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Tag: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

  • Sanwo-Olu acquires 13 SUVs for outstanding teachers in Lagos

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has encouraged teachers to continue putting in their best as his administration will not relent in rewarding excellence while raising the prestige of the teaching profession.

    Sanwo-Olu spoke at the Y2021 Teachers Merit Awards held today at the Sports Pavillon, Lagos House, Ikeja, where he presented 13 brand new SUVs to outstanding teachers and school administrators, restating the commitment to use education as a weapon to change the world and influence the teaching profession.

    The following individuals received 13 SUVs – Adenike Ojo of Bolade Junior Grammar School; Adeola Adefemi of Oke-Odo Senior High School, Alimosho; Bolanle Alamu of Government Senior College Agege; Fausat Adegeye of Ebenezer African Church Primary School Agege; Folashade Oyedeji of Ajara Comprehensive Junior High School; Lukman Agbabiaka of State Junior Grammar School (Special) Surulere; Michael Ayoola of Ansar-Ud-deen Society Primary School; Olubukola Dosunmu of Girls Junior High School Agege; Olusegun Muftau of LASA United Primary School Ibeshe; Oluseyi Amao of Satellite Junior Secondary School; Omolayo Fadayomi of Karaole Primary School Ifako; Soji Megbowon of Jakande Estate Comprehensive Senior College; and Yahya Adesokan of Vetland Senior Grammar School.

    While speaking, the Governor maintained that one of the game-changers in the education development plan of his administration is the EKOEXCEL programme designed to support teachers to achieve better learning outcomes across all public primary schools.

    He said: “The EKOEXCEL Y2020-2021 End line Fluency and Numeracy Evaluation has further justified the huge investment and affirmed the strategic interventions and impacts”.

    “We have also instilled local and international training for our teachers, creating an enabling environment for teaching and learning”.

    Gov. Sanwo-Olu noted that the State’s Government investment in education is yielding positive results and the performance of Lagos State students in WASSCE/GCE has significantly improved from 38.79% in Y2020 to over 81% in Y2021, with a minimum of five credits including Mathematics and English.

    He also emphasised that the Comprehensive School Programme aimed at reducing the rate of dropout in schools, through skills acquisition, is a fit-for-purpose education system poised to create equal opportunities for students across the State.

    “We are equipping school students to be self-reliant, skilled and empowered before exiting secondary school,” he said.

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, remarked that teachers touch humanity and are the most critical factor in the educational system, stressing that the government has continued to keep its promises of raising the prestige.

    “This is a testament to a promise made and fulfilled. Like I always say, leadership is a gift and I thank Mr. Governor for his exceptional style of managing the affairs of the State as it showcases a passion for reward of diligence, commitment and hard work”, Adefisayo said.

    The various prize categories included Best Teachers and Best School Administrators in Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary School categories while teachers in the Special Education Needs Schools and Technical Colleges were not left out of the awards.

    The Nomination Committee Chairman, Mrs. Lai Koiki, said the committee was saddled with the responsibility of screening all 3,582 candidates who applied initially but the number was pruned to 22 semifinalists.

    Mrs. Koiki appreciated the Governor’s passion for promoting the teaching profession and disclosed that some of the teachers were emotional while relating their experiences in teaching students with great passion.

  • Lagos govt to unveil 30-year devt. plan – Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos govt to unveil 30-year devt. plan – Sanwo-Olu

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the government will soon unveil a 30-year development plan, toward accelerating sustainable economic growth.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known during the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) private sector interractive meeting with the Governor on Tuesday in Lagos.

    He said that the 30-year plan was in pursuit of physical development, social growth and economic prosperity.

    According to him, the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 will be officially unveiled at the forthcoming ninth Economic Summit of the state, popularly known as Ehingbeti.

    He said that the 30-year plan was developed with clear objectives from four strategic dimensions, aimed at positioning the state to achieve its vision.

    Sanwo-Olu said that each of the four dimensions of the development plan would be achieved through over 400 policy initiatives that would be implemented throughout the period.

    ”The Lagos State Development Plan 2052 has been developed with a set of clear objectives across four strategic dimensions, which are to position Lagos on the track to achieving its vision.

    ”The dimensions to this plan are to keep a thriving economy that will make Lagos a robust, healthy and growing economy with adequate jobs and strategic investments to sustain growth.

