OSHODI TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE: LAGOS TARGETS FIRST QUARTER 2019 DELIVERY DATE

…Says Project Now At 83 Per Cent Completion Stage

 AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government on Monday said the ongoing Oshodi Transport Interchange conceived and being implemented to evolve a seamless way by which Lagosians commute across the State on a daily basis would be completed within the first quarter of 2019.



Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Adebowale Akinsanya, in a statement on the state of the project, said it was gratifying to report that substantial progress had been made towards its completion. 



The Commissioner added that with the ongoing pace of works, the project would be completed within the first quarter of 2019, and operations commencing soon after, saying that commuters around the State should look forward to having a comfortable, accessible and world-class transport system.



Besides, Akinsanya commended motorists and residents in the State for cooperating with government in the implementation of the project, just as he assured that all hands were on deck to expedite work and complete it on schedule. 



According to him, “At the moment, 83 per cent total work progress has been achieved, including completion of piling works on the three terminals and completion of the piling works for the Skywalks.



“Among others, we have also completed works on the pile caps for the three terminals, concrete works of the buildings, ground floor works on all the loading bays for the three terminals, erection of steelworks for the Skywalks and terminals and Taxi Park and car park area, while road works around the terminal are at an advanced stage as well as bus holding bays around the terminals also at an advanced stage,” Akinsanya said.



The Oshodi Transport Interchange Project (OTIP) which is part of the Bus Reform Initiative of the State Government, is an iconic infrastructure designed to transform the axis forever and enhance connectivity.



The project, in a nutshell, seeks to transform Oshodi into a world-class Central Business District (CBD) with business, travel and leisure activities conducted in a serene, secure, clean, orderly and hygienic environment, comparable with other transport terminals around the world including Stratford and Victoria Bus Station in the United Kingdom.



The project, on completion, would consolidate all the 13 city and interstate bus parks into three multi-storey terminals, providing standard facilities including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, drivers lounge, parking areas, rest rooms, accessible walkways and pedestrian sky-walks linking all the terminals.

#AmbodeLegacies #AkinwunmiAmbode #ItesiwajuEkolivesforever

Saraki's Politics is anti-People, I can't Work With Him- Sulaiman

Founding chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Pa Kunle Suleiman, tells SUCCESS NWOGU why he left the PDP, following the defection of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the party

You are the founding chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State. Why did you leave the party you laboured hard to build for the All Progressives Congress?

I am not only a founding father of the PDP in Kwara State, I am one of the founding fathers of the PDP at the national level, having started from G-18 to G-36 until it transformed to the PDP.

Therefore in Kwara State, I nurtured the PDP from the scratch. It is painful that I had to leave the house I laboured hard to build. I really need to do so with pains because I cannot stay in the same political party with Bukola Saraki. At the beginning, when we had three parties including the PDP, and the Alliance for Democracy.  I deliberately went to the PDP in order to avoid being in the same party with that dynasty when late Baba Olusola Saraki was alive. We (Olusola and I) had very good working relationship, we talked and so on but I told him (Olusola Saraki) that we cannot be in the same party because their own politics is not ideology-based, and it is not geared towards the improvement of the lives of the masses, therefore we cannot co-habit in the same party; that is why I went to the PDP.

After the old man died, his son stepped into his shoes. Because he was not a politician, he merely stepped into the shoes of his late father and inherited the existing structure but he does not know how to manage it. He reduces everybody to the level of a servant. Politics is not a master-servant relationship. Those of us who have something to offer can never play that type of politics. So basically, we are just different politically. Our thoughts are not the same; our ideas are not the same. We think of the masses, Bukola thinks of what he will acquire.

Bukola does not think of the people, he thinks about himself; all others are mere instruments for him to achieve his objectives, expand his political empire and political image. If you look at what is happening, why did he leave the PDP for the APC in 2014? It was not because former President Goodluck Jonathan was not performing; it was because he felt that he had not had enough recognition.

Under President Muhammadu Buhari, his defection is not based on differences of ideology, and it is not that the masses are suffering and the government should have initiated and implemented better policies;  it is about him.  That’s why we cannot be together.

Punch

Lagos Seals Partnership With Multi-National Consortium To Clean-Up Waterways

…Says Sector Remains Critical To Solving Traffic Congestion

…Woos investors at Water Transport Roundtable

 AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday expressed the commitment of his administration to provide critical infrastructure and enabling environment for investors to participate in the ongoing efforts to rev up water transportation, saying the sector remains critical to solving the traffic congestion affecting the State.

Speaking at a Roundtable on Water Transportation organised by the State Government, and held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, the Governor said though the sector had been left unattended to over the years, but that the State Government was nonetheless now committed more than before to fully harness the potentials of the water transportation to the benefit of the people and economic prosperity of the State.


He said the chaotic traffic situation in some parts of the State in recent times and the pressure on the road with attendant danger to lives and property, made the need to forge ahead with the reforms in the water sector being championed by his administration even more compelling.



According to him, “The question to ask is what has brought us to this despicable situation so to speak where the only mode of transportation for over 22million people is road and the road itself is chaotic. In the last three years, we have been fighting traffic and unfortunately in the last two weeks, we have seen what has happened in Apapa and what we have been trying to do. Just about three weeks ago, we saw what happened with regards to the Otedola Bridge disaster and then the carnage, as well as the inability of government to provide for the needs of the people.



“So, among the over 22 million people, almost 8 million are walking on the streets every second and at the same time, 86 people enter into Lagos every one hour according to United Nations statistics for 2016 which is the largest in the world. So, if other states are failing, more people are going to be coming to Lagos and that means maybe right now, there are 120 people entering Lagos not wanting to go back and the only mode of transportation we have for them is just the road and that is why we are coming up with other modes.



“1/5th of Lagos is water. We have the smallest geographical space in Nigeria of 3577 square kilometers with 25 per cent of that being water. So, you are asking yourself that why in the history of Lagos and in the history of Nigeria, that we did we not just think of other modes of transportation and what really went wrong?”



