₦airaland Forum

SECURITY OF LAGOS MUST REMAIN THE MILITARY’S PRIORITY - SANWO-OLU

•Governor Hosts Chief of Army Staff, Top Military Personnel

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on service personnel in Lagos military commands to be fully committed to their constitutional responsibilities of keeping the peace and strengthening security in the State.

The Governor pledged the State Government would not waive its mandate to provide logistics support to all security agencies for continuous operations across the State, but urged the personnel to justify the confidence with improvement in security.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, in a courtesy visit at the State House, Marina.

The Army chief is in Lagos for traditional assessment of the military formations and warfare assets in the State.

The Governor said it was important to prioritise safety in the State, given its economic importance and geographic location as one of the country’s international borders. He said the State Government had shared a commendable relationship with the Army and other security agencies in Lagos, promising to strengthen the synergy.

He said: “Lagos has uniquely not only the land borders, it is also an international route in and out of the country through the air and waterways. The relationship we have been enjoying between the State Government and the entire security agencies, especially the Nigerian army, has been commendable. I acknowledge the leadership role being played by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division with other security agencies in raising the bar of security surveillance, training, information sharing and collaboration in operations.

“From this robust engagement, we have developed a mechanism in which every agency works in synergy with others to improve the State’s security architecture. We have continued to experience improved security, calmness and safety. But there is much that needs to be done and this requires total commitment of our personnel. We will continue to give support to the security agencies to ensure not only their safety and that of the residents, but also the safety of visitors coming to do business in Lagos.”

Sanwo-Olu commended the Army for the progress recorded in improving security across the country, especially in the Northeast where terrorists and armed bandits are being degraded under the sophisticated firepower of the military.

The Governor said the Army chief’s sterling pedigree informed the choice of the President to appoint him in the position, pointing out that Yahaya started well, given the successes recorded by the military in the last four months.

Sanwo-Olu urged the Army chief to build on the collaboration with Lagos Government in the area of intelligence sharing and rapid response to curb kidnapping, vandalism and other peculiar security challenges.

“In the last four months you took over the leadership of the Nigerian army, we have seen all the strategic efforts you’ve started to bring in. We know that, at some point in time, it would get to our turn in Lagos to further raise the morale of your men serving here,” the Governor said.
Yahaya said he was excited after learning about the robust collaboration existing between the Army and other security agencies operating in Lagos, thanking the Governor for the support towards operations of the Army in the State.

The service chief, who disclosed that part of his mission in Lagos was to boost the morale of his men, promised to improve on the collaboration.

He said: “We will do our best to ensure security is enhanced across Lagos and other parts of the country.”

Army top officers in the entourage of the COAS include GOC 81 Division, Maj. Gen. L.A. Fejokwu, Commander of Training and Doctrine, Maj. Gen. S.O. Olabanji, Chief of Logistics, Maj. Gen. O.A. Akintade, and Chief of Army Operations, Maj. Gen. O.T. Akinjobi.

Others are Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig. Gen. D.I. Salihu, Commander of 9th Brigade, Brig. Gen. M.L. Saraso, Provost Marshall, Maj. Gen. O.R. Aiyenigba and Chief of Staff to the COAS, Brig. Gen. A.M. Umar.

PHOTOS: GOV. BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU RECEIVES CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF LT. GENERAL FARUK YAHAYA AT LAGOS HOUSE, MARINA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

PIX 1 L-R: Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); Chief of Operations – Nigerian Army, Major General O.T Akinjobi; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashde Jaji; Commander, Training and Doctrine, Major General S. O Olabanji; Chief of Logistics, Major General O.A Akintade and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 2 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashde Jaji and Commander, Training and Doctrine, Major General S. O Olabanji during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 3 L-R: Chief of Operations – Nigerian Army, Major General O.T Akinjobi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahayaa and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 4/5 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the COAS courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 6 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya receiving a plaque from Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 7 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

SANWO-OLU TASKS NIGERIAN NAVY, OTHERS ON INTERNAL, EXTERNAL SECURITY

•Reiterates Commitment to Increase Investment in Waterways

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the security agencies and Nigerians to brace up and work collaboratively to keep Nigeria safe and secure internally and externally.

