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Tag: Sanwo-Olu

  • Sanwo-Olu to develop policies to harness economic potential

    Sanwo-Olu to develop policies to harness economic potential

    Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu has pledged the commitment of his administration to develop and implement policies that would harness the economic potential of Lagos State to ensure its transition into a circular economy.

    Sanwo-Olu said this recently at the launch of EconomyLagos: Towards a Sustainable, greater Lagos organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy held at The Zone, Lagos.

    Theme: The Economy of Lagos: Opportunities, Challenges and Unlocking Strategies.

    The governor said that climate change and the need for a circular economy are not distance concerns, they are present-day realities that demand immediate and decisive actions.

    “We are witnessing the increasing impact of climate change with extreme weather, resource scarcity, and pollution. The good news is that we have the opportunity to address these challenges and unlock a more sustainable and prosperous future for Lagos. By raising a circular economy, we can move away from the traditional model toward a system that maximizes resources efficiently, minimizes waste, and promotes environmental responsibility”.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu test runs Red Line train ahead commissioning

    “We will continue to raise public awareness and educate stakeholders about the benefits of the circular economy and its potential to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, promote innovation and research to specific content for Lagos. As well as advocate for significant investment in necessary infrastructure, and technological capacity initiatives to support the circular economy transition.

    He posited that stakeholder engagement is key to achieving the desired actions that are needed by working together, we can harness the potential in the circular economy, create a more resilient city, and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

    In her words, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs. Titi Oshodi said that this Stakeholders’ Session provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between government policies and market opportunities. By fostering dialogue and collaboration like this through the ECOnomy platform, we will unearth innovative solutions that will unlock the full potential of circular economy opportunities for Lagos State.

    Oshodi stressed that through shared expertise, we can institute the right policies, develop market-friendly frameworks, and accelerate the sector’s growth, ensuring a harmonious co-existence of economic progress and environmental sustainability.

  • Red Line rail ready for operations Thursday, Sanwo-Olu assures lagosians

    Red Line rail ready for operations Thursday, Sanwo-Olu assures lagosians

    Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the preparation for the official opening of the 37-kilometer Red Line Rail Project on Thursday, February 29, is complete.

    Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Saturday during the final test run of the new trains for the project.

    President Bola Tinubu is slated to commission the landmark project.

    The governor arrived the Ikeja Train Station of the Red Line Rail Project for the test run of the operation to Iju Station, accompanied by the deputy governor, Dr. Femi Hamzat, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Managing Director, MD, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authourity, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Wale Musa, among other senior government officials.

    Speaking with the press after the tour, Sanwo-Olu stated: “This one is our final inspection at the Ikeja train station and we just finished another test train ride on the Redline, using one of the trains.

    Read Also; Fuel subsidy was costing FG N400bn monthly – Edun

    “And we have had a journey all the way till Iju and back. We still have a few cleanings to do inside the train themselves because they still have wrappers around it.

    “We will continue to test the air conditioning which is working, because they all came from different climatic weathers.

    “Other than that It is the challenge around pedestrians on the track and the kind of wrong things we saw on those tracks, so you have seen that we will continue to do the enforcement.

    “We will continue to do physical barricades on those lines, working with Nigeria Railway Corporation NRC, but the message here is really for our citizens living virtually on the track that, a track is not a place of residence or commercial activities.

    “We should continue to tell people to stay off it and we will continue to enforce it, and continue to ensure that we clear the tracks because we do not want to record any fatality.

    “Because once the intra train starts, it is not every two hours or three hours, it’s going to be fairly regular, 10 minutes, 15 minutes and we don’t want them to be comfortable that they have to stay on the track. It’s not a place for people to stay.

    “That is the major challenge, we have reduced it considerably in the last two months and we will not stop.

    “Other than that, I think the stations are ready, the trains are ready, I am sure we all Nigerians are ready.”

  • Palliatives: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates advisory committee

    Palliatives: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates advisory committee

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated a 13-man special intervention committee to oversee and monitor distribution process of the palliatives announced by the government. 

    The governor on Thursday announced palliative measures for Lagosians to cushion the economic hardship. 

    The committee will be chaired by Sanwo-Olu while Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat is the alternate chairman.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa. 

    Read Also: BREAKING: Shettima, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu attend Akeredolu’s funeral service

    Members of the committee are lawmaker representing Ojo Constituency in the House of Representatives, Seyi Sowunmi (Labour Party); Chief Missioner of NASFAT Sheikh Abdul-Azeez Onike; former Director (Southwest), DFID Sina Fagbenro-Bryon; Consumer protection pricing specialist Ms. Sola Salako and Senior Pastor of The Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi. 