    ”We are building a human-centric city in which every Lagosian will have access to affordable and world-class education, healthcare and social services.

    ”There will be deliberate effort to keep modernising our infrastructure, by providing reliable and sufficient infrastructure that meet the needs of a 21st century city.

    ”The plan will also bring about sustenance of effective governance. Lagos will have a supportive and enabling environment that creates opportunities for all Lagosians.

    ”This is a huge task that must be achieved between now and the nearest possible future,” he said.

    The governor said that the plan would not be realised when the private sector – the drivers of the state’s economy – is not carried along in the implementation of the identified policy phases.

    He thanked the business community for supporting the state government in dealing with arising issues in the challenging period of COVID-19 pandemic pushback.

    According to him, more social burden could have trailed the pandemic have the private sector not considered the government’s entreaty that prevent mass retrenchment of workers.

    Sanwo-Olu the state government would continue to improve on the ease of doing business in Lagos.

    He said that in the last one year, Lagos had recorded massive influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of $750 million in the technology sector.

    The governor said that the state had attracted global tech brands such as Equinox, Google, and Microsoft, among others.

    He expressed hope that the meeting with the Organised Private Sector would lead to creation of new pathways, that would facilitate a more robust relationship with the sector.

    LCCI President, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, said that the meeting with Sanwo-Olu indicated the Chamber’s continued faith his administration for a better business environment.

    Olawale-Cole said that Lagos had continued to be the investment haven for FDIs coming to the country, as the state alone accounted for 71 per cent of the $1,573 billion foreign investment Nigeria recorded in the first quarter of 2022.

    He said that policy direction was critical for a thriving and supportive business environment in any economy, as the quality of the policy was a key consideration for local and foreign investment decisions.

    According to him, with an improved business environment, Lagos can attract more capital inflows from Nigerians in the Diaspora, as a more sustainable funding for the provision of required infrastructure.

    He said that enormity of needs in Lagos required the cooperation of both the public and private sector.

    The LCCI boss announced that Lagos would be the official chief host of the International Tech and Telecommunication (ICTEL) Expo coming up in August.

    The LCCI Deputy President, Mr Knut Ulvmoen, said that Sanwo-Olu took his most important decision to come out and meet with the investors.

    The Norwegian, who has lived in Lagos for 36 years, said that he had witnessed the city transformed before his eyes into a blossoming economy.

    ”The Lagos narrative is a story in progress. The city is now cleaner than it used to be. I implore the government to focus more on education and make it accessible to the teeming young people. This is what will sustain the city in the long term.

    ”Government leaders should demand more than donations from the international community; they must come and create jobs,” Ulvmoen said.

  • Attack on journalists: Gov Sanwo-Olu visits press centre

    Attack on journalists: Gov Sanwo-Olu visits press centre

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, on Monday, paid an unscheduled visit to members of his press crew at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, located within the state secretariat.

    The Governor’s visit was to empathise with members of the press crew who were attacked by hoodlums on Sunday in a bus conveying them to Lagos Island.

    The Governor was accompanied on the visit by his Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, and other aides.

    Sanwo-Olu urged the journalists not to be deterred by the incident, saying it was part of the hazards of their job.

    He reassured journalists, especially members of Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents (LAGOCO), that their safety and welfare were paramount to him.

    ”Your job is risky; very risky, but don’t be deterred by the hazards of the job. You must have the courage to persevere,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He said that the traducers of the government would always find way of discrediting its good intentions and policies.

    The governor ordered an investigation into the attack that left some journalists injured and the press crew bus badly damaged.

    He added that the government would pick up the hospital bills of those injured in the incident.

    The attack on the journalists occurred between Ebute-Ero and Adeniji, Iga-Idunganran area during the visit of the APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to the palace of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

  • Tinubu stops over at Osinbajo’s residence after thank-you visit to Buhari

    Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Thursday made an unscheduled stop at the residence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after paying a thank-you to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Osinbajo was in a meeting with his associates when Tinubu arrived at his residence, accompanied by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    According to the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Tinubu’s stop over at the residence of Osinbajo “was one of pleasantries and very convivial,” adding, that “the meeting lasted about 30 minutes”.

    Speaking to State House correspondents after the thank-you visit to Buhari, Tinubu pledged to sustain the President’s legacies when he wins the election and is sworn in as his successor.

