Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Metro

  • Sanwo-Olu inspects work on Third Mainland Bridge, urges motorists be patient

    Sanwo-Olu inspects work on Third Mainland Bridge, urges motorists be patient

    •600 Mass Transit Buses Coming In August – Gov

    •Pen Cinema Bridge Gets October Completion Date

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appeared has appealed to motorists plying the partially shut Third Mainland Bridge to be patient and cooperate with traffic management personnel deployed on the routes, while meandering through the carriageways, as the Federal Government repairs the failed segments of the bridge.

    The Governor made the appeal to commuters on Saturday, while on an inspection of the bridge and alternative routes rehabilitated by the State Government.

    The Governor also toured various highways where junctions and roundabouts have been redesigned to diffuse traffic, including Allen Junction, Maryland Junction, and Lekki’s first and second roundabouts, among others.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said the bridge’s repair was long overdue and could no longer be postponed as it would portend danger to the residents.

    Urging commuters to explore the option of waterways as faster alternative, the Governor said the State Government has strengthened the capacity of the ferry services and currently building six additional jetties across the State.

    “I am here to supervise the repair activities and to monitor the effect of the closure of the bridge on the vehicular movement, with the aim to enable us focus on where improvement could be made. However, what we need to communicate to the road users is patience.

    “Our traffic management officers are on ground to make their journey hitch-free.

    “The contractor handling the repair work will be fully on site by Monday. In the next three months, repair work would have been completed on the first lane, while they will move to the other lane.

    “While we urge road users for patience, we also advise them to look at the option of waterways transportation in commuting to and from the Island. We have just opened the Ilaje jetty for public use and we are delivering additional six jetties across the State to ease movement”, the Governor said.

    During his inspection of the newly designed Allen Junction on Obafemi Awolowo Way, the Governor said he was satisfied with the project, expressing optimism that the new layout would relieve the highway of gridlock.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu however disclosed that the State Government, by August, would roll out 600 buses to ply various routes, including Ikorodu, Abule Egba-Oshodi, and Ikeja.

    “We are rolling out 600 buses in high and medium capacity.

    “The buses will be deployed next month and they will be seen across busy roads. The medium capacity buses will be plying Obafemi Awolowo Way. Oshodi inward Abule Egba will be priority. We will also be increasing bus capacity from Ikorodu to Tafawa Balewa Square,” he said.

    The Governor used the opportunity to explain the slow pace of work on some ongoing capital projects, including the Pen Cinema Bridge in Agege, which, he said, was disrupted by Coronavirus pandemic.
    The Pen Cinema Bridge, he said, would now be delivered in October.

    The Governor was accompanied on the long-hour tour by some cabinet members, including the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, his Transportation counterpart, Dr. Fredric Oladehinde, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye and Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Toyin Fayinka.

    Sanwo-Olu also inspected drainage at Eric Moore Road, Eko Bridge and Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Obaseki begins campaign, promises to make Edo Nigeria’s Economic Hub

    Obaseki begins campaign, promises to make Edo Nigeria’s Economic Hub

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has promised to make the state the business and economic hub of the country, if he is re-elected as governor in the September 19 polls.

    He gave this assurance at the launch of his re-election campaign as well as that of his deputy, Philip Shaibu at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital on Saturday.

    The governor said it was part of his plan to Make Edo Greater Again, which he said is the theme of his campaign.

    “The last time, I said let us go further and we have reached where we are today.

    “In a post COVID world, a world that is now defined by social distancing by COVID, where everybody has to now maintain their place, we are saying that we will, by working with you, make Edo greater again,” he said.

    “Our message is one of hope and one for the future. The MEGA theme which we have adopted will focus on how to improve governance”.

    “We are going to be introducing a lot of technology. We are going to make sure that programmes we are starting particularly with agriculture, youth employment, we are going to insist that we are going to continue in that path.

    “Edo will be the business and economic hub of the country.

    “We will be because we believe that God has given us everything to become one of the greatest states in this country,” Obaseki said.

    Also top on the list of the governor is the restoration of electricity in the state.

    According to him, a new plan is underway to revive the power project which had failed earlier.

    Also top on the list of the governor is the restoration of electricity in the state.

    According to him, a new plan is underway to revive the power project which had failed earlier.

    Obaseki is campaigning for a second term in office on the platform of a new party, the Peoples Democratic Party following his defection from the All Progressives Congress, with which he won his first term.

