Lagos Commissioner, Toke Benson, Proffers Solutions Challenging Tourism Industry ...Holds Stakeholders' Engagement To harness Businesses in the sector

...Holds Stakeholders' Engagement To harness Business in the sector

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka today organized  a stakeholders in hospitality sector to proffer solutions challenging the Tourism sector in the state.

Lagos Commissioner, Toke Benson, Proffers Solutions, Challenging Tourism Industry,

The program, Themed: Addressing Current Industry Challenges, Exploring Emerging Trends, Understanding Policy Frameworks and Unveiling Collaborative Opportunities Within The Entire Hospitality Value Chain at  Zinnia Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka said The hospitality sector plays a vital role in the economic development of Lagos State. This sector does not only provide employment to thousands but also serves as a gateway for showcasing our rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and unparalleled hospitality. 

Commissioner on Tourism, Mrs. Toke-Benson, Awoyinka

"It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this important engagement session with tourism stakeholders in the hospitality sector and I feel honored to address you today on the critical issues, emerging trends, and opportunities within our industry.

Discussants

"We are all not unaware of the significant challenges our industry faces, from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to evolving customer expectations and increased competition. 

Attendants

"With this gathering, we want to address these challenges head-on. We must adapt to the changing landscape by embracing new technologies and sustainable practices.

"Emerging trends in this sector such as digital transformation, eco-tourism, and personalized customer experiences are reshaping the way we operate. It is imperative that we stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive and relevant.

"In Lagos State, we are committed to creating an enabling environment for the hospitality sector to thrive. Our policy frameworks are being continually reviewed to ensure they support growth, innovation, and sustainability. We are also focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing security, and promoting Lagos as a prime tourist destination. 

We strive to make the industry, as with other climes, data driven, through the capturing of the entire hospitality sector on a database we can also share with the rest of the world.  We are digitizing our registration processes and would no longer operate manually in this capturing process. 

"You must also agree with me that data is important not only for growth and expansion but also for SECURITY of lives and property within and around your establishments. 

We seek your cooperation in this very important exercise as we strive to make it seamless as the methodology would be communicated to you accordingly. 

"The fact remains that collaboration is key to achieving our objectives. By working together, we can create a seamless and memorable experience for tourists who depend on such data in that critical decision on destination choice.

The sanctity and safety of your establishment also comes into focus, drugs, vices and environmental nuisances play a major role and such must be curbed to further make us a destination of choice and enhance Lagos as a LIVE WORK AND PLAY environment. 

"You will agree with me that this gathering is long over due considering happenings in the hospitality sector, emerging trends and the need for us to always share views on how to improve this sector and continue to operate inline with acceptable best practices

Addressing to gathering with the topic , Enhancing Compliance in the Hospitality Sector, The GM Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Shola Giwa, Chairman, LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subaru, Special Adviser on Tax, Mr. AbdulKabir Ogungbo and GM LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi among others expressed feeling of making a tourism sector a collaborative opportunities within the Hospitality value chain.

They advised Lagosians To Explore Tourism and  Water Transportation as part of activities to curb traffic congestion in Lagos with the effort of Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu investing hugely to ensure water transportation is safe for all.

Issues of multiple Taxation, Land Use Charge, noise pollution, illegal parking, noise pollution, and policies endangering an healthy business environment were all discussed.

In the area of Public-Private Partnership, President Hotel Owners & Managers Association of Lagos, Chief Alabi, President Restaurants Cafes, Bars and Club, Mrs. Tannaz Eterbarian, CEO, Koko Beach, Hotel & Resorts, Mr. Richard Shittu and Owner of Ile-Iya, Mr. Mustapha Olasunkanmi all discussed on strengthening a collaborative efforts towards government policies and frames works, simplicity in visa application that will harness  hospitality business a point of call for Nigerians at home and in diaspora, noting that all these were put together to  overcome the challenges, harness the opportunities, and set new benchmarks for excellence.

Anti-Grazing Bill: Stakeholders commend Lagos Assembly | AgegePulse Magazine

-Obasa says bill is intended to ensure peaceful co-existence

- Myetti Allah pleads for assistance from Lagos state government 

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Eshilokun

Many stakeholders at a public hearing held at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday, agreed that prohibition of open cattle grazing was the best way for the state to ensure security of lives and property.

This was as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, said the bill was intended to create an atmosphere that would encourage peaceful co-existence among residents.

Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, said in his keynote address that it was important to address the issue of cattle rearing, especially as it affects security and other human desires.

The Speaker added that the issues involved with the current ways of cattle rearing and open grazing called for concerted efforts for stability and economic development.

"If there is no security, there will be no peace and development. Farmers/herders clash appears to be the oldest. Both the farmers and herders are critical to food stability.

"Both of them affect our health. Their conflicts lead to insecurity and claim lives and properties. We must engage ourselves to make the right decisions," the Speaker said.

