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Tag: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

  • Drainages: Lagos convenes stakeholders meeting with property owners, residents

    Drainages: Lagos convenes stakeholders meeting with property owners, residents

    Lagos State Government has convened a stakeholders meeting with property owners and residents on the corridors of Awolowo Road, Ribadu and Norman Williams drainage channel.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Adekunle Adeshina on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The government has also giving all those that have contravened the state environmental laws and whose fences fall within two metres of the channel setback on both sides till Friday to remove them.

    Speaking with the property owners and residents at Alausa, the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said that Lagos was committed to re-establishing the drainage setback.

    He said that the drainage setback had now been magnanimously fixed at two metres on both sides.

    Wahab, represented by the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, told the attendees that the ministry would send its officials to the area on Friday to ascertain the compliance level.

    “Contravention notices have been served on all affected properties.

    “All the property owners are representatives from Alhaji Kannike, Norman Williams, Awolowo Road, Raymond Njoku, Ribadu and Keffi Roads.

    “For those who have more than fences on the setback, an immediate decision will be taken after Friday.

    “This problem has persisted for long causing the flooding of the State House at Dodan Barracks because access to clean the channel had been blocked by obstructions in terms of structures,” the commissioner said.

    He reminded the property owners and residents that the natural setback for all drainage channels was three metres but the ministry decided to put a human face to its decision, which brought about the reduction to two metres.

    Wahab explained that in the overriding interest of the majority, the state government would not fold its arms and allow the infraction on the Awolowo, Ribadu and Norman Williams Roads drainage channel to continue.

    He said that the operatives of the ministry had commenced the cleaning of the channel from the upstream at Dodan Barracks but had to slow down so that the issues of encumbrances on the setback could be sorted before work resumes.

    Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr Lekan Shodeinde, urged the property owners to see the bigger picture of satisfying the majority of residents of the affected areas.

    He said that just as the drone footage of the areas played back at the meeting showed, almost all the buildings had extended beyond their original approved plan one way or the other.

    “It is in your best interest to make use of the window offered by the state government to remove the infractions yourselves, instead of waiting till the government intervenes which may make the infractions non-salvageable.

    Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen and directors in the Ministry.

  • Drug Abuse: Lagos is building biggest mental health rehabilitation home – Sanwo-Olu

    Drug Abuse: Lagos is building biggest mental health rehabilitation home – Sanwo-Olu

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said that the state government was currently building the biggest mental rehabilitation home in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known while receiving members of the Southern Governors Wives’ Forum (SGWF) on a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja.

    He said that the rehabilitation home was to comprehensively address the menace of drug abuse and provide the necessary care for victims.

    According to him, Illicit dealing in drugs and substance abuse require serious effort and commitment of all stakeholders to frontally tackle it, in the best interest of society.

    He commended the governors’ wives for their resilience and support in fighting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and also drug abuse in their states.

    ”I want to thank you all for your efforts, particularly your pet projects to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). It is something that permeates everywhere and for us in Lagos, we have faced it with all it takes.

    ”We have a law and we have also gone further to establish a full-fledged agency, so that they can respond faster and they have all it takes to run faster and not subsumed or delayed.

    ”We are giving it the importance that it deserves. The agency is doing a good job and we acknowledge that there is room for improvement,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    Still on drug abuse, he said that it was encouraging that the SGWF was focusing on it with advocacy and other initiatives to ensure that it remained in the front burner.

    ”We can see in the papers today where drugs were recovered from a big mansion. A couple of weeks ago, we saw how horrible drugs were uncovered. So, it is something we need to talk about and we should not shy away from it.

    ”It cuts across-drug issues, mental health issues are things we should speak about and deal with.

    ”For us as a government, we are building the biggest mental rehabilitation home in the country as we speak, so that we can deal with this problem with all it takes and people that require help, can be supported.

    ”Also, people that are criminally minded can be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the governor said.

    Earlier, the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said that members of the SGWF were in Lagos for their Quarterly Meeting.

    Sanwo-Olu said that the forum was a platform uniting all the Wives of the Southern State Governors and was also an avenue for sharing notes on governance and ideas that could trigger economic and social rebirth.

