‘Fashola administration hasn’t done much for Lagosians’

 

FEMI PEDRO AND GOV. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA

What is the idea behind your campaign slogan, "Has Your Life Really Changed?"

After the 2007 elections, I completely withdrew from the public eye and embarked on a personal quest that entailed traversing the length and breadth of the great state of Lagos. In July 2010, I decided to put together a team of young professionals to help collate data, conduct research, and analyse the effect of the government's policies on the everyday Lagosians. This gave rise to the idea of asking Lagosians the most novel of questions: "Has Your Life Really Changed?"

Interestingly, we observed that the responses by Lagosians were relatively similar, by-and-large. On a superficial level, they felt that the administration was performing well, as it had beautified some parts of Lagos, integrated the BRT buses, and fixed a number of high-brow roads.

However, when we asked for success stories in their individual lives and local communities - stories of how the state government had equipped, empowered and impacted families in ways that led them to be more prosperous - our inquires only drew blank stares and general platitudes.

We finally decided to open the debate up online (on my website www.hasyourlifechanged.com and on my personal Facebook page). We also put up billboards and posters all across Lagos to pursue a more aggressive strategy in getting Lagosians to open up about the challenges they faced on a daily basis by uploading pictures, videos, and comments about the positive and negative effects the administration has had on their lives to the website.

Astonishingly, my campaign team has collated up to 17,500 responses from Lagosians online and offline, and the overriding view is that there is room for improvement.

What, specifically, are the shortcomings you have identified in this present administration?

The administration has had very little impact on the lives of average Lagosians in the overall context of development and in improving the living condition of majority of the people. The critical element to rate this government on is the state's Human Development Index (HDI), which is unfortunately low.

While the government has rehabilitated some roads, beautified the environment, and given the state the closest semblance to tranquility, law and order, the more pertinent questions are: Has my quality of life improved since this administration came in? Has this government impacted positively on my life in the areas of poverty reduction, decent housing and sanitation system, quality education for my children, good roads in and around where I live or work, good health care system, among others?

As the BBC documentaries recently exposed, there is still wide-spread poverty. Very few areas have clean public water supply. Sanitation and proper drainage are still lacking; local inner network of roads are still generally bad; many Lagos schools remain sub-standard; the public health care system is totally inadequate, particularly in low income areas, and the standard and quality of life continue to deteriorate.

You may put all this in proper perspective when you consider that the present state government earns an average of N14 billion naira per-month and in 32 months has earned over N450 billion. This is more than my administration earned in its 96 months in office. The current administration earned over N209 billion in IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) in 2009 and budgeted over N420 billion for this year. In addition, in barely three years, it has borrowed heavily from the bond market and drawn down on loans from the World Bank and others. The question is: Where is all the money? The taxpayers deserve to know how the huge revenue is being spent.

What are you promising Lagosians if elected?

I believe I can create a Lagos environment where the possibilities are endless and the power of ideas and ideals supersede the ‘powers that be'. If I am elected as the governor of Lagos in 2011, a new culture of transparency and accountability to the people will become the order of the day.

Lagosians will not have to worry about their governor mortgaging their future away to some dictate in a back alley somewhere. I will set up a website called the Pedrometer (which) will give Lagosians the opportunity to track the implementation of every single campaign promise I make, and to rate whether or not a promised policy has been implemented.

There will also be monthly publications of how every kobo of government money is expended. This will eliminate the current culture of secrecy-shrouded spending in its entirety.

Which sector of the electorate are you especially hoping to capture?

Although Lagos is cosmopolitan and diverse, it is also interconnected. The middle-aged teacher in Alimosho is invariably affected by the working conditions of the market women in Tejuosho, and the statewide doctors' strike negatively affected the young LASU graduate from Epetedo. I think it is difficult to focus on one particular group of voters without neglecting another sector, so the most important thing is to have a consistent message that can resonate with everyone.

What is your definition of a credible leader?

First and foremost, a credible leader must have the legitimate mandate of the people, which invariably means his emergence as a leader must be the end-product of credible elections. Beyond this, I think a credible leader is one who is willing to accept responsibility for his shortcomings and who inspires people to be the best they can possibly be.

A credible leader is one who submits himself to being held accountable for every single proclamation or promise he makes. Honesty, integrity and humility are some of the qualities of a credible leader in my opinion.