While reeling the benefits of water transportation especially to traffic management, the Governor said it was instructive to note that being surrounded by water, many parts of the State could be connected within few minutes.



“I was in Apapa yesterday and I look at the gridlock and it made sense to me that it is just five minutes ride between Apapa and Marina and so the question is can’t we create barges that take our cars officially and then push them there in just five minutes and so in no time everybody is in their offices instead of going through the traffic?



“Between Badore and Ikorodu is just ten minutes. So, we lay off people on Ikorodu axis. This is something that has been waiting for a long time and I just think this is the right time for us to do it because those coming behind us will not forgive us if we don’t take advantage of all the things we need to do to develop water transportation,” the Governor said, adding that major channelization projects, shoreline protection and jetties, among others were currently being constructed as part of efforts to boost the sector.



He said in addition to efforts ongoing, the roundtable was basically to come up with sustainable framework to boost water transportation and encourage people to adopt it as alternative to other modes of transportation.



While wooing investors to take advantage of the reforms in the water sector, the Governor said it was instructive that in the last 36 months, more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) came into the State largely due to transparency and credibility to encourage investors, assuring that his administration would continually create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.



Earlier, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson said the essence of the roundtable was to evolve effective framework in partnership with the private sector and relevant stakeholders to play up water transportation in Lagos with the view to diverting a lot of pressure currently on the roads to water.



Also speaking, a major player in the sector, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, who is the Managing Director of Tarzan Ferry Services, commended Governor Ambode for his commitment to rev up water transportation and harness it's potentials for the benefit of the people.



He said stakeholders were aware of the challenges in the sector and were willing to partner with the State Government to address the issues in the overall benefit of the State.



There were also presentations at the event by University of Lagos, United States Mission in Nigeria, Trade and Investment Department of British High Commission and Paramount Maritime Holdings of South Africa, all expressing readiness to partner with the State Government to boost water transportation.



Meanwhile, the State Government at the roundtable also sealed a major partnership with a consortium of multi-national companies, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, to rid the waterways and water bodies in the State of filth with specific focus on plastic waste.


The agreement will also bring about the setting up of a world class collection and recycling framework for plastic waste in Lagos State.


The consortium including Nigeria Bottling Company, Coca-Cola, 7-Up Bottling Company, Nestle and Nigerian Breweries, among others, will be investing in boats with capacity to collect waste from the waterways, thereby protecting the ecosystem and boosting water transportation.

We’ll spare nothing to secure lives of 22 million Lagosians- Ambode

…Urges Companies To Install CCTV Cameras In Premises

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said his administration will leave no stone unturned and continue to deploy more technologically advanced techniques and equipment to ensure that the safety of lives and property of 22 million residents in the State is secured.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the 11th edition of the Town Hall Meeting on Security, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja in Alausa, said policing the State requires all and sundry to join hands with Government to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the State is not compromised.

Alluding to the fact that criminal elements despite efforts by the Government have continue to perpetrate their nefarious activities but that his administration is prepared to do whatever it takes to make it exceedingly difficult for these criminals to succeed in their evil plots and in the event that they do, they are apprehended and brought to justice.

He therefore said that Government was investing heavily in technology equipment and strategies to aid security agencies carry out their primary function of policing the State efficiently.

“Technology can reach where man cannot. This is why your State has invested in mobile CCTV vans with control units, provision of drones, robotic bomb disposal equipment, tracker, bomb detectors, mobile scanners etc. The State has also commenced the installation of CCTV cameras and is in talks for the purchase of surveillance aircraft that carry special cameras with 3D imagery, infrared and thermal imagery which can effectively gather intelligence in all parts of the State and would assist significantly in dealing with the menace of kidnapping,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor, however, seized the occasion to urge owners of businesses and organisations to install CCTV cameras in their premises to help expand the reach of law enforcement agents in the event of any security breach.

“We still need your continued support in providing equipment and logistics for the police and other security agencies through your contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

“Be assured that the Lagos State Government is committed to rid our society of those that opt for crime. Our continued provision of equipment and logistics for the security agencies operating in Lagos is evident to this. Our government will also continue to provide state of the art infrastructure in order to achieve our vision of making Lagos a safe, prosperous and smart mega city,” he said.

Speaking on the plan by the Federal Government to demolish Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos, Governor Ambode said the development is necessary to give way for the new rail project which according to him, will be beneficial to the economy of the State and Nigeria as well.

“The Jibowu and Costain bridges will give way for the laying of tracks of a Lagos-Ibadan rail project. The demolition would give room for a track that would stretch from the old Fela Shrine to WAEC end and the track will be constructed in such a way that no vehicle can cross it,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Edgal Imohimi, said the introduction of community policing and the increase in police visibility had resulted in 35 per cent decline in crime in the State.

Imohimi, however, said that despite massive contributions by the State Security Trust Fund, dearth of patrol vehicles remained a challenge.

“Many vehicles attached to the divisions have become rickety and unserviceable due to old age and over usage,” he said.
Imohimi, however, said the command would not relent in its efforts to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far, but would appreciate if additional critical fighting equipment were provided saying that it would help to improve on the successes so far recorded in the command’s fight against crime and criminality.

Also speaking, Secretary of the LSSTF, Mr Abdulrazaq Balogun, said there was need for organisations to engage in consistent and sustainable security model, expressing optimism that it will go a long way to enhance strategic planning for improved security in the State.

Agege LG Boss, Egunjobi Bestows Scholarship On Indigent Pupil

Agege Pulse Magazine

In what would be regarded as a show of kindness and love of the less privileged, the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi today, bestowed scholarship on one Precious Awobokun.

The beneficiary is a pupil of Agege Local Government Playing Center Nursery and Primary School situated inside Maternity Health Centre, Agege.

Agege Pulse learnt that Precious is one of the most brilliant students of the school but being an indigent student, she's struggling to acquire stationery and other schools needs.

Precious situation was made known Egunjobi through her teacher and after due consultations, the youthful LG Boss decided to pour milk of kindness on her with the scholarship.