    Others are ALGON Chairman Kolade Alabi; Leader of the National Youth Council Bilyaminu Sulaiman-Oba; lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland in the House of Assembly, Ademola Shabi; rights activist Mrs. Joe Okey-Odumakin and former state secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Taofik Gani. 

  • Hardship: List of pressure-easing measures Sanwo-Olu outlined in media briefing

    Hardship: List of pressure-easing measures Sanwo-Olu outlined in media briefing

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday reeled out measures to ease pressure faced by residents of the state in the face of hardship following rising cost of living.

    The measures come in the wake of groanings across the country about the sharp rise in cost of living resulting from the removal of subsidy on petrol and the devaluation of the Naira after abolition of multiple official foreign exchange rates.

    Youths in Ibadan, Oyo State, days back, held a protest over the cost of living, while the organised labour has also slated a two-day protest for next week across the country over the matter.

    Unfolding measures to reduce pressure on residents in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu urged the people to be resilient in weathering the storms, assuring them that glorious days lay ahead.

    He said that the state, on its part, had decided to reduce the number of days in which its workers would come to work, to ease pressure on the staff.

    The governor said that public servants would be expected to be at the office thrice in a week, while the state government would also feed some 1000 to 1500 residents daily.

    “In a week’s time, civil servants from level one to level 14 will only be required to come to the office thrice in a week.

    “This doesn’t mean that there won’t be personnel to provide services for the public. It will be rotational.

    “Also, we will go the local governments for our soup bowls initiative, we have identified caterers to partner with.

    “We will feed 1000 to 1500 persons in each local government per day, in the first instance for 30 to 60 days,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu said that students needed to be in school everyday, so the government would work out transport allowance for teachers to be able to be there.

    He said that in the area of public transportation, from this weekend, there would be 25 per cent reduction on the Bus Rapid Transit, rail and other state public transport systems.

    On health, Sanwo-Olu said pregnant women in Lagos State will enjoy free delivery all over the 31 State General Hospitals.

    “Both natural deliveries and Caesarian Section are now free in all  state general hospitals,” he said.

    The governor said the six health districts in the state would also carry out health missions, twice a week, to provide health checks for residents.

    ” There will be doctors and nurses on ground, this takes effect from next week,” he said.

    He said he had also cleared arrears of pensions of retirees, with the exception of the 2023 set, which would be sorted soon.

    “We are deliberate on bringing succour to our people,” he said.

    In the area of Agriculture, Lagos State government reiterated its commitment to food security in the state.

    “As we speak we’re soon going to receive 100 trailers of rice, for food purchase and redistribution, what this means is that there’s a limit to what an individual can buy. This will checkmate the possibility of hoarding.

    “We intend to open food hubs like we did at Mushin, we plan on replicating this at other local government areas.

    “We intend to focus partnership with other states where we have lands to ensure food security in the state,” he said.

    He said that Sunday markets would be opened in 42 markets to buy food items at 25 per cent reduced cost.

    Sanwo-Olu said that the state would cap what a person could buy, at not more than N25000 worth.

    “On education, he said all government schools should desist from demanding for tax clearance from parents and guardians for enrollment of their children, to reduce out-of-school children.

    Gov. Sanwo-Olu said the state was insisting that landlords should not collect more than one year rent, urging residents to report defaulting people to the government.

    He said there must also be a stop to the dollarisation of the economy to make things better.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu announces 25 per cent cut in transport fare

    Sanwo-Olu said the governments of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo were working together to light up the stretch of Lagos Ibadan expressway.

    He said his journey since assumption of office had not been without challenges.

    Sanwo-Olu said that the lowest moments of his administration were the global pandemic COVID-19, the EndSars movement and the death of Sylvester Oromoni.

    ”Our resilience paved way and we got emboldened to move past the challenges, and since then, we haven’t looked back. We keep building on all verticals,” the governor said.

    He called on the private sector to partner with government to make life better.

    (NAN)

  • Demolition of buildings in Lagos has no ethnic colouration – Sanwo-Olu

    Demolition of buildings in Lagos has no ethnic colouration – Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has emphasised that the demolition of buildings in the state was not based on ethnic targeting.

    The Governor said this during a live media chat, ‘Sanwo Speaks’ on Thursday, February 22.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu announces 25 per cent cut in transport fare

    He said: “We only remove the structures of those that contravened the State’s building and development laws. We don’t consider the ethnic or religious background of those defaulting our laws. We cannot compromise the laws; we need to rescue the city.”

  • JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu announces 25 per cent cut in transport fare

    JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu announces 25 per cent cut in transport fare

    Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced a 25 per cent rebate on fares for government-owned transport schemes. 

    He also announced that civil servants from level 1-14 will begin to work three days a week as part of measures to ease the economic challenges on residents. 

