Lagos launches Last Mile Meat Shops & Butchers Academy

AgegePulse Magazine 

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya cutting the tape

The Lagos State Government has taken giant steps towards revamping the process of selling red meat in the metropolis by ensuring proper hygiene before the product gets to the final consumers.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya disclosed this in Alausa at the launching of the last Mile Meat Shops and Butchers Academy

She said that the initiative was to give residents confidence on what they consume while also making it look presentable with standard facilities to encourage youth to come into the space. 

The commissioner further noted that the essence of the initiative was for residents to embrace butchery and correct the erroneous impression that the profession is reserved for the unenlightened.

Olusanya noted that the 20 feet containers designed as pilot scheme for the initiative can be easily transferred from one location to another.

According to her, each meat shop is to be manned by four youth allocated a cow slaughtered at approved government abattoirs and brought to them under hygienic conditions and processes.

She therefore demanded for collaboration with the private sector to enlarge the scheme noting that they have started with 20 feet containers and hope to increase it soon to 40ft.

Going back memory lane, Abisola Olusanya explained that the initiative was part of the Lagos State Agriculture Roadmap adding that the initial plan was to have 20 for a start but was cut to 5 in the pilot scheme. 

According to her, the overhauling in the transportation sector led to the introduction of Eko Meat Van that ended the era of conveying meat through unwholesome practices.

She also pointed out that the Cattle feed lot in Lagos is ongoing and part of the promise made by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led government which will be delivered soon.

On his part, the Chairman Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture,  Hon Emmanuel Olotu commended the ministry for introducing ideas that will bring food and comfort to the door steps of residents.

He urged the Butchers Association to ensure that they put into practice what they learnt during training at the Butchers Academy. 

The Chairman House Committee on Agriculture stressed that the Butchers must realise the fact that they are attending to over twenty million residents and should be wary of what they pass on to them.

While adding his voice, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola said that the iniative was a quality controlled measure in the state to give value for money. 

He assured that all the Meat Shops will sell in Kilogramme by weight for uniformity purpose.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Emmanuel Audu described the event as groundbreaking adding issues around meat consumption is important for human existence.

He also disclosed that food safety cannot be overlooked recalling that COVID 19 had its root in an animal market in China. 

The Permanent Secretary further said that the initiative was to assist in value chains in meat distribution as safety and quality are being addressed with the launch.

Emmanuel Audu concluded that the Last Mile Meat Shops was a new dimension especially with youth involvement in the process and hope the project will receive full acceptance by Lagos residents.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of  Butchers Association, Alhaji Kazeem Bakare thanked the Lagos State Government for iniating the project described as innovation to his members.

He said that the nature and value of cows slaughtered now is different from the one many years back.

According to him, the Butchers Association will embrace the new idea for safe handling of cow meat in the state promising that it will bring back some of members who have left the job for Okada and Marwa. 

Alhaji Kazeem Bakare urged other states in the country to embrace the innovation in order to restore sanity to the handling meat among their residents.

The Managing Director of Palilar Pal Meat International, Apostle Olawale Talabi appreciates the Governor for the opportunity, adding the vision of the Commissioner is coming to fruition.

He believes that the measure will guarantee high hygienic standard for the sale of meat to consumers in the state and allow the Butchers to earn more money.

Apostle Talabi further said that there is huge market for cow meat in Lagos noting that over 2,500 were slaughtered on a daily basis.

He disclosed that plans are underway to have the Meat Shops across the metropolis.

The Last Mile Meat Shops are located in Ijeh area of Dolphin Estate, Surulere and Mushin.

Sanwo-Olu Launches Market Trader Money Worth N750 To Traders in Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine 

...Says initiative will stimulate economic activities in food markets

 

Presentation of Cheque by Gov. Sanwo-Olu 

In fulfilment of his promise and demonstration of love to market men and women on Valentine’s Day, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of N750million financial intervention scheme tagged “Lagos Market Trader Money” for 15,000 beneficiaries.

The 15,000 beneficiaries, who received N50,000 each, were drawn from across all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria – South-West, South-East, South-South, North-Central, North-West and North East, but are all residents of Lagos.

Speaking during the launch of the Lagos Market Trader Money held at De Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the gesture will go a long way to actualise his goal of transforming the food systems in Lagos State and stimulate economic activities in various food markets in line with his administration’s THEMES+ developmental agenda.

It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu during the commissioning of the Mid-Level Agro produce Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin on Sunday, December 17, 2023, announced a N750million financial intervention scheme for Lagos traders tagged “Lagos Market Trader Money” for 15,000 traders across the State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu fulfilled his promise in less than 60 days as 250 traders from each of 20 local governments and 37 Local Development Council Areas (LCDAs), as well as 750 beneficiaries identified from markets within the barracks and military formations across the State, on Wednesday, received N50,000 each. 

