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Tag: Lagos State

  • BREAKING: Lagos State releases timetable for LG election

    BREAKING: Lagos State releases timetable for LG election

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Wednesday released timetable for election in the 20 Local Governments and 35 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs.

    The election is scheduled to hold on July 24, as stated by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The Chairman of LASIEC, rtd. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, who stated this in the Notice of Election published on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the commission would meet with political parties on Friday for the release of election guidelines.

    Phillips said campaigns by political parties for the election would begin April 30 and end on July 22.

    “Pursuant to Section 21 (I) Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Notice of Election is hereby given as follows:

    “Election into the office (s) of Chairman and Councillors in the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) shall be held on Saturday, July 24,” the chairman said.

    The chairman said the Publication of the Election Guidelines by the commission will hold on April 24 while the conduct of political parties’ primary elections will hold between May 3 and June 2, which the commission shall observe.

    She said that the collection of Nomination Forms by political parties would be between May 4 and June 3, while the display of names of nominated candidates and persons nominating them would hold on June 5.

    Phillips said that names of chairmanship and councillorship candidates would be displayed at the LGs/LCDAs headquarters and ward collation centres respectively.

    She said that June 11 to June 16 would be the window for withdrawal and substitution of candidates by the political parties, while June 12 would be the period for withdrawal by candidates through their political parties.

    The chairman said that June 19 to June 25 would be extension period for nomination, where there is One Candidate (Only Candidates), while June 28 would be the closing date for the submission of nomination forms of ‘substituted’ and ‘Only Candidates’ by political parties.

    Phillips said that June 26 would be for the display of voter register for the elections at the ward collation centres, while the submission of names and addresses of party agents for the poll would be June 28 to June 30.

    According to her, the commission will validate candidates’ documents from July 1 to July 11 and on July 14 display list of validated and invalidated candidates at the commission’s headquarters in Lagos.

    The chairman said that final validation of documents for substituted and invalidated candidates would run from July 15 to July 17, while the publication of Notice of Election at the ward collation centres would be July 16.

    She said that the final publication of the list of validated candidates at the commission’s headquarters would be July 17.

    The chairman said that July 31 had been set aside for run-off/ re-run election(s) if there was any need for it.

    The tenure of the incumbents, who have been in power since 2017, will expire in July.

  • Lagos State Govt fixes July for LG poll

    Lagos State Govt fixes July for LG poll

    The Lagos State government has revealed plans to hold its local government councils poll in July.

    Retired Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Chairman of Lagos State Independence Electoral Commission (LASIEC) revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    Phillips said elections into the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillors in all the 20 local councils and 37 LCDAs in the state would hold the same day.

    Meanwhile, no particular day in July has been chosen for the LG poll but the LASIEC boss said statutory notice would be published soon.

    “The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) the body charged with the statutory responsibility of electoral management and administration is committed to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive election.

    “The Statutory Notice shall be published very soon,” the LASIEC chairman said.

    The tenure of the incumbents, who have been in power since 2017, will expire in July.

    The state Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had advised Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to set machinery in motion for the conduct of local councils election.

    The state IPAC Chairman, Mr James Adeshina spoke against the backdrop of insinuations that the state would not conduct council elections in 2021 since there was no provision for such exercise in the 2021 budget of the state.

    He said that IPAC members would not support appointment of sole administrators or caretaker committees when the tenure of the incumbents expired.

  • Nigerians must unite to survive as a nation — Lagos Dep. Gov.

    Nigerians must unite to survive as a nation — Lagos Dep. Gov.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat says Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion, must agree to come together as one in order to survive as a nation.

    Hamzat made the remark at the Annual Public Ramadan lecture of the State Council of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Sunday.

    The deputy governor noted that there must be unity of purpose as a nation for development to take place.

    He urged Muslims and non Muslims alike to live as one and shun all forms of enmity.

    According to him, there can be no development in a country if there is insecurity.

    “The biggest threat to humanity is when there is no peace of mind, therefore, l urge us all to live as one.

    “There should be no issues of Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa, this must stop.

    “For peace and development sake, we must unite as one, for united we stand and divided we fall.

    “If we are united, it will be very easy to solve insecurity as a nation,” he said.

    Earlier in his goodwill message, Chairman, Lagos State Council of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Abd’Rahman Salaudeen, urged all Muslim faithful to take wholly, opportunities of the Ramadan to get closer to Allah, seek His favours and perfect godliness toward one another.

    Salaudeen said that Ramadan period was a month of favours, blessings and exchange of pleasantries as well as good wishes.

    “By fasting, we are continually reminded of our trait and dependence upon the Divine, thus leading us to humility, reverence, piety and selflessness.

    “We develop the holy qualities of empathy and compassion, becoming more aware of our intrinsic connection and oneness as human beings, regardless of borders or labels that creates differences,” he said.

    Sheik Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, the National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, in his lecture on “Insecurity: The Impact on Socio Economic Development of the Nation”, charged the government to implement the laws on insecurity as it affected development.

    According to the missioner, there can’t be security where there is lawlessness.

    Ahmad said that impunity, lawlessness, and corruption was fighting back.

