Lagos State Government has extended its work-from-home policy for its workers for the next three months.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the extension in a circular signed by the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, on Feb. 28, the governor directed that the workers would work remotely on some days.
He directed that workers on grade levels 01 to 14 were allowed to work from home for two days in a week, while those on grade level 15 to 17 were allowed to work from home for one day in a week.
The decision was aimed at reducing the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the workers.
Sanwo-Olu stated in the Wednesday’s circular that the policy made positive impacts on workers’ productivity in the various ministries, departments and agencies of the state government.
NAN reports that the extension took effect from Sept. 4. (NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng)
By Adebola Adegoke/Mariam Akande
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) Activity have awarded 841,217 dollars grant to support seven organisations to improve hygiene services in Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grant approved by USAID will be implemented through the Capacity Building, Research, and Advocacy Fund.
It is to strengthen the sustainability and help Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in delivering safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The recipient organisations include the Clean Borehole Water Sellers Association of Lagos, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Optimal Greening Foundation, Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP).
Others are Development Communications Network, Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction and Urban Resilience, and Organisation for Peaceful Society in Africa.
Some of the grantees spoke to NAN at the sidelines of an orientation workshop organised by USAID and LUWASH in Lagos.
The three-day workshop was to strengthen the technical and managerial capabilities of the grantee organisations and ensure they utilise the grants for successful outcomes of their interventions.
Mrs Anthonia Bakare, Project Lead, Lagos State Civil Society Partnership for Development, said their project was aimed at tackling inefficiencies in the water sector, especially the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC).
“Even in areas where the corporation is supposed to provide water, they are not available.
“So, our intervention is aimed at checking what is happening in terms of government investment into the sector.
“We are going to start by carrying out studies to find out the budget that the government has been investing for the past few years and what policies are available guiding water resource management in the state.
“To ensure sustainability, we are going to be engaging community members, civil society groups and community based organisations,” Bakare said.
She added that the project, expected to run for 16 months, would 10 target communities namely Agege, Abesan, Baruwa, Ikoyi/Obalende, Saka Tinubu, Lekki, Badore, Iju, Isokan (Bariga) and Surulere
Mrs Bimbo Eluwole, the General Secretary, Clean Borehole Water Sellers Association of Lagos State, said the project would span a period of 18 months with activities such as mapping, needs assessment, training, and surveys on boreholes in Lagos State.
Eluwole said the project is targeted at ensuring people have access to clean and safe borehole water by bringing the sellers under regulations.
“We want to regulate every borehole water seller and charity provider such as churches and mosques and train them on how to install filters, test their water and meet up with regulatory standards.
“Our intervention will also include providing youth empowerment by training them to take up selling water as a business.
“We are collaborating with the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, the Lagos Water Corporation and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,” she said.
She said the intervention would also create an avenue to sensitise the communities on cholera prevention and control.
“Some people dig their borehole close to their septic tank and even release faecal to the gutters which are close to the borehole.
“This means we are guilty and we have a lot of work to do,” she said.
Mr Akin Jimoh, Programme Director, Development Communications Network, said the intervention would focus on building the capacity of community-based organisations in governance, resource mobilisation and sustainability in providing quality WASH services.
“The provision of clean water is important. Governments private organisations and individuals need to be able provide services according to the rules and standards.
“Our grant contract is for 18 months and we intend to work in three local government areas, six community development associations and 30 community-based organisations,” he said.
Earlier in his presentation, the Deputy Chief of Party LUWASH, Mr John Soni, said the grant would be managed in compliance with USAID and U.S. Government regulations governing Grants Under Contracts, as well as LUWASH’s internal grant management policies.
According to him, the organisations will implement interventions aimed at improving Menstrual Hygiene Management practices, establishing the Citizens-led Accountability and Inclusion Mechanism for WASH service delivery.
“One of the grants will facilitate effective fecal sludge management and restore water supply and sanitation facilities in the Okobaba community in Ebute Metta East, Lagos Mainland Local Government, among other initiatives,” he said.
