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Tag: Lagosians

  • Fashola to Lagosians: eschew violence

    Fashola to Lagosians: eschew violence

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola at the weekend led the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign train to Badagry in company of the governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He urged residents and party supporters to remain calm, focused and avoid violence despite the provocation by the opposition.

    The governor, who spoke at the Badagry Grammar School, said the opponents were looking for an opportunity to foment violence and get an excuse to postpone the elections.

    “Irrespective of all the seeming problems that you are beginning to see, remain calm and focused. It is provocation. They are looking for opportunity to foment trouble and excuse to postpone the elections.

    “They are already saying that if there is violence in the Northeast, the people would not vote. We are going to vote here, irrespective of what they do and whatever the provocation. Our answer is not violence; our answer would be by massive voting for the APC.

    The governor urged eligible voters, who have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards to colleect them at their ward offices.

    He told residents of Badagry and party faithful that the state recorded another first in the medical field with a successful Cochlear implant, which restores hearing to a person hitherto with impaired hearing.

    Fashola said the laws in Lagos State supporting the physically-challenged were not lip service but one born out of a deep commitment to ensure that they function well in the society.

    He said the state provided support to the School for the Blind at Oshodi through the building of dormitories, hostels and workshops, adding that the present government is not one to visit the electorate only at election periods.

    The governor said the present administration not only constructed the Igbo Elerin Road, which was a major request of the people of the area in 2007, it has gone on to build Joseph Dosu Road, Market Street, Cemetery Road just as it has worked in Iragan and Poka while work has started on Iya Afin Access Road all in Badagry.

    He advised the residents to beware of the inexperienced candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, who promised to cancel the toll on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    The governor said the PDP candidate failed to realise was that somebody invested in the project and that the state signed a contract  guaranteed by the Federal Government.

    “What of people working there? What of the construction company? What of the banks that financed the project? An aspiring candidate talking of cancelling contracts and he is the same person talking of his embracing Public Private Partnership (PPP)?”

    Fashola said all the promises to the division he made during his campaigns in 2007 were fulfilled, noting that Ambode will do even more because he lived and worked in Badagry Local Government.

    He noted that the initiative behind the ongoing reclamation work in Badagry was part of the effort at making it a tourist centre because many people travel out of the country to spend huge amount of money on tourism.

  • Why Lagosians should reject PDP, by Fashola

    Why Lagosians should reject PDP, by Fashola

    • Ambode: I ‘ll build on Tinubu’s, Fashola’s legacies

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said at the weekend that Lagosians will not vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the Federal Government has neglected the state in the last 16 years.

    The governor also faulted the candidature of Mr. Olujimi Agbaje, who is the PDP flag bearer, saying that he lacks the understanding of statecraft, budgeting and financial management. He said Lagos State is too strategic and critical to Nigeria, West Africa and the entire continent to be entrusted to “a beginner and an experimenter.”

    Fashola, who addressed party supporters at Ikorodu, said when Lagosians recall how the PDP-led Federal Government opposed the creation of additional five local governments in Ikorodu Division, they will reject Agbaje at the poll.

    The governor said while the former Accountant-General and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Akin Ambode, himself as the Chief of Staff and former Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) played prominent roles in the establishment and survival of the councils under Tinubu Administration, Agbaje’s party hailed the seizure of local government allocations.

    Fashola said it was at that critical time that Ambode’s incisive wit and experience in financial re-engineering came to the fore, as he suggested a financial creativity formula that made the administration to tackle the challenge.

    He also chided President Goodluck Jonathan for maladministration, stressing that he has failed in all sectors and inflicted pains on the country through sheer ineptitude. Fashola alerted the nation to plans by the Federal Government to increase import duty, warning that transporters and other Nigerians will be further exposed to economic hardship.

    Exuding confidence, Ambode, who rode in an open Sport  Utility Vehicle (SUV) with the governor, said: “We have a tradition of excellence to continue to build on. Do we need trial and error in Lagos? No. That is why we must vote for the APC.”

