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Lagos trains judges on juvenile suits
By Nike Sotade and Joseph Onyekwere
THE Judiciary in Lagos State has been enjoined to be in the vanguard of protecting children's rights by applying the Child's Rights Law effectively in the state.
Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, gave the charge yesterday at the start of a two-day training workshop on child justice administration organised by the Justice Research Institute in collaboration with the Lagos State Judiciary for judicial and non-judicial officers in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The workshop was designed to equip and develop them on how to effectively enforce the Child's Rights Law.
In her keynote address presented by Justice Elfreda Williams Daudu, who represented her at the occasion, Justice Inumidun noted that children constituted the largest number of the society's vulnerable group.
She observed that despite the fact that they needed to be protected, "everyday, we are bombarded on the roads as we walk and drive with children and young persons aimlessly roaming, idling away and being abused in one manner or the other".
Justice Inumidun recalled that the Federal Government took the right step in the right direction to promote and protect the rights of the Nigerian Child by ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child in April 1991.
The National Assembly later domesticated the convention as the Child's Rights Act of 2003.
She added that the Lagos State government passed the Child's Right's Law of Lagos State in 2007 "in pursuit and acknowledgement of our constitutional role in the delivery of justice irrespective of age, sex or class".
To ensure the much needed judicial participation, in October 2008, the Lagos State Judiciary designated six of its courts as Family Courts in compliance with Section 138 of the Lagos State Child's Rights Law at both the High Court and magisterial levels.
There are two at the High Court level (Lagos and Ikeja) and four at the magisterial districts in Ikeja, Lagos, Badagry and Ikorodu/ Epe.
With the establishment of the courts, Justice Akande said: "It, therefore, behooves the Judiciary, which is seen as the last hope of the citizenry, in the performance of our duty, to equip and continue to develop ourselves so as to discharge our duties more effectively and efficiently".
She said this necessitated the workshop.
Speaking with The Guardian at the media briefing preceding the workshop, erstwhile Attorney General of Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, explained that for the first time in the history of the country, we now have courts meant for the needs and interest of children.
He added: "There are about 14 judges being trained now for this, but four of them have started practising. All of them would be trained so that they can be posted to the children's court any day. It is a division of the Lagos State Judiciary".
According to him, the courts will adjudicate on the custody, care and welfare of children, including child maltreatment and juvenile offences.
Source: The Guardian, 22nd April 2010.
Group wants Fashola's graft probe open
Mansur Oladunjoye
A group, True Face of Lagos (TFL) again stormed Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) demanding that the committee investigating the corruption charges against Governor Babatunde Fashola sit in the public.
TFL recently in an advertorial in a national daily, (not Daily Champion) alleged corrupt practices and gross official misconduct against Governor Babatunde Fashola and his political godfather, Bola Tinubu. The duo is fighting for supremacy in 2011 poll.
Presenting a six-page letter addressed to Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, entitled: "Please let the probe panel on corruption allegations against Governor Fashola sit publicly to the Clerk of the House, signed by the coordinator, Comrade Adesina Adebayo, copy of which was made available to the , TTL urged the lawmakers to have an open mind in the trial.
"The issue is a public issue sine qua non. To this fundamental extent it should not be retrieved from public view at its most critical stage of investigation/probe the outcome of which would, in the final analysis determine the culpability or innocence of the main dramatis parsonae of this very serious mater.
"It would be most unfair to Lagosians, the principal characters alleged and even the TFL which is alleging that all that shall be heard is verdict of the panel's finding without giving the general public the benefit of monitoring the process of investigation which will enhance the credibility or otherwise of the panel's job," it said.
TFL said: "this letter of request was borne out of our concern for the House not to bow to extraneous pressures and political factors at the expenses of overriding public interest to jettison public hearing in favour of camera legislation which would definitely shut out the generality of Lagosians who are the direct victims of the case in question."
It asked for cooperation, understanding and adherence of the House to the request, saying, "We want to sincerely believe that this honourable House is not interested in shielding anybody from justice nor will want to treat anybody as a sacred cow in this mater."
The group said: "In the absence of these probable scenarios, we admonish this honourable House to give Lagosians the opportunity of not just hearing the outcome but seeing the process of the panel's investigation. It has already become a public, national and international issue; it's investigation should not be a closed-door, behind the-scene engagement.
"We encourage you to be open, just fair transparent and firm always, operating however within the purview of constitutionality and the most salient democratic values of international best practices of public investigation."
Source: Daily Champion, 20th April 2010.
Hitch-free unified matric exam in Lagos
By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Adegunle Olugbamila
Save for mismatched subject combinations, the first-ever Unified Tertiary Matriculation (UTME) went without a hitch in many centres in Lagos at the weekend.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Prof Oladapo Afolabi monitored some of the seven centres within the University of Lagos, Akoka alongside the Registrar of the university, Mr Olurotimi Sodimu and the Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Dr Tirimisyu Oladimeji.
About 20 candidates in one of the halls at the Faculty of Law centre found that the subjects they registered for which was reflected in their computer photo cards did not tally with the question papers that bore their numbers.
Afolabi, however, found a way around it. Question papers were reshuffled among the affected candidates and they wrote the examination. This approach was used to tackle the same problem in other centres.
It was easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for examination malpractice to be perpetrated because candidates were not allowed to enter the hall with anything except their photo cards. All bags, pencils, biros, calculators and phones were left outside. Those who had a hard time getting in were those who came to the centre without bags but had phones on them. They had to leave them anywhere or trusting them strangers.
All candidates were provided with writing materials – pencils, erasers, sharpeners and calculators which were packed in small plastic bags more common for dispensing drugs. However, some of the calculators failed them. The JAMB official in charge of the centres, Mr Augustine Maduba, a Deputy Director, said the problem would be addressed by exchanging calculators of those candidates writing subjects requiring calculations with those candidates doing art subjects.
The problem of two candidates having the same registration number was also resolved by recourse to the JAMB attendance register which had the details of the genuine candidate.
Except for the mismatch of subject combinations, Afolabi said the environment was conducive for a malpractice-free examination, adding that lessons learnt would be used to improve the integrity of future examinations.
"Any candidate present here should consider that he is taking the examination in a fair and just environment. The fact that they don't come in with anything attests that they will use only their brains. For those who are sick and cannot write today, we hope in future we can conduct the exam more than once in a year which is the ideal thing," he said.
Afolabi added that JAMB made efforts to nip malpractice in the bud by cancelling some 'miracle' centres at the last minute.
"Just last week, the Registrar (JAMB) cancelled some 'miracle' centres because he learnt they had made elaborate preparations to cheat before hand," he said.
Also at the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, which accommodated two UTME centres, activities were smooth and the examination which started at both centres around some minutes to 9 was hitch free.One of the Chief Supervisors of the centre, Dr Bankole Odofin said except minor offences like candidates refusing to surrender their handsets, no major examination fraud was discovered.
Bankole, a lecturer from the Department of Education Foundation and Counselling Psychology, Lagos State University, however, observed some defects in the examination.
Said he: "First, we discovered that some of the examination papers were not clear. Second, some candidates who applied for science were given art questions and same applied to those who filled in for arts subjects. Third, we realised that some of the new calculators given by the board were not working properly".
Source: The Nation, 19th April 2010.
Lagos Indigenes Demand 75% of Political Positions
Written by By John Oba, Abuja
The Lagos Indigenes Coalition, a socio-political group of Lagos State indigenes, has called on political leaders, traditional rulers, captains, of industries, as well as technocrats of Lagos State to reserve 75 per cent of all federal, state and local government political positions for only indigenes of the state.
This call was made through a press statement signed by Mr Hakeem Abiodun, Lagos West, Mayegun Bamidele, Lagos East and Segun Borishade, Lagos Central and made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND. It said the politicians and traditional rulers of Lagos extraction should constitute a roundtable where policy can be formulated for a paradigm shift which will ensure that at least 75 per cent of all political positions is reserved for only the indigenes of Lagos State.
The controversy that trailed the nomination of Mr Oluwatoyin Aganga as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on whether he is a true indigene of Lagos or not, according to the coalition, necessitated this position.
"While it is desirable for all Nigerians to live, work and be accepted in any community or part of the country where they reside, the truth must be told. It is inequitable and unjust for people from different parts of the country to claim indigeneship of Lagos State, hold top positions in the state bureaucracy, government agencies, corporations, parastatals as directors, permanent secretaries and commissioners, local government chairmen, and as members of the State House of Assembly while Lagosians are not so favoured in other states where they reside as what is good for the goose is also good for the gander
The coalition said: "It is patently hypocritical and unfair for one state to bear the burden of accommodating and faithfully applying the principle of being your brothers" keeper while other states do not attempt in the remotest consideration, to follow or adhere to such principle.
Source: Leadership, 16th April 2010.
On Lagos Roads, Tales of the Bizarre
By Regina Akpabio, Isaac Taiwo and David Ibemere
A TROUBLED James Afe could barely restrain himself following the telephone call he received.
An anonymous caller had told him there had been a road crash in Mushin, Lagos Mainland and hung up without any further details.
His imagination running riot, Afe did not know if the caller had wanted to tell him that his wife, who went to Mushin Market, that morning was involved in the accident.
The matter was compounded by his not being able to reach his wife by telephone.
The response he kept getting was that the number " is switched off."
In the end, however, though there had been an accident, it had occurred much earlier that Monday morning and Afe's wife was not involved.
He had been unable to reach her because of a flat battery.
But it had been a ghastly accident, indeed, which occurred at about 1.00 am that morning in which about five people were roasted to death while two sustained injuries.
According to an account, seven persons riding in a commercial bus popularly called danfo were said to have left a party somewhere in Mushin and were heading towards Oshodi to attend another party when the driver rammed into an electric pole close to Challenge Bus Stop.
The account by one Saidu said the incident happened because the driver of the vehicle was drunk.
"Seven of them were returning from a party and they were going to another party when the accident happened. It seems all of them were drunk, including the driver and that was why he hit an electric pole in the middle of the road.
"Five of them died on the spot except the driver and one of the passengers. It was one of those that sustained injuries who told us that they warned the driver to reduce the speed but he refused," he said.
According to him, the five people who lost their lives were burnt beyond recognition while the driver and the passenger whose back was badly burnt were taken to the hospital.
Another version said the driver escaped before the vehicle caught fire and had since been at large.
Residents of the area were full of thanks that the damage was limited since the entire area could have been on fire, as the incident happened very close to Texaco Filling station along Agege-Motor Road.
The Mushin accident came a few days after another at the Iyana Isolo Bus Stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in which eight people died and five others sustained injuries.
According to eyewitness accounts, a full-loaded commercial bus from Mile Two had stopped to discharge a passenger when an articulated truck carrying a container rammed into it from behind.
"The bus driver, his conductor and passengers never knew what was going on even as people standing around started screaming when they noticed the truck driver and his mate waving frantically and shouting.
"The conductor was standing on the ground calling for passengers. I think a man disembarked and had just walked away when the truck slammed into the bus and pushed it right into the rear of another truck that had been abandoned for some weeks.
"It was a gory sight as the two passengers sitting in the from as well as the driver were squeezed and crushed into the rear of the abandoned truck.
"Five other passengers also died on the spot."
A vendor near the scene said the tragedy would not have occurred " if the brakes of the truck had not failed and if the other one had not been abandoned for days."
Now, Lagosians are worried that only four months into the New Year, the rate of road crashes in Lagos metropolis may even go higher.
The figures for 2008 were bad. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), there were a total of 273 road crashes involving 478 vehicles in which 52 died and 268 were injured.
During the same period in 2009, the state recorded 396 accidents, involving 720 vehicles with 88 fatalities and 659 injured showing an increase of 31.1 per cent in number of road crashes, 33.6 per cent in number of vehicles involved, 40.9 per cent in persons killed and 59.33 per cent in those injured.
To make sure that the figures for 2010 are not worse, Lagosians are calling for tighter control by the relevant agencies over the many poorly serviced vehicles on the roads, particularly tankers and trailers.
One such Lagosian, Kunle Ayanwale told The Guardian he would not ever forget an accident at Toyota Bus Stop, in March, 2009 that involved a trailer, a tanker carrying diesel and a private car in which all four passengers of the car perished.
"The brakes of the truck and tanker failed and the private car was trapped between them and subsequently crushed."
Also in February, a fallen container at Ijesha Bus Stop crushed a Mercedes Benz car with registration number LAGOS XQ 710-EKY conveying a man, his wife and their two-month old baby.
According to an eyewitness, one commercial motorcyclist that suddenly crossed the express road through an opening in the middle of the road median caused the accident.
"The motorcyclist lost control and the passenger he was carrying fell off on to the road where he laid writhing in pain.
"But while the driver of the Mercedes Benz was trying to avoid crushing the man who was lying on the road, a truck carrying a container with registration number ABUJA EV 417 ABJ which was coming right behind the car also fought desperately to avoid ramming into the car or crushing the helpless man on the road.
"The driver lost control, the trailer careened across the road and the container fell on the Mercedes Benz crushing it and the occupants.
"That is why the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation should check the excesses of commercial bus drivers many of whom do not know anything about driving, except to move the vehicle.
The commercial motorcyclists also need to be cautioned if more lives are not to be lost on the roads."
Source: The Guardian, 16th April 2010.
Appalling state of the Lagos Airport road
THE deplorable state of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) road in Lagos should be a major source of worry and embarrassment to all Nigerians. That road is the first point of contact for a host of international visitors to the country. But its condition is lamentable.
Lagos is a major commercial nerve-centre and the MMIA is the primary gateway to Nigeria. It is arguably one of the busiest airports on the African continent. The present squalid condition of the road certainly portrays the country in a bad light. No foreign visitor or tourist would be impressed. The road needs to be rehabilitated urgently to save the country from further embarrassment. The Lagos Airport road is approximately two kilometres long from the Toyota bus stop intersection on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) shed. And much longer from the Oshodi and Ikeja ends. All through this entire stretch is a bushy and unkempt median with disintegrated pavements. Decades of abandonment and neglect have taken a toll on the road. It is worrisome that the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) have chosen to abandon such an international road that links the Lagos metropolis with the Murtala Muhammed Airport, the nation's busiest airport.
