Politics

Sanwo-Olu Congratulates Ambode at 60

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated his predecessor, Akinwunmi Ambode on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Ambode clocks 60 on Wednesday, June 14.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message, issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described Ambode an accomplished administrator whose immense contributions as former Accountant-General as well as ex-Governor led to the growth and development of Lagos State.

He said,

“On behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, the government, and good people of Lagos State, I join family, friends and political associates of my predecessor, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to congratulate him on his 60th birthday.

“Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode dedicated his young and adult life to the service of Lagos State, first as a civil servant and later as the 14th Governor of our dear Lagos State.

“As Council Treasurer, Auditor General for Local Government, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, and Accountant-General of Lagos State, he displayed a high level of integrity, dedication, and professionalism to service in the public sector.

“He recorded the same achievements as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and as the State’s Accountant General.

“He also made positive and significant impacts in some sectors during his tenure as Lagos State Governor, working for the continuous growth and development of our State.

“I wish former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode a happy birthday and pray that he witnesses many more fruitful years in good health.”

Ambode was Lagos state governor between 2015 and 2019 before he was replaced by Governor Sanwo-Olu on May 29, 2019.

Lifestyle, Politics

Don’t go on strike – Sanwo-Olu begs NLC

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has begged members of the Nigerian Labour Congress not to embark on a strike over removal of fuel subsidy as announced by President Bola Tinubu during his inaugural speech.

Recall that the NLC on Friday, June 2, issued a five-day ultimatum to the federal government to revert to the old price of petrol or face a nationwide protest.

Sanwo-Olu who addressed reporters on Sunday, June 4, after a post-inauguration church thanksgiving service, appealed to the labour leaders to join hands with the present administration in its commitment to turn the economy of the country around.

He said;

“We are thankful that Mr President is a product of Lagos. We will pray for him and everything that he stands for. We believe he will replicate all the good things he has done in Lagos in our country, Nigeria.

“I want to wish and plead with our citizens even as NLC has said to us that they want to go on strike. It is not the time for a strike. During the campaign trail, everyone of our presidential candidates did say that the first thing they are going to do is to remove the subsidy.

“So, what has changed? What has the current president said or what has he done that is different from what any of the other aspirants said they would do?

“We need to be very patient. He (President Tinubu) has not even done a week. So let us talk to ourselves and say that we shouldn’t turn it political. Let us wait and support this man. He has not done a week on the job. Let him go and reflect and at the sub-national level, we are willing to support him.

“The point is no industrial strike will solve anything at this point, it will certainly not bring an end to the issue. The point will be how are we going to ensure that there is a turnaround in our economy.

“He has mentioned something about a better wage. We have started that in Lagos. We started it in January; so other parts of the country can also do the same. We don’t need to wait for the national government. We just need to reflect on what the challenges are in our country and let us solve the problem.

“I want to plead with the Nigeria Labour Congress. It shouldn’t turn into a political thing because we have begun to see that. The leadership should know that they are leading a pack of people and they need to restrain themselves. Let us be patient. Let us work around it. NNPC has said that there is more than enough petrol.”

Politics

Lagos state governor Sanwo-Olu sworn in for second term

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat have both been sworn in for their second terms in Lagos State.

The oath of office and oath of allegiance was carried out on Monday, May 29th by the Chief Jude of the state, Kazeem Alogba, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).

Sanwo-Olu was re-elected on March 18, having secured a total of 762,134 votes against his main challengers — Olajide ‘Jandor’ Adediran of the PDP who polled 62,449 and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the LP who got 312,329 votes.

Politics

Sanwo-Olu supports Akpabio for 10th Senate president

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed support for the ambitions of Godswill Akpabio and Barau Jibrin as president and deputy president of the 10th Senate, respectively.

Mr Sanwo-Olu expressed his support at a meeting with members of the ‘Stability Group’ consisting of 69 senators-elect, who had already endorsed Messrs Akpabio and Jibrin.

The Lagos governor said the All Progressives Congress nomination process was in order to pave the way for the election of Senate leadership.

He noted that Akpabio’s team possessed the political credentials and leadership qualities to bring about uncommon transformation in the country.

The governor said he aligned with APC’s zoning decision, having read the legislative agenda initiated by the Akpabio-led group to raise the bar of law-making.