    The governor and the flag bearer  got a rousing welcome at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Primary School Ground, the venue of the mega rally. Brooms, the symbol of the party, filled the air. jubilating supporters were dancing and singing. On the stage to thrill them were ace musicians-Mrs. Abeni Salawa and Buga. There were other artistes – madam Surutu, Lawori, Iyabo Oko and Ojo Arowosafe (Fadeyi Oloro).  Party followers came from Kosofe, Somolu, Bariga, Ijede, Imota, Epe, Agbowa, Ikosi and other towns from Okorodu Division.

    The rally, which was presided over by the party chairman,  Otunba Oladele Ajomale, was hosted by the Ikorodu APC leaders, including former Deputy Governor Abiodun Ogunleye, former Secretary to the Government Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Mrs. Folake Shokunbi Kalokalo and Pa Olu Alogba.  Party flags were presented to Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), House of Representatives candidate for Ikorodu Constituency Jimi Benson, House of Assembly flag bearer for Ikorodu Constituency 1 Mr Solaja and his Constituent 11 counterpart, Hon. Sunai Agbubiade, by the party chairman.

    Ashafa, who spoke on behalf of the candidates, promised a robust legislative agenda for Lagos, adding that  federal legislators from the state will press for special status for the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The massive rally was witnessed by Fashola’s wife, Abimbola, Ambode’s wife, Bolanle, the deputy governor, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Secretary to the Government and Ambode’s running mate Dr. Oluranti Adebule, formers Deputy Governors Sarah Sosan and Olufemi Pedro, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon. Adeola Olamilekan, Mrs. Toun Ajomale, the campaign team leader, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Chief Kayode Olowu, former House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Joko Pelumi, Primate Charles Odugbesi, Women Leader Chief Kemi Nelson, Hon. Fuad Oki, Mr. Denge Anifowose, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi and Alhaji Musbau Gafar, who rendered the opening prayer.

    Other party chieftains at the rally were Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Hon. Hakeem Sulaiman Oris, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Lateef Ibirogba, Abiodun Salam, Paul Kalejaye, Hon. Samuel Adejare, Mrs. Adenrele Ogunsanya, Iyaloja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Ademorin Kuye, and Jide Oshikoya.

    Ogunleye, who was the first leader to speak, enjoined the people to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) from the electoral commission. He urged the people to vote and defend their votes. He said: “The shoddy distribution of the cards is suspicious. By now, only those attaining 18 should be collecting them. Adults should have collected before. I have a message for you. Vote and defend your votes. PDP has hatched a plot to buy the voter’s cards.

    “Lagos belongs to our party. We will win because our two governors-Tinubu and Fashola-have performed. In  2007, I said at a reception that Fashola will perform. He performed. Now, I am assuring you that Ambode will perform better than Fashola. Don’t be intimidated by the PDP. Be prepared and be vigilant.”

    Basorun, who spoke after Ogunleye, also advised the people to collect their cards, adding that it is their electoral weapon on the election day. He said: “Change Jonathan and Change Nigeria for better. We have been having rallies since the days of Awolowo. But, we have not seen a huge crowd like this. If you have not collected your voter’s cards, coming to rallies is in vain. There are over four million cards for Lagos. Only about two million has been collected in Lagos. That is 50 percent. Let’s go and collect our cards.”

    Former Agricultural Commissioner Olusanya predicted that the APC will win in Ikorodu. He said: “Lagos has always voted for the progressives. This year will not be different. Ikorodu will vote for progressives. We have seen the trend of development in Ikorodu Division. New roads are coming up. There are ferry terminals in our riverrine areas. There is the renovation of schools. We have mother and child hospitals. We want all these to continue.”

    The Yeyesewa of Lagos, Nelson, said: “Let the whole of Lagos rise on the election day and endorse continuity. We should vote for the continuity of progress. They said that we should not fight. We will not fight, if they don’t rig the elections.”

    Thanking the people for their resilience and dedication, Fashola implored them to collect their cards, which he described as their potent electoral power. He said: “Since 1999, we have been defeating the party with the umbrella. This year will not be different. Go and get your voter’s cards. It is the only power in your hands. The only power in your hand is not the power of violence.  It is the power of the ballot. When it is a ballot, you cannot stop it. When people see the power of the ballot, whether they like it or not, they will surrender.”

    Reflecting on the state of the nation, he declared that President Jonathan has failed, adding that he is unfit to continue in office beyond May.

