Year: <span>2020</span>

Few weeks after he was declared winner of the Lagos by-election to fill the Kosofe Constituency 2, Hon. Saheed Wasiu Obafemi has become a member of the state House of Assembly.

Hon. Saheed was admitted into the hallowed chamber where he was administered an oath of office by the legal department and in the presence of members of the House, staff and few visitors during plenary.

Recall that Saheed was elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a by-election held on Saturday 5th December, 2020.

The election followed the death of Hon. Tunde Braimoh, the lawmaker who represented the constituency, in July, 2020.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, congratulated the newly sworn-in lawmaker and urged him to collaborate and cooperate with other members of the House in the journey to sustain the greatness of Lagos.

He also urged him to ensure effective representation of his constituents.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Senator Tokunbo Abiru who recently became a member of the red chamber of the National Assembly.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has promised that he and his colleagues would continue to do their job of lawmaking and providing good governance for the people of the state.

Obasa added that Year 2020 had been a year of challenges for the country, state and the Assembly and that this warrants those that are alive to appreciate God Almighty.

The Speaker made the comment on Friday during the Year 2020 annual thanksgiving of the Assembly Chapel with the theme; “All Round Expansion.”

Obasa, who said that the day marked an opportunity to appreciate the goodness of God, added: “In every sense, the year 2020 has been a unique year with its attendant challenges. But the good book, the Holy Bible, admonishes us to faint not but be fervent in the spirit and that if we fail not, then surely, we will be counted among the victorious.

“As such, I declare each and every one of us under this canopy including everyone under the sound of my voice as victorious because we are alive.

“We are alive to see today and alive to move on despite the challenges we all faced this year. The book of Psalm, 147 verse 1 says: ‘Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God’.

“I, particularly, will sing praises to God because the Almighty God has done wondrous things in our midst this year. I will sing praises because, together with my colleagues and the inestimable members of staff of this assembly, we scaled through a lot in the year 2020, unscathed.”

The Speaker, who intermittently sang praises to God, said the year’s theme was carefully selected bearing in mind some of the challenges that were faced in the year.

“Our thematic text for this thanksgiving is taken from Genesis 1:28, which reads: ‘God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’.”

The Speaker said the word ‘expansion’ in this context speaks to the state of the nation presently.

“But it is our belief that the incoming year 2021 will be for our prosperity in all ramifications.

“Since we are created in God’s image, we are to be fruitful, or creative. God brought into being a flawless creation, an ideal platform, and then created humanity to continue the creation project,” he said while also quoting the Bible to back up his speech.

“You will all agree with me that the coronavirus pandemic experienced this year has reset the ‘norms of life’ button. The term new normal has become mainstream, as societies grapple with social adjustments and survival economies, so to speak.

“As such, concentrated efforts are being made to build resilience at various levels including healthcare, governance, socio-economic support, educational continuity, and togetherness management.

“Above all the efforts put into claiming our lives back as people, we are reassured in the word of God in Psalm 126 verses 1 and 2 that, ‘When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy’. In the coming year, we will always have reasons to rejoice,” he prayed.

The Speaker said further that the Guest Minister, Apostle Wole Oladiyun of Christ LivingSpring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM) was at the Assembly last year and that he was invited to be in the programme this year based on his prophetic messages last year.

“I asked the committee that they must bring Apostle Wole Oladiyun back for the event this year. He told us that what happened this year would happen, but that we will survive it and we survived it.

“For a man to prophesy that something would happen and it happened it shows that he is a man of God,” he said while thanking the clergyman for his constant prayers.

Apostle Wole Oladiyun, who spoke extensively on the theme of the programme and thanksgiving, used the opportunity to pray for the nation, the state, the Assembly and for all those, who attended the programme.

Lagos State Assembly in a bid to curb the excesses of Real Estate Agents in the State has come up with a bill for a Law to regulate Real Estate transactions in Lagos State and for other connected purposes.

The Bill which touches most grey areas of real estate reviews the establishment of the governing body “Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority” which shall be a Corporate body with perpetual succession.

