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Tag: lagos

  • JUST IN: Lagos civil servants to work three days a week

    JUST IN: Lagos civil servants to work three days a week

    Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that civil servants from level 1-14 would begin to work three days a week as part of measures to ease the economic challenges on residents. 

    He spoke during a live media chat, ‘Sanwo Speaks’, to intimate residents on steps being taken to reduce the economic burden on Lagosians. 

    Read Also: Securing Lagos State

    Workers in the teaching sector will however mantain the five days a week work schedule, but government will ensure additional transport support for them. 

  • 11 arrested for extortion in Lagos

    11 arrested for extortion in Lagos

    Eleven persons were arrested yesterday in the Ibeju-Lekki junction and Akodo areas of the state for illegal extortion.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, who addressed reporters after the arrest, said the suspects are miscreants parading themselves as local government enforcement officers.

    Musa said the government has zero tolerance for illegal extortion of residents, especially motorists.

    According to him, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration will not allow unscrupulous elements to continue to bring hardship on its people, especially at this period of economic challenges in the country.

    He said: “We have announced many times that nobody is allowed to collect money for local governments on the street of Lagos. The government has also set up a team to ensure that anybody who does that is arrested.

    “We however got a report of the activities of these miscreants at the Lekki axis, and we were able to arrest 11 people collecting money illegally on the guise that they work for one local government or the other.

    “They will be charged to court to explain themselves, and this is a warning to others doing this that the government is all out for them. They are advised to desist because we will be on the neck of any local government doing this.

    “If you have any issues, call us to address it, but don’t put people on the road on the guise that you need revenue in this hard time. It is illegal and the state government will resist it.”

    Musa added that it is illegal for any local government area in the state to deploy people on the roads as it negates the Lagos State Road Traffic Law (18), 2018, which empowers only the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to carry out such operations on the roads.

  • Lagos begins process to move Computer Village to Katangua

    Lagos begins process to move Computer Village to Katangua

    Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, has said Lagos State Government is committed to the regeneration and development of urban areas of the state.

    He spoke yesterday during an on the spot assessment of Computer Village in Ikeja.

    He said the current administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to the restoration of the master plan of Lagos, which is being degraded and distorted.

    Babatunde said: “The relocation of Computer Village presently in Ikeja to Katangua in Abule- Egba area of the state is in progress and when fully completed, will boast of world-class facilities such as schools, hospitals, clinics, hotels, banking facilities, warehouses, storage rooms, among others, which will make shopping more conducive and befitting of the mega city status as envisaged by the governor and as obtained in other modern cities of the world.”

    He said Computer Village area within the State Law is a residential area and is still a residential area that has grown into a full blown market, which is against the modern city plan of the state.

    “The current location of Computer Village in Ikeja was planned to be a residential area and that plan is being distorted by commercial activities within the area. We cannot fold our arms and allow the distortion to go on. The residential status of that area must be restored.”

    Babatunde said: “We are trying to do things in proper ways that will ensure urban centres are regenerated, re-developed, innovated, conserved in line with the THEMES+ agenda of the current administration.”

    Read Also: Residents trapped as flood submerge 151 houses, bridge in Lagos

    He added: “The Computer Village area still remains a residential area and its Land Use has not been changed by the state government. This is the main reason the government is relocating the traders to Katangua for proper settlement.

    “If the rules say it is a residential area, then it must remain a residential area, therefore, the government has to make provision and also accommodate the people who are in this area. This is why the state government is developing Katangua into a model market.”

    He noted that Lagos State’s exponential growth would have serious consequences on its urban space if not properly planned, hence the need for the relocation of the computer village to a more spacious area that would not have traffic implications and other consequences on the citizens.

    The special adviser, assuring shop owners and traders that the planned relocation would be transparent, said the state government would carry them along, as nothing would be imposed on them.

    He stressed that the relocation of the market would be done in consultation with stakeholders, including market associations and owners of property in the area.

    Babatunde hinted that the regeneration and development of urban Lagos was not limited to Computer Village alone, but across the state.

    He said shortly, Lagosians will start feeling the positive impact of the redevelopment plans on traffic decongestions, security implications and other positive areas.

    Accompanied on the assessment tour of the Computer Village are top management officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency led by the General Manager, Gbolahan Oki.

  • Lagos activates implementation of development plan 2052

    Lagos activates implementation of development plan 2052

    Plans are on to implement the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, has said.

