Politics

Osun 2022: Sanwo-Olu, Ganduje head APC campaign council

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The committee has been saddled with the responsibility to ensure the re-election of Gboyega Oyetola on July 16

Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced an 86-member campaign council for the Osun State governorship election.

The council will be co-chaired by the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State.

According to the list released by the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, on Tuesday, the committee has been saddled with the responsibility to ensure the re-election of Gboyega Oyetola.

Mr Oyetola faces challenges from Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 13 other candidates at the July 16 election.

The ruling party has enlisted the services of all state governors alongside the Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as deputies to Messrs Sanwo-Olu and Ganduje.

The committee will be inaugurated on Thursday at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

Politics

Group urges Sanwo-Olu to ban NURTW from Lagos roads

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The Federal Government on Saturday, March 6, suggested that getting COVID-19 vaccination could become a requirement for all international passengers.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who said some countries have already started introducing restrictions for receiving visitors.

He spoke in Abuja at an event where President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received their first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Mustapha stated that no one would be able to travel without being vaccinated in the coming months.

“I think vaccine hesitancy would have to give way to the reality,” he said.

He added: “Because the truth about it, Your Excellency, is that very soon, nobody will be able to travel the world unless you produce the certificate that we have been given.

“I have not confirmed but reliably, some countries have started putting restrictions on receiving visitors, even exercising activities of their faith without a COVID-19 vaccination.

So the word that is going out there, on behalf of Mr. President, is that Nigerians should make themselves available, those that are eligible in the first set of the deployment, because the deployment is going to be in four phases, to receive these vaccines.

“They have been tested. Our most strategic leadership has received them this morning. They are safe, efficacious and it is for the good and well being of our people.”

Meanwhile, Buhari described his decision to take the vaccine in public as “a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.”

I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians to do same so that we can be protected from the virus,” he said.

He urged all state governments, traditional and religious leaders, to take the lead in the mobilization effort within their environment and spheres of influence.

He said: “The vaccine offers hope for a safe country, free of Coronavirus.

“I similarly urge all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority already mapped out, at the various authorised designated centres only.”

He congratulated the PTF on COVID-19 on the successful multi-sectoral approach to the management of the pandemic, and also commended state governments, donors, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders as well as critical stakeholders who have supported Nigeria’s response to the pandemic.

He pledged that all the resources will be equitably administered.

Politics

Lagos to become megacity by 2030 – Sanwo-Olu

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, boasted on Tuesday the state will become a megacity by 2030 considering the ongoing transformation process in the state.

Sanwo-Olu stated this during the 2021 Lagos Economic Summit with the theme: “For a Greater Lagos: Setting the tone for the next decade.”

He said Lagos had seen several revolutionary changes to usher in a new era of prosperity reflected in improved infrastructure, economy, and security.

The governor said the state is still confronted with many challenges, stressing that is also important to identify the progress and build on it.

Sanwo-Olu said: “In 2030, Lagos will proudly stand beside every other megacity in the world in terms of its capacity to transport its people efficiently and responsively.

“In 2030, Lagos will be a Smart City, fully covered by a network of several thousands of kilometers of fibre optic infrastructure that will carry broadband internet into our homes, offices, and schools and unleash a technology revolution that has never before been seen in this part of the world.

The Smart City that is unfolding will also be home to a network of intelligent cameras that will support not only security and policing across the state, but also traffic management and data collection for urban planning.

“As you all know, land is not a resource we are generously endowed with in Lagos – we are the smallest state in Nigeria by landmass, with by far the largest population.

Yet, this should not be an excuse for us to shy away from exploiting the agriculture value chain to the fullest, with a focus on non-land-intensive aspects like processing and value addition.

“By 2030, Lagos will be home to one of the largest rice mills in the world in Imota. We can still aspire, even with our geographical limitations to feed ourselves and the rest of the country through the innovative use of technology and a focus on processing and industry.”

The governor stressed that his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda would help harness the full potential of Lagos and shapes the state into a competitive megacity in the new decade.

In his remarks, the Co-Chairman of Lagos Economic Summit Group, Yemi Cardoso, said Lagos had seen an appreciable development over the last 10 years.

He said: “Lagos is a megacity and must begin to look and operate like a megacity.

“That would only be possible if we are deliberate about the plans and policies we put in place to ensure that both the public and private sector can achieve the set goals or objectives meant to develop the city.

“I believe we have the leaders with the know-how and we have the workforce. What we need to do is provide the vision and guidance to make sure it happens. That is what this summit is about.”