He stressed that it was instructive that the group was prepared to collaborate with the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Tinubu.

“Having discussed plans and agenda presented by ‘Stability Group’ led by Senator Akpabio extensively, I believe it is appropriate that we, in Lagos state, give them our official endorsement,” stated Mr Sanwo-Olu.

He added,

“This is a project for the stability of the country, which will benefit Nigerians, especially the people who elected these distinguished lawmakers-elect.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu asserted that they “are committed to working harmoniously with the executive arm of government, and this will bring about a win-win for all our citizens and for democracy,” encouraging other lawmakers-elect “to fall in line.”

“The diversity they are preaching is reflected in the number of senators-elect in the group; it is not one party. The membership cuts across all parties that are represented in the National Assembly,” explained the Lagos governor.

“I believe the incoming 10th National Assembly will be about great possibilities and shaping new course for the nation.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu noted that “given the outstanding profile and experience Senator Akpabio and his group are bringing to the table, I believe there will be new standards and new legislative records will break,” urging the “incoming Senate leadership to surpass whatever achievements recorded by the Ninth Senate.”

Politics

‘Lagosians have spoken loud and well’- Lagos state gov, Babajide Sanwo-Olu says in his acceptance speech

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The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reacted to his electoral victory in the state governorship election held over the weekend.

INEC in the early hours of today declared him the winner of the election.

Speaking shortly after the declaration, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagosians have made their voices heard.

Part of his speech reads;

“To all of our fellow contestants, we want to salute you for participating in the democratic process, but Lagosians have spoken and have spoken well. They have spoken loud. Please remember that we’re extending a hand of fellowship to you, no victor, no vanquished. In the true spirit of sportsmanship, if you indeed believe that you want to serve this state, you have an opportunity with us and we will open our doors to listen and to give you a space in this government.”

He also spoke out against the identity politics that became commonplace in the lead-up to the polls last Saturday.

“During this campaign, unfortunately, we have seen very divisive rhetoric which is not a definition of who we are. So, Lagosians, we need to come together and further rebuild the capacity, the competence, and the experience that we have in this city. Religion should not divide us, ethnicity will not divide us. Lagos will come out bigger, stronger, and better.”

Business

It’s illegal to reject old naira notes- Governor Sanwo-Olu tells Lagos residents

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The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that it is illegal for residents of the state to reject the old N500 and N1000 notes.

According to the state governor, this is in line with the March 3 judgment of the supreme court where it was stated that the old naira notes remain legal tenders until December 31, 2023.

The judgment was a result of a suit filed by 16 states in the country, including Lagos, challenging the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the apex court.

Despite the apex bank’s judgment, many businesses as well as banks have refused to ask the old notes.

Many traders and commercial bus drivers have refused to accept the old notes, making life unbearable for many Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 13, by Gbenga Omotoso, the state Commissioner for Information, Governor Sanwo-Olu advised all agencies of the state government not to reject payments made with the old currency.

The statement reads;

“The Lagos state government has noted the hardship sparked by the naira redesign policy, which has affected business and commercial activities.

There is no reason to reject the old notes, going by the supreme court judgment delivered on March 3, 2023.

The apex court declared that no reasonable notice was given as required by section 20(3) of the CBN act, noting that the public only became aware of the policy through press remarks, which cannot qualify as a notice to the public.

The court maintained that the policy has impeded the functions of state governments, pointing out that the directive that stops the use of the old notes is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has, therefore, called on business owners, especially retailers, to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes – in line with the supreme court judgment that the currency remains legal tender until December 31, 2023. It is illegal to reject the notes.”

Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurates Lagos Blue Rail Line

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line.

This was as he joined other top government officials in a maiden ride from the Marina Station to National Theatre Station.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, revealed this in a statement he signed on Tuesday titled ‘President Buhari inaugurates Phase 1 of Lagos Blue Rail Line; takes train ride.’

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the Line would accommodate about 25,000 passengers per hour, thereby reducing travel time, improve the quality of life of Lagosians, and make the state one of the most resilient mega-cities in Africa.

He added that the piece of infrastructure will position Lagos to compete favourably with other megacities globally.

The governor said;

“This iconic Marina Station would be the largest and busiest in Africa. It has the capacity to process about 450 passengers per minute, meaning that in an hour this station can process about 25,000 passengers.”