The Chairman House Committee on Housing, Hon Bisi Yusuf made it known during public hearing of the bill that the proposed bill intend to sanitize real estate transactions, through the operation of a data base containing particulars of persons and Organization engaged in the business of real estate agency in the State, in order to monitor their activities and protect citizens against fraudulent real estate transactions.

Hon Bisi Yusuf further stated that the proposed bill plans to guarantee the protection of person and Organisations dealing in the real estate, ensure they register with the state, obtain a permit on registration before commencing Operation, He Reiterated that real estate transactions must be transparent, gain market confidence and are devoid of fraudulent practices in the forms of property fraud.

Speaking further on the bill, Hon Yusuf reassured all persons and organisations dealing in the business of real estate in Lagos State to do their job effectively as long as they are registered with the appropriate authority within the State “.

The deputy speaker of the House, Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun said that the bill, if passed into law will ensure the protection of citizens from illegal Real Estate practitioners/operators in Lagos State, which is one of the most efficient areas of Lagos economy, “this bill Commendable seeks to create a regulatory authority to oversee, monitor, regulate and manage the property transactions in Lagos State”.

Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to direct the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, to intensify public enlightenment campaigns in a bid to curtail the spread of fast rising cases of Covid 19 among Lagosians.

The House made this call following the ravaging effect of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic

Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who presented the matter during plenary on Tuesday, said it was important for the House to invite the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, to brief the House on the state government’s efforts and preparedness to prevent the 2nd wave of the disease in the state.

He stressed that there is an urgent need to ensure that all the COVID-19 protocols are strictly observed, e he further urged the government to ensure that enforcement was total as prevention is the most reliable precautions against the scourge for now.

“The Governor is down with mild symptoms of COVID-19 and I want to urge all the lawmakers in the House to observe the protocols of the pandemic.

“The Clerk of the House should also ensure that the staff of the House and visitors observe the protocols.

“We should sustain the campaign against the spread of the disease in the state. We all know that the disease is on the rise again in the United States of America and in other countries.

“The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, should come and brief the House on the efforts being made to prevent the spread of the disease in the state,” Obasa said.

Commenting on the matter, a member of the House Committee on Health Services, Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1), lamented that people no longer take precaution against the disease as many don’t even believe that it exists.

He stressed that the state could not afford another lockdown, warning that the only way out was for people to observe the new normal, which is to observe the protocol.

Also, the Cooperative Societies Bill 2020, which is titled, “A Bill for a law to provide for the registration of Cooperative Societies in Lagos State and for connected matters,” was read for the second time.

Members agreed that the bill seeks to address all the inadequacies bedeviling the existing law on cooperative societies in the state and called for speedy passage of the bill.

After exhaustive deliberations, the Speaker committed the bill to the House Committee on Commerce and Industry, to report back to the House in two weeks.

Still at plenary, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, Victor Akande presented a report on Unlawful Societies and Cultism (Prohibition) Bill 2020, titled: “A Bill for a law to provide for the prohibition of Unlawful Societies and Cultism in Lagos State and for other connected purposes,” the committee was asked to go and make some amendments before it would be read for the third time.

The Speaker then urged the standing committees of the House to conclude work on the Bills before them, while the joint Committees on Budget and Economic Planning and Finance were equally asked to complete work on the 2021 Budget proposal of the state before the end of the year.

The House later adjourned sitting to Monday, December 28, 2020 at 12 noon.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill to establish the Lagos State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission and for connected purposes.

The bill was passed into law on Tuesday after the third reading of the bill by the house and a consequent voice vote.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa then directed the Clerk, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko to forward a clean copy of the bill to Mr Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his assent.

Earlier a bill for a law to regulate real estate transactions in Lagos State and for other connected purposes, sailed through second reading as the Speaker committed it to the House Committee on Housing to report back in two weeks.

The lawmakers took turns to contribute to the matter. Blazing the trail, Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu, Ikeja 2 noted that the bill will redress the anomalies cited in the real estate business.

This bill seeks to redress the anomalies of real estate and consultancy services amongst other issues that ought to be looked into in the real estate business.