    Also, the President of the SGWF, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the progress made so far on the blue light rail project.

    Oyetola, who is the Wife of Osun State Governor, said Gender-Based Violence had been well addressed in Lagos State, lauding that the governor’s projects and initiatives were in line with the objectives of Governors’ Wives.

    On her part, Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors Wives’ Forum (NGWF), Erelu Bisi Fayemi, commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for putting what Governors’ Wives always preached into practice.

    Fayemi, who is the wife of Governor of Ekiti State, said that the SGWF had always preached that there could not be a success in achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals without the full participation of women.

    ”Lagos State has always set the example of what it means to have women in leadership at all levels and so we would like to thank you Mr Governor.

    ”Please, we ask that you continue to encourage other governors in the country to improve opportunities for women and girls in their states, through policies and programmes,” she said.

    However, the governors’ wives met at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, and afterward inspected the ongoing work at the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State and J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba and History, Onikan.

    Speaking on the sideline of the visit, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) ,said the agency was encouraged by the political will demonstrated by the Southern Governors’ Wives Forum.

    Vivour-Adeniyi said that most of the southern states had adopted relevant laws, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, and of course, the Child’s Rights Law.

    ”It is just to encourage other states that are yet to do so. They should ensure full implementation, so that there is no state that will be safe, or be deemed a safe haven for perpetrators,” she said.

  • Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu eulogizes Oyetola as he clocks 68

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu eulogizes Oyetola as he clocks 68

    Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state, has eulogized Osun state’s governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, on his 68th birthday.

    In a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, the governor described Oyetola as “a visionary, passionate and selfless leader.”

    Sanwo-Olu said, “On behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, I join family, friends, political associates, and the people of Osun State to congratulate my dear brother, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, on his 68th birthday.

    “Governor Oyetola is a visionary leader and gentleman, who has used his wealth of experience in the private sector as a financial expert and technocrat to manage Osun State.

    “His managerial skill and developmental strides are noticeable in different areas of endeavours in Osun State. He has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is a committed and visionary leader, who cares about the welfare, progress and development of the people of Osun State.

    “On this occasion of his 68th birthday, I wish Governor Oyetola good health and wisdom as he continues to render more service to humanity, Osun State, and Nigeria.”

  • Tuberculosis the 13th leading cause of death – Sanwo-Olu

    Tuberculosis the 13th leading cause of death – Sanwo-Olu

    Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday stated that Tuberculosis (TB) is the 13th leading cause of death, urging stakeholders to lead the fight against the total eradication of Tuberculosis.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known at a dinner with the Private Sector community on Domestic Resource Mobilisation to end TB in Nigeria.

    Newsmen reports that the event was organised by Stop TB Partnership Nigeria as part of the High-Level Mission on Domestic Resource Mobilization to end TB in Nigeria.

    The governor reemphasised that tuberculosis was the 13th leading cause of death and second after COVID-19.

    He said that it was no longer news that Nigeria was the sixth among the countries of the world with high prevalence of TB and second in Africa.

    “All of us are in denial, tuberculosis was something that was far off but the reality was that it was near,” he said.

    The governor said there were issues “we need to ask ourselves; are we going to fold our hands before our domestic staff bring it to us and it becomes fatal?, ”

    He, therefore, charged to public and Stakeholders to go out and champion the course to end tuberculosis in Nigeria.

    “As a journalist, you can write about it. Another clarion call for all of us.

    “Let us do something with a difference, let us show that we are reducing the burden,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu said that his administration would be more committed towards its eradication, but noted that drug resistance was the greatest burden.

    According to him,  patients come up with drug resistance and can’t be allowed to go back to the society but isolate them.

    He said that the state government would be converting its COVID-19 facilities into tuberculosis facilities and disclosed that his administration was trying to raise money to build a world-class infectious diseases research institute.

    The highlight of the occasion was the naming of Gov. Sanwo-Olu as Africa tuberculosis eradication champion.

  • The ultimate goal of democracy is to improve lives of the people – Sanwo-Olu

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has stated that the ultimate goal of democracy is to improve the lives of the people.