He said Lagos State Government will continue to have a robust security architecture with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies for security of lives and prosperity of the citizens.

Speaking on Tuesday during a courtesy at the Lagos House, Marina by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration's commitment to increase investment in the waterways to further boost Lagos State's economy and security.

He said: "We will continue to have a robust security architecture with the Nigerian Navy and other security operatives; Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force and others.

"I believe we are in a very difficult stage in our country and all hands must be on deck. All of us must brace up in different spheres and work collaboratively to ensure that we continue to keep our country safe and secure internally and externally."

Speaking on his administration’s commitment to water transportation, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Government is currently increasing the number of jetties and ferry terminals, training rapid response waterways team and building a command and control centre to make water transportation safer and attractive to residents, while also rehabilitating a number of roads around the Navy Town in the State.

Sanwo-Olu also commended the Nigerian Navy for its impactful activities in Lagos, stressing that the State would continue to render the necessary support to ensure a robust security architecture.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff who was accompanied by top Naval officers, said the courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu was aimed at strengthening the cordial relationship with Lagos State.

Vice-Admiral Gambo who thanked Lagos State Government for the land allocated to the Navy in Epe, said one of the three newly allocated Naval bases in Lekki would soon be developed to avoid the Tin-Can Island situation at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

While informing Governor Sanwo-Olu of the measures the Nigerian Navy had taken to check piracy, sea robbery and other crimes on the Maritime space, the Chief of Naval Staff promised that the Navy would continue to do its best to maintain the Maritime security of Lagos.

He said there is a very cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy, Lagos State Government and the good people of the State, noting that the State had contributed greatly to the success of the Nigerian Navy.

CAPTIONS:

PIX 1 L-R: Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Lagos, Rear Admiral Kamarudeen Lawal; Chief of Policy and Plan, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Christian Ezekobe; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashde Jaji, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

PIX 2 L-R: Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Lagos, Rear Admiral Kamarudeen Lawal; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

PIX 3 L-R: Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo presents a souvenir to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

PIX 4/5 L-R: Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

PIX 6: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu flanked by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (left) and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (right) with entourage of the Chief of Naval Staff during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

FLOODING: LAGOS DECLARES ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DIRTY MARKETS

Market leaders have been warned by the Lagos State Government not to jeopardise efforts at averting flooding, just as it stated that any market found involved in indiscriminate dumping of waste or blocking drainages will be shut down.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, gave the warning at a one-day seminar organised in collaboration with the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), in Agege, saying that the need to revisit the issue of market sanitation and security has become imperative, considering the increase in population and waste generation in the State.

In his words: "The benefits and advantages of sanitation in our markets cannot be overemphasised, considering the fact that we have 382 registered markets in Lagos State. In view of the untoward incidents occurring everywhere, it will not be out of place that vigilance and intelligence gathering should form part of our primary responsibility. This will help us to be proactive and also be steps ahead of anyone or groups planning to degrade the environment".

In her keynote address, Chairperson of COWLSO and wife of the State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, emphasised that hygiene and cleanliness in the marketplace must be given the seriousness it deserves towards securing the health of the people, pointing out that there is a nexus between the state of the environment of a particular geographical location and the wellbeing of the people in such areas.

"It is important that we appeal to our market men and women to do away with unhygienic practices including indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages and street trading. The truth of the matter is that it is in our collective interest to imbibe international best practices in administering markets and protecting our environment", Dr. Sanwo-Olu declared.

The Lagos First Lady stated that the issue of hygiene and cleanliness in markets is paramount and that every necessary step must be taken by all stakeholders to inspire a healthy and secured marketplace.

Her words: “Also, we have intentionally included security and safety of our markets as part of the topics at this seminar. First of all, security is everybody’s business and as market men and women and community leaders, we must be conscious of the need to make our security a priority. When we see something, we must say something”.

“Security in the marketplace is paramount and there must be proper identification of all traders and people trading in the market. The Monitoring and Evaluation of security activities in the market must be a daily affair and also in every community”, she said. "Fire outbreaks in the market must be addressed in order to protect the investments of the people, going forward”, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu added.

On his part, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, tasked all market women and men on ensuring proper hygiene.

