SSA to the Lagos State Governor on Youth Development

Your achievements speaks itself about your capabilities.
No matter how big a crowd may be, a person like you always stands out!

Thank You Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

We Are Stronger Together

Synergizing for Youth Development in Lagos State.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Youth Development, Comrade Oluomo Akanbi Ade Afonja was at Elev8 Digital Academy, one of our creative and innovative global academy for digital leaders in Lagos State.

Elev8 IT training and executive programs equip companies and individuals with the knowledge, skills and inspiration they need to harness new technology, lead digital transformation projects, develop leadership capabilities, and master new technical skills.

At Elev8, you can learn directly from some of the most prominent thought leaders, industry experts and academics from around the world.

The SSA was privilege to go round the academy, undoubtedly he attested that the learning environment, facilities, training and virtual platform are all very innovative and indeed just what the industry needs.

Discussion on how and where the can also tap from Elev8 towards complementing the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu 's Youth Development agenda still on.

*SARS EXTRA JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES, A GRAVE INJUSTICE THAT CAN'T BE IGNORED - Commissioner for Youth*

The stress and hardship some youths faced in the hands of judicial officers, especially the SARS are indeed worrisome and challenging. The need to be curb this act is very much important to us all at the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

The actions and extra judicial activities carried out by officers of SARS is a grave injustice that cannot be overlooked. I want to assure our Youth in Lagos that the Lagos State Government understand their plight."

We understand that the very people who should protect and safeguard the citizens should not be the ones putting them in harm’s way.

The youth need not live in fear while carrying out their legitimate day to day activities in an attempt to provide for themselves and their loved ones, and should not be subjected to indiscriminate, unauthorized search of their smart devices, maiming and killings.

Every suspect is innocent until proven guilty and should be treated as such, that is what the law of the land provides". Commissioner added.

We are with you our youth and this is evident by the statements made by Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu and by Mr Deputy Governor, Dr Kadiri Hamzat to those who peacefully protested at Alausa today.

The deliberations going on at the Lagos State House of Assembly on this matter is also a further evidence of our concern for the youth and our citizens. I am in total support of speaking up and lending your voices on this grave injustice.

However, I appeal to our youth to continue to explore non- violent methods in seeking justice as you have been doing.

Hon. Olusegun Dawodu
Honourable Comissioner
Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State

* : LAGOS DEPUTY GOVERNOR ENGAGES PROTESTERS IN ALAUSA, ADVISES THEM NOT BE DESTRUCTIVE*

*•Hamzat Conveys State’s Position On Police Brutality*

The Government of Lagos State has advised youths protesting alleged brutality by operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) - an operational outfit in the Police Force - to be civil, as they demonstrated in the State to express their grievances.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on Friday, shelved official engagements and obliged the request to address aggrieved protesters who besieged the State House in Alausa.

As the Deputy Governor arrived at the scene, some of the demonstrators engaged in intense arguments with the Government House police guards deployed to keep the peace. The operatives did not harass any of them.

Dr. Hamzat said the demonstrators’ outrage and grievance were in order and within their rights as citizens, but the Deputy Governor advised them to eschew violence and not to be unruly as their concerns would be pushed to the police authorities for action.

Hamzat, who urged the protesters to leave the roads, said the State Government would not condone brutality and violation of citizens’ rights by security operatives, pointing out that the position of the State on the matter had already been communicated to the appropriate quarters by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Deputy Governor said the State Government would continue to engage the police leadership and the Federal Government to address the issues raised by the citizens and bring about needed change in the police operations.

He said: “The tenet of the police operation is to protect the citizens. Security operatives don’t have the right to trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens, because of their unfamiliar looks, or because they are carrying laptops or iPhones. It is wrong for any police officer to expressly accuse or pronounce someone, irrespective of age, guilty because they have dreads or ride luxury vehicles.

“As a Government, we support evidence-based investigations and actions driven by intelligence. The procedure of arrest and prosecution must be followed through. We are equally aggrieved like every other law-abiding Nigerian. If a young man or woman who is legitimately doing his or her job is attacked or maimed by police officers for no reason, we will never support that. We condemn police brutality in whatever guise and we will continue to engage their leadership for change.”