    Sanwo-Olu said this in his Democracy Day message on Sunday.

    He said that since 1999, successive governments in Lagos state had worked hard to meet the yearnings of the people, who had consistently given them their mandate.

    ”The ultimate goal of a democracy is to improve the lives of the people. As your elected government, we do not take this responsibility lightly at all.

    ”We are grateful to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for kickstarting this journey and laying the foundation for a truly modern and prosperous Lagos state.

    ”In education, healthcare, housing, transport, environment, technology, security, and many other areas, Lagos has continued to live up to its ”pacesetter” status,” he said.

    The governor said that as the present administration begun the final year of its first term in office, the focus would be on completing the many laudable programmes and projects it started.

    According to him, even as this period will overlap with campaign season, the people of Lagos state can rest assured that government will never allow politicking to get in the way of governance.

    He said that the work for a “Greater Lagos” would continue, even as the administration sought for the mandate for a new term in office.

    Sanwo-Olu thanked his cabinet members, the Lagos State Civil Service; Traditional Rulers, and the leadership of the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), for their immense dedication to the vision of a Greater Lagos.

    ”On this auspicious occasion of Democracy Day 2022, we celebrate all your efforts and commitment to the development of Lagos state, and to the strengthening of our democratic ideals.

    ”Let me also thank the leadership and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for providing a platform for the manifestation of truly progressive ideas and solutions.

    ”To all Lagosians, our entrepreneurs, students, workers, homemakers, transport and market unions, religious and civic leaders, members of the civil society, and everyone else, thank you for your support,” he said.

    He urged redidents of the state to allow Democracy Day be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build a solid future.

    “Twenty-nine years ago on this day, Nigerians trooped enthusiastically to the polls, defying stereotypes of ethnicity and religion to prove to ourselves and the world that a new Nigeria is possible.

    ”Regrettably, the powers-that-be at the time truncated that dream. But it was merely a delay, not a denial.

    ”We have since been blessed with a new opportunity to build on the hope and the potential of June 12, 1993. That responsibility is now in our hands, and posterity will not forgive us if we squander it,” he said.

  • Guber race: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu submits re-election forms

    Guber race: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu submits re-election forms

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for his re-election, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by the Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council (GAC), members of the state Executive Council, party executives, traditional rulers, APC chieftains, political associates and supporters, submitted the forms to the party officials at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    He told newsmen after submitting the forms that with support from the masses, he was confident of victory during the March 11, 2023, governorship elections.

    According to him, his administration is committed to the delivery of real dividends of democracy in all aspects of lives of the Lagos residents.

    ”We have put in place, a robust economic agenda, which we call the THEMES developmental agenda and it has propelled all the various interventions that we have had in Lagos.

    ”We know where we are as a nation, but Lagos continues to remain safe and secure. We have the highest foreign direct investments and it is because the environment is safe and secure.

    ”It is because we have provided the platform for the Organised Private Sector to thrive. Mind you, Lagos, during the pandemic period, was the epicentre for COVID-19.

    ”For about one and a half years, we were slowed down but our slowing down didn’t slow down economic development. It gave us the opportunity to redouble our efforts and ensure that people can feel us meaningfully in all areas.

    ”We did not give excuses about COVID. In fact, COVID propelled us to have better health facilities as we speak today. We have improved our health infrastructure and the number of health practitioners that we have in all of our health institutions,” he said.

    The governor said residents of the state were appreciative of his administration’s first four years and had given assurance and the confidence for the administration to push forward for the second term.

    On the 2023 presidential election, he expressed his support for rotation of the presidency to the South, in line with the position of the Southern Governors Forum, that the South should produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

    ”I think that it is what is fair, justiciable and just. It is really about Nigeria but there are aspirations everywhere and there are so many eminently qualified people, but in the spirit of equity and fairness that we have in our country, I think it is just morally fair that it goes to the South.

    ”South-West is showing serious interest in that space. So, we believe that our positions from those meetings are very valid,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    Commenting on last Friday’s meeting of APC leaders in the South-West with presidential aspirants from the geopolitical zones, held at Lagos House Marina, he said the objective, which was about protecting the interest of the zone, was achieved.

