Author: <span>Ayoola Babalola-Etti</span>

– Confirms 1 Sanwo-Olu’s Nominee
– Asks environment ministry to clear drains

The Lagos State House Assembly on Tuesday asked the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to appear before it over its refusal to add Yoruba to languages it uses for announcements and instructions in its train service.

The House noted the importance of Yoruba language for passing information to passengers on the trains since it would help some of them, especially new users, easily understand what to do.

The House further noted that since 2017 when the bill on compulsory teaching of Yoruba Language in schools was passed, the State had made conscious efforts to encourage the use of the language in public places adding that this should be sustained.

It, therefore, invited LAMATA to appear and explain the reasons behind its refusal to adopt the use of the language.

The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Environment to commence immediate clearing of drainage channels and canals across the State.

Hon. Kehinde Joseph representing Alimosho Constituency 2 raised the issue under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ at plenary.

According to him, heavy rains in the State as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET) have damaged some houses in his constituency while some buildings have been submerged by flood with properties destroyed.

The lawmaker complained of blocked drainage channels and canals, saying there was need for the Ministry of Environment to act urgently while the Ministry of Information should carry out sensitisation of Lagosians to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

In his contribution, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 said flooding in the State was as a result of climate change and rise in the sea level.

Hon. Temitope Adewale representing one of the constituencies of Ifako Ijaiye suggested the reintroduction of environmental sanitation to make residents clear their gutters.

Hon. Ladi Ajomale said flooding in his constituency was disheartening, while Hon. Rasheed Shabi said there was need for a stringent policy to be put in place.

He tasked Local Government chairman to take the responsibility of clearing and fumigating the drainages in their areas.

Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who presided over the plenary, urged the relevant agencies to expedite action. She also called on each of the Local Governments to do the needful while LAWMA should be ready to play its role.

Meanwhile, the House confirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominee, Tolani Akibu, whose name was initially stepped down by the lawmakers.

Lagos Assembly invites LAMATA Over Non-Use Of Yoruba Language In Train Announcements

– Confirms 1 Sanwo-Olu’s Nominee
– Asks environment ministry to clear drains

The Lagos State House Assembly on Tuesday asked the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to appear before it over its refusal to add Yoruba to languages it uses for announcements and instructions in its train service.

The House noted the importance of Yoruba language for passing information to passengers on the trains since it would help some of them, especially new users, easily understand what to do.

The House further noted that since 2017 when the bill on compulsory teaching of Yoruba Language in schools was passed, the State had made conscious efforts to encourage the use of the language in public places adding that this should be sustained.

It, therefore, invited LAMATA to appear and explain the reasons behind its refusal to adopt the use of the language.

The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Environment to commence immediate clearing of drainage channels and canals across the State.

Hon. Kehinde Joseph representing Alimosho Constituency 2 raised the issue under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ at plenary.

According to him, heavy rains in the State as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET) have damaged some houses in his constituency while some buildings have been submerged by flood with properties destroyed.

The lawmaker complained of blocked drainage channels and canals, saying there was need for the Ministry of Environment to act urgently while the Ministry of Information should carry out sensitisation of Lagosians to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

In his contribution, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 said flooding in the State was as a result of climate change and rise in the sea level.

Hon. Temitope Adewale representing one of the constituencies of Ifako Ijaiye suggested the reintroduction of environmental sanitation to make residents clear their gutters.

Hon. Ladi Ajomale said flooding in his constituency was disheartening, while Hon. Rasheed Shabi said there was need for a stringent policy to be put in place.

He tasked Local Government chairman to take the responsibility of clearing and fumigating the drainages in their areas.

Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who presided over the plenary, urged the relevant agencies to expedite action. She also called on each of the Local Governments to do the needful while LAWMA should be ready to play its role.

Meanwhile, the House confirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominee, Tolani Akibu, whose name was initially stepped down by the lawmakers.

On Thursday, the Lagos State House of Assembly confirmed 15 out of the second batch of 18 nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently.

The confirmation happened after Hon. Mojeed Fatai, Chief Whip and screening committee chairman, laid a report of the exercise before the House.

At a sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the lawmakers rejected Engr. Olalere Odusote, Mr. Samuel Egube.

However, the House resolved to step down the confirmation of Hon. Tolani Sule Akibu for another day.

Dr. Obasa commended the committee, saying the members thoroughly screened the nominees. His position was supported by the lawmakers present at the plenary.