You were once in AC, then Labour Party, and now PDP. Don't you see yourself as a politician who is more interested in power rather than building a credible party base?

It is impossible to live in isolation from other politicians, especially when many of you share the same vision for a greater Lagos. After my debacle with AC, the PDP welcomed me with open arms. There is no question that the perception of the party may not be the greatest in the world, but I can tell you, hand on heart, that there are many within the party who are totally committed to a thriving and prosperous Lagos. This is what informed my decision to join ranks with the party, and I have no regrets whatsoever.

Unfortunately, our politics has not matured to the point where parties are defined ideologically. At the moment, our politicians (at all levels) are either pro-current administration or anti-current administration. It is as simple as that. There is enough blame to go around for this problem, but I firmly believe that it starts and stops with our leaders being held accountable by the electorate for the promises they make.

If you fail to capture the primaries in PDP, do we see you moving to another party?

I have been a card-carrying member of the PDP for about three years. The party welcomed me with open arms and has treated me cordially. I have no reason to pitch my tent elsewhere, and I am committed to contributing my little quota to the growth of the party in Lagos State, the south west, and beyond.

Notwithstanding, I am confident and hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to represent this great party as its governorship candidate in the upcoming general elections.

If you once again fail to capture the governorship seat in 2011, will you recontest in 2015?

After the last elections in 2007, I honestly did not see myself running in 2011. Our politics is very unpredictable and throws a lot of curveballs at you, so I cannot look beyond the current elections. I will present my manifesto and vision for a greater Lagos to the people, and I have no doubt in my mind that our state will be better off for the debate I will engage them in over the next few months.

How close are you to former president Olusegun Obasanjo?

I have a great relationship with Olusegun Obasanjo. Unfortunately, the former president does not get enough credit for his wisdom, foresight, and honesty. He has been very supportive of my ambition, and he is considered a father-figure by quite a number of people - politicians and non-politicians alike.

Who has/have been your mentor(s) in life, especially politics?

Politically, I have always admired the courage, vision, and integrity of the likes of the late Awolowo, Enahoro, and Tafawa Balewa. Their contributions to a united Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. I continue to nourish and mentor myself with their writings, speeches, and opines because many of the ideals they propagated in the 40s, 50s, and 60s are still relevant in our quest for the attainment of a more prosperous and united Nigeria today.

I am also a big fan of John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama because they represented change agents in times of political uncertainty. They challenged all stereotypes about their electability and impressively won against all odds.

Source:http://234next.com

Read more...

BRT: 171,894 commuters take free Xmas buses

 

Bus Rapid Transit buses 

A total of 171, 894 Lagos residents rode on the free mass transit buses provided by the Lagos State Government on the Christmas day.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has also offered free bus ride to interested commuters on the New Year eve and January 1, 2011, to ease transportation challenges during the New Year celebration.

A statement on Thursday said that the Bus Rapid Transit buses would be available on Mile 12 - CMS, CMS - Lekki/Ajah, Jibowu - Oyingbo - Mile 2, Oyingbo - Fadeyi and Mile 12 - Oshodi routes.

The Bus Franchise Scheme, it added, would also be available on the Ikotun/Igando/Iyana - Ipaja - Maryland route.

About 108,010 and 63,884 commuters had used the BRT and BFS services, respectively on the Charismas day when similar free ride was provided.

The Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the turnout of commuters on December 25, 2010 underscored the effectiveness of the bus schemes of the state government and the confidence of passengers continue to have in the operation of the system.

He urged users to reciprocate the gesture of the government by being orderly and courteous to other users and the BRT operatives.

Source:http://www.punchng.com

Read more...

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) vows to challenge Ikorodu by-election result

 Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola

The Action Congress of Nigeria has vowed to head to the tribunal to challenge what it described as the ‘Pyrrhic victory’ of the Peoples Democratic Party in Thursday’s by-election in Ikorodu State Constituency II in Lagos State.

The ACN accused the PDP of rigging the election with the apparent backing of the Presidency

The PDP candidate, Mr. Olugbenga Oshin, won the by-election by securing 3, 438 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Alade Olusola of the ACN, who scored 3, 022 votes.

