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Tag: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

  • Lagos Govt to punish parents of children convicted of cultism

    Lagos Govt to punish parents of children convicted of cultism

    Lagos State Government will henceforth punish parents of children convicted of cultism, the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this while reaffirming commitment towards providing quality education and a safe learning environment for children in the State.

    The Lagos State Governor declared that education remains a veritable means towards attaining greatness.

    Sanwo-Olu, who stated this while addressing pupils and students at the Children’s Day parade organised by the State Government and held at the Police College ground in lkeja, added that his administration has completed over 1,097 school infrastructure projects with the integration of technology to enhance education in Lagos.

    The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat at the event, said the theme of this year’s celebration “Unite to Reverse the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children”, is quite apt as it underscores the importance of ensuring that the effect of the pandemic does not affect the children, stressing that all kids, irrespective of their status and prevailing global situation, should enjoy their rights to survival and development.

    He highlighted some of the major interventions by the State Government towards ensuring that learning continues despite the global pandemic, saying, “the various steps we have taken since the outbreak of the pandemic have yielded commendation and positive feedback from parents, students and stakeholders in the society”.

    “We introduced electronic teaching on television, radio and the internet as well as provision of mobile devices and mp3 players preloaded with the school curriculum for students through a partnership with various organisations and individuals, who are passionate about the welfare and development of our children”, the Governor said.

    Sanwo-Olu, therefore, encouraged the students to strive towards excellence in learning and character, emphasising the need to acquaint themselves with the use of modern technology provided by the State Government to enhance learning outcomes in public schools.

    While also commending the efforts of the teachers and advising parents/guardians to be vigilant and effectively monitor the activities of their children, the Governor revealed that a new law against cultism has been introduced by the State government to punish parents of young people convicted of cultism.

    His words: “We owe them a duty to ensure that their dreams and aspirations are realised through continuous training, guidance and mentoring. Therefore, I urge you, as parents, to inculcate the right values in them, which will enable them to shun all social vices”.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, submitted that Lagos State students have continued to distinguish themselves in national and international competitions, winning several laurels and trophies for the State in the process.

    Mrs. Adefisayo applauded the State’s free education policy from primary to secondary school level, observing that despite the various contending needs struggling for resource allocation against the large number of schools and huge population of learners, Governor Sanwo-Olu has continued to commit huge resources to the upbringing and wellbeing of the children.

    “It is not by accident that the education sector of the State got the highest budget in 2020 and 2021. It was because of the needs assessment, commitment and passion of our dear Governor towards providing a conducive environment for teaching and learning by our students across the State”, she said

    The Commissioner disclosed further that the celebration of children’s day started last week with a lineup of activities to mark the annual event, noting that the events included special prayer session during jumat service for Muslim students, thanksgiving service for Christian pupils, career talk/youth forum and cultural display, among others, to commemorate the Y2021 Children’s Day.

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu narrates his COVID-19 vaccine jab experience

    Gov Sanwo-Olu narrates his COVID-19 vaccine jab experience

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said that he felt no side effects three days after taking the COVID-19 vaccine injection.

    Sanwo-Olu said this at Lagos House, Ikeja, while responding to questions from State House Correspondents on his experience after taking the vaccine on March 12.

    The governor received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine alongside the deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.

    Also, health practitioners, frontline workers and some newsmen, among others, took the COVID-19 vaccines at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba,

    Sanwo-Olu reassured Lagos residents that the vaccine is safe, hence, they should get vaccinated to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

    ”It has been three days since I got the AstraZeneca vaccine. I can confirm to you that I felt no after effects at all. I didn’t have any headache, any malaria or any symptoms whatsoever.

    ”I have taken and Lagos has continued to vaccinate all of our frontline workers. There is nothing to worry about. We encourage others to continue to take the vaccine,” he said.

    Also, the Deputy Governor, Hamzat, said the he felt no after effects.

    ”No symptoms at all, I didn’t feel anything,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Abayomi, however, said that he felt slight pains at the side of the injection a day after taking the vaccine, but was relieved after taking pain relief medicine.