    Fashola asked: “Do you want the virus in Abuja to spread to Lagos? Do you want a Commander-In Chief who is looking for 1985 gun to fight 2015 war? Do you want your security apparatus and RRS to continue in Lagos? How are you going to secure that? Who are you voting for?” The crowd chorused APC.

    The governor lamented the economic down turn, recalling that the interest rate has jumped from 10 percent from 24 per cent to the detriment of businessmen, transporters, and importers. He said the Federal Government has been promoting poverty, instead of providing jobs.

    He added: “We have a President who has a Ph.D. His deputy is an architect. But, he cannot build roads. What job is the Vice President doing? He was telling the President that people were moving away from Lagos. I ask: are the cars entering Lagos decreasing. They now say they are going to increase tariff by 70 percent on imported vehicle. They are waiting for the election to pass. They knew you were annoyed. So, they postponed it. Is that in the interest of transporter?”

    Fashola said why the Federal Government has not fought the infrastructure battle successfully as reflected in the Lagos/Ibadan and Benin/Ore Expressway, his administration has turned Lagos into a huge construction site. He also alluded to the housing project undertaken by his government, challenging the Federal Government to tender its score cards in these sectors.

    Listing his achievements in Ikorodu Division, he said people are now enjoying Ibese Road, Mile 12/Ikorodu Road, Awlowo Road, Igbogbo and Obese roads, Ipakodo Ferry Terminus, and the Alara’s palace.

    The governor said that Ambode is fit to succeed him because he has learned the ropes under him and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He added: “Ambode  has worked with my predecessor. He has worked with me for six years as an accountant-general. Let me remind you. Which party and government frustrated the creation of new local governments in Lagos? It is the PDP. You had one local government in Ikorodu before. Now, you have six. Do you want to lose them? At the time their party and their government seized our money, this is the young man who was managing the finances and made those local governments to survive.

    “I was the Chief of Staff then. I was the one fighting the legal battle with Yemi Osinbajo. So, are you seeing the team? Ambode in Lagos and Osinbajo in Abuja. Your local government will be safe, if Buhari is elected. Your local government will be protected, if Ambode is elected. Those who wanted to spoil it yesterday cannot come and ask for your votes. Go and tell those who are not here that the election is about another fight for freedom. It is about the survival of the local government, state and the country.”

    Fashola drew attention to the handling of the security challenge by the President, pointing out that, under his charge, some parts of the component units had been taken over by terrorists. The governor said the Federal Government ferried huge cash abroad under the guise of weapon procurement, stressing that it smacked of corruption.

    He emphasised the need to vote out the President to pave the way for the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, to restore security. Describing Buhari as a gallant and honest soldier, he said he will not be another Dr. Jonathan  who will send soldiers to war without ammunition. He said Buhari will also provide electricity, good roads and jobs for the unemployed youths.

    Urging Lagosians to reject Agbaje at the poll, Fashola said the PDP candidate is not conversant with the rudiments of budgeting and financial management.

    He stressed: “Don’t vote for inexperience. They say he sells drugs. But, we will not be sick. If we need drugs in hospitals, we will patronise him, if he has NAFDAC number. He is not fit to be governor. He displays his inexperience and ignorance when he speaks about Lagos. He said we were spending three percent of the budget on education. He doesn’t read budget. He doesn’t know about financing. If he listened to my budget speech, he will realise that we increase education budget from 15 per cent to 16.8 last year.

    “We do school meal programmes, but the budget is in the Ministry of Health. We do refuse collection across the schools. The budget is in the Ministry of Environment. We repair desks and maintain schools. The budget is in the Ministry of Works. We do school de-worming for children. The budget is in the Ministry of Health. We use experience. We have been long on this job. Asiwaju taught us. The leader taught us. If you add all these to 16 percent, it is more than that.

    “He cannot do this job. He should come and learn from us. This state is too strategic and too critical to the development of Nigeria, to the prosperity of the West Africa sub-region, to the prosperity and stability of the African continent to be entrusted to a beginner or an experimenter. We are voting continuity because we want to consolidate in what we have achieved.”

