Agege Int'l Trade Fair To Host Over 500 Vendors With 50% Discount On Products, Says Tiley Kuti ...We'Re Ready To Host Biggest Tradefair in Mainland - Egunjobi

 

 

The success of the maiden edition of Agege International Tradefair which was held at the NYSC Camp has brought about market hub of products and services in Agege and Lagos at large. 

It is not gainsaying that AITF will be one of the leading products exhibition platform in Lagos  Mainland following the success recorded recently.

Tiley Kuti addressing newsmen

The Brand Strategist and convener, Folahan Omotileolawa revealed the ideas and socio-economic benefits of the Tradefair to AgegePulse  and other media houses at the Press Conference held at Agege Stadium on Thursday. 

According to him, Agege International Tradefair is an innovative tool designed and developed to help the common entrepreneur in Lagos state thrive.

"Our Vision is to create the largest discount market in the whole of Lagos state, with major focus on Lagos mainland. We are on a mission to Re-write the history of Trade and commerce in Lagos state". 

AgegePulse learnt that the in 2019, when the first edition was held at NYSC camp, which recorded great success with about 200 vendors with about 10,000 visitors pitching across the state.

"Based on our experience we have decided to put together a power packed event for our 2021 edition.

"Our aim is to host 500 vendors with over 50,000 visitors daily, this year edition would feature in person and virtual attendance, so people from all over the world would be watching. And can order for any product from anywhere in the world. We would also be providing an instant 50% discount on delivery within Lagos state.

In a statement the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Goverment Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi who was ably represented by his SA on Media and Strategic, Mr. Rotimi Sulyman said, the this 2nd Edition of the Tradefair would open Agege into many business opportunities both locally and internationally.

As a Goverment we are ready to deploy available resources to ensure this year edition witness another great success, noting that the council would also be playing a vital role in placing Agege as one of the BusinessHub and Central Business District in Lagos and Nigeria at large. 

Egunjobi commended the organiser for the beautiful idea behind the initiative. 

Recall,  the council chairman partners Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of Iyalode Alaba Lawson to boost commerce and industry in Agege. 

Anthony Oneya (SSA to Kano State Governor on Lagos Affairs), Mrs. Sumbo Adeoye, comedians Emini Oba, Black Camaru and others were all present  at the briefing.

It was also noted that a  week long event is slated to kick off July 13-19 2021 at the prestigious Agege Stadium. From 8am-7pm daily.

Below are the Higlight of the 7 days Family event:

1st day is a business master class for all our vendors to learn practical innovative idea on how to take your business to the next level, during and after the fair.

2nd day is the official opening ceremony of the market which will be opened by the Speaker Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon.Mudashiru Obasa, Iya loja General Folashade Tinubu, alongside other dignitary.

It will also feature special performance from our brand ambassador Black Camaru and Emini Oba and music performance by Gospel Sensation Testimony Jaga.

The 3rd day is Arewa day which is a special day for us to celebrate the bilateral commercial relationship between the Lagos and Northern part of Nigeria with Kano state in focus.

The 4th – 7th day will feature Fashion Runway parade, Special daily activities for Cooking Competition, Djing Competition, Hair Styling Competition, music, comedy, dance and games with loads cash prize giveaways daily.

In respective of the numbers of your vendors a trade exhibition can only said be successful when vendor make big sales, so we are focused on how all our vendors will get return on their investments.

To ensure maximum publicity for our vendors we have outlined major publicity strategy as follows

We have partnered with LASAA (Lagos state signage and advertising Agency) so as to get good numbers of billboard around the state

We have partnered with over 20 media house including (TV, Radio, and Print Media)

BRT bus/ Danfo/ Marwa will be branded

We are also in partnership with all Local government in the states and CDA and CDC in Lagos state so as to make sure the news goes round the state.

We are also partnering with over 100 churches and mosque around Lagos state

We have also created a special activation team that will be on the street of Lagos to invite our target customers once its two weeks to the fair. Our Activation team would be visiting over 100 estate residence with the state

We will also be working with a lot of online influencer to drive sales online like Black Camaru & Emini Oba, the Cute Abiola, Jigan Babaoja, Woli Agba and IPM Crew, Tunde Ednut amongst other Actors, actress and A-list artist will also trend this event online.

With the full support of CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, the Commander Lagos Rapid Response Squad, we have been able to save guard our customers and vendor property. Also all police station surrounding Agege are fully involved in the security process to ensure maximum safety of everybody during the fair.

