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Rumbles In Lagos Royal Family Over Lineage THE lineage identity problem within a branch of the Esilokun royal family of Lagos Island has led to the removal of Alhaji Ayuba Animashaun to reject his headship of the family and appointment of Prince Kola Balogun as the new head of the family, the Secretary of the family, Prince Musbau Adebayo Kelani, said at a press briefing last week. According to him, a group of people, who had been referring to themselves as Otesade Igbaro family joined the monthly meeting of Esilokun royal family some time ago on the pretence that they were the missing Igbalu branch of the family. According to him, the family members welcomed them pending the authentication of their claim. He revealed that shortly after the Igbalu came, the head of the royal family died and Alhaji Animashaun was appointed to head the family for the purpose of the burial. "At the end of the burial ceremonies, investigation was conducted to ascertain the claim of the Otesade Igbaro family if truly they are the missing Igbalu branch of Esilokun," he said. He said the investigation revealed that the Otesade Igbaro family is not related to the Esilokun Royal family and, therefore, members of Esilokun royal family has disowned the Otesade Igbaro family. Alhaji Animashaun is reportedly not qualified to be the head of the royal family because he is of the lineage of Otesade Igbaro family. "Animashaun has no authority to lay claim to the leadership of Esilokun royal family anymore," Kelani said. Animasahaun, however, told The Guardian that claims that he was not a descendant of the family were concocted lies. He maintained that his membership of the Esilokun royal family dates back to when some of his accusers were toddlers.
Six policemen arrested over Lagos killing By Kunle Adeyemi Following the killing of a 40-year-old man, Mr. Semiu Murtala, in his car in Lagos on Saturday, six policemen believed to have perpetrated the act have been arrested. The trigger-happy policemen were attached to the Idimu police station and were said to be on patrol when the gory incident happened. A protest by youths in the area followed the dastardly act before the monarch of Egbeda, Chief Samson Balogun, intervened. An investigation by our correspondent on Monday showed that the police authorities in the state had ordered the divisional police officer at Idimu to fish out the culprits. By Monday morning, all the policemen in the team that allegedly killed Murtala had been identified and ordered to be detained at the station. The suspects, led by a sergeant, were said to have been transferred to the homicide department of the state Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba. The policemen were being interrogated before an orderly room trial which might be organised by the command. If found culpable, the policemen could be dismissed from the force and made to face criminal prosecution. The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the arrest of the errant policemen to our correspondent on Monday. ”The police will surely make a discrete investigation into the matter and I assure everybody that we shall allow justice to prevail in this case,” he said. Murtala was allegedly shot dead by a policeman on Idimu Road, Egbeda, at about 7am on Saturday. The deceased, in company with a friend, Gani, was said to be returning from a soccer practice at the Ebenezer Primary School, Egbeda, when he was killed. It was learnt that Murtala was driving a Nissan Xterra jeep with registration number BF 54 EPE, and was racing to beat the 7am commencement of the state monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Fashola: One Year Of Redeeming City Of Excellence WHEN Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola was elected in 2007 to oversee the affairs of Lagos State, the question was whether he had gathered enough experience, as a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Bola Tinubu, to understand the monumental challenges that Lagos offers. Out of a long list of more visible politicians who had jostled to win the endorsement of Tinubu for the exalted post, it was the relatively obscure Fashola that secured the flag of the Action Congress (AC) to contest the election. By that calculation, the camp of the AC was thrown into political confusion as the other aspirants shopped for other possible platforms to showcase themselves. At that time, the situation seemed to heighten the fears of Lagosians, as they searched among the aspirants for one who would be the most focused and competent. The question was not just about electing a governor; it was about knowing the candidate who had the best knowledge of the peculiarities of Lagos. It was about electing a governor who would not play to the gallery, and leave the stage unmanned for politicians to dictate the pace of development. Lagos urgently required to be rescued from filth, environmental degradation, lawlessness and reckless expansion. The city was growing out of proportion with the available infrastructure and manpower. Lagos urgently needed to be sanitised and the man for the job would be one, who can separate politics from development, and a man who would constantly think of the future, side by side the present. That was the setting when Fashola assumed responsibility as governor of the state. During his inauguration on May 29, 2007, the governor promised to usher in a brighter and rewarding future for the people of the state. Believing that education is the key to the development of the State, he promised to continue with the reforms which the previous government had commenced. He promised to scale up on Information Technology and computer education, with a view to preparing the younger population for strategic roles in the years ahead. Gov. Fashola promised to open up the transport sector to expand the road network and create job opportunities. There were promises to increase the stock of classrooms at public schools and public housing programmes. The government promised to deliver on the long-awaited integrated transportation system, to include light rail and water transportation. On the challenges of making the environment more habitable, the governor urged fellow Lagosians to join in the exercise, as the assignment would require the people to make sacrifices from time to time. AFTER one year in office, the government has shown that it is not intimidated by the daunting challenges it inherited. It has gone ahead to show that work is in progress at the various sectors in the state. With a background in law, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has brought a new perspective to handling some of the peculiar cases that have bugged Lagos in the past eight years. The status of Lagos, as Nigeria's former capital city and now, the commercial nerve centre of the federation confers some responsibilities which require special attention. Previously, Lagos had used every opportunity to demand recognition and compensation from the federal administration, including law suites and political statements. But since the coming of this administration, Lagos and the federal government seem to have found a new way of harmonising differences. There is less of altercation and more of engagement. President Umaru Yar'Adua seems to have a good knowledge of the situation of Lagos, and this has yielded some acknowledgment. He promptly paid council funds that were withheld by the previous administration, and has shown interest in making Lagos become a truly Mega City. While the 1999 constitution is yet to be amended, to straighten crooked areas, there is still a wide range of issues bordering on lack of equity, such as council creation, state Police, sharing formula on VAT, petrol tax etc, all of which are very crucial to Lagos On all these, Fashola contends that the federal government