Lagos State Clears N100 Billion Pension Liability, Plans Medical University

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State announced at the third annual Lagos State Employment Summit that the state has successfully cleared nearly N100 billion in pension liabilities. Speaking at the event themed ‘Job Creation Uniting for Impact: Create, Collaborate, Change’, Sanwo-Olu highlighted the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment in Lagos. “We have cleared almost a hundred billion of pension liability,” Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, emphasizing that the final Pension arrears would be signed off on Thursday, making Lagos the first state in Nigeria to achieve this milestone. Earlier commitments included disbursing N3.20 billion to the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of 1,013 retirees for February, with additional payments of N4 billion in March and N3 billion in April to address the accrued pension debt. “While acknowledging the backlog in accrued rights payment, our focus remains on systematically eliminating this backlog,” Sanwo-Olu affirmed. He expressed confidence that Lagos would achieve a “Pay As You Go” pension model by the end of his tenure. Governor Sanwo-Olu also disclosed plans to establish a medical university in Lagos before his term concludes, highlighting healthcare advancements as a priority for the state. “In addressing recent health challenges such as cholera outbreaks, the state has taken proactive measures,” Sanwo-Olu noted. He emphasized the need for systemic corrections and additional investments, proposing approximately N100 billion for urban water infrastructure to prevent future health crises. The governor’s remarks underscored Lagos State’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable development, aiming to enhance public welfare through strategic investments and policy initiatives.

Two-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos Island leaving many trapped

The collapse of a two-storey building in the Isale Eko area of Lagos State on Thursday, has reportedly left many people trapped. The structure alleged to have been defective, gave way following a fire in parts of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island. The Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident, said 14 other buildings were seriously impacted by the fire. The fresh occurrence follows that of April, when four buildings collapsed due to the intensity of the fire that engulfed part of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island. He said emergency responders including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal and State Fire Services, the Nigeria Police and fire service of the Nigeria Ports Authority, were already at the scene of the event.

Nigeria Police Reacts To Reports Of Packing Lagos State Residents In Buses To Osun

The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command on Saturday claimed that it was not aware nor were its operatives involved in packing some residents of the state to Osun State.  Reports emerged on Saturday on how the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force packed hundreds of residents and young people from the streets of the state on Friday and dumped them in Osun State.  One of the youths who said he was taken away by the Nigerian policemen at his place of work on Friday afternoon narrated his ordeal. He had said the law enforcement agents packed young people from Ajah, TBS and Island areas of the state and gathered them inside an uncompleted building at the Makoko police station before moving them to a forest in Ilesha town in Osun State. He had said there were about five luxurious buses filled with the youths that were taken to Osun State in the company of policemen.  Reacting to this in a press statement issued on X, the state command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin claimed the force was not aware of the operation. The statement reads: “Following news making the rounds that the “Nigerian Police…Pack Residents…to Osun,” the Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that it is not aware, neither was it part, of any such operation. “The command, in keeping with its mandates of prevention and detection of crime, conducts raids of black spots from time to time, and promptly arraigns only culpable suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction in the state after a thorough screening of the people raided. “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Adegoke Fayoade, assures the good people of Lagos State that the command would continue to prioritise their safety and security at all times.” 

Kenyan Wins Lagos City Marathon

Bernard Sang, a Kenyan athlete, claimed victory in the 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with a time of 02:16:49. The 32-year-old defeated about 80 others in the 9th edition of the race on Saturday to win the 42km race and clinch the $50,000 prize money. The East Africans dominated the race as two other Kenyans, Simon Cheprot and Edwin Kiptoo, came second and third, with cash prizes of $40,000 and $30,000 respectively. The Kenyans won the marathon in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021. More so, 25-year-old Ethiopian, Kebene Chala, was the first woman to cross the finish line. Shehu Muazu was the first Nigerian to cross the finish line and will be going home with a N1 million cash prize. The 42km race, which was scheduled between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. began at the National Stadium in Surulere and ended at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island. The Lagos State Government, through the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Friday, issued a traffic advisory ahead of the yearly Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