As our usual tradition we will be having a Free Medical/ free drug stands for children and kids, also we will be giving out free stand to book vendors. This is because we want them to sell at a very discounted price so as to encourage reading culture amongst the youths.

We are using this medium to call on the government parastatals incharge of trade, commerce and industry in the state to really sit down to look at how they can lend a support for tradefair organizers.

It will go a long way in boosting trade and commerce in the state. It will also reduce unemployment.

We are using this medium to call on all small, medium and large scale business to come partner with us

To either book a stand or sponsor any special day of the fair.

 You can book a stand on our website at www.AgegeTradefair.com or call 08038508745

For sponsorship consideration you can send a mail to communication@agegetradefair.com

I also want to say a Big thank you to all our special guest on the hightable, all the media team that came to support us and a special thank you to 

Acquired YouthFarmland Will Decimate Youths Unemployment Says LG Chair | AgegePulse Magazine

Mr Johnson Babatunde, Chairman, Orile Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, says it has acquired 10 Acres of farmland for youths in the council area to farm.

Babatunde said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, that the farmland was given as gift to the Youth Body, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Orile Agege chapter, for its members to farm.

Orile Agege Farmland

“The gesture was in fulfillment of our promises to NYCN Orile Agege chapter, for diversification and investment in agriculture.

“We approved the take-off of the planting of maize, vegetables and Animal Husbandry  on 10 Acres of land acquired for youths.

“We will meet the executive of NYCN to kick start the agriculture programme,” he said.

The LCDA chairman said: “This project is one of the best projects that will touch a large number of active youths within the council area and also decimate the unemployment challenges in our dear community.

“Youths that are ready to work should see this as an opportunity to start the good journey of life.”

He advised them to be proactive, saying that the project should cut across youths within the various wards in the council area.

Babatunde also urged youths not to pay lip services to the recycling programme put in place by his administration.

He appealed to youths to put in their best to get rid of plastic waste from their community under the programme of “Turning Waste to Wealth”.

Babatunde also urged the youth to use the opportunity to be engaged in productive economic activities for positive turnaround of the community.

He, however, encouraged them to set a record that would make youths in Orile Agege LCDA to be pacesetter of youths development.

Ramadan: Lead Exemplary Life As The Holy Quran Teaches - Arabian Sheik, Lagos Perm-Sec. | AgegePulse Magazine

Don’t recite, memorise Quran only, let it reflect in our lives - 

....Lagos Island Zone emerged first in Education District III Quran quiz.  

Left: TGPS, EDD3,  Dr. Yinka Ayandele 

As muslim faithfuls continue to observe Ramadan Kareem this period.

The Lagos State Permanent Secretary of Education District III, Dr. Yinka Ayandele has urged Muslims to lead exemplary life as the Holy Quran teaches. 

Ayandele made this call during the year 2021 EDUCATION DISTRICT III, FALOMO IKOYI. annual Ramadan lecture for Students and Staff, held at Syrian Mosque, Ikoyi. 

Dr. Yinka Ayandele 

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary said that Ramadan is not just to fast, but a period to move closer to God and strive to ensure that our morals are in line with the will of God. 

Urging that this period calls for re-evaluation of our deeds with God and mankind in the last one year.

Dr. Ayandele is optimistic that every supplication made for the greater Lagos State under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-olu led administration and for Nigeria at large shall manifest. 

The Guest speaker, Chief Imam Syrian mosque, Ikoyi, Sheik Shami Nushi Shami, while delivering his lecture said that it's not sufficient enough to memorize or recite Quran without its reflection in our lives.

Speaking further on the topic: Ramadan: The Hope in times of despair" noted that in ramadan there's hope and necessity to show love to mankind as Quran teaches.

He revealed that embracing the doctrines in the Quran will bring solutions to current challenges in the world.

The Arabian Imam called for unity amongst Muslims irrespective of their countries, saying that God is concern with the hearts not the races.

He added that successes are assured when characters and  conducts are in line with the doctrines in the Quran.

The program also featured Quran recitation competition by Students from each zone in the District; Balogun Firdaous from Lagos Island; Jimoh Habeeb from Ibeju-Lekki; Adeniran Ashraf from Eti - Osa and Lawal Abdulateef from Epe were the semi finalists. 