Hon. Kehinde Joseph, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, in his remark, said that the proposed law was meant to ensure peace between herders and farmers in the state.

According to Joseph, the proposed law is meant to ensure the registration of herders and prohibition cattle roaming.

"It will forestall herders/farmers clashes and redefine social and economic activities in the state.

"Members of cattle breeders association will be sensitised on the new development and we will ensure strict compliance with the law, when it is passed," he said.

Commenting, the President of the Lagos State Sheep Farmers Association, Alhaji Mustapha Ibrahim, described the bill as all-embracing and would ensure a symbiotic relationship between cattle rearers and farmers.

He also advocated for a legislation to promote the creation of farm estates across the state.

However, in his submission, Zonal Secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the South West, Meikudi Usman, appealed to the state government for assistance as he noted that ranching is more expensive than open grazing.

Usman, who agreed that there were some criminally-minded herders, argued that raising a cow in one location could increase the price of a cow to as much as N2 million just as he pleaded with the government to subsidise the cost of raising the cattle in one location.

“We agreed with some local chiefs in other states that anyone who wants to rear cow in a location should register and he should indicate when he is leaving.

"A Fulani man moves from one place to another to play his trade, but we have some bad eggs that are causing trouble. The government should allow us to talk to our people that they don't want our cows to destroy people's farmland.

"We have met with stakeholders in Ekiti, Ondo and even Oyo states and we reached agreements with them," he said.

Chairman of Lagos State Butchers Association of Lagos State, Alhaji Alabi Bamidele Kazeem, also advocated for support to cattle breeders arguing that rearing animals in one location could be expensive.

LASRERA To Engage Real Estate Stakeholders On Regulatory Law | Theme: Redefining Opportunities in Real Estate: Regulations & Expectations" AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin  

Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, has concluded plans to engage relevant stakeholders in the Real Estate Sector towards redefining opportunities in Real Estate with relevant guidelines and Laws. 

 The Stakeholders' Forum scheduled to hold on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 at  Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, with the theme:

"Redefining Opportunities in Real Estate : Regulations & Expectations", will focus on the impacts and benefits of LASRERA Law towards sanitising the Sector. 

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said that discussions around the amended Estate Agency Regulatory Authority Law 2006, now the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Law 2021, becomes necessary in order to create a sustainable climate for ease of doing business in the sector. 

Benson-Awoyinka said that the Keynote Speaker for the event is Mr. Gboyega Fatimilehin,  Founding Partner, Diya Fatimilehin and Co while 

other Speakers include,  the MD/CEO, Knight Frank & Rutley, Mr. Frank Okosun,

Principal Partner, Gbenga Ismail, Vice Chairman NIESV, Lagos Chapter, Mr Wale Ayilara, MD/CEO Landwey Investment Group, Sarah Ene, Executive Director, International Center for Human Rights, Non-Violence and Safety Awareness, Uchenna Ikechukwu, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Fayoade Adegoke, Officer-in-Charge State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Kunle Awolaja, Director, Lagos State Valuation Office, Bamidele Onalaja, GMD RevolutionPlus Group / Chairman REDAN 

Lagos Speaker, Obasa Extols Egunjobi, JS Babatunde Giant Strides

...As Iyaloja General Commends Obasa, Ogundimu, Others Over Stakeholders' Meeting

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has commended the two council Chairmen in Agege LG and Orile Agege LCDA over their huge investment in infrastructure, education, empowerment and welfarism.

Obasa expressed huge satisfaction at the performances of both chairmen while speaking at the just concluded LSHA Stakeholders’ meeting held in Agege tagged: "ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES: Community Engagement to Facilitate Lasting Solution."

He said: "Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Hon. Johnson Babatunde  have made us proud with their unprecedented achievements since they assume office.

"They have both succeeded in several pressing areas needing attention before they came into office. We have seen their achievements such as major roads construction and rehabilitation and flood management through proper drainage designs. In education, they have constructed and renovated schools, provided school uniforms, writing materials and made available; free school buses for public school students.

“Egunjobi and JS Babatunde’s monthly financial empowerment of N100,000 each for about 800 resdidents of Agege and Orile Agege is unprecedented, laudable and will alleviate poverty and promote small scale businesses in this regions." Obasa concluded.

On her part, the Iyaloja General, Agege, Alhaja Taibat Tijani Lawal expressed gratitude to the quality representation of Rt. Hon.  Mudashiru Obasa and Honourable Oluyinka Ogundimu , the two representatives of Agege in the state House of Assembly.

Alhaja Taibat said, the stakeholders meeting has been a viable tool for spontaneous feedback mechanism between government and the people adding that they have contributed immensely to the development of markets and women in Agege.