It was learnt that the scholarship which covers free education from Basic One to Six, entails provision of free school uniforms, text books, sandals, books and other stationery.

Agege Pulse further learnt that the beneficiary reside at Olugboso Street, Ward G, Agege.

Nigeria must create 4 million jobs annually to ensure growth - Ambode

…Asks CBN to reduce lending rate on N200bn MSME fund

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday said for Nigeria to meet its growth ambitions and achieve full economic potential, concerted efforts must be made to create at least four million jobs annually and as well jettison policies that stifle development.

Speaking at the opening session of the 9th Annual Bankers’ Committee Retreat of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held at Renaissance Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, Governor Ambode said it was time for the government to review such policies that inhibit growth, and as well come up with a well-functioning low cost financial system that will work for all Nigerians.

While describing the theme of the retreat – “Improving Financial Access, Enabling Job Creation and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nigeria,” as apt, the Governor said same was at the heart of the nation’s economy and are important determinants of the country’s future prosperity, but that all hands must be on deck to create more jobs for the people and ensure 6.7 per cent annual growth rate.

He said: “To meet our growth ambitions we need jobs. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that in employment terms, from a labour force population of about 81million people, we currently have 11.5million people unemployed in Nigeria and 17million people under-employed with the total employment is around 52.6million while the working age population grows by 3.7 per cent every year. So, to make a meaningful dent on un-employment and underemployment, and to reduce poverty (which is at over 60 per cent), we need to be creating at least four million jobs per year.

“Where do banks fit into all of this? Well, the reality is if we do not have a well-functioning banking sector, all of this is not possible. Both investment and day-to-day commerce requires the intermediation of banks. And while someone outside of the formal financial sector can in some cases make a living, the reality is that incomes of the bottom of the pyramid are increased when we have better financial inclusion but we are not there yet.”

The Governor, who particularly alluded to the strategy adopted in Kenya to deepen financial inclusion, said efforts must be made to ensure low cost access to banking services especially through mobile money.

He said it was painful that mobile money had been so slow to take off in Nigeria despite huge population, saying it remained very low, increasing from just 0.7million adults in 2014 to 0.9million in 2016, despite the fact that there were about 58.2million people who actually had mobile phones in 2016.

Besides, Governor Ambode challenged the CBN, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), commercial banks and other players in the financial system to decide the type of financial system that will really impact on employment and bring more people into the formal financial system.

According to him, “This is where we should focus as a nation not the type of directives or decisions that actually try to stifle growth and commerce. One clear example is this; as a State Government, I want to take a commercial loan from the bank and they tell me I should go and get a letter from Debt Management Office (DMO); I should get approval from the Federal Ministry of Finance; I should go to CBN and so on. Who does that?

“You want to accelerate growth and everything that I am doing even when I take loan from the bank; when I do bond and so on, I am only trying to reflate the economy. Each construction site that you see in Lagos, I am trying to create employment at the lower level so that the artisans, the bricklayers and so on can go home with N5,000. I need to do something in Badagry to make the people stay there and not come to the central Lagos and when you take the extra money outside the IGR, you are actually trying to help the economy to reflate itself and that is why you are able to excite yourself with the growth that you have seen in the third quarter that we say is 1.5 but that is not the number that we want.

“So sometimes, government seems to shoot itself in the leg. Why should Lagos State go and be meeting DMO to say I want to take a commercial loan when 80 per cent of my IGR can pay the loan itself back? So, you see that there is some sense of homogeneity in the policies that we make but sometimes they are not really flexible and you end up coming back to say we want to create jobs but the things that create jobs are the things that we are actually working against and you create unnecessary competition in the system.”

Responding to earlier comment by the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele on the inability of the Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to access the N200billion fund earmarked for them, Governor Ambode said the easiest way to achieve same was to reduce the lending rate to about five per cent or lower.

He said at the State level, his administration created the Employment Trust Fund through which about N10billion had been disbursed to the MSMEs at five per cent with over 6,000 benefiting so far, saying the CBN could replicate such at the federal level for the overall benefit of the people and the system.

Sustain selfless service to humanity, Ambode tasks religious bodies

...Religious leaders are significant in the development of the State - Gov. Ambode
...Your policies positively touching lives, PFN tells Gov

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday commended religious leaders for upholding religious tolerance in the State and complementing government efforts in offering essential services to the people in critical areas such free medical care, provision of shelter and assistance to the needy.

Governor Ambode, who said this at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja when he received the leadership of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) led by its President, Dr Felix Omobude on a courtesy visit, said it was on record that in the last two and half years of his administration, there had never been any major religious or ethnic crisis, while religious bodies have also been complementing government, just as he urged them to sustain the selfless service they have been offering to humanity.

He said: “I want to thank you on behalf of our administration. In another two days, our administration will be two and half years and it has been two and half years of sincere religious tolerance in this State. It has never been like this before; we have never had any disagreement between or among the religious groups or even among our people on a tribal note and that also show that God is present in Lagos State.

“Religious leaders are significant in the development of the State and I can say it easily. There are too many things that even our policies do not cover and a strong part of the civil society is our religious bodies because in areas where we cannot give shelter, we cannot give advice and we cannot give comfort, you have always been there.

“There are so many things that the churches are doing that are beyond spiritual. There are churches that are feeding people; they are taking care of health of the people; they are taking care of maternal mortality issues, taking delivery of babies where there are no hospitals and thereby complementing the efforts of government. That in itself deserves to be commended and I must say a big thank you to all our religious bodies. I must also inspire you on. What you are doing is not going unnoticed.

I take note of everything that our churches are doing and I commend you most sincerely from the bottom of our hearts.”

He said as a sign of celebrating and appreciating the religious tolerance in the State, the State Government would uphold and sustain the interfaith parley which started last year, saying this year’s edition will hold in coming weeks.

Besides, Governor Ambode said the modest achievements of his administration were a product of the discipline learnt from religious fellowship, and assured that no stone would be left unturned to make life comfortable for residents.