  • Agbaje to Lagosians: Prepare for peaceful poll

    Agbaje to Lagosians: Prepare for peaceful poll

    Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Mr. Jimi Agbaje has asked Lagosians to prepare for credible and peaceful elections.

    He urged the people to support his bid to rule the state, assuring that he will implement people-oriented programmes, if elected as governor.

    Agbaje lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for putting in place structures that will improve the electoral process.

    In his new year message, the politician urged Nigerians to demonstrate a commitment to violence-free and fraud-proof polls.

    He said: “Everyone must realise that the elections will usually come and go. Therefore, politicians and citizens must work towards holding elections that will not end in bloodshed or lead to the dislocation of the life of ordinary Nigerians. The roadmap towards peaceful elections is through electoral sanctity. The wishes of Nigerians, as expressed through the ballot box, must remain inviolable and sacrosanct.”

    Agbaje said politicians must imbibe the attitude of President Goodluck Jonathan, who has always maintained that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    He enjoined to be optimistic about a better Nigeria, where the country will triumph over its challenges.  Thanking God for the progress made by the country, he advised the people to support the President in his bid to move the country forward.

  • FOTA feeds 4,000 Lagosians at Christmas

    There was an unprecedented queue in and out of the Araromi Secondary School, Sari Iganmu Lagos penultimate Friday when a humanitarian organisation, 5 Loaves 2 Fishes, gave out bags of rice and noodles to over 4,000 residents.

    The organisation powered by Foundation of Truth Assembly(FOTA) Lagos also carried out free medical checkups on thousands of the residents of the community.

    It was jubilation all the way for the residents and beneficiaries of the humanitarian programme.

    This humanitarian outreach, according to the Coordinator of the group and Senior Pastor of the Foundation of Truth Assembly, Rev Yomi Kasali, was in the spirit of the yuletide season and a bid to cushion the effect of poor Nigerians.

    Kasali said the humanitarian outreach is meant to put smiles in the faces of poor Nigerians.

    He noted that the empowerment programme has made impact on the people of the community but decried the poor state of his organisation to continue to carry out the humanitarian programme every time.

    “I have made impact and it makes me happy you can see these people are very poor, so to give them food makes me happy.

    “The impact has been impressive but the funding has been frustrating because I wish people could give us money but it is the other way round.

    “People should put money where it matters to people that will help you give it to the poor,” he said.

    Kasali stated that his organisation hoped to carry out larger free health care services to various Nigerian communities in the near future, dismissing insinuations that the outreach was to drive church growth.

    “It is primarily humanitarian; it is not a church growth programme and spiritual uplift.

    “We have over 4000 people benefiting from this exercise, we give the parents rice and the children noodles to enable them feed themselves.”

    He added: “My vision is to have four mobile clinics and free medic care on weekend basis. We will employ doctors that will go to these poor communities and give them free medic care every Saturday.

    “All I need is funding. I have the personnel on ground and I have the vision in my heart.  I will be reaching 500 people every Saturday with free medic care in four communities,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Alice Akuete, said she was grateful and happy for the gesture which will put food on the table for the Yuletide season.

    “I want to thank God for their life and thank them for their gesture may God bless them,” she said.

    Another beneficiary, Isaac Kelechi, said: “I and my brother just left my house not knowing that something of this was going on until we met a friend who told me about it and it is a very nice one. I am so happy getting this, most especially at this festive period,”  he said.

  • Our expectations of govt, by Lagosians

    Some residents of Lagos yesterday listed their expectations of government at all levels in 2015.

    In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, they said political office holders should endeavour to restore hope to the masses.

    Mr Gift Wejem, a furniture dealer, urged government to raise Nigerians hope by reducing poverty.

    “Government should give us hope and create employment for the teeming youths who roam the streets without jobs,’’ Wejem said.

    He decried the influx of substandard materials into the country, stressing that their proliferation had affected the indigenous products markets and deprived many of their jobs.

    Wejem said he looked forward to a brighter 2015.

    Dr Nkechi Asogwa, a medical practitioner, called on government to make health care delivery more accessible.

    “Government at the local, state and federal levels should give attention to health issues,’’ she said.

    Asogwa urged the government to curb the deaths to communicable and non-communicable diseases.

    She called for improvement in the public health sector, noting that many Nigerians do not have the means pay for expensive health care in private hospitals.

