Lagos State Govt advises PWDs against drug abuse.

Lagos State Govt advises PWDs against drug abuse.

The Lagos State Government, on Thursday, pledged to combat substance abuse and provide a safe space for persons with disabilities to give them access to rehabilitation services as well as a support system.

The state government also assured PWDs of optimal attention to their well-being to enable them to excel in their endeavours.

Speaking at a town hall with a cluster group on ‘Healthcare Services and Menace of Drug Abuse among the People Living with Disability in Lagos State’, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, said the responsibility of the society was to ensure that healthcare was inclusive, equitable, and tailored towards the unique needs of PWDs.

The town hall was held at the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, on Thursday.

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Youth Mobilisation, Mr Alabi Oladimeji, the commissioner stressed that the issue of drug and substance abuse among PWDs could no longer be ignored.

He said, “The menace of drug abuse among people with disabilities cannot be ignored. The vulnerabilities faced by individuals with disabilities make them particularly vulnerable to substance abuse, often as a means of coping with pain, isolation, or other challenges.

“It is imperative that we implement preventive measures and establish support systems to address this issue effectively.”

He noted that education and awareness “play a vital role in combating drug abuse.”

“By conducting targeted campaigns and workshops, we can disseminate information about the risks associated with substance abuse, equip individuals with coping mechanisms, and empower them to make informed decisions,” the commissioner said.

 Oyetunde-Lawal, said, “It’s not a conversation that we can shy away from. People abuse alcohol and cigarettes and it is eating up lungs and killing them inside.

“So, we have a problem on our hands and we are hoping that through these engagements we will be able to equip you with the necessary tools that you can use to navigate.”

I will lead Kogi by example, says Ododo.

I will lead Kogi by example, says Ododo.

Governor swears in Exco members, top aides

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has promised to provide leadership by example to the people of the state.

He also promised to put in place a culture of service, probity, transparency and accountability to better serve the residents.

Ododo made the promises in Lokoja, the state capital, while administering the oaths of office on the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade; the Chief of Staff, Ali Bello; members of the State Executive Council (Exco) and his senior aides.

The governor told the appointees that the stakes were high and that the people of the state expected better performance from the new administration.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, said the governor announced that he had put in place a performance evaluation to track and measure the impact of his administration on the lives of the people.

Acknowledging the support his administration had received so far from the residents, the governor said the new government would not renege on its promises.

Ododo advised the new appointees to be fair to everyone in the discharge of their responsibilities while offering their best services to the administration.

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Mrs. Ayoade assured Ododo that they would not disappoint him and the people of the state.

The new commissioners and their portfolios are: Muizideen Yunus Abdallah (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Muhammed Ihiezu Abdulmutalib (Rural Development and Energy), Momodu Salami Ozigi Deedat (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Dr. Adams Abdulziz (Health), Mrs. Fatima Momoh (Women Affairs), Mr. Abanika Taiye (Housing and Urban Development), Muhammed Yusuf (Works), Hajiya Rabiyetu Okute (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Mr. Timothy Ojoma (Agriculture and Food Security) and Asiwaju Ashiru Idris (Finance, Budget and Economic Planning).

Others are: Bashir Muhammed Abubakar (Solid Mineral and Natural Resources), Mr. Sunday Faleke (Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations), Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo (Information and Communication), Farouk Danladi (Water Resources), Joseph Olwasegun (Environment and Ecological Management), Mr. Wemi Jones (Education), Anyebe Aridaojo Monday (Youth and Sports), and Muhammed Mukhtar Shaibu (Commerce and Industry).

The new senior aides and their portfolios are: Pastor Elijah Evinemi (Head of Service), Air Commodore Jerry Omodara, retired, (State Security Adviser), Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege (Auditor General for Local Government), Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim (Director General of Protocol in Government House), Ismaila Isah (Special Adviser to the Governor on Media), Oladele John Nihi (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor), and Femi Adegboyega (State Legal Adviser).

Kebbi begins N2.99bn modern motor park.

Kebbi begins N2.99bn modern motor park.

The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has flagged off the construction, rehabilitation and modernisation of Birnin Kebbi motor park expected to gulp N2.99bn.

Speaking after kick-starting the project in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the governor said the gesture was in fulfilment of one of his campaign promises.

Idris, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, said, “The project was meant to give the state capital a befitting outlook through modernisation and rehabilitation of existing structures.

“I urge the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the facility to improve their businesses,” adding, “the more the project is protected, the longer the period it will serve the beneficiaries.”

In his speech, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Muslim, recalled that the motor park which was constructed in 1996, had been allowed to deteriorate due to negligence by successive administrations in the state.

According to him, the specifications of the contract include; redesign, reconstruction and modernisation to a befitting motor park to accommodate commercial transit businesses.