“We like to touch humanity which is the whole essence of governance and that is why we are here. We will continue to do it. The electorate decided that somebody should come and represent and take care of their interest and that interest we are ready to sustain, we are ready to uphold; it is more about them not about us and I think at the end of the day, this kind of visit gives me inspiration that we are doing it in the right way and I want to assure that we will continue to work for the interest of the people,” he said.

Earlier, Omobude said they were at Lagos House to deepen the relationship existing with government and to identify with Governor Ambode.

He said the PFN leadership is thrilled by what God had been using Governor Ambode to do in the State, saying the massive infrastructural renewal and various policies were having positive impact on the people.

He said the church must not only criticize government officials when they do wrong, but also commend them when they are working in the interest of the people, adding that of a truth, the giant strides of the State Government deserved to be commended.

He also assured that PFN would continue to partner with government at various levels especially on matters relating to development of the country.

Shun Cultism, Drug Abuse, Truancy - Hon. Egunjobi Advises Youths

In a bid to nip the prevalence of youths involvement in all forms of social vices in the bud, the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi has advised youths in Agege and Lagos State to eschew the act of drug abuse, cultism and all forms of social vices.

Egunjobi stated this at the National Campaign on cultism for Secondary School students across Agege LGA which was organised by Agege Local Government in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.

He recalled that youth empowerment was a major agenda on his manifesto during the chairmanship electioneering process adding that his administration is working tirelessly towards eradicating the nefarious social menaces such as drug abuse and cultism prevalent among Agege youths.

The youthful council boss reiterated that efforts are being put in place to engage the youths in various vocational trainings such as Computer Training, Cosmetology, Hairdressing, Catering/Hotel Management, Computer Engineering, Bead Making which would help students/youths to become useful to themselves and the society at large.

“Our administration will organize sensitization campaign and workshop, purposely to let the youth be aware of the dangers in being a secret cult member, its negative effects on them as a person and on the society at large.” Egunjobi asserted.

The Council Medical Officer of Health, MOH, Dr. Akintayo who advised the students to desist from consuming hard substances such as narcotics, cultism, and other illegal activities, said the social vices can truncate the brighter future that God has created for them.

Speaking with Agege Pulse Magazine, DPO, Isokoko Police Division, SP Ayuba NAS, he said crime rate in Agege has drastically reduced to nothing as a result of the monthly security meeting with other Security Agencies and  stakeholders.

He added that the police division is partnering with the youth in order to gather intelligence on how to checkmate the excesses of the evil perpetrators among the youths.

Head of Administration LGA, Engr. Abass, HoD WAPA, Mrs. Odetola, Mr. Ali Ahmed, NDLEA Commandant among other notable dignitaries were all present.

Lagos restates commitment to reducing housing deficit - AgegePulse

Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal has affirmed that the State Government is committed to reducing the housing deficit which stands at about 2.5 million following the on-going construction of housing estates across the State.

Lawal, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and Directors in the Ministry, made this known during an inspection tour of some housing estates at Ibeshe and Igbogbo, both in Ikorodu Division.

According to him, many units would soon be ready for allocation to first-time homeowners under the Rent-To-Own or Rental Housing Policies of the State Government and admonished contractors handling the housing schemes, to expedite action on the projects.

He also enjoined the contractors and the supervising technical staff to work as a team so that the government would deliver on its promises to Lagos residents in the area of Housing, attributing the inability to meet the housing needs of Lagosians to the daily influx of people into Lagos.

Lawal, however, gave assurance that the State Government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Lagos residents have access to affordable housing units that are convenient, safe and within employment areas.

He enjoined residents to always pay their taxes regularly so that government can do more in the provision of housing and other essential infrastructure.

Ambode assures Lagosians of equity, justice for all

 AgegePulse Magazine

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has assured residents of the State that his administration will not relent in delivering dividends of democracy to its citizenry by fast-tracking the process of justice delivery and ensuring equal protection of individuals’ rights.

 Governor Ambode made this known at the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme organized by Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC) in collaboration with Lagos State Government, European Union and British Council at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

 Ambode, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said reforms in the judicial sector across the globe rely on the creation and implementation of sound policies by the concerned government, noting that all will be done to that ensure justice works for all in Lagos.

 While making reference to the recently established DNA and Forensic Centre in the State, the Governor assured members of the legal profession and residents of the State that his administration will further put in place machinery that will aid investigation of criminal cases.

 “We are committed to a quick dispensation of justice for all because we believe that this will bring about the much-needed change across all other sectors for the benefit of all residents in the State”, he said.

 He said that the government will continue to explore other opportunities through partnership with organisations to promote judicial reforms, while also focusing more on improving the welfare of the judiciary.

 Also speaking, the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata commended Governor Ambode for leading the cause of judicial reform in Nigeria and urged other States to emulate Lagos State.

 He said the programme aimed at appraising justice and judicial reforms is also a platform to communicate the need for judicial reform in all States of the country for robust awareness and acceptance of the National Reform Policy.

 Apata tasked representatives of all States at the programme to lead the implementation of the policy in their States to help the President Muhammadu Buhari administration achieve fair justice delivery in the fight against corruption.

Lagos begins safety audit in schools - AgegePulse

...safety of school children is of great importance - Hon. Hakeem Dickson

The Lagos State Government, through the State Safety Commission, has commenced safety compliance audit/inspection of all public and private schools in line with the policy of the Ambode-led administration to entrench the culture of safety standard across the State.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony, the Director-General, of the Commission, Hon. Hakeem Dickson disclosed that the State Government will ensure that the environment where children spend a greater part of their day is free of hazards.

He reiterated that the safety of school children is of great importance to the state government most especially in the light of the activities of kidnappers in some quarters across Lagos hinterlands.

In his words, "The essence of the audit is to ascertain that safety measures are installed in these schools to safeguard the students and the teachers as well. This is because the present administration is concerned about the overall safety of school children in the state".