    According to the party, his re-election bid is on the strength of the work he has done in the last three years.

    The governor thanked the PDP for accepting him into the party.

    “When I was thrown out in the rain, and the political storm you gave me the umbrella to shield me, they gave us that umbrella to shield us,” he said.

    “To these gallant, trustworthy, members of our National Working Committee, on behalf of the Edo people, I say thank you.

    “Now that we have been given the official mandate, we will see what we will do.

    “Four years ago, we made a promise to you that we are going to transform Edo State that Edo is the heartbeat of Nigeria and the transformation of the state will lead to the transformation of Nigeria and by the grace of God, that is beginning to happen and it will happen in this election.

    To these gallant, trustworthy, members of our National Working Committee, on behalf of the Edo people, I say thank you.

    “Now that we have been given the official mandate, we will see what we will do.

    “Four years ago, we made a promise to you that we are going to transform Edo State that Edo is the heartbeat of Nigeria and the transformation of the state will lead to the transformation of Nigeria and by the grace of God, that is beginning to happen and it will happen in this election.

     

     

  • Managing COVID-19 Patients: Cost from N100k to N1m daily – Lagos reaffirms 

    Managing COVID-19 Patients: Cost from N100k to N1m daily – Lagos reaffirms 

    The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Friday clarified various costs in managing different cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, re-admitting that the state government is spending between N100,000 and N1 million to manage infected people in isolation centres on daily basis.

    In an attempt to offer “clarification and correction” to areas that the Sanwo-Olu administration described as “insufficiently appreciated and incorrectly portrayed by some members of the press, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, explained that between N500,000 and N1,000,000 is being expended daily on not more than 200 out of 2,490 patients on admission at the intensive care units.

    In reference to a press conference addressed by Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, on July 23, Omotoso said it costs the state government approximately N100,000 per day for a non-complicated COVID-19 admission.

    “The Honourable Commissioner (for Health) gave an indication of the considerations factored into the costing of intensive care, including ventilation, dialysis, intravenous antibiotics, oxygen and other high and intensive care requirements, depending on the complications of the case.

    “He went on to estimate the cost of intensive care, which usually requires a longer period of admission, and may range between N500,000 to N1,000,000 per day.

    “Unfortunately, certain sections of the press chose to latch on to the figure of N1,000,000 and disregarded the painstaking context that had been provided by Prof. Abayomi. That figure was the upper end of a band and, just as importantly, it applied to no more than 200 out of 2,490 admissions, majority of whom recovered. That means the balance of 2,290 non complicated admissions each cost around N100,000 per day,” Omotoso readmitted.

    On the the perceived inefficiencies in testing and reporting protocols, Omotoso explained that the number of tests being conducted presently when compared to what the Sanwo-Olu administration did in the early stages of the pandemic has shown incredibly significant growth.

    “Alongside that has come certain challenges. We are not where we want to be, but it would be unfair not to acknowledge the tremendous progress that has been made by the state. With rapid growth has come glitches, which we recognise and are striving to overcome.

    “Refining and improving on our testing protocols is a process rather than an event and we recognise the challenges and are actively engaged in addressing them,” the commissioner noted.

    Read the full text of the statement below:

    “On Thursday July 23, 2020, Lagos State Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi, addressed a press conference at which he spoke on several facets of the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the conference, he took questions.

    “It has become evident from the subsequent reporting of the Honourable Commissioner’s comments and answers that there are misunderstandings that require clarification and correction. This Press Release is intended to do so.

    “The areas that were insufficiently appreciated and incorrectly portrayed by some members of the press are:
    • the perceived inefficiencies in testing and reporting protocols: and
    • the cost of caring for patients in our isolation centres.

    “Testing protocols – The number of tests being conducted presently when compared to what we did in the early stages of the pandemic has shown incredibly significant growth.

    “Alongside that has come certain challenges. We are not where we want to be, but it would be unfair not to acknowledge the tremendous progress that has been made by the State. With rapid growth has come glitches, which we recognise and are striving to overcome.

    “Refining and improving on our testing protocols is a process rather than an event and we recognise the challenges and are actively engaged in addressing them.

    “Cost of Care –The Honourable Commissioner, in the interest of transparency, offered a window onto the economics of COVID-19 care and, regrettably, some Reporters misunderstood his comments. While we commend the role of the press in probing into the application of public funds, we look up to them to be balanced and accurate their reporting.