    ”I just took some Panadol, I went to sleep, I did a bit of exercise and then I went to sleep and I woke up yesterday morning and I felt fantastic,” he said.

    According to him, everybody is different, as some people won’t feel anything at all, some people will have a bit of body pain, some may even have shivering, and those are all expected side effects.

    He said that such effects were in the literature of the vaccine and had been mentioned to get people prepared, and such effects were just categorised as `Adverse Effects Following Immunisation’.

    ”There is another category called `Adverse Effects of Special Interest’ and those are very rare.

    “So, the first type of getting pain at the site of the injection, feeling body pain or headache is normal. Most people will experience something like that if you take the vaccine.

    ”But the one of Special Interest, they are serious, they cause people to collapse, they go into shock, they get severe complications and it can happen with any vaccination, it is not confined to COVID-19.

    ”They are very rare, they happen; maybe one in five million people who will take it will experience anaphylactic reaction. In other words you react to something in the vaccine, you are allergic to one of the chemical carriers.

    ”But we are ready for that. If you notice the kits that we have at the site, it contains steroids and all kinds of medications.

    “If anybody gets the vaccine and had anaphylactic reaction, the doctors at the site of vaccination are ready to deal with that,” Abayomi said.

  • Lagos State takes delivery of COVID-19 vaccines from FG

    Lagos State takes delivery of COVID-19 vaccines from FG

    Lagos State has received doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Federal Government.

    This was disclosed on Tuesday by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu while speaking at the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation held at Police College, Ikeja.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State Government received the vaccines at 4am on Tuesday, noting that the vaccines have been kept in a safe place.

    He assured Lagosians that the State government will soon commence the vaccinations in line with the scheduled guidelines laid down by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

    Governor Sanwo-Olu also implored Lagosians to continue to keep to all the COVID-19 protocols like wearing of facemasks, washing and sanitising their hands and observing social distance.

    Recall that last week, Nigeria took delivery of about four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to the country in batches over the next few months.

    The vaccines were provided by COVAX, in an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday received shots of the COVID-19 vaccines at the State House, Abuja, and since then other eminent Nigerians have also received it.

  • Jubilation as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 1.4km Agege Flyover

    Jubilation as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 1.4km Agege Flyover

    Residents, market unions, youth groups and various cultural groups on Friday took to the streets of Agege to celebrate the inauguration of the Agege Flyover.

    As early as 9:00 am various cultural groups mostly youths in different clusters danced under the flyover and in various adjoining streets.

    Various tents were erected around the Iju bound lane under the bridge intersection bearing names of various lawmakers representating the area, council leaders and market groups with the supporters colorfully dressed.

    Security was beefed up on the bridge where the governor was to perform the inauguration, however, the celebration spread there as visitors were screened in by security operatives.

    The event was attended by the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa who was escorted to the event by all the 40 lawmakers representating various constituencies.

    The Master of Ceremony taking a roll call of all the lawmakers one after the other gave them the opportunity to greet the people of Agege one after the other.

    Obasa who represents Agege constituency dressed in the same African print popularly called Ankara with other All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftains, leaders and supporters who were all in high spirits.

    The arrival of the governor brightened celebrations.

    The crowd went into a frenzy with the arrival of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu as shouts of “Jagaban!”rent the air.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye while taking her opening speech, listed recently inaugurated projects which demonstrated the administration’s commitment not to leave any division behind in its road construction and regeneration drive.

    Adeyoye announced that “by the grace of God we shall be inviting you soon to yet another commissioning of the completed Ariyo (Mile 10), Ira-MuwoIra-Muwo Bridge in Ojo Local Government Area”.

    She said the Agege flyover project would boost investment, support businesses, promote economic development and ultimately improve the socio-economic well-being of Lagos residents.

    “The Pen Cinema intersection as you all know is one of the busiest in Lagos, given its conflicts around the six major routes leading into it. namely Abule Egba, Ogba, Agege Oja, Iyana Ipaja, and Iju,” she said.