needs to shed weight and reduce from its domineering list of exclusive jurisdiction. He said: "We will get there. We are on our way. It is not only a constitutional review that will solve the problem. We must also use protest which is in law, to achieve constitutionalism and that's the judiciary. Any time any state feels that its power is being usurped and the federal government refuses to yield, a dispute has arisen and it cannot be a political matter anymore, because it's now in the province of the judiciary." Another area where Fashola has shown some skill is in keeping out of political quagmire. A good number of incumbent governors have fallen out with elder politicians (god fathers) who helped them to win nomination and the elections. But Fashola and Tinubu have managed to stay out of trouble with each other. It is very tempting to break out of a benefactor's shadow and more than often, younger politicians are in a hurry to step out. One year of focused administration has shown where Tinubu's stratagem tapers off and where Fashola's attention to details begins. Without paying undue attention to self, Lagosians have come to know who the strategist is, and who the technocrat is. The two are blending so well, hoping that this union will not run into shallow waters. Fashola has also managed to stay out of trouble with the people who contested with him. Apart from the case against his election, which the tribunal and the Court of Appeal decided in his favour, the political climate in Lagos appears calm enough for clear thinking. The Peoples Democratic Party, the main opposition in the state is also too busy with itself to form a strong opposition, the kind that could cause Fashola some sleepless nights. The major political assignment for the governor is the upcoming council elections. As a lawyer, it is expected that he would know his limits and not get embroiled in endless rancour that could derail his development plan. His government intends to stage elections in both new and old councils. As a learned gentleman, he ought to know, whether the time is ripe for Lagos to blaze the trail, as the first state to conduct elections in 'new councils' that have not been listed by the National Assembly. If there is no immediate incentive for the new councils to receive financial allocation from Abuja, and if the essence is to enhance grassroots development within the current resources of Lagos, it might serve some purpose to delay the argument. Lagosians understand the politics behind the argument, and they would prefer that the administration remains focused, and continues to reach the people through the new councils, using non-elected civil servants from the older councils. Call them development centres or new councils, the essential thing, is to reach the grassroots. That seems like a good way of staying out of trouble and doing great works. In just one year, the government has shown great skills, and Lagos landscape is going through some facelift. The transformation is noticeable, even to a visitor. There is the greening and beautification project that is in the process of rescuing large mass of open spaces for conservation. Some years back, it would be unthinkable, to imagine that acres that had been shopping arcade, medians and loops could actually be rescued for the environment. A good number of roads are under construction; the Isheri-Olofin-Iba -LASU road is nearing completion; the Ajah-Badore road in Eti-Osa has seen considerable transformation; 100 roads across the state have been rehabilitated. Road transportation is in the upswing, as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles are now plying major routes. A $240 facility has been secured to construct an ultra modern Light Rail Mass Transit system to link Agbado-Iddo-Marina, in a first instalment. This is envisaged to have an annual passenger capacity of 200 million people and an annual revenue potential of $200 million. A water transportation system is being developed alongside that of road. To battle the problem of refuse collection, disposal and conversion, there are aggressive plans scale up on previous efforts. The Olososun Landfill site in Ikeja is undergoing some facelift. 240 waste collection trucks and three Tana giant landfill compactors have been acquired. Eight waste transfer loading stations at Yaba, Ogombo, Ebute Elefun, Oshodi, Isasi, Ajegunle, Abule Egba and Oba Ogunji are being constructed. A water expansion scheme is in the works, to make water available to more Lagosians. This includes a 4.4 million-litre Ijora-Badia facility, which has been completed. A 150 million solar electrification scheme is in the pipeline, to cater for rural communities such as, Daddo, Kesse, Agbjetho, Ijih, Tomoro, Obada and Oriba. There are also plans for the Lagos Energy City Project, a N180 billion integrated oil and gas facility that is expected to make Lagos Africa's energy hub, to be sited in Badagry. The governor's vision for Lagos is very clear and his passion undiluted by politics. He said: "The truth is that if we do not reclaim our state, we potentially stand the risk of losing it entirely. We have difficult choices to make, and the best choice we can make is to ensure that this state doesn't decay. In that process, there will be some discomfort."
Lagos will stop child labour, Fashola pledges IT is a new dawn for children in Lagos State as Governor Raji Fashola has pledged to make life better for them, adding child labour would no longer be tolerated by his administration. Fashola, who joined the kids to mark the 2008 International Children's Day, said the state was set for a new dispensation, "where children are healthy and safe in the day and at night, and where schools are destination points that all children want to be a part". Fashola spoke after taking the salute at the march past and displays by several school pupils and students at the Police College, Ikeja. He stated that in the Lagos of his dream, children would not be child labourers to support their families. In a statement by his special Assistant on Media, Hakeem Bello, Fashola said: "We are headed for a new Lagos where children are healthy, where transportation is efficient and reliable, where children are safe on the streets in the day and at night, where the schools have become destinations that children want to be part of, and where public sports facilities exist to enable them exert their energies and hone their God-given skills, where children will not be child labourers to support their families, where love, smiles and laughter reign". He continued: "I can see that Lagos, I can feel it, I want us to get there quickly and I offer my skills, my energy, my knowledge and my absolute commitment for enduring partnership. Together we can truly go beyond the sky". The governor added that all parents should continue to assist in creating the necessary awareness on the importance of respecting the rights of the child to quality life and ensuring that everyone sees child development and welfare as a concern and responsibility. He said that children represent the greatest resource and endowment "whatever hopes we have of a better future for our state, our country, our continent, and the world in general". The governor stated that child rights and protection have become major issues and efforts should be intensified to ensure that adults who take advantage of the kids' innocence must be restrained by law. "You are all aware of global warming, of severe climate change, of the food crisis, of the various natural disasters and the challenges facing the future of mankind. And that is why you are so important to us, because you are the seedlings of today who shall certainly grow into the political, business and community leaders of tomorrow, the leaders in whom we are entrusting the future of mankind, indeed the future of mankind", Fashola told the children.
