Lagos State government has commended the old students of Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege, Lagos, LABASCO, in the diaspora over the interlocking of the school’s assembly ground to the tune of N7.5 million.

The commendation was given by the state government through the chairman of the state’s Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, SCPRPS, Mr. Hakeem Smith.

Speaking during an interview by FrontPage, Smith described the initiative as laudable and a sign of responsibility on the part of the old students.

He said the execution of the project which will be inaugurated on November 7, 2024, was worthy of emulation as it was supportive of the efforts of the state government which had, through the SCPRPS, been doing so much in changing the face of schools in Lagos by creating conducive environment and providing facilities for ease of learning.

His words: “I feel happy and elated about it. I think this time around we all need to take responsibility, contribute and support the government in terms of improving the infrastructure of schools generally and all assets of the country. The budget of the country or state most time cannot totally or fully help to improve these infrastructure. So, I think support from individuals, organisations in the case of schools now, old student associations, is most importantly appreciated… I would say thank you and kudos to them.”

While declaring that every support was needed and would be appreciated to improve the educational standard in the state, the SCPRPS chairman said the project executed by the old students was a way of encouraging the government, students and other users of the facility.

“If old students are coming back to support their schools, it will go a long way to assist and to even boost the morale of the students. It makes them feel that truly, if the old students can come to do that, surely sometime, they would be in the position to do the same,” he said.

Smith added: “It’s a way of giving back to the society and also encouraging the students presently to see that there is a future and they can also become something. It makes them also realize that giving back to school makes a lot of sense and that it’s good for the country and the state.

“Coming back to give to the school is also an opportunity for the old students to even talk to them and tell them that, look, you can be better than us and it’s something I think motivates.”

He urged other old students to emulate the example of the old students of LABASCO in the diaspora.

The chairman of the SCPRPS also spoke extensively on the activities of his committee, the amount of success recorded so far and the challenges.

*Editor’s Note: Full interview with the SCPRPS chairman, Mr. Hakeem Smith, to be published on Monday, November 4, 2024.

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Chief Adenusi Michael and 7 others have instituted Suit No. EPE/12869/LMW/2022 against Alhaji Moshood Oni-Orisan & 2 others at the Lagos State High Court, Epe Judicial Division, in respect of the vast expanse of land at Oko-Orisan Village in Epe local government area of Lagos.

The suit was filed sometime in 2022 at the Epe High Court.

The Oni-Orisan Descendants Family as represented by the Defendants briefed Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, FCPA of Benson Enikuomehin & Co, legal practitioners, to handle the matter for their family.

The legal team which comprises 8 legal giants is led by Otunba (Dr.) Benson Enikuomehin, who has now filed a 232 paragraph Statement of Defence and Counterclaims at the Epe High Court.

The governor of Lagos State, The Attorney General of Lagos State, Hon. Justice G.A. Oguntade JSC (RTD), HRH, Oba Kamarudeen Animashaun (The Oloja of Epe), Landmark Corporate Realty Ltd, Harmony Garden Estate Development Limited are among the Defendants named in the Counterclaims of the Oni-Orisan family.

The matter is before Hon. Justice W. Animahum sitting at Court 1 in Epe.

READ ALSO: MAPOLY: Marketing ’94 set donates legacy house to school

The Lagos State government had in 1993 in the Lagos State Government Global Acquisition Notice No. 20 in Vol. 26 of May 13, 1993 acquired the land for overriding public purposes.

Some parts of the land were excised to the Oni-Orisan family in 1994 via the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 38, volume 27 on the 27th of October, 1994.

The expanse of land acquired by the Lagos State Government at Oko-Orisan Village was about 1,047 Hectares (2,587Acres).

An additional expanse of land which measures about 2,000 Hectares was also acquired from the family land at Oju-Ota.

The family of Oni-Orisan has alleged that the Lagos State government, rather than using the land for OVERRIDING PUBLIC PURPOSES, has now begun to allocate the land to the various Defendants named in the Counterclaims for their private uses.

The family has said that Section 28 of the Land Use Act, 1978 does not authorise the government to acquire their family land so as to allocate same to individuals and corporate organisations for the private uses.

The Lagos State government has been accused of refusing to pay compensation to the family since the acquisition of the land more than 30 years ago!

The Oni-Orisan family through their lead counsel, Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, has filed more than 30 exhibits (including aerial view survey of the land) before the court.

The family is seeking for more than 20 Declarations, Orders, Damages against the Lagos State government and the 20 Defendants named in the Counterclaims.

The Oni-Orisan family had obtained three different judgements on the land up to the Court of Appeal against individuals and corporate organisations that had trespassed on the land before now.

The judgements are part of the exhibits before the court.

The matter which came up on Monday, October 21, 2024 before Hon. Justice W. Animahum of Court 1, Epe has now been adjourned to Tuesday, December 10, 2024 for the hearing of various applications.

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Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

She said the cases were discovered during surveillance of animals on Lagos Island and Agege.