    The special adviser said that the project was embarked upon to tackle the daily gridlock in the Agege axis, with thousands of motorists spending hours with the accompanying travel inconvenience, loss of productive man-hours resulting in trauma and stress.

    “The solution to this traffic transportation problem was conceived in September 2017 in the construction of a Flyover across the Pen-Cinema intersection in addition to the spur linking Old Abeokuta Road.

    “This landmark project aside changing the skyline of the area would indeed ease traffic gridlock tremendously.

    “The project in its entirety consist of a dual carriageway 1.4km, Flyover Bridge component with 2 lanes of 3.65m width each in either direction with ramps, including the rehabilitation of five adjoining roads,” she said

    She commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s, commitment towards the delivery of strategic link roads and bridges in line with the State Strategic Transportation Master Plan (STMP) and THEMES developmental Agenda.

    Also, the Chairman, Agege Local Government Area, Mr Ganiyu Egunjobi, while delivering his message of goodwill, renamed two major roads after the National Leader of the APC and the governor of the state.

    Egunjobi said that the “benefits of having the bridge constructed are enormous” and he thanked the Sanwo-Olu administration for completing the project.

    He also thanked Tinubu for laying the foundation for progress in the state and renamed the Old Ipaja Road to now bear Bola Tinubu Road.

    He also renamed Dopemu Road as Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road while thanking residents for their patience and understanding during the period of construction of the flyover.

    The 1.4kms bridge with ramps constructed from precast/pre-stressed reinforced materials was awarded in January 2018.

    The Agege Pen Cinema flyover was conceived to transmit vehicular traffic across intersections at Agege to tackle gridlock on the axis.

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu receives notes Late Lateef Jakande left for him

    Gov Sanwo-Olu receives notes Late Lateef Jakande left for him

    Three days after the passing of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the late first Civilian Governor of Lagos State literally came back alive, as his widow and other family members shared memories of his last moments and his unfulfilled goals with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Sanwo-Olu led a delegation of top Government functionaries in the State to the Fidau (Islamic funeral prayer) held for the late Jakande at his Ilupeju residence on Sunday, during which the Governor personally conveyed his condolences to the deceased’s immediate and extended family members.

    The visit came two days after the Governor attended the burial of the late Jakande at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, where the deceased’s remains were laid to rest.

    Jakande was the first politician to be elected as Executive Governor of Lagos, governing from 1979 to 1983. He died on February 11, 2021 at 91.

    Sanwo-Olu arrived at the deceased’s residence, at 10:23am, in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and the State’s Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

    Chairman of Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rasak Ajala, joined the widow, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, and her children to receive the Governor and his entourage.

    Before the prayers commenced, Sanwo-Olu held a meeting behind closed doors with the deceased’s family members, during which a close confidant of the late Jakande, Engr. Kamal Giwa, delivered two messages left for the Governor by the deceased. One of the messages is a personal ambition, which the late Jakande wanted fulfilled before his death.

    Jakande, the Governor said, was “tremendously outstanding” throughout his public career as the first Executive Governor of Lagos and as federal minister. Sanwo-Olu said Jakande’s achievements remained the guiding light for leaders across political divides, stressing that his “sterling” leadership qualities stood him out as one of the great men Lagos had produced.

    Sanwo-Olu urged the families to take solace in the legacy left by the former Governor, which, he said, remained indelible in the minds of the people who benefitted from his policies and programmes. The Governor said the manner in which Jakande passed away showed he led a fulfilled life and had departed to be at peace with his Creator.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “We give glory to Almighty Allah for giving Baba Jakande many years to live on earth. No matter how long we stay on the earth, we will leave when our time is up. As humans, we don’t like losing good people, especially a personality like Baba Jakande, who was tremendously outstanding in his service to humanity.

    “To have lived for 91 years, Allah has been gracious to him; despite his ripe age, Baba Jakande was not terminally ill or was being carried from one hospital to another before he breathed his last. This is a testimony that he led a good life. He was at peace with humankind and now, given the way he also left us peacefully, he is at peace with his Creator.”

    Sanwo-Olu said there could be nothing more consoling for the State Government than the deceased’s enduring legacy projects dotting the State’s landscape, stressing that all Jakande laboured for had remained standing from about 40 years till date.