After the impressive presentations by the contestants, Balogun Firdaous from King Ado Senior School, Lagos Island emerged first.

There were prizes for all the contestants.

The program had the presence of Imams of Suyrian mosque, Ikoyi, Sheik Ala Sayeed, Sheik Mahmud Shafts, Ustaz Sulaimon Kone, Ustaz Ibrahim Omokewu Gbogbo Alfa, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers' Eti-Osa, Mrs Taibat Abasido, Ancopps Representatives, Mutant representative.

Three Policemen Arrested For Extorting LASU Student Of N153,000 | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Three policemen, who allegedly extorted the sum of N153,000 from a student of the Lagos State University, Hezekiah Oluwaponmile, at gunpoint have been arrested.

The policemen allegedly accosted the victim while he was on his way to Abeokuta from Ibadan and demanded N1m from him.

The incident happened on Saturday, April 24, 2021, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The victim alleged that the policemen, who were on stop-and-search duty on the expressway stopped his vehicle and ordered him to alight.

According to him, the cops forced him out of the vehicle and asked him what he was doing for a living.

Oluwaponmile said, “I told them that I was a student of LASU. They told me to unlock my phone, but I refused; they threatened to kill me if I did not cooperate with them. They brought out a shocker, so I obliged.

“They asked me how many bank accounts I had and how much was in each of them. I told them I had two accounts with GTB and Union Bank. So, I opened my phone due to the threat from them and upon going through it, I was asked to pay the sum of N1m, but I told them I did not have up to that amount.

“Later on, they asked me to open my bank app, where they saw a balance of N288,000 and told me that they would collect N250,000 out of it without telling me what I did wrong.

“I begged them that I needed the money for some things, but they insisted on collecting N150,000.

“Then they asked me to give them my Automated Teller Machine card; I denied having one, so they took me to a Paga (Point of Sale) shop, which they have a connection with.

“The Paga man collected a fee of N3,000 after negotiating from N5,000. On a final note, I did a transfer of N153,000.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.

Oyeyemi said, “We heard about the issue and those policemen have been arrested.

Lagos Education District I Students Emerge Winners At Maltina School Games Competition | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, has attributed the high performance of public school students in various competitions to the massive investment of the State Government in the education sector.

2nd left: TGPS, Lagos Education District I 

Mrs. Adefisayo disclosed this at the official prize presentation by the Nigeria Breweries, makers of Maltina, to the students of Ijaiye Housing Junior and Senior Secondary School as well as Euba Junior Secondary School, who won different events at the recently concluded competition, just as the Lagos State Team also emerged overall Best State with 21 Gold, 15 Silver and Five Bronze Medals.

The Commissioner, represented at the event by the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Education District I, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin, appreciated the initiative of the Nigeria Breweries for the bountiful incentives and reward to the students who have distinguished themselves and made the State proud.

She said the Lagos State Government has evolved a system to identify brilliant students with hidden talents in order to nurture them with necessary support and guidance, so as to help unleash their potentials at National and International Competitions.

In her words: “Lagos State students are gifted and as a State, we have continued to create various means of harnessing, exposing and showcasing these brilliant minds to the world”.

She, however, solicited for more collaboration and support for the State government from corporate organisations and private stakeholders in actualising the major goals and objectives of the current administration in the education sector.

Presenting the cash gifts to the respective recipients, the Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, NB Plc, Mrs. Kehinde Kadiri, noted that she is inspired by the bunch of talents in Lagos State Schools and urged the winners to continue to strive to be the best always.

She lauded the State Government’s proactive response to the competition in all ramifications, commending the judges and participants of the maiden edition of the Maltina School Games.

In the Senior Category, Ojo Joy of Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Secondary School, who won the first position in 100, 200 and 4x100 Metres, received a cash prize of N500,000 and an additional N1,000,0000 for emerging as overall best athlete, while in the Junior Boys Category, Okon Moses of Euba Junior Secondary School, Mushin got a cash prize of N500,000 for winning gold medals in 400, 4x100 and silver medal in 100 metres.

For the Junior Girls Category, Anifowoshe Sikirat of Ijaiye Housing Estate Junior High School won N500,000 for clinching the gold medals in 100m and 4x100m. Also a cheque of N5,000,000 was presented to Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Secondary School under Education District I for emerging as Overall Best School in the competition.

Dignitaries at the award presentation include the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District VI, Mrs. Okelola Oludara; President, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Mrs. Olabisi Joseph; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Babatunde Omibekun and representative of the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mrs. Oluyomi Oluwasanmi among others.