    He commended the president for providing a level-playing field for the process of selecting the party’s presidential candidate.

    He recalled that the president had promised many times that he would support the democratic process and he had proven that with the party’s Presidential primary, which he won.

    “He promised the whole country and the world that he will build a legacy of transparency and consistency. Legacy of a level-playing ground for all the aspirants. He will be committed to democratic principles and values and he did so.

    “He didn’t endorse anybody, he didn’t impose anybody, he did not, at any time, attempt to tinker with the process of this election to favour one tribe or the other. He was steadfast, he was trust worthy, he was dependable, he was a leader,

    “If he had to give it to anybody, it’s not my victory that is important, it’s the process and the management of that election that gave it to President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

    Asked also of the choice of his running mate, he said “I won’t tell you that. That is my right, it’s in my pocket book”.

    The APC presidential candidate was accompanied on the visit by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Wale Tinubu.

    Tinubu emerged winner of the APC presidential primary election held at Eagle Square, Abuja, between June 7 and 8, 2022.

    He garnered 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Rotimi Amaechi, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who scored 316 and 235 votes respectively while Senate President Ahmad Lawan got 152 votes.

    President Buhari had on June 8 congratulated Tinubu, the APC Presidential Flagbearer in the 2023 elections.

    He said: “Having emerged victorious he has our full and unwavering support.

    ”Now our party must unite behind our candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections so that our government will continue to secure our communities, grow our economy and continue the fight against corruption.”

  • FLASH: Sanwo-Olu knows fate as APC guber primary commences in Lagos

    FLASH: Sanwo-Olu knows fate as APC guber primary commences in Lagos

    The governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced in Lagos State to decide if incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will get the party’s ticket to contest for a second tenure term in office in the 2023 general election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos APC governorship primary is currently held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan Stadium) with 1,198 State delegates already officially accredited.

    At 2:00 p.m., voting had commenced in the primary election, which was slated for 10 a.m., amidst tight security, and under the watch of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The voting commenced with delegates from Agege Local Government.

    In his remarks after the accreditation exercise, Alhaji Adamu Yuguda,  Chairman of the five-man committee, said that 1,198 delegates were accredited out of 1,225 ad hoc delegates being expected.

    Meanwhile, out of the three contestants for the APC governorship ticket, only the incumbent,  Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was on the ground at the time of the commencement of the special congress.

    Two other aspirants in the race,  a former Commissioner, Mr Wale Oluwo, and a former Permanent Secretary,  Abdul-Ahmed Mustapha, were yet to arrive at the time of filing this report.

    On the presence of only Gov. Sanwo-Olu out of the three contestants for the APC ticket, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the party Chairman in Lagos state, said that this showed the seriousness of the aspirant seeking the mandate of the people to rule the state.

    Ojelabi said that the three contestants were all aware of the primaries, where the flag-bearer would emerge.

    “I wouldn’t know why other aspirants are not here. This process is being driven by the party’s national secretariat,” he said.

    Ojelabi said that the orderly and peaceful atmosphere of the primaries in the state was a symbol of what APC represented.

    Earlier, the governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Lagos State had produced the Lead Visioner of Lagos4Lagos Movement, Dr Olajide Adediran (Jandor) as the guber flag bearer of the party.

  • Lagos State Govt clarifies deadline issued to ‘Okada’ riders

    Lagos State Govt clarifies deadline issued to ‘Okada’ riders

    The Lagos State Government has clarified the deadline issued to operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos State Government made the clarification in a statement released on Thursday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

    According to the statement, the seizure of okada by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas.

    The government clarified that commercial motorcycle operation was banned in the State since February 1, 2020 and that the enforcement was weakened by COVID-19.

    Omotoso stressed in the statement that what is being enforced is the ban of February 1, 2020.

    The statement reads: “The seizure of commercial motorcycles by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas.

    “The six local governments are: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Surulere.

    “The deadline does not invalidate the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which states that “no persons shall ride, drive or propel a motorcycle or tricycle on a major highway within the State, and any person in contravention of this provision commits an offence” and will be made to face the wrath of the law.

    “The government praises Lagosians who have come out to support the ban on commercial motorcycles in the six local government areas, which Governor Sanwo-Olu has described as the “first phase” of the action triggered by safety and security concerns.