Lagos moves to sanitise traditional medicine practice LAGOS State government has taken steps to sanitise the traditional medicine practice in the state. Apart from raising a management board for the sector, the state government has directed an end to the indiscriminate placement of misleading advertisements in the mass media. The board is also mandated to check the menace of quacks in the sector. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who inaugurated the board, said it became imperative because of the traditional medicine practitioners' penchants for professing false and misleading claims, which deceive the citizens. Idris explained that inauguration of the board demonstrates the government's commitment to the provision of quality healthcare to the people. The commissioner stressed that because 60 per cent of the population still access medical care through the traditional practitioners, there was need for the government to properly regulate and integrate the practice into the healthcare system. He noted that the concept of health-for-all by 2000 was the declaration of the Alma-Ata by African leaders, which took into consideration, among other things, traditional medicine practice with the aim of promoting and protecting public health, adding that the African Union (AU) in 2001 also declared 2000 to 2010, a decade of African traditional medicine to draft strategies for the implementation of the action plan of African traditional medicine. Idris said the state government had been a pacesetter in the adherence to the Alma-Ata Declaration with the setting up of the first Traditional Medicine Board in 1980 by the defunct Lateef Jakande administration. He added that the law had been reviewed to meet modern challenges in the practice of traditional medicine. "The inauguration of members of Traditional Medicine Board is to, therefore, implement Lagos State health sector reform law as it affects the practice of traditional medicine in Lagos State. "Some of the functions of the board, among others, are to facilitate, co-ordinate and harness all efforts aimed at the development of traditional medicine; establish institutional framework and propose policies for the practice of traditional medicine in the state; and liaise with relevant regulatory authorities on traditional medicine at the federal and local council levels with respect to the implementation of the national polices and guidelines on traditional medicine," he said. Other duties of the new board, according to Idris, include the promotion of services and institutions on traditional medicine; the collection, publication, dissemination and exchange of information on traditional medicine, thus developing a state traditional medicine information system; and the maintenance of a register of persons entitled to practise traditional medicine in the state and publish yearly, a list of persons so registered.
Lagos adopts new strategy to tackle killer diseases TO effectively prevent and control non-communicable diseases in Lagos State, the government has established the Lagos State Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) surveillance system and a community-based prevention intervention scheme. It is a comprehensive strategy comprising six components, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has said. Idris made the disclosure while speaking on the state government's preparation for the third round of the free-screening exercise for diabetes and hypertension beginning from Monday to Friday, this week. He said the other components of the comprehensive strategy adopted by the government to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in Lagos include the establishment of an inter-ministerial sub-committee on non-communicable diseases prevention; enactment of the Lagos State non-communicable diseases prevention policy; development and dissemination of clinical guidelines for screening, prevention and management of diabetes, hypertension and cancer, especially breast, cervical and prostate; and awareness creation, detection and management. The commissioner, who spoke through the Special Adviser on Health, Toyin Amzat, explained that the state government decided to adopt the strategy because of the asymptotic nature of hypertension and diabetes both of which are potentially fatal in outcome. He noted that many people have the diseases, especially hypertension, without remotely knowing they have it, hence the ailments are usually referred to as the silent-killers. He added that increased incidence of sudden death, especially among young people in the productive age range of 35 years; the significant correlation between hypertension and diabetes on one hand and end stage renal diseases (renal failure), stroke, heart failure and heart attack on the other with resultant high morbidity and mortality, led to the adoption of the strategy. Others include inadequate knowledge/awareness of the symptoms, signs and effects of untreated hypertension and diabetes. Idris said highlight of the findings from the second round of the screening exercise held between February 4 and 8, 2008, was that a total of 47,407 people were screened with about 61.5 per cent being female and 38.5 per cent male. Out of the figure, five per cent was found to be diabetic and 21 per cent hypertensive; 15.7 per cent of those screened were referred for further investigation and treatment.