It will also see to the valuation of real estate assets, prevent the breakdown of law observed among the realtors, real estate manager and others.

It makes recommendation of policies that influence better deal in the lands bureau, New Town Development Authority NTDA and others, it will also enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

Hon. Kehinde Joseph, Alimosho 2 in his contribution noted that the bill would help streamline the activities of the real estate agents.

He also cited the likely conflict that might arise with the job specification of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing.

Hon. Ibraheem Layorde, Badagry 1 however, hinted that most of the agencies collecting fees are not making returns to government coffers.

He added that the bill when assented to, will aid speedy dispensation of justice on issues that arise in the real estate business.

Hon Bisi Yusuff, Alimosho 1, who chairs the House Committee on Housing, who also lent a voice to the matter, affirmed that the bill was long overdue owing to the prevalence of anomalies in the real estate transactions.

“There are quack agents collecting rent for owners, yet make no returns nor commit money to those they claim to represent.

“The Dubai experience and data base that affirms the genuineness of transaction is in view,” he said.

He however, pleaded for a review of the proviso in section 2 of the bill that deals with the establishment and composition of the board, citing the need to reduce to 10 years the 15 years cognate experience requirement for the chairman of the board.

Hon. David Setonji, Badagry 2 was more concerned about the involvement of professional engineers, especially the registered Civil Engineers as he said that the matter deals with housing and certified engineers, who he said must hold the sanctity of the professional body they belong with fear.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, in his contribution opined that on perceived abandoned buildings or uncompleted ones, the owners needed to be contacted before action is taken.

“I am of the opinion that certain buildings are not really abandoned, the period need be stated, the penal section need be put in proper perspective.

Speaker Obasa however, stated that he had no doubt that the bill was a very good one.

“It stands to cure the challenges faced by our people in Lagos.

“It also gives an opportunity to attract foreign investors and having proper regulation makes it attractive, and safe for business.

“This bill is hereby committed to the committee on housing to report back in two weeks,” he said.

The House then adjourned sitting to Tuesday 15th December at noon.

Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has declared that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just-held senatorial by-election is proof that the party has many more victories ahead.

It is believed that the by-elections held to fill vacant senatorial and House of Assembly seats in the state is a test of the party’s strength ahead of future elections.

Obasa said the victory had proven that the party in Lagos remains strong, united and has members and chieftains who continuously key into its goals and manifesto.

He commended the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and chieftains of the party for making the right choices at all times.

The Speaker, who had recently declared that Asiwaju Tinubu’s political empire remains solid, intact and victorious, also commended the electorate for ensuring the victory of the party in the two by-elections.

“It is unarguable that his resilience, love for democracy, passion to see his foot-soldiers grow and belief in discipline cannot be measured,” he said.

He added that the exercise by the electorate was a vote of confidence on the APC ahead of other parties.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mr. Tokunbo Abiru as winner of the senatorial by-election for Lagos East after he polled 89,204 votes to defeat his closest rival, Babatunde Gbadamosi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 11,257 votes.

On the other hand, Obafemi Saheed of the APC for the Kosofe constituency 11 scored 12, 494 votes to beat Sikiru Alebiosu of the PDP who polled 2,068.

“The victory is a vote of confidence on APC in Lagos. It shows there is something we are doing that we must not only sustain but continue to build on.

“The APC in Lagos has always been a united body geared towards the attainment of a general goal – making life better for the residents of the state and this we have done over the years.

“The people of Lagos state appreciate us as a party and this is evident in the landslide victory of the two candidates in the election,” Obasa said.

He challenged Abiru and Saheed to see their victory as opportunities to bring government closer to their people and play strong roles in the advancement of Lagos state.

The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa, at Plenary on Monday addressed the recent increase of domestic and sexual violence cases of all gender in the State.

Speaking at the second reading of “A Bill for a Law to provide for the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency, the Establishment of Sex Offenders Register and for other connected purposes.” He stated that victimization and stigmatization of victims of all forms of domestic and sexual assault is a matter that needs to be tackled by putting all necessary efforts, particularly the Law in curbing its widespread.