The road is dotted with depressing potholes, puddles and disintegrated asphalt. The bad condition of the road is responsible for the frequent accidents witnessed almost on a daily basis along the entire stretch. Every now and then there are broken down or over-turned heavy-duty trailers and trucks. Mangled and abandoned empty containers are a common sight on this road. The resultant accident spots block the free flow of traffic thereby turning the road into a nightmare for motorists. The problem is compounded whenever there is rainfall as floods take over the road.
The disorder on the road further manifests in the form of all manners of commercial activities dotting its full length. There are, for instance, on both sides of the dilapidated road artisan's workshops including mechanics, vulcanizers, showrooms for used cars and upholstery furniture. There is in addition, the unsightly display of roasted corn, bush meat, fruits and vegetables, puppy sellers and ugly shacks that create an eyesore. The portion of the road between Hajj Camp and the tollgate has in fact been taken over by commercial fuel tankers with fuel trucks packed indiscriminately by the road side, at a point taking over a substantial portion of the road. At a section of the road is a refuse dump that oozes out smoke and stench daily. Hoodlums also take advantage of the situation to rob innocent motorists especially at night.
Not even in neighbouring countries does this kind of disorder exist. Obviously, the road in question is a bad advertisement for a country that is struggling to re-brand its bartered image. The poor state of the road and the frequent traffic gridlock and chaos are unacceptable. We have in previous editorials complained about the appalling condition of this major highway without any intervention from the Federal Government. All we have seen so far are unfulfilled promises or half-hearted attempts.
For instance, not too long ago, the former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe decried the general deplorable condition of roads nationwide and stated that efforts would be concentrated on the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing roads in all the states. The expectation was that the Lagos Airport road would receive priority attention but it never did. Furthermore, the Tinubu administration on assumption of office in 1999 also treated roads reconstruction and maintenance as high priority on its agenda. Some structures were put in place to tackle the road problem with the creation of three road maintenance agencies in the state. In 2004, the Tinubu administration wanted to expand the Lagos Airport road from the Oshodi end into four lanes but was stopped by officials of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on the pretext that the state government should not encroach on a federal road. Unfortunately, that same FERMA has been utterly negligent.
If the Federal Government is not prepared to repair the road, it should hand it over to the Lagos State Government. We call on the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to resolve any disagreements between them and get this road fixed in the national interest without any further delay.
Source: The Guardian, 16th April 2010.
Lagos Assembly Constitutes Committee on Exco, Land Matters
By James Azania
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on Thursday set up a fresh seven-man committee to investigate the activities of the executive arm of government.
The committee, which is headed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye, includes Mrs. Funmilayo Tejuoso (Odi-Olowo), Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu I) and Rotimi Olowo (Somolu II).
Others are Omowunmi Edet (Oshodi/Isolo II), Dayo Fafunmi (Ifako/Ijaiye) and Samuel Adejare (Agege I).
The Speaker said the decision to investigate the executive was reached before the House went on Easter break, and that it was based on a protest by the group, True Face of Lagos, which he said formally submitted a letter of the petition to it.
He said, "Having deliberated on the vote and proceedings of the sitting, and according to the power vested in the House by Section 128 subsection one and two of the 1999 Constitution, the House has decided to set up a panel to investigate the allegations.
"The committee is empowered to call on all and who it finds necessary, in order to do a thorough investigation."
Before dissolving into a Committee of the Whole to decide on the panel to investigate the executive, the House had earlier constituted a committee to look into cases of disputes arising from land matters and related issues which it said could lead to disturbance of public peace.
The committee, which is to submit its report to the House within one week, in to be chaired by Adebayo Osinowo. It is coming on the heels of a peaceful march to the Assembly by some residents of Gberigbe Orelade community in Ikorodu.
Led by the Chairman of the Landlords Association, Mr. James Okwuorogu, the residents had petitioned the Assembly over the activities of the Baale, one Chief Olusegun Ogunlana, and land agents from Ogun State, whom they accused of constituting a threat to their lives.
Okwuorogu, in his presentation, said that the Baale had made life unbearable for them, and called on the House to intervene.
The petition reads in part, "We, the landlords association of Gberigbe Orelade, call on our lawmakers to save us from the activities of land agents called Ajagungbale, drafted into the community to threaten our lives.
"Sometime in the midnight in January, they came into the community threatening the lives of innocent law abiding citizens. A week after, posters were pasted on the wall of residents demanding we pay the sum of N275,000 as rectification fees as a result of the judgement delivered by Justice A. Oke-Lawal, in December 2009."
Ikuforiji, in his response, commended the people for not taking the laws into their hands, promising to reach the other parties involved in resolving the issue.
He said, "We will invite the concerned persons. No one has the right to disturb other citizens of the state from the peaceful enjoyment of their property.
"Even the governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), sometime ago made an order that no government agency should unlawfully disturb or destroy property. This is Lagos State and it is important that we work in consonance with the dictates of the law."
A member representing Lagos Island I, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, during a debate on the issue had noted that the Assembly was confronted by a deluge of similar cases, saying they should 'be looked into exhaustively."
Source: Punch, 16th April 2010.
Lagos ex-commissioner laments poor leadership
From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan
A GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the Action Congress (AC) in Oyo State, Dr. Adebayo Adewusi, yesterday assessed the level of development in the state and concluded that the people have been unlucky with their leaders.
Adewusi, who was a former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State during the Bola Tinubu administration accused successive governments in Oyo State of playing politics with the lives of the citizenry.
Addressing a press conference in Ibadan where he formally declared his interest to contest the Oyo governorship election in the forthcoming polls, the Eruwa-born Adewusi warned the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against rigging in the forthcoming polls, saying the act would be met with stiff resistance.
At the briefing attended by leaders of the AC in the state, Adewusi recalled the role of the PDP in the last gubernatorial election in Lagos Sate, saying efforts by some desperate PDP chieftains to rig the election that produced Governor Babatunde Fashola was resisted by Lagosians.
He said: "The PDP hawks had to change their minds when they peeped outside the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) office and saw a massive crowd carrying jerry cans filled with petrol and matches ready for a showdown with the electoral commission. This time, if you rig in Oyo, you are dead. We will have our own strategies to fight rigging, but we will not disclose them now so that they will not circumvent it. I'm convinced that Oyo State deserves much more than what is obtainable now if we consider the efforts or our heroes past.
"My journey as a lecturer, banker, economist and career with government of Lagos State, under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has prepared me for the task of bringing Oyo State out of economic stagnation and retrogression."
Source: The Guardian, 15th April 2010.
Lagos seeks concessionaires for Light train projects
By Bertram Nwannekanma
THE Lagos State government is seeking concessionaires to procure and finance rolling stock and depot facilities for its two rail lines.
Under the arrangement, the concessionaires are to provide operations and maintenance over the period of 25 years, while they will be compensated through passenger revenues as well as revenues earned from retail activities within the stations.
Governor, Babatunde Fashola disclosed at a lecture on infrastructure organised by PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors in Lagos on Tuesday that the state government has already demonstrated its commitment to the project by awarding a design and build contract for the Phase one of the Blue Line Light Rail Project to China Civil Engineer Construction Corporation (CCECC) at a sum of N8.5 billion, with 70 per cent paid already.
The governor, who was represented by the Managing Director, Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dayo Mobereola, said the idea to develop two rail lines was to provide a link that runs through the main section of the city and thus afford Lagos residents the opportunity to link up with other parts of the city through other means of transportation like road and water.
The Blue Line, he said, was designed to run through Okokomaiko to Marina via Iddo and Mile 2, while the Red line will run from Agbado to Marina via Iddo and Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
While identifying fund raising to finance the project and some legal issues as the major challenges facing the project, the governor said the two lines would be operated on a Public Private-Partnership (PPP) basis, with the Lagos Sate government providing all rails and stations.
The task of providing efficient transportation for over 18 million residents in Lagos, he said, had become one of the cardinal objectives of his administration.
According to him, the state government had decided to explore the prospects of developing other modes of transportation besides roads to provide a means of moving a large number of commuters within the state since an efficient transportation system is significant for economic growth and prosperity.
He said: " Experiences gathered from around the world, have clearly indicated that rail transportation provides one of the most efficiency means of moving large number of people in a metropolitan community."
The Managing partner of PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, organisers of the event, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), said private sector participation with its variants has proved to be one alternative that has produced great results for modern economies."
Source: The Guardian, 15th April 2010.
Lagos pledges to sustain quality healthcare services
By Kamal Tayo Oropo
RESIDENTS of Lagos State, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliation, have been assured of quality healthcare services by the Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris.
Idris said yesterday that the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration would do all that is needed to ensure that residents of the state "enjoy unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without geographical, financial, cultural or political barriers."
He stated that the state government would be guided by the quest to deliver qualitative, affordable and equitable healthcare services to the citizenry through the application of appropriate technology by a highly motivated workforce.
Idris said since human capital drives public health services, the administration had made the training and development of its employees a priority.
According to him, if efficient, effective and qualitative health services delivery in the state is to be achieved, a highly skilled workforce is imperative.
At a media briefing to mark the third anniversary of the Fashola administration in Ikeja, Idris said as new challenges and opportunities emerge, the government would keep the health workers well-equipped with latest information and skills to match the task.
The commissioner stressed that a strong human infrastructure is a sine qua non to realising the promise of improving the health services to residents, adding that training of human capital cost money and time.
He explained ed that the Health Service Commission (HSC), mandated with the recruitment, deployment, promotion, discipline, workers welfare and professional development had in one year organised orientation sessions for 1,275 newly engaged health officers with an additional 333 medical personnel also benefiting from various clinical courses.
Idris said the state government in implementing the professional development partnership between with Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany, had sponsored eight medical doctors for a six-week programme in Germany.
He noted that 57 doctors and midwives at the Primary HealthCare level received training on Emergency Obstetric Care just as another set of 120 doctors and midwives from 40 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state received training on Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care in collaboration with the United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA).
"In collaboration with UNFPA, 20 health workers were trained on Life Saving Skills, 19 health workers were trained on Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) implementation, 450 patent medicine vendors were trained on the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated malaria, 80 public and private laboratory scientists participated in a workshop on current trends and quality services in blood banking," he said.
Twenty-five central facilitators and 100 field operators, according to Idris, were also trained as spray operators for indoor residual spraying in Otto Awori and Ikorodu councils, adding that 40 health professionals were trained on the in-patient management of severe acute malnutrition in October, 2009 and 90 community members in Apapa, Somolu and Ojo councils were trained on community level management of acute malnutrition.
Source: The Guardian, 15th April 2010.
How to make public prosecution more effective, by Lagos AG
By Joseph Onyekwere
LAGOS State Attorney General (AG) and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), has said that a lot of work need to be done to build public confidence in prosecution.
According to him, one way this can be done is to ensure that a legal advice emanating from the office of a prosecuting authority must bear the stamp of correct application of relevant legal principles to determine whether there exists sufficient evidence to prosecute.
Shasore stated this while delivering a keynote address yesterday through his Senior Special Assistant, Hakeem Bello, at the opening session of the African Regional Workshop for Public Prosecutors, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Lagos.
He said that it had become imperative for the head of every prosecuting authority to get more involved in the process of issuing legal advice by instituting a system of review or supervision that would promote efficiency and quality in the process.
"It is also important in my view that the process of issuing legal advice should be clearly stipulated in relevant procedural laws as contained in Section 74 of the administration of criminal justice law 2007," he said. He added that public prosecution was a public duty and that prosecutors as public servants are accountable to the public in the manner they dislodge and carry out their functions, especially when wrongful exercise of prosecutorial powers may result in the denial of the constitutional liberty of citizens.
"Public confidence in the work of the prosecution can only be promoted by a culture of diligence, fairness, impartiality and above all integrity," he said.
He stated further that prosecutors must appreciate the importance and the implications of the exercise of their discretion because an improper exercise of the discretion in favour of prosecution may result in an innocent person being subjected to the full rigours of needless prosecution. He added also that the improper exercise of the discretion against prosecution might result in allowing a suspect who ought to have been prosecuted go free.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NIALS, Professor Epiphany Azinge, said holding such lectures has become very significant because things were moving very fast in the world of criminality.
According to him, "What we see is a modern technologically driven criminal activities. If we do not match up ourselves with the development in the field of technology for purposes of prosecution, we are obviously going to lag behind.
"So, we are upping our own ante, believing that we can impact some of the skills required to the participants."
He stressed that in an era where the DNA is becoming very important and critical as well as finger printing, prosecutors must strive not to be left behind.
Source: The Guardian, 15th April 2010.
Day of R-A-G-E in Ajegunle! (The untold story)
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Extra-Judicial Killings:
Lagos Under Police Siege
By Bayo Olupohunda
Another horrifying case of extra judicial killing of Lagosians was reported in Lagos last week in the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area. Some youths had gone to protest the unprovoked killing of one of their own by Police men attached to Ajeromi/Ifelodun Police Station who are notorious for raiding and extorting money from residents of the area. Four youths were mowed down in cold blood when live bullets were fired to disperse the protesters. That incident was another in the unending saga of Police killings which the 'mega city' is now known for.
Hardly a day goes by without a horrifying case of police brutality and shootings in various parts of the city. The Police in Lagos, whose main duty is the maintenance of law and order and the protection of property, have suddenly turn their guns on residents.
The slogan that the Police is your friend actually means the opposite in Lagos where an average policeman has become a sworn enemy of residents. The truth is that no one is safe from the smoking barrels of the AK 47 that are being used to send Lagosians into their untimely graves. The list is endless. We are living in lawless society where life is short and brutish.
As a Lagosian, one has to constantly say his last prayers as soon as one steps out into the treacherous streets of Lagos where the Police are lying in waiting to extort or kill with impunity. And since most of these crimes go unpunished, the impunity has continued unabated. Who will save us? The state government is helpless even when it has done a lot, more than any state in the federation, to equip the state Police Command.
Listening to the defense of Frank Mba, the spokesperson of Lagos Police Command when he addresses the press each time an innocent life is cut down always leaves me in tears. Don't these men have families? How would they feel if their children and loved ones are mowed down in cold blood by men whose obligation is to protect them? Mba would tell Lagosians that each case is under investigation. That would be the last to be heard of such cases. What kind of society is this when future leaders are being killed by men of the state Police Command?