Sorrowful tales from Lagos pipeline fire ‘My 9-year-old daughter still missing’ Olatunji OLOLADE GEORGE Akufie is in sorrow. For the very first time, he sees life as a dark pall, the eclipse to his rising sun. “I've just lost two kids, two very bright kids, and they say that I should take heart. They tell me that, such is life. What manner of life?” said the commercial bus driver and father of four. And therein, lies his dilemma, he used to be
Akufie’s dream was foolproof until tragedy donned a vicious garb and sauntered into his life. On Thursday, May 15, precisely, 16 minutes before noon, Akufie reacted to news of a fire in Ijegun, his Lagos neighbourhood. Promptly, he rose and struggled into his clothes. Even though he was on bed rest from malaria, Akufie was desperate to save his kids. "I had six children schooling at the Ijegun Community Primary School. So I made for the school immediately. I got there within 10 minutes and I was surprised to meet an empty school. I only saw teachers of the Baptist Model High School nearby marshalling their students out orderly in rows of four. I thought same would apply to my children’s school. But when I got there, all I saw were bags and sandals carelessly strewn around. From investigation, I gathered that the pupils had been taken to the king’s palace. "There, I saw one of my sons and a neighbour’s son, Emmanuel, in critical state. I took Emmanuel to the hospital but on getting to the hospital, I was shocked to see the corpses of my two kids. My poor kids, they were still in kindergarten school,"’ Akufie mourned. Like Akufie, Oluranti Oduntan, 36, is also heart broken. Since the disaster, she has been unable to locate Boluwatife, her nine-year-old daughter and pupil of the Community Primary School. According to her, every effort to locate the kid has proved abortive. The petty trader claims to be in a quandary as the whereabouts of her daughter is uncertain. "I don’t know if she is dead or alive. I don’t know if she was one of the unrecognizable bodies," she lamented. Cecilia Oladele, 51, lost two blocks of shops and a building to the fire. A tenant’s three-month-old baby had life snuffed out of him by the raging flames."There was a three month old baby in one of my shops. The baby died in the fire," said Oladele. According to the landlady, the explosion took her by surprise. "I sustained injuries while trying to rescue my grand kids and I watched with dismay as pupils of the community schools nearby got consumed as they ran helter-skelter in the fire,’ she said. A few metres from the community school, a crowd gathers around a burnt tractor. However, the object of their fascination lay demarcated by stones beside the tractor. "This is the remains of the king’s granddaughter. She just turned nine. It’s the fire that shrivelled her," says a female bystander to an empathetic crowd. True, the carcass was the granddaughter of the late king, Onijegun of Ijegun, Oba Monsuru Amusa Idowu, Agagungbade Kusimi 1, but the bystander embellished some bit. The kid, Anike, wasn’t nine years of age, she was six months old at the time of her death. Bilkis, the kid’s mother and daughter to the late King, sold engine oil very close to the pipeline that caused the fire. The 22-year-old who lost her first daughter to an undisclosed ailment 15 days before the incident had gotten clear of the fire but when she realized that she had dropped Anike, her six-month-old baby in the chaos, she rushed back to rescue the child. That proved a rescue too fatal. By the time she spotted her baby, the fire had snowballed into a raging inferno. Bilkis got caught by the fire and in a desperate act of motherhood she crouched over her baby to shield her from the fire. The result is better imagined. While Bilkis screamed in pain, rescuers tried to prise her away from her baby. At last she let go but while she (Bilkis) was being rushed to the hospital, Anike burnt beyond recognition, was already dead. "There was nothing we could do for the baby as the fire had done more damage to her than it did, the mother. The girl was dead by the time we rushed the princess to the hospital,’ revealed Debo Akindeinde, Chairman of the Ijegun Community Development Association (ICDA). According to him, the disaster might have been averted if the local government authorities had listened to the community’s cry for help. Akindeinde disclosed that the community had alerted the local government council that there was an exposed pipeline in the neighbourhood. "We wrote the local government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, that there was an exposed pipeline in the community but they refused to do anything about it. The local government sent some of its officials to inspect the pipeline and afterwards, they invited me for a meeting which I attended. Yet, they did nothing about it," he said. The fire resulted from an explosion which occurred while a tractor grading the Ijegun – Iseri Osun – Isolo road ruptured an NNPC oil pipeline at an intersection called Five Junction, Ijedodo. At the time of the explosion, automotive gas oil otherwise known as diesel was being pumped through the pipeline. However, prior to the blast, a Hausa trader at the junction reportedly warned the tractor operator to be careful lest he ruptures the pipeline but when the mallam realised that the driver won’t heed his warning, he closed shop and fled the spot. Few minutes afterwards, Ijegun witnessed an explosion at the site. According to initial reports, the explosion claimed 39 lives, but investigations reveal that the death toll could be higher as residents claim the loss of 15 houses, 30 shops and over 15 vehicles. "We are sure that over 100 people died," disclosed Akindeinde. Corroborating him, Favour James, a pastor, maintained that the council and school authorities aren’t being transparent about the casualty figures. "The school claims that no student died or got missing and the council maintains that just 15 people died. It’s all lies. I participated in rescue efforts. Over 15 people were consumed by the fire and so many others sustained grave injuries. Over 60 people were hospitalised. Some hospitals even rejected some victims yesterday. Many of them died from serious burns. And don’t forget the school kids that died in the stampede," he said. According to Ogunyomi Abayomi, chairman of Ijegun Primary School Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA), he had to order some street urchins in the area to break down the walls of the school to provide a safe route for the pupils out of the school and from the scene of the explosion. He, however, criticized the school authorities for failing to train its staff on safety measures in time of crisis. "It is apparent that even the teachers lost it. They were supposed to be strong for the kids, but most of them hastened away to safety while kids entrusted to them died. Some of them tried their best to protect the pupils but their best wasn’t good enough. None of us could do better in the circumstances," he said. Mukadas Aina Bello, the regent of the Ijegun community, however, urged the residents to refrain from making inciting statements against the local government authorities and the NNPC. According to him, the fault rests with the local contractor who ought to have conducted an appropriate survey of the area. "If he had done that, he would have discovered that erosion had washed up the pipeline. Then he would have taken necessary precautions and this disaster and unnecessary loss of lives would have been averted,"he said.
