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Tag: Lagos State

Lagos State Doctors Shelve Strike as Gov Meets Demands
Following agreements reached with the state government yesterday, medical doctors in Lagos who have been part of the nationwide strike action called by the Nation Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will resume duties immediately, the state government has said.
The government in a statement signed by its Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has met some of the requests of the issues which led the NARD to embark on the industrial action since last month.
According to the statement, Sanwo-Olu got the doctors’ union leaders smiling after a meeting at his office at Alausa, Ikeja where he told them that there was no need to have joined the strike in solidarity with their colleagues in other places because the state government had performed its duties to them.
He said among the issues discussed was the circular issued by the Head of Service (HOS) removing Housemanship and NYSC Doctors from the Scheme of Service.
The residents appealed to the Lagos Governor to revoke or suspend the circular. The HOS explained the importance of domesticating decisions made at the federal level.
“The Medical Residency Training Act, which makes provision for sponsorship of Resident Doctors training to be Specialists in Federal or State Medical Schools was also discussed. Mr Governor in April had approved for the state government to fully sponsor Resident Doctors in the State (100% of the fund). He further directed full implementation of the state’s support of both the exams and update courses that lead to qualification as specialists in various fields of medicine.
“Mr Governor approved the recruitment of over 150 new resident doctors and medical officers to reduce the human resource deficit in the public service of the state to improve the patient-doctor ratio in the state hospitals.
“Mr Governor approved the commencement of the building of the Medical Residents Quarters at LASUTH as well as other medical staff quarters across the State.
“On the discrepancy between the remuneration packages of the state and federal doctors in the public service, Mr. Governor approved the final tranche of 25 per cent difference to complete the harmonisation.”
The meeting was with members of the Lagos State Medical Guild, including executives of the Lagos State branch of the Association of Residents Doctors (ARD). Besides, Governor Sanwo-Olu, others government officials were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Health Commissioner, Prof Akin Abayomi, the Chief Medical Director ( CMD) LASUTH, Prof, O. Fabanwo and Health Service Commission (HSC) Chairman Dr Atinuke Onaiga and Dr Sodipo Oluwajimi, Chairman Medical Guild and Dr Ajibowo Ismail, Secretary Medical Guild,
On the other hands, the doctors in attendant were: Dr. Sodipo Oluwajimi – Chairman Medical Guild; Dr Ajibowo Ismail – Secretary Medical Guild; Dr. Ojekunle Azeez – President ARD, Dr Salmon Abeeb LASUTH Oladapo – Secretary LASUTH Association of Resident Doctors.
September 7, 2021
Lagos ranked 56th safest city in the world
Lagos has ranked 56th safest city in the world in a research list published by The Economist
The research, which is published by The Economist every two years, ranked Copenhagen in Denmark as the safest city in the world, a position previously held by Tokyo.
The report ranked the safety ratings of cities around the world based on five distinct categories: Digital Security, Health Security, Infrastructure Security, Personal Security, and the newly incorporated Environmental Security.
Copenhagen outranked former leaders Tokyo in four out of the five categories, with the Japanese capital only ranking higher on health security.
The Danish capital received an overall safety score of 82.4 and was closely followed by Toronto which was scored 82.2.
Despite this, the Danish capital only led the world one of the five categories – Personal Security.
When asked in the report about what makes Copenhagen such a safe city, lord mayor Lars Weiss said: ‘One key factor that makes Copenhagen such a safe city is its low crime rate, currently at its lowest level in more than a decade. We focus greatly on early intervention with preventive initiatives.
‘Copenhagen is also characterised by great social cohesion and a relatively narrow wealth gap. It is a mixed city where both the cleaning assistant and the CEO meet each other at the local supermarket and have their kids in the same school.’
Despite this, the lord mayor did concede that the city still has a problem dealing with ‘repeat youth offenders’.
Commenting on ranking Copenhagen as their safest city, the Economist wrote: ‘Toronto and Copenhagen do noticeably better in the new environmental security pillar than do any of the top-three cities from earlier years.