What manner of men populate the State Command? Why do they take delight in pulling the trigger on innocent people? Lagos is the hotbed of extra judicial killings and this should be a source of concern for the government of Babatunde Raji Fashola. Lagosians seem to have resigned to fate in the face of the brazenness of these killings whose perpetrators are never brought to book. The judiciary has not been effective in prosecuting cases of extra judicial killings and most times they never get mentioned in the courts. The State Command always make a lot of noise about dismissing the officers involved in these killings but no one knows what happened afterwards. So the officers are emboldened and the killings continue.
I have often heard Police at checkpoints says "I will kill you and nothing will happen" It's the bitter truth. Nothing will happen if one is shot. The best would be to keep quiet in the face of provocation by the men of the State Police Command. Early in 2008, some Police officers attached to the Idimu Police station fired into a group of amateur football players after an Environmental Sanitation Day. When the gun stopped smoking, one person lay dead. The youth protested. But live bullets were fired leaving some wounded. Nothing was heard of the case more than two years after.
One of the most celebrated cases of extra judicial killings was that of the banker Bayo Awosika, who was killed while returning from work on September 30, 2008. He was shot in the head at Lekki Roundabout. The Police claimed he was an accident victim. But protest from the victim's family and coroner's report led to truth that the victim was another case of the impunity of the men of the Lagos Police Command. On April 5, 2009 a two-year old girl was shot and killed by the police at a checkpoint in Lagos
From Ikorodu to Badagry and in various parts of the mega city, we are living in fear of being killed at checkpoints by Patrols of drunken Policemen who have no regard for human lives. In Lagos, if you do not die by the bullets of the police, you will be lucky to escape their extortion. Refusal to give in to their demands has deadly consequences. People have been killed over mundane things such as an argument. Bus conductors have been shot for daring to ask for money from the men in uniform!
In its recent report entitled: "Nigeria: Killing at will-Extrajudicial-Executions and Other unlawful killings", Amnesty International, one of the most respected international human rights watchdogs in the world , indicted the Nigeria police for human rights abuses. It blamed the police for hundreds of extra-judicial executions, unlawful killings and enforced disappearances every year in Nigeria. In arriving at this verdict, the human rights advocacy group said it relied on interviews and researches it carried out in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Enugu , Imo, Lagos and Kano States between July 2007 and July 2009. More killings were said to have occurred in Lagos alone.
Do we deserve the Police we have in Lagos? It is often said that a country deserves the Police its gets, but is this the type of Police we deserve in Lagos? And how ironical can the situation be?
The Lagos Police Command has been very lucky indeed. Operating in a state where the state government has done so much in improving their lot, that the Police in the state would turn around to kill innocent residents they are meant to protect beats me.
Governor Fashola has been spending money and networking with the private sector on behalf of the State Police Command through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. Is this the way to pay him back? Only recently, the state government provided armoured vehicles for the use of the Command. The Security Trust Fund utilizes donations from corporate bodies and individuals to equip the security agencies operating within the state. It is an ongoing collaboration between the government and the people of Lagos state to ensure the safety of all Lagosians. The Fund is essentially a public-private partnership in response to the challenges of security in Lagos State. The latest donation brings to 20 the number of APCs now in the operations of the state police command. The 10 new APCs financed by the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) through Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSTF) were distributed one each to the eight police area commands in the state.
The 37 councils had also, last year, jointly financed the purchase and donation of 114 security patrol vans fitted with communication gadgets to the police as part of their contributions to safety and security of lives and properties in Lagos. The LSTF was established in 2007, few months after Governor Fashola came into office as interventionist measure and financiers of security in the state.
Since its establishment, the outfit has received and continues to receive donations in cash and equipment from both government and private donors, including banks, motor companies and individuals in excess of N4 billion, which are regularly utilised to provide necessary security apparatus to strengthen the capacity of the police in the state.
Given the various efforts of the State government in strengthening the Police Command, is this the way to pay the state back by killing residents at will? Are they being equipped to annihilate us all?
The most dreaded unit is the Rapid Response Squad, an arm of the State Police Command, which was set up to respond to emergencies within the state, speedily and carries out regular patrols of the state and have various 'pinning-down' points across the city. But the men in the Patrols are the main source of worry for Lagosians. Some of the patrols are notorious in setting up illegal checkpoints, extorting money from residents and doing illegal stop and search.
Since they are always roving, they have become deadly in the act of extra judicial killings and would flee an area once they have committed their lethal acts in what has been infamously referred to as "kill and go". In Lagos, some of the worst forms of Police brutality, shootings and extortions are being daily committed by some errant Mobile Policemen popularly called MOPOL and regular officers. They forcefully extort money from motorists; they can shoot without provocation if their demands for bribe are not met.
They have been known to kill for a paltry sum of N20. In an incident in Ketu, a cab that refused to part with a bribe in 2007 was shot at, killing a toddler in the process. Often times, they are shabbily dressed, some of these Policemen even wear bathroom slippers, and they tie scarves on their heads while wearing dark goggles to shield their faces.
What is to be done? Urgent measures to stop the brutality of the Police in Lagos must be put in place. The Commissioner of Police Marvel Akpoyibo should make it clear to all the area commands and Divisional Police Stations and Officers of the rank and file in the State that the murder of the innocents will not be tolerated. Officers who kill without justification must be made to face the wrath of the law. Lagosians must say no to secret orderly room trial that will not go beyond sanctioning of killer officers. Governor Fashola should insist that the state government will not tolerate the decimation of residents by trigger happy Policemen who disappear into thin air after their dastardly act.
There is also the need to conduct psychological test and train and retrain officers by the Police Authorities. The private sector can also be involved in capacity building for lower officers on the need to be civil to civilians. The Commissioner must sanction policemen who drink on duty; and there are so many of them in Lagos?
There is also the need to improve on the living conditions of the average policeman. A visit to the barracks will reveal why these men are angry and now take their frustrations on hapless residents. The living condition in the barracks is chaotic and can only breed angry individuals who will become a danger to the public whom they are meant to protect. Entrusting them with guns and weapons is a time bomb that will always explode in our faces.
In the meantime, one can only wonder when the next killing will occur. No one is safe.
Source: The Guardian, 11th April 2010.
Orphans Relish Fun Day At Lagos Airport
By Gbenga Salau
Children drawn from Little Saints Orphanage and Victory Faith Mission International, Ipaja, were on Easter Monday hosted to a tour of the airport by Dufils Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles and Bi-Courtney Services, concessionaire of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMA2). It was a fun-filled experience for the children, who were taken through the processes of traveling by air.
Dressed in Indomie branded T-shirts and fez caps, the sightseers were taken round each travel points while necessary steps from the point of buying ticket to boarding the plane were explained, by the tour guides; Mrs. Omotunde Raji Yussuf and Laide Jinadu.
Yussuf narrated how Bi-Courtney Services became the concessionaire of MMA2 after it got burnt in May 2000. She said because the federal government could not rebuild the MMA2 terminal after the facility was completely raised down by fire, it gave it out to the private firm to build and operate for 36 years, after which, the company would handover the terminal to the federal government.
She informed that after getting a ticket, the next stage is to obtain a boarding pass. "Once the luggage a passenger is traveling with is more than 20 kilogrammes, the passenger would be charged for the excess luggage. After obtaining the boarding pass, the passenger moves to the security check-in point where he would be screened and ensured that he does not carry any material that may cause security threat to passengers on the plane."
The children were taken to the two lounges - Executive Membership and the VIP. On hand to guide them was the Customer Care consultant, Tayo Oyeleke. She gave details of the benefits offered to people who make use of the two lounges. "It cost an annual subscription fee of N500,000 to be a member of the Executive Membership lounge, while any passenger willing to patronise the VIP lounge pays N2,000 per trip."
Oyeleke explained that while a member of the Executive Membership Lounge enjoys free drink and food, free access to the internet and free parking space within the terminal; at the VIP Lounge, which is pay as you go, the passenger only enjoys free food and drink offered to him while waiting to pick his flight. She also said that a member of the Executive Membership Lounge can bring a friend along to the lounge and such person will be treated as a member of the Executive Membership Lounge.
Thereafter, the children were taken to the tarmac to see some aircrafts and taught some safety rules.
EXPLAINING the reason for the excursion dubbed Indomie Easter Children Excursion, Public Relations, Event and Sponsorship Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Tope Ashiwaju, said:
"This is part of our efforts to strengthen what our brand is known for, which is putting smiles on the face of children. And we are doing this by gathering all the children together so that they can have fun during Easter, while at the same time learning new things.
"Partnering with Bi-Courtney was strategic in strengthening the bond between us and the children. Majority of the children are orphans who might never get the opportunity to enter an airport but have been given the chance to experience first-hand what they might have read in their elementary textbooks about airports and airplanes.
"It is our belief that this experience will stir up dreams and positive ambition of a successful future in the children. We believe that the ambition to become pilots, air hostesses, aeronautic engineers and other aviation-related disciplines will be stimulated in the children, just as Indomie has become a phenomenon in their minds," he added.
For Seun Fatokun, one of the children on the trip, the experience was memorable. She thanked the organisers for the opportunity to board a plane. "Before now, I thought that people just come to the airport, enter the plane and go. But now I understand the process better."
Head of the Victory International Faith Mission delegation, Pastor Mark Killian, said that they brought the children to see the airport because many of them had not been to the airport. He also applauded Indomie and Bi-Courtney for organising the excursion.
Source: The Guardian, 11th April 2010.
Lagos Mega City Project;
Rescuing Abesan Estate From Ruins
By Olugbenga Adebanjo
Akinyele is the hub of Abesan Low Cost Housing Estate in Ipaja, a sprawling neighbourhood on the outskirts of Lagos. By design or otherwise, Akinyele has become the focal point of Abesan community, including its immediate environs. To the Agberos, it is the last bus stop for commuters to alight and for new destination to start. The energy of the community is dispersed from this point to all other areas of the neighbourhood.
Apart from activities of commercial bus drivers, there are shops on both sides of the street. Most of the shops are manned by petty traders trying to eke out a living. The most prominent feature of economic activity is the sales of provisions.
An interesting if not curious aspect of this area is the deplorable state of Ipaja Ayobo road - especially when it rains - which leads to traffic being rerouted through Abesan estate. At peak hours, both in the morning and at night, Akinyele feels the pressure of commuting.
After a day's rush hour period in the morning, the neighbourhood becomes almost dead, wearing a very dry and sombre look. The reason being that it lacks an integrated economic and business infrastructure.
THE establishment of Abesan Estate in the early 80s was based on the philosophy of setting up a new town, a sort of suburb to decongest the inner city of Lagos. The building of a modern town is a long and complex process, which requires continuity.
The initiative on the part of the Lateef Jakande administration to decongest Lagos and in the process reshape the state along the line of a modern city is very laudable, but successive governments after seem to have lost the plot until the advent of the current administration.
Regaining the momentum would require regeneration efforts on the part of the state government. This should begin with recognition of the essentials of a modern town. Abesan estate currently lacks economic and business infrastructure to service the community and its environs.
When considering the regeneration of Abesan, the road network in the estate should be top on the list. The current move of grading the main roads with larterite sand is unproductive and would end up as a waste of effort and resources; rather it would make more economic sense to reconstruct all the roads and drainages in the estate preferably phased over a period of two to three years.
The rains would soon begin to pour on Abesan with the difficulties that come with it.
One of the things left out when the estate was originally conceived was a community hall and sports arena. Residents do not have to go too far for leisure or sporting activities.
Improving on the economic and business infrastructure of the community should start with the setting up of banks in the estate. At present, there is no single bank in the estate. Building a proper market though on a small scale within the estate or very close to the neighbourhood would help in revitalising economic activity.
In most new towns, the concept of business parks is an integral part of such projects. Though this has been a missing part of Abesan, it can be incorporated into the community, where residents can have workshops, offices or studios. Empowering the community through relevant trainings for the unemployed in a way that is most suited to the needs of the people with the provision of loans and other resources would serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Abesan and its immediate environs.
Building a mega city out of present day Lagos is achievable based on the concept of regenerating communities within the city. These organic communities, of which Abesan is one, make up the beautiful city of Lagos. Abesan must be brought back to life though intensive regeneration. In the process, a real sense of belonging would be created in the minds of the residents of Abesan, where they would feel proud to live, work and play.
olutayo35@aol.com
Source: The Guardian, 11th April 2010.
'We Are Prepared To Combat Flooding In Lagos'
Flooding in Lagos State during the raining season has remained a major concern to Lagosians over the years. And with the attendant climate change challenges, the situation becomes more worrisome as the rainy season approaches. In this interview, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire told BERTRAM NWANNEKANMA AND OLAWUNMI OJO that there was no cause for alarm as the ministry had put measures in place to prevent a recurrence this year.
Excerpts:
With the rainy season approaching and given the perennial flooding challenges, what is the progress made with the channelisation project in the state?
We are substantially comfortable with our actions in not less than 70 per cent of the areas that used to get flooded. The major channels that take water to the canals have been covered. So we are set to conquer the flood this time.
Earth channels have been a major problem to us in the sense that when we dredge them, in the next three months, they appear as if you did nothing because of the high level of sedimentation and fertility that fuels the growth of water hyacinth and other weeds.
Sedimentation in unlined canal channels is higher than in lined ones. But our ability to line all channels is impaired by the scarcity available resources because it is an expensive venture that requires high level funding.
The problem of Victoria Island is still a concern, especially with land reclamation activities in some parts of the area. What is being done to prevent flooding in the area?
We have tamed flood on the island substantially now because we have expanded the collectors and still cleaning more of them. When Victoria Island was constructed, the plan provided for over 60 collectors, but because the place was not heavily inhabited then, they actually constructed about 33. Some have been out-rightly blocked out of greed for land. We have been able to reclaim some of the channels.
What about the reclamation exercise?
We only need more collectors to take the waters from the area. For Dolphin Estate, we still have waters on the road, but we have a scheme now to prevent flooding there. When Dolphin and Parkview were developed, from studies, they did not give enough time for the land to compress before construction started.
In Dolphin for example, what they did was to use Raft Foundation for the buildings. And because the houses are floating on raft, the roads have gone down which is why water is always on the road. The solution would be to redo the roads and premises and bring them up again.
