Welcome to another edition of Ten Things on the Record where we curate a list of things you need to know if you live or work in Lagos.
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- Third-Term Speaker
- Electric mass transit
- ‘Do not japa’
- Ojodu’s latest baale
- Lagos-Ibadan expressway
- One-chance gang
- Fake soldier
- Bound for Saudi
- Name and shame
- Look before leaping
Third-Term Speaker
At the inauguration of the 10th Lagos House of Assembly in Alausa on Tuesday, Mudashiru Obasa was re-elected as the Speaker for another four years. Obasa, a six-term lawmaker who represents Agege 01 constituency, was first elected Speaker in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. Hon. Mojisola Meranda (Apapa 1) was declared Deputy Speaker. Other leadership positions announced were: Majority Leader – Hon. Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa 1); Deputy Majority Leader – Hon Damola Kasunmu (Ikeja 02); Chief Whip – Hon. Mojeed Fatai (Ibeju Lekki 1); Deputy Chief Whip – Hon. Setonji David (Badagry 02). “As we begin a new chapter in the history of this assembly, I want to affirm my commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance,” Obasa said.
Electric mass transit
The Lagos-Oando electric mass transit bus has been spotted plying the Oshodi-Obalende route. It is not yet clear if the electric buses have been fully operationalised but Twitter users reported seeing them in Yaba and Ikorodu.
‘Do not japa’
The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has urged graduating nursing students to abandon the idea of relocating out of the country and stay back in Nigeria. Thousands of nurses relocate to countries like the United Kingdom every year. “If you want to touch lives, stay at home and build lives,” the Vice Chancellor said.
Ojodu’s latest baale
The Chairman of Ojodu Local Development Area, Segun Odunmbaku, has installed a new baale for Adekunle village, Chief Adekunle Ismaila. “The installation is a step towards ensuring efficient and effective leadership which results into growth and development of the society,” Odunmbaku said.
Lagos-Ibadan expressway
The Federal Government said construction on the Berger section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway will be completed in July. The government had earlier promised that work would be completed at the section by April.
One-chance gang
The police say they have arrested three suspects for operating a one-chance robbery gang along Oshodi-Gbagada Expressway. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the trio have been arraigned and remanded in jail.
Fake soldier
The Nigerian Army said it has arrested a fake Brigadier-General, Samuel Christopher, in Apapa. The army also said it recovered a military coaster bus allegedly in the possession of Christopher. “Preliminary Investigation revealed that the suspect has been parading himself as a Brigadier General, Colonel, Defense Attaché to France, Retired Chief of Intelligence (CMI) Personnel depending on the circumstances,” the army said.
Bound for Saudi
The Lagos State Government said it is experiencing some delays in processing the issuance of Saudi Arabia visas for intending pilgrims but said it was trying to fast-track the applications. The immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi said no government official will travel for the exercise until all registered pilgrims are airlifted. At least 2,379 pilgrims out of 3,644 have already departed for Saudi Arabia from Lagos.
Name and shame
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Ibrahim Odumboni, has said the agency has zero tolerance for street trading along the Lekki-Epe expressway. He noted that arrested offenders would be prosecuted, with their names and photographs published. “It is our duty to ensure that our city remains clean and habitable for all residents and visitors,” he said. “Hence, we urge all traders to vacate the expressway immediately and avoid any further environmental infractions.”
Look before leaping
Lack of due diligence is the one of the major reasons why people lose money on real estate investments in Lagos, according to real estate consultant, Yusuf Wahab. In a recent talk at the annual seminar of the Lagos State Cooperative Federation, Wahab noted that prospective investors should avoid government designated zones to avoid demolitions in the future.