2019: Ambode Officially Endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat Ticket

…Urges Aggrieved Aspirants To Unite For APC’s Victory In 2019

…As Tinubu Thanks Lagos Gov, Others For Respecting Party’s Decision


AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday officially endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, saying that the duo were prepared for the campaign and ready to take on the task of moving the State to greater heights.

The Governor, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the State secretariat of the party on Acme Road in Ogba, raised the hands of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat before scores of party leaders and faithful and wished them well in the March 2, 2019 election.

“As we are looking forward to February 16, 2019, we know it is the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket that the whole of Lagos will vote for. As we proceed two weeks after on March 2, we also declare that it is the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat ticket that will come to take over from me by the special grace of God.

“I pray for them and bless them that they will take over from me successfully in good health and in good spirit,” he said.

He urged those still aggrieved with the fallout of the primaries of the party to follow his example, and accept the party’s supremacy.

“The first thing I want to say is to appeal to all our party members who, in one way or the other, have been wronged or aggrieved that they should find a place in their hearts to let it just be the same way that I have accepted the greatness of the party.

“I want us to know that the party is supreme to all our individual interests because it has the common good for all of us and we must find a place in our hearts to let the party reign supreme,” he said.

The Governor also appealed to the leadership of the party to go a step further by looking for avenues to compensate aggrieved aspirants, saying such was necessary to spur them to work for the party and also move the party forward.

According to him, “I want to further appeal to all our leaders and our party leaders also that when there is a platform for reconciliation, we should proceed also to continue to reconcile and when there is a platform for compensation, we should also make those promissory notes so that all our aspirants who are not candidates must be ready to sacrifice for the overall collective of our party.

“This is very important so that we can move this campaign forward because it is only when we win that we can compensate, it is only when we win that we can reconcile and so let us have that collective decision to move APC forward.

“We are one party and we are one family and if we are one family and one party, then we should proceed and make APC the reigning party at the centre and the reigning party in Lagos. So, all our stakeholders, all our elders I seek for your cooperation, your solidarity and your support for our candidate at the gubernatorial level, senatorial level, House of Representatives and Assembly and also Presidency,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor, also urged Lagosians to vote massively for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo come February 16, 2019 for continuation of the good works in the country.

National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his part, commended the courage of Governor Ambode and others for accepting the outcome of the primaries of the party, saying their act of sportsmanship deserved to be appreciated.

Tinubu said Ambode, his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, and all the leaders and members of the party had done commendably well in respecting the supremacy of the party.

Addressing the gathering which was attended by key leaders of the party in the State, Tinubu said: “I want to say thank you to all of you and God bless you. I thank all of you for respecting the party, particularly the present Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and his deputy, Idiat Adebule. May God continue to bless you and guide you and you will live long with everlasting progress.

“Thank you to all our leaders, the Government Advisory Council (GAC) of Lagos State and the membership of the party who had embarked on reconciliation efforts to appeal to all our members who are initially aggrieved. The party supremacy has been demonstrated; the party discipline has been demonstrated. You are our leaders and we respect all of you,” he said.

While recalling that the direct primary option adopted for the shadow election of the party was taken after a GAC meeting, Tinubu said it was gratifying that all members of the party accepted and endorsed the decision, adding: “I want to thank you for maintaining peace, harmony, unity and love.”

He said having crossed the hurdle of the primaries, it was now time for all members of the party to unite and maintain a strong outing for APC during the 2019 general elections, saying APC remains committed to Nigeria’s progress, development and economic transformation.

Other leaders at the meeting are the State’s Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; State APC Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun; GAC members led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Chief Lanre Razak, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Chief Kemi Nelson, Cardinal James Odumbaku, former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi, among others.

Apapa gridlock: Lagos suspends approval for development of tank farms

…Issues 30-day ultimatum to tank farms without adequate loading bay
…DPR to ensure compliance by owners of tank farms
…As Joint Security Task Force extend work by one month to restore sanity

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government on Monday announced the suspension of approval for development of tank farms in Apapa as part of its renewed effort to restore sanity completely as well as fashion out immediate and long term solution along the Oshodi-Apapa corridor and prevent a repeat of the chaos caused by containerized trucks and tankers parked on the road.

Rising from a closed door meeting with stakeholders in the maritime and transport sectors, including Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Shippers Council, Tank Farm Owners, Department of Petroleum Resources, Security Agencies and Clearing and Forwarding Agents, held at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja and chaired by State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the State Government also resolved to accelerate and complete work on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Trailer Park in Orile within the next one month.

The State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson who briefed Government House Correspondents on the resolutions reached after the meeting which lasted for over three hours and said all stakeholders had resolved to work together to bring back sanity on the Apapa axis and would therefore not hesitate to sanction recalcitrant operators who flout the resolutions going forward.

