Y2023 World Food Day: Obele Community School, Wins Lagos "Agric-Quiz Competition", As Ministry Holds Sensitisation Walk

 

AgegePulse Magazine

Obele Community Senior High School, Surulere has emerged the champion of the 2023 Ministry of Agriculture Quiz Competition, for secondary students in Lagos, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture to mark this year World Food Day, Theme: "Water Is Life, Water Is Food, Leave No One Behind". 

The event was recently held at Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya highlighted several ministry's program geared towards helping student to choose Agriculture as the first choice of studies in schools.

Hon. Commissioner for Agric, Mrs. Abisola Olusanya

"At the Ministry, we run several programmes in trying to bring to your knowledge the benefit of studying agriculture. We run a summer school programme every year which is usually in the month of August. We also have the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, where we setup a smart system of poultry, aquaculture and horticulture in schools 

"We have initiatives plans with different multilateral and bilateral agencies in trying to push the narrative that agriculture is not a backward sector in Lagos and Nigeria.

"The truth of the matter is that some of the things that you put on, like uniform are made of cottons which is an agricultural crop. It therefore means that agriculture is embedded in your everyday lives. The hair cream that you usually apply on your hair, be it coconut oil or any other food items and addictive are products of agriculture.

The Honorable Commissioner also stated the importance of water and it's usefulness.  "They said that you can live without water for a long time, but you cannot live without water without seeing the effects on you. That is the importance of water and that is why even as students we must learn the effective use of water at all times." She concluded.

Gladly expressing himself, The Winner, Master Chibuike Nmesoma, from Obele Community School, Surulere expressed his happiness at winning the competition for his school. 

“I'm very glad for the Lagos State Ministry for Agriculture’s School Quiz that we had today (Thursday). Our school came first and I was awarded with a lot of prizes for representing my school”, he said. 

“I'm so glad to bring honour to my state, my school and to my people. I pray that God will continue to be glorified in Jesus name. Amen”, he added.

Also participating,  Agindingbi Senior Community Secondary School, Ikeja and Alaro Senior High School, Epe came second and third respectively.

Earlier, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture also held a "Road Walk" as part of the activities to commemorate the year 2023 "World Food Day" in Lagos.

LAGOS, STERLING BANK CELEBRATE WORLD TOURISM DAY

 

AgegePulse Magazine

LAGOS, STERLING BANK CELEBRATE WORLD TOURISM DAY

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has partnered with Sterling Bank to celebrate the 2023 World Tourism Day with a series of events and activities to mark the Day since the 27th September, 2023.

Speaking at a recent event held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said the time has come to place value on what we have in Lagos because it is the only way Tourism can achieve its true potential in the State, noting that the country also needs tourism as an alternative source of revenue from oil.

Praising Sterling Bank for collaborating with the Lagos State Government in organising the events, the Commissioner averred that it is the responsibility of the Government to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and Lagos has been doing the needful and will continue to collaborate with the private sector for a Greater Lagos.

Speaking also at the event, the Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Sulaiman posited that we need to encourage ourselves and reawaken our curiosity, maintaining that it is time Nigerians change the narratives about Nigeria by promoting local culture, arts and tourism.

In his words: "The problem is our advocacy, we tell the world everything that is wrong with Nigeria but never tell them about the good things. There is only one way to make Lagos or Nigeria a top tourism destination and that is to come together to curate and say positive things about the country, talk about the culture, language, fashion and food among others”.

Also speaking at the event the Chairman of GAC Motors, Diane Jones commended the Lagos State Government for giving good brand promotion, noting that GAC Motors also supports zero carbon emissions like Lagos State and that its electric cars are on their way into the country.

World Tourism Day is an annual global event established to cultivate and create global awareness of the significance of tourism.

Top Government officials and dignitaries present at the event include the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe; Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun and Veteran Actress Joke Silva amongst others.

Lagos Airlifts 310 Pilgrims From Israel

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Government has successfully airlifted and returned 310 citizens who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel.

Lagos Airlifts 310 Pilgrims From Israel

This was announced by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, via his X handle on Tuesday.

Sanwo-Olu tweeted, "I'm happy to announce that we have successfully airlifted and returned all three hundred and ten citizens who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel.

"I want to thank you all for your concern and I must also express my joy to our Ministry of Home Affairs for a job well done."

