Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Clears the Air On Incident At J.K Randle

Yomi Durojaye 

The attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism , Arts, and Culture has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media regarding an incident at the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. It is imperative to set the records straight and clarify the events that led to the said video.

The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka has the statutory responsibility of oversight over all facilities under the Ministry’s purview. In line with this mandate, she embarked on an inspection visit to the J.K. Randle Centre.

During the inspection, it was discovered that the Centre Director , Qudus Onikeku, was illegally operating a canteen within the premises without the knowledge and approval of the Ministry. This prompted Mrs Benson-Awoyinka to question the presence of the establishment and initiated an eviction which the Centre Director violently resisted and had his team attack officials of the Ministry. 

The non-state actors who are neither recognized by the Lagos State Government nor authorized to attend the meeting, who accompanied the Center Director, barged in, while he ordered them to record the proceedings. This, the Honourable Commissioner objected to. It must be emphasized that recording any meeting without the consent of the presiding authority is unacceptable and a breach of protocol.

For clarity,  Mrs Benson Awoyinka did not assault anyone, instead a senior female member of her team was physically assaulted by the non state actors which then escalated as seen in the viral video depicting a totally false narrative. The video posted ostensibly to blackmail her speaks for itself.

The Honourable Commissioner  maintained her stance that unauthorized persons should not participate in the meeting or record its discussions, which is in line with standard administrative procedures.

 An investigation has been ordered into the occurrence and appropriate actions would be taken. 

The Ministry remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and the efficient management of all its facilities. The Honourable Commissioner will continue to discharge her duties in the best interest of Lagos State and its citizens.

We urge members of the public to disregard any misrepresentation of the incident and focus on the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to excellence in service delivery.

Signed:

Seriki Omowunmi 

Director, Public Affairs

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture

9th January, 2024

Agege Federal Lawmaker, Dr. Wale Ahmed Urges Constituents To Support Tinubu Reform Policies

Yomi Durojaye 

House of Representatives member Dr. Wale Ahmed yesterday urged the people of Agege Constituency to rekindle their solidarity and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said Nigerians will savour a new lease of life, assuring that the dividends of socio-economic reforms embarked upon by the administration will spread.

Tinubu.           Wale Ahmed

Ahmed spoke at his constituency office where no fewer than 50 tertiary students received N100,000 each under his ‘Noble Scholarship Programme.’

Speakers at the event admonished the beneficiaries to face their studies, shun cultism and other social vices, make their parents proud and be a good ambassadors of the scheme.

At the ceremony, the lawmaker also donated bags of rice and cash to market men and women from Agege and Orile-Agege councils, bags of flours to Agege master bakers and a generator to the Divisional Police Office.

Accompanied by a party colleague and former federal lawmaker, Jide Jimoh, the legislator said he sponsored the educational programme in appreciation to God who enabled him to study medicine at the Usman Dan Fodio University,  Sokoto, despite being an indigent student.

Ahmed thanked the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders,members and other constituents in Agege for their cooperation, urging them to increase their support for the Tinubu administration.

He also charged them to maintain the unity of the fold.

On the scholarship scheme, he said:” We obtained GCE and JAMB forms for our youths. I remember my six years as a student in Sokoto. I only had transport fare for the first year. There waa nobody to give me transport money. When I entered Year Four, I spent one week at home after resumption because of lack of transport fare. I am sponsoring the education programme to give thanks to God.”

Ahmed promised to do follow-up by monitoring the students’ progress.

To the students, he said:”You can achieve your goals in life with hardwork.”

Jimoh of Mainland Constituency said: “It is a day of joy. Our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is in town. This is what he likes. This is good news to our president and our governor. There is no beneficiary of scholarship who will not be happy for life.

“Dr. Wale Ahmed has also given grants. This is true representation. He is in the House moving motions and sponsoring bills. He is serving our party and your constituency.”

To the students,he said: “Treasure the opportunity. Guard it jealously. Use it well.”

At the ceremony were Idowu Akinola, who represented House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Taofeek Oloriodo, Monsurat Adegbenro, Mrs. Akinyemi, Youth Leader Semiu Lateef, Alhaja Dupe Boyejo, Olumuyiwa Lebiyo, Omooba Sobande, Joseph Ayobami, Isola Omodele and Segun Balogun.

The chairman of the screening committee, Abiodun Ogedengbe, said the selection of beneficiaries was transparent and devoid of partisanship.

He said to be above board, he said he prevented his daughter who had gained admission into the university from participating in the exercise.

He urged the beneficiaries “to go and excel,” and their parents to monitor them because they are young.