    “It is clear that N1,000,000 sounds more sensational than N100,000, but we must not allow sincerity to be sacrificed on the altar of sensationalism. What the Honourable Commissioner sought to communicate was the range of symptom manifestations of the Corona virus – from mild and moderate to severe and critical. He explained that the cost of treating these manifestations vary, considerably. In summary, he said this about the cost of COVID-19 care:
    Every case is different and it is very difficult to calculate exactly how much managing a COVID-19 patient would cost, but what is clear to us is that when you add up the expenses of maintaining the facility, infrastructure, human resources, feeding and consumables, it costs the government approximately 100,000 naira per day for a non-complicated COVID-19 admission.
    Of the 13,835 positive cases identified in Lagos thus far, about 18% equivalent to 2,490 have been admitted into the State’s isolation centres. Of all these patients admitted – about 7% were severe and 1% was critical; that is 8% of total admissions.

    “The Honourable Commissioner gave an indication of the considerations factored into the costing of intensive care, including ventilation, dialysis, intravenous antibiotics, oxygen and other high and intensive care requirements, depending on the complications of the case. He went on to estimate the cost of intensive care, which usually requires a longer period of admission, and may range between N500,000 to N1,000,000 per day.

    “Unfortunately, certain sections of the press chose to latch on to the figure of N1,000,000 and disregarded the painstaking context that had been provided by Prof. Abayomi. That figure was the upper end of a band and, just as importantly, it applied to no more than 200 out of 2,490 admissions, majority of whom recovered. That means the balance of 2,290 non complicated admissions each cost around N100,000 per day.

    “The Lagos State’s COVID-19 response cannot succeed without the active support and co-operation of the press and we continue to seek that support in the war against this Corona virus. We do not ask them to hide anything, but we do ask them to err on the side of full, fair and factual reporting.

    “Together we shall defeat this virus!

    By Idowu Sowunmi

  • Popular radio presenter, Emmanuella Adepoju, ‘Iya Jogbo’ is dead

    Popular radio presenter, Emmanuella Adepoju, ‘Iya Jogbo’ is dead

    The management of TVC Communications, owners of TVC, TVC News and Max FM Lagos and Abuja Friday announced the passing of radio presenter, Emmanuella Pobeni Adepoju, popularly known as Iya Jogbo, who died as a result of brief illness from Bronchitis and an enlarged heart.

    Announcing the unfortunate incident on behalf of the staff and management of TVC and Max FM, the Chief Executive Officer of TVC Communications, Andrew Hanlon, said the sad news of Emmanuella’s passing has sent a shock wave of grief and sorrow throughout the TVC and Max FM family.

    “Whilst we struggle to come to terms with her untimely passing, our hearts and minds are focussed solely on her beloved children and her immediate and extended family and friends.

    “Emmanuella’s presence will be with us forever as she leaves a legacy of enormous talent and spirit from the almost 10 years she spent with the company as a key member of the much loved Wetin Dey radio show on Max FM.

    “She will be deeply missed by us all and by her many thousands of fans who tuned in to hear her unique broadcasts every day,” Hanlon said.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Police Arrest All Four Persons Implicated for Dehumanising a Female Citizen

    Police Arrest All Four Persons Implicated for Dehumanising a Female Citizen

    Nigeria Police Force Friday said it has arrested the remaining two persons involved in the dehumanising treatment of a female citizen in a viral video making the rounds since Wednesday (July 22), bringing the total number of persons now in police custody to four.

    “The two additional persons arrested are CPL Aiyedun Akeem and one Ope Owoeye – the civilian accomplice popularly known as ‘Wyclef.’

    “Recall that ASP Tijani Olatunji and Inspr Gboyega were earlier arrested for their involvement in the case.

    Read ALSO… Viral Video: Police detains 3 officers, a civilian for ‘Dehumanising’ woman

    “Investigation is still ongoing after which the Force internal disciplinary procedures will commence for the officers,” said a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba.

    Meanwhile, Mba explained that Police Detectives from the State CID, Panti, Yaba in Lagos have established contact with the victim with assurances that justice would not only be done but would be seen to have been manifestly done.

    READ ALSO.. Again, Dogara returns to APC, meets Buhari in Abuja

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • 3rd Mainland Bridge: 900 FRSC, LASTMA personnel deployed to manage traffic

    3rd Mainland Bridge: 900 FRSC, LASTMA personnel deployed to manage traffic

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has spoken ahead of today’s partial closure of Third Mainland Bridge for the next six months.