'What We See Today In Lagos Is Like Treating The Symptoms' Mr. Jimi Agbaje was the Democratic Peoples Alliance governorship candidate in Lagos State in last year's April 14 election. A former secretary general of Afenifere, the
What do you think is responsible for the delay in the conduct of local council election in Lagos State and what is your position on government's plan to conduct elections even in the unrecognised council areas? I cannot say I have the formal position of the government on the number of local councils that it wants to conduct elections into. To the best of my knowledge, they have shied away from making a categorical statement on the number of local councils in which the election would hold. I believe that Governor (Babatunde) Fashola, as a legal person knows the position of the law on that matter. We will have the opportunity of knowing how the election would go when the government takes a position on the issue. But we hope it would be according to law, else we will find ourselves engaging in unncessary legal battles. On the issue of delay, we all know that it is unconstitutional to have unelected officials at the local council. It is not completely this government's fault because in the last administration, there was a consensus arrangement to have it this way. That is why they are playing around with it, but we cannot continue like this. We must fall back to the constitution. I want to advise that the earlier the local council elections are conducted, the better for the state. The government had admitted not being able to disburse funds to the councils because elections had not been conducted into them. It means that the people at the grassroots are suffering in many ways; they are denied some basic amenities that would have been provided by the local councils. What are the chances of the opposition parties, given what had happened in states where such elections had held? That is another problem. My attitude to it is let's continue; something will break. It may be now and it may be later. But if we don't run the process, nothing is going to break. Some day the people who are choosing the officials will say 'no,' this is not what we want. Today, we have a lot of reversals in the elections of last year because the people are agitating that they were shortchanged. I challenge the government, which had been advocating for open secret ballot in Nigeria to do the same in Lagos. Let's see whether they will run it at the local council election. If they don't, it means they are paying lip service to the system. The more times we run the process, the better chances of getting it right. Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) appears to be the only vibrant opposition party in the state? We made it clear that we are not going to be a fly-by-night party. We are serious about governance and we will constructively engage the government of the day. We believe that whatever we are doing or saying is for the benefit of Lagos State and we are proud of that. We are going to put the government of the day on its toes. We don't have any apology for that. We want the government to perform because we cannot afford not to govern Lagos well. We believe that our party would have performed 95 per cent, but if we can get the government of the day to perform 70 per cent, then things will be better. Why is it that it is only in Lagos that DPA is heard of? I can speak for Lagos State. As for other states, I believe everybody has his own challenge. But the presence of the party is also felt in Ogun State. But again, we are offering a platform where we believe we can run our party in the way it should be run by promoting internal democracy and focus on good governance. We believe we have a little bit of time to encourage people. What gives us hope is that in Lagos, we have people from other parts of the country as members, including people from the ruling party. One year on, how would you assess Fashola's administration? Honestly, it is too early. Governance is like treating diseases, especially in Lagos with barrage of problems. If somebody is sick, the doctor tends to treat the symptoms and give you medicine for the symptoms immediately, while trying to cure the cause of the illness. What we see today in Lagos is like treating the symptoms. Whether the diseases will be cured, I am not in a position to say because I am not part of government. The result will come out may be in another year or in the future. Then, it will be easier to say that work is being done. For example, if you are talking about security, which is very important in the state, providing the vehicles and other security gadgets for the police is symptomatic. The real disease of insecurity is poverty, unemployment and poor governance. To assess adequately, we need to know whether there is provision of jobs and reduction of poverty. If there is none, then you would find out that all this measure are just a waste because in about two years, a lot of these vehicles will have broken down. As of today, I can only assess based on symptoms, which I feel are being addressed, but the real diseases are still there. Had you won the governorship election, what would you have done differently? On personal level, I want to move away from what I would have done. We are very clear in our manifesto about treating the diseases straight away. Eradicating poverty is very paramount in our manifesto. The way we would address poverty is by tackling the key issues that creates poverty, like health, education and provision of basic amenities. If the people are not benefiting from governance, it means that there is problem. We need to bring the people into governance so that they can feel the impact of governance and participate in the economy of the state. We can achieve that by empowering them so that they will have a sense of belonging. I believe that through my party today, we are assisting the government by putting it on its toes. I am not interested in taking any political appointment from the state government but I am ready to offer advice that will move the state forward. What is your view about the on-going probes by the National Assembly? We are used to probes but what we do with the probes is what matters. My advice is that the National Assembly should not be absorbed with probes at the expense of their legislation functions. They must not get too carried away or spend all the time on the probes. Probe is a military culture aimed at discrediting a previous administration. That should not be a full-time business because it is not the main functions of National Assembly. It is just a word of caution, realising that most probes end up achieving nothing for the country. Do you agree with some people that the likes of Bola Tinubu and Gbenga Daniel should take over as leaders of Afenifere? Afenifere is the most credible socio-political organisation in Yorubaland. What matters most is the form and shape it will take. It is the soul of the Yoruba. The leadership of the soul of the people are really appreciated or only articulated by the people. I would say that the leaders that Yoruba look up to would be like a priest who has oath of celibacy and a vow of poverty. The Yoruba will not accept a leader that will still be looking for contract or has inordinate ambition or be open to ridicule. The late Pa Adesanya was Afenifere leader and a good lawyer throughout his tenure, but he did not get any brief from anybody or contract from any government throughout his tenure. It is a reality that we will not accept a leader who will be fighting for his or her family members. Those are the kinds of qualities the Afenifere will be looking for from whosoever will emerge as its leader. The late Adesanya had the moral authority to talk to anybody because nobody had any incriminating evidence against him. Afenifere must come with a leader that will be acceptable to the generality of her members.