Those confirmed include:

Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen
Mr. Oluwaseun Oriyomi Osiyemi
Prof. Akinola Emmanuel Abayomi
Dr. Oluwarotimi Omotola Wahab Fashola
Mrs. Folashade Kaosarat Ambrose-Medem
Mrs. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe
Mrs. Bolaji Cécilia Dada
Mrs. Barakat Akande Bakare
Mr. Olugbenga Omotosho
Mr. Mosopefoluwa George
Dr. Yekini Nurudeen Agbaje
Dr. Olumide Oluyinka
Mr. Abayomi Samson Oluyomi
Dr. Iyabode Oyeyemi Ayoola
Hon. Sola Shakirudeen Giwa

The Lagos State House of Assembly will on Tuesday commence the screening of a second batch of nominees sent to by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, urged the screening committee led by Hon. Fatai Mojeed to ensure a thorough screening process and report to the House on Thursday.

Prior to the Speaker’s comment, the Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, read a letter from the governor listing the names presented.

In the letter, Governor Sanwo-Olu said some of the names were represented while new names were added.

Titled: ‘Fowarding of Official List of Nominees for Appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers’, the letter thanked the Speaker and members of the House for their diligence and commitment in relation to the recent screening and confirmation of 22 nominees.

“Your rigorous accessment of these nominees in adherence to your constitutional obligations demonstrates your dedication to ensuring a competent and effective council,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor said after careful consideration of the 17 names that were rejected, “I have decided to represent a list of nominees which includes a balanced selection of previously presented and new individuals.

“This list represents a broad political spectrum and diverse backgrounds reflective of the rich diversity of our lovely state,” he added in the letter.

The governor said he is confident that the new nominees would bring fresh ideas that would help the growth and progress of Lagos.

He urged the House to screen the nominees for clearance.

Names
1. Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen
2. Mr. Oluwaseun Oriyomi Osiyemi
3. Prof. Akinola Emmanuel Abayomi
4. Engr. Olalere Odusote
5. Dr. Oluwarotimi Omotola Wahab Fashola
6. Mrs. Folashade Kaosarat Ambrose-Medem
7. Mr. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe
8. Mr. Samuel Egube
9. Hon. Tolani Sule Akibu
10. Mrs. Bolaji Cecelia Dada
11. Mrs. Barakat Akande Bakare
12. Mr. Olugbenga Omotoso
13. Mr. Mosopefolu George
14. Yekini Nurudeen Agbaje
15. Dr. Olumide Oluyinka
16. Mr. Abayomi Samson Oluyomi
17. Dr. Iyabode Oyeyemi Ayoola
18. Hon. Sola Shakirudeen Giwa

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has resolved to review the performance of the 2023 budget in preparation for the presentation of the 2024 budget eatimate by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Recall that the House had approved N1.768 trillion for the Year 2023.

Speaker Obasa urged the Committee for the budget review, headed by Hon. Sa’ad Olumo to ensure a proper review and make its report available to the House.

– says there are plans to attack Speaker Obasa, lawmakers
– says no rift between the Governor and Speaker

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday revealed that there are plans by some people to attack Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and other lawmakers over the recent screening and rejection of some cabinet nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The House, however, said its action concerning the nominees was in tandem with the constitution, which stipulates its responsibilities and, as such, would not succumb to threats and intimidations, including planned sponsored protests and analysis by some civil society groups and activists.

It also said it had refrained itself from revealing all that it discovered during the screening of the nominees while warning that “those who live in glass houses should be conscious not to throw stones.”

“Before today, I had been reliably informed of the plan to attack the Speaker based on the decision of the House concerning the nominees of the Governor, particularly the rejected ones,” Dr. Obasa said during plenary adding that he had been inundated with calls from people and members of the House.

The Speaker stressed that the House does not have any fight with Sanwo-Olu or the executive arm as projected by some people, who may not be aware of the actual reasons for the rejection of the nominees.

“There is this erroneous belief that we are waging war against the Governor. There is no basis for me and the House to fight the Governor. I will continue to say that the Governor is a brother and colleague in the Lagos project and service to the people of our State.

“The Governor and I have been around in the system for long. While he was SA to the former Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro, I was in this House as chairman, Committee on Rural Development. He was SA on Establishment and Pensions and I was chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments). While he was heading LSDPC, I was chairman, Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. Then, I became the Speaker and when he became the Governor, I remained the Speaker. So it’s been a long journey together.

“But I wonder why anytime the House says no to a particular request of the Governor, it is taken by some people to mean there is a fight with the Governor. This House has passed so many resolutions that the executive arm refused to carry out, but people don’t see that as something to talk about and the House does not raise eyebrows. So I don’t know what brings the erroneous belief that the House is fighting the Governor, who is our brother and who we will continue to work with.

“However, we have a constitutional responsibility. Just as the Governor has the responsibility to inform the House about his nominees, the House has the responsibility to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ which we have exercised by confirming some and denying some and we have our reasons for saying ‘no’ to some of the nominees.

“The House, as a body, has refrained itself from exposing what it discovered during the screening exercise and we are not going to be forced to spill to the public,” Dr. Obasa said.