The PUNCH also reports that the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission has announced the suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel and Jordan, as a result of the ongoing crisis.

Credit: X| jidesanwoolu

BREAKING: Police officer who killed Lagos lawyer Bolanle Raheem to die by hanging– Court

 AgegePulse Magazine

BREAKING: Police officer who killed Lagos lawyer Bolanle Raheem to die by hanging– Court

The judge Ibironke Harrison on Monday found the police officer guilty of murder of Bolanle Raheem.

The Lagos State High Court has sentenced Drambi Vandi, who fatally shot Bolanle Raheem, a Lagos based lawyer, to death by hanging.

The judge Ibironke Harrison on Monday found the police officer guilty of murder.

“The court found the defendant guilty on one count of murder. You will be hanged by the neck till you are dead,”

No More Business As Usual - Obasa Warns Council Chairmen, Others

 

AgegePulse Magazine 

... says policy of one project every quarter now compulsory

No More Business As Usual - Obasa Warns Council Chairmen, Others

...says council chairmen, vice, councillors now under close monitoring

Local government chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and other top officials of the 57 councils in Lagos State will henceforth face strict monitoring to make them meet the yearnings and aspirations of their people, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has declared.

Dr. Obasa said reports available to the House have shown that some of the council chairmen have not met the expectations of their people, so far. He warned that it will no longer be business as usual in the councils as the Assembly will now ensure strict compliance to serving the interests of the people.

At separate meetings with the council chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and senior staff of the councils in Lagos recently, the Speaker frowned at the aloofness that these set of public office holders have exhibited at that level of government to the detriment of the expectations of Lagosians.

Obasa, who noted that council officials in Lagos were the only ones with four-year terms in Nigeria, added that it is disheartening how some of these chairmen personalise monthly allocations while their communities are crying for infrastructure and other forms of developmental initiatives.

"I wonder how you sleep with your eyes closed while your council cannot even build and equip a good maternity centre. You can't justify the fact that in six months, there is no meaningful project done by you in your community.

"Some councils have no single project for over two years, you treat the vice chairmen and councillors like they must be subservient even when you are going astray. Some of your councillors have not received official vehicles up till now.

"Some of your councils do not have legislative chambers, meaning that the councillors have not been holding sittings. How then do you get approvals for the money you spend?

"We are aware of how some of these councils go ahead to borrow money up to nine-digit figures without approvals or due process and how they lease council property without caution. We won't allow these to happen again.

"It is now strictly going to be true governance at the grassroots level. If you don't develop your communities, where would you fall back to when you leave office? How would the people see you?" The Speaker asked while urging the councillors to up their effectiveness. 

Obasa maintained that having a well-equipped maternity centre in every ward of the local governments for residents to easily access healthcare is not impossible. He also enjoined the chairmen to embark on creation of parks and gardens in their local government councils and areas for the well-being of the people.

Going forward, he said, each council chairman must adopt "a policy that every quarter, there must be something to show that you are truly in office. Let there be something to commission.

"If you're to construct a road, it shouldn't be one that would last for a month or a year. It should be something that would make people pray for you each time they pass through it. Let's truly serve our people."

He warned the chairmen, the council managers and treasurers against constituting themselves into a power bloc that runs the councils without inputs from vice chairmen and councillors, who are supposed to issue approvals for spending and projects.

"We are here today to talk to each other. This is no witch-hunt. But I want you to always ask yourselves if you have been doing well for the people who voted you into office. How well have you been treating your vice chairmen, councillors and staff too?

"Some of you were vice chairmen before and you bitterly complained about your chairmen. Now that you are chairmen, what have you done to change what you complained about? How have you bettered those working with you? How have you changed the lives of your councillors?

"You need to have the fear of God and treat the people around you right. We (my colleagues and I) seriously made efforts, passed through a lot to amend the law for your benefits and to make you stay in office for four years. You need to think about the public and how to touch them.

"The best way to handle your office is to touch lives and do things that would make people speak well of you later in life. We have not asked you for money. All we are saying is that you do things for the progress of our state.

"The governor of our state cannot do it all alone. You are, therefore, supposed to be the nearest to the grassroots and help him with your own efforts.

