Sanwo-Olu Records Major Strides in Governance, Staff Welfare, and Market Hygiene

 Yomi Durojaye 

Lagos State Government has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to impactful governance at the grassroots level under the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. This was highlighted by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert who recounted key achievements recorded in the past year as part of the activities commemorating the second anniversary of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

(3rd L-R) Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert

According to the Commissioner, the Ministry has played a strategic role in strengthening the administration and operations of the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the State. Within the reporting period, the Ministry processed and approved 85 capital projects initiated by the LGAs and LCDAs, spanning key sectors, aligning with Mr Governor’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda. 

He noted that, in a significant show of compassion and responsibility, the Ministry disbursed over Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five Million Naira (₦775,071,226.16) as insurance benefits to 271 families of deceased staff from the Local Governments and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). This intervention is in line with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s people-centered approach to governance, ensuring that the families of staff who died in active service are supported in a dignified and timely manner.

To reinforce adherence to due process and transparency in Council operations, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert stated that the Ministry issued 14 circulars to guide administrative procedures and governance practices at the Local Council level. In addition, he added that  the Ministry granted 43 special licenses and 12 Church licenses, while also supplying 176 marital documents to Local Councils, thereby facilitating the legal conduct of marriages across the State.

The Commissioner noted that the Ministry, through its Monitoring Department, undertook extensive inspection and oversight of pre- and post-projects and programmes implemented by the LGAs and LCDAs putting into consideration, other departments and relevant stakeholders to ensure value for public funds. Thus, a total of 104 petitions from individuals and corporate bodies were resolved, further strengthening public trust in Local governance. 

In response to public health concerns and the need to improve hygiene in public markets, he made it known that the Ministry launched a series of statewide environmental sanitation campaigns. 

“These campaigns targeted the desilting of drainages, proper waste disposal, and hygiene awareness across markets in all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. Through sustained engagement with Community Development Associations (CDAs), market stakeholders, and sanitation officers, the Ministry successfully encouraged the adoption of healthy practices, including the use of white aprons, formica-covered tables, and net-covered wares by butchers and food vendors” he explained. 

These measures, he said, have already contributed to a significant reduction in the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera.

In further support of this health-focused agenda, “the Ministry, through the Lagos State Market Development Board, completed the construction of 15 public toilets with boreholes across key markets in the five administrative divisions of Lagos State. These facilities, located in markets such as Ogunfayo, Abiola, Akodo, Oja-Oba, and Ogungbe, are providing much-needed sanitation infrastructure for traders and shoppers alike. An additional 98 markets have already been identified and earmarked for similar interventions in the coming months” he itemized.

Mr Robert pointed out that the Ministry also collaborated with the Office of the First Lady and the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) to organize the sixth and seventh editions of the Market Sanitation and Security Seminar, which was held at Sabo Market in Yaba LCDA and the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Modern Market in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, respectively. These seminars continued to empower market leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to uphold hygiene standards and ensure the safety of lives and property in their marketplaces.

The Commissioner finally reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to deepening good governance at the grassroots, strengthening local institutions, and improving the lives of residents across all communities in Lagos State in line with Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES plus Agenda.

Flash: Lagos Records death of another COVID-19 patient

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State has recorded another COVID-19 patient dies in Lagos
A 66-year-old citizen of the United Kingdom has died of the deadly of coronavirus, COVID-19, in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known via Twitter handle on Wednesday.

He also confirmed that cases of coronavirus had increased to 130 in the state.

He tweeted, “Lagos recorded another #COVID-19 related death: a 66-year-old Briton, who travelled from India via Dubai to Lagos on 17th of March, 2020.“As of 7th of April, 2020, there are 10 new cases of #COVID-19 confirmed.”

“The total of #COVID-19 cases in Lagos rises to 130.“Another #COVID-19 patient was discharged after full recovery. This brings the number of discharged patients to 32.”

Lagos Records First Covid19 Death As Infected Renal Patient Died in LUTH

He didn’t disclose his travel, medical history
COVID-19 only detected after blood sample tested positive postmortem –Source
Tessy Igomu

A 55-year-old man who was admitted to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, has died in the facility.

A reliable source at the tertiary hospital said the man died of (complications arising from) the global pandemic COVID-19 disease.

The source said the hospital discovered that the patient had COVID-19 after he tested positive to the virus when Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was done on his blood posthumously.

“Fingerprint antibody test was done on him, confirming his COVID-19 infection,” our source said.