Concerning the rejection of Prof. Akin Ababyomi, former health commissioner, Obasa said considerations went beyond his efforts in the fight against COVID-19 which he described as an isolated issue in the challenged health sector of the State.

“Before Prof. Abayomi, there were Leke Pitan, Dr. Jide Idris and others. COVID-19 was an isolated case that was considered. Before COVID-19, we had Ebola which was also taken care of under Babatunde Fashola.

“Beyond all these, we are the representatives of the people, their mouthpieces, eyes and ears. The health sector of Lagos is not just about COVID-19. We have general hospitals and other health care centres around the State. What can be said about them?

“Before Engineer Aramide Adeyoye, we also had Engineer Ganiyu Johnson and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as Commissioner for Works and under whom the Ikoyi-Victoria Island link bridge was built while Babatunde Fashola was Governor. Under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor, there was masaive infrastructural development too.

“So we must stop making allusions concerning somethings we do not understand. They mentioned the former c
Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho and his experience. But how about actions in office?” Obasa asked.

The Speaker added that as a politician whose party is in power, the priority of those in government should be the interest of the people.

He urged those planning to sponsor actions against the House to realise that protests and sponsored articles would not make the House rescind its decision.

“The civil society that is threatening to protest should do so because it is a constitutional right. But we are not going to be threatened or intimidated. We have said no, but if there is a convincing or germane reason for us to reverse our decision, we will, but not by threats.

“It is because we are successful as politicians that is why the technocrats are being appointed. And to our own estimation, if they have not done well, we have right to say no and we have said no.

“We don’t want instigations and conflicts, the executive and the House are working together; we are brothers and colleagues; we will continue to work together but we need to caution fourth columnists not to instigate crisis. And those that are living in glass houses need to be careful,” he warned.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to convene a security council meeting in the State with a bid to stemming the rising spate of killings of residents by men in uniform.

At a plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday, the lawmakers lamented that the killings have so far taken the same pattern with men in uniform being allegedly mentioned.

Dr. Obasa, who stressed that security of lives and property is one essence of government, added: “Where we begin to have one, two, three killings in the State, it definitely calls for concern.

“I quite agree with the prime mover of the motion to call on Mr. Governor to quickly hold a meeting with all heads of security agencies in Lagos State to nip this in the bud.

“At least three people have been declared dead, said to be killed by men in either Police or Army uniforms and we cannot conclude if they are security men or otherwise.”

Reacting to the recent fracas between some Army personnel and officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Speaker urged for professionalism and decorum.

Earlier speaking under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) called the attention of his colleagues to the recent killings saying the incidents called for concern.

Hon. Joseph recalled that earlier in August, 2023, a resident, Adeniyi Sanni, was murdered. He said there were two other incidents on August 17 and August 19.

“The funny thing is that the series of killings took the same pattern. Adeniyi Sanni’s wife told me that her husband was stopped at a checkpoint by men in military uniforms. They requested for documents which the wife sent through WhatsApp to him. His corpse was later found somewhere.

“Same was the case of Mr. Lawal who was stopped and asked for his documents. They later dropped his corpse in Iyana-Ipaja area,” he said.

He moved that the police be called upon to step up security of the State while the military should fish out the men who perpetrate such crimes with Army uniforms. He added that the Governor should act to stem such killings.

In his contribution, Hon. Bonu Solomon Saanu (Badagry 1) observed that it was becoming increasingly difficult to know a fake security personnel.

– Laments exclusion of some Local Govts, party loyalists
– Sets up committee to screen nominees

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday pleaded with his colleagues who expressed dissatisfaction with the list of commissioner-nominees sent recently by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for screening and confirmation.

The lawmakers had lamented the exclusion of some parts of the State in the nomination. While some urged the House to take another look at the list, others urged that the nominees’ local government areas should be attached to the list.

The House also set up a committee chaired by the Chief Whip, Hon. Fatai Mojeed, to screen the nominees and report back.

Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa asked the lawmakers to understand that all local government areas in the State cannot produce a commissioner.

Before directing the Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, to write the Governor requesting for the nominees’ local government areas, Obasa reminded his colleagues that Governor Sanwo-Olu has the prerogative to nominate those to work with him while it is the duty of the lawmakers to screen the nominees and confirm them if they meet needed requirements.

In a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ earlier, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu 2) told his colleagues that despite contributing to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, Ikorodu got one slot in the list.

Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ademola Richard Kasunmu, lamented the absence of any nominee from Ikeja.

His colleague, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya from Mushin, noted that the list did not come with the local government areas of the nominees. He also argued that the APC has technocrats who were not considered.

His position was supported by Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) and Hon. Temitope Adewale, who both urged the Governor to reconsider the nominations.

Reacting to the matter, Hon. Femi Saheed said as a former secretary of the APC in Lagos, he was aware that the party has technocrats who could be nominated.