The position became vacant following the death of Mr. Rotimi Sotomiwa of the ACN. The legislator died on November 2, 2010 as a result of a lung-related ailment.

The result, however, elicited reactions as the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the PDP, Mr. Setonji Koshedo, said it showed that his party was set to control the state in 2011.

But the ACN in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the development had sent a wrong signal as to whether the 2011 general elections would be free and fair, despite repeated assurances by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It accused the PDP of using intimidation and violence to ensure that the by-election was not free and fair.

“Violence was reported in Ijede, Ginti, Igbogbo and Ewuelepe. There was no voter register in Surulere Estate and Offin in Igbogbo, known strongholds of ACN. Shooting and snatching of ballot boxes were reported at Ginti and Ewuelepe.

“There was over-militarisation of the constituency with the invasion of mobile policemen, Immigration and Custom officers.

“There was also the massive influx of unregistered voters from neighbouring Ogun State, with the connivance of heavily-compromised INEC officials. Overall, there was a massive disenfranchisement of registered voters in all strongholds of the ACN during the by-election,” the party said.

However, Koshedo, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, said the outcome of the by-election was an indication that the PDP could win free and fair elections in Lagos State.

Koshedo said his party’s victory in Ikorodu known to be an ACN stronghold was a ‘sign of better things to come’ for the party.

He said, “The result of the election has shown that in a free and fair election, PDP will always win. The point is that ACN has never won the state honestly.

“We have always believed in the PDP that past elections have been fraudulent. In most of the elections we have had since the beginning of democracy in Nigeria about 12 years, if Lagos State had been having free and fair elections, PDP would have been on top.

“But the result of this election has shown that if free and fair elections are held in Lagos State, PDP will always be on top; which means that the ruling party in Lagos has not always been winning elections naturally.”

Consequently, he called on all members of the party to unite together to ensure that the party consolidates on its recent electoral victories in Ibeju Lekki federal constituency and Ikorodu state constituency.

Source:http://www.punchng.com
Read more...

Lagos 2011: ACN calm, PDP sets the pace in electioneering

 

Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Babatunde Fashola

As activities towards the 2011 polls gather momentum in other states of the federation,

MUDIAGA AFFE writes that the case appears to be a little different in Lagos.The events in the political terrain in the various states of the federation indicate that activities towards the 2011 polls have gathered momentum, though the Independent National Electoral Commission has just released the guidelines and timetable for the conduct of the exercise because of the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act by the National Assembly.

But with a few months to the elections, the race for the governorship poll in Lagos, one of the states controlled by the Action Congress of Nigeria, indicates that activities in the camp of the major opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party, appear to be picking up, while the ACN appears to be unperturbed.

The lull in activities in the ACN is a source of worry for those affiliated to the party. Despite the fact that the ruling party has 99 per cent control of the apparatus of government, it is still not clear who will be the governorship candidate of the party as the incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola has not openly come out to state his position.

However, a number of interest groups, including some senatorial district leaders of the party, have been rallying support for Fashola ahead of 2011. But the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, recently said that aspirants had not declared interest because the party was yet to give the go-ahead.

Beyond the ACN, the opposition (the PDP) is still mending the cracks in its wall in order to make up for its loss of Lagos since the return to civil rule in 1999. The party is trying to change the old order by exploring the fence-mending approach to clinch power in the state in 2011. Although, the efforts are ongoing, there are indications that the party is still plagued by internal divisions.

Again, the incarceration of the former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, is a critical factor that will ultimately redefine the approach of the party to Lagos politics. This means the politics of confrontation between the two leading parties in the state would become history, and a new era of issue-based electoral contests will become the order as the Lagos electorate are poised to make political decisions based on optimal impacts and programmes of action each contestant seeks to implement.

So far, seven aspirants within the PDP have signified their interest and picked nomination forms for the governorship election. They are former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Demola Seriki; former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Femi Pedro; former Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Ade Dosunmu; Mr. Owolabi Salis, Mr. Tokunbo Kamson, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi and Mr. Gbolahan Folami.

While declaring their governorship ambitions, the issues raised by these aspirants at separate forums were an indication that issue-based campaigns would top debates as events unfold.

For instance, Seriki had declared that the need to rescue the citizens of the state from the stiff tax policies of the ACN-led government informed his decision to contest.