    Mr Deji Makinde, an Insurance Marketer, said government should intensify its fight against terrorism to restore peace and security to the North east.

    Makinde expressed sadness over the killing of many Nigerians by insurgents.

    Mr Godwin Ayigbo, a Pastor, said government’s attention should be centered on how to restore peace and end senseless killings in the country.

    “I think government’s focus should be on restoration of peace and unity.

    “All other development is subsumed in an atmosphere of peace,’’ Ayigbo said.

     Lagos roads were free of traffic yesterday, motorists moved unhindered around the city.

    NAN reports that the LAGBUS Assets Management Company, operators of Lagos Metropolitan buses, also offered free rides to commuters for the New Year day.

    Some of the commuters, who spoke to NAN, praised the Lagos State government for providing the buses, but said that the inadequate number of buses led to over-crowding.

    One of them, Mr Austin Ibe, a final year student of the Lagos State University (LASU), told NAN: “The free ride is a good development; the only problem is that the buses are few.

    “We had to wait on the queue for a long time before a bus came. I am not sure that there are enough buses on the roads today.’’

    Ibe, who boarded the LAGBUS from Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos to Stadium Bus Stop in Surulere, said such a development was not unexpected whenever a service was rendered free.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Taibat Alabi, a trader, who boarded the bus from Oshodi to Obalende, lauded the government for its gesture on such a festive day.

    “If not for the free ride, the ‘Danfo’ (commercial) buses will seize the opportunity of the season to exploit us,’’ she said.

    Miss Titilayo Kehinde, a Teacher, who enjoyed a free ride from Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi, said: “Besides the fact that the buses are few, many of the drivers put up unfriendly attitudes because it is not paid for.

    “For instance, this one failed to reach the last bus stop before the driver asked all the passengers to disembark.’’

    Kehinde said there was a need for improvement in the service, regardless of whether the service was free or not.

  • Lagosians welcome 2015 with funfair

    Lagosians welcome 2015 with funfair

    Lagosians welcomed the New Year in a very special and exciting manner, as the finest of Nigerian talents gathered at the Eko Atlantic City to usher in the year in a star-studded concert that was beamed live on CNN.

    Tagged Lagos Countdown, the annual event, which was organised by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), also had Africa’s finest disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt on the wheels of steel, doing the playback for several artistes who treated fun seekers to the crossover event.

    The show, which was graced by top personalities, including Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem, also paraded celebrities such as Sir Victor Owaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Daddy Showkey, 2face, Sound Sultan, Banky W, Reminisce, Omawunmi, Olamide and Phyno among others.

    Famed television personality, IK, was on the red carpet to welcome guests who were given the best of music by acts like Reminisce who performed his hit song Kakobi Chiken among other tracks.

    2face did not only put up a performance, the singer who is noted for his ‘Vote-No-Fight’ campaign, urged the youths to shun violence in the forthcoming elections. “I wish that in this 2015, Nigerians will vote and not fight,” he said, as he was being cheered by the audience.

    Banky W, who also rendered a breath-taking performance, featuring energetic dancers, prayed that, “The best of 2014 be the worst of 2015.”

    Singer YQ, who was also at the event, could be said to have entered the new year with a generous gesture, as he threw his branded jacket to the crowd. The artiste, who savoured the privilege of being listed among top artistes at the show, told his fans to expect greater things from him in the new year.  “I pray that the year 2015 will be my biggest year of musical excellence,” he said, as he departed the stage.

    Climax of the event was salvo of fireworks at 12 midnight, with thunderous shouts of Happy New Year by all.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola, who was at the event, expressed gratitude to supporters of the event for giving the event a touch, comparable to any international show.

    “When we started this Countdown idea, it was meant to be a Lagos state government project, but these partners came in with great support and made so much happen as we have it now,” he said.

    Fashola, who stated that the event will be his last as governor of the state, used the opportunity to drum support for APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, urging Lagosians to support the latter, in order to continue his great works in Lagos, including the Countdown.

    The event was a beehive of activities, as funseekers, hawkers and tourists occupy the different fun spots in the entire Bar Beach stretch. The venue was hugely decorated with colourful lights, covering about 2 kilometres.