On our part, we have been able to do the roads substantially, by cutting down the water level. But this cannot be total because it is a depression problem they have there.
It is same problem at Parkview. It is even getting worse there because they are getting virtually below sea level. To salvage the situation, the area needs to be reclaimed properly again.
How about the impact of the Eko Atlantic City reclamation project in Lagos?
In Eko Atlantic City project, we have done Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) analysis of the area. What is going on there is not reclamation; it is recovering of lost area as a result of coastal erosion. What we have done is to move the water back to where it was before. We are not moving beyond where the bar-beach used to be.
This will serve two purposes, one to provide a permanent solution to the threat of water and also develop the area with structures. If you go to Cape Town in South Africa, you will see the kind of thing we are trying to do there. It is a coastal defence mechanism.
Does the plan involve discouraging people from building on drains and wetlands?
There are complications. But we are enforcing such mechanisms as monitoring to stop such structures. We have also decentralised the Physical Planning Ministry and are relying heavily on people to give us information in our bid to abate that threat.
We are also dealing with rain collectors, dredging them to encourage people because if they are not efficient, water cannot get into the collector. We have constructed many collectors and channels. We have done well in terms of de-flooding the city and that is why in the last two years, particularly last year, regardless of the high level rainfall, we suffered no loss of lives or property.
However, beyond flooding, there are other problems noticed during the rainy season and often misconstrued as flooding. For instance, the Ijora area that gets heavily flooded during the rainy season does not have a flooding problem. In some cases, what we have is road depression problem. The entire Apapa-Oshodi expressway has road depression problem. So what is often seen at Amuwo Odofin is not flooding, it is road problem. So when it rains, the water stays because it cannot enter the drain since it is now higher than the level of the road. The only solution is to redo the road, move the road up so it can discharge water into the drains.
Secondly, this challenge also occurs where people have deliberately chosen to live on wetland. You cannot do anything to help them. Such people are already below the sea level and if we drain the area, their buildings may collapse. In such cases, there is no solution than to relocate them because no buildings were approved for such areas. Another of such area is Ajegunle after Ketu, along Ikorodu road.
What about the Iyana Ejigbo flood, does it fall within the plan?
Yes, Iyana Ejigbo is in our plan. What we intend to do is to cut across the road and build a big culvert to take water across the road. I am hopeful that before the main rainy period in May, we should have done the culvert, which would drop the water level.
We would keep enlightening our people that canals are not dumpsite, not to discharge their sewage in the canals and drains because it encourages sedimentation. Residents must also become custodians of infrastructure and imbibe the culture that public infrastructure are theirs to protect.
What is the state government doing to tackle the issue of climate change in Lagos, since most of the environmental challenges you mentioned are linked to climate change?
Without fear of contradiction, Lagos state is the only state in Nigeria that is at the forefront of addressing the problem of climate change. Lagos state is at par with most cities of the world in terms of fighting climate change. We have put in place several mechanisms, from awareness, to information, litigation measures to adaptation measures.
In terms of information, we believed that we must catch them young by letting our children know what is threatening their future. We also have what is called the school advocacy programme that teaches them how to manage and sort waste. Under the programme, there is also a tree-planting programme.
There is also the green programme. We plant everyday as a state government, and the good thing is that individuals and corporate bodies are joining us to plant.
Why does it take long to cart away de-silted debris from the road?
From the ministry of the Environment, it takes about 24 hours to cart away de-silted materials. Unfortunately, there are many agencies in the state de-silting and we take responsibility for their misdeeds. We have directed severally that people should remove as they desilt but compliance has been low. So when it rains, it goes back to the drains. It is better not to de-silt if you are not ready to remove.
Source: The Guardian, 10th April 2010.
Lagos Denies Plan To Demolish Market
THE Lagos State government yesterday denied an alleged plan by the state to demolish the Mile 12 Market in the Kosofe Local Council Area of the state.
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Opeyemi Bamidele, the government said it had no such plans and advised resident to 'totally' ignore the rumour.
Urging Lagosians to go about their legitimate businesses without fear, the government renewed its commitment to peace and progress in the state, saying that it would never be distracted from its determined course of delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Source: The Guardian, 10th April 2010.
Lagos returns to the ... show
By Isaac Taiwo and David Ibemere
AN obviously excited Duro Olusoji, who was watching from the balcony of his house near Catholic Mission Street in Lagos, on Monday, had exclaimed: "This is what they must have had in mind when people used to say 'Eko for Show'. This is truly a show Lagos will ever be proud of."
He was referring to the Lagos carnival, which had attracted a capacity crowd of Lagosians as well as visitors from abroad to Tafawa Balewa Square for a dazzling display of colours and exhilarating music and dance by various brilliantly attired groups.
The carnival is not strange in Lagos as there had, in the past, been regular street display of fashion and musical performances by descendants of Brazilian returnees from the turn of the couple of decades that followed.
According to a scion of the Brazillian returnees, Bolaji D'Almeida, "The Lagos State government has stepped in to tremendously improve on the carnival that had always been held during Easter and Christmas in the Popo Aguda or Brazilian Quarters in Lagos in Lafiaji, Campos, Ofin and Olowologbo.
"With time, the carnival spread to other areas such as Isale Eko and across Carter Bridge to Ikoyi, to New Lagos as Surulere in the Mainland was known."
He said the original carnival by the offsprings of Brazillian returnees featured special meals such as freijon, cooked with fish and crabs as well as kanjika and gurudi.
"In those days, the carnival was supported by public-spirited and well-to-do individuals who served as patrons.
But the take-over of the carnival now by the Lagos State government has made it so much bigger and better.
"The tourism, social and economic potentials would now be maximized and exploited", he said.
That much was promised by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) when he flagged off the carnival at the weekend.
Declaring the carnival open, the governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Abimbola, former Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, American film star, Danny Glover and other dignitaries said it would grow to rival other international carnivals.
He had in mind the Rio Janeiro Carnival in Brazil and Notting Hill Carnival in England. As in those foreign carnivals, the various contingents of the participants had passed through different routes like Ahmadu Bello Way, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Awolowo Road, Akin Adesola Street, Ikoyi Road and the King George Road in road shows which were characterised by music and dancing.
All the six educational districts in Lagos were represented at the parade, which also featured participants from areas like Ikeja, Ketu, Agege, Ifako- Ijaiye, IKorodu, Ogba, Isolo, Surulere, Odi Olowo.
Others included Mushin, Ilasamaja, Oworonshoki, Awoyaya, Addo Langbasa, Bogije, Epe and Badagry all joining the traditional Fanti groups of Campos Lafiaji, Epetedo and Oko Faji in the beautiful road show.
In his remarks Fashola had emphasized that the successful staging of the carnival was a demonstration that culture and tourism will play a leading role in the new Lagos.
He said while the week long Black Heritage Festival of which the Lagos Carnival forms an integral part is a sad reminder of the heinous crime of man's inhumanity to man, the people of Lagos are ready to move away from the sad memories of the slave trade and transform it into a carnival.
The Governor said through the festival, Lagos has exhibited its culture, its food, its creativity and its readiness to open Lagos as a tourist destination.
He also noted that in the last few weeks, students and instructors at the skills acquisition centres in the state have worked day and night to ensure the costumes and apparel were ready in order to make the carnival a success towards enlarging the role tourism plays in the state economy.
He said without any foreign supervision or input, the Skill Acquisition Centres produced over 93,000 costumes locally, which were adorned by the participants to demonstrate that Lagos is the new fashion capital of the world.
He thanked all categories of people and elders of the State who have provided wise counsel to the organizing committee on how to go about it as well as the students and costume designers, graduates at the Skills Acquisition Centres who worked hard to show the growing strength of the Lagos economy.
The Governor while extending his invitation to the guests to still be a part of the carnival in 2011 said preparations for that edition have already started in earnest so that the state can present another masterpiece of a Lagos Carnival during the Easter holidays.
Many Lagosians have commended the organizers for a largely hitch-free carnival, though they asked that better arrangements be made in future to ease the pains caused by traffic jams.
"This area needs to be addressed in future", Walton Aruna told The Guardian, " though I must say it was a good outing by Lagosians.
"I was impressed by the fact that the people who participated were decently dressed. There was none of the skimpy dressing as seen during the Rio Carnival. There was also none of the violence that is sometimes associated with the NotingHill Carnival.
"It was good and I hope it gets better and better as the years go by."
Source: The Guardian, 8th April 2010.
Lagos Carnival: 'Treat Visitors with Utmost Courtesy'
By Sunday Okobi
With all arrangements in place for a successful staging of the week long Lagos Carnival 2010, and Black Heritage Festival, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has urged all operators of hospitality and events businesses in Lagos to treat visitors with utmost courtesy.
Fashola, at a press briefing in Ikeja, said if the visitors are well treated, they can come back next year and keep them as valued customers for a long time to come."
He said the state government decided to leverage on the enormous tourism and economic development potentials of the carnival and Black Heritage Festival events, which would hold from tomorrow to April 9, 2010, by integrating them into the World Heritage Festival as the high point of a week of exposition of African culture, when Lagos will host millions of people from various parts of the world.
"As our state continues to become a beacon of social and economic development and as our guests from far and near begin to arrive, I urge you to receive them with warmth and welcoming smiles and let them feel our world famous Lagos hospitality from end to end."
While emphasizing that the Lagos Carnival will be a celebration of the city's ancestry and plurality of identity, Fashola said 92.3 per cent of the intending 14,500 participants in the Carnival will be drawn from areas outside Lagos Island, which was the traditional base of street carnivals.
He said the carnival would be land and sea based, and urged spectators to be casually attired and mindful of one of the marine creatures, explaining that the routes which would be demanding on participants would be lined by food and drink booths, while conveniences are provided intermittently along the route.
"For this day, restaurants and eateries along the route are encouraged to extend their seating areas outside their premises without obstructing sidewalks or the carnival routes. Spectators are also encouraged to watch the carnival from any point along the route, as all troupes will be visible from any point.
"Although all the troupes will eventually converge at the Tafawa Balewa Square for the viewing comfort of individuals and families, especially children, admission to the TBS is free," he said.
Source: This Day, 2nd April 2010.
Police Nab Seven Drivers Over Kidnap of
70-yr-old Man
LAGOS — Seven private drivers have been arrested in connection with the kidnap of a 71-year-old man, last Friday, at the Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Surprisingly, one of them was discovered to be the old man's personal driver.
The suspects who were paraded at the Oduduwa office of the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, yesterday confessed to have conspired with some other persons to kidnap the old man identified as Mr Adekunle Adebowale.
The principal suspect, one Shola Aluko, who has been driving his boss for about a year, revealed to journalists how he masterminded the kidnap.
According to him, while waiting for his boss who had gone for a meeting at the Country Club, Ikeja penultimate Friday, he told his colleagues who were also waiting for their bosses that he was in dire need of money, following which one of them suggested the kidnap of his master to realise the amount.
With the plan concluded, Aluko reportedly stopped mid way within the GRA, informing his boss that the car had developed a fault. Pretending to be effecting the repairs, members of his gang who had laid ambush, sprang from their hiding and attacked him.
The hoodlums, thereafter, bundled the driver and the unsuspecting old man into the vehicle and sped off to an apartment somewhere in Ebutte Meta area of the state, threatening to harm the old man if he refused to cooperate with them.
Calls were reportedly put through to the captive's son, demanding a ransom of N5 million, at the end of which both parties settled for N200,000. The panic-stricken man was said to have written a cheque of N200,000 in his driver's name at the insistence of his captors, who, thereafter, followed the driver to the bank to withdraw the amount.
Source: Vanguard, 31st March 2010.
Group Presents Fresh Petition Against Fashola to Lagos Assembly
…as House removes Minority Leader
LAGOS — Following a Lagos High Court's ruling against the planned probe of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State by the state House of Assembly, members of the True Face of Lagos, yesterday presented a fresh petition seeking a probe of the executive arm of the state government.
Chairman of the group, Mr Adesina Adebayo, alongside other placard-carrying members presented a copy of the petition to the Speaker of the House, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, at the Assembly complex in Alausa.
Adebayo said their action was to allow the lawmakers to follow due process in investigating the allegation of financial impropriety against Fashola administration.
He said it would amount to an act of injustice if Governor Fashola was not investigated following the allegations levelled at him.
The Speaker who reluctantly received a copy of the petition from the chairman of the group, hinted that previous petitions by the group had been causing the governor sleepless nights, adding that submitting the petition to the governor himself would go a long way to ease the job of the House.
Allegations
In the new petition, the group alleged that Fashola had corruptly enriched some privileged individuals in and out of government through some expenditure he claimed to have incurred on behalf of Lagosians.
These, the group itemized to include a N250 million given to the Rotimi Akeredolu-led exco of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, for a conference held last year in Lagos; N240 million on hiring of private security guard; N1.5 billion to demolish the Bank of Industry building; awarding a two-kilometre road on Western Avenue for N7.7 billion.
House sacks Minority Leader
The Lagos State House of Assembly has removed Hodewu Suru Avoseh as the Minority Leader, accusing him of being a fifth columnist during a plenary session yesterday.
Mr Avoseh, a member of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in the House was alleged to have recorded a parliamentary meeting sometime in January, an action that contravenes the rules of the House.
Consequently, Mr Adeniyi Adedoyin, who represents Ibeju Lekki I of the PDP, has been named to replace him.
Speaking under a matter of urgent public importance, Rotimi Olowo said the action of their colleague gave him room to be uncomfortable since nothing had been done or heard of the matter from Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
According to Olowo, "the act of Avoseh, a principal officer to bring a sophisticated recording device in form of a pen into the parliamentary meeting to record activities where members freely speak their mind gives a feeling that he was playing the role of a fifth columnist."
Source: Vanguard, 31st March 2010.
Akpabio, Fashola, Garba Identify Problems with Nigeria
LAGOS—GOVERNORS of Akwa Ibom and Lagos states, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, called for strengthening of the nation's democratic structures, arguing that such move will assist in resolving the current political problems facing the nation.
Also, National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Malam Mohammed Garba, has identified insincerity on the part of Nigerians as the bane of the country's problems.