A former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was inexplicably absent at his polling unit, to vote for his party’s (APC) candidate for the Surulere 1 House of Representatives. Fashola, who was expected at the polling unit with the wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, was not seen throughout the election. Journalists, who waited for the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, from 8.a.m. when the election started, left for other places after hours of waiting, while some stayed till the end on the possibility of him coming. One of the party members who pleaded anonymity said that the former governor was actually expected to come around to exercise his franchise. ”We actually expected him but along the line it was clear that he will not be coming again. I heard that he is not in town,” the party member said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting for the Surulere Federal Constituency 1 in Polling Unit 002, at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo Street, Eric Moore, Surulere, started at 8.00 a.m, as INEC agents arrived on time to set up the unit. The unit, which is the venue where Fashola was expected to cast his vote, saw voters trickling in. The unit which had 750 registered voters, recorded only 45 voters who came to exercise their franchise.

Pray against terror attacks in Lagos – Gospel singer Ada Ehi raises alarm 

Nigerian gospel singer, Ada Ehi has shared a disturbing message with her followers after experiencing a distressing dream alongside her husband. Both dreamt of terror attacks targeting Lagos, prompting her to urge Nigerians to join in fervent prayers against such potential threats. Taking to Twitter, Ada Ehi expressed her worry, stating, “Last night, my husband and I had a very similar dream. Pray against terror attacks in Lagos and Nigeria. Please pray intently and passionately.” “He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. Job 5:12 NKJV”.

Controversial Information: Procurement Agency Apologizes To Sanwo-Olu, Deputy

Controversial Information: Procurement Agency Apologizes To Sanwo-Olu, Deputy

The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency has formally apologized to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in light of the controversy caused by information published on its website. Recently, the agency released details regarding government expenditures during the current administration, sparking considerable discussions on various social media platforms. In a statement attributed to the director-general, Fatai Onafowote, the agency reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding transparency, accuracy, and accountability in all governmental transactions.  Onafowote underscored the agency’s strict adherence to the provisions laid out in the Lagos State Public Procurement Law. Acknowledging the confusion that arose from the information on the website, Onafowote clarified that the lack of descriptive clarity in certain details led to misunderstandings and unintended reactions. “We deeply regret any confusion stemming from the insufficient descriptive information in our project disclosures, impacting both governmental bodies and our corporate partners,” the statement mentioned. Expressing empathy for public concerns, the agency extended heartfelt apologies for any distress caused.  They emphasized that their intent was never to sow doubt or create misunderstandings that could harm the reputation of esteemed individuals or organizations involved in these transactions.