Sanwo-Olu also hinted that he would invite the President again to Lagos to commission the Red Line, which he described as a bigger rail corridor project compared with the Blue Rail Line.

The Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, said the Blue Line project owed its origin to the current presidential candidate of the APC and one-time Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu.

According to him, Tinubu envisioned and laid the foundation for the project as governor.

He noted that the master plan has six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit corridors, over 20 water routes, and several major roads.

“Talking about the Blue line without making a reference to the ground-breaking contributions of the presidential candidate of our great party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is like talking about the beach without the ocean.

“A visionary leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, pioneered the idea of the Lagos Blue Line and many other revolutionary initiatives.

“The Tinubu administration developed the Strategic Transport Master Plan, which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting a 21st century City-State, such as ours,” Hamzat said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said the completion of Phase 1 of the project is a demonstration of the harmony in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Asian Tiger.

Thereafter, Buhari boarded the train alongside the Lagos State Governor, his Deputy, members of the Federal and State Executive Councils, members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies, the President of China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Chen Sichang; and journalists, among others.

The President also witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction of the second phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Abimbola Akinajo, and the President of CCECC, Chen Sichang.

The first phase of the project executed by the State Government spans 13 kilometers.It has five stations; Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre, and Marina.Earlier, the President also inaugurated the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, after which he departed Lagos for Dakar, Senegal, to attend the high-level Dakar 2 Summit hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union.

Lifestyle

Mother of Delta man who claims Gov Sanwo-Olu is father speaks

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Grace Moses, the mother of 27-year-old Emmanuel Sanwo-Olu who claims to be the son of Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has come out publicly to speak.

Emmanuel had dragged Gov Sanwo-Olu before the High Court 2 sitting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta in December 2022, to compel the governor to acknowledge him as his son and grant him all the rights he duly deserves.

In his court papers filed by his lawyer, J. O. Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq, Emmanuel in the 19-paragraph statement of claim attached to the writ, claimed that Governor Sanwo-Olu was a staff of a private company operating in Warri and its environs in Delta State from 1994 to 1995, and in the course of working and living in Warri that period, he had an amorous relationship with his mother, Grace Moses, from Oleri village near Warri metropolis, Delta State between 1994 and 1995.

He wants the governor to agree to a DNA test to prove he is indeed his son.

Emmanuel, who does “casual jobs” to survive with his wife and three kids, told newsmen in December 2022, that for the past 27 years, he has not seen his father.

“I am 100 per cent sure that I am the son of Governor Sanwo-Olu. I just want to see the man, Sir, as my father.”

At the first hearing of the case in December, his counsel told newsmen at lawyers to Gov Sanwo-Olu had filed a motion to strike out the matter on the grounds that the governor was not ready to wave his immunity.

However, the case resumed for hearing on Monday January 17. While speaking to GalaxyTV after the hearing, the 47-year-old mother of Emmanuel said she is certain Gov Sanwo-Olu is Emmanuel’s father.

”My message to Sanwo-Olu is, he should come and have his child. The baby is grown up. He is troubling me. If not for God, I would have been dead by now.Because of the pregnancy I couldn’t go to school due to pressure from my mother who chased me out of the house because they had waited for Sanwo-Olu to no avail.

In my bid to abort the pregnancy, I drank “lime”, but E no gree commot.I started selling pig for people and got paid N150 which I used for the upkeep of myself and the baby. The baby is now grown and he’s threatening to kill me if I do not show him his father.”

The woman claimed that she met the Lagos State governor in 1995 when he was 19. “Governor Sanwo-Olu was working with an oil company, Saipem, at Ubogo Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State at that time.We began a relationship which resulted in pregnancy. The governor took me to a hospital in Agbarho Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area where he terminated the pregnancy.”

The woman who spoke in pidgin English said;

“After few days, Sanwo-Olu also had sex with me which resulted in another pregnancy. Since then, Sanwo-Olu abandoned me and travelled out of the state on the grounds that he was transferred to work in Maiduguri, Borno State.

I was left to carry the pregnancy and delivered the baby all alone without the assistance of Sanwo-Olu and any member of his family. I told my son, Emanuel Sanwo-Olu that his father is not a cripple. Up till now, he has refused to grant me and his son, Emmanuel Sanwo-Olu audience.”

Lifestyle

Two new trains for Blue Line Rail arrives in Lagos

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Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has shared pictures of the new two trains that arrived in Lagos for the blue line rail.