Sanwo-Olu implored the beneficiaries of the Lagos Market Trader Money to make the best and judicious use of the grant in ways that will contribute to the economic development of the State.

“I urge you to let the citizens of Lagos feel the impact of this grant and all the other support that this administration has been providing towards ensuring food security, through reasonable reduction in the cost of basic food items in a way that it will be affordable to ordinary Lagosians,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative was conceptualized as a stop-gap measure of the Lagos State Government to empower small-scale traders in the Food Systems by providing them financial support to expand their businesses thereby fostering economic growth and improving the lives of many within the State.

He said: “This will ensure sustainable livelihoods and facilitate business expansion for 15,000 traders who occupy a strategic position in the State’s economic pyramid and food distribution network.

“Lagos State, which has a growing population presently estimated at over 24 million has a food system transaction value of over N6trillion annually, is in the process of establishing a dynamic food market system under the Food Systems Transformation Agenda to promote the preservation, storage, transportation and presentation of wholesome food to the populace, with the aim of reducing food waste, improve affordability, guarantee food safety, quality and accessibility.

“This initiative led to the implementation of key projects such as the establishment of the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub, Ketu-Ereyun, Epe and the Mid-Level Agro Produce Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin. As a mark of our resolve to follow through with the Agenda, work has commenced on three additional Mid-Level Agro-Produce Hubs at Sangotedo, Agege, and Abule-Ado, while the first phase of the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub will be commissioned by December 2024.”

Speaking on how the 15,000 traders were selected for the Lagos Market Trader Money, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that “The beneficiaries were identified by the State’s Agricultural Field Officers serving each LGA/LCDA in collaboration with the Iyaloja/Babaloja General and Market Masters of each Local Government/Local Council Development Area across the State.

“The beneficiaries were selected through a methodical process targeted at 200 beneficiaries from markets in each LGA/LCDA in addition to 50 beneficiaries that were selected by the Iyaloja/Babaloja General in each LGA/LCDA making a total of 14,250 market traders.

“Also, 750 beneficiaries were identified from markets within the Barracks and Military formations across the State in collaboration with their respective Iyaloja/Babaloja. This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 15,000.

“To ensure fairness in the selection process while demonstrating the spirit of Lagos as being home to all, the beneficiaries were drawn from across all the geopolitical zones of the Nation with 11,039 from the South-West, 914 from the South-East, 868 from the South-South, 1,710 from North- Central, 373 from the North-West and 107 from the North-East.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also noted that 75 percent of the beneficiaries are women while the remaining 25 percent are men, adding that 35 percent of the beneficiaries are below 40 years while 65 percent are above 40 years. He said this goes to show the social inclusiveness in implementing the initiative.

Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the Lagos Market Trader Money initiative is part of the government’s efforts towards ensuring sustainable livelihoods and wealth creation for traders across the State.

She said: “This initiative is part of the State Government’s commitment to the development of the downstream segment of food and agricultural value chains which centers on markets and market access. This is due to the fact that Lagos is the largest market city-state in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The support that would be extended today is targeted at expanding the capacity of the beneficiaries to off-take more produce from our farmers thereby catalysing increased food production in and outside the State.

“This Initiative, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Local Governments, in collaboration with market leaders across all the 57 LGAs and LCDAs is only the first of many to be launched by Mr. Governor towards helping to shoulder the burdens of the citizenry, ranging from food, health, education to transportation.”

Also speaking, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for the good gestures to market men and women in Lagos State.

She enjoined traders, who are beneficiaries of the Lagos Market Trader Money to make good use of the N50,000 given to them to augment their businesses.

Cleaner Lagos: Sanwo-Olu Launches 102 Locally Assembled Compactor Trucks, 100 Dino Bins To Boost Waste Collection | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

  •Unveils Mobile Apps to Check Illegal Waste Disposal in State

  •Governor Urges Residents to Repay Gesture with Prompt Payment of Waste Bills 

An unprecedented intervention has been put forward to address logistical and operational shortfall in collection of waste across Lagos State.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, bolstered the fleet of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) with 102 units of brand new locally assembled compactor trucks and 100 units of double dino waste bins in a bid to reduce turn-around time in waste evacuation within the metropolis, thereby achieving cleaner and healthier environment.

Lawma trucks 

Governor Sanwo-Olu inaugurated the compactor trucks at an elaborate event held at the State House, Alausa, and witnessed by stakeholders in the waste service sector, including Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators.