    “Insecurity is a major challenge bedeviling the country and must be tackled before it becomes a national disaster.

    “Nigeria is blessed with a lot of natural resources, human capital development but all these are taken for granted,” he said.

    Ahmad urged Nigerians to serve and praise God in truth despite the challenges being faced.

  • Lagos Govt eases restriction, gives conditions for event centres to reopen

    Lagos Govt eases restriction, gives conditions for event centres to reopen

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved further easing of restrictions on social centres across the State with immediate effect.

    The Governor gave the approval after due consultations and deliberations with relevant stakeholders and MDAs including the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Lagos State Safety Commission.

    The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and the Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, jointly conveyed the approval of the Governor at Alausa, Ikeja, recently.

    Akinbile-Yussuf stated that there are new guidelines for the facilities as approved by the Governor, noting that all Event centres operating in the State must hold a valid licence of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture prior to operating as an event centre in the State.

    She added that all the centres must be duly registered and verified on the Lagos State Safety Commission website: www.lasgsafetyreg.com prior to holding any event. This is in addition to obtaining Event Safety Clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission through the website: www.lasgsafetyreg.com for any proposed event or exhibition.

    Her words: “Safety Marshals shall be deployed by an accredited event safety consultant from Lagos State Safety Commission for every social event with attendance exceeding 200 people”.

    “Occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 50% of the maximum design capacity of the hall, wherein Occupancy Limit stickers provided by the Lagos State Safety Commission must be boldly posted at the entrance of the event hall. Maximum allowable capacity for Event Centres irrespective of the occupancy limit is 500 people”, she added.

    The Commissioner averred that deep cleaning must be carried out before and after every event, stressing that “Physical distancing shall be maintained between seated guests and a maximum number of seated guests should be six people on a table of 10 persons.

    She said, “Event duration should not exceed a maximum period of six hours and all guests and service providers at the facility must wear a nose mask or face shield before entry. During the six-hour period, seated guests may safely remove their masks at intervals but must endeavour to wear their masks when leaving their seats”.

    According to the Commissioner, all guests and service providers must endeavour to wash their hands before entering event centres or in the alternative use hand sanitisers, adding that temperature checks must be taken at all entry points into the facility.

    “Guests and service providers with temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on-ground. Hand sanitisers must be positioned at the entry points and different spots within the hall. Restrooms must not be crowded. A maximum of three people at a time depending on the number of conveniences available”, Akinbile-Yussuf emphasised.

    While advocating for frequent disinfection and wiping of all high touch areas such as doorknobs, toilet flush buttons/levers, stair railings, amongst others, especially in the rest rooms, the Commissioner averred that all event planners should ensure they have access to their guest lists and be willing to provide the list to the relevant authorities if/when required for ease of contact tracing of a COVID-19 positive guest.

    She said “All event centres must endeavour to display standard COVID-19 safety signs. The signs must be bold and installed at conspicuous locations. The music level should not exceed 70dB. Safety moments/briefings should be rendered before the start of every event and at certain intervals in between the event. Event centre owners/planners/vendors would be responsible for any breach of protocols by their staff”.

    “Relevant officers must be trained on basic first aid and emergency procedures. Any violation of this protocol shall attract fines and penalties in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020”, the Commissioner declared.

  • How Lagos residents in Oko Baba were rescued from overnight fire tragedy [PHOTOS]

    How Lagos residents in Oko Baba were rescued from overnight fire tragedy [PHOTOS]

    The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has rescued the residents of Oko Baba in Ebute Metta from dying in a fire incident on Thursday, April 1, 2021.

    The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service saved the residents of Oko Baba from an inferno that gutted the Oko Baba SawMill overnight.

    The Acting Controller, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, made this known when briefing journalists about the incident after firefighters prevented the fire from extending to adjoining shanties and residential areas.

    Adeseye disclosed that the Agency received an alert at about 0239 hours indicating that Oko Baba Saw-Mill was on fire and action was immediately taken with the deployment of three Fire Engines and crew members to combat the situation.

    She further explained that on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the Fire which erupted in the market spanning over hectares of Land was raging and had consumed various equipment used for cutting, filling & finishing woods & planks, as well as stock such as wood polish.

    The Fire Agency Boss further explained that the cause of d incident is yet unknown as speculations are rife of possible carelessness, while an investigation into the remote cause had begun in earnest

    The Fire which was combatted all through the night was finally put out at 0758hrs.

  • HAPPENING NOW: Massive fire outbreak rocks Ado, Badore area of Lagos

    HAPPENING NOW: Massive fire outbreak rocks Ado, Badore area of Lagos

    A massive fire outbreak is currently rocking the Ado, Badore area of Lagos State, with commuters advised to take alternative routes.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Ado, Badore area is located in Lagos island, close to Ajah.

    The fire outbreak started early Wednesday morning but the cause was yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

    Watch video of fire incident below:

     

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    The fire incident happened at the furniture shops located opposite Blenco Supermarket, Ajah.

    Properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt.