He urged the grantees to prioritise the USAID LUWASH principles in implementing their interventions.
“The LUWASH project principles include gender, equity and social inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, youth engagement, private sector engagement, collaboration, and do no harm principles,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
By Oluwatope Lawanson
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), an independent civil society-led transnational democracy solidarity network, has urged collaboration between Civil Societies and Creatives to drive social change in the region.
Dr Kojo Asante of WADEMOS made the call at the launch of ‘DemoCreatives’, in collaboration with Yiaga Africa, Centre for Democracy Development-Ghana (CDD- Ghana), Africtivistes and AWO Hub, held at Victoria Island in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘DemoCreatives’ is an innovative initiative to collaborate with creatives to promote democracy.
NAN also reports that WADEMOS mobilises, coordinates, and leverages the collective power of civil society and other pro-democracy actors, resources, and opportunities within the West African region to advance, defend, and reinvigorate democracy.
They also promote democratic norms and reforms in the sub-region.
Asante, who is also a Senior Research Officer at CDD-Ghana, emphasised the need for civil societies and creatives to join forces to bring about social change in West Africa.
According to him, the region is in dire need of a new narrative, as many citizens feel disillusioned and hopeless.
He believed that creatives have a crucial role to play in inspiring change but noted that many had shifted their focus from activism to business in recent years.
To bridge the gap between civil societies and creatives, Asante suggested leveraging artist expressions to confront social challenges.
He cited the popularity of afro-pop music in Nigeria as an example, noting that musicians have the influence to shape people’s thinking and encourage them to take action.
Asante, therefore, urged civil societies and creatives to work together to keep the civil space open and encourage people to speak out against oppression.
Obianuju Udeh, a renowned Nigerian Disc Jockey, popularly known as DJ Switch, in her virtual keynote address, urged civil societies and creatives to come together, re-strategise, and make a meaningful impact.
According to her, it is imperative that both parties join forces in the fight for democracy and human rights.
She emphasised the power of art in reflecting society’s trials, struggles, and dreams, and its ability to nurture critical thinking and empathy.
DJ Switch highlighted the historical impact of art on social movements, citing examples such as the late king of Afro beat, Fela Anikulapo’s music and the role of literature in exposing injustice.
She encouraged civil societies to reimagine their funding strategies and collaborate with creatives to amplify their message and reach a wider audience.
“There is need for unity and strategic alliance between civil societies and creatives to combat the enemies of democracy and human rights.
“We need to spend money to get the big guns to be involved. Art is not a luxury, it is a necessity for a dying democracy,
” she said.
Also, Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, said that democratic practices, not just labels, remained essential for a functioning democracy.
According to her, Democreatives, is a movement that leverages art and creativity to promote democracy and good governance in West Africa.
“Expression, a fundamental human right, is crucial for democracy, and this partnership seeks to protect and promote free expression and press freedom.
“By working together, we hope to inspire hope and democracy in neighboring countries, leading to economic empowerment, inclusive growth, and development.
“With WADEMOS leading the charge, this collaboration brings together artists, musicians, creatives, and civil society partners to advance democratic development in Africa,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Vivian Ihechu
An Epidemiologist, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, has warned Nigerians against using mixture of carbonated drink and seasoning cubes as prevention and treatment measures for cholera disease.
Olugbogi, former Head of NMA Lagos COVID-19 response and Medical Officer of Health at Ifelodun LCDA, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
He gave the warning in response to several social media posts touting the use of Coca-Cola and Maggi combination as a prevention and treatment for cholera.
Olugbogi said the mixture was not a medical solution, noting that toxicology tests from the combination might be harmful for the health and well-being of individuals.
“That combination I believe is more expensive than using Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). Why would anybody want to substitute ORS for Maggi and Coca-Cola?.
“That’s alarming. ORS is a solution that’s tested, proven and trusted to treat cholera or diarrhea or gastroenteritis disease.
“If somebody has hypoglycemia (low sugar), of course, the individual can be given Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Miranda or Fanta or any of those carbonated drinks but in measured doses.