He shared the pictures of the trains via his Twitter handle on Monday.

Sanwo-Olu said that the trains have been moved to the National Theatre station saying;

“Dear Lagos, we have taken delivery of two new train sets for the blue line rail.

These passenger trains have been cleared at the port of entry, and have been moved to the National Theatre station where they have been lifted onto the elevated rail tracks.”

Lifestyle

Lagos state govt denies barring LASTMA officials from arresting erring motorists

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The Lagos state government has denied reports claiming it has barred men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) from arresting erring motorists in the state.

Reports that traffic officials have been barred from arresting drivers who contravene traffic laws in the state went viral some days ago.

However, a statement released by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the reports are untrue and that LASTMA officials will continue to discharge its duty of ensuring the free flow of traffic and enforcing the laws against violators of road traffic regulations.

”The motoring public is, therefore, advised to ignore the fake news trending on some social media platforms that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has warned LASTMA officials not to arrest any motorist.

‘The statement purported to have emanated from Mr. Governor reads:

“Henceforth, no LASTMA Official should arrest any motorist, either commercial or private. The duty of LASTMA is to manage traffic and not to arrest anyone. I have heard a lot of complaints, any official that violates the rule will be severely dealt with”, which is untrue and a mere fabrication.

This fake news which has been debunked severally before it resurfaced on social media platforms, was ostensibly designed to pitch the public, especially motorists, against officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

For the avoidance of doubt, the State Government is not contemplating the withdrawal of the power to enforce traffic law against erring motorists, as it believed that public education and enlightenment should be complemented by the enforcement of rules and regulations to ensure sanity on our roads.” the statement read in part

Lifestyle, Politics

Sanwo-Olu announces plan to increase salary of Lagos civil servants

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that his administration is working to increase the salaries of workers in the state civil service.

Sanwo-Olu made this known on Tuesday, October 4, while addressing the workers at the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

He said:

“I have looked around and I know that as a country, there is pressure.

I know that, as a country, there is a high level of inflation, but we are determined to cushion the effects on our workers and residents.

“At our cabinet meeting, I instructed the head of service office and the ministry of staff training, and pensions to start work on how we are going to increase the entire salary of our public servants.” He continued:

“We are capable of doing this. Lagos leads while others follow in Nigeria. In salary increment, we are leading again.

“We are going to reflect the popular ‘Buga’ slogan in the payment of salaries. We are not going to wait for the Federal Government’s minimum wage increase.

“We have commenced the process. I can assure that by early next year it will be ready for implementation.

“We don’t want to wait for workers’ unions to hold us to ransom before we do the needful.”

The governor also promised to pay all the outstanding backlog of pensions to workers by the end of October. Sanwo-Olu said:

“I want to reassure you that all the few outstanding backlogs of pensions will be sorted out this week and payment by the end of October.

“We are the highest and best paying in pensions in Nigeria.

“We are clearing the entire backlog of pensions; it’s a liability we met on ground.”

Business, Politics

Building collapse: Four more corpses recovered, commissioner resigns

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Search and rescue operatives combing the rubble of the seven-storey building that collapsed at Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lekki, Lagos State, have recovered four more corpses.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the development 24 hours after emergency responders had recovered two corpses at the scene of the incident on Sunday.

Oke-Osanyintolu said,

“The agency alongside other first responders has been working for over 24 hours at the seven-storey building which collapsed yesterday.

Another four bodies have been extricated from the rubble bringing the fatalities to six. The process is ongoing.”

Similarly, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, in a chat with our correspondent, also confirmed that four corpses including that of an adult male were recovered.He said,

“Six corpses including that of an elderly man have been recovered from the rubble as recovery efforts continue.”

NPG had reported that some persons were sleeping in the seven-storey building under construction when the building collapsed around 3am on Sunday.

While some of the occupants escaped death, it was learnt that some other persons, who were unlucky, were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building.

Emergency responders including officials of the LASEMA, the NEMA, and the police, among others, had been engaging in a search and rescue operation to rescue the trapped victims.

Reacting, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, had in a statement, ordered the arrest of the developer and other professionals involved in the collapsed building.

However, a series of building collapses that claimed the lives of residents had been recorded in the state.