READ ALSO: FG alerts public over outbreak of Anthrax, warns against ‘pomo’

Emokpae said that no case of human infection had either been identified or reported since the discovery of Anthrax disease in Lagos.

She said human and animal surveillance activities had been stepped up.

According to her, free vaccination activities and monitoring have been intensified.

“Animal owners should take advantage of the exercise by coming forward with their herd for inoculation.

“Please report cases of symptoms in animals to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Director of Veterinary Services via telephone on 08023427594, 08180703010 or contact the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244,” she said.

Source: NAN

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Runsewe, in a statement on Friday, said there was need for strategic rethinking on cultural related narratives by filmmakers in Nigeria to avoid public resentments and reactions.

The “Gang of Lagos” co-produced by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala-Akindoju, premiered on April 7 has generated reactions from the Lagos State government.

The state government in its reaction said the movie portrayed the Eyo masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.

The state also felt it was a misrepresentation of cultural ethos of Eyo masquerade and insulting to the tradition and history of Lagos indigenes.

Runsewe, however, pleaded with the state government and the people of Lagos to forgive the infractions contained in the flick, assuring to arrest such cultural insensitivity headlong.

He noted that the Eyo masquerade was one of the key cultural tourism products, associated with the history of Lagos and Nigerian culture.

Runsewe advised film makers to be well guided when producing for public consumption on Nigerian cultural history so as not to provoke tension and irritations across the country.

“Lagos State government, for instance, has invested and continues to champion the growth of the creative sector, targeting young persons for training in all aspects of film making and production.

“With community theatre halls built at each of its local geo-space and even with John Randle Yoruba Museum, where researches on Yoruba culture and tradition can be learnt first hand.

“So, films with narratives on the ways of life of our people must trend on best acceptable and sensitive information profiling,” he said.

“Though the world of creativity is said to hold no boundaries but when it comes to cultural narratives, careful measures, strategic profiling, dedicated investigation should be done,” he said.

He said request to collaborate with custodians of national cultural and traditional institutions should be thoroughly considered and consulted.

“During the last National Festival for Arts and Culture, NAFEST, in Lagos, we, at NCAC wrote to the Oba of Lagos, requesting the participation of the iconic Eyo masquerade.

“We were made to appreciate and understand that Eyo masquerade public appearance is guided by certain traditional ethics and procedure, so we expect our filmmakers to follow same engagement route.

“Honestly, we at NCAC appreciate Nigerian filmmakers for the efforts to use such narratives, to contribute to national cultural tourism rebirth and acceptation, including its international cultural tourism value chain.

“But we must advise that a cultural sensitivity context and content analysis should be part of both production and post-production ecosystem,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, made this known in a statement by its Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, on Wednesday.

“The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins was immediately on site to assess the situation and flag- off investigation,” the statement reads in part.

Meanwhile, the ministry and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed that no life was lost in the incident.

“It is confirmed that no one is trapped in the rubbles. Therefore it is no longer an emergency case,” Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator of NEMA, said.

In the press statement by Sanusi, Lagos State government also confirmed that, “There is no fatality.”

The government, however, said that some persons sustained injuries following the incident.

The statement reads further: “This unfortunate incident happened while casting was being done…

“We ask members of the public to remain calm and expect further information from the ministry as we know more.”

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According to a statement signed on Friday by the Director of Public Affairs in the ministry, Mrs Grace Alo, the horrific incident which involved Lagos State government staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train, resulted in six fatalities.

About 96 others are with various degrees of injuries and the injured victims are hospitalized across many government hospitals in the state.

In the morning of March 9, a staff bus collided with a train at the PWD railway crossing at Ikeja and the train dragged the bus with its passengers along the tracks until it came to a stop at Sogunle, a suburb of Ikeja.

“Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), a prima facie case of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm were disclosed against the driver of the staff bus.

“Accordingly, he is to be charged with 6 counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of grievous bodily harm.

“Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,” the statement reads.

The statement added that the Office of the DPP would immediately file charges against the driver.

However, his arraignment before the Ikeja  High Court would be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.

Source: NAN

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Few days back, Nigerians, nay Lagosians, woke up to the distressing news of the fatal collision between a commercial intra-state train service and a bus owned by the Lagos State Government. The vehicle was said to be a staff bus conveying civil servants to work. At the aftermath of the disaster, six people had lost their lives while about 56 others suffered several degrees of injuries.

Typically, the disaster punctured then ongoing frenzy of the electioneering campaigns, as numerous well wishers and sympathisers surged to the scene of the disaster, as well as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where the victims were evacuated to for treatment.

Disasters and unfortunate accidents do not announce they would be coming, it only makes good sense to prepare for them in form of insurance.

In a swift reaction, the Governor of Lagos State Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who personally visited the victims in the hospital commiserated with them over the unfortunate mishap. He also gave a soothing assurance that the State Government would foot the medical bills of all the victims. Several opinion moulders and sympathisers both within and outside the state also registered their sympathies, with a wish that such event should never recur.