"We must try to move with the moment. The world is moving and we can't continue to do things like we live in the past," he said while advising the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy to always guide the chairmen and other officials to deliver democratic dividends to their people.

In his comment, the chairman of Conference57, Kolade Alabi David, commended the Speaker for his advice and promised that there would be changes in the way the chairmen ran the affairs of their council areas.

Govt Reopens Ladipo, Oyingbo, Other Markets

 AgegePulse Magazine

Govt Reopens Ladipo, Oyingbo, Other Markets

    

... Warns that future violation will attract stiffer penalties

The Lagos Waste  Management Authority, (LAWMA) has announced the reopening of Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede and Ile-Epo markets, recently sealed for filth and gross environmental abuse.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who made this known, emphasised the importance of stringent compliance measures in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.

The reopening followed full compliance with requisite conditions. He said, "Following extensive renovations and compliance measures including, the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market, have been reopened today for business transactions."

Dr. Gbadegesin stated that the reopened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations. These conditions include providing a designated waste point; installation of block work fence and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment and enforce proper waste disposal regulations; engagement of bin keepers; collaboration with accredited psp operators for timely evacuation; prompt payment of waste bills, as well as, dislodging Street traders from road medians and setbacks, preventing unauthorised vending. 

"A filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria and others. We cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things", he stressed.

Speaking further, he said, "We want to make it abundantly clear, that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market".

Gbadegesin implored the executive members of markets in the state, to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would be usually beneficial to them, their customers and added that, local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations' adherence to set conditions, urging members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA.

He reminded markets around the state that LAWMA's zero tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked a closure and hefty fine.

For waste management related issues in your area, call LAWMA toll-free number: 07080601020 and 617

Breaking: Police Declare MohBad's Ally, Primeboy, Wanted, Offer N1m Reward

 AgegePulse Magazine

Ibrahim Owodunni

The Lagos State Police Command, on Wednesday, declared Owodunni Ibrahim, also known as Primeboy, wanted in relation to the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on the Instagram page of the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday.

The statement reads, "Following his failure to honour police invitation successfully sent to him since the commencement of investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Mr Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, the Lagos State Police Command hereby declares wanted Owodunni Ibrahim aka Primeboy."

It further reads, "The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, hereby offers a handsome reward of N1,000,000 to anyone with useful information leading to his arrest.

"Ibrahim is approximately 1.64-m tall, male, dark-complexioned with tribal marks and Yoruba by tribe. His last known address is 3rd Power, Oke Eletu, Ikorodu.

"If seen, contact the nearest police station or call 0803 688 5727."

Credit: Instagram| benjaminhundeyin

17 independent power distributors get licences, 10 operational

AgegePulse Magazine 

 17 independent power distributors get licences, 10 operational

The Federal Government has issued licenses to 17 Independent Electricity Distribution Networks operators, among which 10 are currently operational, the government announced on Tuesday.

It disclosed this in the 2022 Market Competition Report released on Tuesday by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, an agency of the Federal Government.

The government revealed this while providing a breakdown of the country’s power distribution segment. Nigeria’s power sector is basically categorised into the electricity generation, transmission and distribution segments.

In November 2013 when the sector was unbundled into the three segments, 11 successor distribution companies were created and were privatised, as they have been serving the country since then, amidst complaints by consumers.

But in the just released 2022 Market Competition Report, the NERC said, “All the 11 successor Discos (distribution companies) have been privatised. Ownership and management of the Discos have been transferred to private investors.

Additional private distribution company has been licensed in a specified franchised area. 17 Independent Electricity Distribution Networks’ operators have been licenced, of which 10 are operational as at December 2022.

“The regulator explained that the market competition report was prepared in compliance with Section 24(2) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2004, which mandates the commission to prepare an annual report for the minister as to the potential for competition in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

“The regulator explained that the market competition report was prepared in compliance with Section 24(2) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2004, which mandates the commission to prepare an annual report for the minister as to the potential for competition in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

“This report provides a review of the level of competition in the NESI and assesses the progress for a transition to a more competitive market. The report further provides recommendations for transition to a more competitive market pursuant to Section 26 of ESPRA.

“The report is directed at a wide spectrum of readers including government officials and institutions, private sector, energy economists, engineers, financial and market analysts, potential investors as well as general readers,” the commission stated.

Punch Newspaper