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Tag: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

BREAKING: Lagos Govt. Releases White Paper EndSARS Panel Report
The Lagos State Government has released the White Paper on the #EndSARS Panel of Inquiry report.
According to the government, 11 out of the 32 recommendations made by the panel, have been accepted, while one was rejected.
The document also says 14 of the recommendations fall outside the powers of the state and will consequently be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration.
A leaked version of the report had indicted the Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Government in the killing of unarmed protesters and a subsequent cover-up of the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.
But after the panel submitted its findings to Governor Sanwo-Olu, he set up a four-member committee led by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), giving them two weeks to raise the White Paper on the reports submitted by the panel.
At a press briefing earlier today, the Governor said the leakage was “regrettable”.
“While I commend the panel for undertaking its task to the best of its abilities, it is however regrettable that the panel’s work and the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report have generated much tension. Sadly, a deep wound has been reopened,” he added.
The governor, however, assured Lagosians that his administration remains committed to justice and truth.
Speaking further, he announced that he had initiated a peace walk as part of efforts to ensure harmony in the state.
“To quicken recovery and engender a better understanding, I will lead ‘A Walk for Peace’ in December to herald the healing of the land.
“I have extended an open invitation to the youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media, as well as other stakeholders to join me in this peace walk,” Sanwo-Olu said.
November 30, 2021
#EndSARS: Falz, Mr Macaroni reject Gov Sanwo-Olu’s invitation for peace walk
Some EndSARS campaigners including Folarin Falana aka Falz and Debo Adebayo aka Mr Marcaroni have rejected the invite by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to a peace walk for “the healing of Lagos” in December.
The governor in a speech on Tuesday on the Lekki shootings of October 20, 2020, said, “In December, I will be leading A WALK FOR PEACE to herald the healing of our land. Let me use this occasion to extend an open invitation to our youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media as well as other stakeholders to join me.”
Specifically, the governor invited Falana, Adebayo, Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti; Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu; and Commander of Rapid Response Squad CSP Yinka Egbeyemi and others to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”
Sanwo-Olu also said his government will release its White Paper on the report submitted by the EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry on November 15, 2021.
He said, “As an administration, are determined that the next steps that will be taken in this process of coming to terms with the events of October 2020, must bring closure to a painful episode in the history of our state, with the release of the White Paper later today.”
A youth protester, who was also invited by the governor for a walk, Awosanya, lauded Sanwo-Olu for his “leadership”.
@segalink tweeted, “@jidesanwoolu has shown leadership with this matured response and we hope the WhitePaper will mirror his sentiment. We all want closure, Justice and healing for our society. The experience of 20th October 2020 must never be repeated.”
But reacting, the younger Falana, who tweeted via @falzthebahdguy, described the peace walk as a “joke”, insisting that justice must be served for all victims of police brutality.
Also, Adebayo, who tweeted via @mrmacaronii, said he was not ready for any walk, adding that the last “walk” he had, he was stripped naked and dehumanised.
November 30, 2021
Sanwo-Olu Names Survivors Of Ikoyi Building Collapse
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has listed survivors of the Ikoyi building collapse as efforts intensify to rescue more persons.
The governor listed the names and ages of the survivors found under the rubble of the 21-storey structure during his visit to the site on Wednesday.
He noted that while six of the survivors are still being treated, three others have been discharged but Governor Sanwo-Olu did not, however, disclose their identities.
Below is the list of survivors of the Ikoyi building collapse:
1. Odutan Timileyin is a 26-year-old man.
2. Ahmed Kenleku: A 19-year-old man from Cotonou, the Benin Republic.
3. Sunday Monday: The 21-year-old had a leg fracture.
4. Adeniran Mayowa: This survivor, the governor noted, suffered a hip injury.
5. Shola Bade Nurudeen: He is 33 and had a pelvic injury.
6. Waliu Lateef is 32-year-old.
Sanwo-Olu, who described the incident where over 20 persons have died so far as a national disaster, said: “mistakes were made from all angles.”
“This is an event that could be described clearly as a national disaster. Mistakes were made from all angles,” he said, adding that such an event “really should not be happening in a modern-day city like Lagos.”
He also condoled the families and loved ones of victims of the building collapse, assuring that there will be a probe into the matter.
In the wake of the incident, the governor had suspended the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki.
“You can rest assured that if they are other people that are found in the course of the investigation, they will face the full wrath of the law,” the governor added during the visit to the building collapse site.
According to him, there was no manifest to indicate those who were on the building site, a development he said is hindering rescue efforts.
The building – a high-rise under construction by Fourscore Homes, a Lagos-based real estate firm and located along Gerrard Road – collapsed on Monday afternoon.
While it is unclear the number of people in the building at the time of the collapse, witnesses say dozens may have been trapped.
November 3, 2021
BREAKING: Lagos announces restriction for council poll
Lagos State has announced restriction of movement from 8:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday for the local government elections.
Reports gathered that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) will conduct elections in the 20 LGAs, 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos.
A statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, explained: “The restriction is to enable the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) conduct hitch-free elections into positions of Chairmen and Councillors in all the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
“The restriction will facilitate the ease of movement of the electorate, election materials and LASIEC officials for the sanctity of the election, effective monitoring and enhanced security.
“All eligible voters are urged to participate in the elections, which require the cooperation of all residents.”
July 22, 2021
Gbajabiamila congratulates Sanwo-Olu for emergence as Vanguard Personality of the Year
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, for emerging as the Vanguard Newspaper’s Personality of the Year 2019/2020.
Gbajabiamila said he was not surprised at Sanwo-Olu’s choice by the Vanguard Newspaper as the governor’s superlative performance in office speaks for itself.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Sanwo-Olu would go down as one of the most dedicated and committed leaders Lagos State has ever produced.