The former minister had said that the Fashola-led administration in Lagos had made tax a civic burden, claiming that it was for that reason most companies were relocating from Lagos to other neighbouring states.

Another aspirant, Folami, had said he aspired to govern Lagos because of the pitiable state of infrastructure in the state, especially the bad road networks in the metropolis.

According to him, the huge internally-generated revenue of about N20bn accruable to the state monthly is not commensurate with its level of development.

These are a few of the observations of those in the opposition camp and they may form the bases for discussion in due course. But how prepared are these aspirants to take over the leadership of the state from the ACN? From the days of the Alliance for Democracy in 1999 to its transformation to the ACN recently, the electorate in the cosmopolitan state have always given their support to the party.

A brief survey of how some of the PDP aspirants stand might come handy at this point.



Femi Pedro: A few weeks ago, the former deputy governor formally declared his intention to contest the governorship in the state. His declaration did not come as a surprise to many because he contested the same position in the 2007 elections, using the platform of the Labour Party after the incumbent, Fashola, clinched the AC ticket. Before his appointment as the deputy governor in 2003 under the administration of Bola Tinubu, Pedro was the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the defunct First Atlantic Bank (now FinBank Plc). In 2006, Pedro had indicated an interest to run for the 2007 governorship under the umbrella of the then AC, but later defected to the LP when his dream could not be actualised. He was to later resign his position as the deputy governor of the state after citing electoral malpractices in the primaries in which he participated and lost. Since 2007, Pedro has been playing the role of opposition on the platform of the PDP. He could be described as a man with both public and private sector experience.



Ade Dosunmu: He retired from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as a director-general. Before his exit from NIMASA in 2009, Dosunmu was a seasoned technocrat in the private sector. However, for almost two decades, he made key impact in the academics as an associate lecturer in the University of Lagos, and in the maritime sector as an administrator. His experience in the academia and the public sector remains his strongest asset. His political strength is yet to be put to test.



Demola Seriki: He has been in the forefront of politics since the dawn of the Fourth Republic, but he gain more prominence when he was appointed a minister of state in the ministries of Interior, Agriculture and Water Resources and Defence under the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He also acted as the supervisory minister in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. After the demise of President Yar’Adua, Seriki was schemed out of the Federal Executive Council, and has since been rallying support in the PDP to clinch its ticket. Seriki has the credentials that may enhance his ambition considering the various committees he had served during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the different ministerial positions he held in the administration of Yar’Adua.



Babatunde Gbadamosi: He is the director of Amen Estates and is from the political dynasty of Chief Abdul-Fatayi Gbadamosi, who was a staunch chief of the defunct Action Group in the First Republic. He is the younger brother of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, the erstwhile chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency. He was a member of the United Kingdom chapter of the defunct National Democratic Coalition. He joined the PDP in 2006 shortly before the 2007 general elections. His affinity with former President Obasanjo and the support of his elder brother, Rasheed, may have informed his decision to join the race. He has formally declared his intention to contest the 2011 poll.

For now, the only possible candidate of the ACN is Fashola.



Babatunde Fashola: He is the incumbent governor of the state. He won the governorship primaries of the then AC in 2007 amid controversies, which culminated in the defection of some major actors. His political father, Tinubu, played a dominant role to secure victory for Fashola in the primaries despite his skeletal political credentials before he joined the administration of Tinubu in 2003, first as the deputy Chief of Staff and later COS. Fashola won the 2007 governorship race despite all the desperate moves of the PDP to wrest the political power of the state from the then AC, which pulled out from the Alliance for Democracy. Since his assumption of office, the incumbent governor has been paddling the canoe of the state amid socio-economic challenges and life-transforming outcomes of his 10-point agenda, which has won high public rating within and outside the country.

Even when many have continued to condemn his reform programmes, saying they are elitist, Fashola is known to have been involved in massive infrastructural development, construction of roads, building ultra-modern health care centres, providing free education and accessible health services. It must also be noted that his programmes have brought crime rate down by 75 per cent, according to statistics from major security stakeholders, including the Lagos State Police Command. The beautification projects that provide relatively enabling environment for investors should also be noted. That his projects are ongoing in different parts of the state may be the reason a number of interest groups in the state have started massive campaigns for a second term on his behalf through the distribution of handbills, posting of posters in strategic places across the state and branding of mass transit buses.