Faruk-Muslim advised the beneficiaries to do everything possible to safeguard the project from any form of vandalism to enable it to stand the test of time.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman, Kebbi State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, Alahaji Atiku Mai-mai-Gwandu, expressed appreciation to the present administration under Kauran Gwandu and pledged to extend all the necessary support to it to succeed.

Mai-mai-Gwandu appealed to members of the union to ensure proper utilisation of the motor park when completed to ease their jobs, boost their revenue base and enhance the internally generated revenue of the state.

The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

Govt reopens 23 Oyo schools after 10-year shutdown.

Govt reopens 23 Oyo schools after 10-year shutdown.

The Oyo State Government, on Thursday, ordered the reopening of 23 schools in the Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West local government areas of the state, 10 years after they were shut down over land disputes.

The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who waded into the boundary crisis that culminated into the 10-year closure of the schools, said council chairmen would be held responsible should there be a breach of security.

The deputy governor spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan, to fashion out ways of resolving the age-long land dispute.

Lawal, who doubles as the Chairman, Oyo State Boundary Committee, charged the chairmen of Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West to ensure security and peace in their domains.

He added that the Ministry of Education would oversee the schools after reopening, and do whatever was required to put the children back to school.

The deputy governor advised members of the state House of Assembly, representing the affected constituencies to work with community leaders to ensure that children returned to school.

“I appeal to you our elders and chairmen of the affected local governments to consider the future of these children. The primary reason this meeting is held is for the schools that were closed for 10 years to reopen immediately. That is the message from the governor himself.

“We have engaged all the stakeholders, community leaders, honourable members, the chairmen of the various local governments, and we have agreed that schools must reopen in the interest of those children,” the deputy governor said.

Lawal appreciated the Oyo Global Forum, a non-partisan group of professionals from the four councils that constitute the Federal constituency, noting that their interest in the progress of the affected schools was commendable.

He promised that the Office of the Surveyor General would wade into the boundary dispute among the communities, urging the community leaders to adhere to the government’s verdict on the schools.

The affected schools include Community Basic School Obananko, Oyo; Community Basic School Laagbe, Oyo; Pinnock Memorial Baptist School, Aba Epo Oluwatedo, Oyo; Baptist Basic School, Oluwatedo, Oyo; St. Luke Anglican School, Bada Idiyalode, Oyo; L.A. Basic School Ago Oyo; Community Basic School, Igbo Olose, Oyo in Oyo West LG.

Others are Community Basic School Adebimpe, Oyo; Community Basic School, Obasere, Oyo; St. Thomas Anglican School, Alabi Olorunda, Oyo; St. Michael RCM, Apaara Village, Oyo; Methodist Primary School Ajagba, Oyo; Baptist Central School Oniyanrin, Oyo; Bapt Primary School, Aguo, Oyo; ADS Primary School, Baba Elesin, Oyo in the Oyo East LG.

Also affected are L.A. School, Lannite, Oyo; L.A. Primary School Gudugbu Orile, Oyo; L.A. Primary School Gudugbu, Oyo; ADS Primary School Aba Olori, Oyo; ADS Primary Abujakan, Oyo; L.A. Basic School, Alagbon, Oyo; and L.A. Basic School, Imeleke, Oyo also in the Oyo East LG.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Salihu Adelabu; the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Nureni Adeniran; chairmen of the four local governments; traditional leaders, among other stakeholders.

Minister: Fed Govt to get more arms for National Parks.

Minister: Fed Govt to get more arms for National Parks.

Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal has said the Federal Government will buy more arms for effective operations of the National Park Service (NPS).

Lawal announced this when he visited the NPS headquarters and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in Abuja.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu was much concerned about the operations of the parks because of spate of insecurity in the country.

He said there was an ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies to rid the nation’s forest of bandits, illegal miners, and the coastal areas of oil thieves.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NPS is statutorily responsible for the preservation, enhancement and protection of wild animals and plants as well as other vegetation in National Parks, and for matters connected therewith.

Lawal urged the NBMA to be more proactive in its approaches and carry out more researches to curb the inflow of unwanted genetically modified foods.

“If you allow these genetically modified foods to come into the markets, there will be a very fierce war,” he said.

The minister praised both agencies for their efforts and urged them to do more in order to keep up to their mandates.

Lawal advised the agencies to work as a team and to be dedicated and punctual in their duties for effective discharge of their duties.

The Conservator-General of NPS, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, urged the minister to review upwards the subventions of the agency.

Goni also requested for the procurement of more arms for NPS to curb trans-banditry activities with Cameroon as well as commercialise the three parks.

NBMA’s Director General, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, solicited the minister’s help to enable the agency have a bigger office space and more trainings for its workers.