    ”We cannot cross all the ‘t’s and dot the ‘i’s just in one sitting, but it was a good start for us and we were sincere with ourselves and we hope that in future engagements, all the expectations that we have in our region will come to pass,” Sanwo-Olu said.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat for second term [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Tinubu endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat for second term [VIDEO]

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declared support and endorsed Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for second term in office.

    According to TheNewsGuru, this was the outcome of today’s Lagos APC Stakeholders meeting held at the Adeyemi Bero Hall in Alausa, Ikeja.

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    Tinubu gave the approval as he raised the hands of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat.

    He said that Sanwo-Olu and his deputy had built an unbreakable team to raise the bar of excellence in governance and service delivery in the state, with visible achievements and progress to show for their efforts.

    According to him, such visible achievements earned the duo the opportunity to return for second term, and not a blank endorsement which many politicians seek.

    Tinubu, a presidential hopeful on APC platform, said Lagos under Sanwo-Olu’s leadership had remained a state of pride for residents and other Nigerians who craved responsive governance and progress.

    ”We have a brilliant governor at the helm of affairs, who is supported by his deputy to build an unbreakable team that has raised the bar of excellence in governance in Lagos. I specially thank Dr Hamzat, who has been a very good assistant and a pillar of support to the governor.

    ”Sanwo-Olu with Hamzat has raised an impenetrable team. I commend both of you and all members of the cabinet. You have all done wonderfully well and I must say that I am very proud of you,” he said.

    The raising of Sanwo-Olu’s hand by Tinubu was preceded by a motion moved by the Vice Chairman of APC (Lagos East), Mrs Saidat Oladunjoye, for open endorsement of the governor by the party’s leadership.

    The motion was seconded by a member representing Alimosho Constituency in the House of Assembly, Mr Kehinde Joseph.

    The APC Leader, however, said that the party in Lagos would not prevent any aspirant vying for any position from testing their strength at the primaries.

    He said that all candidates that would be fielded by the party across elective positions must go through a delegate electoral system.

    ”Aspirants who are showing interest in positions from House of Assembly to governorship, go and get your forms; you are going to contest primaries. There will not be any favouritism in the primaries.

    ”We want you to contest and test your popularity. Nobody will ask you to step down for another aspirant. Let all aspirants mobilise their supporters; if you win, you win. If you lose, there will not be a refund of the nomination form,” he said.

    Tinubu charged all leaders holding the party structure at the local government level to rise above their challenges and work with the community leaders in their respective councils, to mobilise for APC victory at the general elections.

    He directed the resolution of all grievances and disagreements causing disaffection among party members ahead of the primaries, stressing that division would not bring any good to party candidates standing for election.

    Speaking during the stakeholders meeting, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Tinubu paid the N50 million fee for APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for his second term bid.

    ”Asiwaju Tinubu is a generous man and he is doing a lot for people. He paid for my APC nomination and expression of interest forms to run for the second term,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his guidance and thanked the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) Leaders for standing by his government, in spite personal attacks they suffered.

    The governor said it was time for the party members across levels to foster cohesion and work for the APC’s success in the state and at the federal level.

    Sanwo-Olu, who described Tinubu as a ”priceless symbol” of Lagos, said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the state was not robbed of the presidential ticket of APC at the national primaries of the party.

    ”It is time to come together as determined party members and show genuine love towards our National Leader, who is our priceless symbol and pride in Lagos. We are taking him national and we must ensure his house is fully united,” he said.

    The stakeholders’ meeting, convened at the instance of Tinubu, was attended by Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, party executive members, GAC members, senatorial leaders and stalwarts across all local councils in the state.

  • Workers’ Day: Sanwo-Olu counsels workers on productivity

    Workers’ Day: Sanwo-Olu counsels workers on productivity

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged Nigerian workers, including public and private workers in the state to remain productive as the world celebrates International Workers’ Day.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, urged workers to be committed to carrying out their duties.

