As Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare to take on the rest of the continent at the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh has charged the team to imbibe the spirit of resilience and togetherness to bring the trophy back to the country.
In an address during the team’s farewell dinner, Senator Owan-Enoh emphasized the importance of wearing the Nigerian badge with patriotism at the tournament, urging the team to play for Nigeria and millions of football lovers at home.
“With over 200 million Nigerians eagerly watching and supporting, your performance holds the hopes and dreams of our entire nation,” Senator Owan-Enoh stated, highlighting the immense significance of the team’s representation on the continental stage.
Acknowledging the comprehensive support provided by President Bola Tinubu in ensuring the team’s readiness, the minister urged the Super Eagles to use every opportunity from the very first game and keep progressing in the tournament.
“Take the fight to your opponents and show the Naija Spirit that you carry”, he charged.
Senator Owan-Enoh pledged his presence in Ivory Coast to offer on-ground support and work closely with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to maintain focus and motivation within the team.
“I assure you of undistracted support and endeavor to secure all that is rightfully yours, ensuring your representation of the fatherland is marked by your commitment.” the minister said.
In attendance at the dinner include, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who hosted the dinner, the Super Eagles players, Coach and technical team members, the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of the board, and past president of the NFF, Mr Amaju Pinnick.
Nigeria is hunting for its fourth continental glory, after the triumphs of 1980, 1994, and 2013.
The Super Eagles will battle against Equatorial Guinea in its first game on Sunday, January 14th, before wrestling against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire four days later while their last group game will be against the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau on January 22nd.
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line System has begun its long-awaited commercial operations.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, became the first passenger to ride on the train during its inaugural ride as operations began on Monday.
The governor boarded the train from the Marina terminal enroute Mile 2.
The Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, announced on Thursday that the Lagos Blue Line Rail would commence commercial operations on Monday, September 4.
Akinajo added that Governor Sanwo-Olu would be the first passenger during the inaugural ride on the train.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathised with the victims of the train accident that occurred between a train and BRT Bus on Thursday morning.
Two people were confirmed dead while an unspecified number of people were injured after a passenger train crushed a Lagos State Government staff bus on its way from Ikotun en-route Alausa, the state secretariat, at the PWD area of the state.
In a message on his Twitter account, Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed for the families of the victims and appreciated the efforts of the rescue team.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the train/bus accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos State Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities. Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. A big thank you to well-meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on the ground and we will share more information shortly,” he tweeted.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says Lagosians would ride a train on the Intra-city rail by the first quarter of 2023 as works on both the Blue and Red line rails are at 90 percent completion.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, on Sunday.
The statement reads, “Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reassured the residents that the state government is on track with its efforts to complete works on both the Blue and Red lines rail projects, which are intra-city, to strengthen the intermodal transport system”.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu addressing journalists during his inspection of the Blue Line Rail on Sunday, 24 April 2022. With him from left: Director, Rail Transport, Mr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga; Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Federic Oladeinde; his counterpart for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Ope George and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako.
“He said work on the Blue Line rail project was at 90 percent completion as contractors were working seven days a week so that Lagosians would ride a train on the rail by the first quarter of 2023”.
“The Governor gave the reassurance on Sunday while speaking to journalists at the Marina Train Station after about three hours of inspection of ongoing works on the Blue Line rail project and stations at the National Theatre Iganmu, Orile, Suru Alaba, Mile 2, and Marina area of the state”.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the Blue line rail project alongside some of his cabinet members, top officials of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and contractors handling the project, moved from the National Arts Theatre rail station on a construction track to Orile Iganmu, Alaba and Mile 2 stations to inspect the four train stations on the Blue line rail”.
“He said the blue line rail would be running on electric tracks with Electric Motor Vehicle (EMV) and therefore warned citizens to keep off the train lines and ensure they don’t walk on it.”
It was gathered that the governor, after riding back to the National Arts Theatre station on a construction track, also inspected a new four-coach train, which according to him, is a typical train that will be used on the blue line.
He also disclosed the Lagos State government’s plan to bring additional two sets of four-train coaches from China between September and October, adding that adequate security would be put in place at every train station and platform with the use of closed-circuit television.
The governor was quoted as saying, “This is the first time I am taking you on the blue line to see where we are. The first phase of the Blue line rail project starts from Mile 2 and terminates at Marina. Marina Station is an elevated station and it stretches out to outer Marina and terminates where the governor’s residence is. At the end of the station, you could see that the track is broken into two bridges. The backtrack is for parking”.
“We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week. The major aspect apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join the outer Marina. They would finish it in about three months. And by the time we will be coming back in July, the concrete construction should have been completed.”
The statement further read, “Governor Sanwo-Olu while condemning the level of vandalism along the rail corridors warned perpetrators to desist from such evil acts. He said the government would go after companies that purchased vandalised rail tracks infrastructure, adding that culprits will be traced and made to face the wrath of the law”
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has issued a three days ultimatum to traders under the Apogbon Bridge in Lagos Island to vacate or risk demolition of the space by Wednesday this week.
