Labour

Sanwo-Olu Slashes Work Days to 3 for Civil Servants

By Web News 357

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has announced that civil servants from levels 1–14 will begin to work three days a week as part of measures to ease the economic challenges facing residents.

Sanwo-Olu made this announcement during a live media chat, tagged, ‘Sanwo Speaks’ in Lagos on Thursday.

The governor, however, said workers in the teaching sector will maintain the five-day-a-week work schedule, adding that the government will ensure additional transport support for them.

He said, “We want to start with our public servants, immediately from next week, Civil servants from the lower level will be working like three times a week and level 15-17 can work four times in a week.”

On the rising cost of food, he added that his administration would open more markets where Lagosians can buy food items at discounted rates.

He said, “We will open Sunday Markets in at least 42 identified markets across Lagos State. You will be able to buy food items at a discounted price. You will only be able to buy items worth up to N25,000.”

Sanwo-Olu added that the 25% reduction on transport services will start this weekend for the State Public Transport system (BRT, Train, Ferry).

The governor noted that his administration was also in discussions with various transport unions to reduce their fares.

“First is to express empathy with our citizens, We are not unmindful of the situation, as leaders, we must be able to solve socioeconomic problems,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also challenged the private sector to look into what they can do for the citizens by replicating their role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

Supreme Court Affirms Yusuf, Sanwo-Olu, Muhammed’s Victory

By Web News 396

By Ifeoma Nwovu

The Supreme Court has affirmed the outcomes of the 2023 governorship elections in Lagos, Kano, and Bauchi states.

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had confirmed the re-election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor of Lagos State.

In a lead judgement delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the 5-man panel of the apex court unanimously held that the appeal by the Labour Party and its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, was unmeritorious and therefore liable for dismissal.

The apex court ruled that all parties should bear their respective costs.

The Lagos State Division of the Court of Appeal dismissed Rhodes-Vivour’s appeal on November 15, 2023, having affirmed the decision of the Lagos State Governorship Tribunal, which upheld Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.

The Labour Party and its gubernatorial candidate had urged the court to allow the appeal, set aside the decision of the tribunal, and grant the reliefs sought.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Sanwo-Olu, winner of the governorship election having polled 762,134 votes to defeat his close challenger, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP), who scored 312,329 votes.

S’Court upholds Bala Mohammed’s victory as Bauchi Governor

Similarly, the Supreme Court declared the election of Senator Bala Mohammed as Governor of Bauchi State.

In a lead judgement, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which on November 17, 2023, upheld the election of Bala Mohammed as the duly elected Governor of Bauchi State.

The unanimous judgement of the 5-man panel was on an appeal by the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Amb Saddique Baba Abubakar, who was not satisfied with INEC’s declaration of Bala as winner of the March 18 governorship election in the State.

Justice Saulawa held that Abubakar’s appeal was “devoid of merit” since all six issues adopted for determination were answered against the appellant.

The Bauchi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, had earlier declared Bala Mohammed the winner of the election.

Bala, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, polled 525,280 votes to defeat Abubakar

Plateau, Ebonyi, Cross River, Jigawa and Bauchi await fate.

NNPP’s Yusuf reinstated as Kano Governor

Also affirmed by the Apex Court is the election of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of Kano State.

Justice Inyang Okoro gave the judgement in an appeal by Governor Yusuf, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which had on November 17 sacked him from office.

The Appeal Court had disqualified Governor Yusuf Kabir from the Kano state governorship election and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Kano State.

But in a lead judgement delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, the Supreme Court unanimously held that the tribunal never found that Yusuf was not qualified to contest the election.

Justice Inyang Okoro held that the issue of sponsorship and nomination of candidates falls under the domestic affairs of a political party.

He insisted that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a matter that bordered on the internal affairs of a political party.

Dauda Lawal’s mandate as Zamfara Gov restored

In a related development, the Supreme Court declared Dauda Lawal as the validly elected governor of Zamfara State, having set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which declared his election inconclusive.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgement, held that the decision of the Court of Appeal in declaring the election inconclusive was perverse.

The judgement was on an appeal by Lawal, seeking redress over the decision of the Court of Appeal, which on November 16, 2023, declared the Zamfara gubernatorial election inconclusive.

Justice Agim held that the appeal has merit; it subsists and allowed.

A three-member panel of the appellate court had unanimously annulled the victory of Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Lawal the winner of the March 18, 2023, election with 377,726 votes.

However, Bello Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 311,976 votes, challenged the outcome of the poll.

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Economy

Govs Declare Rejection of Old Naira Notes Illegal

By Web News 500

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on residents, business owners, and especially retailers to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes – in line with the Supreme Court judgement which ruled that the currency remains legal tender until December 31, 2023.

Sanwo-Olu made the call in a statement through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, yesterday.