Some of the schools visited are Ipakodo Junior and Senior Grammar School, Majidun Junior and Senior, Goshen College, Government Junior and Senior College, Ikorodu, Yintab College, Ayangburen Junior and Senior College, Oriwu Senior College, United Junior High School, Oriwu Junior College, Oriwu Senior College, Maps College amongst others.

The safety audit team is expected to visit private and public schools across the state, without prior notice, to identify hazards in the schools and report to the appropriate quarters for prompt action.

Apapa gridlock: Lagos reconstitutes Joint Security Task Force to ensure sanity

…Orders Police, other Security Agencies to strictly enforce Traffic Law, okada ban

…Restates ban on industrial fireworks, assures residents of peaceful yuletide celebration

The Lagos State Government has reconstituted the Joint Security Task Force established to tackle Apapa gridlock and other security threats within the axis brought about by the blockade of major roads in the area by tankers and containerized trucks.

The Apapa gridlock, in the past few weeks, had worsened due to breakdown of operations at the ports located in the axis.

Rising from the monthly Security Council meeting held at the Lagos House in Ikeja chaired by the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and attended by heads of security formations in the State, the State Government said the Task Force comprising of police, military, officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) would immediately be deployed to the axis to ensure sanity and contain any potential security threat.

While briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal said while the issues that gave rise to the gridlock were being addressed, the Task Force would ensure that the roads in the axis were not totally locked down, and also prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the gridlock to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

Edgal, who addressed the briefing alongside commanders of security formations in the State, said: “We deliberated extensively on the Apapa gridlock and the Governor has approved with immediate effect the reconstitution of a Joint Task Force made up of police, the military, LASTMA and FRSC officials to ensure that whilst the major problems that gave rise to that situation in the first instance are being tackled, we on our part as security agencies, will ensure that we have a good semblance of decency on our roads.

“We will ensure that we create a corridor for smaller vehicles and ensure that there is no complete blockade to free flow of traffic. We will also have plain cloth and uniformed security agencies ensuring that there is no crime in the axis due to the traffic gridlock.”

The CP, who assured residents that every necessary arrangement had been made to ensure peaceful yuletide season, said the Council also approved increased visibility and patrol in all parts of the State, especially in areas there are traffic gridlock as a result of construction activities.

Already, Edgal said due to increased patrol, about 35 notorious traffic robbers were recently arrested in Ilupeju and Oshodi axis, many of whom he said are ex-convicts and would soon be charged to court at the end of investigation.

He added that as a result of the community policing and community safety partnership strategy adopted by the Lagos Police Command, there had been about 35 per cent drop in issues of residential robberies, while more boats had been handed over to Marine Police by the State Government to secure the waterways and riverine areas especially to checkmate incursions by militants and secure schools in such areas, in addition to the Tactic Guards already formed.

Speaking on ongoing clampdown on commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada on restricted routes, Edgal said security agencies in the State have been given marching orders to strictly enforce the traffic law, and that no lawlessly or breakdown of law and order would be condoned.

He particularly admonished motorists and transport unions to impress it on their members to obey traffic laws, just as he said Okada riders must not only refrain from restricted routes, but also use helmets both for rider and passenger and not carry more than one person at a time, among other rules of engagement.

“We have the Lagos State Traffic Law and it is our responsibility to enforce the law. Motorists, motorcyclists and other form of road users must obey the law. Our men have been mandated to enforce all aspects of the law not only prohibition along some routes but also those aspects that have to do with safety. We don’t want officers and men to be challenged unduly when they are enforcing the law and I want to use this opportunity to call on the unions, especially the Okada unions to call their members to cooperate with the police. They should not form themselves into pressure and riotous groups to challenge the police and other security agencies,” Edgal said.

He said aside the security measures already put in place for residents and visitors to experience a peaceful yuletide season, any resident who sell, distribute or use industrial fireworks would be arrested and charged to court, saying that the ban on such is still very much in force.

Besides, Edgal thanked Lagosians for their cooperation with security agencies so far and urged people to continue to volunteer useful information that would help arrest potential security threat.

Xmas decorations: LASPARK calls on "Green Partners" to support Government- AgegePulse

The General Manager of the LagosState Parks and Gardens Agency, (LASPARK), Mrs. Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, has called on all the “Green Partners” of the State to support the Government’s Christmas decoration exercise by beautifying and lighting up the sites adopted by their organisations.

The General Manager, who made the call during a breakfast meeting organised by the Agency for the private sector, described the meeting as a unique opportunity for the agency and its stakeholders to share ideas on how to advance the course of the state's greening initiative.

While acknowledging the contributions of some of its partners who had over the years embraced the Christmas lighting and decoration project, Adebiyi-Abiola, appealed to other partners to key into the project as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility by adding glamour to the Yuletide festivities.

She acknowledged the roles of all the environmentally friendly organisations towards the sustainability of the greening programme in the State and noted that more efforts were needed.

One mitigating measure against the adverse effect of climate change and global warming is to increase the green cover immensely and this can only be achieved through conscious, intensive and aggressive landscaping, beautification and tree planting activities which our partners have keyed into, she said.

She stated that the meeting had afforded her the opportunity to understand some of the challenges faced by some partners and assured them that she would look into the identified challenges and see how best to collaborate to continuously improve the living environment and wellbeing of Lagosians through landscaping, beautification and tree planting.

She said: Your immeasurable financial and material contributions in nurturing and keeping the adopted sites green and clean cannot be overemphasized. I enjoin you to do more so that we can bequeath an enviable environment to the generation yet unborn.

Present at the meeting were representatives of Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank, Kiosque Vegetal, Shodex Gardens, F-Plus, Chevron Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company, among others.

Agege, Orile Agege Swear-In SLGs, Supervisors Amidst Drama

...Plus Substantial List of Appointees

The confirmation and swearing in of Supervisors and Secretary to Local Government of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area and Agege Local Government, may have come and gone, it indeed left, with some pockets of drama.