    This was coming as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said 250 operatives would be deployed to work with 650 personnel of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to maintain traffic on Third Mainland Bridge and alternative routes.

    The governor appealed to residents of the state to exercise patience and bear the discomfort that would be experienced from the six-month partial closure, explaining that the partial closure of the 11.8km bridge – the busiest in the state – was inevitable, following physical deterioration observed on the structure after an integrity test conducted by the Federal Government.

    The closure of the bridge, Sanwo-Olu said, would bring about pain, but noted that the development was necessary to prevent disaster that may result from the total collapse of the infrastructure.

    He promised that LASTMA officials would constantly be on the road with their federal counterparts to ensure seamless movement of vehicles during the period.

    Sanwo-Olu stated this on Thursday while receiving the new FRSC Sector Commander in Lagos, Olusegun Ogungbemide, during a courtesy visit at the State House in Marina.

    Ogungbemide was accompanied on the visit by Lagos State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Adeyinka Ayinla.

    Sanwo-Olu said his administration has carried out improvement work on alternative routes mapped out for diversions, while observing that 25 per cent of vehicular movements on the Third Mainland Bridge would be disrupted during the closure.

    According to him, “The partial closure of Third Mainland Bridge is not something that everybody should worry about, because this is an exercise that had been done before.

    “For emphasis, the traffic disruption is only about 25 per cent of the regular traffic on the bridge. The 75 per cent of vehicles that normally ply the route will still have access to move on the bridge during the period of repair.

    “We have furnished and improved the design of the alternative routes, and we are still working on other arterial routes so that our people can have seamless journey times to and from their places of work.

    “So, there is nothing commuters should worry about in this period. We will ensure the repair work on Third Mainland Bridge does not overburden them. We will be deploying over 650 LASTMA officers on the road to control the traffic.”

    In the period of closure, the governor said a lane of the bridge would be opened to traffic for vehicles driving inward Lagos Island in the morning, while other lane would be shut. The reverse would be done for vehicle driving inward Mainland in the afternoon, while other would be closed.

    To further assuage the discomfort that may be experienced by commuters and ease the roads of gridlock, Sanwo-Olu said his administration has strengthened the state-owned Lagos Ferry Service (LAGFERRY) by doubling its capacity for mass movement, thereby giving the residents an alternative through water transportation.

    “We are also urging the commuters to explore the option of waterways in their journey. The jetty built in Ilaje area of Bariga has been activated and we are deploying more speed boats to raise the capacity of our ferry service. This is to ensure that many people are not on road at the same time,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The governor said his administration remained committed to improving transportation in the state, noting that delivering efficiently run intermodal transportation system was an important component of his Government’s deliverables.

    In his remarks, Ogungbemide said FRSC plays prominent roles in the smooth running of Lagos security architecture, pleading with the governor to integrate the agency into the state’s Security Council.

    The FRSC boss assured Lagos residents of his readiness to introduce activities that would give road users pleasant experience, adding that 250 FRSC operatives would be deployed to work with LASTMA to maintain traffic on Third Mainland Bridge and alternative routes.

    The complete repair work on the bridge is expected to take two years, out of which the carriageway would be closed to vehicles for six months.

    Meanwhile, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has released alternative waterways routes for the commuting public due to the planned partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge from today.

    LASWA, in a statement by its General Manager, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, noted that the agency has mapped out alternative routes through the waterways across Lagos metropolis.

    He listed the waterways routes that would be available at peak periods (6:30-9am and 4:30-6pm) to include Ikorodu Terminal – Ebute-Ero, Addax Jetty (Sandfill), Five Cowries Terminal (Falomo); Ilaje Terminal – Ebute Ero – Five Cowries6 Terminal (Falomo), Addax Jetty (Sandfill) and Ilaje Terminal – Badore, Oke Ira Nla.

    Others, according to him, are: Badore (Ajah) – Ijede (Ikorodu); CMS Marina – Apapa (Flour Mills, Liverpool); Ajah (Badore, Oke Ira Nla) – Addax Jetty (Sandfill) and Five Cowries Terminal (Falomo) among others.

    While imploring Lagosians to take advantage of the opportunity provided by LASWA with the creation of alternative routes for commuters, he assured all passengers of their safety, noting that the modern passengers boats are built and equipped with new technology and monitored in real-time to ensure passenger safety at all times.