Other political parties would seem to be watching, perhaps waiting for the ACN to set the ball rolling. At the moment, the key political parties that participated in the 2007 governorship election in the state have not come up with definite aspirants/candidates for the 2011 race. The parties include Fresh Democratic Party, LP, People’s Progressive Alliance, AD, Democratic People’s Alliance and All Nigeria People’s Party.

As the coast becomes clearer in the days ahead, it is imperative to note that the governorship race in Lagos is no doubt between the ruling ACN and the opposition (PDP).
Source:http://www.punchng.com

Read more...

Lagos to become Africa’s largest city says United Nations

Lagos State
In five years’ time, Lagos, the commercial centre of Nigeria, is set to overtake the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as Africa’s biggest city; the United Nations-Habitat report, has said.

According to the report, it is estimated that by 2015, Lagos will have 12.4 million inhabitants.

The reported added that the number of people living in African cities would triple over the next 40 years and by 2050, 60 per cent of Africans would be city dwellers.

UN-Habitat Executive Director, Mr. Joan Clos, told the British Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday that Africa needed to invest urgently in housing.

He told the BBC that sub-Saharan Africa could learn from North Africa as Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia had almost halved slum areas in the past 20 years.

Some 199.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live in slums, the highest number in the world, the UN said earlier this year.

According to UN-Habitat’s State of African Cities 2010 report, urbanisation is happening faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world.

By 2030 the continent will no longer be predominately rural, it says.

Clos said that cities were attractive places for those wanting to relocate.

“People are looking for a better future and they think the city can offer that,” he told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme.

Source:http://www.punchng.com

Read more...

Jakande, Bakare for LTV anniversary lecture

Former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; the incumbent, Mr. Raji Fashola; and the Convener, Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, are billed to attend the 30th Anniversary Lecture of the Lagos Television slated for Wednesday.

A statement by the Corporate Affairs Manager, LTV, Mrs. Adeola Salako, in Lagos on Sunday, stated that Bakare would deliver a lecture on the Role of Media in Sustaining Democracy to mark the three decades of the establishment of the television station.

Salako added that the event, where past governors of Lagos, top media practitioners, captains of industries and other stakeholders in the broadcasting world would be in attendance, would equally feature an award ceremony.

The LTV was established in 1980 by the first civilian administration of Lagos State under Jakande.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101108215270 Read more...

Lawmaker gives bursary award to 310 students

Three hundred and ten students in the Badagry area of Lagos State have benefitted from bursary scheme initiated by a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Samuel Sejoro.

At the third annual award ceremony of the scheme held in Badagry on Friday, the students, drawn from various tertiary institutions, were presented with N10,000 each as part of efforts to aid their educational pursuit.

Three hundred and ten students in the Badagry area of Lagos State have benefitted from bursary scheme initiated by a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Samuel Sejoro.

At the third annual award ceremony of the scheme held in Badagry on Friday, the students, drawn from various tertiary institutions, were presented with N10,000 each as part of efforts to aid their educational pursuit.

Speaking at the event, Sejoro, who represents Badagry Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, said he embarked on the scheme having realised that education was pivotal to the development the nation.

He noted that the problem of financing education in Nigeria was serious as most parents and guardians have less capacity to carry out that responsibility, adding that the gesture would assist the beneficiaries in addressing part of their financial constraints.

The lawmaker disclosed that the beneficiaries are indigenes drawn from the state university, polytechnic and college of education.

Sejoro however promised that if voted for a second term, he would not only increase the financial support to beneficiaries, but also expand the scheme to include indigent students and orphans in the Badagry division.

He also disclosed that plans were underway to embark on empowerment programmes to women and widows as from next year as part of measures to enhance the welfare of their families.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011021251920
Read more...

Ikorodu floodings: Group calls for alternative road

The Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association, Dr. Fatayi Olukoga, has urged the Federal Government to construct an alternative road to Ikorodu Road to reduce traffic congestion and attendant hazards road users experience on the current Ikorodu Road.

He also asked the government to urgently rehabilitate Ikorodu Road, especially the spots destroyed by the recent flooding in Lagos and Ogun states.

Olukoga made the statement on Monday, at the Ikorodu-Oga Day celebration. He said the association would use the opportunity of the celebration to revive the socio-cultural and educational activities in the area.