‘Copenhagen is definitely a worthy overall leader and Toronto a well-deserving runner-up, but as much because of long-term success in making residents secure as from any particular improvements in the last two years.’
See the Economist’s 2021 safest cities.
1. Copenhagen
2. Toronto
3. Singapore
4. Sydney
5. Tokyo
6. Amsterdam
7. Wellington
8. Hong Kong
9. Melbourne
10. Stockholm
11. Barcelona
12. New York
13. Frankfurt
14. Washington, DC
15. London
16. San Francisco
17. Osaka
18. Los Angeles
19. Zurich
20. Chicago
21. Madrid
22. Dallas
23. Paris
24. Taipei
25. Seoul
26. Brussels
27. Milan
28. Lisbon
29. Rome
30. Shanghai
31. Abu Dhabi
32. Kuala Lumpur
33. Santiago
34. Buenos Aires
35. Dubai
36. Beijing
37. Istanbul
38. Moscow
39. Rio de Janeiro
40. Sao Paulo
41. Bogota
42. Mexico City
43. Bangkok
44. Quito
45. Ho Chi Minh City
46. Jakarta
47. Johannesburg
48. New Delhi
49. Riyadh
50. Mumbai
51. Manila
52. Baku
53. Kuwait City
54. Dhaka
55. Casablanca
56. Lagos
57. Cairo
58. Caracas
59. Karachi
60. Yangon
August 27, 2021
Stray bullet kills 14-year-old girl at Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos
A yoghurt seller, identified simply as Jumoke, has been killed by bullets reportedly fired by a security operative dispersing Yoruba Nation agitators at Ojota, Lagos State.
Our correspondent, who sighted the girl’s corpse, observed that bullets had ripped open the victim’s stomach. She is said to be 14 years old.
She was reportedly displaying drinks at a shop when the bullet hit her.
Her body has been covered with a piece of cloth as a crowd gathered at the spot.
Daybreak had reported that despite the heavy presence of armed policemen and soldiers around the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, agitators of Yoruba Nation had started coming out in their numbers.
They were chanting different kinds of freedom songs, including, “No going back,” “We want Oodua Nation,” among others.
So far, the rally is going on peacefully without harassment from security agents.
The agitators surfaced around 11.20 am while the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, was addressing journalists.
Some of the agitators who spoke to newsmen said it was time to have a separate nation for the Yoruba ethnic group because they don’t have anything in common with the other ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Details later…
July 3, 2021
#June12Protest: Security Operatives Take Over Lagos Protest Ground
Security operatives have barricaded the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos, where some residents had planned to stage a protest.
An Armoured Personnel Carrier is stationed at the entrance of the park while there are Hilux vans at strategic spots.
Armed officers are also fully on ground, with no single protester in sight.
The every-busy Ikorodu road is deserted as traders have closed shops while a few vehicles are on the road.
Most residents have chosen to stay indoors, apparently to avoid being caught in any clash between security operatives and protesters.
Citing the rising insecurity and economic hardship, some persons had fixed June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, for the protest.
But the police repeatedly warned that protest would not be allowed in any part of the state.
In a statement on Friday, the police asked residents to disregard any sit-at-home circulated on social media.
Muyiwa Adejobi, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, urged residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses.
“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of any planned protest in Lagos State to commemorate the 2021 Democracy Day on Saturday, 12th June, 2021,” the statement read.
“In this regard, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore appeals to members of the public to disregard any sit-at-home order called by certain groups which is being circulated on the social media and go about their lawful businesses, as the police and other security agencies have made necessary arrangements to maintain law and order across the state.”
Popularly known as Freedom Park, the Gani Fawehinmi Park was where the massive Occupy Nigeria protest, which shook the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, held in 2012.
Meanwhile, there is normalcy in most parts of Lagos State.
On Saturday morning, our correspondent witnessed the usual vehicular and human movements across Ikeja, Agege, Mangoro, among other parts of Nigeria’s commercial capital.