The trio spoke, yesterday, in Lagos at a forum on: "Contemporary Nigeria: Challenges facing a democratising nation," which was organised by the Lagos State Council of NUJ, at Ostra Hall, Ikeja.
Gov. Akpabio, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, argued that the need to address the question of indigeneship was imperative, if the nation must forge ahead.Gov. Fashola in his speech stressed that the greatest problem facing Nigeria today is the failure of credible leadership even as he called for the immediate electoral reform in the country.
Gov. Fashola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Ranti Odutola, noted that the problem with Nigeria was that of effective leadership.
However, Garba identified insincerity as the bane of Nigeria's problems. He, however, called on the present crop of leaders to be sincere.
Source: Vanguard, 31st March 2010.
Court Stops Govt, Others From Ejecting Tenants In Lagos
By Bertram Nwannekanma
A reprieve has come the way of residents of Transit Village located at Adetokunbo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos as a Federal High Court, Lagos has restrianed Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development, the United African Property Development Company Plc and the Bank of Industry from ejecting them.
The court also stopped the respondents and their agents from demolishing, constructing, allocating, redeveloping and trespassing on the Transit Village, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The order by Justice Akinjide Ajakaiye was sequel to an ex-parte application brought by four residents, Mallam Isyaku Ibrahim, Mrs. C. Ogunsola, J.A. Isi and Mrs. C. J. Abara, for themselves and on behalf of the residents.
In the motion, the plaintiffs' counsel, Mrs. Funmi Falana urged the court to make an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from forcefully ejecting about 800 people from their 109 units of bungalows in the Transit Village because of the urgency of the matter.
Justice Ajakaiye consequently granted the plaintiffs' prayers and restrained the defendants from dislodging or forcefully evicting the plaintiffs.
The judge said: "That the defendants whether by themselves, servants, agents are hereby restrained in the interim from demolishing, constructing, allocating, or any form or redevelopment, or trespass howsoever described on the plaintiffs' premises known as Transit Village, Adetokunbo Ademola Street Victoria Island until the return date.
"That the applicants shall give an undertaking as to damages in case it eventually turns out that this order ought not to have been made."
In a seven -paragraph affidavit in support of the motion on notice, the plaintiffs claimed that they were public servants of the Federal Government in various ministries and parastatals, saying that they were legal sitting tenants for upward of 30 years.
They also alleged that the Federal Government's circular on disposal of its quarters had stipulated that legal sitting public officers occupying such houses would be given option of first refusal to purchase the house on owner -occupier basis.
The plaintiffs however claimed that the Transit Village was omitted deliberately when the residential quarters were advertised, saying that it was subsequently included on the list of Federal Government properties advertised for development.
They also claimed that they indicated their interest to the Minister of Housing on August 24, 2009 with a view to purchasing the Transit Village as sitting tenants in line with the Federal Government's policy of preemptive right.
They however claimed that they were surprised when the Federal Government had in its response to their request stated in a letter dated September 10, 2009 that it had approved the UACN and the Bank of Industry as the developers of the Transit Village.
They added that the UACN and the BOI had brought several contraction equipment in preparation for their dislodgement and subsequent demolition.
The plaintiffs want the court to hold that as public servants and sitting tenants of the houses, they have the right to bid for them before the properties could be thrown open to the interested members of the public according to the circular of June 27, 2003
They are also asking the court to hold that the purported sales or concessioning of the Transit Village to one or two corporate bodies as against 800 inhabitants will make them to homeless and met untold hardship on them.
They further claimed, "As public servants and citizens of Nigeria, the Federal Government has statutory duties to provide accommodation for the plaintiffs. There is enough vacant land in Lagos on which the UACN and the BOI can develop for purpose of sale.
"The plaintiffs have no alternative place to live in the event that they are evicted or rejected from their homes and their lives and property will be exposed to danger."
The case has been adjourned till April 28.
Guardian Fileserver 1A:6Saturday:Text:Court stops FG.doc
Source: Guardian, 27th March 2010.
Fashola on How to Transform Nigeria
Governor Fashola, who spoke at the 60th birthday anniversary of the chieftain at the Banilux Events Place, Yaba, also advised the National Assembly that the quickest and most effective way to amend the Constitution is to effect changes in those provisions that emanated from military decrees and verdicts.
He urged the Legislators to also look at those laws that have centralized and appropriated the powers of the states in areas like the regulation of hotels, collection of Value Added Tax (VAT), issuance of drivers' licenses which, according to him, used to be done by local governments and the centralization of national lottery with a view to amending them.
According to him, "Issues like Federal Character will not guarantee us unity; it will not guarantee us progress. It is a programme like the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), inter-tribal marriages and such other things that make us human that can fully and continue to integrate our country", he said pointing out that the damage to our Federalism is deep and intense.
The Governor said considering the role the British colonialists played in the history of Nigeria, it is clear that the solution to the problem of Nigeria does not necessarily lie with any foreign input but a collective acceptance of the responsibility to change those things that are unacceptable.
Governor Fashola declared, "The liberation of Nigeria, the assurance of her continued survival, is a road that is worth going and there should be no short cut", pointing out that the only way to achieve liberation and ensure the survival of the country is for Nigerians to take their collective destiny in their hands.
"I will like to ask, if we amend the Constitution, whether the amendments we are effecting are more Federal; whether the amendments will allow states to take the destinies of their Local Governments in their own hands; whether the amendments have gotten rid of the anti-Federal and military tendencies that have held back our country", the Governor asked.
Governor Fashola poured encomiums on Oshun saying his experience and relationship with the former Chief Whip, Federal House of Representatives, revealed him as a "purposeful advocate of all that is good". He added, "He is a very quiet but efficient servant of our party and his people".
Describing the Afenifere chieftain as selfless, the Governor declared, "Every time he calls or sends me a text message, that call or text message is always about others. It has never been about him. And when I say it is about others, I don't mean others in the Mainland or Ebute-Metta. Sometimes, it is about people as far away as Jos or Haiti. It concerns every where there is pain and suffering"
"I bear testimony to the fact that perhaps he may not be the most vocal person, but somehow, he prods you, and continues to prick your conscience until you do what is right", Governor Fashola said adding that the Action Congress would, perhaps not be what it is today in terms of its mass and popular appeal, its growth from strength to strength without the input of Hon Oshun.
Source: Daily Champion, 28th March 2010.
Fear Grips Lagos Residents Over Acid Rain
By Niyi Odebode,
Fear gripped many residents of Lagos on Sunday over a text message warning people against an acid rain between March 20 and 28.
According to the text message, "There is a possibility of acid rain. The dark circle appeared around the moon on March 17 and this was an indication of an acid rain.
"Apparently, this happens once in 750 years. It rains like normal rain, but it may cause skin cancer if you expose yourself to it."
Residents, who received the text message forwarded it to their friends and family members. They advised them to stay indoors whenever it rained on any of the days mentioned in the SMS.
A resident of Yaba, Fidelis Okon, who said that he had received the text message, said that he would not go to work anytime it rained during the week.
According to http://library.thinkquest.org, "The primary causes of acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These chemicals are released by certain industrial processes, and as a result, the more industrialised nations of Europe as well as the United States suffer severely from acid rain."
The online publication, however, stated that sulfur dioxide came from power plants that use it as fuel. It added, "These plants emit 100 million tons of sulfur dioxide. There is 70 per cent of that in the world.
"Automobiles produce about half of the world's nitrogen oxide. As the number of automobiles in use increases, so does the amount of acid rain. Power plants that burn fossil fuels also contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide emission."
It also listed fire, volcanic eruptions, bacterial decomposition as natural causes of acid rain.
When contacted, the Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Health's Cancer Control Programme, Dr. Patience Osinubi, said that acid rain had not been listed as one of the causes of skin cancer.
She said, "I need more scientific information. I am, however, of the opinion that it may be a slight lowering of the PH (acidity) of atmospheric vapour that is referred to as acid rain. I must tell you that acid rain has never been listed as an etiology for skin cancer."
The United States Environmental Protection Agency explained the health implications of the rain. It said, "Acid rain looks, feels, and tastes just like clean rain. The harm to people from acid rain is not direct. Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous than walking or swimming in clean water."
Source: Punch, 22nd March 2010.
Appointment of Lagos Judges:
Furore Over Nothing
By 'Fisayo Soyombo
THE appointment of judges to fill the seven vacancies in the Lagos State High Court has, in recent weeks, become a subject of intense controversy. Lawyers, who consider themselves qualified for a place on the appointment list, including those who have special interest in the appointment of particular magistrates, have apparently politicised the affair. Already, there are names being bandied in public places as victims of a ploy to strategically sideline non-indigenes of the state. There equally are names being suggested as Lagos indigenes whose nominations for appointment are at the expense of merit and judicial competence. There have been postulations of a list from the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, containing 14 names, of which more than half are indigenes.
That is not all. Some lobbyists have claimed that the state's Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) had invited applications from candidates who wanted to be elevated to the bench, adding that 14 names were eventually drawn from a list of 30 applicants. The JSC's list, it is claimed, is different from the Governor's. Also, attempts are already afoot to praise-sing some of the supposed candidates, using unwitting media agencies, to give the public the opinion that they are the most qualified and their non-appointment would certainly amount to a parody of justice.
But investigations made by The Guardian reveal that there is no list in place: either from the governor, the JSC or the Lagos State Chief Judge. In fact, the process that will eventually culminate in the production of a list has not begun. And at the moment, Lagos State does not have a Judiciary Service Commission, without which nominations, much less appointments, cannot be made.
The process of appointing the judges almost began last year, and would have been completed by now, but the National judicial Council (NJC) - the body in charge of ratifying such appointments - claimed that the proximate past Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Adetula did not follow due process. He had, just weeks to the end of his departure from office, sent a list of nominees to the National Judicial Council (NJC) in Abuja. However, the minimum time frame he had to make such a request was six months to the end of his tenure. By the time the NJC would respond to the letter, Alabi's place as Chief Judge had been taken by Justice Inumidun Enitan Akande (Mrs.).
Conveying its position to the Chief Judge, the NJC had, in a letter dated November 12, 2009 and addressed to Hon. Justice I. E. Akande, stated thus: "The National Judicial Council at its meeting, which was held on October 12 and 15, 2009, considered the Memorandum for the Appointment of seven High Court Judges for Lagos State, forwarded to it by the Judicial Service Commission under the Chairmanship of your predecessor in office, Hon. Justice Adetula Alabi, OFR."
The letter, bearing reference number NJC/S.1/XVII/1105, further said: "In the course of its deliberation, Council noted that the exercise was done few weeks before His Lordship retired from office. In view of the foregoing, I have been directed to inform Your Lordship that Council has decided to defer consideration of the request for appointment of seven High Court Judges for Lagos State, until a fresh submission is made to it by the Judicial Service commission under your chairmanship, please."
In less than three weeks, the new Chief Judge moved to commence the process afresh, as mandated by the NJC. This she did, by writing the Lagos State Governor, asking for a reconstitution of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission.
In a letter to the Governor on December 3, 2009, the new Chief Judge had said: "...a letter emanating from the National Judicial Council (copy attached) dated November 17, 2009, was received on Monday November 30, 2009. Going by its position as conveyed by the letter (Para. 2. Of letter refers, please), it appears we have to commence the process afresh, as we have been asked to make fresh submission of names of proposed Judges to be appointed; a process which cannot commence without a duly constituted Judicial Service Commission in place."
The letter, addressed to Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) with reference number CJL/GLS/001Vol.II/51, concluded: "in view of this development, I hereby request Your Excellency, with all due respect, to take appropriate steps for having in place, a duly constituted Lagos State Judicial Service Commission as requested, to enable us make a fresh submission to NJC as quickly as possible." The reconstitution of the new JSC is still being sorted out, and until the Lagos State government takes full action on it, the nomination process will have to wait.
The implication of all these is that there is no basis for the furore that has greeted a process that has not yet been initiated. Until the JSC is constituted, any list of possible nominations from the Governor, the Chief Judge or a yet-to-be-constituted NJC, is nothing but a phantom list. All the ongoing permutations and politicisation therefore have to wait.
Source: The Guardian, 28th Feb 2010.
Fashola Versus Lagos Assembly
THAT all is well among political gladiators in the Action Congress (AC) in Lagos State is probably a message for the deaf. Consider the spat that has attended the advice by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji, to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to be wary of those singing his praises.
Reflect on to the recent remarks by the duo's political godfather and former governor of the state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that numerous advertorials against his person were published when he was the governor and he did not have to attribute any to his predecessor in office. And that he (Tinubu) has the right to advise the governor if he is not doing certain things the right way.
The more the gladiators screamed 'no rift', the more unconvincing they become.
If anyone was still in doubt, the reaction of the state Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress, Joe Igbokwe, to the innocent advice of The Guardian editorial should put such doubts in the thrash bin. Opposition political parties in the state - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) - couldn't have performed better than Igbokwe did in repudiating the achievements of the Fashola-led AC government.
National Chairman of the AC, Chief Bisi Akande's spirited effort at putting the public mind at rest by insisting that there was no rift between the governor and his predecessor in office or between the governor and the House of Assembly, has also met with little success.
Then out of the blues emerged a group, True Face of Lagos, with allegations of financial recklessness against the state government. Like manna from the skies, the Assembly immediately lapped on the group's accusation and constituted a six-man panel on the same day the assertions came to the Assembly's notice through newspaper advertorials, to investigate the governor. Apparently to give credibility to the allegations and discourage accusation of the voice of Jacob but the hand Esau, the group claimed that members of the State Assembly were given N20 million each by the governor.
Since then, there have been chains of events, with demonstrations in favour of the state governor, asking the Assembly to let him be. One such demonstration almost got uglier when attempt was made at molesting the Speaker. In the interim, a private legal practitioner has secured a Lagos High Court injunction, stopping the Assembly from carrying on with the investigation. The House has, however, opposed the injunction. Hearing in the matter has been fixed for March 16.
It is also instructive that while The Guardian was waiting for the Speaker in his office last Tuesday, members of the New Face of Lagos curiously came to withdraw the allegations concerning members of the House of Assembly. But more curious, the group insisted on the accusation against Governor Fashola, which the House said it would pursue without let or hindrance.