He also lauded the Lagos State Government for relocating some of the flood victims at Agbowa Resettlement Camp, Ikosi, Ejinrin Local Council Development Area.

 A flooded portion of Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Olukoga said, “I heard that some of the victims of the flood have been rehabilitated. That is good. But when government knows that some people are flouting the environmental law by blocking waterways, why did it not act with dispatch? Why did it have to wait for the tragedy to happen before taking action? You do not need the flood to enforce compliance with environmental laws.

“The major issue is what should be done to reduce the flood so that it does not occur again. There should be either a flyover in the area or there should be a barricade that will stop water from overflowing its bank such as was done on Victoria Island when the ocean was surging.

“Another alternative is that we should have an alternative road. People are passing through a lot. There should be a road from Isheri to Berger. The Redeemed Christian Church of God constructed a road which ended at their camp. Every interested road user is using the road. There is no prohibition. Government should quickly rehabilitate the Ikorodu Road so that people would use it without stress.”

According to him, it was also aimed at improving the socio-economic and environmental state of the area, enhance educational standard and foster comprehensive education in the community.
Read more...

2010 budget: Lagos records 81% performance

The Lagos State Government‘s 2010 Budget achieved 81 per cent performance in the third quarter of the year. This makes it the highest budget performance since the inception of the present administration.

The Commissioner, Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos, Mr. Ben Akabueze, disclosed this at an interview with journalists after a State Treasury Board meeting to review the third quarter performance of the 2010 Budget and preparations for the 2011 budget.

He said the performance was on the original budget of N389bn, adding that with the approval of the supplementary budget, there would be a step up of activities to finish the year with the same performance or even better.

”All significant lines did well at the end of the third quarter. The revenue expenditures are within limits. We are very satisfied with the performance and we hope to sustain that trend in this last quarter or even improve on it”, he said.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the commissioner said the development would lead the government into 2011 whose draft budget was already being worked out.

Akabueze said, ”We have a major task on our hands this last quarter in terms of construction work; but we should be able to catch up and we are hopeful that we will finish the year with the performance in the same region or even better.”

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101102481323




Read more...

Opposition parties, ACN bicker over calls for Fashola’s resignation

Governor Babatunde Fashola

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria has disagreed with 26 opposition parties in the state calling for the resignation of Governor Babatunde Fashola over an alleged loan taken by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority for road and transportation related projects in the state.

The opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of Lagos State Coalition Parties said its call was based on the fact that while it is true that the roads in the metropolis was bad, it was unnecessary for the state government through LAMAT to resort to borrowing to address roads and transportation challenges.

In a statement issued by the Convener of COLASOPP, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, the opposition parties said, “Can’t Fashola see that the problems of transportation in Lagos State are not shortage of buses? This fact has been appreciated as far back as three decades ago when Alhaji Lateef Jakande as governor of the state began the process of establishing the Metro line.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010293211929 Read more...

History of Lagos State

Prior to the Portuguese name of Lagos being adopted, Lagos was originally called Eko, which stems from either Oko (Yoruba: "cassava farm") or Eko ("war camp"), by its Bini conquerors. History has it that the Oba of Bini sent various trade expeditions to Ghana where spices were traded and one of his traders complained about the way she was being treated by the Awori's. The Oba of Bini then sent a trade expedition by sea. Ironically, the leader of the expedition arrived in the evening at a time when the people who were predominantly fishermen were either wading into the water or getting into their boats to gather their catch. He declined to engage them further and returned to what is now called Benin City where he reported to the Oba of Bini that they were attacked. This prompted the Oba of Bini to constitute a war expedition led by Ado, a Bini Prince to go to Lagos and demand an explanation. This was over 650 years ago. However, on getting there, they were well received. The people were so enamored with Ado they asked him to stay and lead them. He agreed on the condition that they surrendered their sovereignty to the Oba of Bini to which they agreed. The Oba of Bini was told this and he gave his permission for the expedition to remain. The Oba of Bini later sent some of his chiefs including the Eletu Odibo, Obanikoro and others to assist Ado in the running of Eko. Till today, the Oba of Lagos is the head of all the Kings in Lagos State and his status is different from other Oba's most of whom were later given back their crowns and staff of office only within the last 40 years and have various classifications. Suffice it to state that those who got their crowns back were the original land owners. These were Olofin's children. Moreover, modern day Lagosians have so intermingled that no single tribe or people can claim it even though the predominant language is Yoruba. The present day Lagos state has a higher percent of this sub-group who allegedly migrated to the area from Isheri along the Ogun river.
 

