The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said this on Wednesday during a sensitisation programme about the Nigerian Army 89 Regular Recruits Intake for Trades/Non-Tradesmen and Women.

The sensitisation was held at Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, LCDA, and at Ikeja local government secretariat.

Salu-Hundeyin said that 600 Lagos indigenes had already applied for the recruitment, but the state was expecting to have 1,000 applicants or above, before the deadline for  application – May 17.

She noted that President Bola Tinubu directed that every state should have 150 of its indigenes recruited.

She hoped that the targeted 1,000 applicants from Lagos would enable Lagos State to achieve that.

According to her, applicants would undergo scrutiny.

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She described the military as a glorious profession since it involved protecting lives.

“Why we are here is extremely important. It is a national call, call to service. It is a call to serve our fatherland, our motherland, Nigeria, and a call to serve our state,” Salu-Hundeyin said.

She encouraged Lagos State indigenes between the ages of 18 years and 26 years to apply for the recruitment.

“When you enter, if you  want to be a lawyer, if you want to be a doctor, or you want to be any other thing, it is government that will train you for free,” she said.

The Vice Chairman, Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mrs Mojisola Badmus, urged parents to allow their children to join the military.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces have several departments that our children can represent.

“It is not just about war, but talking about war, if we don’t protect our land, who will protect it for us?” Badmus asked.

Source: NAN

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Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during a courtesy visit by the Crown Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Vastergotland,  Princess Alice Desiree, and her entourage at the Lagos House, Marina.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hazmat, said Lagos, as the heartbeat of the country, was essential to Nigeria and important to Africa.

He expressed optimism that the stakeholders meeting of the Swedish representative with the Business community in Lagos would birth more development opportunities for mutual benefits.

“We need a lot of technology. We are building fibre optics of about 6,800 kilometres across our state. We finished the first phase, about 3,500 kilometres, to increase the bandwidth penetration in our state. Interestingly, a lot of companies are coming. Google is building a data centre, and other companies are coming. About four data centres are being built now in Lagos.

“So for IT and other related infrastructure, Lagos is the place. With a population of 22 million, about twice the size of Sweden, the opportunity is wide, and we would like to engage,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Crown Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Vastergotland, Princess Alice Desiree, in her brief remark, commended the Lagos State government for being the economic backbone of Nigeria due to its huge business potential.

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“We are very excited to be here and to see what the Swedish-Nigerian relationship can develop into. We see vast areas of potential for further growth and cooperation. We are very happy to be here with the Swedish companies already present in Nigeria,” she said.

Speaking with journalists, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing within the Government of Sweden, Mr Andreas Carlson, said the Crown Princess visit to Lagos was to build stronger ties for a green economy, digital innovations and the exchange of ideas between Lagos and Sweden for better development.

He disclosed that a Sweden Trade Office, which is the first in Nigeria, will be inaugurated in Lagos on Tuesday by Crown Princess Alice Desiree.

He said: “Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Victoria is here in Lagos to underline the importance of a strong relationship and partnership with Nigeria and Lagos State. We see opportunities to strengthen the already strong partnership between our two countries. We see opportunities when it comes to green and digital transition.

“We have well-represented companies already in Lagos. Today the Crown Princess Victoria will inaugurate a Swedish Trade Office here in Lagos, which will be the first trade office in Nigeria. We think Lagos is the place to start. We are really happy about the cooperation we already have.”

During the visit, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, presented African custom gifts to the Crown Princess of Sweden, who was also accompanied by the Ambassador of Nigeria in Sweden, Ambassador Tiwatope Elias-Fatile, among others.

Princess Alice Desiree, arrived in Lagos on Tuesday morning.

She and her entourage were warmly received at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on behalf of Governor Sanwo-Olu by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, and other state officials.

The Crown Princess and her team were entertained by the Lagos State Cultural Troupe, during which she danced to the excitement of the people.

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The signing of the MoU by the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Yomi Oluyomi; CEO EnterpriseNGR, Mrs. Obi Ibekwe; Head, Eurasia, Middle East and Africa of The City UK, Chika Mourah; and Director, International Development of The City UK, Anna Rogers, was witnessed by Lagos State governor and chairman of LIFC, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu;  Co-Chairman LIFC and Chairman, Access Holdings, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Charge d’Affaires, British Deputy High Commission Lagos, Mr Simon Field; Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin and Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, among others.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration was truly committed to achieving the Lagos International Financial Centre and therefore sought everybody’s support to make the vision a reality.