Lagos Govt Announces Traffic Diversion On Adekunle Ramp For Construction Works

Lagos Govt Announces Traffic Diversion On Adekunle Ramp For Construction Works

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has declared a temporary closure of the Adekunle Ramp, both inward and outward, effective from Sunday, 19th November to 8th December 2023. This closure aims to facilitate ongoing construction works with a projected completion period of five weeks. In a press release signed by Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, alternative routes have been outlined to ease traffic flow during this period. The routes are: Lagos Island to Ebute Meta: Motorists are advised to utilize Ilubirin to connect Carter Bridge (Idumota Bridge), subsequently linking Iddo and accessing the Otto/Oyingbo axis. From there, they can proceed along Herbert Macaulay Way to reach their intended destinations; Concerning Victoria Island Traffic Diversion, commuters were asked to navigate through Bonny Camp to Onikan Marina Bridge, then proceed through Apongbon to access Eko Bridge. Continuing via Costain through Apapa Road and Railway Compound to Alagomeji, they can use Glover Road to reach Apena Junction, eventually accessing Herbert Macaulay Way to continue their journey. If one is traveling from Lagos-Ibadan through Adekunle to Ebute-Meta: they are advised to utilize the Ikorodu Road via Ojota, Anthony, Onipanu, and Fadeyi. From Fadeyi, they can proceed through Jibowu to access Herbert Macaulay Way for onward movement. Similarly, motorists from Gbagada are encouraged to pass through Anthony Interchange to link Ikorodu Road towards Jibowu. From Jibowu, they can access Herbert Macaulay Way to connect to their intended destinations. For those traveling from Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to Ebute-Meta, they were recommended to take the Oshodi Bridge to Town Planning Way. From there, they can access Ikorodu Road to reach their respective destinations. The press release emphasized the presence of traffic and security personnel deployed to manage the construction zones and alternative routes. Motorists were also urged to cooperate with officials, exercise patience, and observe safety measures during the ongoing construction works. According to the statement, the closure applies solely to the Adekunle Ramp, with the entirety of the 3rd Mainland Bridge remaining accessible to motorists during this period. See the full statement below: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PRESS RELEASE DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC ON ADEKUNLE RAMP, INWARD AND OUTWARD Following the level of the construction works ongoing on Adekunle Ramp and in order to complete it in record time of Five Weeks, the entire traffic inward and outward of the ramp will close to traffic from Sunday, 19th November till 8th December, 2023, (the completion period of 5 weeks earmarked for the project). Consequently, alternative routes presently in use still subsist as follows; 1. Motorists from Lagos Island heading to Ebute Meta will make use of Ilubirin to connect Carter Bridge (Idumota Bridge) to link Iddo inwards Otto/Oyingbo axis and access Herbert Macaulay Way to link their desired destinations. 2. Motorists from Victoria Island are to go through Bonny Camp to Onikan Marina Bridge, Apongbon to link Eko Bridge, Costain via Apapa Road, Railway Compound to link Alagomeji, Glover Road to access Apena Junction, Herbert Macaulay Way to connect their desired destinations. 3. In the same vein, Motorists wishing to travel through Adekunle to Ebute- Meta from Lagos- Ibadan are advised to make use of Ikorodu Road (Ojota, Anthony, Onipanu, Fadeyi) and Jibowu to access Herbert Macaulay Way to continue their journeys. 4. Motorists from Gbagada can go through Anthony Interchange to link Ikorodu Road inwards Jibowu to access Herbert Macaulay Way and link their desired destinations. 5. Motorists from Apapa-Oshodi Expressway wishing to link Ebute-Meta are advised to link Oshodi Bridge to Town Planning Way to Ikorodu Road to access their various destinations Adequate traffic and security personnel are still on ground at the construction zones and the various alternative routes/critical points, Motorists are encouraged to cooperate with them, exercise patience and observe safety measures during the palliative works. It should be noted that the entire stretch of 3rd Mainland Bridge inward and outward is still open to Motorists during this period as only the Adekunle ramp is affected. E-signed; Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation. 16th November, 2023.

Lagos State Government Gives 25% Transport Discount Amid Public Outcry

Lagos State Government Subsidises Transport By 25% Amid Public Outcry

The Lagos State Government has responded to public outcry by reinstating a partial transport subsidy through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Unit (LAMATA). The subsidy, which was previously set at 50%, had been removed by the federal government, causing concerns among residents. In a statement by Kolawole Ojelabi, the Head of Corporate Communication at LAMATA, it was announced that the reinstated subsidy will be effective from Tuesday (today), until further notice. The official statement declared, “Following appeals to the governor, he has extended the passenger fare reduction by 25% across the regulated bus and rail transport services until another review is announced.” The statement emphasized the notable increase in diesel prices over the past three months, soaring from N867 in August to N1,300 in November 2023, representing a substantial 50% increase. Responding to the calls for the reinstatement of the 50% fare discount for regulated bus and rail transport, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the implementation of a 25% discount starting from Tuesday, , addressing the concerns raised by the public.