    The last event was the third in the series, and it started on December 1, 2014 and could be said to have lived up to fun seekers’ expectations.

  • ‘Lagosians’ll give 2015 polls to APC’

    ‘Lagosians’ll give 2015 polls to APC’

    Owolabi Olateju, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, is seeking to represent the Agege II Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly. In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he explains why he is contesting next year’s election. 

    Why are you contesting for the House of Assembly in Lagos?

    I am quite familiar with the political terrain. My family was involved in the struggle to enthrone democracy after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by the military. Their participation in the movement to actualize the mandate given to Chief MKO Abiola is a pointer to my interest in politics. I have learnt lots of lesson from it. So, what I am doing at the moment is just like a continuation of the work they did then. My intention is to see how we can actually improve on it through lawmaking for the good people of Lagos State. We are aware that there are limited job opportunities in the country. But, I believe that through empowerment, the people of my constituency can actually be gainfully engaged. We need to put them in the right vocations. We need to organise workshops and seminars for graduates seeking employment. For those who do not possess the prerequisites qualification for high profile jobs, they can acquire vocational skills in carpentry, bricklaying and shoe making. They can also be engaged in hair dressing, decoration training etc. These are some of the things we intend to do for our people. And by that act, when we start it in Agege Constituency 11, we would have empowered many youths roaming the streets in search of jobs. We want to see to how we can reduce unemployment, especially in our constituency.  We want to see to how our debate can contribute to power generation, security and prosperity to Nigeria.

    Are you convinced that the people will support your ambition?

    I have lived in Agege for over 20 years. This is the place where I grew up. But, from my own observation, development is not moving at a desired pace, particularly in the nooks and crannies. At least, it has not permeated the nooks and crannies of Agege. Although, the government is trying, I think we need to do better than we are doing at the moment. So, to the best of my knowledge, they will support our efforts; they will subscribe to our plans because they know that we can make things better for them through good representation at the House. We want to encourage youths in politics, particularly those of the female gender. I know the party is already doing that, but we still have to move a step further than that. I am happy that our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is doing everything within its power to ensure that the female folks are not sidelined. Our party has actually done very well in the Southwest and at the national level, we hope to spring surprises during the general election. It can actually take over the central government because the party is very strong. We have not had an opposition party like this before. The APC will create a positive change and I know we can take the country out of the present state doldrums. There are lots of things to do, to make this country great. I have an NGO which is looking at repositioning the middle class. We have to help all the segment of the society to attain their potential and it can come through making good laws. As a trained management consultant, we are throwing our arms open to assist people who are in need of our services. We will guide you and see how we can support you. The poverty in the land is so much, but something has to be done to ameliorate the debilitating situation.

  • Lagos okada, not for politics

    There have been some politically- motivated statements and articles of late about the role of the okada, the commercial motorcycle, in the lives of Lagosians, and some of them have not done justice to the conscience of the commuter. When the matter came to the boil about a year ago, the misunderstanding was clear.

    The Babatunde Raji Fashola administration introduced a restriction in the circulation of the machines. But swiftly the spin that went to town was that it was a ban. This is a misuse of language for a tendentious end. But at the time it was not read as an act of overt political counter-narrative against the Lagos State government.

    The state made it clear that it wanted to restrict their operation for a number of reasons. Not among this reason is the inconvenience it potentially could impose on the average commuter in the city. The principal reasons were linked with safety. In some of the hospitals, the okadas had become synonymous with slow lynching. Some of the hospitals in Lagos had become acquainted with the gloomy images of the victims. Legs broken, charred flesh bleeding profusely, tears in deluge, deaths to tell the story. And newspapers, including this one, reported many of those stories, gory pieces of young, old, men and women, frittered away in one okada’s nervous tilt into disaster.

    Governor Fashola announced a restriction from the major arteries of the city, where the heavy traffic snarl is characterised by such heavy duty vehicles like the trucks, trailers that sometimes bear crates without hinges. The roads also came with various lanes making the trajectory of the okadas so serpentine that they lost their bearings and collided with these mammoth contractions. If cars could meet perilous destinies on these roads, the matter of the thin, fragile okada without unprotected passengers was a foregone conclusion.