GAC adopts direct primaries to elect APC’s candidates for Lagos Council Poll | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The Lagos State Gorvernor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted direct primaries to elect candidates for the party in the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections.

BY TAYO ADERINOLA

The Lagos State Gorvernor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted direct primaries to elect candidates for the party in the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections.

Lagos Panorama was realiably informed that the resolution was reached yesterday  after the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had earlier announced that the Council Elections to elect Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors for the 20 Local Governments Area Councils ( LGAC) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) will hold in July 2021.

The Apex body of the APC in Lagos State has also fixed June 18-25 for the primaries. So all aspirants were advised to commence lobbying on every card carrying party members.

Also at the GAC meeting, the Speaker of Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was pronounced as a full and leading member of the Lagos GAC.

The GAC is the apex political decision making body in Lagos State with the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman.

Ramadan Package: Why We gave Out Food packages To Agege LG Residents, Says Sola Osolana | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The recently  suspended Agege LG Supervisor Work and Infrastructure, Hon. Sola Osolana has revealed the rationale behind the gesture of his foundation which distributed over 500 Food Packages to Agege residents recently.

Sola Osolana Foundation food package

Osolana who is the Chairman of an NGO, Sola Osolana Foundation stated in a media chat with AgegePulse Magazine and Other Media houses revealing why he has decided to give back to the community that made him.

According to him, each food package comprises of Rice, Semovita, Garri, Milo,  Milk etc.

Beneficiary 

"Through Sola Osolana Foundation, and as the slogan implies, "Impacting Lives", we have resolved  to come up with ideas and programmes that will bridge the nutritional food deficit in  our dear community".

"We will soon organise other intervention programmes on Education, Health, Youth Empowerment, Capacity Building and Financial Freedom for our youths to complement the effort of the government".

As for Ramadan, Prophet Mohammed (SAW) says, Allah Gives this reward even to those who give a sip of milk to a fasting man." This signifies the virtue of charity with all its types and forms. 

Those who give charity in Ramadan and increase their charities therein have followed the example of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) and realized the virtue.

"Ramadan period is a season to give and share. So it's an opportunity for the foundation to give out food packages  during this period to our Muslims faithful as part of our social care and responsibility".

This is where we drew our inspiration as Ramadan teaches charity and love", Osolana concluded.

Recall, in early 2021, Sola Osolana Foundation was the major sponsor of Elephant Club of Ogba as the club unveiled the newly renovated 6-blocks of classrooms and donation of over 100 furniture to Akilo Primary School in Agege.

Ooni To Confer Lagos Female Business Tycoon, Toyin Kolade, Iyalaje Oodua Title | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Right Ooni and Toyin Kolade

Palace of the Ooni of Ife(Ile Oodua) in Ile-Ife has announced the decision of the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, to confer the prestigious chieftaincy title; THE IYALAJE OODUA on the Global Coordinator of the Annual AJE Festival & Lagos based international business tycoon cum philanthropist, Princess(Dr) Oluwatoyin Kolade.

Toyin Kolade 

The announcement was expressed in a statement by Comrade Moses Olafare, Director of Media & Public Affairs, Ooni's Palace which he made available to journalists on Wednesday. 

Princess Kolade's profile as a benevolent and successful major player in the Nigeria private business sector who started as a petty trader in her home town of Ilesa in the State of Osun about 35 years ago, her involvement in the promotion of the rich Yoruba cultural values, her countless humanitarian services, her virtuous character of a disciplined family woman and her unfaulted respect for the royal institutions qualified her for the prestigious title of Iyalaje Oodua.

"Aside from her unquantifiable efforts in the promotion of cultural activities in Ile-Ife and Yorubaland, the colossal contributions of Princess Kolade towards the revival of the ancient Aje festival which has today gained tremendous global limelight cannot be overemphasized".

"Today, 'Aje' festival which is the celebration of the diety of commerce, markets, wealth and prosperity is as prominent as any festival one can be proud of in Africa because of Princess Toyin Kolade's superlative coordinating capacity driven by dedication and patriotism as a proud descendant of Oduduwa." Olafare said. 