“This Bill is to examine the causes of violence and proffer lasting solutions; therefore we need to set all the laws to avoid repetition from the existing ones as well as ensure that the magistrate committee of the response team who are assigned in other duties does not affect the effectiveness of the agency when it is created.”

“Also, We already have Laws on domestic violence, child rights law etc, therefore, we will not be hasty in establishing new agencies to avoid increase in expenditure on the State government, but if the purpose of this bill demands creation of an agency then we will” The Speaker said.

 

Giving an overview of the Bill, Hon. Victor Akande expressed the timeliness and germane position of the Bill as it guarantees protection of rights and victims against sexual and gender based violence.

According to him, the Bill establishes provisions for victims to have rights to medical and legal counseling which is very paramount, conduction of preliminary investigations against offenders, partnership with public and private sectors, protection of victims against stigmatisation as well as the creation of avenue for database entry for sexual and violence offenders, whereby the offenders will be recorded into a sexual offence register.

Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who also contributed, noted that the Bill attempts to eradicate the impunity of violence that has penetrated into the society, he said this will serve as another point scored by the Lagos Government in the fight against sexual and domestic violence.

He added that the creation of life imprisonment for perpetrators of rape gave legal backings to various reforms made by the State in response to other legislations.

“The Judiciary is well represented in the proposed Committee as well as top tier representative of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Health, Education, and Youth in order to ensure that they are able to discharge responsibilities assigned to them by the Law.”

Agunbiade explained that the amendment of the Bill will further reduce domestic and gender based sexual abuse.

Hon. Rotimi Olowo positioned that the Bill will ensure that justice is served, medical assistance is provided to the victims as well as provision of funds and the perpetrators are psychoanalysed.

Stating the advantages of the Bill, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu suggested that with the formation of the new agency, there will be database capturing of offenders and the incorporation of the Ministry of Justice response team.

Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mojisola Alli-Macaulay also threw her weight behind the passing of the Bill, stating that the Bill is sacrosanct as the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence agency will be able to perform optimally.

“It will create a one-stop centre for victims of sexual and gender based violence through the establishment of the agency, as it will also ensure that victims of violence will have access to medical, legal assistance and ensure justice is served; thereby protecting the victims from victimisation and stigmatisation. I support this Bill as it will reinstate sanity to our society.” She said.

The Speaker thereafter committed the Bill to House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to report in a week time.

Earlier, the Speaker received grassroots organisation and women’s rights defenders consisting of 200 women from different organisations who held a peaceful protest and awareness walk to Lagos State House of Assembly to present a joint statement in commemoration of the 2020 16-days of activism, themed “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect”.

The Group expressed their concern about the prevalence of violence against women and girls in Lagos State thereby hoping that the oversight role of the State Assembly can help to support the eradication of any form of violence against women and girls.

Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC  on “A Bill for a Law to establish the Lagos State Public  complaints and Anti-corruption Commission and for other connected purposes”.

Hon. Victor Akande, Chairman of the Committee, while presenting the report stated that “The Bill which contains 53 sections seeks to address issues relating to public complaints bothering on accountability of public officers in the State by the proposed Commission”.

The Chairman noted that the intention of the Bill is aimed at correcting administrative anomalies in the discharge of public functions as they affect the citizens and residents of the State so as to mediate in disputes between person(s) to person(s), and government to person(s), especially on administrative procedures that can cause injustice within the administrative jurisdiction.

He highlighted the Interpretation section of the Bill, Appointment of members of the Commission, Tenure of office, Remuneration, Independence, Powers and Duties of the Commission,  all geared towards bringing sanity and probity into the activities of public officials in the discharge of their duties in the State.

After several deliberations at the Committee of the Whole, the House adopted the Bill as the resolution of the House.

Lagos State House of Assembly through its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petition and LASIEC has charged Local governments in the State on the need to bolster the election processes, especially during the forthcoming election.