    That informed the decision of the Lagos State government to the bold step.  In spite of the restrictions, the okadas still operate in 95 per cent of the roads in the city. The statistics bear out the wisdom of the action. From the records so far, before the restrictions the number of accidents per month was about 600 on the average. By the recent reports, it is about 100. Deaths per month averaged 15. Today, it is about one. Sources say in the past few months, no deaths have been recorded.

    The decision may have started in Lagos, but others have since followed suit. And the decision has not had any partisan flavour. Abia State, Akwa Ibom State and Rivers State are a few of the states that have followed that path.

    So, anyone who wants to politicise a matter of public safety because of the ambition for power must be courting death and disaster for people and their families.

     

  • Pitan, friends commence free medical mission for Lagosians

    Pitan, friends commence free medical mission for Lagosians

    Former Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr.  Leke  Pitan,  and his friends, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Lagos State Chapters, will from Monday, August 4, commence a free medical outreach to all 20 local government Areas and 37 local council development areas of the state.

    The programme will be run by qualified, experienced and specialist doctors from the three medical professional bodies. They will attend to  various health challenges of the general public and dispense drugs to them free of charge at each location.

    The team will also include experienced eye specialists who will conduct on-the-spot eye screening, dispense drugs and give glasses free of charge to residents in the various communities.

    In addition, there shall be free cancer screening, hypertension and diabetes screening, urine tests, general check-up and body mass index verifications.

    Shedding light on the initiative at his Ikeja office at the weekend, Dr. Pitan described the exercise as his own way of giving back to the society from his God-given area of knowledge and specialisation.

    “This is not the first time my friends and I are undertaking this sort of community assistance. So when my friends came up with this idea again, I naturally said yes since it’s obvious it will benefit a large number of our people, especially at the grassroots, and on a long time basis. This is clearly beyond politics. It’s a practical way of adding value to people’s lives beyond the immediate. I am very proud of my friends for offering themselves freely to improve the health status of all Lagosians,” he said.

    It will be recalled that the  NMA and AGPMPN have just endorsed the political aspiration of Dr. Pitan at separate ceremonies.

    Dr. Pitan is one of the leading aspirants under the banner of the All Progressives Congress(APC), jostling for the governorship ticket to contest the 2015 elections in Lagos State.

    The NMA, at its just concluded 54th Annual Congress, unanimously passed a motion moved by Dr. Adedamola Dada to endorse the gubernatorial ambition of Dr. Pitan.

    Also, the AGPMPN, at its special congress held recently, has also endorsed the political aspiration of Dr. Pitan.

    The Annual General Meeting of the NMA is the highest decision-making body of the association. It comprises all the executive members and elders of the association.

    Dr. Pitan is a National Honours Rolls Awardee of the NMA.

    The free medical mission will kick off in the Alimosho Federal Constituency on August 4. The exercise will have  Dr. Pitan  personally leading  the team.

  • Govt promises Lagosians free BRT, BFS ride on Eid-el-Fitr

    Govt promises Lagosians free BRT, BFS ride on Eid-el-Fitr

    The Lagos State Government is offering Lagosians free bus ride on Monday July 28 to ease traffic around the state on the Eid-el-Fitr.

    Commuters on the Mile 12 to CMS BRT route will enjoy the free ride, same as those on the Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) route from Ikotun to Igando-Iyana-Ipaja-Ikeja.

    A statement signed by the External Relations Specialist for the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr Kolawole Ojelabi said LAMATA’s Managing Director, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, urged Nigerians to do everything in moderation during the holiday period and ensure that accidents do not occur on the roads.

    He called on all to use the holiday to reflect on the current security challenges being faced in the country and pray for its quick resolution.

    Mobereola also called for prayer for the safe return of the Chibok girls abducted over 104 days ago as well as the prosperity and development of the country.

    Mobereola called on all Lagosians to be vigilant and be security and safety conscious. He said any suspicious movement or activity by any person or group of persons should be reported to the security agencies.

    As a public transport planning, franchising and implementation Agency of Lagos State, Dr Mobereola said LAMATA remain committed to promoting the achievement of an integrated multi-modal transport system in the state.

    He urged the public to keep faith with the government in all its transport projects aimed at making life and movement easier for all Lagos residents.