    By Idowu Sowunmi

  • COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu explains N1m daily per patient

    COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu explains N1m daily per patient

    The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Thursday explained how it’s spending between N100,000 and N1 million daily on each of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in the state.

    Sanwo-Olu, speaking through his Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, at a media briefing, disclosed that for mild and moderate cases, Lagos State Government spends averagely about N100,000 daily.

    He added that it costs the Sanwo-Olu administration between N500,000 and N1 million to manage a patient with a serious case.

    While the commissioner explained that it would be extremely difficult to calculate the exact amount expends on each COVID-19 patient by the Sanwo-Olu administration to manage the deadly virus, he noted that what he provided was a rough estimate.

    He said the estimated cost factored in treatment, cost of feeding, accommodation and the services provided by the healthcare givers, among others.

    Meanwhile, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has disclosed that it would disburse N100 million each to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to boost their response against COVID-19.

    This was disclosed on Thursday by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, during the briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

    The minister explained that the funds would be made available to the states through the Regional Diseases Surveillance Enhancement (REDISSE) Project, saying REDISSE Project was initiated by the World Bank to cover all countries in the ECOWAS sub-region as a consequence of the 2014‒2015 West Africa Ebola crisis.

    Lagos State Government also revealed that about 2,036 COVID-19 patients have not been picked from the community in the last two weeks, due to preference for home treatment, logistic issues, wrong information provided in their forms and inability to reach such patients because their phones were switched off.

    The Sanwo-Olu administration has also reiterated that the use of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits for COVID-19 testing in Lagos remains illegal until the state could validate that the kits actually work.

    Abayomi explained that RDT kits have a very high risk of giving false positive or negative results which could be traumatising for citizens.

    “In the event that a false-positive result is given, a potentially negative person will be subjected to trauma, isolation and treatment like a positive patient. And in the event that a false negative is given, a potentially positive person is allowed to continue to roam freely in the community regardless of his positive status and as a result, the use of RDT kits is illegal until Lagos State can validate RDT kits that actually work,” the commissioner said.

    He explained that the Sanwo-Olu administration had considered the use of RDT kits as part of the strategies to expand its testing capacity, but noted, however, that none of RDT kits submitted for validation passed the required test.

    “In order to expand our testing capacity, we considered the use of RDT kits and to facilitate the quick validation of the RDT kits and reduce the barrier of entry for proposed manufacturers and suppliers of RDT kits, Mr. Governor paid the validation fees for the RDT kits.

    “However, upon review of several RDT kits that were submitted for validation, we can report that none of the RDT kits passed the validation exercise,” Abayomi disclosed.

    While noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not declared any RDT kit useful for public use, Abayomi added that it’s also illegal for private health facilities to test or manage COVID-19 cases without proper accreditation and validation by the regulatory authorities.

    “It has come to our attention that several laboratories and health facilities are testing and managing COVID patients without proper accreditation and validation by the regulatory authorities. Two laboratories were sealed as a result of this. We will continue to closely monitor all facilities that partake in these illegal activities and endanger the lives of all residents of Lagos State and instigate punitive measures to ensure they desist from such activities,” the commissioner said.

    Disclosing that only seven private laboratories were already accredited by the Sanwo-Olu administration, he maintained that the second phase of accreditation and validation of laboratories would be conducted when the demand arises.

    Abayomi added that Lagos State Government has also only accredited three private facilities and is currently in the process of accrediting more, including general practitioners and small clinics, that are interested in partaking in the soon to be launched community-based and home-based care programme.

    “It is important to reiterate that the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency and Lagos State Government has adopted a central planning approach to managing its response,” he noted.

    Assuring that plans are in top gear by the Sanwo-Olu administration to scale up sample collection at the 20 local government areas to include the 37 local council development areas in order to improve the efficiency of sample collection in the community, Abayomi disclosed that residents would have access to free oxygen therapy at some of the centres, if required, while arrangements would be made to transfer such a person to a COVID-19 centre.

    Abayomi hinted that Lagos State Government would in the next couple of days transition to the next phase of the COVID-19 response, which he referred to as the community-based care.

    “Under the community-based care arrangement, we provide the opportunity for mild-to-moderate cases being managed and isolated at home in situations where this is allowed.

    “However, our critical-to-severe cases will be continually managed in our COVID-19 isolation centres, where they will have the opportunity of the best treatment available,” the commissioner assured.

