day

    Lagos joins rest of the world to celebrate International Jazz Day

    •IJD activities will showcase tourism potentials of Lagos to the World, says Ambode

    As Jazz promoters around the world harp on the directive by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s directive to celebrate the International Jazz Day (IJD) on April 30, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinmumi Ambode, is set to host lovers of the elevated genre at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Disclosing this to news men at the Baguada Press Centre, Alausa, on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the IJD is providing another opportunity for the governor to fulfill some of his campaign promises around arts, entertainment and tourism.

    While the State government is supporting the shows taking place at different venues in Lagos, Ambode will be hosting captains of industry, socialites and other bigwigs, including the Ooni of Ife at the State House where his vision of tourism for Lagos will be further established.

    Tagged ‘Lagos in tune with the world’, Ayorinde said that the state is excited to join the rest of the world in this celebration, for which the President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, will also be celebrating in the White House.

    Recall that Ambode’s touted Project T.H.E.S.E (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts, Sports for Excellence) initiative promises practical deliverables in marketing Lagos as a choice destination and job creation through the One Lagos Festival.

    Some of the Jazz artistes listed for the Lagos show include Dare Art-Alade, Yinka Davies, Lekan Babalola (two time Grammy-winner) with the Eko Brass Band, Herbert Kunle Ajayi, veteran Jazz Saxophone; Bright Gain, Adeh and the Spectacle Band, Ubong Ntia, Sam and the Jazz Apostle, Dotun Bankole, Victor Ademola Band, Omolara, among others.

    According to Ayorinde, “Since 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has designed April 30 as the International Jazz Day.

    “In view of this, many countries of the world have always used the day to celebrate jazz-related types of music and jazz artistes. Here in Lagos also, the entire month of April is designed as Jazz Appreciation Month, culminating on April 30th International Jazz Day.

    “Nigeria and Lagos in particular has also shown commitment to commemorating the jazz day with concerts and various forms of performances. Those who have shown commitment to the Jazz Day are the Inspire Productions’ Lagos International Jazz Festival, The MUSON Center’s annual MUSON Festival and Jazz Day, Satchmos Jazz and Cultural Festival and the Runway Jazz among others.”

    While the Runway Jazz will be taking place at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Lagos International Jazz Festival will be thrilling audience at the Freedom Park, Marina, among pockets of other shows around Lagos.

    Ayorinde stated that this year’s show is a build-up to a grand stage concert in 2017, which is planned as the biggest jazz concert in the world.

    Hosted by Gbenga Adeyinka and Dare Art Alade, Ayorinde noted that the Governor’s action is in sync with what the president of the United States of America would be doing too, at the White House of Friday 29th. “It is because he loves Jazz and music in all its ramifications. It is good to remember that music played a prominent role at his campaign. He knows that music can also be a veritable tool for the creation of jobs for the teeming youth population,” he said.

    Director of the Lagos International Jazz Festival, Ayoola Sadare who described Jazz as ‘Freedom’ genre, expressed optimism that the festival would draw investment worth millions of Naira to the State, giving example of how the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has boosted the economy of South Africa. But Ambode’s vision is to surpass the records of the CTIJF.

    “We want to emulate and even surpass the International Jazz Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, and then be on the world stage and that is the significance of this collaboration that we have decided to go into,” Ambode said on Tuesday, while receiving some of the groups collaborating with the state government on the forthcoming star-studded concert at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

    He expressed optimism that the activities lined up for the forthcoming Lagos International Jazz Day will go a long way to showcase the tourism potentials of the State to the World.

    He said apart from being the financial and commercial hub of Nigeria, his administration will work hard to equally transform Lagos to the tourism hub of Africa.

    The groups on the courtesy visit include Lagos International Jazz Festival Group, Runway Jazz and Satchmo Jazz.

  • PDP preparing for 2019, says Lagos chair

    PDP preparing for 2019, says Lagos chair

    •Lagos PDP warms up for congress

    The out-going Chairman of Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd) has said that the party has started preparations for the 2019 polls.

    He said the future of the party is bright, urging members not to despair over its defeat in last year’s elections.

    Shelle, whose tenure expires next month, exuded confidence about the PDP’s prospects, saying that the foundation for a virile future has been laid.

