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1. Sanwo-Olu turns to democratic values
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday said the rejection of some of his cabinet nominees by the Lagos State House of Assembly was a sign the spirit of democracy was prevalent in the governance of Lagos. “Were the Executive designed to be omnipotent and omniscient, the very important oversight function of the Legislature would be needless,” the Governor said, as reported by ThisDay.
The Governor made the comment during the swearing in of 37 cabinet members for his second term in office.
Many had expected the House to approve Sanwo-Olu’s appointees from the get-go, as both arms of government are dominated by the All Progressives Congress. The House’s decision to reject 17 names from the Governor’s initial list raised some eyebrows, leading to speculations there was an ongoing brawl within the party. The House had criticised the list for not appealing to certain interest groups within the party.
After negotiations, spurred by interventions from senior party leaders, Sanwo-Olu was forced to send in a second list to the House, headed by Mudashiru Obasa. Some names from the initial list were dropped.
For now, the political tussle appears to have quietened but it is not clear if the actors are sated.
On Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said his rejigged cabinet was composed of “some of our best brains” and charged Lagosians to “rejoice in their selection”. He added: “The task of this new cabinet is clear . . . it is to take our people closer to our dream of a Greater Lagos.”
Around Ikeja and beyond
2. Minor changes: Sanwo-Olu reassigned portfolios to two members of his cabinet. Dr Oreoluwa Finnih is now the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals while Abiola Olowu was drafted into the role of Special Adviser at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
3. Mother tongue: After an outrage over its omission, announcements at a blue line station started to be made in Yoruba language. The Lagos House of Assembly has summoned the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority over the issue.
4. Darkness galore: A national blackout affected many parts of Lagos on Wednesday. Federal minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu said a transmission line connecting two power plants in Niger state had suffered an explosion after a fire, thus shutting down the national power grid, the BBC reported.
5. British tongue: An education services provider, IDP Nigeria, has launched two additional centres – in Alausa and Victoria Island – for taking the English language exam, IELTS, the Punch reported.
6. Express woes: A heavily loaded truck disrupted traffic on Tuesday at Otedola bridge, around the Ojodu Berger axis, the Nigerian Tribune reported. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the truck was loaded with wheat.
From the Record
7. Biking fever: What does it mean to ride a bicycle in a city like Lagos, where dedicated bike lanes are mostly absent? The Record’s Omon Okhuevbie interviewed the co-founder of a bicycle club in Lagos Mainland.
8. House talks: In the first instalment of The Legislature Fireside, a series where we interview lawmakers in Lagos, The Record’s Abel Adekunke, spoke to a Labour Party legislator, David Doherty.
9. Mohbad lives on: The pop star’s demise shocked many Lagosians. The Record made a list of nine facts about the beloved, Ikorodu-born baritone crooner.
What to do
10. Art zone: CT Culture is hosting a paint and sip event in Victoria Island. Tickets go for N15,000 per person. Find out more here.
This edition of Ten Things was written by Eke Jude.
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