The chairman of APC in Agege Council, Alhaji Tunde Azeez Disco, advised the students to be good ambassadors of the council and constituency, excel academically and engage in community service.

He described the expansion of educational opportunities as the real dividends of democracy.

Breaking: Lagos Assembly Passes N3.4 Trn Budget For 2025

 Yomi Durojaye 

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday approved a total sum of N3,366,815,224,144 as the total budget of the state for 2025.

Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa 

The approval followed the presentation of a report on the budget by the chairman of the joint committee on appropriation and finance, Hon. Sa'ad Olumoh, and the subsequent voice votes by lawmakers at a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The approved budget is made of N1,295,630,197,452 as recurrent expenditure while N2,071,185,026,692 is earmarked as capital expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2025.

Dr. Obasa, thereafter, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit a clean copy of the passed bill to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

The Speaker commended his colleagues for their painstaking efforts leading to the passage of the budget.

Recall that Governor Sanwo-Olu had on November 21, presented a proposal of N3.005 trillion to the House for approval.

The Governor, during the presentation, told the lawmakers that the budget has a deficit financing of N408,902 billion adding that the deficit would be financed from external and internal loans and bonds.

Meanwhile, the House, during plenary on Monday, also passed a bill to consolidate all laws on local government administration in Lagos State.

The bill further makes provisions based on constitutional amendments as well as amendments by the National Assembly which have direct effects on the local governments in Lagos State.

Gidado FC Wins 2024/2025 ElephantRiA Cup

By Kazeem Akande

Friday at the Ashade Ogba Palace playing ground in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, saw Gidado FC claim the top prize of N500,000, while Pepe FC received N300,000 as the runner-up.

 Gidado FC Wins 2024/2025 ElephantRiA Cup

The Ologba of Ogba, Oba Egbeyemi Oladimeji, noted that the Elephant Club sports activities had been uniting the youth in the community for the past 25 years.

1st Runner Up, Pepe FC

He expressed his gratitude to God for the success of the 2024/25 League and to the organisers of the tournament.

MVP, Samson Olo

He stated, “I appreciate and thank all the teams that participated in the league from the beginning, for their sportsmanship and fair play attitude during the matches.’’

The traditional ruler also praised the fans and spectators for their peaceful conduct and coexistence during and after the matches.

(M) Highest Goalscorer

A former Lagos State House of Assembly member, Yinka Ogundimu, commended the Elephant Club of Agege for their efforts in bringing together the youth through grass-roots football, which he said led to significant social and economic development in the community.

Best Goalkeeper 

The Chairman of the Football Committee of the Elephant Club of Agege, Felix Ajanaku, thanked God for the success of the 2024/25 League and acknowledged the fans and supporters for maintaining peace throughout the matches.

The Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Samuel Opeyemi, attributed his team’s success to God, saying “though, it is not easy, God saw us through.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, supporters, and organisers of the game for providing the opportunity for his team to showcase their talents.

The tournament, which featured 14 teams, was a success, with the final match ending in a thrilling penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in the normal 20-20 minute match.

Hon. Ibrahim Adenekan (Phylum) Seeks Residents' Cooperation as Ogunbore-Coker Streets Get Asphalted

By Ayodele Ifasakin

In a significant move to enhance infrastructure in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, the asphalt laying on Ogunbore-Coker Streets Ward C2 is set to commence today. Residents have been urged to cooperate with contractors to ensure a smooth and successful process.


The lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji (JAH), OON, facilitated lots of project road rehabilitation that has been completed while few are still ongoing as we speak, therefore he has been commended for prioritizing the construction of Ogunbore-Coker Streets, which has been a long-standing need in the community.

Additionally, the Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, received accolades from residents for his resilient and pragmatic approach in ensuring the project’s execution. The Councilor representing Ward C2 in Ifako-Ijaiye Legislative Arm also expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Governor H.E Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, for his unwavering support always to the people of Ifako-Ijaiye.

Residents have been advised to remove vehicles parked along the road to facilitate the smooth progression of the asphalt laying. He also appreciated the residents and the CDA for their patience and support from the beginning of the commencement of the construction till this very moment.

The Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure Hon. Adekunle Olayinka KOPI was also lauded for playing a key role in the realization of this project.

The commencement of the asphalt laying on Ogunbore-Coker Streets is expected to not only enhance the aesthetics of the area but also improve accessibility and the quality of life for residents. Meanwhile Moshalashi Alao road rehabilitation has also been completed and ready to be asphalted immediately after the completion of Ogunbore-Coker Road.