June 12, 2021
Another #EndSARS looms as Falana, Falz, others protest insecurity, poverty in Lagos
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), and his Musician son, Folarin, aka Falz, along with scores of Lagosians took to the streets on Monday to protest against the insecurity and poverty ravaging the country.
The protesters, under the aegis of the Peoples Alternative Political Movement, marched from the busy Ikeja Bus Stop to the Governor’s Office through the Secretariat to the Lagos State House of Assembly chanting protest songs.
The movement is a coalition of hundreds of groups including the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates, the Alliance On Surviving COVID 19 And Beyond; Joint Action Front; Coalition Of Northern Groups; Green Alliance Nigeria; CONGOS – Edo; North East Development Association and their respective affiliates.
The demonstration, which was tagged, ‘Enough is Enough’, lasted for several hours as youths carried placards which read, ‘No to Exploitation and Multiple Taxation’, ‘Provide Jobs or Unemployment Benefits for Youths’, ‘Provide Security in Schools’, ‘End Kidnapping and Banditry’ and ‘Stop Killings, Secure Nigeria’.
The protesters, which included trade unions, civil society, students, farmers and peasants, were led by Jaye Gaskiya, a foremost activist.
Gaskiya said the protest was organised to express displeasure over how badly the country had degenerated.
He expressed worry that Nigeria, characterised by extreme poverty, arms proliferation, religious intolerance, the rise of hate and ethnic nationalism is moving towards social upheavals due to exploitation of the people, greed and avarice of a spineless political class that has reached its wits end.
A statement issued captured seven key demands which include the immediate convening of the Nigeria Police Council to discuss the security challenges and an end to the arbitrary sacking of workers.
It further stated, “We reject any plans to further hike energy costs – in price of fuel and electricity tariff; as these costs are not only already at unbearable levels, but also because these price hikes are the major cause of rising and unbearable costs of living, expressed in rising inflation.”
May 31, 2021
Lagos Govt To Launch Buses To Replace Motorcycles, Tricycles
The Lagos State Government has announced that it would launch buses to replace motorcycles popularly known as Okada and tricycles known as Keke to ply inner roads in the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Monday during a security stakeholder’s town hall meeting in Ikeja, adding that over 500 minibusses would be deployed next week.
He said the move is to alleviate the pain residents of the state go through following the restriction of motorcycle and tricycle operations.
“We are excited to announce that next week, we will be launching what we term the ‘Last Mile Buses’ that will ply inner roads and safely get commercial passengers to their final destinations,” he said.
“We envisage deploying over 500 of these buses to alleviate the pain associated with the restriction of motorcycle and tricycle operations.
“We also envisage that this initiative will also generate employment opportunities for Lagosians, including the commercial motorcyclist operators, who will be employed as operators of the Last Mile Buses.”
The governor said his administration would relaunch the State Residents Card very soon, to ensure that the database of Lagos residents is kept up to date.
According to him, the database will form a critical part of the state’s security architecture, noting that it will ensure that the government knows who is who, at any point in time.
On cultism-related activities, Sanwo-Olu recalled that he “recently signed into law the Prohibition of Unlawful Societies and Cultism Act of 2021.”
He said the move was necessitated by the fact that criminal gangs have been unleashing violence and causing mayhem in and around the state.
He added, “The law prescribes a 21-year jail term for convicted cultists. The new law strengthens the penalties applicable to cultists, and expands coverage to the entire society, unlike the old law which was restricted to cultism by students of tertiary institutions.
“With the passage of this new law, it will help in widening the dragnet in the hunt and prosecution of these nefarious gangs intent on sowing fear and chaos in the State.”
May 11, 2021
Lagos JUSUN calls off Strike, resumes
Judicial workers have resumed full duty in Lagos state after a 23-day strike to press home demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary.
Their resumption followed a directive by the Administrative Department of the Lagos State Judiciary.
Although all departments of the state judiciary have opened, the courts are yet to commence sitting.