Chairman, Hon. Victor Akande who led the Committee on an Inspection to the State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC in various Local Governments, LG and Local Council Development Areas, LCDA of the State expressed that the tour was to examine the level of preparedness of the Commission towards the forthcoming elections as well as to understand the present challenges of LASIEC in their respective Councils and proffer solutions.

Hon. Akande noted that LASIEC may need more personnel and thus suggested the employment of support-staff to reduce work load and increase effectiveness. In his words “there is a need to provide LASIEC with Support-Staff as the present staff strength cannot bear the enormous work load and this could undermine the efficacy of the Commission.”

Mrs. Bakare Mariam, LASIEC Electoral Officer at Agege LGA attested to the major challenge which is the need for additional support- staff, but stated that LASIEC is prepared for the upcoming elections in the State; she also explained that some of the materials required are currently situated at the Commission until the day of election when the supplies will be distributed to approved centres for security reasons.

Hon. Egunjobi Ganiu, Chairman, Agege LGA, assured both the Committee and Commission of the continued support from Agege Local Government as well as a standard office and store for the electoral personnel assigned to the Area before the end of the year.

At the Orile Agege, LCDA Electoral Office; Electoral Officer, Mr. Akinsewe Oludotun confirmed a good working relationship with the Council Chairman and Staff which has bolstered LASIEC; implored the Council Chairman to expedite action on acquiring a secured store and other facilities that would assist the responsibilities of the Commission.

Chairman, Orile Agege LCDA, Hon. Johnson Babatunde who assured the Committee of their preparedness for the forthcoming elections enjoined their elected officials to ensure that things are done in excellent manner, also assured the Committee of a standard store and office for the Commission before the commencement of the elections.

While contributing, Hon. Mojisola Alli-Maculay, Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation said “This is year 2020 and it is high time we raise the bar on our modus operandi especially our elections, we have to set the pace like Lagos State always does in all sectors.” she continued,
“We want to maintain that standard so our electoral process can have a dignifying pace, we can achieve that by empowering LASIEC in our Local Governments.’’

Furthering on the upgrade of electoral process in the State, Hon. Olayiwola Abdul-Sobur, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government & Administration, urged LASIEC not to rest on its oars as elections are approaching which is a sector of democracy that is important to Lagosians and the government.

Hon. Akande charged the Commission on exemplary processes in order to achieve good results.

Other Local Government and Local Council Development Areas during the tour presented identical challenges which was promised to be met by their respective Council Chairmen. The Councils visited includes Agege LGA, Orile Agege LCDA, Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo LCDA, Ojodu LCDA, Bariga LCDA, Somolu LGA.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Sunday admonished religious leaders in Nigeria to play positive roles that would help advance the country.

Obasa said this when he spoke at a service marking the 100th anniversary of the St. Peter’s African Church, Remo Iperu, Ogun state.

The Speaker noted that Nigeria currently requires and intellectual contributions from religious leaders for a desired change in the country’s polity and as a guide to the future generation.

“I therefore urge our Christian leaders not to relent in their efforts to cater for the spiritual needs of the Christian fold under their care and also use various platforms to encourage our people to support our various initiatives as government, that will make life easier for everybody,” Obasa admonished.

Obasa, who recently ended his tenure as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, noted that Christianity, like every other religion, provides the enabling platform for the people’s spiritual edification and social needs as individual members of the society.

He further noted the role of the Christianity as a unifier of people and motivation to them irrespective of their race, culture, and education.

“You will all agree with me that religion generally serves as a veritable tool for social integration, and harmonious co-existence in the society, and remains one of the cords of unity that knit us together, especially in a multi religious society like ours in Nigeria.

“As such, in maintaining peace and social order, such basic principles and religious virtues as enunciated in the Holy Books must be imbued and placed into practical demonstrations.

“As we constantly show harmony and unity of intent in our service and dedication to our creator in our different places of adoration, I encourage you all to emulate the unity we frequently exhibit in the larger society in our place of worship,” Obasa urged.

The Speaker congratulated the church for reaching the feat of 100 years of service to God and humanity saying this is evident in what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18: “Upon this rock I will build my church; (and this is the best part) and the gates of hell will not overpower it.”