    The Governor described the late Jakande as “a builder”, who laid a foundation for the Lagos Project on which his successors had built. His exit, Sanwo-Olu said, is loss that could not be quantified, noting that the former Governor had been immortalised before his passing and would be duly immortalised.

    He said: “With every sense of humility, I can say Baba Jakande was a builder of our time, who laid foundation on which all of us have been building layers on. He was decent, humble and reflected what humanity stands for. His achievements in public service are a legacy that all of us in position of leadership must hold dear and reflect upon.

    “The entire citizens of Lagos appreciate the service of this great man, who has just been called to the great beyond. The experience and all values we learnt from Baba Jakande will not be lost on us. He was a great man who lived in our time. We take solace in the fact that he led a life worthy of emulation.”

    Alhaja Jakande said the Governor’s presence brought an uplifting moment to the family in their period of mourning. She prayed for the success of the Governor in office, while also urging Sanwo-Olu to protect the legacy of her husband.

    She said: “For us, there is nothing more consoling than the legacy of the late Jakande throughout his public service and private life. These achievements must be protected and built upon. This visit by our Governor and members of his entourage in this period of mourning has given us an uplifting effect. It reassures us that the Government and the people of Lagos have continued to appreciate the Jakande family for the legacy my husband left behind.”

  • BREAKING: Gov Sanwo-Olu tests positive for COVID-19

    BREAKING: Gov Sanwo-Olu tests positive for COVID-19

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been infected with the dreaded Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Professor Akin Abayomi, the State’s Commissioner for Health made this known in a statement on Saturday.

    According to the statement, Governor Sanwo-Olu is presently suffering only mild symptoms and fatigue typical of a mild case of COVID.

    Sanwo-Olu was said to have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19.

    A PCR test performed yesterday on the 11th of December confirmed that he has indeed been infected with the virus.

    The statement reads: “Mr. Governor is receiving treatment and is being closely monitored at home by the very experienced State COVID-19 clinical team from IDH Yaba.

    “Mr. Sanwo-Olu is doing well on treatment and rest and we are confident that he will recover quickly and clear the virus.

    “We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all residents and visitors should strictly adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, mask-wearing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary or large gatherings.

    “The festive season is likely to create the opportunity for the virus to spread if we are not compliant with the regulations established by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for inbound travellers and the festive season celebrations.

    “All inbound travellers must be COVID-19 negative by PCR before they board a flight to Nigeria and must self-isolate on arrival and undergo a pre-booked test on Day Seven of arrival in Nigeria.

    “Lagosians should keep celebrations to a minimum and be observant and responsible in their interactions.

    “The significant gains achieved to date in containing COVID-19 in Lagos, which has allowed us to carefully reopen the economy, must not be reversed.

    “No one is immune to this virus and it is certainly still circulating in the community.

    “Please join me in praying and wishing the Incident Commander of the Lagos State COVID-19 response, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a speedy recovery so he can return to normal duties as soon as possible.

    “I will be keeping the public informed regularly of Mr. Governor’s recovery and wellbeing”.

  • BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu goes into self-isolation as COVID-19 scare hits Lagos Govt House

    BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu goes into self-isolation as COVID-19 scare hits Lagos Govt House

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will go into self-isolation immediately, after one of his close aides tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (10th of December).

    Professor Akin Abayomi, the State’s Commissioner for Health made this known in a statement on Friday, saying the Governor and other members of his team will be tested by the Lagos State biobank today but will remain in isolation until the results of the tests are available.

    “We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all Lagosians should adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary gatherings,” the statement reads in part.

    This is not the first time Governor Sanwo-Olu would be having the COVID-19 test. He has had at least three since May when he announced that 10 of his aides had tested positive for the virus.

  • Tinubu reacts over Sanwo-Olu’s plan to strip him of pension packages

    Tinubu reacts over Sanwo-Olu’s plan to strip him of pension packages

    Former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reacted over the plan of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to repeal the State’s pension law that gives pension packages to former governors and their deputies.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Tinubu reacted to the development on Wednesday while congratulating Governor Sanwo-Olu for the presentation of the State 2021 budget christened Budget of Rekindled Hope.