It took the creative and sublime wisdom of the councils chairmen - Hon. Johnson Sunday Babatunde and Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi to avert the grievance of some quarters that could have snowballed into a mess of the credible confirmation and swearing-in process.

In Agege, the Legislative Arm was on top of the game to ensure a credible plenary session. During screening of the names presented before the Councilors under the leadership of Hon. Kolawole Anigbajumo, only two names (Akingbade Oke and Ganiyu Adeyemo) on the list, scaled through the councilors drills.

Others, according to Hon. Anigbajumo and other councilors failed the screening exercise on the ground of infidelity, insincerity, misrepresentation of documents, as well as aiding and abetting anti party shenanigans before, during and after the last Lagos Council election.

In Orile Agege LCDA, AgegePulse correspondent, Bunmi who monitored the screening exercise inside the council's Legislative Chamber reported that it was another show of misplaced appointment as most of the names on the initial list presented to the house have no iota of idea or knowledge of the party nor the communities they were appointed to oversee.

However, AgegePulse gathered that in a bid to prevent any sort of vacuum in the appointment and further delay in the swearing-in process, the councils chairmen presented another set of credible individuals to the respective chambers.

As expected, the new names went through the screening process and were officially confirmed by the Honourable members. Subsequently, they were sworn-in by the Chairmen.

However, the new development was like a torn in the flesh of those who failed the screening hitherto. They and their supporters, made moves to disrupt peace of the swearing in process but were duly checkmated by the security details provided by the two Councils Chairmen.

In fact some of them - such as Hon. Akin Oke, whose portfolio on the initial list was Secretary to Agege LG was later appointed as Supervisor for Budget and Planning. The same substitution was done in Orile Agege.

When AgegePulse asked why they acted against party's directive on the initial list, Hon. Egunjobi and Hon. J.S Babatunde, said the reassignment of the portfolios was done in the best interest of the All Progressives Congress and demands of their respective councils.

Now that the die has been cast in these highly sensitive councils with these appointments, we await the next political acrimony that would arrest the airwaves in coming weeks from the aggrieved factions.

Below are the substantial names and portfolios of the newly confirmed and sworn-in SLGs and Supervisors of the Agege LGA and Orile Agege LCDA:


Agege LGA:
Abiodun Ogunji (Health)
Hon. Gbenga Abiola (Secretary to the Local Government)
Bola Britto (Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation)
Sola Osolana (Works & Housing)
Adams Ologele (Education)
Jelili Olanrewaju (Environment)
Akingbade Oke (Budget & Physical Planning )
Ganiyu Adeyemo (Agric., Youth & Sports.)


Orile-Agege LCDA:
MR James Agboola-  SLG

Supervisors List:
Hon Wasiu Asorona
Rasheed Adaranijo
Mrs Ronke Adetiloye Ajoke
Wasiu Sanni
Fatayi Akinlusi
Suraju Olanrewaju

Exclusive:Encourage MSMEs Through Low Interest Loans - Bountiful Charges

Popular Agege's golden daughter, Mrs. Busayo Taiwo Adelanwa a. k. a Bountiful is in the news. This time it's not about community works with Elephant Club of Ogba or philanthropic engagement with Rotary Club, rather, it is an exquisite exhibition of her prowess in the business and financial sector.

She stressed that it's obvious that capital is the opium of any business but MSMEs suffer a lot because of their inability to service humongous credit facilities often offered by financial institutions.

Mrs Adelanwa who is the Convener of Bountiful Foundation, a business consultant and social worker while responding to questions on a TV programme (AM Chat of MITV) themed: Doing successful business in an unpredictable economy like Nigeria, she said it's high time financial institutions began to encourage Small and Medium Scale Enterprises with little interest soft loans if the country truly wants to build a self reliant economy.

Bountiful Highighted some areas which young  entrepreneurs need to envision before dabbling into any venture. she said they need to identifying a need, study the need to understand it (through feasibility studies, business ideation, business concept development, business planning, skill acquisition, internship and apprenticeship, market analysis, industry analysis), then feed the need sustainably and excellently (i.e product or services).

"In case of capital challenges, seek support from friends, families and folks. When you exhaust your lower hanging fruits, seek partnership, equity investors, angel investors, loan, grant." She asserted.

The social worker advised prospective businessman to make contractual agreements they can achieve,  "all agreement must be  win-win and keep all contractual agreement intact."

Thereafter, Bountiful urged government to ensure creating an enabling environment for business to flourish saying that "Chinese or Lebanese investors come into Nigeria with only a brief case and cart away money in containers.The briefcase on arrival is a cheque of international loan at a very low interest rate with longer moratorium yet he gets tax holidays here which indigenous investors may not get."

Gov. Ambode Unveils Three Executive Boats, Four Jet Skis -AgegePulse

... Targets 2million passengers on water daily

...We‘ll Explore Tourism, Economic Potential Of Waterways, Says Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday inaugurated three newly acquired executive boats by the State Government, with a pledge to fully explore the tourism and economic potentials of the waterways in the State for the overall benefit of the people.

Speaking at the unveiling of the boats held at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre area of Victoria Island, the Governor said the State Government was committed to the implementation of the integrated transport management system designed to scale up water, rail and land transportation, saying that the grand plan is to divert at least two million passengers on the waterways daily thereby reducing traffic on the road.

He said the boats and four Jet Skis recently acquired by the State Government to ensure safety and fight crime on the waterways were prelude to major plans to fully activate the potentials of water transportation, while in coming months, the State Government would take delivery of additional seven commercial ferries, among other plans for the sector.

According to him, “This is a significant day for Lagos State as we commission three boats belonging to the Lagos State Government. We discovered that sometimes, we do not have the ability for our officials to go on the waterways to address issues relating to people and citizens that live alongside the waterways.

“As you aware, twenty-five per cent of Lagos is water and it is important that we put in the right initiatives that can actually make activities on our waterways to thrive and the also people living along the waterways to bring them into proper perspective.