“Combining Coca-Cola with Maggi for cholera treatment is not a medical solution,” he said.
The public health expert emphasised that cholera could be easily treated through prompt administration of ORS or preparing the salt and sugar solution to help individuals.
He recalled that during the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreak, some people promoted using salt water to bathe as a cure for the diseases, stressing that it was a hoax that caused complications and death to some individuals.
Olugbogi cautioned the public against practicing things seen online, stressing that health advisory from physicians and health regulators should be strictly adhered to, to ensure health safety.
On preventive measures against cholera, Olugbogi advised that people washed their hands with soap and running water, before and after eating, and after using the toilet.
“Washing our hands with soap and water alone is a huge step in controlling and preventing this viral outbreak.
“Apart from that, people should ensure they keep their waste safely in containers away from flies because flies pick up germs and bacteria from the waste or fecal matter and drop them when they perch on food items.
“We should also dispose of refuse properly, maintaining good hygienic practices is critical to reduce transmission of cholera,” he said.
He advised that vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly before consuming them and water boiled before drinking.
Olugbogi advised that proper washing of utensils such as spoons, cups, plates, glass cups, mugs, before eating with them.
“Cholera is transmitted from contaminated hand to mouth; so, if we can clean our hands, utensils and any item containing things that we put in our mouth, then we can prevent cholera from spreading,” he said.
Data from Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) show that Nigeria recorded no fewer than 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths from Jan. 1 to June 11, 2024 in 30 states, NAN reports.
Lagos State on June 11, alerted residents that the state had recorded an excess report of severe gastroenteritis cases leading to 60 hospitalisations and five deaths mainly from patients presenting late with extreme dehydration.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on June 15, disclosed that laboratory tests confirmed that the outbreak was due to cholera with the identified strain being highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread transmission.
As at June 20, Lagos cholera outbreak had increased to 21 fatalities and 401 infections from multiple LGAs in the state.
Upcycling waste spurs art, farming among Lagos students
By Adebola Adegoke
Nehemiah Jacob approaches waste-filled areas with a new perspective since he came in contact with the Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE). The final year student of Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos says he now thinks “of ways to transform waste into wealth.”
But this was not always the case.
Nigeria produces the largest amount of solid waste in Africa and approximately 70 per cent of it are plastics. In general, it is estimated to be around 32 million tonnes annually with only about 20 to 30 per cent being collected and managed properly.
Lagos State alone generates about 14,000 tonnes of waste per day with about 20 per cent of it being plastics. Only about 70 per cent isbeing disposed of properly while the rest ends up in illegal dumpsites, streets, canals, drains and waterways, asreported by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). The repercussions include environmental pollution, degradation and other climate change issues.
This became a burden for Mrs Temitope Okunnu, an environmental sustainability advocate, who believes that behavioural, attitudinal and mind-set change is a crucial first step in building environmentally conscious citizens. Motivated by the desire to be a catalyst for change, she set out on a mission to nurture an eco-conscious generation across Africa. This led to the creation of Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE International) in 2016, which kicked off with a focus on schools.
“Our vision is very simple – to create an eco-conscious generation across Africa and we are focused on creating that attitudinal, behavioural and mind-set change,” she says.
Upcycling
At the heart of Okunnu’s Eco School Programme are the five Rs, which are: refusing, reducing, reusing or upcycling, rotting or compost and recycling.
“We use all the waste around the school and home to teach the teachers and students upcycling, recycling, composting and sustainability. And this is well embedded in the school curriculum,” she says.
“So we teach the students how to make art, such as frames, decorative materials, crafts such as ottoman seats, lamps, and upcycled eco-garden or zero-waste garden from waste.”
The upcycled garden is made from different kinds of waste which are converted to functional products of high environmental and economic value. From there, PET bottles and tyres are transformed into planters while bamboo and tyres are also used for fencing and barricades. Kitchen wastes or rot are used as organic fertilisers and manure in the garden.