    George, at a stakeholders’ meeting, urged stakeholders to work towards actualising the state’s vision by effectively implementing the LSDP 2052 across all sectors and levels of governance.

    He admonished them to execute the initiatives towards driving the municipality to become Africa’s Model Mega City.

    The Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052 is a 30-year development plan that lays out the overall direction for the state from 2022-2052, providing an overall strategic framework and direction for the state’s development efforts.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the ninth Lagos State Economic Summit ‘Ehingbeti’, launched the development plan to chart a growth path for the state.

    According to George, the plan aims to foster a thriving economy to modernise infrastructure, promote human-centric city and ensure effective governance.

    He said: “Realising the state’s vision hinges on the effective implementation of the LSDP 2052 across all sectors and levels of governance and this requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, civil society organisations and the general populace.

    “As custodians of this transformative plan, we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its execution. We must translate its objectives into tangible actions, prioritise initiatives, allocate resources judiciously and foster collaboration among all stakeholders, which will be used to appraise the MDAs’ Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS) document and annual budget performance.

    Read Also: Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA

    “It becomes evident that our objectives are not merely lofty aspirations, but tangible goals backed by strategic initiatives and actionable steps. From fostering a thriving economy to modernising infrastructure, promoting a human-centric city, and ensuring effective governance, every facet of the LSDP 2052 is designed to drive holistic development and prosperity.”

    Social Policy Manager of UNICEF, Muhammad Okorie, said: “We development partners are in support of what you are doing. It forms the bases for our planning, implementation, soliciting for support across board, and also for monitoring and evaluation.

    “Everything we do right now should be tied to the result of where we want to see Lagos in 30 years. We want to see Lagos where we all anticipate by 2052. We need to start seeing activities that lead to it from now, that is the essence of this.” he said.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Lekan Balogun, said: “We must execute plans and deliver locked-down targets (implementation) related to our MDA’s, track and report the progress, while also aligning our numerous stakeholders on the need to implement initiatives in line with the LSDP 2052 for a more collective collaboration and implementations of these objectives.”

  • Woman gives birth at Lagos bus stop

    Woman gives birth at Lagos bus stop

    There was celebration at Onipanu Bus Stop on Ikorodu Road in Lagos after an expectant mum was delivered of her baby while waiting for a bus.

    The woman was said to be waiting for a commercial bus around 9am when she suddenly went into labour and started bleeding.

    Commuters along that stretch of the road were said to have rallied round her, while the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) was contacted.

    Read Also: Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA

    The agency, it was gathered, dispatched officials including paramedics from its Fadeyi office who worked with some market women to provide a temporary clinic for the  woman.

    The woman was safely delivered of her baby, stabilized and subsequently moved with her son to the nearest hospital for proper attention.

  • Lagos commissioner charges youths on developing mindset of possibility

    Lagos commissioner charges youths on developing mindset of possibility

    The Lagos State Minister of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende has urged Nigerian youths to adopt a mindset centered on possibility and abundance.

    This, he believes, is key to unlocking their full potential and fostering a brighter and more prosperous future for themselves and future generations.

    Ogundele gave this challenge recently at the 2024 Youth Leadership Conference Turning Point 5.0 with the theme “Mindshift,” held on Saturday in Ade Ajayi Auditorium Hall, UNILAG, Lagos.

    The event was organised by Superior Performance Global Network (SPGN) and had no fewer than 3,000 participants comprising students and youths across the state.

    Ogunlende said that by cultivating a mindset of possibilities and abundance, we open ourselves to a world of endless opportunities and potentials.

    He said: “Mindshift is all about breaking free from the constraints of our minds and embracing a more expansive and optimistic view of the world.

    “It is a measure that can help our youths to unlock our full potential and create a brighter, more prosperous future even for the generations to come.

    “Cultivating a positive mindset empowers us to overcome obstacles, pursue our goals with confidence, and create a life filled with meaning and fulfilment. It is also important to note that mindset is not fixed; it’s something that can be developed and strengthened over time, through consistency, effort, and practice. We can train our brains to see the world in a more positive and empowering light.”

    Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, who lauded SPGN for the conference, pledged the commitment of the state toward supporting youths with creative ideas.

    Akinyemi, represented by Mrs. Oluyinka Oye-Bamgbose, Director, Partnership highlighted various programmes and initiatives of the state which are specifically youth-focused: mindset re-orientation, graduate internship placement, job fair, mentorship programmes, business support, training for tradesmen and artisans.