    “The riders were operating on highways and bridges in flagrant disobedience of the law because, according to them, they are free to ply unauthorized routes till June 1. This is wrong. The February 1, 2020 directive has not been reversed.

    “The enforcement was weakened by COVID-19, which affected all areas of life. Now, the action is being reinforced”.

  • Sanwo-Olu bans Okada in Surulere, Apapa, four other LGs

    Sanwo-Olu bans Okada in Surulere, Apapa, four other LGs

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has banned the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada, in Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa.

     

    The governor announced that the ban is “indefinite and total”. (Reas also: Ogun riders criticize Lagos govt over Okada ban)

     

     

    The Governor gave out the directive at a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the State House in Alausa.

     

    The fresh Okada ban followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of commercial motorcycles.

     

    Sanwo-Olu said the Government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and menace created by the operations of Okada in the listed areas.

     

    He told the police to enforce the order without compromise.

     

    He said, “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six Local Government and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.

     

    “This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do. We have given the notice now and we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement begins. The enforcement will be total.”

     

    The ban is coming days after Okada riders killed a young man in the Lekki area of Lagos State over N100 balance.

     

    It was learnt that the victim, who was a sound engineer, was lynched and burnt to death after a misunderstanding ensued over the N100 balance with one of the commercial motorcyclists.

    Sanwo-Olu
    David Imoh

     

    Acording to Grace, widow of the 37-year-old sound engineer, who was killed by motorcyclists in Lagos State, David Imoh, her husband was killed while trying to settle a fight between two friends and his killers.

     

    In an interview, Grace said her husband was wrongly labelled as a ritualist and Yahoo Boy before being lynched to death.

     

    “They didn’t just beat him, they stabbed and burnt him to death,” the mother of two broke down in tears. He was burnt as if he is a robber. They have taken my world away from me because of N100. This is not good,” she added.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) two suspects have been arrested in connection with Imoh’s death

     

    The late Imoh, who was popularly called Dave Sound, had an aged mother, a five-year-old boy and another One-year and five-month-old baby.

     

    She identified the two other friends of her late husband involved in the fight as band members of D’Banj and Phyno.

     

    The widow said, “My husband went to work on May 10, I was called on May 13 by one of his friends that we lost him. He said his family should come to the Maroko police station. So my relatives and his own went there. The police told them that my husband and his friend climbed the Aboki (Hausa man)’s bike, and they had an argument over N100.

     

    “In the process, one of the Okada guys was hit and he fell down so they started beating them up. My husband was beaten and they were shouting that he is a ritualist and a Yahoo Boy. After being beaten, he was burnt to death.”

     

    Grace, however, explained that the narrative by one of Imoh’s friends made her realise that her late husband was invited to settle the dispute over the N100 balance when he was killed.

     

    She continued, “But on Twitter, a colleague of his put up a video on what happened. She said my husband was setting up in a bar. Being a sound engineer he works with Church of God Mission Garden City, Lekki during the day. He also works with Legacy 360 Band in the evening when there is a show.

     

    “My husband was not part of those who mounted the bike. Two guys (band members) took the bike and when they arrived at the venue, an argument happened between the two guys and the motorcyclist.

     

    “They gave the motorcyclist N500 and were to get a balance of N100 but the bike man said he didn’t have change. They told him to take N300 but he refused and a fight broke out.

     

    “My husband was invited to intervene in the issue. David intervened because of N100 and was killed. He came outside trying to intervene but when they saw that the motorcyclists were overpowering them, they had to run back inside the bar but the bar manager pushed them out. He denied knowing them, David tried hiding but a Hausa lady exposed him.”

     

    Grace, who is a civil servant and a Post Graduate Diploma holder, called on the Lagos State Government to ensure justice in the matter.

     

    “All because he wanted to help settle a dispute, he was killed. They have taken away my world. Please Lagos Government, Governor Sanwo-Olu, my Head of Service, Muri Okunola, and others help me, I cry for justice and for the welfare of my children. Please come to my rescue. I’m helpless,” she said.

     

    “How do I take care of these kids. I wanted to pursue my Master’s and get my COREN certification as an engineer. Those were his plans for me. My husband is the only one helping me. How will my children go to school?”

  • Lagos gov, Sanwo-Olu picks 50Million APC nomination form

    Lagos gov, Sanwo-Olu picks 50Million APC nomination form

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has picked the All Progressives Congress’ N50m Governorship Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos state Governor, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this on his verified Twitter page on Friday.