Gov's wife canvasses rehabilitation of street girls WIFE of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola has called on women in the society to contribute more towards the rehabilitation of less- privileged girls and particularly, commercial sex workers who have been forced into their present lifestyle because of limited options. Speaking during the community awareness breakfast on the rehabilitation of less-privileged in the society organised by Freedom Foundation in Ikoyi at the weekend, Mrs. Fashola noted that women could and should not afford to sit and watch the lives of young ladies and boys destroyed by the vices in the society. Mrs. Fashola who was represented by Mrs.Yemisi Bello, said: "An attempt by womenfolk to pretend or be care free over the situation on ground, may impact negatively on the larger society, which we all belong. "The menace of hoodlums, commercial sex workers, teenage pregnancy and others, particularly those that are trapped in ghettoes and slums such as Akala and Empire in Mushin calls for concern". She, therefore, called on Nigerians to support the efforts of Freedom Foundation, which is currently rehabilitating over 29 teenage girls rescued from Akala in Genesis House Surulere, promising government support for similar projects. The Executive Director of the foundation Mrs. Mylah Osifo, said the breakfast was a platform to create awareness among community stakeholders for the rehabilitation programs offered by Freedom Foundation. According to her, "The task of stemming the scourge of drug abuse, prostitution and related challenges cannot be undertaken alone. That is why we seek the collaboration of government, corporate organisations and others to ensure its success. "Some of the rehabilitation projects of the foundation include Genesis House, Surulere where the ladies were accommodated and trained in different vocations and the House of Refuge for the boys. "The initiative was designed to make find effective solution to the alarming and growing trend of prostitution in the state. "In March this year, the foundation visited Akala and met the girls who were between ages 13 and 18. They were counseled and taken away for rehabilitation."
280,000 get free health services in Lagos ABOUT 280,000 people have benefited from the free health scheme of the Lagos State government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has disclosed. He spoke just as the train of a key component of the programme, the Eko Free Health Mission, moves to the Mainland Local Council.. A statement quoted the commissioner as saying at the weekend, that the Free Health Scheme Programme is an initiative of the last administration but has been sustained by the current administration. According to him, the scheme is for the benefit of the citizenry in line with the campaign promise of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to make qualitative health care delivery accessible to all residents of Lagos, irrespective of income, tribe, race or political affiliation. Idris explained that the scope of services covered by the scheme includes free treatment of Malaria which has been extended to local council area, free treatment of children aged 12 years and below, free treatment of adults aged 60 years and above; and free ante-natal care services for pregnant women. He said other areas covered by the scheme include ambulance boat services to cover riverine areas of the state; and free treatment of public servants, their spouse and four dependents aged 18 years below. He added that special programmes such as free TB/Leprosy treatment, blindness prevention, limb deformity corrective surgery, cleft lip/palate repair, cardiac surgery, breast cancer screening and school milk programme are also part of the free health scheme. Giving a statistical breakdown of the achievements recorded under the free health scheme, the commissioner confirmed that 164, 290 children aged 12 years and below have benefited, 54, 992 adult aged 60 years and above and 18, 929 public servants are also beneficiaries. Also, 55 people have been given free health service reimbursements and 68 persons were sponsored for overseas medical treatment. Idris further averred that within the last one year, 1,590 women were screened for breast cancer with 67 of them referred for free medical treatment while 363 people also benefited from the Limb Deformity Corrective Surgery which include surgeries and provision of mobility aids. The commissioner also noted that 42 patients benefited from the free cleft lip/palate reconstructive surgery programme while 57, 520 primary one pupils benefited from the free milk programme and 9, 439 school children from 11 local councils were screened freely under the school health programme.
Lagos spends N200m on cars for monarchs Lagos State government has spent over N200 million to buy cars for royal fathers, white cap chiefs and Wawu of Badagry in the last one year, a source at the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has revealed. However, the Commissioner in the ministry, Prince Rotimi Agunloye, discredited the claim, stating that only the office of the state governor could give the cost of the cars. “If you want to know how much we procured the cars, you have to go to the governor’s office. This is the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. We did not buy the cars,” he said. The commissioner said government provided the cars for the royal fathers to enhance their standard of living and not for political reasons. According to Agunloye, the state government had only provided Toyota Corrola 1.8 model cars for all white cap chief of Lagos and Wawu of Badagry. He said the government also provided five Mercedes Benz Avant Garde 240 series to the Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the Council of Obas, while 42 Toyota Camry 2007 model were provided for first class monarchs in the state. The commissioner also stated that the state government provided 33 Toyota Avensis cars to second class monarchs while some recognised title holders were being considered for the largesse. Investigation revealed that a brand new Toyota Corrola, 1.8 model could cost as much as N2 million while Toyota Camry 2007 model goes for between N2.5 and N3 million and each of the Mercedes Benz Avant Garde 240 series is sold for N3 million. According to a motor dealer, a Toyota Avensis car is sold for about N2 million and can be higher depending on the grade.