Details shortly…
April 29, 2021
We’ll continue to contribute towards Development of Lagos – Gbajabiamila
…commends Sanwo-Olu
Members of the National Assembly from Lagos State will continue to contribute their quota and complement the state government towards the development of the state, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.
Gbajabiamila said “Lagos remains the centre of innovation, the preferred destination for investment and home to more Nigerians than anywhere else in the country,” hence the need for all Lagosians to continue to work assiduously to make the state better.
Speaking at the 16th Executive/Legislative Parley of Lagos State with the theme ‘A Consensus Agenda for Rebuilding Lagos,’ on Friday, the Speaker commended the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the excellent leadership he has been demonstrating since he came on board.
He said Lagos has “faced a public health crisis, unlike anything that has ever come before. For weeks, Lagos was the arena for protests against police abuse of power. We experienced an explosion of violence that caused the destruction of public and private properties and the unfortunate loss of lives.
“But as the poet wrote, the storm passed through us and around us, it has gone, but we remain. Surviving challenges and marching on towards progress and prosperity is the story of Lagos state.
“Amid a global pandemic, despite the protests and upheavals, and all the other varied challenges, Lagos remains the centre of innovation, the preferred destination for investment and home to more Nigerians than anywhere else in the country.”
He said despite the upheavals, Governor, Sanwo-Olu “picked up the pieces and is gradually taking the state out of the ruins of those dark moments. The Governor, his cabinet members and other arms of the state government are not alone in this rebuilding process. You have the unwavering support of members of the National Assembly from this state.”
The Speaker added that Lagos state is a trust placed in the hands all of Lagosians who serve in government, saying they must show that they are worthy of the responsibility to honour and preserve that trust.
“This gathering is an opportunity for an honest appraisal of where we are and what we need to do to recover what is lost.
“I urge us all to make the most of it.
We need unity across the arms of government. This unity does not mean subservience and is not a justification for failure to hold each other to the highest standards.
“The way the Lagos state government has come together to seek solutions to problems, confront and overcome challenges jointly is a testimony to what can be achieved when we are together. Nation-building is a joint task, as is the pursuit of excellence.
“We must do everything within our collective power to defend this state from those who will seek to turn our differences against us and cause our strength of unity and tolerance to become our weakness.
“It is pleasing to inform you that as your elected representatives in the National Assembly, we have exercised our privileges in attracting more federal presence to our various constituencies and senatorial districts.
“From my own constituency in Surulere to Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and many other parts, you will see us complementing the efforts of the Lagos State Government. None of these projects could have been achieved without the support of Ministries and Parastatals of the state government.
“We need each other to succeed in fulfilling our electoral promises to our people. The recent events have placed higher responsibilities on every one of us seated here. I am confident every one of us will work together for a greater Lagos.”
February 26, 2021
First Civilian Governor Of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande, dies at 91
The first Civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande is dead. He died on Thursday at the age if 91.
Jakande, aka Baba Kekere, brought a lot of development to Lagos as governor between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983, in line with the five cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria founded by a former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the passage of the elder statesman in a statement.
He wrote, “With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator and the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
“Baba Jakande’s record of service as a journalist of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements as governor of Lagos State will remain indelible for generations to come.
“His death is a colossal loss and he will be missed.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Baba Jakande.
“May Allah grant him Aljanat Firdaus, Aamin.”
February 11, 2021
COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu extends work from home for civil servants
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended the work from home order to civil servants in the State.
Sanwo-Olu gave the order to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Following the resurgence of COVID-19, the State government had ordered workers from Grade Level 14 and below to work from home.
But, workers across most sectors have been directed to resume on Monday, January 18, 2021.
However, a tweet by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile reads: “Breaking: Gov @jidesanwoolu has extended work from home order for civil servants on Grade Level 14 and below from Monday January 18 to February 1. A circular by @HMOKUNOLA1 Stated that decision was taken by the Gov to successfully curtail the spread of the #COVID19 in the State.”
January 16, 2021