AGRICULTURE, A LIFE-WIRE TO NIGERIA'S DWINDLING ECONOMY

From L-R Capt. Hosa Okubor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Edo State Gov. Godwin Obaseki

The Edo State Government in her bid to create a better economy for the state has promised to encourage conducive business working environment. The State has come to realise that with agriculture, there will be increase in food supply as well as enormous employment opportunity for the citizens of the state.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday received in audience, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Billionaire businessman, Capt. Hosa Okubor, as part of government’s efforts to create conducive business environment in the state.

A government house statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, said Obasanjo was in Government House to give his blessings to Governor Obaseki, his policies and programmes, especially in the area of job creation, industrialization and wealth creation.

The statement added that both investors - ex-President Obasanjo and Okunbor had visited “Wells Sam Carlos Farm” in within Benin metropolis – along Sapele Road Bye-Pass before calling on Mr. Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

It said former president Obasanjo, who parried reoporters’ questions said “I have come to visit the Governor and the Governor has accepted my visit.’’

In his normal humorous manner, Chief Obasanjo said, “I come salute Governor and Governor don pick my salute. That one no do?”

When prodded further, he said again, “I say, I come greet Governor, I come salute Governor and Governor don pick my salute,” and laughed his way through the crowd of reporters who besieged him to extract words over his visit.

It is recalled that Capt. Okunbor had recently started a multi-billion naira agro-allied business in the State in partnership with a Mexican firm, Wells Sam Carlos Farm worth $750million (about N150 billion).

The farm, designed to create 85,000 jobs in the State, will create 25,000 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs.

AMBODE URGES PRIVATE SECTOR TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR SECURITY TRUST FUND

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has urged private sector to increase support for Security Trust Fund (STF)

He said these through his deputy on Tuesday and promised that the State Government will continue to take the front seat in ensuring that security agencies in the State especially the Police are well equipped to continue to safeguard the lives and property of Lagosians.

The Governor, who spoke at the 10th Town Hall Meeting on Security held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), said though security is an expensive business, his administration would continue to make the necessary sacrifice that would ensure that residents, visitors and investors in the State can feel safe to move about and carry out their lawful businesses.

He said the LSSTF, established 10 years ago to fill the gap in the equipment, training and logistics deficiencies for security agencies operating in the State has however been limited by lack of resources to provide the needed equipment to wage war against all forms of criminal activities.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, said the State was extremely proud of the support it has received so far from the private sector, noting that through the Trust Fund, they have so far demonstrated the understanding that security was indeed everybody’s business and a high sense of corporate social responsibility.

“We have improved security in our State and we are very grateful to all those who have committed to making contributions to the Fund over the years. Our collective efforts have also made our security model a standard for others to follow,” he said.

The Governor recalled that the efforts of the State Government in supporting security agencies recently came to fore in Johannesburg, South Africa where the Rapid Response (RRS) Squad of the State Police Command was awarded “Best Anti-Crime Police Squad in West Africa” while the Commander RRS, ACP Olatunji Disu, was awarded “Most Outstanding Police Operational Officer in Africa” just as the Lagos State Government got the award for “Best Security and Most Safety Conscious State in Africa”.

He however said that the successes achieved so far must be sustained, saying that it would require more concerted efforts from the private sector to complement government’s efforts in equipping the security agencies with modern equipment.

“In recent times, we have had to deal with a few more untraditional crimes such as kidnapping and terrorism. These crimes, coupled with the harsh economic condition in Nigeria has made our security situation even more challenging. The truth is that it is our collective resolve that has protected us from unimaginable security breaches.

“Security is today a big challenge for most key city-States in the world even with the most sophisticated security apparatus. We must therefore salute the gallantry and collaboration of our various security agencies for using the assets we have provided for them to protect us.”

“I wish to state that our government would continue to take the front seat in supporting our security agencies in the state. But you all must also play your part as responsible citizens of Lagos to ensure the future worthy of the Centre of Excellence”, Governor Ambode said.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the LSSTF, Mr Oye Hassan- Odukale, said that the Fund has fully come of age as an organisation that is fully committed to the safety and security of all Lagosians.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, said the security in the State has improved drastically owing to the interventions by the State Government through the donation of equipment worth over N1.6billion in the last one year with private sector support of about N440million in cash and 19 patrol vehicles.

Also in his presentation, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, explained that against the backdrop of numerous challenges, Lagos State witnessed tremendous improvement in crime management, adding that in assessing the state of safety and security, Lagos can be adjudged as relatively peaceful and secured.

One of the discussants and a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Umaru Manko, said the idea of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, has given leverage to policing in the State, adding that Lagos has over the years shown its capacity to successfully run state policing.

At the meeting, corporate organisations, individuals and stakeholders made donations towards the sustenance of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

AMBODE PRESENTS N813 BILLION YEAR 2017 BUDGET PROPOSAL TO LAHA

Lagos State Governor - Akinwunmi Ambode

…Earmarks 63% to Capital Expenditure, 37% for Recurrent

… Infrastructure, Education, Health sectors get lion share

…Budget to accommodate 4th Mainland Bridge, Lagos Airport Road

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday presented the Year 2017 Budget proposal of N813billion (eight Hundred and Thirteen Billion Naira) to the House of Assembly, assuring that the budget would be judiciously implemented to continue the massive infrastructural renewal and the enhancement of Lagos as one of the foremost tourism and investment destination in Africa.