    In his keynote, the Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo stressed that until there is an upgrade in the minds of the average Nigerian, they will be struggling with our economy.

    Ighodalo said that the problem with Nigeria is not good or bad leadership, but the level and state of the mind of an average Nigerian who is lustful, greedy, self-serving, and desirous of material things.

    He explained that the country’s problem has remained because the average mind keeps producing leaders.

    His words: “For you to have new possibilities, and make progress in your life, you must start with the state of your mind. If you do not change the way your mind works, it might not work effectively. The problem with Nigeria today is not the problem of good or bad leadership, but the level and state of the average Nigerian mind is still lustful, greedy, self-serving, and desirous of material things.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Lagos traditional ruler advocates for implementation of community policing

    Earlier in his speech, the convener of the conference, Olusegun Odufuwa said that the focus of the conference ‘Mindshift’ resonates deeply with the spirit of innovation, resilience, and growth that defines the youths of today.

    Odufunwa said: “We want to inspire and charge our young people to become global leaders tomorrow, young people are out there and confused about the part to follow because there are a lot of things looking for their attention which is why a lot of them are vulnerable.”

  • Woman gives birth at Lagos bus stop

    Woman gives birth at Lagos bus stop

    There was a celebration at Onipanu Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos after an expectant mum delivered her child while waiting for a bus.

    The woman was said to be waiting for a commercial bus around 9 am when she suddenly went into labour and started bleeding.

    Commuters along that stretch of the road were said to have rallied round her, while the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) was contacted.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Lagos traditional ruler advocates for implementation of community policing

    The agency, it was gathered, dispatched officials including paramedics from its Fadeyi office who worked with some market women to provide a temporary clinic for the woman.

    The woman was safely delivered of her baby, stabilised and subsequently moved with her son to the nearest hospital for proper attention.

  • House help ‘steals’ employer’s $51,000 in Lagos

    House help ‘steals’ employer’s $51,000 in Lagos

    A domestic worker, Blessing Effiong, has been arrested by operatives of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, for allegedly stealing her boss’s $51,000, approximately N81.6 million at prevailing market rate.

    Blessing was arrested with her husband, Bassey Effiong by detectives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) who trailed them to Cross River State where they fled to after committing the alleged crime in Lekki, Lagos.

    According to the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Ayuba Umma, the couple conspired and committed the offence on December 26, barely three days after Blessing started working as a domestic help at the owner’s Lekki residence.

    Umma, in a statement yesterday, said the couple was arrested on January 31, adding that they already used the money to acquire properties for themselves.

    Asked who the owner of the money was and whether he/she was interrogated for hoarding such amount of foreign currency at home, Umma answered in the negative, stressing that the information he provided was all he knew.

    “Blessing Effiong was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony and began working as a domestic staff on December 23, 2023. 

    “Only three days into her employment, she absconded with $51,000 USD and fled with her husband to Cross River State.

    “Following intensive investigation, both suspects were apprehended on January 31, 2024.

    Read Also: Trader shot dead in Onitsha market— Police

    “During the investigation, it was revealed that Blessing Effiong had approached Anthony under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity. 

    “She failed to complete her employment application form, indicating her fraudulent intentions.

    “Despite initially denying the full extent of stealing, Blessing Effiong eventually confessed to stealing Thirty Thousand United States Dollars ($30,000 USD), admitting to giving Twenty Thousand United States Dollars ($20,000 USD) to her husband, Bassey Effiong.

    “Bassey Effiong, in turn confessed to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchasing a tipper truck, two motorcycles, and completing a construction project in Cross River State.

    “Both suspects have been charged and brought before the court following the completion of the investigation, under the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command. AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi. 

    “AIG Durosinmi encourages members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff for their safety and to prevent falling victim to criminal elements,” Umma said.

  • Lagos pays 1,013 retirees N3.149b in 103rd bond presentation

    Lagos pays 1,013 retirees N3.149b in 103rd bond presentation

    The Lagos State government has paid another N3.149 billion to 1,013 retirees in its 103rd retirement bond certificate presentation.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the presentation as ‘a continued affirmation of the government’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce, both active and post-service.

    The government, since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), has paid N138 billion to 34,178 retirees. The government has also paid N56,551 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 16,026 retirees in the Mainstream, Local Government, State Universal Basic Board (SUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and other government Parastatals since the inception of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to prompt payment of pensions and clearing of backlogs.