Making art
When FABE introduced its programme in Jacob’s school, he eagerly became part of the recycling team with a focus at making ottomans.
They started by picking and gathering plastics and other recyclable materials with the aim of turning them into something valuable. “The waste we cannot recycle, we use them as manure for our garden,” he explains.
Recently, Jacob crafted ottomans from plastics and cake boards gathered from his mother’s catering supplies. Other waste products he uses are cartons, fabrics, and foam. So far he has sold five artworks.
“Sixteen inches ottoman is from seven-thousand to eight-thousand naira while fourteen inches is from five-thousand to six-thousand naira per piece,” he explains, adding that this has empowered him and lessened his parents’ financial burden.
Other students, like Gloria Ndum and Fareedat Yahaya, both in their third year at Victoria Island Junior Secondary School, planted their first batch of vegetables in April 2024.
They reflected on how the experience has broadened their understanding on how waste materials such as old tyres, plastics, and sacks could be repurposed to cultivate crops at home.
Education and advocacy
The foundation hopes to reach 1,000 schools by 2030.
“We have reached over 200 public and private schools in Lagos, Ogun, and Akwa Ibom states,” Okunnu says.
Mrs Temitope Okunnu, founder, FABE International, teaching students how to set up an eco-garden
In November 2023, during the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity, it was revealed that in 2024, Nigeria is expected to see about 26.5 million people grappling with high levels of food insecurity. Several factors have been identified as contributing to the problem. These include poverty, climate change, conflict, population growth, inadequate policy implementation, ineffective agricultural methods, post-harvest losses, and insufficient funding allocated to agriculture, among other issues.
Okunnu says with the zero-waste eco-garden, one does not need to have vast land to plant.
Upcycled eco-garden at Victoria Island Junior Secondary School
“With waste materials such as old tyres, sacks, plastics, paint buckets; you can grow your own food like yam, vegetables, root crops etcetera. So everyone should have this kind of skill.”
The eco-garden also brings about various learning outcomes for the students, she points out. Agriculture can be taught with practical examples in the garden. “Because we realised that most schools are just teaching agriculture in the classrooms, meanwhile it should be more of an outdoor process.
“So we see this as a learning laboratory and instructional material for agriculture, geography for science students to learn about nature, art, biodiversity and environment. With this, they are able to understand concepts in the classroom, carry over the knowledge to their homes and communities. That way, the knowledge is spreading, there’s behavioural change and sustainability.”
Some ottomans and art works crafted by Jacob at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere
Gloria Ndum (Left) and Fareedat Yahaya (Right), JSS 3 students from Victoria Island Junior Secondary School holding their recently planted spring onions in plastic cup
The long journey home
Mrs Asanya Ekpenyong, a biology teacher at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere had struggled to involve students in environmental conservation efforts before FABE’s intervention. Now an Eco-Coordinator of Eco Schools Project, she says the comprehensive education on recycling, composting, upcycling, gardening and organic farming has empowered students to become stewards of the environment.
Recycle bin made from used plastics at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere, facilitated by FABE
The provision of recycle bins by FABE has facilitated proper waste disposal, significantly enhancing the cleanliness of the school environment. This, she explains, has encouraged them to sort their waste from source.
“The establishment of an eco-garden on our premises has contributed positively to our environment, providing a space for cultivating crops and vegetables,” Ekpenyong says.
“We are getting organic food from our farm with no artificial additives or preservatives. All the manure is from the waste we generate in the school. With the prices of food items in the market, we are able to use the little we grow on the farm for ourselves in our homes.
“Sometimes, we sell the farm produce, especially the vegetables, at a reduced price while other times, we share with the students and teachers for them to use at home.”
At home, Ekpenyong manages her own farm using the techniques she has learned. In addition to this, she makes ottoman seats with plastics for sale.
“Past and present students have embraced these practices beyond the school. So this initiative by FABE has been of great impact to our lives,” she adds.