But how did matter get to this stage? When did the Assembly, which hitherto appeared to look the other way, suddenly find its boxing gloves? Is it true that as part of the conditions for his candidature, Fashola consented to only a single tenure in office, he is believed to be reneging?
Could it be true that the governor is tired of using Lagos money to run the national affairs of the Action Congress, as alleged? Is it just a matter of a tree not wanting another tree to overshadow it? Or could Governor Fashola be Janus-faced?
Could it also be true that the House of Assembly is genuinely tired of what some called artifact development in Lagos where emphasis is allegedly more on scoring cheap political goals among the elite to the detriment of rural development?
Is anyone really after the governor? Could it all be preamble to who becomes the governor of the state next year?
The House Speaker, Ikuforiji, is the central figure in the drama that is guaranteed to retain for Lagos, the state's more popular nomenclature, Eko for show.
QOUTE
Fighting and discord should not be the mainstay of a responsible legislative arm. We should be able to come to a roundtable with the executive arm and get the job done properly. We extended that hand of fellowship to the best of our ability. On many occasions we told Governor Fashola that we are going to give him full cooperation just like we did to his predecessor, Bola Tinubu.
QOUTE
Now, cooperation is cooperation. But notwithstanding the promise of cooperation, we will also not want to throw away our responsibility to the people; the expectation and the trust people had in us. If the need arises for us to ask questions, we will do so, no matter whose ox is gored. IKUFORIJI: Opposition To Investigate Fashola Mischievous
How We Made The Governor
No One Can Use Me Against Him
The Public Needs Enlightenment
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji began the journey of life 51 years ago in the afternoon of August 24, 1958 at Epe. Before him, his father had had eight boys who all died. Ikuforiji attended the Local Authority Primary School, Epe, Epe Divisional Grammar School, emerging as the only scholar who made Grade 1. This earned him a scholarship to go abroad - to Romania for further studies. He read Cybernetics and returned to Nigeria in December 1982 for his Youth Service scheme at the Federal Housing Authority. Thereafter, he worked at the International Bank for West Africa, later Afribank. While he was there, he enrolled for a Masters in Business Administration programme at the University of Lagos between 1985 and 1986. He left Afribank in 1992 and went into private business. He had a computer-consulting firm in partnership with a friend. He also floated a trading company that was involved in import and export procurement. Ikuforiji enthuses that his computer firm produced the most comprehensive indigenous banking software package, which was used by some Nigerian banks way back. He ran his business until the regime of General Sani Abacha forced him to end it and thus found his way out of the country. He spoke to KAMAL TAYO OROPO on his stewardship as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the duties of the House vis-?-vis its relationship with the executive arm of government and the Assembly's stand on a group's allegation of financial misappropriation against Governor Babatunde Fashola and the hoopla therefrom.
SINCE the inception of this regime in 2007, how well will you say the House of Assembly has performed in its statutory responsibilities? How many Bills have been passed into law?
Without sounding immodest, we pride ourselves as the number one House in the federation. This is not just the question of someone just bragging. If you go round the country, you will find out that the Lagos House has done a lot better than its counterparts in the country.
Aside from the issue of the Bills, resolutions that we have passed that have direct impact on the lives of the people of Lagos are so many. We are also at alert in our duty of representing the people the way they want to be represented. We try as much as possible to ensure that the government is responsible to the yearnings of the people.
Yet, the general notion at inception was that of a rubber-stamped House, which appears to be an appendage of the executive arm. That view is somewhat different today. What really influenced that transition from a toothless bulldog to the now rampaging bull?
The fact remains that you cannot build a ten-storey building in just one night. No matter the amount of resources at your disposal, you do so gradually. And if you want the dividend of democracy to go to the people, cooperation and collaboration is very important. If the legislative arm does not collaborate with the executive arm, such government will not be able to provide the needed succour.
When we started, we were conscious of the fact that this is Lagos, which is like a mini-Nigeria with all manners of interests present, with consequential challenges. We also consider it a rare privilege that we are ones of those representing the people of this state. This state is reputed to have at least two-thirds of professionals in the country. As such, the best one can do is to put in his or her best at all times.
Fighting and discord should not be the mainstay of a responsible legislative arm. We should be able to come to a roundtable with the executive arm and get the job done properly. We extended that hand of fellowship to the best of our ability. On many occasions we told Governor Fashola that we are going to give him full cooperation just like we did to his predecessor, Bola Tinubu.
Now, cooperation is cooperation. But notwithstanding the promise of cooperation, we will also not want to throw away our responsibility to the people; the expectation and the trust people had in us. If the need arises for us to ask questions, we will do so, no matter whose ox is gored.
Talking of being a rampaging bull, no, I don't see us as such. But I do know that we are trying our best in performing our duties; carry out our constitutionally assigned roles to the best of our knowledge. Of course, performing our oversight functions is one of those responsibilities. Representing our people properly and adequately is also one of those responsibilities.
But as I often tell people, people out there, and some so-called sympathizers exaggerate some of the things that are happening now; the issues and situations, seeking to give the House of Assembly a bad name. This kind of approach is largely derived from our background as a people, our background in monarchial system, which colonialism by the British, which is monarchial, too, helped to accentuate deeper.
It's a system where a King is an all-in-all, the alpha and omega, which no one dares to question. He makes the law, interprets it and executes it. Sovereignty resides only in the King and not the people. This is where we are coming from. In Britain everything is done to the glory of the Queen. The Police that will arrest you are the Queen's Police, your lawyer is the Queen's Counsel and even the Judge is Queen's Judge. Our people are yet to fully imbibe the spirit of constitutional democracy.
But we are in a situation where we have three arms of government constitutionally charged to perform the duties performed by just one man - the King. The man now at the centre, who is either the President or the Governor, is referred to as number one. But this number one is subject to another arm of government, the legislature. This number one must report to this arm. This constitutional arrangement appears not fully registered in our psyche.
Yet, one would not blame the people that much. That is why when people pass insults on us in the House, especially on what is going on now, we just laugh over it and take it in good faith, knowing fully well that most of these people do not really know much about constitutional responsibilities, while some of them are clearly being mischievous.
But for those who seem not to know, instead of getting annoyed, we need to continue explaining things to them, hoping that in the end, the interest of the state will be served to the best of our ability. In fact, we sympathise with the people; we really do.
In today's system of government, the number one (Governor), as a matter of constitutional (arrangement), must seek the approval of the House of Assembly.
But in carrying out this constitutional responsibility, there are impressions that the House of Assembly is acting under the influence of a particular interest, group or an individual, that you are probably taking instructions from a particular place. Why is this so?
It's still the same thing; it is this mentality that you can't question the 'King'. The whole thing started during the last Budget presentation. Some people cannot come to terms with the fact that the 'King' can be advised to be wary of his friends. To many of our people, it's an anomaly; it is too much. You cannot tell the governor to take it easy, to be careful, to watch out. We are always in awe of 'His Excellency'.
Our system has succeeded in bringing in so many anomalies, like this phrase, 'His Excellency'. But our Constitution is supposedly fashioned out of the American Presidential System of government. Have you ever heard of the American President referred to as 'His Excellency'? Mr. President is Mr. President.
Did you follow President Bill Clinton's trials over the Monica Lewinsky's saga? He was reduced by the legislature to a regular human being, the ordinary man who is answerable to the people. But over here, it seems we are not used to such a system yet.
The moment you try to carry out your oversight functions, people come up with 'ah, some people are behind it.' Why must anyone be behind anything for us to do what is constitutionally required in a given situation? You take a decision in the interest of the general public and some people say that decision is taken from one place or the other else.
Take, for example, the issue of allegations made by a group, True Face of Lagos. But we only woke up to find these allegations on the pages of the newspapers, just like many other Nigerians did. Somebody brought it in to the House under 'Matters of Urgent Public Importance.'
That was not the first time issues are raised on the floor of the House under Matters of Urgent Public Importance and there had never been one that had been so raised that had not been taken care of instantly! The records are there. But nobody took notice of that fact. But when it affects the governor, it becomes something else. In any case, I am very confident that we will get there.
'House Doesn't Want To Get At The Governor'
THERE was also the issue of the Self-Accounting Bill you raised during that Budget Presentation occasion, when you demanded that the governor should pass it by last January. What is the state of the Bill?
The state accounting law had been passed and signed into law in the fourth Assembly under Governor Tinubu, but it has not been fully operational. It was an understanding between the House and the governor then and that is what we carried to the sixth Assembly. There were some inconveniences that led the House to ask for the full implementation of that law.
It does appear the House threw up this issue to get at the incumbent governor. Why will you want him to do that?
The question is why will the House want to get at the governor? For what purpose? There is no reason the House would want to get at the governor. But for God's sake, 10 years after, we shouldn't be at the same spot; we should be moving ahead. You don't expect a child that is only two or three to think and act the same when he or she becomes 10 or 11 years old. Do you?
We must allow democracy to have its footing properly on the ground in this sphere. We cannot continue to do it the way we were doing it. If we are asking for progress, forward movement, why should anyone now expect that the forward movement should be stationary?
Talking about the True Face of Lagos allegations, why did the House wait for a group to make allegations against the governor, if the House were performing its oversight duties in the first instance?
We could be friends for a few weeks or many years, we could be colleagues in the office, you are doing your job, I am doing my job, but there are still certain things that I may not know if you don't tell me. If someone tells me your shirt is blue on the surface but underneath it is red, what is wrong in me investigating? What is wrong in my finding out whether what I am told is right or wrong?
It isn't as if we were not performing our oversight functions. In fact, one of those functions that we are supposed to perform is that when things like this come, we must investigate, we must ascertain the truth. We have been performing our oversight functions and it is not that we have not been having issues taken up with the government before, but this one has come and we need to do it.
Some few months back, there was the issue of the Sunburn Yacht Hotel. It was there; we did not do anything until people started asking questions and it appeared on the pages of the newspapers and it was raised on the floor of the House and it was brought up just exactly as these allegations on our hands now.
The Sunburn Yacht was tabled on the floor and at the end of the day, the House decided it was going to investigate the claims. It was right there that we called on commissioners and functionaries of government that we felt should know or should be questioned. If people are not just being mischievous, why didn't they come up then and tell us not to do the investigation? Why didn't they tell us that it is wrong to find allegations on the pages of newspapers and go ahead to raise it in the House?
In the case of the Sunburn Yacht, we did not even set up a panel to go and investigate; the entire House did it. I don't know where everybody was when all these were going on? How come no one came up to say a thing, even when we came up with our verdict? So, why now?
Could all these be about the politics of 2011?
If that is the case, so be it. I don't know anything about that and it shouldn't be my headache. Mine is to perform my role as a legislator and that is what all of us here are doing.
But the larger public has not appreciated this.
For God's sake, your larger public may need some level of enlightenment. The larger public is not always as enlightened as you may think. If we were in other climes, it is the larger public that will be putting pressure on us to be quick on this issue and not castigating the House for doing its job. But what do you expect from the larger public that does not know much as it should?
The instant debate started from the advice you gave to the governor during the Budget presentation. Couldn't the advice have been given privately?
We are still on the same issue. The fact is that the society wants to live in the past while yearning for the future. There is absolutely nothing wrong in telling a friend of yours exactly what you feel. Why do I need to call the governor aside? The larger society should even be worried when they see that the House and the executive arm are dilly-dallying. There is nothing wrong in advising the governor. In fact, our oversight functions are clearly in the Constitution.
Why exactly did you advise the governor to beware of sycophants and later-day friends?
Because there are too many of them out there and they create more problems. Look at those who marched down to the House recently, saying the House should not do anything and they are lovers of the governors. Are they truly lovers of the governor? If your teacher accused your son of stealing in school, you first of all ask your child, 'did you steal or not, where were you, what happened?' You will ask him because you will want to ascertain that your boy has not become a thief.
So, it is like that here. The House wants to ascertain that those allegations against the governor are a lie and cannot be true. And anybody that says don't ask him cannot be a true friend of the governor.
'Critics Want To Take Off My Head'
IN all these, can you say life has been normal?
To me, life has been relatively normal, but the fact is that the job has taken much of my life, since I became the Speaker of the House; nothing has really changed. Yes, one gets some text messages from here and there, but they do not make any difference. I am someone who believes in what I am doing; I trust myself, and I know that I am always upright, and I put my all into whatever I believe in. So, it doesn't matter what anyone says; I don't care. I have read even your paper, and all the other comments and editorials; to me, it doesn't make any difference.
There was even a time I passed a comment on the floor of the House, when (President Barack) Obama came to Ghana. I was seated right here watching him, and I shed tears because of all he was telling them: that they are becoming champions in Africa.
The whole of Ghana is just like the size of Lagos State. Their economy is about half of that of Lagos. Look at what they are doing with themselves; they are moving. Industries are leaving here (Nigeria) going to Ghana, and these are people who came here some years back. But now industries are leaving here for the place and many of our elite have their children sent to Ghana for schooling, yet my people are not worried, bothered.
I only passed a comment that, 'look, those of you in the media and those of us in the legislature, we have a lot of blame to carry.' If those two groups get it right in terms of fighting corruption, Nigeria will get it right. Really, I do not see the executive arm as being the problem, and to a large extent the judiciary has done a lot better than any other arm. I believe that if the media are up to the task and carry out this whole assignment properly to the best, the legislature will be put to task at all time, not in a vindictive manner, as we see so often.
We invited Rueben Abati (The Guardian's Editorial Board chair) here to come and criticize my performance during our second anniversary. It was only a few weeks after then that the issue occurred because I said the media were not living up to expectation, and that the legislatures needed to also live up to expectation. They wanted to take (cut) off my head.
Wherein lies our ability to assimilate criticism! How do you think we can get to that Promised Land if we fail, or are not ready to do a self-assessment? For me, I wouldn't love you as a friend if all you tell me are the beautiful things about me, and you fail to attract my attention to my shortcomings.
What is the relationship between you and the party leadership? Has there been any pressure on the House to soft pedal?
Honestly, I am proud of my party. The party leadership has invited us to meetings several times, and all they have told us is that we should do things in moderation, and that we should do our job. In fact, we were given clean slate to go and do our job properly.
So, what is your relationship with the governor like?