    Stating that a date for the commencement of home-based care would be formally announced soon, Abayomi observed that vulnerable, elderly and severe-to-critically ill patients would be managed at the isolation centres to ensure that they receive the best possible care available.

    Giving epidemiology statistics on COVID-19 cases in Lagos State, the commissioner said over 56,276 COVID-19 tests have been conducted so far, while the total number of positive cases stands at 13,543, pointing out that of the 2,476 COVID-19 patients admitted so far, 2,075 have been discharged to reunite with society after recovery.

    Abayomi added that no fewer than 9,066 confirmed COVID-19 cases monitored in the communities by the COVID-19 Lagos response teams have either recovered or are positively responding to treatments, noting that 192 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded in Lagos.

    He disclosed that Eti-Osa Local Government has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases with Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Kosofe, Ikeja and Oshodi accounting for 60 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in Lagos State.

    By Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ogun: Gov. Abiodun approves appointments to statutory boards and commissions

    Ogun: Gov. Abiodun approves appointments to statutory boards and commissions

    Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved appointments into seven state statutory agencies and commissions.

    The appointments was disclosed on Thursday in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin, who stated that the exercise “was in order to strengthen the machinery of Government and deliver on his “Building Our Future Together” Agenda”.

    According to the statement, the list is the first batch of appointees into statutory agencies, Boards and commission in the State, while other appointments will be made in due course.

    The commissions whose boards were named include those of the State Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission and Teaching Service Commission.

    The rest are those of the Housing Corporation, Health Management Board, State Agro Services and that of the State Bulk Purchase Corporations

    “Governor Abiodun enjoins the appointees to see their appointments as call to service for the development of the State and its people. He also challenged them to see their appointment as an opportunity to improve the lives and conditions of those who need it most”, the statement read.

    Somorin stated further that the appointees were drawn from major political blocks in the State in consonance with the inclusive governance philosophy of the Government which emphasises a leadership paradigm shift, to a focused and qualitative governance and to create the enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, that is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun.

    The appointees and their commissions are:

    1. Ogun State Civil Service Commission

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi         Chairman

    2          Hon. Adebowale Ojuri           Member

    3          Olusegun Fagbayi       Member

    4          Gabriel Ayinde Falola Member

    5          Miss Nike Osoba         Member

    1. Ogun State Local Government Service Commission

    S/N            Name   Position

    1          Ms Bukky Onabanjo   Chairman

    2          Hon Lukman  Olufemi Adiro Member I

    3          Koye Ijaduoye            Member II

    4          Yusuf Adegbenro       Member III

    5          Babatunde Rufai         Member IV

    1. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission

    TESCOM

    S/N      NOMINEE

    1          Evang. Lekan Ifede    Chairman

    2          Olanrewaju Majekodunmi      Member

    3          Aderibigbe Tella         Member

    4          Hon. Joseph Adeleke  Member

    5          Deola Akintonde        Member

    1. Ogun State Housing Corporation

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Chief Yemi Sanusi      Chairman

    2          Olawale Ojo    GM

    3          Abidemi Alimi            Member

    4          Adeniyi Edun Member

    5          Adebayo Aladejobi Shuaib     Member

    6          Ademola Balogun       Member

    7          Omitaomu Ekundayo  Member

    8          Olumide Soyemi         Member

    1. Ogun State Health Management Board

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Dr. Kunle Solako        Chairman

    2          Alh. Wasiu Isiaka        Member

    3          Onaolapo Isaac Olawale         Member

    4          Mr. Dele Tinuoso        Member

    5          Sunday Akintona        Member

    6          Awofeso Hazeemat Abimbola            Member

    7          Dr. Bankole Osisanya Member

    8          Salami Mojisola Ayodele        Rep Zonal

    9          Bimbola Majekodunmi           Member

    1. Ogun State Agro Services Corporation

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Chief Kehinde Adebanjo        Chairman

    2          Hon. Ajibola Ogunsiji Member

    3          Ogundalu Felix Olufemi         Member

    4          Princess Oshiyemi       Member

    5          Chief Remi Onasanya Member

    6          Sunday  Kojeku          Member

    7          Bidemi Ogunseye       Member

    1. Ogun State Bulk Purchasing

    S/N      NOMINEE

    1          Engr. Anthony Ojesina           Chairman

    2          Kehinde Olaleye         Member

    3          Dele Erisan      Member

    4          Mutiu Bankole            Member

    5          Mojisola Sangonuga    Member

    6          Bimpe Sonubi Member

    7          Jamiu Asimi    Member

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Viral Video: Police detains 3 officers, a civilian for ‘Dehumanising’ woman

    Viral Video: Police detains 3 officers, a civilian for ‘Dehumanising’ woman

    Following a viral video of harassment and dehumanization of a lady by some men on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, police authority has identified three officers and a civilian accomplice who participated in the unprofessional act.