Upcycled eco-garden at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere
But one challenge she encounters is in maintaining the garden. Instances of vandalism and theft pose a threat to the eco-garden’s security. Then there is the waterlogged nature of the school compound and inadequate irrigation during vacations which present obstacles to crop cultivation.
Chidimma Nwobodo, a chemistry teacher who is also an Eco-Coordinator at Olomu Community Senior Secondary School, Ajah, shares the same enthusiasm as Ekpenyong. She recalled how they often waited anxiously for waste collection trucks, sometimes in vain for an entire term.
“With our new approach, where every item, from PET bottles to eggshells, sachet water nylons, and cartons holds value, waste accumulation has significantly reduced,” Nwobodo says. This does not only minimise waste but also reduces the school’s expenditure on waste disposal while simultaneously generating wealth for the institution.
“Recently we harvested our vegetables from our eco-garden and everyone in the school was excited to patronise us. We have a treasury where the money is kept and registered for accountability.
“Our recycling efforts are proving to be financially rewarding, as students channel their creativity into crafting various decorations using materials like plastics, cotton bud sticks, cartons, and bottle caps,” Nwobodo adds.
Some parents misunderstand the mission
The foundation sometimes must contend with government bureaucracy and students’ parents.
Okunnu points out that some think their children are being turned into scavengers. “Also some of the teachers are not able to understand how to relate what we’re teaching them to their [students] studies. We have been advocating for environmental education to be included in the curriculum in schools. In Lagos state, it has started and there are recycling clubs supported by the state government.
“Another challenge is bad soil for the garden. Loamy soil is good for planting and what we have mainly in Lagos is sandy and clay soil which is not good for planting, so sometimes we travel as far as Ijebu-Ode to buy soil.”
But this challenge came with a discovery.
When they realised that there was a lot of money expended in buying soil, the foundation found solutions to amend the soil. “So whatever bad soil we have, we can amend it and it will still produce the same results as a loamy soil,” she says.
“We also have government bureaucracy to deal with. Initially we were in private schools because we had a hard time getting into public schools. But it is a lot easier now and we’re into both public and private schools.
Ensuring Continuity
Designated teachers, called Eco Coordinators, and students, referred to as Eco Ambassadors, play pivotal roles in driving these environmental initiatives.
Annually, outstanding schools are recognised with the Eco School of the Year Award, honouring those who excel in all recycling, upcycling and gardening activities. Teachers and students who exhibit exceptional enthusiasm for the programme are also recognised.
Students from Victoria Island Junior Secondary School after their planting vegetables in their new eco-garden made from old tyres, plastics, sacks and compost
“Our Eco Ambassadors serve as mentors, imparting their knowledge to fellow students, thus nurturing future leaders in the environmental sustainability space,” Okunnu explains, adding that the project has helped to reduce the amount of pollution around schools.
Learning from them, carpenters around are incorporating PET bottles into their carpentry work.
Parents too have started growing their organic food with no chemicals added. “They now have healthy eating habits, there’s a lot of greenery and conservation,” she says.
Partnerships with organisations like the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and FundQuest continue to strengthen FABE’s efforts. Some of them render support in various activities run by the foundation. Others assist in terms of recycling or during the annual graduation and award ceremonies. “The Eco schools programme is gaining more recognition across schools in Lagos State. However, we don’t have enough finances to reach as many schools as we would want to, so we are open to more financial support and grants.” (NAN)
**This story is with the support and collaboration of the Solutions Journalism Network and the Nigerian Health Watch.
***If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The Lagos State Government says it will ensure the availability of sign instructors/interpreters at hospitals to assist persons with hearing and speech impairments get medical attention.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said this on Wednesday in Ikeja, during the SSG’s meeting with the Secretaries to the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
Salu-Hundeyin said that the state government would work with the body of local governments secretaries, also known as Scribe 57, to ensure inclusivity of the hearing and speech impaired persons in government’s agenda.
She said that having interpreters was a great way of ensuring that the impaired were not left behind in government’s interventions.