In fulfillment of his cultural/tourism revolution agenda for Yoruba people and the lager Oodua race worldwide, Ooni Ogunwusi who is regarded as the Traditional Head of the Oduduwa Race worldwide in 2017 appointed Princess Toyin Kolade as his Cultural Ambassador in charge of AJE festival, with the responsibility to attract global acceptance for the annual celebrations of AJE deity, one out of the 401 deities who had populated the first dynasty of mankind known as IFE OODAYE thousands of years ago.  

Advancing the cause of Aje festival as assigned, Toyin Kolade has so far successfully coordinated 5 editions of the annual celebrations in Ile-Ife hugely participated by local and foreigners. She also in September 2019 led a team to launch Aje festival in Brazil hosted by the City Parliament in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where received awards of excellence for herself and for the Ooni from the Government of Rio De Janeiro. 

According to Olafare, a date in the month of July shall be announced soon by the palace for the traditional rites and other activities for the installation ceremony at the ancient city of Ile-Ife believed to be the source and natural headquarters of the Oduduwa race globally.

#Ramadan: Sola Osolana Foundation Sets to Distribute Over 500 Food Packs To Agege LG Residents | AgegePulse Magazine

 #Ramadan: Sola Osolana Foundation Sets to Distribute Over 500 Food Packs To Agege LG Residents.

Images

Shaykh Garu lives on as children organized 30 years remembrance | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Remembering the departed souls is very important and appreciated by Almighty Allah, this is the reason why children of a prominent Islamic scholar known as Shaykh Muhammad Awwal Atanda Busairy popularly called Shaykh Garu organized a special prayer and public lecture in remembrance of the beloved father who passed on 30 years ago (1991).

Sheikh Sulaiman Farouq, Guest Lecturer 

Family, friends and associates of Garu Family came out in their large number to celebrate the pious Shaykh who had impacted so many lives during his life time. Prominent Islamic scholars such as Shaykh Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa, Shaykh Labib, Shaykh Al Muqtar Onikunkewu, Shaykh Muslihudeen Abiodun Kalejaye, Shaykh Jamiu Ajadi Sinusi (Ami Olohun), among other personalities also graced the occasion that was on held on 3rd of April, 2021 at Eduland School, Egbeda. 

Late Sheikh Garu Sons

The Guest Lecturer at the event, Shaykh Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa while delivering his lecture said as parents has roles to play on their children so also children also has roles to play on their parents saying parents must fulfill their roles first. According to him, the father must ensure he find a suitable mother for his unborn children by getting married to the right partner, give his children good and lovely names as well as educating them, which Shaykh Garu fulfilled on his children.

Shaykh Faruq said children roles on parents can be classified into two (2); the roles they must play while their parents are alive and after their demise. Children must be kind to their parents, obey them, be submissive to them, spend on them, do not harm them, and defend them while alive. Children must pray for their parents, give alms on their behalf, unite their family, and respect their friends after their demise. 

According to him, children who do all the above to his or her parents will receive the following as rewards from Almighty Allah; long life, wealth, favour of God as well as forgiveness from Almighty Allah. He then commended Garu children for celebrating their father and pray that Almighty Allah will reward them abundantly. 

Shaykh Labib in his speech, described Shaykh Garu as great Islamic scholar worthy of emulation, he said if anyone associate him or herself with him or follow with one mind, such person will surely acquire qualities such as; contentment, access to hajj, ability to preach, mediation and popularity saying he went to his first hajj in 1977 through Shaykh Garu. 

Source: Community Gist

Shaykh Onikunkewu described him as a prominent Islamic scholar during his lifetime that people in Oke Kura, Ilorin always want him to be their Guest Speaker in all their Maolid Nabbiy or any special event. He applauded Shaykh Garu children for putting event like this together to celebrate their father.

Education: Lagos Introduces Initiative To Enhance Students' Performance In EDD1, Agege| AgegePulse Magazine

 

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, has introduced a technology intervention programme tagged "STEAM" to the State's Education sector. 

The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Barrister Margaret Solarin, stated that the STEAM initiative, an acronym for ‘Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics', which kicked off on Monday at the Education District I in Agege, is aimed at aiding the performance of students in both internal and external examinations.

L-R: 3rd, Lagos Commissioner for Education,  2nd, Barrister Solarin, TGPS, EDD1

Solarin said, "In a bid to work successfully with the State Government in actualising its plans for our teachers and students to excel, we at the District Level have keyed into this special intervention programme which will help to put in place needed requirements for our students to excel and perform better".