Entertainment

SanwoOlu, tell your boys to prepare more Black Marias” – Rinu Oduala, an #EndSARS protest promoter

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Rinu Oduala, an #EndSARS protest promoter, has vowed not to stop demanding justice for the victims of police brutality and casualties of the #LekkiMassacre. 

More protesters arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday were taken away from the scene in a Lekki Concession Company Black Maria, as armed policemen continue to crack down on peaceful protesters at the toll plaza.

The van, conveying about 13 protesters, was driven off to an unknown location. In reaction to the arrests, Oduala made this known on her verified Twitter account on Saturday while reacting to the campdown on #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

SanwoOlu, tell your boys to prepare more Black Marias, because we won’t stop demanding for justice!” – Rinu, one of the prominent youths in the fight against police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the country tweeted.

The #OccupyLekkitollgate protest and a counter-protest, #DefendLagos, were scheduled to hold at the same time at Lekki toll gate by 7 a.m. on Saturday.

The protest and counter-protest are fall outs of the ruling to reopen the Lekki tollgate by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry despite an ongoing investigation into the shooting of peaceful protesters by Nigerian soldiers on October 20, 2020 and other alleged human rights abuses by the police.

Reactions continue to trail the arrests of Nigerian comedian and activist, Debo Adebayo known as MC Macaroni who was arrested as he was on IG live at the premises of Lekki Toll Gate from other celebrities in the country.

Rinu Oduala Friday stepped down from the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution set up to investigate cases of police brutality in the state.

She announced the decision in a series of tweets on Friday.

“I will be stepping down from the Lagos Judicial Panel as it is now obvious that the government is only out to use us for performative actions,” she said.

Rinu and Majekodunmi Temitope had been sworn into the panel on October 27, 2020, to represent the youths in the wake of the nationwide #EndSARS protests.

While thanking the government for the invitation and some of the successes recorded from the panel, she, however, stated that she would not be part of a cover-up.

“What I will not do is to be part of a cover-up. I am proud that I took the invitation because some of the successes the panel has recorded so far have been incredibly powerful for the people,” she said.

Lifestyle

24,000 children yet to resume school In Lagos —Sanwo-Olu

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday said over 24,000 children were yet to resume in the state after the first lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Sanwo-Olu revealed this in a briefing at the State House, Ikeja, on COVID-19.

He said, “After the first lockdown, we are still looking for about 24,000 children that have not come back to school. So, there is a challenge if you keep them out for that long.

“Their parents or guardians now turn them to other things instead of allowing them to come back and learn.

“We just don’t want to throw them (out) because they will just be roaming about the streets and become more endangered. You see incidents of child abuse and unprintable things that are being done to these children.

“We believe that schools, sometimes, happen to be the safe haven for them and we have done a roaster.

“We are monitoring. We are not saying that our position is sacrosanct and (it) can be reviewed down the line. If we monitor and realise that people are not taking responsibility, we make a recall and that is why decisions will be reviewed from time to time.”

Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu cancels LASU VC appointment process

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Lagos State Governor and Visitor to Lagos State University, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cancelled the ongoing process set up for the appointment of a substantive ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University.

The Governor further directed that a fresh process that would terminate in 45 days should commence immediately.

This was contained in a statement by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Friday titled, ‘Sanwo-Olu cancels ongoing appointment of LASU VC, orders fresh process’.

It stated that the governor’s “decision on the cancellation came after a thorough investigation and stakeholders engagement, which were necessitated by various petitions against the selection process”.

The statement added, “Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council. After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process.

“The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has also been directed to convene an emergency Senate meeting for the purpose of appointing one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, who is not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting Vice-Chancellor from Monday, January 11, 2021, when the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fagbohun expires.

“The Governor further directed that the Senate should select among its members, a pro tem chairman to superintend the meeting and conduct of the election of Acting Vice-Chancellor.”

The PUNCH reports that there had been controversy over the qualification of some candidates selected to replace Fagbohun.

Politics

COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu is responding to treatment – Akin Abayomi.

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The Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi has given an update on the current state of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who tested positive for Coronavirus few days ago. 

Abayomi in tweets shared on his official Twitter account, said the Lagos state Governor is responding well to home-based care and treatment for COVID-19.

He added that Sanwo-Olu is in high spirit and very appreciative of the prayers and well wishes he has received from the people of the state and the country in general.
His tweet read; 

“The #COVID19Lagos incident Commander and Governor of Lagos @jidesanwoolu is responding well to #COVID19 home based care and treatment.