The assets comprised 30 units of 12-cubic meter trucks, 60 units of 24-cubic meter trucks and 12 hook loaders. They will be complementing over 850 PSP compactor trucks to enhance service delivery in under-served communities across the State.

The compactor trucks were assembled by LAWMA technicians in conjunction with Dangote Sinotruk Manufacturing firm. They are designed according to the local requirements to aid clearing of waste from generating points to transfer-loading stations. Each compactor truck has three years warranty and maintenance package.

Besides, the Governor formally launched a mobile application called “CitiMonitor”, which would enable monitoring and reporting of environmental infractions, including indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Sanwo-Olu said the new waste collection machinery were not being deployed to edge the PSP operators out of the business. He noted that the compactors would make trips only to public places and major roads to take waste, while the PSP operators would continue with their commercial and residential waste collections.

He said: “Today, we are unveiling new equipment that will enable LAWMA to effectively fulfil its mandate. This is testament to our administration’s determination to secure the public and environmental health of the State, as well as to improve the aesthetic value of the environment in line with Health and Environment pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

“This intervention represents one of the largest singular investments ever in the waste management sector in Lagos. We are confident that the addition of these new assets to our existing ones will quickly bring about visible improvements in waste evacuation and reduce the incidence of blackspots that blight our roads and clog our drains.”

Sanwo-Olu urged the residents to reciprocate the gesture by promptly paying their waste disposal dues to ensure improved service delivery. In the coming weeks, the Governor said LAWMA would be rolling out acquisition scheme to assist willing PSP operators to replace rickety waste collection trucks in their fleet.

He observed that the Government was fully aware of the potential of waste economy, stressing that the waste-to-wealth programme of the State had started to take shape, given the expansion of Lagos Recycling Initiative.

The Governor said there was ongoing rehabilitation work on the State-owned compost facility in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, while the Government has ramped up resources for the construction of three new transfer-loading stations to provide the infrastructure that would facilitate the effective disposal of solid waste.

He said: “I urge Lagosians to take responsibility for the waste we generate and act as responsible citizens at all times. We cannot continue to litter our roads with filth, dump waste on the roadside or in illegal dumpsites, or patronise cart-pushers for waste disposal.

“This intervention calls for a complete change of attitude towards our environment, beginning with basic hygiene at home, proper domestic waste management and ultimately, environment-friendly practices. The quality of our environment directly impacts the quality of the lives we live. A clean environment is a major weapon against diseases and other public health challenges.”

The Governor also charged LAWMA workers who would be operating the new implements to handle them with care and put to good use, reiterating that he would spare no effort in restoring aesthetic of Lagos.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said it was the second time the State would be witnessing such massive intervention in waste management after the 2008 delivery of 100 compactor trucks to LAWMA by the Babatunde Fashola administration.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment that will enhance the cleanliness and adequate sanitisation. It is part of our resolve towards helping to build the capacity of some of the private investors in the waste management value chain. The real celebration would be when we look back in a few months from now and can see commensurate improvement in the waste management fortunes of the State,” Bello said.

By their design, LAWMA Managing Director, Ibrahim Odumboni, said the new compactors were fabricated to address the problem of liquids dripping from waste trucks - the snag synonymous with second-hand trucks mostly used by PSP operators.

He said the new compactor trucks were fitted with sitting compartments for waste collection assistants to prohibit hanging on the trucks. 

Odumboni said the trucks would be distributed across the four operational districts of the agency, while the double dino waste bins would be stationed at muster points across major markets.

“We will not take this intervention for granted, because we know that these assets have been acquired at great cost amid economic challenges and so many other competing needs. I assure Mr. Governor and Lagosians that these working assets will be properly looked after,” the LAWMA boss said.

Representative of Waste Recyclers’ Association, Femi Idowu, described the achievement as “laudable”, saying the Governor had further elevated waste management as a key development agenda in Lagos.

Olofin Of Ado-Odo Launches Foundation Laying Ceremony For His Ultra-Modern Private Residence

AgegePulseMagazine 

Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni

The Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo, Awori Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni, will officially launch a project for the construction of his Ultra-Modern Private Residence.

Olofin will be laying the foundation of his private residence amid strict COVID-19 guidelines where he will address the dignitaries and people of Ado-Odo Awori Kingdom.

The unveiling ceremony of the Ultra-Modern home of the monarch scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 20, 2020, at Ogun State Housing Cooperation Oke-Oyinbo, Ado-Odo, Ogun State 

Dignitaries expected at the occasion include top government officials, South-west monarchs, head of corporate organizations among others.

The structure is expected to incorporate all aspects and features of a traditional home and be one of the best monarch residences in the country.