She extended her appreciation to all the technical partners who are ready to give the district maximum support in the supplies of the gadgets and enabling environment needed. 

The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mrs. Adetola Salau, explained that the State Government is harnessing every laudable initiative that would aid a better performance of students in external examinations, stressing that 'STEAM'' was one of such initiatives. 

She said that her office has entered into a partnership with the United States of America and German Embassies in order to have a very formidable team for the intervention programme and achieve better WASSCE results from the students in subsequent examinations. 

According to her, the focus emanated from the statistics of students performance in WASSSCE and the need to focus on some critical areas which would be covered under the STEAM initiative. 

She harped on teaching methodology that is dynamic and in tandem with the present-day realities, adding that teaching in a way that provokes creativity and new ideas should be encouraged as against teaching in abstract.  

The SSA pointed out that Lagos, and by extension Nigeria, has a lot of human resource potentials such as the students, and it is expected that they would be adequately nurtured and tutored by their teachers.

#LASG 

#ForAGreaterLagos

CAPTION:

PIX : (L-R) A Cultural Specialist, Ibrahim Aliu, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District I, Barrister Titilayo Solarin; Senior Special Assistant on Education, Mrs. Adetola Salau and the State Coordinator, Policy Adviser, Technology, Mrs. Chinazor Okoye during the event.

Security Operatives, Law Enforcement Agencies To Wear Body Cam in Lagos | AgegePulse Magazine

 

• ‘Initiative Will Enhance Safety, Boost Investors’ Confidence’ - Governor

 

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, rolled out a groundbreaking plan for the enhancement of security and safety in Lagos State. The Governor approved a mass training for the State’s law enforcement personnel on the use of body worn cameras, ahead of the deployment of the digital tools for security operations across the State.

The three-day training, which will commence in May, will be facilitated by the State’s Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI), headed by Prince Oyekan Falade. After the training, all State-funded law enforcement officers will be commissioned to wear body cameras for their operations.

Sanwo-Olu said the move would improve transparency and accountability in the activities of law enforcement agencies, and put the State Government in a better position to respond to security challenges in real time.

Provision of adequate security, the Governor said, is a key pillar of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda, stressing that the initiative reflected his Government’s resolution to ensure Lagos remained secure for residents and investors.

He said: “I am pleased to inaugurate the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement officers in Lagos and this is a groundbreaking move to enhance safety in the State, as well as increase transparency and accountability in the activities of our law enforcement agencies. Lagos State has strategically set the pace among other States in Nigeria to launch the use of body worn cameras by law enforcement officers.

“The security challenges in different parts of the country are worrisome, but with proactive action, the use of modern technological tools, and a mix of well-trained and intelligent officers, we will successfully combat many of these challenges. With body-worn cameras, our law enforcement officers are better equipped to protect lives and properties, thereby, making Lagos safer for us all.”

Sanwo-Olu said the launch of the body-worn cameras would take the Government a step closer towards fulfilling its security agenda, stressing that the introduction of devices to frontline security team and officers would enhance their productivity and professionalism, while also fast-tracking law enforcement process.

The cameras, the Governor pointed out, will help the State Government check abuse of power and excesses by security personnel, while also improving the safety and accountability of officers, who will use the devices for evidence sharing and intelligence gathering.

“I am hopeful that all officers will optimise the cameras that will be assigned to them for the furtherance of justice and improvement of the law enforcement process. Our Government will continue to prioritise the welfare of our law enforcement officers whose pivotal efforts we acknowledge in the entrenchment of a safe city,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Khadijat Shittabey, applauded the Governor for approving the initiative, stressing that the body worn cameras would help the ministry in the administration of justice.

She said: “The cameras will also help to enhance professionalism on the part of the law enforcement agents, provide digital evidence of events and provide additional means of protection for officers. The cameras will be used to establish guilt or innocence of officers when confronted with allegations of wrongdoing.”

Falade, after demonstrating the operation of the camera on the Governor, said 7,000 officers will be trained in the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC).

The training, LETI boss disclosed, will be done in 26 batches to reduce crowding of the training centre.

LETI was established in 2013 through an Executive Order, to set standards for recruitment of law enforcement agents, training and development of the officers.

70 per cent of farmers in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun have abandoned their farms ― Alaafin | AgegePulse Magazine

• Accuses security agencies of releasing suspected criminals when handed over to them.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Wednesday, noted that the killing and kidnapping and other criminalities in the state were rampant to the extent that 70 per cent of farmers in Ibarapa and Oke Ogun zones of the state had abandoned their farmlands.