He said: “The signing of the MoU signposts the beginning of another level of engagement in establishing Lagos International Financial Centre and making Lagos the first in sub-Saharan Africa that will get an international financial centre.

“It is not just about us; it is about the conversation of putting our country and both local and international investors on a platform that would make businesses work better and create an ambiance of a more predictable and reliable financial centre in this part of the world.

“We are localising our idea and initiative to be able to also put Lagos and, by extension, Nigeria, on the world map of cities that have international financial centres.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also expressed appreciation to all the partners for their financial and technical support towards the establishment of an International Financial Centre in Lagos.

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Speaking earlier, the co-chairman of LIFC, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team for their courage in driving the dream of the LIFC, noting that “The gift of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to Lagos State is one that we in the capital market also enjoy.”

He said the Memorandum of Understanding was a very important signpost for the Lagos International Financial Centre project.

“Today, we are carrying the flag of Lagos State, Nigeria, and indeed Africa. We are getting to the promised land of having an international financial centre in Lagos and for Nigeria,” he said.

Aig-Imoukhuede also commended the media for balanced and educative reporting and charged them to do more as he called for their continuous support in every way possible.

Also speaking, the Director of International Development of The City UK, Anna Rogers, said the partnership would bring everybody together to make Lagos a successful powerful house on the African continent.

She said: “The City of UK is proud to be a strategic partner for the development of Lagos International Financial Centre. The decision of the Lagos State Government is highly commendable, and we are very excited to be part of the journey.

“We are delighted that through our partnership, we’ll continue to provide an avenue for UK and Nigerian financial professional services practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to share knowledge on best practices in areas such as corporate governance, financial services, regulation, technology, innovation, and many others. These will lead to increased trade and an increase in investment and partnership between the two countries as well as internationally.”

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Governor Sanwo-Olu signed the budget, which is N3.366 trillion, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during a ceremony attended by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat; Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barr (Mrs.) Bimbola Salu-Hudeyin; members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh; and members of the State Executive Council, among others.

Speaking after signing of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the budget was structured around five key pillars, which are Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Development; Environmental Sustainability; and Governance and Institutional Reforms.

The governor urged Lagos residents to join hands with his administration as it deploys resources in line with the provisions of the budget.

He said, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I perform this task of signing the budget into law. This is the second of four budgets that I will have the honour of assenting to during my second term, and it represents another opportunity to advance our vision of a Greater Lagos for the benefit of all Lagosians and Nigeria at large.

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“As I noted during my budget presentation speech in November 2025, the Lagos State Budget is structured around five pillars: Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Development; Environmental Sustainability; and Governance and Institutional Reforms. These five pillars fully capture our determination to build on the gains of the past and scale up impact for the future.

“I would like to call for continued collaboration between the Executive, who will implement the budget, and the Legislature, who will provide the much-needed monitoring and oversight and ensure that we achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of our people with the limited resources available to us.

“On our part as the Lagos State Government, we will also live up to the responsibility of delivering governance that is respectful of and responsive to the people at all times. I am charging the civil service and all other concerned stakeholders to once again deliver an impressive level of budget implementation in 2025.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the state lawmakers, unseen heroes, and everybody who participated from the preparation of the budget to the presentation, the passage, and the signing of the Appropriation Bill.

Also speaking, the chairman of the House of Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, said the budget would focus on the development of Lagos State.

He said, “I want to say categorically that the THEMES agenda in the first term of Mr. Governor and the THEMES+ agenda have been meticulously packaged, and Lagosians have been benefitting from the agenda of Mr. Governor.

“We can see that Lagos is the first in almost everything that is done in this country. For the first term, our internal revenue service has crossed the N1 trillion mark in terms of IGR. That tells the dedication and purposefulness in your (Governor Sanwo-Olu) leadership, and I want to celebrate you.

“I want to also celebrate your excellent relationship with the House of Assembly. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has always been in the forefront of ensuring that whatever Mr. Governor wants the House to do, it is done, and we will continue to do that to ensure that Lagos moves forward.

“This budget was meticulously looked through during the budget defence period. Everything we did, we did it together to ensure that we got to where we are. We have carefully looked into the Electricity Bill. We have looked into the issue of variation, and we have looked into so many things that are dear to the government. We celebrate you and appreciate what you have done in terms of road infrastructure, and we want to pray that you continue in this light.”