    He said: “As of today, my administration would have covered nearly half of the total payments made by previous administrations since the inception of the CPS in Lagos State. While we acknowledge the backlog in the payment of Accrued Rights, our attention is focused on systematically eliminating this backlog. I am pleased to announce that we have made substantial progress in this regard and I am confident that before the end of my tenure, our aspiration for a “Pay As You Go” model will be realised.

    “My administration will continue to run an open government that acknowledges our diversity and promotes inclusion. I want to reaffirm that no matter your age, gender, sex, tribe or special needs, as long as you are an employee of the Lagos State Public Service, whether, in active service or retired, your welfare and well-being are top priority.

    “Lagos State government, through LASPEC, is assiduously working to ensure that public service retirees not only get what is due to them statutorily but also continue to receive, through other agencies and programmes, additional support and assistance that will add value to their lives in retirement.”

    The governor promised that another N4 billion outstanding will be paid in March while the government will try to clear all backlogs by April. He also announced a one-year free Ilera Eko health scheme for the 1,013 beneficiaries of this batch.

    Read Also: FG summons Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, Larfarge, others over escalating cement prices

    Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) Babalola Obilana admonished the retirees to continue upholding the values and principles they exemplified throughout their careers.

    “Let us continue to strive for excellence, innovation, and collaboration as we work together to achieve our shared goals and objectives.

    “Let me also emphasise the importance of proper financial planning and management during retirement. Retirees need to make informed decisions regarding their finances to ensure long-term sustainability and security. As you decide between programmed withdrawal and annuity, please pick an option that aligns with your financial goals and aspirations.

    “LASPEC, in line with its role as the regulatory body for pension matters in the state, is constantly reviewing its business processes to provide first-class service to public service retirees. Please contact us for official and trustworthy information on pension matters,” he said.

  • Lagos pays 1,013 retirees N3.149b in 103rd bond presentation

    Lagos pays 1,013 retirees N3.149b in 103rd bond presentation

    The Lagos state government has paid another N3.149 billion to 1,013 retirees in its 103rd retirement bond certificate presentation. 

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the presentation as ‘a continued affirmation of the  government’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce, both active and post-service’.

    The government, since inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), has paid N138 billion to 34,178 retirees. The government has also paid N56,551 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 16,026 retirees in the Mainstream, Local Government, State Universal Basic Board (SUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and other government Parastatals since inception of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to prompt payment of pensions and clearing of backlogs. 

    He said: “As of today, my administration would have covered nearly half of the total payments made by previous administrations since the inception of the CPS in Lagos State. While we acknowledge the backlog in the payment of Accrued Rights, our attention is focused on systematically eliminating this backlog. 

    “I am pleased to announce that we have made substantial progress in this regard and I am confident that before the end of my tenure, our aspiration for a “Pay As You Go” model will be realised.

    “My administration will continue to run an open government that acknowledges our diversity and promotes inclusion. I want to reaffirm that no matter your age, gender, sex, tribe or special needs, as long as you are an employee of the Lagos State Public Service, whether in active service or retired, your welfare and wellbeing is top priority.

    “Lagos State government, through LASPEC, is assiduously working to ensure that public service retirees not only get what is due to them statutorily, but also continue to receive, through other agencies and programmes, additional support and assistance that will add value to their lives in retirement.”

    The governor promised that another N4 billion outstanding will be paid in March while the government will try to clear all backlogs by April. 

    He also announced one-year free Ilera Eko health scheme for the 1,013 beneficiaries of this batch. 

    Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) Babalola Obilana admonished the retirees to continue upholding the values and principles they exemplified throughout their careers. 

    Read Also: Lagos Central Mosque presents Baba Adinni to Jam’ah

    “Let us continue to strive for excellence, innovation and collaboration as we work together to achieve our shared goals and objectives.

    “Let me also emphasise the importance of proper financial planning and management during retirement. It is essential for retirees to make informed decisions regarding your finances to ensure long-term sustainability and security. As you decide between programmed withdrawal and annuity, please pick an option that aligns with your financial goals and aspirations.

    “LASPEC, in line with its role as the regulatory body for pension matters in the state, is constantly reviewing its business processes to provide first class service to public service retirees. Please contact us for official and trustworthy information on pension matters,” he said.