According to her, it has been discovered that in some hospitals, a lot of persons with hearing and speech impairments, are unable to communicate effectively with the doctors, and that can lead to a lot of errors.
”This, maybe, leads to giving wrong medications, things that are not right and all that.
“So, they also deserve whatever any able bodied person deserves. If you are talking of disabilities, not just physical, as you see them, a lot of them have abilities in them, so we should not lose them.
”Having sign instructors is a great way to reach to the people. The THEMES+ agenda of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, this administration, talks about inclusivity.
”The ”plus” there means inclusivity, first, then we have gender equality and youth development. So if we are going to run an inclusive government, nobody should be left behind. That is what it means.
”The fact that people cannot talk or they cannot hear, it does not mean; once they are human beings, they cannot be left behind. This is a determination, and this is a policy of this administration. No one must be left behind,” she said.
The SSG said that the society appreciated them and the government wanted them to also live a healthy life, hence, the need for sign instructors who will be at the hospitals.
”This will also probably become a law later, but we must start from somewhere. So that is what we are doing, and Mr Sanwo-Olu wants this done as well, because he caters for everybody in the state,” she said.
Salu-Hundeyin also urged the ”Scribe 57” to assist in addressing the issue of drug abuse at the various local governments
”We are doing quite a lot in various communities, we begin to identify those who are on it.
“We are trying to send them to homes that they will be helped and those that we know that are not so bad in it, we tried to dissuade them from it.
”Schools are being taught the disadvantages of drug abuse, we are using education, we are using community people, we are using the CDAs, the CDCs, all hands are on deck.
”Even the NDLEA, we hold meetings with them and we are insisting that once they get these drugs, we want to see how they are destroyed, so that they don’t go back into the society,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Scribe 57, Mr Akeem Dauda, said that data remained the foundation of any policy in any organisation.
Dauda said that the secretaries would be making data on the person with hearing and speech impairments from the local government areas available to the state government by Thursday, May 2.
He also said that the Scribe 57 would also present its report on drug abuse to the SSG, while commending the security agencies for working with them to curb such menace. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Lagos State Government is partnering Kwara, Niger and 20 other states to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to boost food security.
Ms Abisola Olusanya, then state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, made this announcement at a meeting with her counterparts from Kwara and Niger states, in her office at Alausa on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the Tinubu’s agenda for achieving food sufficiency is to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland across the country to produce maize, rice, wheat, and other crops.
Olusanya said Lagos State had identified 25 states under the partnership but would start with Kwara and Niger in the first phase.
She said the partnership with the states was aimed at improving food production, distribution and reduce food wastage in line with President Tinubu’s food security agenda.
Olusanya presented a drafted Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the two commissioners for review and inputs to ensure success of the project.
She said the state government had invested in various agricultural projects to boost food security and increase food production from 20 per cent to 40 per cent in the next five years.
Olusanya said the projects include the Central Food Logistic Hub, Ketu, Ereyun; Middle level Agro Produce Food Hub, Mushin and the largest rice mill in Africa, the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota, among others.
She said Lagos requires over one million tonnes of tomatoes and rice annually.
“This partnership is going to be across board, we are talking about 20 to 25 states. We have identified states based on what we know they produce the most.
“We need Niger and Kwara states to achieve food security. The three states coming together, we will be able to chart a new course on food security.
“We have presented a drafted MoU, it is for Niger and Kwara states to go back and look through it, see areas where they want to add or remove as well as look at the operationality and modalities and peculiarities around it.
“Why we are starting with Niger? It is because Niger State has the largest landmass in Nigeria. When you are talking of the possibilities of producing food in large production or commercial quantity, Niger State is a state to look at.
“Same thing with Kwara State. Kwara shares border with Niger, so when it comes to food production, these two have the land, they have the people and they have the capability to also produce,” she said.
Olusanya noted that the relationship with the governors of both states had been on for quiet sometime.
“When you have like-minded governors, who want some things move, then you move along and quickly do what you have to do around striking a partnership, while other states start to move along.