The Governor, who christened the 2017 budget as “The Golden Jubilee Budget” as it coincides with the State’s 50th Anniversary, said it would focus on physical infrastructure, while social sectors especially health, education, youth and social development would get adequate attention.

Giving the key components of budget, Governor Ambode said recurrent expenditure would gulp N300.535billion while N512.464billion would be dedicated to capital expenditure, representing a Capital/Recurrent ratio of 63 percent to 37 percent.

According to the Governor, road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance would be one of the key focuses of the budget, adding that efforts would be geared towards roads that will open up the hinterlands, improve connectivity in the State and reduce travel time.

He listed some of the road projects to include Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi, Agric-Isawo-Owotu-Arepo Road in Ikorodu, Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, Ijegun Imore Phase II Amuwo in Ojo axis, Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka in Epe, Epe-Poka-Mojoda in the Epe axis and the completion of the Abule-Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema flyovers.

The Governor also said that within the course of the budget implementation, his administration would enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to execute some road projects including Oke Oso-Itoikin dualisation Project in the Epe axis, Okokomaiko-Seme Road Project in Badagry axis and Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu Ode Road Project in Ikorodu axis, just as he disclosed that the Phase II of the 114 Local Government Roads project as well as the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge would also kick off in 2017.

“In the course of the 2017 Financial Year, we shall carry out fundamental reforms on all our modes of transportation – Roads, Water and the Walkways. In this wise, a Public Transport Infrastructure Bond will be issued in the course of the year".

“The State Government will embark on the Urbanisation of the Marina axis, Waterways Channelization, establishment of more Parks and Gardens as well as the Community Sports Centres and Stadiums in different locations across the State".

“We will fully implement the Medical Health Insurance Scheme and deploy e-Health/ e-insurance Health Service solutions; and complete the on-going upgrading and extension work in the State General Hospitals and Ayinke House in Ikeja. Work will commence on our Medical Park in the 2017 fiscal year,” Governor Ambode said".

On the revenue expected from federal Allocation, the Governor said a conservative approach was taken owing to the falling oil prices, which according to him, was about $41.98per barrel at the time of finalising the budget.

He however expressed optimism that the State would get an increase in Federal allocation through the 13 percent derivation from Oil & Gas in 2017.

“In view of our financing gap, we shall continue to sustain deficit financing in the short-to-medium term; enhance revenue growth throughout the year on several initiatives including automation and efficient revenue administration".

Giving a sectoral breakdown of the 2017 Budget Estimates, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade said the Governor earmarked N205.85billion for General Public Services representing 25.32 percent of the budget, N36.43billion to Public Order and Safety, representing 4.48 percent, while Economic Affairs received a lion share of N295.84billion representing 36.39 percent.

In other sectors, Ashade told journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa Secretariat that Environment got 56.31billion, representing 6.93 percent, Health got 57.29billion representing 7.05 percent, while Education got N92.4billion representing 11.37 percent of the budget.

The Commissioner said the Budget would be funded from a total revenue estimate of N642.849billion while the balance of N170.150billion would be funded through a N100bn Bond Issuance program and a combination of internal and external loans.

Receiving the Budget, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, commended the Governor for keeping faith with the 2016 budget in the area of implementation, adding that Lagos has witnessed a quantum leap in the last one year.

Obasa, while assuring the Governor that members of the House would give the 2017 fiscal document due diligence for the benefit of Lagosians, called on the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to furnish the House with all the necessary documents to enable it fast-track the budget approval process.

The Lagos Speaker also seized the occasion to call on the Senate to reconsider the Special Status Bill for Lagos State, saying there was no better time to accord the State such recognition.

Dignitaries present at the event include former speakers of the House of Assembly including party chieftains, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.

LASG TO GIVE CASH RATHER THAN FOOD STUFF DURING YULETIDE

In a bid to put a smile on the faces of Lagos State workers this Yuletide, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said he would increase their salaries rather than distributing bags of rice which has been a tradition prior to this time.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has said his government will not be giving out christmas rice and other items that are usually distributed by the State Government during the yuletide season.

According to a circular numbered 153 and signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, the Governor will instead increase workers basic salaries by 25 percent. Sources who chose to be anonymous said the Governor decided to cancel the giving out of Christmas rice because not every worker usually get it.

They said the Governor knows it has not been a transparent process in the past and so he will be cancelling the exercise this year and increase workers’ salaries instead, to ensure every worker gets a Christmas gift.

Congratulations Lagos State Workers. 

Special Announcement To The Newly Admitted LASU Students (2016/2017 Session)

Akinwunmi Lewis - Registrar LASU

Special Announcement To The Newly Admitted Students (2016/2017 Session)

This is to inform all newly admitted students into Lagos State University's various undergraduate (Full Time) programmes who have their courses changed from the one originally applied for at JAMB, to immediately visit JAMB website to apply for a change of course.

This directive, which must be carried out within 48 hours (on/before Wednesday 30, 2016), is compulsory so as to enable JAMB process and release the admission letters of affected candidates, a precondition for clearance and registration.

This exercise is at a cost of Two Thousand, Five Hundred (N2,500:00) Naira Only, which must be paid online directly to JAMB.

This directive is compulsory and should be strictly adhered to, failure which, the candidate(s) admission shall be withdrawn.

LEWIS, Akinwunmi Oladapo 

Registrar & Secretary