Speaking earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, said the budget was not only the largest in history but also positions Lagos as the first sub-national government in Nigeria to pass a budget of the magnitude.

George said the 2025 budget reflected the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration unwavering commitment to economic growth, infrastructural development, and the welfare of all Lagosians.

He said: “This historic budget underscores our commitment to prioritising infrastructure with 62 per cent allocated to capital expenditure and 38 per cent to recurrent spending. This allocation represents our focus on driving long-term investments while maintaining efficient delivery of essential services.

“Our revenue framework, which projects N2.342 trillion from total Internally Generated Revenue and N626.137 billion from federal transfers, is anchored on innovation, accountability, and fiscal sustainability. A deficit financing of N398.662 billion has also been carefully structured to ensure financial prudence.”

It would be recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday approved a budget of N3.366 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, injecting an additional N360.88 billion into Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initial proposal of N3.005 trillion.

The budget allocates N1.3 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.07 trillion for capital projects, with the financial year ending on 31st December 2025.

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The governor spoke at the opening of new fire stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu.

The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, at the Ijede commissioning, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sesan Tunde Ogundeko, represented him at the Ijegun-Egba commissioning.

In his address, the governor said the two new stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu, were sited where they were needed most, adding that they had been equipped to handle domestic fires, industrial accidents, and any other emergencies that might occur.

“But this is more than just a building, it’s a lifeline. It’s here to save lives, reduce response times, and ensure our first responders can reach those in need as swiftly as possible,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu said the stations were part of the government’s developmental agenda.

He said Lagos had been ranked 19th best city in the world due to its rapid infrastructural development and called on private sectors to collaborate with the government in protecting the lives of Lagosians.

The governor expressed confidence in the ability of the ‘courageous firefighters, adding that ‘we are confident in your ability to protect and serve our people even more effectively.’

Governor Sanwo-Olu assured the people that his administration was committed to prioritising their safety and urged the residents of Ijegun and surrounding areas to see the station ‘as a community asset, a lifeline in times of crisis, and an assurance that we are here to serve and protect.’

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde, in his speech noted that with the population of Lagos growing, there was need for effective emergency response infrastructure especially in cases of fire incidents.

He added that the new fire station was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the safety of Lagosians.

“This administration has overhauled our emergency mechanisms. This new station is equipped with firefighting equipment, advanced fire fighting engines, a brand new vehicle and highly trained personnel,” the commissioner said.

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He further said that the choice of Ijede for the station was strategic as it would help in prompt response to incidents in nearby communities.

The commissioner said in the last one year, 2,500 fire incidents were attended to in Lagos by the Lagos State Fire Service, adding that the new station was a sign of dedication by the government to ‘deliver a more resilient Lagos State to all.’

He however urged the people to be security conscious by avoiding situations that could lead to fire incidents.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility. I urge the community to remain vigilant and proactive to avoid fire incidents.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, noted that Lagos State faces significant challenges in safely guiding its people because of its large population and therefore the state requires robust management.

She said the delay in completing the station since its construction was approved on July 29, 2021 was due to financial constraints but expressed delight that it had come to reality.

A renowned monarch in Ijede Local Council Area, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, said the community had anticipated the construction of the station and thanked the governor for making it a reality.

He urged the people to support the government in maintaining the station.

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The Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Mrs. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, made this known in a statement on Monday.

She said the appointments were with immediate effect.

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The newly appointed Special Advisers areDr. (Mrs) Iyabo Oyeyemi Ayoola – Special Adviser, Central Internal Audit; Mr. Olalekan Hafeez Balogun – Special Adviser, Economic Planning & Budget; Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafę – Special Adviser, Community Development; Very Rev. Bukola Adebiyi – Special Adviser, Christian Religion; Dr. Abdullahi Jębę – Special Adviser, Muslim Religion and Hon. Ismail Odesanya – Special Adviser, DAWN Commission & S/W Integration.

The SSG extended her congratulations to the appointees and encouraged them to align their contributions with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision for a Greater Lagos.

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The governor also re-appointed Mr. Tayo Ayinde and Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff respectively.

The appointments were announced on Thursday by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

The appointments take immediate effect.

Salu-Hundeyin, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, is a commissioner representing Lagos State in the National Population Commission, NPC, before he was appointed SSG.

Ayinde and Soyannwo served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff respectively during the first term of Governor Sanwo-Olu.

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