The statement read in part, “The Lagos State Government has noted the hardship sparked by the Naira redesign policy, which has affected business and commercial activities.

“There is no reason to reject the old notes, going by the Supreme Court judgement delivered on March 3, 2023.

“The apex court declared that “no reasonable notice was given as required by Section 20(3) of the CBN Act,” noting that the public only became aware of the policy through press remarks, which cannot qualify as a notice to the public.

“The court maintained that the policy has impeded the functions of State governments, pointing out that the directive that stops the use of the old notes is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has, therefore, called on business owners, especially retailers, to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes – in line with the Supreme Court judgement that the currency remains legal tender until December 31, 2023. It is illegal to reject the notes.

“All agencies of the Lagos State Government are advised not to reject payments made with the old currency by the public.”

Similarly, the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has urged the state residents to transact with the old naira notes and report banks that refuse to accept the notes.

Making the announcement on his Facebook page on Monday, Soludo noted that the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, confirmed to him that commercial banks could dispense and accept old notes from customers.

He wrote, “Commercial banks have been directed by the Central Bank to dispense old currency notes and to also receive the same as deposits from customers. Tellers at commercial banks are to generate the codes for deposits and there is no limit to the number of times an individual or company can make deposits.

“The Governor of the CBN gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday, 12th March 2023. The Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele, personally confirmed the above to me during a phone conversation on Sunday night.

“Residents of Anambra are therefore advised to freely accept and transact their businesses with the old currency notes (N200; N500; and N1,000) as well as the new notes.

“Residents should report any bank that refuses to accept deposits of the old notes. The Anambra State Government will not only report such a bank to the CBN but will also immediately shut down the defaulting branch.”

Vanguard/Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Sanwo-Olu Meets IGP, Seeks Prosecution of Killer Cops

By Web News 445

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, met with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja over the recent extra-judicial killings by trigger-happy cops in the state and seeking appropriate prosecution.

In a Thursday statement obtained by our correspondent, the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the duo discussed amongst other things, possible avenues to achieve speedy justice for the victims of the recent shooting incidents in Lagos State.

Adejobi noted that the IGP while extending his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, reassured that the cases would be meticulously pursued until deserved justice is served; he also stressed that the Force is working with the Attorney-General of Lagos State to ensure that the offenders are diligently prosecuted in courts of competent jurisdiction to serve as deterrence to others.

Adejobi said, “In his response, the governor promised to support the police in making sure that justice is served in the extant case and to collaborate with the police on advocacy programmes to educate the citizenry on understanding and respecting the laws of the land for an improved relationship with the Police.

“He similarly stressed that his administration will partner with the police to carry out refresher courses, training, retraining, and other evaluation processes for police officers in all facets of policing duties.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu equally emphasized the need to provide some equipment like body cameras, non-lethal weapons, etc., to curb excessive use of powers and boost good police-citizen relationships.

“The IGP, therefore, charged all officers to imbibe absolute respect for rule of law and the fundamental rights of all persons, which is the crux and fulcrum of policing services even as he urged members of the public to cooperate with police officers for seamless collaborative efforts to stamp out crimes and criminality in the Nigerian society.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu’s Delegation Visits Raheem’s Family 

By Web News 492

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reinforced his stand on justice for the family of Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a policeman on Christmas Day.

He sent a delegation today to console the family at their home in Ajah. 

“We have the permission of Mr Governor to tell you that justice will be done in this matter. The matter will be charged to court as soon as the police send us the case file. I will be leading the prosecution to show the seriousness the government attaches to this matter,” Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Moyo Onigbanjo SAN said. 

Special Adviser Tubosun Alake said Mr Governor urged the family to take heart. He prayed that The Almighty would console the family. 

The husband of the late Bolanle, Mr Gbenga Raheem, thanked Mr Sanwo-Olu for his empathy. 

Also in the delegation were Head of Service Muri Okunola, who signed the condolence register on behalf of the government, Women and Poverty Alleviation Commissioner, Mrs  Bolaji Dada and Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso

Irantiayan Ebunoluwa

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Foreign

Breach of Standards: LASG Shuts Medicine Outlets

By Web News 393

Lagos State Government through its Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods has shut down 19 medicine outlets around Igando-Ikotun in Alimosho Local Government area of the State for non-compliance to regulatory standards.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this on Friday, after reviewing report of the recent enforcement exercise carried out by Taskforce, explained that the affected premises were sealed for various offences including; display of drugs for sales in unregistered and unlicensed shops by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); inappropriate storage conditions of drugs; handling and dispensing drugs by unskilled persons and the sales of drugs outside the approved scope.

While noting that the operation of the Taskforce was coming on the heels of the war being waged against fake drugs and illegal drug shops, Abayomi noted that monitoring and enforcement activities of the Taskforce has been rejigged to ensure that the provisions of the law on the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine shops is strictly adhered to, in order to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

Similarly, Director Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Oyebisi Omolambe, said that the state government will not relent in its efforts to stop the inherent dangers associated with the operations from unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and drug shops.