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to Corps members: be committed to orientation course

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

    He said workers in the teaching sector will however maintain the five days a week work schedule but government will ensure additional transport support for them. 

    Details Shortly…

  • Sanwo-Olu to Corps members: be committed to orientation course

    Sanwo-Olu to Corps members: be committed to orientation course

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the state to be committed to the orientation course in the camp.

    Sanwo-Olu spoke during his address at the opening and swearing-in of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members held on Tuesday at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

    A total of 4,360 members were deployed to Lagos, of which 2,239 were lodged in the NYSC orientation camp Iyana-Ipaja.

    Of the rest, 1,098 and 1,024 are observing the orientation programme in Osun and Ogun states respectively.

    Sanwo-Olu said the orientation course was crucial, as it provided the platform to prepare corps members for the challenges of the service year and beyond.

    “It is a privilege to have you here in our state and I welcome you all to the nation’s ‘Centre of Excellence’.

    “Lagos is a land of opportunities and it has continued to make the dreams of many come true.

    “Therefore, I charge you to seize this short period to fashion out for yourself a path for greatness so that you can achieve your dreams.

    Read Also; Petrol importation drops by 3.29% in 2023

    “I admonish you to take all aspects of the orientation course including the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) very seriously,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde.

    NYSC Lagos Coordinator, Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa, urged the corps members to defy tribal animosity and work for the unity of the nation.

    Baderinwa said that the three-week orientation course was packaged to instill the spirit of endurance, leadership, patience, perseverance and most importantly, patriotism and discipline in the corps members.

    “Your call to join the vanguard of youths in the service of your fatherland is a necessary engagement to register your quota as contributors to the stability of the Nigerian state, which is the greatest act of patriotism,” she said.

    The coordinator advised the corps members to be security conscious at all times, tolerant, and respect the culture and religion of one another.

    Meanwhile, three members who distinguished themselves in the test and screening conducted were appointed as camp directors to supervise activities during the orientation programme.

    The Coordinator commended the Lagos State Government under Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the giant strides being made, especially in the construction of the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Agbowa, Ikorodu.

  • Assembly to Sanwo-Olu: create measures to ease hardship

    Assembly to Sanwo-Olu: create measures to ease hardship

    Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to devise measures to alleviate hardship being faced by residents.

    It said government must adopt sustainable solutions beyond palliatives.

    The lawmakers noted that though the current economic situation pervades the entire country, and even globally, Lagos and its local governments must do more to ameliorate the situation.

    The House also advised leaders and statesmen to join forces with the government and play persuasive roles, instead of inciting the people against the government.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the situation called for a stakeholders’ meeting for the inputs of everyone, including members of the National and State Assembly, as well as local government chairmen.

    He said: “No doubt, there is a challenge before us as representatives of the people and it is the duty of all of us to proffer solutions.

    “This is a situation that started long ago in Nigeria and was graduating. It is unfortunate that we are facing this now. The dollar issue did not start now. The prices of food and how farmers had been prevented from going to farms as a result of insecurity did not start now.

    “The most unfortunate thing is the comments coming from some leaders. Instead of using their wisdom to appeal to the people, they use their words to incite people against the government. We cannot leave the Federal Government alone to proffer solutions to our problems. There is no ‘abracadabra’ about it.

    “The immediate concern is to appeal to our people; protests and violence will not solve anything, but take us backwards. Nobody prayed for the current situation, but we must work hand-in-hand to take us away from this mess.

    It is not the president’s fault, neither is it the governor’s fault.”

    The Speaker, however, hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu for starting the Trader Money programme under which 15,000 traders have benefitted.

    He also directed that the Commissioners for Agriculture Ms. Abisola Olusanya and Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi, as well as related parastatals and agencies, be invited to brief the House on their plans to make life more comfortable for the people.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Elegushi, Oniru, others attend opening of Mami Chula Beach

    Raising the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Olusegun Ege (Ojo Constituency I) lamented that the hardship has gone beyond what can be handled mildly.

    He said: “The local government should work on giving out palliatives, transportation should be subsidised and the health sector be carefully looked into because most people cannot even afford to go to hospitals for medical care.”

    Lending his voice, Temitope Adewale, said: “We are at a phase where things are really hard not only for Lagosians, but also for Nigerians as a whole. The government should put in place measures to provide succour for Nigerians.”

    Owolabi Ajani noted that ‘this current issue is a global one; we should look beyond palliatives because palliatives are just as preliminary items to cushion effects of the hardship’, while Omolara Olumegbon said ‘the Consumer Protection Agency should be called to order because prices of items cannot be rising without recourse to the why’.

    Oladipupo Ajomale, in his submission, noted that ‘the rise in the cost of transportation, food items and health care needs to be looked into. All hands need to be put on deck to put an end to the hardship’.