Angered by these tragic developments, residents alongside experts in the building industry had slammed developers, among others, for using substandard materials and not conforming to standard building regulations in Lagos State.

Also, the Lagos State Government, particularly the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, had also been under heavy criticism for the reoccurring building collapse killing people in the state.

Amid the criticisms, a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed Salako’s resignation, noting that the commissioner’s resignation was part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s efforts to restructure the ministry and its agencies.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked the Commissioner for his services to the state and wishes him success in his future endeavours.

“The Governor warns all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion, no matter who the perpetrators are,” the statement said.

Football, Politics

Lagos Planning Commissioner resigns after Oniru building collapse

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Lagos Planning Commissioner resigns after Oniru building collapseLagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Idris Salako, has resigned.

Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information made the announcement in a statement on Monday, September 5.

Omotoso said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has accepted the resignation. The official noted that Salako’s exit “is a prelude to the restructuring of the Ministry and its agencies”.

Sanwo-Olu thanked him for his services and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The governor warned all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion.

Salako leaves the position after multiple building collapses in Nigeria’s commercial hub in the last few years. The most recent occurred in Oniru on Sunday, September 4.

A seven-storey building under construction collapsed. Two died and some are still trapped in the building.

Salako suggested the developer was a powerful man. While addressing the media, Salako recalled how the developer chased state officials away during enforcement.

He also disclosed that the developer broke the seal of the site on three separate occasions.

Lifestyle

Driver flees as Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s convoy stops him for driving against traffic

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A driver of a bus created a mild drama along the road leading to Lagos Island on Tuesday, August 16, when he abandoned his vehicle and fled off after he was stopped by security men attached to the convoy of the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The bus driver was driving against traffic when he ran into the convoy of the governor. For fear of being arrested, he took to his heels and abandoned his vehicle on the road.

Politics

Lagos state government disbands Ministry of Transport (MOT) enforcement team

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The Lagos Ministry of Transportation has placed an indefinite ban on the operations of its enforcement team tagged M.O.T Taskforce.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, in a statement released, stated that the decision was reached after a thorough appraisal and review of the enforcement teams operating under the Ministry of Transportation.

Giwa explained that the ban is part of measures initiated to streamline transport enforcement activities in Lagos State to achieve the required effectiveness in line with global best practices, warning that the ban is not an excuse for drivers to disobey the traffic laws of the State.

”The Special Adviser averred that Traffic Management and Transportation is a cardinal pillar in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing that the readjustment of the enforcement strategy was to enhance service delivery to the people of the State.

He, therefore, enjoined the general public to report the activities of any unauthorised enforcement team still operating with the tag M.O.T Taskforce to the Ministry of Transportation for prosecution.

Appealing to Lagosians to cooperate with the State Government in its effort to improve the traffic situation across the metropolis, the Special Adviser gave an assurance that a lot is ongoing behind the scene to bring the much-desired change in the transport sector.”

Business, Politics

Sanwo-Olu restates commitment to affordable housing

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The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his commitment to providing affordable housing for different strata of citizens in the state.Sanwo-Olu said this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Channel Point Apartments project executed by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Brook Assets and Resources Limited on Victoria Island.

He said,

“In the housing industry, this is the 16th housing project that we have handed over to our citizens and I want to assure you that there are still a whole lot more. For instance, before the end of the year, I am sure the Ministry of Housing has about four major projects to hand over hundreds of flats to citizens.

We are not just building; we are ensuring that we build affordable housing for different strata of our citizens – from the low budget to the middle budget to beautiful apartments like this in the heart of Victoria Island and we are also building in Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Ilupeju, Surulere, and Ikota.

As we pursue this housing agenda, we are also rigorously pursuing a comprehensive urban renewal.”The Managing Director of LSDPC, Ayodeji Joseph, disclosed that its partnership with the private sector will lead to more projects in the next 18 months.

“We are glad that through this joint venture with Brooks Assets and resources Limited, we have been able to deliver 38 family residential units of commensurable value and quality, and the flats have modern facilities,” he stated.

Lifestyle

Family of salesgirl killed during Yoruba nation rally gets new house from Lagos govt

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The family of late Jumoke Oyeleke, the 25-year-old salesgirl who was killed by a police stray bullet during the Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos on July 3, has been given a well-furnished two bedroom apartment by the Lagos State government.