Fashola Has Shocked Me With His New Lagos Projects - Dede Dede Mabiaku is known in the arts circles as a rebel artiste (with a cause), who, once, abandoned home to under-study the late fuji music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Upon his return to Lagos, from a four- month trip to Ghana, the social critic surprisingly reversed himself on his opinion of public affairs in Lagos State, expressing shock at the level of infrastructural development in the state within a very short period, and in the face of what he described as difficult challenges. Mabiaku spoke to MARCEL MBAMALU yesterday evening at his Lagos residence. Excerpts. You are supposed to be a stakeholder in the Lagos project but you left for Ghana since December. Is that a form of self-exile, or what? I left Nigeria for Ghana late December not because I was going away, but because I had to be in Ghana. I'm married to a Ghanaian; I have a home in Ghana and we have two children. Somehow, my wife took ill and, on medical grounds, I had to stay there longer than expected. Are there any significant changes you observe in Lagos now to influence your impression about governance? On arrival in Lagos, I got the rudest shocker of my life. I never anticipated that change could come so fast in our society, in our time. But this boy (Governor Fashola) is making me crazy. I'm amazed at what the government, now in Lagos State, is doing, I'm excited and happy because I see that it is possible, in our time, for the younger ones of our own cadre, to be able to achieve things instead of living these things to old brigade that don't know their left and right. If you look at Lagos, you will observe that there have been significant changes. One, Lagos is a lot cleaner (that is a fact). Two, many things are being done; things are changing and the place is looking more vibrant. People are looking up, even though we are faced with the national problem of PHCN. I got back two days ago (last Thursday), and in one day, between the hours of 8 am and 3pm, they took and brought the light back 27 times (my neighbour and I were counting). So, it is possible for things to change so fast in Nigeria. Most of the governors are busy complaining that people are not giving them chance to work. Are people giving Fashola chance as in other states? They are not! But he is doing things in the midst of what people are saying, that things cannot work. You know that I don't praise people for anything. But I am very satisfied with what Fashola and his team is doing. And I pray that Olodumare will bless him for what he is doing. Lagos is the central focus for all Nigerians. Abuja is the Federal capital, but Lagos is the economic hub. And if we cannot harness values out of it and make it look a lot more credible, a lot more modern, a lot saner, it is bad enough. Look at the Lagos traffic situation for instance. If they fixed all trunk A roads and the state government fix all the other roads the way they are going about them now, things will improve. Four months ago, it was hell, but now things have significantly improved. They have expanded Yaba and the Island. This work could have been done by other governments that were here before. How many days has Fashola been in power? Can the same thing be said of the efforts at the federal level? I don't want to talk about the federal issues because, since I came into Lagos, I am amazed at what I am seeing. I'm impressed at many things that are going on - policy statements and issues, which are credibly being brought to the foreground. But I wish and pray that they execute these issues from the panel, especially from the Senate and the House of Representatives more sensibly. The Obasanjos of this world must not go scot-free because people are not seeing openly that even his own allies are saying that he is not a saint. Fela has always been right about Obasanjo. If all these monies were meant to have been used and they were consumed, then he must be an evil man. And I'm telling you this because there is no need to mince words. If this government does not smoke these people out, generations, yet unborn, will punish them. It is about time we built the Nigeria that we all dream of. The Federal government should come and look at the situation in Lagos and use Lagos as a template for the change in other areas around the country. The man here is also faced with a lot of problems from people who are anti-Action Congress, for instance, or the PDP cohorts. There are, also, the other guys who are anti Tinubu clique, because it is Tinubu factor that they are still looking at. But Fashola is not operating as Tinubu's stooge. How would you compare the early months of Governor Fashola with that of the former governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu? No, no, you can't compare both! Please don't compare both. The period of Tinubu administration was a different thing entirely; His first 10 months was chaotic here in Lagos; more so because the federal factor of Obasanjo was rearing its ugly head, and they gave Tinubu the hell of his life. He might have been able to achieve some of these things this man (Governor Fashola) is doing now, but he did not. Apart from that, you must give it to Fashola, and people like his Commissioner for Works, and the Accountant-General, because they sit down together in an open door meeting (without secrets) to fix the land. So the man is doing something without making noise and Lagos is changing. Everybody is saying it; everybody is seeing it; everybody is feeling it, and, so, everybody is now responding to it; even the sceptics are, now, responding positively to the Fashola drive. In truth, Eko oni baje People have already started to queue in bus stops. I no longer see molue on the expressway. But I advise Fashola to tell his people that it is about time they straightened up the bus system. They should assist people to put washing bays in Lagos. It will make Lagos cleaner. In any modern society, if you don't have washing bays, it is a problem. The state government can establish about two for those buses, so that then can give the people a cleaner, saner outlook everyday. Talking about you constituency (the entertainment industry), where you belong, a lot seems to be happening and you appear uninterested. What is your assessment of the current issues in the industry? The entertainment industry here is like a comatose situation because if you do not have a proper management structure, nothing can grow properly. Those guys should continually do what is right and enhance the power of their live performances, because that is the only place where they are making money from, anyway. Now, we need proper management structures in the Arts, in Nigeria; it is about time. Packaging is all about the management layout. The artistes are there; the materials are there; there are many more artists coming up now. The value of the quality of productions coming up is improving, but we do not have proper management structures. If we had good management structures, tour arrangements would have been on ground. Nigeria is such a terrain, where you have many cities you can tour and make money out of it. We go to the United States of America and carry their arts to this place to make so much money because they have been able to package their arts properly by management units over there. The government must get involved. We need artistes' management schools, areas where we can train people to really do artiste management credibly. We need music schools; we don't have them. The only way you harness the values of tourism is through the arts. But you can have arts driving tourism when you don't have the artistes who have the craft to deliver. America is making so much money out of music; we should borrow a leaf. Source: The Guardian, 11th May 2008.