    He spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting of the party held at its secretariat, GRA, Ikeja. The meeting was attended by the party leader, Chief Bode George, former Works Minister Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, chairmanship aspirants; Hon. Goke Savaldor and Adegbola Dominic; Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Muiz Dosunmu, Uthman Shodipe, Ola Apena and Gani Taofeek. However, members of the Obanikoro group shunned the meeting, underscoring the lack of reconciliation between the two camps in the chapter.

    Noting that the PDP has started preparations for 2019, Shelle said the congresses and the national convention will laid the foundation for a prosperous future. He said: “The congresses will be free, fair and transparent and all stakeholders will be carried along.”

    The deputy chairman, Apena, who unfolded the guidelines for the congress, said although zoning is critical to the convention, it has not been resolved by the PDP national leadership.

    He said contestants for the various party offices will have to support their intention with the payment of nomination fees.

    Apena stressed: “The party has prescribed N1,800 for aspirants at the ward, local government and state levels. Ward chairmanship aspirants will pay N1,000; deputy chairman N500, Secretary N500 and other offices N200. For local government chairmanship, aspirants will pay N5,000; secretary N3,000 and other N2,000. State chairmanship aspirants will pay M50,000, deputy chairman M20,000 and secretary N30,000. National Vice Chairman N1,000, members of the zonal executive N3,000, others N15,000. Aspirants for the national chairman N1m and secretary N500,000.”

    The secretary said the party will adopt the consensus formula for picking the officers, if the wards and local governments are in agreement.

    Urging party faithful to gird their loins, Apena added: “One national delegate each will be elected at the local government level. There will be twenty national delegates, in addition to the statutory delegates. I urge you to shun violence during the congress. Don’t allow anybody to intimidate you.”

    The Publicity Secretary, Gani Taofeek, said the PDP will play an effective opposition role in Lagos, adding that, with six House of Representatives members and six House of Assembly members, the party will win 22 councils in the local government elections.

    He lamented that  the Lagos State Independent national Electoral Commission (LASIEC) headed by Justice Fatai Adeyinka is made up of card-carrying party members.

    Taofeek reflected on the Local Government Amendment Bill before the House of Assembly, saying that the clause that empowers the House to remove an elected chairman is unacceptable.

    He added: “It should not be passed into law. If a PDP chairman is elected, the House can remove him when he is sworn-in. If an APC chairman becomes a radical, he can also be removed.

    Taofeek chided the APC for a shortfall in patriotism, stressing that the party has refused to correct what it had accused the PDP of not correcting when it was the main opposition party. He stressed: “The Lagos APC has accused the PDP-Federal Government of not listing the additional 37 LCDAs in the constitution. Now that they are in federal power, the APC-Federal Government should list the councils.”s

     

  • Lagos evacuates 1, 340 beggars, destitute

    Lagos evacuates 1, 340 beggars, destitute

    •31 abandoned babies rescued

    SOME 1, 340 beggars, destitute and mentally challenged persons were taken off the streets in the last one year, Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said yesterday.

    Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf said 73,664 patients were screened and helped to trace their homes through the media.

    Speaking at the ongoing 2016 Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s one year in office, Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf said the government, under the review period, released and re-united 590 persons with their relations for re-integration; 1,228 were rehabilitated at the Rehabilitation and Training Centre in Majidun.

    The commissioner, who was with her Permanent Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said many of those rehabilitated have been placed on vocational training to enable them contribute to the society.

    Forty-three drug addicts, who probably had lost hope, were restored to their functional ability and another 20 placed under vocational training at the Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre in Isheri.

    Reeling out other social interventions the ministry undertook, she said the development was part of Ambode’s vision to create an enabling environment for investors and the citizenry.

    She noted that the law banning street trading and begging is still in force, warning that government would not hesitate to apply it.

    She said: “We have recorded many achievements in the area of social welfare; a total of 634 juvenile cases were successfully handled under the Family Social Services, while 110 applications for adoption were successfully screened.

    “Also, 150 reported cases of sexual and physical abuse were treated, while five pregnant school children were assisted to access adequate antenatal and delivery services. They were also assisted to be integrated back to school.”

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs Lola Akande, while giving account of her own stewardship, explained that her ministry treated about 589 cases ranging from sexual abuse to physical abuse and child labour.

    The ministry, she said, also received 382 cases of domestic violence out of which 234 were treated.