Gbajabiamila congratulated the people of Lagos State for having Sanwo-Olu as their governor at this time and thanked the Vanguard Newspaper for giving honour to whom it is due.
The Speaker said he believed the award of Personality of the Year would spur the Lagos State governor to do more for Lagosians.
July 18, 2021
Gbajabiamila celebrates Sanwo-Olu at 56
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his 56th birthday.
Gbajabiamila said Sanwo-Olu has proven to be a man of the people since he assumed office two years ago.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker described Sanwo-Olu as a silent achiever, whose performance in office speaks for itself.
The Speaker said it is not a mere coincidence that he and the Lagos State governor share the same birthday, noting that they have a lot in common, especially in the area of serving the people.
Gbajabiamila recalled how Sanwo-Olu had sleepless nights at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year to ensure that the people of Lagos were safe, being the worst-hit state in the country.
He said following the destruction of both public and private property in the state during the EndSars protests, Governor Sanwo-Olu did his best to rebuild the state, a development he described as commendable.
“We all thank God for the life of His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, my birthday mate. Lagosians are proud of him, and indeed Nigerians are proud of him.
“I believe in the next two years, Lagos State will witness massive development much more than what we saw in the past two years.
“One can only pray for more years in good health and continuous God’s protection for our governor,” Gbajabiamila said.
June 24, 2021
COVID-19: Lagos Govt Asks Civil Servants To Work From Home For Another Two Weeks
The Lagos State government has directed all public servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to continue working from home for another two weeks.
It explained that the extension order to the workers who were expected to resume on Monday followed the increase in recorded cases of COVID-19 in the state.
The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the workers would now resume on January 18, 2021, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, revealed in a statement on Sunday.
Noting that essential duty staff and first responders were excluded from the directive, he urged all the public servants to stay safe and keep adhering to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic in the shortest possible time.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s directive was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, to members of the State Executive Council and all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Sunday.
The circular entitled “Re: Stemming the Tide of the Second Wave Of COVID-19 Pandemic” also stated that the Year 2021 First Work Day Prayer Session for all public servants in Lagos State would be held virtually on Monday.
It read:
Sequel to Head of Service Circular Ref. No: CIR/HOS/’20/Vol.1/139 of 18th December 2020 on stemming the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the state, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has further directed all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to continue working from home till Monday, 18th January 2021.
Expectedly, the directive excludes Essential Duty Staff, as well as First Responders.
Furthermore, while wishing all staff, a prosperous and fulfilling year, please be informed that the Y2021 First Work Day Prayer Session for all Public Servants in Lagos State shall be held in line with tradition on Monday 4th January 2020.
However, in keeping with COVID-19 Protocols, the session shall be held via zoom and streamed live on Facebook.
In addition, all public servants are enjoined to stay safe and to keep adhering to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic in the shortest possible time.
All heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are urged to note the contents of this circular for compliance and give it the deserved Service-wide publicity.
January 3, 2021
Sanwo-Olu signs executive order to rebuild Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday signed an executive order for the rebuilding of the state as a result of the massive destruction inflicted by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests.
Sanwo-Olu also constituted the Lagos State Rebuilding Trust Fund to oversee the rebuilding of every aspect of the state and also look at the future and healing of wounds.
November 4, 2020
Lekki shootings: Panel gets vote of no confidence
The Progressive Yoruba Youth (PYY) has passed a vote of no confidence on the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry.
The panel was set up to investigate police brutality and high handedness across the State.
The group said the panel has so far come short of high expectations of Lagosians.
The group’s National President, Kola Salawu, made their position known at a press conference on Tuesday in Lagos.
PYY said that Lagos risks another outbreak of violence if the panel fails to get to the root of matters about human rights abuses.
The Yoruba youth group said that due to pressure from Sanwo-Olu, the panel may not arrive at a fair, objective and just conclusions on what transpired at Lekki.
The group wants the panel to be disbanded and the body of tainted evidence it has collected so far must be discountenanced.
“Our specific reference is to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanw-Oolu to look into incidence of brutality and human rights abuses by operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)” the group said.
With the developments at the panel, PYY said there could be a miscarriage of justice if care was not taken.
PYY pointed out that while setting up the panel, Lagosian had hope and expected that things will move on smoothly.
It cried out that the panel is becoming more of a circus show, adding that a member of the panel has been running riot all over the public opinion space and making comments that are prejudicial to the eventual outcome of whatever work the panel does.
PYY lamented that at the moment the Sanwo-Olu panel has fallen into the trap of a made-for-television reality show.
“In a situation where the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry continues along the line of previous panels that failed, it means that we potentially risk another outbreak of violence,” the youths warned.
The group further alleged that from its findings, the panel is acting from a script, one written and clandestinely handed to it by Governor Sanwo-Olu when setting it up.
Recall that the Women for Peace, Justice and Human Rights had during week called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stay away from the state’s Panel of Inquiry and Restitution probing the alleged shooting of End SARS protesters in Lekki toll gate.
The group said the panel was a charade put together to deceive people of the State and absolve Sanwo-Olu of any wrongdoing in the Lekki toll gate incident.
November 4, 2020
BEAKING: Lagos state government relaxes curfew, now 8pm to 6am
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reviewed the curfew imposed on the state to curb the civil unrest in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests against police brutality.
The governor made this known on Sunday evening in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
The commissioner stated, “The curfew in Lagos State has been reviewed. Restriction time is now 8 pm to 6 am.
“Lagosians are enjoined to plan their journey times as they go about their lawful businesses. Public schools remain shut till further notice.”
Sanwo-Olu had eased the 24-hour curfew on Friday to start from 6pm to 8am.
Details later…
October 25, 2020