    He described the Lagos State 2021 budget as audacious and enterprising and that it will empower the people of the State and begin to rebuild the State.

    Tinubu commended Sanwo-Olu for the plan to commence the repeal of the pension law giving pension packages to former governors and their deputies.

    He said it is a bold and courageous move by the Governor and that he wholeheartedly supports him. He also encouraged other Governors to do the same.

    “Congratulations to Governor Sanwo-Olu over the Y2021 budget which he appropriately christened” Budget of Rekindled Hope”.

    _This audacious and enterprising budget will empower our people and begin to rebuild Lagos State.

    “In particular, I would also like to commend the Governor for the plan to commence the repeal of the Pension Law giving pension packages to former governors and their deputies.

    “This is a bold and courageous move by Mr. Governor and I wholeheartedly support him. I encourage all APC loyalists to do the same,” Tinubu stated.

  • BREAKING: Lagos Govt lightens curfew

    BREAKING: Lagos Govt lightens curfew

    The Lagos State Government has lightened the curfew emplaced to arrest the unrest that followed the #EndSARS protest in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a briefing on Friday.

    The briefing followed an inspection carried out by the Governor on some places that were affected by the destruction during the mayhem in the aftermath of the Lekki Toll Plaza incident on Tuesday night.

    According to the State Governor, Lagosians can go on their normal businesses from 8 am to 6 pm beginning from Saturday.

    He, however, warned against staging any protests during the time.

    “People can now go out between 8 am and 6 pm in Lagos from Saturday,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He further stated that there were still pockets of insecurity in the state, adding that the curfew might be reviewed on Saturday after consultations with security agencies.

    The Governor said the government would commence cleaning the city from Saturday morning and appealed to motorists to drive with caution.

    Sanwo-Olu said that the panel of inquiry into the Lekki Toll Plaza incident would start sitting from Monday and appealed to anyone with a petition to send it to the panel.

    TNG reports Sanwo-Olu visited 27 locations that were affected by the destruction during the mayhem in the aftermath of the Lekki Toll Plaza incident.

    The locations the Governor visited included the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, Ajeromi Ifelodun LG, FRSC, VIO office Ojodu Berger, BRT park at Berger, Lekki toll gate, bus terminals, police stations, historic government buildings, City Hall, private malls, offices, banks ATM etc.

    The Governor said he was traumatized by it all and was in tears when he saw the level of destruction especially the oldest court in Nigeria at Igbosere.

    “We have not seen this level of destruction before in the State. This is not the Lagos that was handed over to me in May 2019. How did we get here? This was supposed to be a peaceful protest.

    “We need to continue to talk to ourselves. Everywhere I went today, people say they want peace, we all want peace, we cannot continue to lose our population and our monuments and infrastructure. Lagos needs to heal and the healing has started,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The Governor, who also visited some hospitals where some of the injured at Tuesday Lekki toll gate were taken care of, said most of them have been discharged while the few remaining are responding to treatment.

    Sanwo-Olu said the government would pick up the bills for the treatment of the injured.

    He also said, the terms of reference of the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution has been expanded to include investigation of all issues that happened at Lekki Toll gate on Tuesday and it will be sitting at the Lagos Court of Arbitration at Lekki from Monday, urging all who have a case to petition the panel.

  • BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu shuts down Lagos Govt.

    BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu shuts down Lagos Govt.

    Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shut down every organ of government in the State, except those that have to do with security and management of the #EndSARS protest.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Sanwo-Olu made this known on Wednesday in a statewide broadcast, in which he said no fatalities were recorded in the shooting that happened on Tuesday night at Lekki Toll Plaza.

    “In the sensitive mood, with the mood of the nation at this time, I have directed further that we have an immediate suspension of all state activities for the next three days, except those that are connected with the governance of security in the state and the management of the current issue,” the Governor stated.

    Watch video of the broadcast below:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmc8ZMFwI2/