“He is in high spirit and very appreciative of all your prayers and well wishes.”

“Thank you all”

Lifestyle

End SARS: Sanwo-Olu dragged as DJ Switch reacts to CNN investigation of Lekki shooting

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Nigerian celebrity, DJ Switch has called out the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over Lekki toll gate shooting.

This followed recent revelations by an investigation conducted by CNN.

DJ Switch who was at the Lekki Tollgate in October had live-streamed the shooting at End SARS protesters on Instagram.

But the Nigerian Army refuted reports claiming it did not use force that Tuesday night.

The Defence Headquarters labelled videos posted on social media photoshopped.

However, CNN on Tuesday released its findings showing live ammunition’s were fired and protesters were killed at Lekki Tollgate.

DJ Switch’s live session amongst other recordings of the moment showing the incident was also used by CNN in its investigation.

This recent investigation has raised eyebrows and questions from Nigerians in regards to the incident.

DJ Switch took to her Twitter page calling on Governor of Lagos state, Sanwo-Olu to reveal who gave the order to shoot protesters.

Her tweet read: “ Hello @jidesanwoolu have you seen the CNN report yet? So, who gave the order to shoot at peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on 20-10-2020 ?

“The Truth will always come to light. Thank you, CNN.”

Lifestyle

Gov Sanwo-Olu finally discloses who ordered Lekki Toll Gate shooting

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has finally said Nigerian Army ordered the shooting of End SARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate.

Recall that the Nigerian Army had earlier stated that its men were not present at the toll gate during the incident on Tuesday, October 20.

They also said that viral videos of the shooting were “photoshopped.”

But, speaking to CNN on Monday, Sanwo-Olu said footage available to him shows that the Nigerian Army ordered the shooting.

He also promised that after investigations, everyone found culpable of the act will be persecuted.

Sanwo-Olu said, “From the footage that we could see, it seems to be that men in military uniform, which should be Nigerians Army ordered the shooting.

”They will be available for the judicial panel to review. They will certainly be held accountable, we will do everything possible to make sure they are held accountable.

”When the report is out we will channel it to all the relevant authorities in the state to ensure that everyone found culpable is accountable for the act.”

Politics

Lawyer writes Sanwo-Olu, requests CCTV footage of Lekki shootings

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Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has written a letter to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, demanding the CCTV footage of the shootings at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020.

In the letter, titled, ‘Urgent Request Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011’, the lawyer promised to undertake and pay the cost of certification and any applicable administrative fees.

It read in part, “I am a Nigerian citizen, resident of Lagos State, human rights activist, private legal practitioner and lawful participant in the #EndSARS movement cum peaceful protest.

“As an interested party and pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, I hereby respectfully apply for the authenticated copies of the Closed Circuit Television records showing the attack on the #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on October 20, 2020.”

Effiong also requested for certified copies of the instrument setting up the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution for victims of SARS related abuses and Lekki toll gate incident with its terms of reference.

Lifestyle

Nigeria @60: Sanwo-Olu hosts 60 school children

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- Olu, called off the ceremonial Independence Day parades yesterday and opted for a low-key commemoration of the nation’s 60th Independence anniversary. The governor, however, created a simple but memorable commemorative event for selected school children to give them the understanding of the significance of the anniversary. Sanwo-Olu, who was joined by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, hosted 60 primary school pupils drawn from various localities across Lagos for a noholds- barred conversation about the Independence Day.

The event was held at the State House in Marina – a short distance from the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), where the instrument of independence was handed over to Nigeria’s founding fathers on 1st October, 1960. The event tagged: “Nigeria’s Future Diamonds”, was organised with an objective to inspire patriotism among children and to give them orientation on civic duties required towards building the nation of their dreams.

The pupils listened with rapt attention, as Sanwo-Olu delved into the history, taking them on an elaborate lecture on the nation’s pre-independence struggles and the roles played by each of the Nigeria’s founding fathers who fought for country’s freedom from colonialists.

The governor told them that each stanza of the national anthem was a reminder to every citizen to sustain the vision of a united and prosperous Nigeria, stressing that the collective labour of the nation’s past heroes would be in vain if future leaders failed to uphold the values. He said: “Today makes it 60 years when our country, Nigeria, became independent from colonial rule.

The freedom we are enjoying today did not come by accident; it was made possible by the collective efforts and labour of the likes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello of blessed memory, and Chief Anthony Enahoro, among many others. They were the ones who negotiated with the British and liberated us from colonial rule in 1960.

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