  • Lagos Govt orders restriction of movement for Super Eagles match against Lesotho

    Lagos Govt orders restriction of movement for Super Eagles match against Lesotho

    The Lagos State Sports Commission has issued a travel advisory for motorists in the State due to planned restriction of vehicular movement for the match between Nigeria and Lesotho, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    Executive Chairman, LSSC, Mr. Sola Aiyepeku, in a statement issued at the weekend, noted that there will be partial restrictions of vehicular movements in and around the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on Tuesday from 10 am to 10 pm.

    According to him, vehicles approaching Teslim Balogun from Ojuelegba and Alaka/Eric Moore can only use the flyover, as no car will be allowed to pass in front of the National Stadium and Teslim Balogun Stadium without a special pass.

    While noting that only vehicles with VVIP stickers or Tickets can be allowed to approach the National Stadium, he maintained that vehicles with VVIP Stickers or carrying persons with VVIP Tickets will also be permitted to access the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    “ONLY cars containing passengers with tickets can approach and enter National stadium to park. Also, pedestrians without tickets will not be allowed to come close to either of the two stadia”, he emphasised.

    The Chairman, however, appealed to Lagosians to abide by the travel advisory, regretting any inconvenience the restriction on vehicular movements may cause during the period of closure.

  • Lagos Assembly petitioned over high cost of COVID-19 test

    Lagos Assembly petitioned over high cost of COVID-19 test

    A coalition has petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly on the high cost of (COVID-19 tests in private laboratories in Lagos State.

    The call is contained in a statement issued by the Coalition Against High Cost of COVID-19 Test in Lagos (COHCTL), signed by its Co-Convener, Dotun Atilade on Friday in Ibadan.

    COHCTL is a network of NGOs and Civil Society Organisations with special interest in the survival and wellbeing of the citizens during COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 era.

    ”The exorbitant cost has led to the low percentage of tested population so far,”.

    The group called for a timely and swift intervention by the Lagos State House of Assembly to reduce the cost of COVID-19 test in Lagos State.

    ”A collaborative independent survey was conducted to appraise the response of government, citizens and the health sector after a year.

    ”The survey revealed that the high cost of COVID-19 test in private laboratories, inadequate and inaccessible free public testing centres with their inherent inefficiency, is a major militating factor.

    “It is a major militating factor against scientific and well informed response to the global pandemic in the state. Government’s response to COVID-19 has been largely cosmetic.”

    It said that a scientific and data driven response was lacking, saying without accurate and basic data, government cannot plan nor give informed response to the real impact of the deadly virus on citizens.

    “With less than two per cent of the population tested in one year, which reveals at least one in five samples tests positive, where is the comprehensive plan to combat the disease?

    “The base figures are not accurate therefore the interventions or solutions will also not be inaccurate,” it said.

  • BREAKING: Lagos Govt places restriction on Nigeria against Lesotho AFCON qualifier match

    BREAKING: Lagos Govt places restriction on Nigeria against Lesotho AFCON qualifier match

    The Lagos State Government has placed a restriction on the Nigeria African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier football match against Lesotho.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Sola Aiyepeku made this known on Friday in Lagos.

    Live watching of Super Eagles match with Crocodiles of Lesotho on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, has been restricted to only a few thousands fans, Aiyepeku said.

    “The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their counterparts from Lesotho will be played under strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has ordered.

    “What this means is that the chance of Lagos fans watching their darling Eagles live at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on Tuesday, March 30, is restricted to just a few thousands fans.

    “Authorising Nigeria as the first African Nation to have fans in the stadium at this time speaks volumes of CAF’s confidence in the country and our ability to cope with strict crowd control demands.

    “Lagos has made plans to abide by CAF’s guidelines by meeting all requirements,’’ he said in an interview with NAN.

    Aiyepeku noted that it was unusual for Eagles not to play before a full house.

    “We all have to make sacrifices to ensure all things work out well.

    “This is for our long-term good, bearing in mind the situation in which COVID-19 has put the entire globe.

    “On this note, we will strictly abide by CAF’s decisions on the need for fans control as it is a necessary decision for public safety.

    “CAF has uniquely given us permission to have a very limited crowd in the stadium for the game because of COVID-19 restrictions in the interest of public safety,” he said.

    The LSSC boss also told NAN that match tickets were not open to the general public.

    “We are working with the Nigeria Football Federation on a strict selection process for the few fans that will be in the stands.”

    He said that fans without valid tickets would be turned back at the entrance of the stadium, adding that security checks had been put in place for the encounter.

    He also said that COVID-19 protocols would be strictly observed.

    “We know most people in Lagos really want to see the Super Eagles, and we are hopeful that as we all continue to do our parts in the effort to fight this pandemic, very soon, Super Eagles will be able to play in Lagos before a full capacity crowd.

    “The state government is working hard to successfully host the match as all hands are on deck to ensure both Super Eagles and Lesotho contingents enjoy Lagos hospitality throughout their stay in the state,’’ he said.

    Aiyepeku also said that fans would not be allowed to watch the Super Eagles train at the stadium, in accordance with the CAF rules.

    “In the same vein, football fans are not allowed to watch Super Eagles training sessions ahead of the Lesotho game coming up on Tuesday.

    “Our fans can follow live telecast of the match at home,” he said.

  • 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.