History has it that the Awori were actually from Ife the cradle of Yorubaland. The Awori people are a peaceful people initially not taken to warfare. Due to war, those from the hinterlands, like the Ekiti ran towards Isheri which at that time had more than one Olofin (Alafin)who were heads of probably respective settlements about 1400AD. With the fleeing people from the hinterlands most of them scattered again to different places, some to Iro, to Otta, Ado, others to Ebute Metta i.e three landing places - Oyingbo, Iddo and Lagos Island (Eko). The Olofin that brought those who went to Ebute-Metta was Ogunfunminire later known as Agbodere. With the full commencement of the war about 2000 moved to the nearest island of Iddo, others to Otto Awori or Otto Ijanikin towards modern-day Badagry. Those from Ekiti Aramoko came to Ebute-Metta, Iddo and then Ijora. The Olofin was said to have 32 children. His own known children are Olumegbon, Aromire, Oloto, Oluwa, Oniru, Onisiwo, Onitoolo, and Elegushi. Ojora, Onikoyi and Mogiso were not his biological children. After the demise of Agbodere, the name Olofin became the name used to remember him while a title of Oloto was given to his seccessor. With one of his sons becoming the Oloto his other children parted ways to what is known as visible settlements in the present day Lagos. Aromire whose name means defeated the river or became the river's friend is likely to be the first to cross being said to have swam across the river. It is possible that his real name is not Aromire but due to the feat he became known as such.

Until the coming of the Bini's, Lagos's geographic boundary was what is known now as Lagos Mainland. Lagos Island, the seat of the Oba of Lagos then consisted of a pepper farm and fishing posts. No one lived there though. The name Eko was given to it by its first King Oba Ado during its early history, it also saw periods of rule by the Kingdom of Benin.[1] Eko was the land area now known as Lagos Island where the king's palace was built. The Palace is called Iga Idunganran which, translated means Palace built on the pepper farm. Oba Ado and the warriors from Benin as well as some of the indigenous people who sought safety settled down in the southern part of Eko called "Isale Eko", Isale literarily meaning bottom, but must have been used to indicate downtown (as in Downtown Lagos).

 

Source: http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/index.php?page=subpage&spid=14&mnu=null

Read more...

Opposition parties plot to oust ACN in Lagos

FASHOLA
A coalition of 26 opposition political parties in Lagos State on Tuesday said it had concluded plans to present a common candidate that will overrun the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the state during the 2011 elections.

The coalition said all its candidates will campaign and contest under the same name, logo and emblem of the adopted political party, which would be made public soon.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Coalition of Lagos State Opposition Political Parties, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, said the group took the decision after it discovered that the resources available to the state in the last 12 years under the Action Congress of Nigeria-led administrations were not commensurate with the level of development.

But reacting swiftly, the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos ACN, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the coalition was made up of political jokers who did not have grass roots base, adding that the ACN-led government in the state had become a template that other states copy for development.

Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010131183518 Read more...

Court adjourns Lekki toll gate case

Lekki Toll Gate
A Lagos High Court on Monday fixed October 20 for further hearing in the suit challenging the legality of toll gates on the Lagos-Lekki-Epe Expressway.

A Lagos lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa had on September 28 filed the suit challenging the Lagos State Government over the erection of toll gates on the road.

He wants the court ”to stop the government from conceding its statutory responsibility of providing roads and other infrastructure to a private company”.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state government had in 2009 conceded the road to Lekki Concession Company.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Adegboruwa requested the court to transfer three of the four-point claims to the Court of Appeal for determination.

The claims include whether the proposed toll or road tax is supported by any law, the claimant’s constitutional right to freedom of movement and his capacity to institute the action.

Counsel to the Lagos State Government, Mrs S.O. Olusemo-Elueme urged the court to hear their preliminary objection on the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson said the position of the law was not to hear the preliminary objection first, but to take all the applications cumulatively.

He adjourned further hearing till Oct.20.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101005372071 Read more...