Lawanson, who was joined at the briefing by the Managing Director of NPA, Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello and other stakeholders, said that a Security Task Force has been constituted by the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government and would work continuously for 30 days to bring sanity to the roads, while shipping companies sanctioned for non compliance on utilisation of holding bays in the ports have been extended by five days.

He said that to also cushion the effect on the traffic experienced by motorists in the area, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing would immediately commence palliative measures on bad portions on access roads.

“The Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR) is to ensure that Tank Farm owners comply with holding bay requirements, while trailers not called upon and found trampling will be impounded and sanctioned in Lagos.

“With immediate effect, Lagos State Government suspends the approval of Tank Farms and the Government is going to accelerate the completion of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Trailer Park and it should be ready within a month,” Lawanson said.
The State Government also directed that all truck and tanker owners must be duly registered and well regulated by their unions, adding that the unions would be held accountable for their adherence to extant rules and regulations.

“The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Government will going forward license trailer parks whereby only trucks housed in those designated parks will be granted access. Furthermore, tank farms without adequate loading bays within the next 30 days will be sanctioned. 

“These resolutions were arrived at and agreed by all parties and all parties have resolved to jointly implement these resolutions and the effects will be seen by Nigerians very shortly,” the Commissioner said.

Prior to the meeting, it would be recalled that  the State Government had last week set up a Joint Task Force involving security agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector to remove all containerized trucks and tankers parked along the Apapa axis.

Tagged 'Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads,' the Task Force involving 2,271 personnel drawn from the Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Nigerian Military including Army, Air Force and the Navy moved into the area on Friday in an operation that lasted for over 72 hours to open up the service lane in the axis to ease traffic.

LASG TO BEGIN DISBURSEMENT OF N25BN EMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND NEXT WEEK

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Tuesday, disclosed the State Government would begin the disbursement of the much anticipated N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) and other empowerment programmes initiated by his administration next week.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the 3rd Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere said that the funds for the programmes targeted to assist youths, artisans and the needy become self reliant have been provided, hence beneficiaries would start getting support from the last quarter of the year.

“We will roll out all our empowerment programmes immediately to assist all our youth, artisans and the needy. The funding for the N500m Lagos State Persons Living with Disability Fund has been provided and beneficiaries will start getting support from this quarter,” Governor Ambode said.

On security, especially at the community level, Governor Ambode also disclosed plans to recruit at least 5,000 Neighbourhood Watchers with new recruits expected to earn at least N25, 000 monthly with other allowances.

He said the neighbourhood Safety Agency Bill which he signed into Law on August 15, 2016, was part of efforts to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the State.

“There is a law that has just been passed which is the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps Law, 2016 and in line with the resolution taken by the House of Assembly yesterday, we would go all out to make sure that this agency is activated and all our neighborhoods will be covered, and then centralize with the State Government with all the necessary equipment and resources to ensure that we establish what we call community policing and that is the way to go.
“We will rebrand Neighborhood Watchers and re-equip them to the level that each Neighborhood Watchers in all the Local Governments will have their vehicles and necessary equipment to complement security. We are also working on employing additional 5,000 Neighborhood Watchers in all our Local Governments and they will be paid by us, while the basic salary for the entrance level will be N25,000 per month,” the Governor said.

Speaking on the budget performance of the 2016 budget, Governor Ambode disclosed that the State’s budget performance for January to September performed at 69 per cent as against 65 per cent for the same period in 2015.

Ambode revealed that a total of N166.8billion has been spent on capital projects this year, a figure, he said, was more than double the N53.6billion spent for the same period.

Towards a secured Agege:

Towards a secured Agege: The Sarki Hausawa of Agege, HRM, Alhaji Musa Muhammed today, play host to security stakeholders in Agege and Lagos State at his Palace in Agege, where the Lagos NSCDC boss Commander Tajudeen Balogun calls for the support of residents in the community in solving security challenges in Agege and Lagos at large.

Says this in a short interview with AgegePulse magazine that " if you see something, say something, if you see something, do something". Dignitaries at the events are: Lagos State SSS, NDLEA, NSCDC Lagos, NSCDC, Agege, DPOs in Agege, Sheik Habeebulah Adam, Al-Ilory, Sarki Hausawa in other communities, Eg. Guinea, Ikotun, Ifako-Ijaye, Alimosho, Hon. Rabiu Danjuma amongst others.

Lagos State House of Assembly Constituency Stakeholders' Meeting, held simultaneously in the 40 Constituencies of the State.

Keynote Address by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa & Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu

In view of the foregoing, I urge you to please feel free to express you their opinions and make valuable contributions that can strengthen our resolve to do more. Please be re-assured that like ever before, whatever information, suggestions and contributions gathered from this exercise would be used by this Government in policy formulation and execution. We will obtain memoranda from you, and for those who are yet to come up with their memoranda, but wishing to send one, you still have up to Thursday, 6^th October, 2016 to submit same at the Constituency office.