While presenting the keys of the new apartment which is located in the Ikorodu area of the state to the family, as well as cash gift of N1m on Saturday, the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Mrs. Titi Oshodi, said the government has been following the matter of the slain girl and the first in line of intervention was to relocate the family from its former abode to a decent apartment.

“We are in the new place of the family of the victim of Yoruba Nation Rally which took place a few months ago,” Oshodi said.

We have been to her initial place of abode, we have been in touch with the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Ifeoluwa Oyeleke since the time of the incident, following up her state in every ramification to find out how she is doing, economically.

‘’Due to the compassionate nature of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ameliorating their suffering as possible, he felt if it is not possible to bring back the dead we can at least ameliorate the suffering of the family of the deceased.

“So here we are at the place of abode for Mrs. Ifeoluwa Oyeleke with her three children and effectively present these keys to her and also present a little bit of a token of N1 million from the governor to help fit into the next phase of life.

Since the tragic incident was not planned, the governor decided to make a quick arrangement for the family by renting apartment in the interim for her and the other children, while pursuing other action, moving forward.’’

Responding to the kind gesture of the state government, Mrs. Oyeleke recalled that her late daughter, Jumoke, was working as a shop assistant when she was hit by a stray bullet.

Our former house was a rented apartment but we left because the house was sold to a developer and since I couldn’t afford another house, we had to move to a shanty and we have been staying there for about a year before Jumoke died. This is indeed a great relief. I’m grateful.

‘’It was a church member who allowed us to stay in the shanty. I work as a domestic assistant. I help people wash clothes, and clean their compounds. I thank the government for remembering me and my children.

“God will bless Governor Sanwo-Olu and what happened to me will not be his portion. God will grant his heart desires.

’I want the government to help me find a profitable job so I can train my children properly. My children used to attend a private school but I enrolled them in a government school because I could no longer afford the fees of a private school.”

Politics, World News

#Covid19 :Sanwo-Olu extends public servant’s holiday for 2weeks.

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Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has extended the stay-at-home order for all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to Monday, January 18, 2021, to stem the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Head of Service (HoS), Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said this, on Sunday, in a signed statement, noting that the directive excludes staff on essential duty as well as First Responders.

Muri-Okunola urged all public servants to stay safe and ensure continued adherence to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic.

Politics

No pardon for rapists – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said no offender indicted in reported cases of rape and gender-based violence will go scot-free under his watch.

The governor spoke on Thursday when he received a 54-page compendium on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence compiled by the Stakeholders’ Committee set up by this wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to give recommendations on how the fight against the crime can be won.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the incident commander for gender-based violence in Lagos, reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable demographics and getting justice for victims violated.

The governor said, “I am delighted by the work done by the Stakeholders’ Committee to bring attention to the problems facing voiceless adults and children in our society. Through your efforts, vulnerable people are building the courage to speak out on offences of sexual violence and heal their wounds.

“We will bring people, who have been perpetrating these crimes, knowingly or unknowingly, to book. We will ensure they never walk freely without the full wrath of the law brought upon them. It is part of our responsibility to ensure that the vulnerable members of our society have a voice and have access to where they can get justice when their rights are violated.”


Earlier, Ibijoke had called on the government to step up the response geared towards reducing sexual and gender-based violence to the barest minimum.

She said her drive was to work with the committee and create a society where gender-based violence would be reduced to barest minimum.
She said, “The stakeholders have been having meetings for months and their discussions have focused on the key development pillars of the current administration as they relate to the rights of vulnerable citizens, especially those women and children.
“The Office of the First Lady has been working with the vision to reduce sexual and gender-based violence to the barest minimum if it is impossible to eradicate the crime. We have activated our response, bringing all stakeholders and communities on board to forge a common front in addressing the issue.”

Politics

Lagos governor approves full reopening of markets.

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the full reopening of markets in the state.The Lagos Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement made available by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Gawat Jubril, noted that both food markets and non-food markets can reopen every day of the week.

The statement read in part;

“The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the full resumption of operations of both food markets and non-food markets.”

“They are now to open daily. Mr Governor took the decision to further enhance trade and commerce and mitigate the hardship of recent times and ensure that Lagosians can recover fast.”

“Mr Governor also advised the continued observance of all safety protocols. He noted that traders and their customers must adhere strictly to the covid 19 protocols for their safety and the citizenry at large.”

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