“This closure is thus part of the Government’s renewed efforts to sanitize the drug distribution system and curb proliferation of fake drugs in the State” Omolambe said.

The enforcement and compliance raid by the State Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods was carried out in collaboration with the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Legal Unit of the Ministry of Health and the Police Officers from Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) of Lagos Police Command.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

Politics

June 12: A Symbol of Unity and Hope – Sanwo-Olu

By Web News 397

As the Nation mark this year’s Democracy Day, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says June 12 must become a symbol of unity, hope, of aspiration for a better tomorrow, one built upon true democratic ideals and practices.

In a statement, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted the democracy being enjoyed today in Nigeria was built upon the immense sacrifice that June 12 represented and still represents and also a day to remember June 12, 1993, presidential elections adjudged to be the freest and fairest ever conducted in the country, but was annulled by the military Government.

Pointing out that it was fitting that this year’s commemoration was coming immediately after the first phase of the 2023 political season as the various political parties in the country had in the last four weeks, held Primaries to select their flag bearers for offices, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to let the occasion be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want.

“It is perhaps fitting that we are celebrating this year’s Democracy Day in the immediate aftermath of the first phase of the 2023 political season. We have seen our democracy at work. It is not perfect, but no democracy is. There are still gaps to be closed, and processes to be improved upon, but there is no doubt that the journey we started over two decades ago is fully on course and maturing”

It said; Let Democracy Day be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want. Twenty-nine years ago on this day, Nigerians trooped enthusiastically to the polls, defying stereotypes of ethnicity and religion to prove to ourselves and the world that a new Nigeria is possible. We have since been blessed with a new opportunity to build on the hope and the potential of June 12, 1993. That responsibility is now in our hands, and posterity will not forgive us if we squander it.”

He promised Lagosians that his administration would continue to strive to attain the ultimate goal of a democracy which is to improve the lives of the people even as he starts the final year of his first term in office.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who also assured Lagos residents that his focus is on completing the many laudable programmes and projects that he started, assured them that he would never allow politicking to get in the way of governance.

Omolara Omosanya/ Omotola Oguneye

 

As the Nation mark this year’s Democracy Day, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says June 12 must become a symbol of unity, of hope, of aspiration for a better tomorrow, one built upon true democratic ideals and practices.

In a statement, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted the democracy being enjoy today in Nigeria was built upon the immense sacrifice that June 12 represented and still represents and also a day to remember June 12, 1993, presidential elections adjudged to be the freest and fairest ever conducted in the country, but was annulled by the military Government.

Pointing out that it was fitting that this year’s commemoration was coming immediately after the first phase of the 2023 political season as the various political parties in the country had in the last four weeks, held Primaries to select their flag bearers for offices, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to let the occasion be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want.

“It is perhaps fitting that we are celebrating this year’s Democracy Day in the immediate aftermath of the first phase of the 2023 political season. We have seen our democracy at work. It is not perfect, but no democracy is. There are still gaps to be closed, and processes to be improved upon, but there is no doubt that the journey we started over two decades ago is fully on course and maturing”

It said; Let Democracy Day be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want. Twenty-nine years ago on this day, Nigerians trooped enthusiastically to the polls, defying stereotypes of ethnicity and religion to prove to ourselves and the world that a new Nigeria is possible. We have since been blessed with a new opportunity to build on the hope and the potential of June 12, 1993. That responsibility is now in our hands, and posterity will not forgive us if we squander it.”

He promised Lagosians that his administration would continue to strive to attain the ultimate goal of a democracy which is to improve the lives of the people even as he starts the final year of his first term in office.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who also assured Lagos residents that his focus is on completing the many laudable programmes and projects that he started, assured them that he would never allow politicking to get in the way of governance.

Omolara Omosanya/ Omotola Oguneye

 

Transportation

Sanwo-Olu Wields Big Stick on Okada Operations in Six Councils

By Web News 407

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has banned the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada in six Local Governments.

The Governor announced the ban is “indefinite and total” during a meeting with Police Chiefs in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu asked the Lagos Police Command and other security agencies to enforce the ban.

The six local governments listed by the Governor are: Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.

Details later

Nation

News Yoruba

Ijoba Ipinle Eko N Gbero Lati Ra Abere Ajesara Arun Covid-19

By Web News 757

Gomina ipinle Eko, Babajide Sanwo-Olu sope eto isejoba toun nlewaju ti bere sini gbe igbese pelu awon to npese abere ajesara covid-19 lona ati naa.

O sope, ijoba ti n gbero lati fun awon olugbe ipinle Eko ida-adota  labere ajasara.