    He commended all the workers for their patience, strength, passion and commitment to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

    According to him, workers are the lifeblood of the economy, hence, should not relent in their positive contributions to the economy.

    ”Happy Workers’ Day to all our committed and hardworking workers in the public and private sectors.

    “We appreciate your contributions; they are indeed the lifeblood of our economy because, without the contributions of the workers, no government can achieve its dream.

    ”Nigerian workers are the fabric that makes up the society as a result of their tireless contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

    ”As we join the rest of the world today, to celebrate International Workers’ Day, I implore all workers, especially those in Lagos State to remain productive and committed to duty.

    ”We must all join hands together to take Lagos to greater heights in line with our administration’s Greater Lagos agenda.

    ”As a government, we will continue to make the welfare of workers our priority and ensure that we play our role in creating a good working environment for workers in the state.

    “I congratulate all our workers on the 2022 International Workers’ Day,” Sanwo-Olu said.

  • Bamise’s murder: IPAC urge Gov. Sanwo-Olu to install security cameras in strategic places

    Bamise’s murder: IPAC urge Gov. Sanwo-Olu to install security cameras in strategic places

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State has urged Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in strategic places to improve security in the state.

    The IPAC Chairman, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, made the call in an interview with Newsmen in Thursday.

    Mobolaji spoke against the backdrop of the murder of Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a 22-year-old lady, who got missing after boarding a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle and was reportedly found dead with some body parts missing.

    Mobolaji, who frowned at the murder of the innocent young girl, said it had become imperative for the government to invest more in surveillance and security cameras in strategic locations.

    According to him, since the primary responsibility of the government is the security and the welfare of citizens, no amount should be too much to spend on issues bothering security.

    “Our heartfelt condolence goes to the family of Oluwabamise Toyosi Ayanwola, who was gruesomely murdered some days ago after boarding a BRT bus from the Chevron area.

    “We also want to advise that the state government should improve on security by adopting a more advanced digital security system.

    “The state government must prioritise installation of more CCTV/Surveillance system in more strategic places all over the state.

    “The government must invest more on qualified security personnel to reduce crime and make investigation much more easier and faster,” Mobolaji said.

    The IPAC boss prayed God to give Bamise’s family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “We believe and look forward to the state government to bring all culpable persons in the murder to book and well-deserved justice,” he added.

    He urged the government to intensify more efforts in protecting citizens from being “vulnerable to the satanic vultures of this world.”

  • Lagos Gov. Sanwo-Olu deserves re-election, says Senate president

    Lagos Gov. Sanwo-Olu deserves re-election, says Senate president

    The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has stated that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State deserved a second term, for the good work he had done in the state.
    Lawan said this in Ikeja, at the 5th Town Hall Meeting and Empowerment Programme organised by the lawmaker representing Lagos West in the Senate, Sen. Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
    He commended Sanwo-Olu for delivering the dividends of good governance to the people of Lagos state, hence, validating the state’s position as the economic and commercial nerve centre of the country.
    The Senate President said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership across the country had watched with satisfaction the giant strides made by Sanwo-Olu, stating that without any equivocation, that the governor deserved re-election.
    ”We have been watching you over the past two and half years. You have been very wonderful, you have been consistent in terms of service delivery to the people of Lagos and indeed this country, you were focused,” he said.
    According to him, the tremendous achievements the state recorded within a short period under the Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s watch needed to progress.
    ”One good term you’re doing deserves another term,” Lawan told Sanwo-Olu.
    The Senate President commended Sen. Adeola for his contributions to the robustness of the Senate and his efforts to uplift his constituents, through regular empowerment.
    Lawan called for more support for the APC, assuring that the ruling party was up to the task of defeating the opposition again.
    On his part, Gov. Sanwo-Olu lauded Adeola’s empowerment programme, noting that some of the items, such as the ambulances and hospital equipment, would go beyond party affiliations, when they become operational.
    He described Adeola’s efforts as complementing those of President Muhammadu Buhari and of the state government.
    Sanwo-Olu said that his administration was committed to further develop Lagos State in all ramifications, promising that he would continue to carry out human-friendly projects that would have positive impacts on residents and by extension, Nigeria.