She also requested for machinery to fight environmental activities that impede the operations of the agency.

NAN reports that both agencies made elaborate presentations of their operations to the minister.

They also led the minister on a tour of NPS animal orphanage, mini-park, museum, NBMA’s laboratory before Lawal planted a tree to mark the visit.

Insecurity: No criminal will sleep in FCT – Wike.

Insecurity: No criminal will sleep in FCT – Wike.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, February 1, vowed to further ensure that criminals do not have rest in the nation’s capital.

This is following the incessant kidnapping in Abuja.

Wike made the vow on Thursday while inaugurating an emergency construction and rehabilitation of the nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT to promote rural development.

Wike said the project was part of 30-kilometre roads that would be constructed across the six area councils of the territory.

He assured the residents that President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda was not mere talk but action.

He explained that the road construction was designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development.

He added that two additional roads would be constructed in each of the area councils before the end of the year, to make it three rural roads per area council.

The minister blamed the spate of rural-urban migration on the lack of roads and other basic amenities needed to make life comfortable.

According to him, the project will not only address insecurity but will equally improve access to schools, enable evacuation of farm produce to the market and boost economic activities.

The minister assured the contractor that funding would not be a problem, stressing that he would accept nothing short of the expected quality.

Wike said: “No criminal will sleep in FCT. We are after them and no rest for them. Funding will not be a problem but do it well; the people are entitled to quality roads.

“I will not tell you when I will come here for inspection. I will not also depend on a report from the director overseeing the project. What I will depend on is what I see with my own eyes.”

Similarly, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, pointed out that the lack of access roads in communities had stagnated development in rural areas.

Mahmoud said that construction of the rural roads across the six area councils would not only open the rural communities for trade and commerce, but also improve access to market, health care, and education.

“The project is not just about laying down asphalt; it is about connecting communities, improving access, and fostering economic development in our rural areas.

“For too long, the lack of proper road infrastructure has hindered the progress of our rural communities.

“Farmers have struggled to transport their produce to markets; students have faced difficulties reaching schools; and medical emergencies have been compounded by the challenges of accessing timely healthcare.”

Also, Olusegun Olusa, Oversite Director, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, said that benefiting communities were selected due to infrastructural deficits.

Olusa added that the project, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Ltd, would be delivered before May 29 to mark President Tinubu’s one year in office.

Earlier, the chairman, of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr Abubakar Giri, commended the minister for the gesture, which he described as the first rural project to be executed by the FCT minister in the area.

Giri said the road, when completed, would improve security in rural communities due to improved access to communities and boost the economy of the people.

According to him, 90 percent of the people in the area are farmers, who will benefit immensely from the road projects by evacuating agricultural produce to the market.

In his part, the Chief of the area, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Mr Mohammad Magaji, thanked the minister for taking the bold step to develop rural communities in the FCT.

Magaji expressed optimism that the project would facilitate development in rural communities which eluded local areas for ages.

He announced that the community has bestowed the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin (warlord) Paikon Kore on the minister and awaiting his approval for coronation.

The Managing Director of Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Mr Ziad Mouannes, promised to deliver the project according to specification.

Mouannes called for the support of the FCT Administration, particularly funding and security to ensure timely completion of the project.

Sanwo-Olu procures additional rolling stocks for Blue, Red lines.

Sanwo-Olu procures additional rolling stocks for Blue, Red lines.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the government has procured additional rolling stocks for the Blue Line and Red Line rail operations to bring more relief to residents.

The rolling stocks are expected to arrive in Lagos before the end of the year, he noted.

The Lagos team, through its partners, was able to secure an agreement for the additional rolling stocks to be ready and delivered before the end of the year as against the normal two-year period it takes for the construction company to build the coaches.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, during a meeting with President and management of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at its headquarters in Beijing, China, reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing the second phase of the Blue Line rail project and begin commercial operations of the Red Line.

He said: “We have made requests for additional rolling stocks for the Red Line and Blue Line. That conversation is ongoing.

“We have started making payments and hope that because of our commitment, we will get them before the end of the year.

” It would improve the journey experience of our people. It would improve citizens’ appreciation of what the government is doing to reduce transportation pressure in a big city like Lagos.

“With the new rolling stocks, we will have a more predictable journey time; the commuters and passengers would be more committed and we will see an improvement in the quality of lives and reduction of traffic gridlocks in the city.”

The Governor was accompanied to the meeting by Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi; Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo; Chairman of Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, Temitope Adewale; his Environment Parastatals counterpart Rasheed Shabi and other top government officials.

The Governor also inspected one of the project sites of the China Railway Construction Group (CRCG) in Beijing, China. He said the fact-finding mission is connected plans for the construction of some major infrastructural projects, and his determination to increase the infrastructure stock of Lagos, especially in transportation.