“Sometimes when dignitaries come from other States or countries, they are not able to see the true side of Lagos from waterways perspective and that is one of the reasons the State Government decided that we would procure the boats that would help us to promote tourism in the State so that people can see the great potentials of Lagos State,” he said.

Governor Ambode said as much was ongoing on road rehabilitation and construction, as well as the rail system, the water sector was also experiencing specific initiatives such as construction of terminals, channelization, construction of walkways, among others to encourage more people to key into the sector.

He said: “As people are well aware, we are committed to the integrated transport management system that we have promised Lagosians. As much as we are doing on the roads, we have decided that we would face the waterways. We have just ordered the procurement of seven ferries; we have also invited people from the private sector to take over terminals and also be able to procure their own boats and ferries.

“We are so particular about safety; we are so particular about the future of everyone and that is why we decided also that we would do a lot on channelization and dredging on waterways to make it motorable. People will begin to see all these at the end of the first quarter of 2018 and we believe strongly also that both the government boats and the ones from the private sector will start to berth the waterways of Lagos and we will use that to complement what it is that we have on our roads and also use it to complement the future of what we are trying to plan for the rail system.”

He added that over six million people walk every day on Lagos roads and that accounted for why walkways were being constructed across the State, while there are plans to create connectivity between water terminals and the roads, especially in Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals.

While stating that the maintenance and sustenance of the boats had been outsourced to specialists to ensure proper usage, Governor Ambode also invited more private sector stakeholders interested to invest in the waterways to partner with the State Government, saying his administration is liberal, transparent and willing to collaborate with interested investors.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya said about thirty commercial routes on the State waterways have been identified for dredging and channelization, while ten jetties spread across the State were being constructed, among other ongoing plans for the sector.

He also said that the Ministry was working in concert with the Ministry of Justice to enforce relevant laws guiding the waterways to ensure compliance with safety standards and checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

Also speaking on safety plans for the waterways, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Tiamiyu Adeshina said the Jet Skis would be deployed across the State to aid rescue operation in case of emergency, and also help to fight crime.

“Each of the Jet Skis has the capacity to carry two divers and the idea behind this is that when an incident occurred on the water, there is a Jet Ski that will move divers fast to the incident scene while the rescue boats are coming behind and when they get there, divers are dropping into the waters and as soon as they rescue people, we put them into the rescue boat and take them to hospital,” Adeshina said, just as he revealed  that training to that effect was already ongoing.

Also, the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, said the commissioning was the beginning of sustainable development for the waterways, adding that apart from efforts by the agency to enforce safety standards, the State Government has concluded plans to license 10 new operators who would provide better ferries.

The Governor also inspected ongoing projects on the waterways especially at Orange Island and Lekki Foreshore areas of the State.

Headline News - AgegePulse Magazine

*AgegePulse Magazine* *Headlines Today*
*[Fri-03-Nov-2017]*



Ambode presents certificates to 1,500 retrained Artisans, Traders


…Orders MDAs To Engage Informal Sector In Executing Govt Projects, Contracts

...Vows Continuous Implementation Of Policies To Advance Sector


Ambode appoints Folashade Adesoye as new Head of Service


*Punch Newspaper*

2019: No automatic ticket for Buhari Okorocha

Turkeys Nuri Sahin retires from international football

Buhari approves nominations into minimum wage committee

N23bn Diezani bribe: EFCC detains Benue ex-Gov, Suswam

16 corps members to repeat service in Anambra

N69bn Osun airport to be ready in eight months, contractor says

I collected N30m Diezani money for logistics INEC official

NAFDAC arraigns Tasty Time MD over unregistered products

Police arrest Onitsha publishers printing handbills for IPOB

Whisky sold for $10,000 a shot at Swiss bar was fake Report

18 soldiers killed in Malawi road accident

Investment inflow into Nigeria, Ghana, others to hit $75bn by year end Osibanjo

Kiir accuses Sudan of being source of weapons in South Sudan war


Buharis wife right on poor state of Aso Rock clinic, perm sec tells Reps panel

Nigerian jailed 21 years for attempted murder of 90-year-old woman in London

Bank of England hikes interest rate to 0.5% for first time in 10 years

Chelsea will forget me, says Mourinho

Jibrin must apologise Reps


*Vanguard Newspaper*
Fish out killers of Kogi Labour leader ' Gov Bello orders security

Many besiege Akure to consult 'wonder baby' born with healing powers

Cost and consequences of grass cutting

Sympathisers besiege Tinubu's house over son's death

$16bn Egina PFSO sails out of South Korea to Nigeria

Alaghodaro Summit: Edo, CAN plan anniversary thanksgiving service

FG donates over 18,000 bags of rice, relief materials to IDPs

Death of Tinubu's son, a painful and colossal loss-Ashafa, Gov Ahmed, Igbokwe, others

Nigerian-born Abraham gets first England call-up

EFCC detains ex-gov Suswam over Diezani's N23 b poll cash

Buhari running 'chop-I-chop' govt of settlement, says Fayose

2019 APC Ticket: Igbo oil tycoon is first challenger to Buhari

Pope visits WW2 U.S. cemetery and Nazi massacre site on All Souls' Day

N69bn Osun airport to be ready in 8 months, says contractor

Cabinet expansion: DPP advises Buhari to appoint more technocrats

No automatic ticket for Ikpeazu in 2019, says Abia PDP

NYSC: 16 corps members to repeat service in Anambra

Our economic strategy will mitigate debt service risk, says Adeosun


*The Nation Newspaper*
Ex-INEC staff explains N30m 'Diezani cash

Kogi: Labour suspend talks with govt over killing of union leader

TSA: Reps to investigate JAMB 's remittances

Jibrin must apologise before re-admittance ' Reps

I have no grudges against Amosun ' Adeola

I have no grudges against Amosun

LAUTECH commiserates with Tinubu over loss of son

Edo musician, Osayomore, regains freedom after a month

Oshiomhole denies plotting Oyegun's removal

Six persons arrested in Aba over child trafficking

Senate commiserates with Tinubu over son's death

Gov. Umahi drops Attorney-General and commissioner for justice

Ijebu Ode LG generates N22m in eight months

Get Ready for Black Friday!