But behind the scenes of this disaster, the insurance industry, which has the mandate to provide risk protection and cushion effect of such calamities for the insured, went to the drawing board to appraise the situation and get their acts together to pay the claims after ascertaining that all conditions for the insurance contract have been met. It is noteworthy that the Lagos State Government has remained a frontliner when it comes to embracing of insurance, amongst its peers in the country. The State has in place a well structured insurance and risk management strategy, which are meant to cope with such eventuality as the one on hand.

READ ALSO: Humour, theatrics of 2023 electioneering campaigns

As at now, arrangements are being finalised by the State government to formally present required claims requisition to the insurance companies handling the State government’s insurances. With the extant global insurance package for civil servants, Lasaco Assurance Company Limited is leading a retinue of other Insurers as the Lead Underwriter, while Quick link Insurance Brokers Ltd is leading the divide of Insurance Brokers as the Super Lead Broker. The insurance team would no doubt live up to their billing by settling the claims, timeously. The way insurance works in this case is that the deceased’s families would be compensated under the Group Life policies, while those who were injured would have their compensation paid under the Group Personal Accident (GPA).  A source hinted that the office of the Head of Service which superintends over staff matters in the public service of the State would soon apprise the Finance Ministry with the exact information before the claims payments would be activated.

Although the unfortunate accident drew out the humanness of Nigerians who handsomely responded in cash and kind to the victims, from the scene of the accident, to the point of treatment, such show of magnanimity would only complement benefits that the victims would be entitled to from the insurance industry, and not reduce or preclude it. The insurance industry would among other things, be looking at paying compensation for total or total permanent disabilities of the victims, as enshrined in their Group Life and personal Accident Schemes.

One cannot agree less with the submission that insurance is like a nation’s army which many think is needless in the time of peace, but becomes a life safer when war breaks out!

Sad as the disaster was, it is no doubt bringing out the much needed beauty of insurance in risk amelioration and protection. Imagine if the victims were not insured by their employers, I bet their misery and sense of loss would have been more, regardless of palliatives emotionally given to them by well wishers. One can only commend the Lagos State Government for entrenching a robust insurance regime for its human and material assets. Others States in country should urgently take a cue these unfortunate incidents and the intervention of insurance to place the required premium on insurance for their human and material assets. Disasters and unfortunate accidents do not announce they would be coming, it only makes good sense to prepare for them in form of insurance. One cannot agree less with the submission that insurance is like a nation’s army which many think is needless in the time of peace, but becomes a life safer when war breaks out!

*Tope Adaramola is a Chartered Insurer and PR professional

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The governor sent condolences to the families of those that lost their lives in the accident, praying that God would grant them eternal rest.

His words: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos state government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities.

“Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Lagosians who joined the state’s first responders in the search and rescue operation, saying the true spirit of Lagos must be sustained at all times.

“A big thank you to well-meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on ground and we will share more information shortly,” he said.

The governor promised to give updates on the incident as might be deemed necessary.

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Two persons said to be female staff of the Lagos State government were reported dead on the spot.

No fewer than 84 rescued injured persons were taken to the hospital by the rescue team on ground.

The accident occurred at the PWD/Sogunle rail crossing in Lagos.

According to reports made available to FrontPage by the South West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, who was on ground for the rescue operation, the staff bus was trying to cross the rail line when the train ran into it.

The flag officer of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, at the rail crossing, was said to have tried to stop the driver of the bus to no avail.

The driver was said to have ignored the flag officer and gone ahead to cross the railway before the train rammed into it.

Although search and rescue operation has been concluded, the carcass of the bus was being removed as at the time of filing this report.

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It stated that the continued closure of the school after the death of the 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran, was to further investigate alleged endangerment of students and others.

“The closure of the school paved the way for unhindered investigation and afforded all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and friends of the deceased, time to grief,’’ Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, stated.

“In view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the child, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice ordered a coroner’s inquest into the matter to ascertain the cause.

“The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, conducted the autopsy on February 15.

“It was conducted by Prof. Sunday Soyemi, Consultant Pathologist, LASUTH, in the presence of Dr Samuel Keshinro, Consultant Pathologist, representing the deceased’s family and Dr Olugbenga Oyewole, Consultant Pathologist representing Chrisland Schools.

READ ALSO: Chrisland: Lagos orders inquest into Adeniran’s death

“The autopsy report, dated March 1, revealed the cause of death as asphyxia and electrocution.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice consequently directed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to issue a legal advice on the matter.

“Without prejudice to the criminal proceedings, the school will remain shut to further interrogate the endangerment of students and others,’’ the commissioner added.

She stated also that team from the Office of Education Quality Assurance also had a meeting with the management of the school to ascertain adherence to child safeguarding policies.

“The meeting examined the planning of the inter-house sports event and the aftermath of the unfortunate incident.

“It was discovered that there were lapses,’’ she said in the statement.

Adefisayo added that a government delegation visited to commiserate with the family of the deceased on March 2.

She reassured that anyone found culpable in the death of Whitney would be made to face the law.

The commissioner stated also that government agencies had started fact-finding visits also to Agege Stadium, Lagos, venue of the inter-house sports competition.

Source: NAN

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