    Akosile made it known that the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, James Faleke, picked the forms on behalf of Sanwo-Olu.

    He wrote, “The train is leaving the station. No one should stand in the way of progress. Two forms were picked today at the @OfficialAPCNg secretariat. Hon James Faleke picked on behalf of Gov @jidesanwoolu while former SGF Babachir Lawal picked on behalf of @officialABAT.”

    TNG earlier reports that Tinubu support Group also picked the 100 million naira nomination and expression of interest forms for Bola Ahmed Tinubu

  • Lagos can’t support you, Sanwo-Olu tells Rotimi Amaechi

    Lagos can’t support you, Sanwo-Olu tells Rotimi Amaechi

    Despite the visitation of Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi to Lagos State to canvass for votes in his quest to become Nigeria’s president, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made it clear to him that Lagos would support Tinubu.

    Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hosted 2023 presidential hopeful, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday in Marina.

    Amaechi is on a tour of states over his bid on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform for the party’s ticket in next month’s primary election.

    According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos will support the party’s national leader, Bola Tinubu for the ticket.

    The governor said though Amaechi is qualified to lead Nigeria, the state’s endorsement is for Tinubu.

    He added that he’s been a direct beneficiary of Tinubu and now is the time to reciprocate his kind gesture.

    “I have sheer regard and respect for our leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; I have been a direct beneficiary of his leadership.

    “I have been part of his cabinet and continue to toe that line of leadership Asiwaju stands for. But because we are not God, God himself will help the course of this country.

    “You are eminently qualified, you are very experienced in this journey. But for a whole lot of us in Lagos, Asiwaju continues to be our rallying point.

    “I certainly know what your pedigree is and what you have done. I will be unfair if I don’t say that. I wish you all the very best”, Sanwo-Olu said.

    Earlier, Amaechi said considering experience, he would be a president that would protect the interest of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion.

    He also added that he knows it would be difficult to get Lagos state support considering Tinubu is a former Governor and a contributor, saying he wishes himself and Tinubu the best of luck in their quest to grab the party’s ticket.

  • Sanwo-Olu sends warning to Lagosians, says Lagos Blue Line Rail will run on electricity

    Sanwo-Olu sends warning to Lagosians, says Lagos Blue Line Rail will run on electricity

    The Lagos Blue Line Rail will run on electric power, especially the Iganmu, Mile 2 route, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said while warning Lagosians not to step on the tracks when operations have started.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Sanwo-Olu, who made this known on Sunday, stressing that a lot of advocacy and communication will be done and that warning signs will be put in place to ensure safety.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known while addressing journalists at the Marina Train Station after about three hours of inspection of ongoing works on the Blue Line rail project and stations at the National Theatre Iganmu, Orile, Suru Alaba, Mile 2 and Marina axis of the State.

    “The Blue Line, for emphasis, would be running what we call an EMU. It is going to be an electric motor vehicle. The trains are going to be running on electric. So, they need to have power on the rail tracks.

    “So, that is why we are getting to a stage where there is going to be a lot of advocacy. There has to be a lot of information, communication on to the citizens, especially where the tracks are on ground level from Orile station to Mile 2.

    “And if you have a track at ground level, that is electric… by the time these tracks start, they are electric tracks, they are going to be running on electricity and citizens or anybody whatsoever cannot walk on them.

    “This track is not like the Red Line. The Red Line is DMU but the Blue Line is EMU,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The Governor reassured residents of the State that the government was on track with its efforts to complete works on both the Blue and Red lines rail projects, which are intra-city, to strengthen the intermodal transportation system.

    He said work on the Blue Line rail project was at 90 percent completion as contractors were working seven days a week so that Lagosians would ride a train on the rail by the first quarter of 2023.

    While stressing that there is no going back on the 2023 first quarter deadline, he revealed that the Lagos State Government will acquire additional two sets of four train coaches in September.

    “I’m reassuring Lagosians that we are on track to complete works on both the Blue and Red Line projects. I am particularly happy to report that the Blue Line rail project is currently at 90% completion.

    “The first phase of the Blue Line project starts from Mile 2 and terminates at Marina. We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week.

    “The major aspect apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join outer Marina.

    “This would be done in about three months. By the time we will be back in July, the concrete construction should have been completed,” Sanwo-Olu said.