$3.6bn fertiliser plant in Bayelsa to generate 20,000 jobs

CAC Designs Portal For Company Registration To Curb Fraud

Jide Tinubu's death, huge loss to Nigeria ' Obaseki

EFCC to go after human traffickers ' Magu


*Thisday Newspaper*
Borno Lacks Manpower to Combat Fire Disaster, Says Gov

Goje's Wife for Burial Friday

Buhari Writes N'Assembly, to Lay 2018 Budget Tuesday

Police, NSCDC to Arrest Violators of Female Genital Mutilation in Ekiti

Ebonyi Gov Sacks Commissioner for Dereliction of Duty

PDP Ready to Reclaim Power from APC in 2019, Says Bafarawa

Obaseki to commission Otuo General Hospital, reconstruct Sobe-Sabongida Road

Jide Tinubu's death, huge loss to Nigeria ' Obaseki

Buhari Resets Administration, Says Nigeria Must Never See War Again

Malami Given Mandate to Recover $321m Abacha Loot from Switzerland

Borno Lacks Manpower to Combat Fire Disaster, Says Gov

PDP Ready to Reclaim Power from APC in 2019, Says Bafarawa

Goje's Wife for Burial Friday

Obaseki to commission Otuo General Hospital, reconstruct Sobe-Sabongida Road

Buhari Writes N'Assembly, to Lay 2018 Budget Tuesday

Police, NSCDC to Arrest Violators of Female Genital Mutilation in Ekiti

Ebonyi Gov Sacks Commissioner for Dereliction of Duty

Jide Tinubu's death, huge loss to Nigeria ' Obaseki

Ambode appoints Folashade Adesoye as new Head of Service

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday approved the appointment of Mrs. Folasade Sidikatu Adesoye as the 20th Head of Service (HOS) in the State.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Mrs. Adesoye’s appointment, will take effect on November 11, 2017, following the statutory retirement of the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola on November 10, 2017.

The new HOS was first appointed into the Lagos State Civil Service on December 28, 1983 as an Accountant and has served in several ministries.

She was elevated into the Body of Permanent Secretaries in 2010 and was deployed to the Civil Service Pensions Office where she served till August 2015 when she was deployed to the Office of Local Government Establishment, Training and Pensions Office. In 2016, she was asked to serve in the same capacity as Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Until her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Governor Ambode thanked the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Ademola for her meritorious service to the State and wished her well in her future endeavours.Ambode appoints Folashade Adesoye as new Head of Service

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday approved the appointment of Mrs. Folasade Sidikatu Adesoye as the 20th Head of Service (HOS) in the State.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Mrs. Adesoye’s appointment, will take effect on November 11, 2017, following the statutory retirement of the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola on November 10, 2017.

The new HOS was first appointed into the Lagos State Civil Service on December 28, 1983 as an Accountant and has served in several ministries.

She was elevated into the Body of Permanent Secretaries in 2010 and was deployed to the Civil Service Pensions Office where she served till August 2015 when she was deployed to the Office of Local Government Establishment, Training and Pensions Office. In 2016, she was asked to serve in the same capacity as Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Until her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Governor Ambode thanked the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Ademola for her meritorious service to the State and wished her well in her future endeavours.

Gov. Ambode Charges Corporate Bodies on CSR - AgegePulse

...Launches Community Needs Assessment Report

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has charged corporate bodies in the state to urgently support the effort of the government by engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to develop grassroots communities in the state.

Speaking at the Inaugural CSR Lagos Business Luncheon on Matching 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Budgets to the Needs of Lagos State Communities, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday, Ambode said the population of Lagos had been increasing on daily basis, hence the need for the private sector to support the efforts of the government through CSR.

The challenge has increased over the years because of recession in the economy which has stretched the resources of the government to cater for the weak and the old, he said, adding that the people at the grassroots had risen to the challenges of their environment by engaging in self-help projects.

Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Tunji Bello said the state had now reached a time when non-state actors must play more role in supporting the self-help projects and programmes of the communities.

The 24 million people who inhabit Lagos State today, including the corporate players must see Lagos as one big family where the rich help the poor and where each is his brother’s keeper, he said.

The governor said he looked forward to serious partnership between the private sector and the government in the next 24 months in the areas of needs assessment of the communities which cut across drainage rehabilitations, roads, electricity, pipe borne water, among others.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan said right from the onset, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had made it clear that he would embark on inclusive governance that would give power to the people at the grassroots for even development of communities.

He said this mission had manifested in the empowerment of the communities as community leaders were being carried along on projects awarded by the government in the various communities, adding that during the construction of the 114 roads, community leaders were allowed to play active part in the process.

Bamigbetan stated that apart of government’s efforts to reposition the grassroots, it had come to a point where CSR was greatly needed as government could not do all alone and needed the partnership of the private sector through CSR.

The special adviser emphasized that CSR would enable communities tackle their problems which had been spelt out in the needs assessment, saying that corporate bodies could include CSR in their budgets for 2018.

Launching the Community Needs Assessment Report 2017, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs,  Fola Padonu disclosed that 16 items were identified in the needs assessment, which he said. Included drainages, electricity, roads, community halls, public toilets, motor parks, among others.

He said the private sector could partner with government in five selected needs such as drainages, roads, electricity, pipe borne water and grading of roads, adding that the private sector must assist the government to revamp the five areas as government could not provide them alone as they were capital intensive.

Speaking, Deputy Consulate General, Peoples Republic of China, Guan Zhongpi, said the Chinese government had been partnering with Lagos in the area of CSR and that more attention would be given to the needs of the communities next year.

He said the Consulate had previously implemented more than 10 CSR projects in Lagos, such as donating equipment to schools, sinking of boreholes at the Lagos University, among others.

Present at the event were representatives from Dangote Groups, Chevron, Heritage Bank and several others which promised to partner with government in the area of CSR next year.
      
Debo Adeniji