It is cordial; it is okay. Let me tell you, on Friday (February 12) I went to see the governor with some of my colleagues, to discuss issues about the budget and so on. We had our tete- a-tete; we laughed, discussed and sorted out the gray areas.
It was a weekend and I said: 'Mr. Governor, we wish you happy weekend, I hope you will also wish us happy weekend.' And he did. And you know that when legislators say a governor must wish them happy weekend; that means he must give us transport fare when we are going. If we were enemies, we would not do that, and even if I tried to crack some jokes, he would not respond.
The governor often calls you Egbon (Senior), why?
Don't forget that he is Yoruba, and I am Yoruba; he is a Lagosian, and I am a Lagosian. In fact, we had worked together before, when he was the Chief of Staff to the former governor, and I was (the House) Speaker. Today, he is the governor, but it does not change that relationship. The relationship is still there.
Could it be that there is rivalry?
Rivalry? I am the last person that would go into rivalry with anybody because of anything. How can there be rivalry? I am a Muslim, and you know what that means. If God anoints someone, you will not meet with the approval and blessings of God if you fail to recognize that person. Rivalry is never part of me. I was part of him from the very beginning, and I am proud to say this anywhere.
But are you disappointed in him?
He has not disappointed me up till this moment.
As an egbon, do you talk to him privately?
Even when we went there on Friday, during the closing minutes, he called me aside and we had a one-on-one talk.
Your dream was to be a Speaker, what else would you like to be after this?
I wanted it (to be Speaker); I prayed for it. But that was only weeks or months to that time. Right now, the problem I have is like the problem of a leper - the man with leprosy who goes to the akara seller with N5, and a ball of akara is 50 kobo.
And after selling, the woman says, 'come back, let me give you some bonus because you have bought N5 worth.' And the leper replied the woman; 'the first thing is for you to pray that I should get home with this one that I have bought with my money.' The leper said so because he knows that if any one of the akara dropped, it was lost. So, the leper is still praying to get home with the one he has bought with his money. Don't talk about extra yet, let me get home with this one.
Here I am, still 15 to 16 months away as the head of the legislature in a place like this (Lagos)! Don't you think that I need a lot of prayers to have this job done successfully? You want me to start thinking of what will come after 15 months when I don't even know if I will be lucky to be alive in 15 hours?
Is Mr. Speaker being used by anybody?
I told you about my beginning. If that is the way I grew up, who, aside from my Creator, can make use of me? Nobody!
My Life As Speaker, By Ikuforiji
HOW did you become the leader of the House? Who anointed you?
When I came back from abroad, as God would have it, I won election in the fifth assembly of the state representing Epe Constituency I. In the third year of the Assembly, on December 29, 2005, I was made the Speaker of the House. In April 2007, I contested for re-election and I was so re-elected. That was a landmark achievement as that was the first time anybody got re-elected as Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly.
I enjoy the job I do and believe in the future of this country, notwithstanding our ups and downs. I seriously believe we have all it takes to get there; what we need is the will to do so. With good leadership and serious followers, we will definitely get to our desired destination.
Can you recollect, in specific, the circumstances that led to your election as Speaker, against the backdrop of allegation of being anointed by s a particular political lineage?
When I was about to leave the US, I had the ambition of becoming the Speaker and the campaign and efforts I put in are still there on record. But after the May 3, 2003 general election, from the morning of May 4, 2003, I started a very rigorous campaign among my colleagues to be the Speaker, going from one person to the next.
But, of course, the leadership of the party also had its own idea on how things should be done. Eventually, I had to raise the hands of my brother, Honourable Jokotola Pelumi, to get him elected as the Speaker. I realised that if I continued with the stubbornness and intensity I was going, even if I got elected as the Speaker, it was not going to by in my long-term interest. Eventually, we elected him.
But along the line, there were some rumbles in the House and he (Pelumi) was removed. Unlike in the executive arm of government, in the legislature, you can remove any of the principals without deferring to any individual or group and without much ado. The Constitution gives you freedom to the affairs of the House the way you deem fit.
To get rid of the Speaker is the easiest thing to do. You really don't have to commit any serious offence. If he smiles too much that may be sufficient ground to remove him and, likewise, he can be removed if he frowns too much.
There are feelings that it is not possible to attain the post you occupy without the support of a political leader(s) or godfather(s), as it is better known. Whose political godson are you?
I don't know what you mean by godfather, but let me put it straight. Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is one leader I have a lot of respect for. His entire politicking is such an inspiration. He is someone I really revere. But the issue of godfather is what I don't know about.
I wanted to be a Speaker in May/June 2003, when Asiwaju was still the governor. But Tinubu together with other party leaders must have felt otherwise and as such, I did not get to be the Speaker.
I can understand the situation. You cannot just join an organisation and just want to supplant the queue. In every organisation, there are rules, even as some are unwritten. It is the work of God that I eventually became the Speaker.
Even the day I was elected the Speaker, the then Governor Tinubu was attending an event at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). And when he got wind of what was happening in the House - that members are sitting to remove the then Speaker Pelumi - he was worried and was making consultations. But I emerged as the Speaker at the end of the day.
The following day, I went to pay him a courtesy call; that was December 30, 2005. The picture you see over there (pointing to a photograph of himself and Tinubu on the wall) was taken during that courtesy call.
Could that mean that you did not have to swear on oath or enter into written or unwritten agreement?
There is nothing like that and I sincerely don't know anything like that. I don't know about other political parties, but within my own political party, the Action Congress, we don't do things like that. More so, I, as person, will not go into anything like that. I don't believe I need to do a thing like that to make it through to where I am destined to reach in life.
Talking about your sojourn in the Assembly, there are feelings in some quarters that the constituency, Epe I, which you represent, has not benefited much from having you in the House. Do you agree?
Yes, to an extent you are right; indeed that may not be far from the truth. But we need to have patience.
But for how long?
It does not matter. The issue is this: there was a time in the history of this state when all efforts were concentrated on the city of Lagos, when we had the CDP. Governor Tinubu devoted N17 billion or N19 billion to that project. Right now the thing is being extended into the hinterland. Yaba is being taken care of now, since Fashola came into power. Ikeja is coming up. And it goes on and on like that. I know very soon, it will be the turn of Epe.
But that is not to say that we are going to fold our arms and say, 'until the government is ready,' no. Even then, the governor recently commissioned a water project in the Epe. And one of the things we lack mostly in that part of the state is drinkable water.
It's really that nothing is being done. Comparing the pace with some other local governments, the pace may, indeed, be slow in Epe. Yes, you may want to conclude that we, in Epe, have not had much of accelerated development.
But how do you really feel when you are the Speaker in the state and your own constituency appears stranded in the queue in terms of development?
Epe may rightly still be in the queue, but it is not exactly as if the zone is not getting any benefit of having its own as the Speaker under the present dispensation. I can, at least, point to a few things.
There was a time when, as a young man, all we used to dream of was that a particular recreational piece of land would be our own mini-stadium in Epe. It was the second month after I became the Speaker, in 2006, that we got the attention of the State Government to upgrading it into a modern edifice, fenced round with lawn tennis court, changing rooms and so on. There are one or two of such efforts, aside from other benefits like employment and dividends of democracy.
Recently, members of the House came back, from their Town Hall meetings, with a report of neglect of the rural areas in favour of the urban centres. This does not appear to be in tandem with the widely held opinion, is it?
To be honest and like in many other parts of the world, the rural areas do not often get as much governmental attention as the urban centres where many things are concentrated, including population, as well as its attendant challenges. Government also makes more money, in form of taxes, from the urban centres. As such, it makes sense that the rural areas cannot compete on equal terms with the urban centres. This is what you find all over.
As for the Town Hall meetings, don't forget that before now, nobody had such an experience in this country. The people were excited that the 'government has come to us, to listen to us.' Even today (last Tuesday) as I talk to you, members are still working on the report.
Just last Friday, we went to the governor to discuss the issue with him and he agreed with us that for even development, certain amount of money should earmarked for the members to execute projects close to the heart of their constituencies.
We went round the constituencies and we found out that the people were happy with us, saying that the Action Congress (AC) government since the coming of this democratic dispensation had been doing very well. They, however, told us that there were certain areas they wanted us to look at.
We knew very well that it is possible for us, as a government, to start thinking of siting, for example, a General Hospital in a particular area, but the people of that area are not too keen on such a project. Rather, they prefer to have pipe-borne water or drainage or roads or something else.
So, the thing really is to get people involved in governance and carry them along. At times, you, as the government, may have a genuine plan on what to do for a given community, but that may not be the community's immediate need.
Source: Punch, 21st Feb 2010.
Lagos closes illegal drug stores
By David Ibemere
In a major crackdown, the Lagos State Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods yesterday sealed off 10 drug shops and destroyed fake drugs worth over N10 million during the raid of the Ikorodu and Epe Local councils.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who disclosed this said the government was worried by the danger posed by the nefarious activities of illegal operators of patent medicine and pharmaceutical stores.
He said the affected stores were sealed for various offences which ran contrary to the provisions of the law on the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine stores.
Idris noted that the exercise was coming on the heels of the state government's sanitisation efforts to check the activities of illegal operators, drug adulterators and infiltration of the market by imported and locally produced sub-standard drugs.
He, however urged operators of pharmaceutical shops and patent medicine stores to ensure that their activities were within the ambit of the law, while calling on Lagos' residents to always patronise registered pharmacies or patent medicine shops.
The raid was conducted in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), and National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and officers of the Nigeria Police.
Source: The Guardian, 16th Feb. 2010.
Tinubu Not the Villain, Says Fashola
• House probe committee alleges death threat
By Omololu Ogunmade, Gboyega Akinsami and Femi Durojaiye
Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday absolved Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of complicity in the allegations levelled against him in a newspaper advert which is causing ripples in the state.
In another twist, members of the committee set up by the state legislators to probe allegations of financial impropriety against the governor have alleged threat to their lives via phone calls and text messages.
This comes as a coalition of pro-Fashola groups stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to protest the purpoted impeachment moves against him.
Fashola said: "I am concerned that the information highway has been used to malign the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a manner, which I humbly think, is undeserving. I wish to advise us to be very reluctant to cast the stone of judgment. Whatever may be our opinion, I am certain that we will not disagree on one fact. The fact is that, but for the Grace of God, the courage of Asiwaju and your votes, I would not be Governor."
He stated that Tinubu is not the villain because some "unscrupulous" people are using the media to portray him in bad light.
The governor described the advertorial placed in a national daily last week alleging financial impropriety by his administration as damaging the "reputation and integrity of members of different arms of our government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and our leaders" in the state.
He said there is no crisis in Lagos. The governor added that there are urgent national issues to be resolved and that attention must not be diverted from finding a solution.
"Let us remember that the June 12 election was annulled by an unsigned press release like the faceless advert that was recently issued. We are yet to recover from it," he said.
He expressed confidence in the members of the state House of Assembly and their ability to act in the best interest of the state.
Meanwhile, members of the committee set up by the State Assembly to probe allegations against Fashola claim their lives are under threat.
Sanai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu Constituency I on Monday, under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, informed the House about the protesters who stormed the Assembly to protest what they claimed to be a proposed move by the lawmakers to impeach the governor.
According to Agunbiade, "it was discovered that those protesters (at the State Assembly) were sponsored. I don't know why investigation of alleged financial misappropriation against us and the Governor would mean impeachment. The governor is our governor, but surprisingly, there have been threat phone calls and messages flying around".
Onibiyo Adelabu told the House he started receiving phone calls last Friday with someone asking him "why did l move the motion to impeach the governor. I was scared of going out because of what could happen, some people are not too sure of the intention of the House."
On his part, Moshood Oshun, a member of the committee, said that since last Thursday when the committee was inaugurated, he had received several calls and most are threatening. "The fact that a committee was constituted does not mean we have started a move to impeach the governor," he explained.
The Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on his part stated that "whether hired or rented, the House should be opened at all times. If two or three people had agreed to protest to the House, they are free, inasmuch as they don't throw stones. They sang all sorts of songs; the right voice would be heard at the end.
"We'll do our job; we'll not be intimidated and no number of them can stop the House of Assembly from doing what is right."
Thee groups comprising Coalition of the Youths for Good Governance (CYGG), Move-ment for Good Governance (MGC), Lovers of Raji Fashola Forum (LORAF) among others, booed Ikuforiji.
The speaker was asked to thread the path of honour that would promote peace and development in the state.
A crowd numbering 3,000 and led by Bishop Abiodun Olugbenro, Mr. Olufemi Odusanya and Mr. Tola Odunlami peacefully marched to the Assembly complex, displaying placards.
Some of the inscriptions read: "No Controversy, Fashola is our Governor; Fashola is the Best Man for the Job; For Governor Fashola, No impeachment."
Source: This Day, 2nd Feb 2010.
Lagos Warns Owners of Defective Property
By Seye Olumide
LAGOS State government has expressed concern over the high rate of defective structures in Jakande Estate, Ipaja, Adeniji-Adele, Lagos Island, as well as other parts of the state.
The state government expressed its desire and determination to prevent further loss of lives and property through proper monitoring and apprehension of owners of defective buildings in any part of the state.
Speaking with journalists at the weekend, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, warned owners and occupiers of buildings that were suspected or found to be structurally defective to relocate and report to the government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
He added that the state's law, which stipulates that owners of any collapsed building within the state shall forfeit such landed property to the government, was still in place.
Source: The Guardian, 1st Feb 2010.
AC Faults Allegation Against Fashola, Tinubu
By Mudiaga Affe
The Action Congress on Sunday said that the allegations of financial recklessness levelled against the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the alleged involvement of a former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the state legislators in the financial complicity, was unfounded.
The party's reaction came in response to a story published in ThisDay newspaper on Sunday.
The story attributed those behind an earlier advertorial which revealed the alleged financial recklessness of Fashola to be working for Tinubu.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and a separate telephone interview with Mohammed by our correspondent, AC said it was illogical for Tinubu to be behind an advertorial that sought to damage his own reputation.
Specifically, the lead story in the newspaper stated, "The advertisement placed by a group known as "The True Face of Lagos" was signed by one Dr. Tunde George and Mr. Kasali Martins who are believed to be working on behalf of the former governor of the state."