According to our source, the man, a 55-year-old hypertensive and diabetic patient, had presented to LUTH’s emergency unit on Thursday night with “malaise, tremors, and fever.”

He was also diagnosed with acute chronic kidney disease and sepsis, our source said.

The source, a caregiver, said the man did not disclose his travel history, and had died “a few hours” after his admission to the Federal Government-owned facility.

“The man did not give his travel history, or the fact that he had contact with someone who had travelled overseas.

“(When asked) He told the doctors that he had no history of coughs, sore throat, joint pains or diarrhoea,” our source added.

The caregiver said when the patient arrived at LUTH on Thursday night, he was sent to the “spillover unit” because the hospital had run out of bed spaces.

However, when he developed complications, a junior doctor (Reg) at the Accident & Emergency Unit reviewed his case and notified the Senior Registrar of his suspicion.

“After the Senior Registrar reviewed his case and confronted him with their findings, the man revealed the true story about his travels and his fear that he might have contracted COVID-19, and died shortly afterwards.

“He confessed that he had been coughing and that he had returned from Holland two weeks ago, where he had gone for follow-up treatment after a renal transplant he also had there.

“When confronted after the man’s death, his family members said they withheld the information about his likely COVID-19 infection because they were afraid that LUTH would reject him if they disclosed his true state,” our source added.

The man died early Friday morning, and the Lagos State coronavirus emergency workers took away his body.

When PUNCH HealthWise put a call across to the Lagos State Emergency Helpline for COVID-19, a staff at the centre said a similar call had also been placed by someone earlier regarding the incident.

“I got a call in respect of this from somebody in LUTH and we are yet to confirm that.

“We are only at the call centre to receive calls and don’t know what is going on out there,” the officer, who identified himself as Tolani, said.

Asked if it was a LUTH staff that called the helpline, Tolani said he didn’t know the persons’ identity. “I just got a random call,” he said.

He, however, told our correspondent to call back at an unstated time.

Meanwhile, a text message to confirm the development was sent separately to the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode; and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

The message read, “Good evening sir. Trust your day was good. My name is Tessy Igomu, a journalist with The PUNCH Newspapers. I learnt that a COVID-19 patient with travel history to Holland just died in LUTH. Can you kindly confirm?”

Replying to the text message, Prof. Bode Chris said, “Confirm that with the Hon Commissioner of Health, Lagos State.

“He is the only one who gives out details and figures during an epidemic.”

The Health Commissioner has yet to respond to the text message as of the time of filing this report.

When our correspondent called the Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi; and the Director, Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, their individual phones rang out without being answered.

peraNews

Nigeria Records Third Corona Virus Case

The Honourable Minister for Health has announced the 3rd case of #COVID19 in Nigeria
According to the minister, " the case is a Nigerian who returned to Lagos from UK & developed symptoms during her 14-day self-isolation. "She is clinically stable & is being treated at Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos".

The Lagos State Ministry of Health, which confirmed the case, said the patient is unconnected with the index case.

The infected, a 30-year-old Nigerian female who returned from the United Kingdom on Friday, observed self-isolation, developed symptoms and tested positive.

BREAKING: Lagos records first case of Coronavirus in Nigeria

AgegePulse Magazine


The Lagos State Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

The state Commissioner for Health,  Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a statement around 1.40 am on Friday said the government had reported it to the Federal Ministry of Health.

"The case, which was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020, is the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the outbreak in China in January 2020.

"He fell ill on the 26th February and was transferred to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos," the statement read partly."

The commissioner said the state government through the Lagos State Ministry of Health, had put measures in place to ensure that any outbreak in the state was controlled and contained quickly in collaboration with the multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group, led by the NCDC.

"We have immediately activated the State Emergency Operations Centre to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.

" urged all Lagosians to  Lagosians and Nigerians that we have been strengthening  our preparedness since the first confirmation of cases in China. We will use all the resources made available by the State and the Federal Government to respond to this case.

"We are working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he arrived in Nigeria.

Please, be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only a mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses.

All Lagosians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families, following the precautions below':

1.    Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

2.    Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

3. People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.

4. Ensure that you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene by   covering mouths and noses with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing. You can also sneeze  or cough into your sleeve at the bent elbow.Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

5. Stay indoors if you feel unwell with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call Lagos State Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.

6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, the Social Media, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.

Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic. The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Lagos". Abayomi Concluded.