This is as he accused security agencies of frustrating the efforts of traditional rulers by releasing suspected criminals after they have been arrested and handed over to them.

Adeyemi made these assertions when Governor Seyi Makinde met with traditional rulers across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan, on the state of security in Oyo state.

For states to effectively address insecurity in their domains, he reiterated calls for state policing noting that the nation currently operated a unitary system where the federal government directed security affairs of states.

While lauding South-West states for coming together to form Amotekun, he maintained that without state policing, states will continue to be puppets under the federal government.

Noting that the current system was such that Commissioners of Police were responsible to the Inspector General of Police and not the state governors, he stressed the need for the operation of true federal structure in the country.

Oba Adeyemi said:  “We the traditional rulers are stakeholders. In our community and villages, those being killed are our wives and children. Our daughters and women are those being raped. They are killing our people. We cannot relocate to Ibadan in search of protection.

“All the suspected criminals that we arrested through our own local intelligence in the forests, we handed them over to the police. They were arrested for kidnapping, rituals, and so on. But we usually see them on the third day, walking around the street.

“70 per cent of our farmers in Ibarapa and Oke Ogun have abandoned their farmlands. People are no more farming. “Since 2018, we the traditional rulers have not been sleeping with our two eyes closed since they started the Jihad. They have been kidnapping kings too.

“When they kidnapped the Baba-Aso of Igbole, we the traditional rulers were the ones that contributed money for ransom and paid before the monarch, his wife and child were freed. We have secured the release of many victims. We have our own vigilante in the forests. We buy 10 bags of garri, 10 bags of semovita and so on for the vigilante in the forests. We would not declare our operation modality until after the arrest of the suspects and we hand them over to the police. I will leave the original copy of my address with the governor. He can investigate police formations, especially at the anti-kidnapping unit in Ibadan. None of those arrested and handed over to the police had been jailed.

“Governor Makinde is taking the right step, but the Constitution that we are operating in Nigeria is defective. The governor is doing what he can and he can do whatever you want him to do. But when it comes to the area of security, there is nothing the state government can do, if the Federal Government does not do it. The state governor cannot direct the Commissioner of Police to do something, if the Federal Government does not approve of it, the CP will not honour the governor. We should not deceive ourselves.”

“The money that Oyo State Government is spending on security, you are just spending because there are no appreciable results. We are stakeholders, we partner with you, and we spend our money to put up vigilante group that are still in the forests. Also, we have some Fulani that believes in us. If they entered the forest today, before tomorrow, they are already in the Benin Republic. A suspect that was arrested with an AK-47 rifle, we have his photograph, that we handed over to the police, where is the AK-47 rifle now? If you invite us, we will advise you appropriately.”

The event also had in attendance the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Senator Rashidi Ladoja; deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan; Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; Garrison Commander, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Brig-Gen Adesoji Ogunsugba; Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko; as well as Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, represented by Oba Oyetunji Ojo; and other traditional rulers.

Governor Makinde, in his address, stressed that the state decided to involve traditional rulers and non-state actors for the state to deal with its security challenges towards ensuring adequate security of lives and property.

He noted that it appeared that security agencies were overwhelmed hence the need to involve traditional rulers and non-state actors as major players in tackling insecurity in the state.

Makinde stressed that voluntary policing was the way to go while tasing local government administrations to stage security meetings twice a month and forward recommendations about security in their domains to the state government.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Adetunji, who spoke through the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, advocated that Nigeria should become truly federal and not unitary, adding that true federalism would give the state governors power to deal with security challenges in their states.

He noted that the northern part of the country preferred the current federal structure to the one initiated by the founding fathers of the nation.

The monarch added that the responsibility of providing security rests on the shoulders of three groups – the political public office holders, the security agencies in uniform, and the traditional institution.

He called on the government to recognise the three groups, and they should work together to promote security.

The Garrison Commander of the 2 Division of Nigerian Army and the Commissioner of Police in the state, said security agencies have been working and would continue to work to ensure the security of lives and property. They, however, called on the public to give them credible information for them to work with.

The state commissioner of police, Ngozi Onadeko, said the police needed partners, intelligence and information from members of the public to function effectively.

She noted that with each zones having peculiar security challenges, community policing was embraced by the current police force.

--Nigeran Tribune Online News