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adelabu Onibiyo, had last Thursday said that he established contact with those behind the advertorial.
He had said, "Immediately I finished reading through the publication, I called those that signed it and they told me that they stand by it and that they still have more to come."
Asked if the party had contacted those behind the publication, the AC spokesman said it was not the job of the party to investigate such allegations or look for those behind it but that of the House of Assembly which was also indicted.
Mohammed told our correspondent on the telephone, "It is not the responsibility of the party but that of the House to investigate such allegation. What we said was that the insinuation that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was behind the advertorial was false, illogical and irresponsible. The body institutionally vested with the power to investigate any allegation against the government or any public officer is the House of Assembly. That is exactly what they have set out to do. Our concern as a party is the attempt by anybody to destroy the coercion within the party and definitely the insinuation that Tinubu is behind the advertorial is a clear attempt to create disunity within the party."
In the statement by Mohammed, the party further said, "To our surprise, the newspaper insinuated that a two-page advert, published in The Punch of January 28, making allegations of financial recklessness against Fashola was sponsored by Tinubu.
"The AC finds this allegation absolutely baseless and irresponsible because the advert in question, placed by a faceless group, made reckless allegations, not only against Fashola but also attempted to tarnish the image of Tinubu, members of the state House of Assembly and indeed the members of our great party in Lagos State as a whole.
According to AC, it was only natural that fifth columnists would try to penetrate the ranks of the party, instigate crises, and cause disaffection in order to destabilise the AC in Lagos State, as well as impede the tremendous progress made in the state over the last decade."
The party said as far as it was concerned, the allegations levelled against Fashola, Tinubu and the Lagos legislators in the advertorial remained unproven.
"Without prejudice to the constitutional responsibility of the House of Assembly to investigate any allegations against public officers, we affirm our faith and confidence in the integrity and credibility of the affected persons," the party said.
The party also said another false and ridiculous aspect in the published story on Sunday was the claim that the House of Assembly had commenced impeachment proceedings against Fashola, based on the published allegations.
It queried, "Can the Assembly commence impeachment processes against themselves since allegations were also made against them in the advert? Constitutionally, it needs one-third of the members of the House to sign a statement, starting the process. For the Lagos House, the number should be 14 members. How then can a 6-member administrative panel start "impeachment" proceedings? It is obvious that no such thing has been commenced in Lagos State.
"We all know that impeachment of a chief executive can only commence after a petition has been formally received by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly. All we have now are unproven allegations by a largely unknown group to which the House has only understandably responded in the interest of its credibility, as well as that of our party."
AC however expressed surprise that the report assumed that the anti-AC advert was planted by Tinubu, without any proof whatsoever.
Mohammed also accused ThisDay newspaper of mischief over the report.
He said, "The mischief of This Day is very clear on the matter. Or is This Day claiming that they did not know that to commence an impeachment process, you need at least two-thirds of the members of the House to consent to the plot. The one-third of the 40 member House is 14."
The management of ThisDay, through a text message by its Editor, Mr. Simon Kolawole, however, said it stood by its publication. "We stand by our story and we shall reveal more information at our disposal as time goes on," the message stated.
Source: Punch, 1st Feb 2010.
AC Fingers Fifth Columnists in
Fashola, Tinubu 'feud'
THE National headquarters of the Action Congress (AC) has debunked speculations of a rift between Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The AC, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, blamed fifth columnists for the rumours and media campaigns on the issue.
In the meantime, a group of eminent indigenes under the aegis of "The New Face of Lagos" has stoutly defended Fashola over the barrage of attacks and allegations of maladministration and financial recklessness levelled against his government.
The AC's statement was a reaction to a national newspaper report on the matter at the weekend.
The party said: "To our surprise, the newspaper insinuated that a two-page advert, published in The Punch of January 28, making allegations of financial recklessness against Governor Fashola was sponsored by Asiwaju Tinubu. The AC finds this allegation absolutely baseless and irresponsible because the advert in question, placed by a faceless group, made reckless allegations, not only against Governor Fashola but also attempted to tarnish the image of Asiwaju Tinubu, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and indeed the members of our great party in Lagos State as a whole.
"It is obviously illogical for Asiwaju to be the one behind an advert that seeks to damage his own reputation and that of the party he has expended so much time, energy, intellect and resources to build.
"The ThisDay story in question is only a continuation of recent media reports of alleged crisis between Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Fashola. Both respected leaders of our party have issued widely publicised statements debunking these reports of any disagreement between them and as a party we affirm that the Lagos State chapter of our party remains harmonious, solid and utterly impregnable to mischievous political opportunists.
"It is only natural that fifth columnists will try to penetrate the ranks of our party, instigate crises, and cause disaffection in order to destabilise the AC in Lagos State, as well as impede the tremendous progress made in the state over the last decade.
The AC added: "As far as we are concerned, the allegations levelled against Fashola, Tinubu and the Lagos legislators in the advert in question remain baseless and unproven. Without prejudice to the constitutional responsibility of the House of Assembly to investigate any allegations against public officers, we affirm our faith and confidence in the integrity and credibility of the affected persons.
"Equally false and ridiculous is the claim in the This Day report that the House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fashola, based on the published allegations. Can the Assembly commence impeachment processes against themselves since allegations were also made against them in the advert? Constitutionally, it needs one-third of the members of the House to sign a statement, starting the process. For the Lagos House, the number should be 14 members. How then can a 6-member administrative panel start "impeachment" proceedings? It is obvious that no such thing has been commenced in Lagos State. We all know that impeachment of a chief executive can only commence after a petition has been formally received by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. All we have now are unproven allegations by a largely unknown group to which the House has only understandably responded in the interest of its credibility, as well as that of our party.
"We must, however, express our surprise as a party that ThisDay's report assumed that the anti-AC advert was planted by Asiwaju Tinubu, without any proof whatsoever. We recall, for instance, that in August 2008, the newspaper published a story falsely claiming that all contracts in Lagos State were being cornered by Asiwaju Tinubu through Hitech and that the cost of contracts in Lagos State were not being disclosed. And in the news story currently in contention, the newspaper falsely insinuated that Asiwaju Tinubu is collecting the commission on revenue generated for Lagos State through Alpha Beta even when ThisDay had recently published an advert in which Governor Fashola strongly debunked this allegation. If this trend continues, we will be forced to speak more elaborately to the public on the issue.
"As a party, we reaffirm our confidence in Governor Fashola, Asiwaju Tinubu and our Lagos State legislators. Those who are sponsoring negative media reports in a bid to factionalise and weaken our party are only wasting their time as Lagos State remains the most solid bastion of progressive politics and governance in Nigeria.
Also, in a statement issued in Lagos at the weekend, the group of eminent Lagosians said it was "high time for people with integrity, high moral grounds and unquestionable character to stand up in defense of good governance against the onslaught on the man who is not only well meaning but has also shown in words and deeds that he is genuine in erecting an enduring legacy as evident in the infrastructure transformation going on all facets in the state, unprecedented open administration and deepening of the revenue base of Lagos State, resulting in making the electorate and the common man on the street valued partners in progress in the arduous task of building a new Lagos State."
In the statement by its publicity secretary Mr. Tokunbo King, and an executive member, Mr. Bimbo Bank-Anthony, the group held that in redefining governance to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Lagos, Fashola has not only given governance a human face, but has also brought concrete and visible dividends of democracy to the doors of Lagosians, a development that had fetch a series of accolades to the governor both in Nigeria, where two national newspapers adjudged him "Man of the Year 2009" and in the United States where the prestigious Martin Luther King junior award for excellence and good governance was conferred on the governor.
The group noted that since no one was perfect, Fashola's administration was open to criticism, "but in the name of decency, those calling for his head on account of his excellent performance as governor should come out openly and not hide behind the screen to engage in mudslinging but in genuine and constructive criticism."
Describing Governor Fashola as a m an whom history would record to have brought a fresh breath of life in governance in Lagos State, the group declared that by any stretch of human imagination, his style of target-driven and result-oriented government was unprecedented.
Source: The Guardian, 1st Feb 2010.
Lagos Alerts on Swine Flu Outbreak, Urges Vigilance
By Kamal Tayo Oropo and Armsfree Ajanaku Onomo
AGAINST the backdrop of a recently recorded death caused by the dreaded A/H1N1 and the subsequent confirmation of eight other cases, Lagos State government has called for calm and vigilance.
The government said it would import vaccines to fight the dreaded scourge.
Speaking at a press briefing at Alausa yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, listed the precautionary measures, which citizens of the state should adopt to prevent possible spread of the virus.
The commissioner revealed that the government was set to import antiviral vaccines to combat possible spread of the disease. He said it would, however, take a period of about four weeks for the vaccines to arrive in the country.
Confirming the death of the first victim, Idris noted that: "A case of suspected Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) was reported by a private hospital in Eti-Osa Council on January 5, 2010. Investigations revealed that a 38-year-old female patient resident in Lagos was brought to the hospital on January 2, 2010. The patient had earlier travelled to the United States about three months before that and developed a respiratory tract infection about six weeks ago".
This is the third case of the virus that would be reported in the country, but this is the first death.
Following laboratory reports after the patient's death, Idris disclosed that she was positive for influenza AH1N1. Following the report, he said a total of 52 samples of nose and throat swabs of close contacts to the deceased patient were taken to the laboratory for tests and the results revealed that an additional eight tested positive, out of the 46 results that had come out so far.
Idris noted that those who tested positive have since been placed on the antiviral, Tamiflu. To prevent panic and unnecessary confusion among Lagos residents, Idris said the government had already begun public enlightenment to create awareness on the disease and what could be done to prevent it.
Source: The Guardian, 20th January 2010.
Lagos Warns Against Use of Unpainted Commercial Buses
By Mansur Oladunjoye
Lagos state government has given an ultimatum to operators of unpainted commercial buses in the metropolis to paint them with the government approved colour, or risk being impounded.
The ultimatum ends on February 1, 2010.
The special adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on transportation Mr. Kayode Opeifa disclosed that the state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had received complaints from the public that such vehicles were often used for criminal activities such as robbery, kidnapping and rituals.
Fashola announced the ultimatum in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry of transportation, Mrs. Adeyinka Gbemilade.
He said, "The buses were also fond of flouting traffic rules and regulations as they always ply the expressway rather than the service lanes dedicated to commercial buses,'' adding that the directive became necessary because the state government also noticed that the number of unpainted vehicles commuting passengers in the state was on the increase.
According to him, this was posing a serious security threat to the state and the state government was poised at further ensuring safety of lives and property of the residents, he said.
Opeifa recalled that the state government gave operators of unpainted buses December 2009 to comply with the directive adding that anybody found wanting by the law enforcement agents would face the wrath of the law.
He urged commercial motorcycle operators popularly called "Okada" riders in the state to always obey traffic rules and regulations, noting that the state government had concluded plans to launch "Okada" campaigns to educate the riders on why they should obey traffic lights, not riding against traffic ands not parking on medians.
He urged LASTMA officials to be more committed toward serving the people through excellent performance and avoiding overzealousness, bribery and corruption.
``LASTMA officials should ensure that the training they had last year reflected in their dealings with the public so as to make them the new face excellence, as the state government would not hesitate to deal decisively with any official found to be indiscipline or who brings the name of the state government into disrepute," Opeifa warned.
Source: Daily Champion, 14th January 2010.
Baby Chibogwu Emerges Lagos Baby of the Year
The First Baby of the Year 2010 born at the Ayinke House, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital {LASUTH} Ikeja, at exactly 12 00 am Weighing 3.8 KG to Mrs. Taiwo Chibougwu, took place in Lagos yesterday. Photo shows the buncing baby boy at the Hospital yesterday.Photo by Bunmi Azeez.
In what seems like reigns of baby boys, Baby Chibogwou has been announced the first baby of the year out of the total eight babies born in three public hospitals in Lagos State. Baby Chibogwu came at exactly mid night at Ayinke House, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). All the babies delivered were all male and one baby girl.
Baby Chibogwu is the first child of 26 years- old Mrs. Taiwo Chibogwu and Mr. Tony Chibogwu of Delta State. He weighed 3.8 Kilogramme at birth.
According to the hospital officials, baby Chibogwu was delivered through normal delivery without complications.
The second baby of the year was Baby Njoku delivered at 12.01 a.m. at Island Maternity Lagos through caesarian section (CS) and weighed 3.1kilogramme.
Other babies are Baby Bala Joy delivered at 2:17am, Baby Hassan Eke delivered at 4:55am at Island maternity. Baby Oluremi Taiwo delivered at Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital at 12: 04am and weighed 3.4Kilogramme.
Speaking to Vanguard, the Mother of Baby Chibogwu, Mrs. Taiwo Chibogwu who expressed joy at the birth of her baby also regretted that neither she nor her husband is gainfully employed at the moment.
Mrs. Chibogwu hoped that the birth of her baby boy would bring a new song into the marriage that is barely a year old.
Announcing the birth of the first Baby of the year in Lagos, The Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, who welcomed the babies announced a donation of N50.000 and other gift items to the first baby of the year courtesy of Guaranty Trust Bank.
Babay's Mother
Mrs. Fashola advised all mothers to take good care of their children and lay a healthy foundation for them through exclusive breast feeding for the first six months after birth and also ensure that they receive all the necessary immunization at the appropriate time.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idria who gave details of the first baby of the year in the state assured Mothers in the state that measures are being put in place to reduce Infant mortality and maternal deaths in the state.
Idris therefore explained that the state decision to rebuild Ayinke house was in the interest of mothers as part of strategies to reduce infant and maternal deaths in the state.
"Our intention is to ensure that pregnant women attend antenatal care and this is foremost in our agenda. State Government is focusing seriously to ensure we continue to celebrate a time like this. We are looking at the quality of care and temporary locations of Ayinke hospitals would continue to render the services that the hospital is known for."
At Ifako Ijaiye Hospital, where three babies were delivered, first was delivered by 36 years old Mrs. Oluremi Taiwo at 12.04 A.M., the second was by Mrs. Lucy Christopher at 7:30Am amongst others.
Briefing the gathering the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Ibironke Shodende lamented shortage of bed space as not less than 772 babies have been delivered by the hospital from January 2009 to date.
Source: Vanguard, 1st January 2009.
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