Yar'Adua orders talks with Lagos on disputed properties PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), and his counterpart in the Housing and Environment Ministry, Mr. Chuka Odom, to dialogue with officials of the Lagos State government with a view to resolving the dispute between the two sides over some landed properties. The directive came after a two-hour meeting between the two parties in Abuja. The planned dialogue, sources said, would centre on the ownership, use, management and control of Federal Government landed properties in the state. Yesterday’s meeting focussed on three categories, the first being matters over which the Federal Government could take immediate action without recourse to further dialogue; the contentious ones that may require judicial adjudication to resolve finally; and the third category comprises issues that the Federal Government and Lagos State could dialogue on. President Yar’Adua, it was gathered, insisted at the meeting that no unilateral action should be taken by the Federal Government team in areas that there appeared to be legal constraints. “The President also directed the Ministry of Environment and Urban Development and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to meet the Lagos State Government to consider a trade-off where possible and examine all the laws,” the source said, adding that President Yar’Adua said the Federal Government would approach the Supreme Court for final legal interpretation on all remaining contentious issues. Issues involved in the dispute between the federal and Lagos State governments include the ownership of properties leased to third parties in locations other than Ikoyi in Lagos State and properties being redeveloped in partnership with private developers and the Federal Secretariat Ikoyi, Lagos. Others are properties transferred to Lagos State Government by the Federal Government at the inception of the state, and the Bar Beach/Eko Atlantic City project.
Why we need to restructure education — Fashola Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state has called for the restructuring of education in order to free our country from poverty and underdevelopment. He expressed determination of the government to turn education around in the state through massive investment in the sector to enhance infrastructure, learning and teaching facilities. Speaking at the unveiling of the Touch the Future 2008-2012 Capital Campaign for Babcock University College of Health/Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospitals project last Thursday at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos, he said that the benefit of education is bringing change to a nation and “remains the pillar of technological growth,” adding, “education is key to meaningful future from one generation to another, and for social reformation.” According to the governor, “our education should reflect the technological and social needs of our nation. In Lagos, we are investing heavily on education.” But he regretted the underdevelopment of the country despite the abundant resources available. Represented by Mr. Ben Akabueze, Commissioner for Planning, Governor Fashola said that the provision of functional education is the goal of his administration. “Functional education is our goal in Lagos state. There is massive turn-around of infrastructure in public schools. We are aware of our responsibility.” He described the Babcock University multi-billion naira medical project as “a welcome development for all others to follow, and determined to impact on the nation for change,” saying,” it’s a wake up call for other institutions, and we agree with this Babcock University idea.” The institution was assured of Lagos state government support as it shared the vision of providing world-class medical facilities for the country. He promised that government will be making a reasonable contribution to this “worthy cause”. “About 60% of the academic staff come from Ekiti state which has produced a large number of professors and academics. The government will render assistance in several other ways for the realisation of the project. For now, all Ekiti students in Babcock University are offered scholarship henceforth”, declared the commissioner. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade said Babcock University is a pace setter in Nigeria with excellent education service delivery. Speaking through Olori Barrister Ladun Sijuwade, the foremost Yoruba traditional ruler, said the College of Health/Medical Science and Teaching Hospitals projects are “worthy of support by all Nigerians,” urging, “all present, captains of industry, to make the dream come true.” He praised Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, Chairman of Babcock University Capital Campaign Advisory Board for his efforts, describing him as a “great philanthropist,” Professor Kayode Makinde Vice Chancellor, “whose shadow will never grow less” and Chief Richard Akinjide, for their commitment, sacrifice and dedication, wishing the Advisory Board, God’s blessing. Other members of the board, are Dr. Allison Ayida (co-chairman), Chief Newton Jibunoh and Olorogun (Dr) Sunny Kuku. “The University particularly is making a statement that all of us as private individuals, institutions should have considerable satisfaction in helping to build a better educated and healthier community beyond our immediate environment.” He explained that in addition to the medical schools, the University will set up a second-to-none Bio-Medical Research Centre that would concentrate in research into diseases that have African and other populations-in-development as their primary victims, namely, Mutated strains of Malaria, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Fibroid in Woman, HIV, Autism, etc. “The Vision of the university is to consign into history the era where only the rich have the prerogative of access to quality medical care which is usually taken for granted in the developed world.” Dr. Erastus Akingbola, Group Vice Chairman/CEO, Intercontinental Bank Plc, attributed to Babcock University, “a good image, reputation for good Christian conduct, reputation for good discipline students, reputation for hardwork, reputation for leaving a new generation with integrity.” He slammed the generation who lived after 1970 as things were getting worse and worst everyday, saying, “enough is enough, we must change the situation and take our destiny in our own hands.” According to Akingbola, “poorly trained children will sell the fine houses of their fathers for peanuts. This generation of leaders are now selling Nigeria for peanuts.” He appealed to well meaning people to commit themselves to the building of Babcock University medical complex and join in rebuilding our educational and healthcare systems. Professor Kayode Makinde, the VC, said the Vision is to provide a medical education that stands at par with the best in the world. “The Babcock medical programme will provide care for those debilitating lifestyle diseases that plague our societies. We will deploy the best technologies, engage the best manpower, to train the best brains and the most gifted hands. We will create an environment of incomparable compassion to meet humanity at their point of worst vulnerability,” he declared.
Police chief assures of security at Lagos airport TO ensure adequate security at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), its security department is to undergo an in-house training, the new Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Tombari Yabo Mohammed, has disclosed yesterday. He added that he would ensure that every exit in the airport was covered by his security men against armed bandits. Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Lounge, MMA in Lagos, he disclosed that his office plans to place traffic men in every road to the airport to prevent accident. According to him, "We are putting our men in all the places at the airport to make sure that it is well-covered with security men. "We will make sure that the whole area is covered properly with our men, so that the men of underworld will have no place. We will surely ensure that and brace up ourselves to put in the very best, so that our airport will be crime-free and help the passengers to carry out their businesses without disturbance," he added.
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Governor Babatunde Fashola |
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Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Captain of Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand with the state's Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development, Prince Adeniji Adele with some youths during a novelty match between Team Fashola and Team Rio played at Astro Turf, Ikoyi, Lagos 7th June 2008. |
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