She maintained that there is an urgent need for market leaders to ensure sanitation and security are prioritised in all markets until they become a model for other markets in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, assured market leaders and stakeholders that the State Government has equipped the agency with all the resources needed to ensure markets are clean, promising that the agency would leave no stone unturned to rid markets of waste.

Similarly, Iyaloja-General, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, urged market leaders to instil sanity in the markets by preventing market men and women from extending their wares and products beyond the allotted perimeters.

The event, which was also attended by the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye; CP Hakeem Odumosu (represented by ACP Ola Agboola) and other stakeholders, is one of the contributory efforts of the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, through COWLSO, to ensure markets in the State are clean and secure.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos

LASG, EBONYLIFE ACADEMY PRODUCE ANOTHER BATCH OF TRAINEES IN FILM PRODUCTION

The Lagos State Government's partnership with EbonyLife Creative Academy has produced 240 competent, young and vibrant filmmakers in the last six months to address the skills gap of professionals in the film industry.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf made this disclosure at the second edition of the quarterly graduation ceremony of trainees in film production, cinematography, directing and acting, among others, held at EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mrs. Akinbile-Yussuf described the partnership between the State Government and Ebonylife Creative Academy as a value-adding collaboration that is equipping youths with necessary creative skills to make them topnotch practitioners in the film industry and also, provide job opportunities for the unemployed.

While congratulating the graduands for enduring the various rigorous sessions and the practical aspects of producing their own films, the Commissioner also commended the perseverance, sense of duty and overall comportment of the trainees throughout the three-month period, especially for weathering the storm and emerging successful.

She said: "Although you are graduating today, let me remind you that the journey has just started. You must make yourself relevant in the industry by prioritising professionalism as against quick-fix or desire to make quick gains"

“Lagos, as you know, is a city that never sleeps and this portends a great deal for the entertainment industry to leverage on the vibrancy of this city. Invariably, the huge population of Lagos coupled with the lifestyle of its inhabitants, who are fun-loving people, is a great advantage for you to creatively express yourselves and make a fortune out of it”, the Commissioner stated.

She told the newly trained filmmakers that apart from the training opportunity provided, the State Government will also support their creative ideas through loan facilities that have been provided for film production purposes.

Her words: “The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in demonstration of his love for the film industry, recently approved a special fund for film-makers with the inauguration of a committee to oversee the disbursement of the funds to qualified individuals who can access several millions of Naira from the fund”.

Saying that to whom much is given, much more is also expected, the Permanent Secretary, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, challenged the trainees to justify the huge investment of the government in tourism and entertainment, such that the Governor would be encouraged to sponsor the training of more beneficiaries.

"This is an investment for the future, we are expecting that you go out and make impacts. We want to hear good reports about you. There are some set of professionals that are already making waves, not just in Lagos State and Nigeria alone but globally", the Permanent Secretary stated.

She, therefore, urged the film graduates to be driven by the desire and ambition to give back to society and also become mentors to others, saying "Don't let it all stop here, continue with the vigour with which you have started now and even improve on it”.

The CEO of EbonyLife Media, MO Abudu, expressed satisfaction with the feedback received so far regarding the impact which the training is making in the industry, noting that the good reports rekindle her hope of better tomorrow for the film industry.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos

CAPTION:

PIX: Some of the Graduating Students in Film Production

PHOTOS: GOV. BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU RECEIVES CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF LT. GENERAL FARUK YAHAYA AT LAGOS HOUSE, MARINA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

PIX 1 L-R: Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); Chief of Operations – Nigerian Army, Major General O.T Akinjobi; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashde Jaji; Commander, Training and Doctrine, Major General S. O Olabanji; Chief of Logistics, Major General O.A Akintade and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 2 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashde Jaji and Commander, Training and Doctrine, Major General S. O Olabanji during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 3 L-R: Chief of Operations – Nigerian Army, Major General O.T Akinjobi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahayaa and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 4/5 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the COAS courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 6 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya receiving a plaque from Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

PIX 7 L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, September 20, 2021.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) this morning, received The Chief of Army of Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya on a Courtesy Visit at the Lagos House, Marina.

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