    The House also confirmed the governor’s nominees for appointments into the Civil Service Commission, Health Management Agency Public Board and Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency.  

  • Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, Ooni’s wife, others seek better Nigeria

    Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, Ooni’s wife, others seek better Nigeria

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Founder/President, Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF) Dr. Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, wife of Ooni of Ife Olori Mariam Ogunwusi and others have called on Nigerians to play their roles in redirecting the course of the nation for better.

    They spoke during the annual Prayer for the Nation, organised by FCF, at Island Club, Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s quest to make things better.

    He said the nation’s challenges were not insurmountable, but required all hands to be on deck.

    The governor explained measures being taken by the Lagos State Government to fight corruption.

    He advised the citizens to also play their part in the fight against corruption.

    Read Also: How Wigwe’s aide escaped death

    Wife of deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, said corruption was the biggest evil in every society, which must be eliminated in every way possible. Mrs. Hamzat said the societal menace had affected individuals’ character and value.

    “This societal menace has affected our character and values. Our society mindlessly celebrates material wealth, corruption mostly occurs in relation to money,” she said.

    She stressed the importance of parental guidance in the lives of children.

    According to her, “we cannot continue to blame others for our own deficiencies because the government cannot do everything.”

    Dr. Tinubu, who is also the Iyalode of Lagos, lamented the high level of corruption among people.

    She urged citizens to desist from participating in any form of corruption

    “Corruption is a menace that has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation, and as such, needs to be curbed,” she said.

    She expressed her hope in President Tinubu proffering solution to corruption.

    Founder, Wikayat-Dua Intuition Society, Sheiikh Abdulrahman Adangba, expressed displeasure about the high rate of corruption in the country.

    He enjoined Nigerians to work on themselves and look inward to begin the process of change.

    Executive Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, who chaired the event and Olori Ogunwusi appealed to Nigerians to return to the basis.

    The duo said corrupt acts must be nip in the bud for the country to progress.

  • Sanwo-Olu gives N750m market trader money to 15,000 beneficiaries

    Sanwo-Olu gives N750m market trader money to 15,000 beneficiaries

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday kicked off the distribution of N750 million financial intervention scheme tagged: ‘Lagos Market Trader Money’, for 15,000 beneficiaries.

    Each beneficiary received N50,000. Sanwo-Olu said the initiative would actualise his goal of transforming food systems in Lagos and stimulating economic activities at food markets, in line with his administration’s THEMES+ development agenda.

    The governor, during the opening of mid-Level agro produce Hub at Idi-Oro, Mushin, announced N750 million financial intervention scheme for traders. He said the initiative was conceptualised as a stop-gap measure to empower small-scale traders in the food systems, by giving them financial support to expand their businesses, thereby fostering economic growth and improving the lives of many.

    Sanwo-Olu urged beneficiairies to make judicious use of the grant in ways that would contribute to the state’s economic development.

    “I urge you to let the people feel the impact of this grant and other support this administration has been providing towards ensuring food security, through reasonable reduction in the cost of basic food items in a way that it will be affordable to ordinary Lagosians.

    “This initiative will ensure sustainable livelihoods and facilitate business expansion for 15,000 traders, who occupy a strategic position in the state’s economic pyramid and food distribution network. Lagos State, which has a growing population presently estimated at over 24 million, has a food system transaction value of over N6trillion annually, is in the process of establishing a dynamic food market system under the Food Systems Transformation Agenda to promote the preservation, storage, transportation and presentation of wholesome food to the populace, with the aim of reducing food waste, improving affordability, guaranteeing food safety, quality and accessibility.”

    Read Also: Enoh, Sanwo-Olu, Otti commend Eagles despite AFCON blow

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said 75 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, while the remaining 25 are men, adding that 35 per cent of the beneficiaries are below 40 years and 65 per cent are above 40 years.

    He said this shows the social inclusiveness in implementing the initiative.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the initiative was part of government’s efforts at ensuring sustainable livelihoods and wealth creation for traders across the state.

    She said: “This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to the development of the downstream segment of food and agricultural value chains, which centres on markets and market access. This is due to the fact that Lagos is the largest market city-state in sub-Saharan Africa.

    “The support is targeted at expanding the capacity of the beneficiaries to off-take more produce from our farmers, thereby catalysing increased food production in and outside the state.

    “This initiative, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Local Governments, in collaboration with market leaders across the 57 local governments and local council development areas, is only the first of many to be launched towards helping to shoulder the burdens of the citizenry, ranging from food, health, education to transportation.”

    The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for the kind gesture to market men and women in Lagos State.

    She enjoined traders, who are beneficiaries of the Lagos Market Trader Money, to make good use of the N50,000 given to them, to augment their businesses.