He gave the warning while driving on the bridge during his inspection of the blue line rail project and saw that traders were back under the bridge with their goods displayed after they were driven away in the aftermath of the fire outbreak under the Apogbon bridge about six weeks ago.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who frowned at the unlawful return of the traders under Apongbon bridge said the enforcement team would be deployed to the bridge after the three days ultimatum elapsed.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the death of a former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, as a great loss to his family, the people of Oyo State, particularly sons and daughters of Ogbomoso and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commiserated with Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, as well as leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, both at the state and national level over the demise of the party’s apex leader in Oyo State.
In a statement, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that Otunba Alao-Akala’s shocking demise had opened a deep sore in the hearts of the people of Oyo State and Nigerians, who looked up to him as a rallying point and a political stabilizer.
The Governor also sympathized with the Alao-Akala’s family and urged them to take heart, noting that the former Governor’s service to the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole would remain his enduring legacy.
He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with my brother, the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, sons and daughters of Ogbomoso, people of Oyo State, the deceased family, friends and political associates on the death of Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.
“The passage of Otunba Alao-Akala hurts me because of the critical role he is playing in Oyo APC before his demise. My heart was filled with grief when I was informed about his death.
“Otunba Alao-Akala was more than a politician. He was a man of many parts, whose managerial skills and experience are required at this critical period in our national life, especially in our party, APC ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“He served Oyo State passionately first as a Deputy Governor and later as Governor. He did his best in contributing his quota to the growth and development of Ogbomoso as council chairman as well as Oyo State as a Governor. He also made his mark in the Nigerian Police where he retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1995 before venturing into politics.”
“I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and grant the family and the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” Omolara Omosanya
Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU, for the establishment of Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission. Speaking at the ceremony held at Presidential lodge, Ibara Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun said that the collaboration would help to boost industrialization and ensure wholesome development at the states’ border communities. Governor Dapo Abiodun explained that Lagos – Ogun joint development commission would focus on Infrastructure including the development of boundary town roads, water works and mass transportation. Governor Abiodun said that the joint commission would enhance efforts to fast track development, employment generation, poverty alleviation and food security in both states. Also, Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwoolu said that the signing of MOU was to build sustainable urban cities and promote participatory governance among residents of Lagos and Ogun States. Governor Sawoolu while giving the assurance that the Joint Memorandum of Understanding would be meticulously implemented said the process would encourage residents to recognize their roles towards achieving solid urban economies in both States. The Lagos State Governor expressed optimism that proper implementation of the collaborative projects captured in the Joint Memorandum of Understanding would stimulate economic growth, accelerate the move for urban transformation. While urging the people of Lagos and Ogun States to key into the vision, Governor Sawoolu also called for greater collaboration among the 36 States of the Federation for overall development of the country.
The governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu wants medical workers and residents to consider malaria-like symptoms as COVID-19 until test proves otherwise.
He gave the advice while addressing a news conference at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
Emphasising that the second wave of the COVID-19 virus infection which spreads faster has proven to be more dangerous than the first wave, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged health workers and residents to maintain a high level of suspicion especially while treating malaria-like symptoms.
“Any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven. Any affected individual with COVID-like symptoms should proceed to any of our public health facilities and/or laboratories to get tested for free. The responsibility of fighting and defeating this Virus belongs to each and every one of us, and we must take this responsibility very seriously” He said
The governor described the decision to reopen schools amidst the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a tough but necessary choice as findings show that over twenty-four thousand pupils are yet to return to School after the first wave of the COVID -19 pandemic, hence the recent decision to open schools after due consultations with key stakeholders.
While schools management have been mandated to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols, the governor promised that officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Office of Education Quality Assurance would intensify monitoring to ensure full compliance and warned that the State Taskforce and Safety Commission would also continue with individual and corporate enforcement.
The governor said: “I want to enjoin parents to ensure that the protocols of safety are adhered to in their homes and that they model responsible behaviour to their children at all times, in and out of the home. The Lagos State Government will deploy effective messaging and education while rigorously enforcing all guidelines through the respective State agencies. We will continue to clamp down on all persons and organisations who flout the protocols and guidelines we have established and we will not hesitate to bring defaulters to book”
Governor Sanwo-Olu renewed the appeal on Lagosians to mask up, observe social distancing and not to discriminate against those who are infected, and reassured them that pending the availability of vaccine, a robust testing, oxygen and home-based-care strategy have been put in place, even as more isolation centres are been reopened as a significant increase in bed occupancy from four per cent last year to seventy percent, this year is currently been witnessed.
He said so far, about five thousand COVID-19 cases have been managed under the home care strategy by @EkoTeleMed and advised anyone who has tested positive to access the service through the toll-free line: 08000EKOMED that is 08000356633.
“The telemedicine service is manned by professional medical personnel to help nurse infected individuals back to health. They also have the ability to assess the severity of patients’ conditions and facilitate the evacuation of worsening cases, if need be. The virus is not a death sentence, in most cases. Seeking help early and quickly significantly improves the chances of survival for severe to critical cases” He said.