Gomina so eyi nibi ipade kan nilu Eko.  O salaye pe awon eka aladani kan ti fi ife won has si isunna rira abere ajesara naa, yato si igbese tijoba apapo.

Ipinle Eko toni olugbe toni ogun million, ti ni akosile arun covid-19, egberun marundinladota.

 Net/idogbe

Security

CCTV Footage to be Presented to Judicial Panel of Inquiry -Sanwo-Olu

By Web News 546

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed to residents of Lagos State to stay at home and allow the security agents to deal with the breakdown of law and order in the state. 

Speaking in a live television interview in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the carnage witnessed in the state was unnecessary and would hurt the ordinary people more. 

The governor said the people needed to give the government a chance to fix things.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the cameras removed at the Lekki toll gate before the shooting on Tuesday night were for capturing tags on vehicle number plates and that the CCTV footage of what happened would be presented as evidence to the judicial panel of inquiry set up on Monday. 

The governor said he had been in touch with President Muhammadu Buhari and the military authorities for them to clarify why armed soldiers were deployed to the venue of a peaceful protest.

FRCN Abuja

Security

Sanwo-Olu Visits Victims of Lekki Shooting

By Web News 920

Lagos state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that no fewer than 28 people were injured on Tuesday during a shooting in Lekki, Lagos.

#EndSARS protesters say they were targeted.

The governor made this known in a series of tweets on Wednesday after he visited victims who sustained various degrees of gunshot wounds.

Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the victims were receiving medical treatment across three hospitals in the state.

According to him, 10 victims are being treated at the General Hospital, 11 at Reddington, and four hospitalised at Vedic medical facility.

The governor confirmed that the victims sustained mild to moderate levels of injuries, but two were receiving intensive medical care.

He added that three patients have so far been discharged from the hospital.

FRCN Abuja

Security

#EndSars: Gov. Sanwo-Olu declares Curfew in Lagos

By Web News 870

Dear Lagosians, 

I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State.

 As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.

I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October,2020.

Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets. 

Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu 

Governor, Lagos State

Security

#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates judicial committee

By Web News 677

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu today inaugurated a seven-man judicial panel of inquiry into the demands of the ongoing EndSARS protesters.

The demands of the protesters include prosecution of erring officers involved in police brutality, justice and compensation for victims of police irresponsibility and total reform of the police force.

The governor assured protesters across the state that the panel would get to work immediately, as he appealed to Lagosians to put an end to the ongoing protests across the state.

He announced a public helplines and a dedicated email address, [email protected], for citizens to submit petitions to State Judicial Panel on EndSARS matters.

The panel, which has six months to complete its job, is chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi; Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN representing the Civil Society; a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Taiwo Lakanu.

Others are representatives of the Civil Society, Ms Patience Udoh , Human Rights Activist, Mr. Segun Awosanya; Director, Citizens Mediation Center, Mrs. Olutoyin, Odusanya; a representative of the youth-led protest; and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.

Ridwan Fasasi

Health

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates 118-Bed Isolation Centre in Gbagada

By Web News 943

26 Covid-19 free patients; 14 males and 12 females including 2 foreign nationals – a Polish and a Filipino have been discharged in Lagos.

14 of them were discharged from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and 12 from the Onikan Isolation Centre having fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19 in two consecutive readings.

This brings the number of covid-19 confirmed cases that have been successfully managed and discharged in Lagos to 225.

Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated 118-bed Isolation and Treatment Centre located within the premises of Gbagada General Hospital for management of Covid-19 cases.

Within the three floor Isolation and treatment facility are dedicated intensive care isolation unit, ventilators, monitors, respirators, mobile x-ray, ultrasound, oxygen amongst other ultra-odern medical equipment.

During the unveiling, Gov. Sanwo-Olu stated that the existing facility within the Gbagada General Hospital complex which was not in use was converted to the 118-bed bio-security  Isolation and treatment facility to provide additional capacity to already existing ones in the State.

He said: “This facility used to be the Cardiac and Renal Centre but has not been used for sometimes now, so what we have been doing in the last two and a half month is to upscale the facility, finish up with the builders’ work and revamp the entire place to conform to an Isolation Centre.”

The Governor explained that the facility which is now designated for management of COVID19 cases has been demarcated into Green, Yellow and Red Zones in line with Infection Prevention and Control management.

“Green Zone will be for the health workers before they enter into the premises, Yellow Zone is holding Bay for suspected COVID19 cases who are on observation while the Red Zone is for the management of confirmed COVID19 cases”

“The facility has an Independent Power Supply and backup Power Generator for uninterrupted power supply. This facility, I must say is first class and of international standard and has all the trappings of clinical care Unit”

He disclosed that two other isolation facilities dedicated solely for frontline health workers who may come in contact with COVID19 have been completed and will be in use from today.

Omolara Omosanya