    This was disclosed in a statement Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Frank Mba, noting that the suspects are currently being detained at the Lagos State CID detention facility, Panti, Yaba.

    “Two suspects, ASP Tijani Olatunji and Inspector Gboyega Oyeniyi have been arrested for their role in the discreditable conduct and incivility to a member of the public,” the statement read.

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    “Preliminary investigations show that the policemen who are attached to Area ‘A’ Command, Lion Building, Lagos, were on legitimate investigation activities to Ibadan, Oyo State where the incident took place.

    “Effort is being intensified to arrest the two other accomplices. Meanwhile, appropriate disciplinary procedures will be initiated as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement added.

    In the video, one could hear the officer interrogating the young lady named Towobola, following a raid at the apartment of an alleged kidnapper.

    According to the officer who spoke in Yoruba, the young lady was to answer for how she got to know the kidnapper who she claimed to have met only recently.

    After whisking the kidnap suspect away, the officers placed Towobola in handcuff and went on to harass her verbally for ‘sleeping with a criminal’.

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    The interrogation degenerated into very lewd seeming dialogues, with questions ranging from if the suspect is a virgin to how many people she had slept with.

    The video went viral after it surfaced online with many calling for the dismissal of the officers, arguing that their conducts were unprofessional.

     

     

  • Lagos intensifies economic growth, gives 2000 people grants, empowers 2743 farmers

    Lagos intensifies economic growth, gives 2000 people grants, empowers 2743 farmers

    Another set of beneficiaries have emerged under the social inclusion programme initiative of the Lagos State Government which empowers indigent members of the society for economic independence and self-sufficiency.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, stated this during the disbursement of the funds to 217 beneficiaries at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa.

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    The programme, tagged ‘Eko Cares’, is aimed at actualising the Greater Lagos project of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, through social inclusion and making Lagos a 21st Century economy.

    She explained that the programme, which is designed as a form of financial assistance to 2, 000 beneficiaries from all the Local Governments and LCDAs, will grant each beneficiary the sum of N20,000 to invest in economic activities that would guarantee a quick turnover.

    Adebowale stated that the impact of the exercise, which is being supervised by her office, is expected to stimulate micro-economic activities, promote a sense of belonging, reduce tension in the communities and enhance self-reliance.

    She added that the beneficiaries would also be exposed to business and investment opportunities requiring minimal start-up capital.

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    Adebowale noted further that many companies producing fast-moving consumer products have keyed into the programme.

    The Special Adviser, however appealed to the beneficiaries not to abuse the privilege, as successful participants will benefit more from mentoring from partners, who would closely monitor each beneficiary and give progress reports and recommendations for further empowerment funds.

    In a similar development, the Lagos State Government says about 2,743 farmers in the state will next week Tuesday receive inputs and productive assets under the State Government 2020 Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment Programme.

    The State Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed this on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in Lagos, explained that farmers, agro-processors, fishermen, butchers and marketers would all benefit from the empowerment programme as productive assets peculiar to all the agricultural value chains would be made available to them at no cost.

    According to her, the Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment Programme has been designed as a means of channeling the needed support to small-holder farmers who are actively engaged in the various Agricultural Value Chains thereby creating further wealth and job opportunities in farming communities.

    Olusanya explained that the aim of the empowerment programme was to provide the necessary inputs and assets needed by farmers to improve food production in the State in an effort targeted toward increasing the State’s self-sufficiency to 40% of food needs by 2023.

    “The overall aim of the Agric Value Chains Empowerment Programme is to provide the necessary agricultural inputs & productive assets to farmers as a means of achieving improved food production & supply as well as delivering optimum economic benefits to farmers and other operators.

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    “The Empowerment Programme would further contribute to the achievement of the vision of ‘Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy’ and also the attainment of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 of no poverty zero hunger, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequality, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land as well as partnership to achieve the goal would be met”, she said.

    By Tobiloba Kolawole