“This is an agenda that we want for a lot of states across Nigeria, it is not just Kwara and Niger but we are kicking off with those that are like-minded,” she said.
The commissioner said the partnership would not be limited to any particular food items from partnering states.
“We are not looking at any particular food item, practically all food is consumed in Lagos. We have all tribes, all religions and all ethnicities in Lagos.
“If it is wheat, you will have a community that loves wheat, if it is maize, everyone uses maize including poultry farmers, if it is rice, we all consume rice,” she added.
“Any other type of grain that you can think of, including cassava, we consume and the commissioner for Niger said, anything they throw in Niger grows, anything you bring to Lagos we eat.
“There’s nothing you bring into Lagos that will not sell because there is a target audience for it.
“It is not so much about us trying to reinvent the will, there are markets already in Lagos, we know the food items that comes into Lagos.
“Whatever Kwara and Niger states can bring in, we will consume as long as they are certified to be of good quality and at a good price. I just know that this is just the beginning of the collaboration with most of these states in Nigeria that particularly are producing food.
“Subsequently, we should be able to seek better food pricing, less wastage of food or zero post-harvest losses and creating wealth for our farmers, value chain actors and market men and women,” she noted.
In her response, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said her state was excited to partner with Lagos for food production.
“We have a lot of produce that can come into Lagos from Kwara.
“For us, this is beyond an exchange of goods, it’s bridging gaps, it’s about building communities and empowering our farmers.
“It’s also about ensuring that there is food security. We are happy to key into this, to be able to help feed Kwara residents first before we then feed Lagos and the entire nation,” Thomas added.
Also, Mr Suleman Takuma, Niger State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment and Private Sector Development, said the partnership would help actualise the agricultural transformation agenda of the state.
“What we have done today is what is going to make the agricultural transformation strategy of Niger state work because the governor has kick started that.
“We have started with 600 hectares of land, one hectare per each youth, whether a lady or a man, or youth. Government will give them inputs, including the seeds and the fertiliser.
“The thinking initially was who will offtake, so now we have an off-taker because we are going to be a producing state and Lagos State is going to be the consuming state.
“What we need to iron out now is what product they want because anything you throw in Niger State grows. What products are we going to bring into Lagos State.
“This relationship that we have just started, for me is a very exciting one and it’s also challenging, else we have to make it work.
“And like the commissioner said, it is not rocket science, in the next six months, Nigerians should be able to see the relationship among Kwara, Niger and Lagos states.
“I believe that once this thing is going smoothly, before you know it, other states will fall within. It is a good start and I am hoping that this is going to work for all of us,” he said. (NAN)
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says his government will donate 300 new vehicles to security agencies to boost their operations in the state.
Sanwo-Olu said this on Tuesday at Victoria Island, during the 17th Annual Town Hall Meeting On Security, with the theme: ”Security Complexities and Convergence: The Lagos State Imperatives”.
He said that the donation would be made by January 2024, to ensure that the Police and other security agencies performed their duties with ease.
The governor said that there were challenges with security but with the efforts of donors to the Lagos State Security Task Force (LSSTF), Lagos State remained the most secured state in the country.
He announced that donors pledged almost N2 billion to the fund at the event, with business mogul, Femi Otedola, pledging N1 billion.
On the death of Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, Sanwo-Olu said that the police were doing everything possible to ensure justice was done and served.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, said that the influx of people from other parts of the country to Lagos State posed security threat.
Egbetokun, who was represented by Assistant Inspector-General Zone 2, Mr Muhammad Alli, commended the state government on efforts at ensuring a safe Lagos.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, LSETF, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said that since inception, the fund had received encouragement from the public on the effectiveness of fund and the need to do more to combat the ever-growing security threats in the country, as they affect Lagos State.
Durosinmi-Etti said: “On the whole, 2023 had not been a great year for the fund, even though the total donations surpassed that of 2022 by over 100 per cent.”
He said that the challenges faced by the fund in 2022 were still very much experienced in 2023.
According to him, the unstable economic climate, largely influenced by increasing foreign exchange rates, has been a major challenge to fundraising.
“KPMG predicted that General inflation in Nigeria may hit 30 per cent in December 2023, meaning that the purchasing power of the Naira is still falling an so the fund would purchase less with more money.
“This makes the donation drive even more pertinent for us especially as there is no alternative to our collective funding model, given the indication that the government cannot do it alone.
“The state is contending with several security threats which are clear and present dangers to our ability as citizens to carry out our various legitimate activities unhindered.
“I cannot overemphasise the fact that we must join hands to raise our security preparedness, so we can secure the future of our loved ones. We must make the necessary sacrifice now as tomorrow may be too late,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) says it has administered Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to 40 per cent of targeted girls in Lagos.
The Permanent Secretary of LSPHCB, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted virus, with the majority of cervical cancers and other HPV-associated cancers caused by HPV types 16 or 18.
NAN reports that the Federal Government on Oct. 24, 2023 introduced the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation system to prevent cervical cancer among girls aged nine to 14 years.
The vaccination targets 7.7 million girls, which is the largest number in a single round of HPV vaccination in the African region.
The girls will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which is highly efficacious in preventing infection with HPV types 16 and 18 that are known to cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
Lagos is among the 16 states in Nigeria slated for the Phase 1 introduction of the HPV vaccine through Multi-Age Campaign style strategies targeting girls aged nine to 14 years in schools and communities.
On Oct. 30, Lagos State introduced HPV vaccines into its routine immunisation programme.
Mustafa, however, noted that the state’s HPV vaccination programme suffered low uptake after its introduction due to misinformation that led to vaccine hesitancy and apathy.
“The coverage is still low, we expect that by now, we would have done 100 per cent of the targeted girls but we’ve only managed to do 40 per cent.
“Initially, there were serious challenges with the programme to the extent that they almost beat some of the vaccine implementers.
“There was a WhatsApp message that went viral that the vaccine will sterilise, kill the girls, and depopulate blacks.
“That voice note caused a lot of harm, people didn’t want to hear about the vaccine. Even in schools, they shut their gates against us.
“It’s unfortunate that people were against the HPV vaccine, and because of that, our other immunisation campaigns like the oral polio vaccine that had acceptance, people started rejecting it,” he said.
To remedy the situation, Mustafa told NAN that the board embarked on a massive media campaign, intensified its advocacy and dispelled the rumours and misinformation about the vaccine.
According to him, there is currently an improvement and attitudinal change to the vaccine, hoping that the improvement will be sustained.
Toward boosting HPV vaccine coverage in the state, Mustafa disclosed that the HPV vaccine would be integrated into the state’s National Immunisation Plus Day (NIPD) programme.
NIPD is aimed at protecting children below five years of age from Poliomyelitis and scheduled to commence on Nov. 25 in Lagos.
Mustafa added that people can still get the HPV vaccines at PHCs even after the campaign ends until the end of 2024.
He emphasised that the vaccine was free and delivers solid protection against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), shows that in Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years.
According to WHO, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2020.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Lagos State government on Tuesday in Ikeja dismissed allegations of financial impropriety levelled against Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu by Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the March 18 election.
Rhodes-Vivour had alleged on his Twitter handle on Nov. 19, that Sanwo-Olu funded his response in the election petition filed by LP against his election using government’s money.
He alleged that the governor paid four lawyers N50 million from the state’s coffers.
Responding to the allegation, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said there was no truth in Rhodes-Vivour’s allegation.
“The allegation was simply another ploy to deceive the public about a non-existent payment of N50 million to four lawyers.
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinise the finances of Lagos State, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth.
“The transaction referenced by Mr Rhodes-Vivour never took place.
“There was a payment request, which was not approved by the governor when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice drew his attention to it because it was irregular.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Gov. Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office,’’ the commissioner said.
Omotoso noted that Rhodes-Vivour’s supported his allegation with a document that neither carried the logo of the Lagos State Government nor the endorsement of any of its officials. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Alli Hakeem