Dr. Hamzat advised some of the demonstrators, who were chanting “dissolution of the police”, stressing that it would be counterproductive to pull down the entire operation of the police because of the infractions committed by a few bad eggs in the system.

He told the protesters that SARS was a special operational outfit in the police, adding that there were processes to be followed in calling for change in its operations.

Dr. Hamzat said: “We fully understand the reasons for your anger but this demonstration must also carried out in line with the law. If we employ violence or destruction to drive home our grievances, we will also be hurting ourselves. The protest must be orderly, so that those concerned will get the salient point of the message.

“You can’t block the road, disrupt free flow of traffic and prevent other people from embarking on their lawful duties, especially the emergency responders. As citizens, it is within your rights to express your grievances but let us exercise caution and eschew violence. The authorities have heard your voice and I hope we all leave the roads with the understanding that drastic changes will be effected.”

As the Deputy Governor left the scene at 1:15pm, the protesters continued to chant anti-police songs, calling for disbanding of SARS. But, Dr. Hamzat instructed security operatives at the scene no to harass or exchange words with any of the demonstrators.

*SANWO-OLU RELEASES 56 INMATES, PARDONS FUNKE AKINDELE, HUSBAND*

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional Centres and granted State pardon to Mrs. Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bello, who are both non-custodial convicts for offences related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

A statement signed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, said Mr. Sanwo-Olu acted based on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, under the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 212 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The 56 released inmates were recommended by the Advisory Council after due examination of their case files and consideration of the length of time served, the gravity of offence, old age and ill-health among other parameters.

The Attorney General has also enjoined the beneficiaries to be good citizens and stay away from crime.

The eight-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by Dr. Abayomi Finnih was inaugurated Governor Sanwo-Olu in December 2019.

The need to develop Lagos State Youth is very essential but identifying the lacuna amidst the youths is of great importance in order to render not just development but the basic and urgent developments to the youths.

........YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SOCIAL DVELOPMENT, MR. OLUSEGUN DAWODU AT A ONE-DAY YOUTH DIALOGUE ON PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION HELD ON THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2020 AT FOLARIN COKER CLINIC HALL, THE SECRETARIAT ALAUSA, IKEJA, LAGOS.

PROTOCOL

I will commence this address by reminding us that peace building and conflict resolution is about how individuals, social groups and communities interact with one another. Peace is a gift that every human being is expected to share with one another. Peace is like a two-way street that runs to and fro, so if a person must have peace, he or she must be prepared to give peace to others. In as much as conflict as a form of human character cannot be wished away, it is of utmost importance to address conflicting issues and resolve them effectively before they escalate into violence, abuse or war.

Peace building and conflict resolution allow people to thrive economically, socially and politically, by addressing the root causes of violence. It is an activity that seeks to resolve injustice in non-violent ways and transform the cultural and structural conditions that give rise to deadly or destructive conflict. Peace building involves deliberate efforts in developing and attaining healthy personal, group and political relationships, irrespective of ethnic, religious, class, national or racial affiliation. It fosters reconciliation and prevents violence.
The world today is currently experiencing various crisis such as poverty, unemployment, COVID-19 outbreak, climate change and so on.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is not only a health crisis affecting every country in the world, but also a major learning, cultural and economic crisis. The spread of the disease brought a disastrous impact on vulnerable communities around the world, exacerbating profound and latent inequalities as well as social mistrust in societies. The impact of the health crisis on the youth has been tremendous, creating personal and group conflict in the society.

At the same time, the world population is exploding, with young people constituting a quarter of the global number, and becoming highly susceptible to civil conflict driven by the problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This may arise as a result of lack of education, skills or adequate information. Many unengaged and unfulfilled youth from across the world are falling prey to extremist rhetoric and are recruited for violence.

History has revealed severally, that idle youth are easily lured towards violence and have been manipulated by extremist groups to choose violence as their only option to air their grievances. Young people are being brainwashed, used as tools of violence, and left with futures ruined.

President Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of United States once said “Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.” He further asked the questions “Can the pendulum shift? Is it possible for youth to declare peace and lead their communities towards non-violent reconciliation? Do they have the credibility, the resources and the social capital to positively influence their society? In conflict zones across the world is it possible for youth to set the standards for new ways to engage in dialogue, non-violence and development? In the same vein, I ask every youth seated here and those with us virtually, this question, “Can the Lagos Youth play the pivotal role in conflict transformation and reconciliation and stand out like their counterparts across the world”?

Literatures are showcasing how youth across the world are promoting positive changes in their communities. This is because the youth represent a great and energetic force behind the attainment of any type of change at any level. In as much as they are given recognition as political actors, their trajectories in peacebuilding would be greatly utilized and impactful. This characteristic of the youth is a strong factor for the emergence of the Resolution 2250 of the United Nations in December 2015 on Youth, Peace and Security.

The resolution emphasized the role of youth as pivotal actors in the achievement of peace and sustainable development. This is because Youth have the creativity, the potential and the capacity to make change happen, for themselves, for their communities, and for the rest of the world. The positioning of youth in society has a bearing on their leadership potential and their possible role in peacebuilding, otherwise, their trajectories in peacebuilding would likely be ignored, wasted and at best, under-utilized.

In conclusion, I make bold to say that the present administration, driven by our able Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu will continue to provide the avenue for the engagement of youth in the State, and provide opportunities for them to build solid networks for peacebuilding and prevention of conflict or violence. Our commitment to continue to support our Youth in achieving their dream is resolute, a path that we cannot depart from. I appreciate the guest speaker and panel of discussants for taking time out to make positive impact in the lives of the youth in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. I wish you a fruitful deliberation.

Thank you for your attention and may God Bless us all.

Olusegun Dawodu
Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Youth and Social Development

At the final campaign rally of the APC in Akure today, HE President Muhammadu Buhari and HE Vice President Professor Yomi Osinbajo led our Governors, Ministers and other party leaders to mobilise support for the re-election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

On behalf of the National Campaign Council, I urge the people of Ondo State to vote and ensure Gov. Akeredolu is re-elected.

He has done good work and I am appealing to the electorate to re-elect the APC as the governing party so that he will complete the work he started.

-Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu

LAGOS READY TO DELIVER FOURTH MAINLAND BRIDGE – SANWO-OLU


A major step towards the realisation of the Fourth Mainland Bridge was, today, taken by the State Government with the first stakeholders meeting on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the construction and launch of the Bridge’s logo.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, described the event as a significant one in the joint effort to change the narrative of the socio-economic development of the State, through the provision of critical infrastructure for sustainable prosperity.

The Governor emphasised that the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge has been well integrated into the overall Lagos Master Plan in relation to transportation infrastructure, adding that the project allows for the first time, direct access from the large suburb of Ikorodu to the Island and the Lekki Free Trade Zone area.

While noting that the present administration has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the strategic project becomes a reality, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State government reactivated the construction of the bridge in October 2019 with the development of a six-step process that will lead to the selection of a suitable concessionaire in line with global best practices.

He emphasised that the stakeholder-engagement and consultation on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was a precursor to the third step, which will involve issuing a “Request for Proposal” to the six consortia for the presentation of their respective financial proposals and methodologies for carrying out the project.

According to him, “The stakeholders’ meeting was organised to open the project to further inputs, comments, ideas and observations for incorporation into the ongoing social and environmental impact assessment. We hope the meeting would boost the acceptability and implementation ratings of the 4th Mainland Bridge in line with global best practices”.

In her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, stated that the meeting was another bold step by the present administration towards ensuring the buy-in of Lagosians into the government project and another fulfillment of the promise of Mr. Governor to adopt inclusiveness as a tool for governance.

She explained that as primary coordinator for the project, the Ministry has arranged a number of meetings with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State to inform all stakeholders and foster progress on the project.

In his goodwill message, the Minister for Works and Housing and former Governor of the State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, represented by Dr. Adetunji Adeoye, commended Lagos for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, adding that the construction will create a lot of activities and job opportunities for residents.

He, therefore, assured the people and government of Lagos State of his unalloyed support towards the construction of the bridge.

The Minister of State for the Environment, represented by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Agbenla, described the Fourth Mainland Bridge as an endearing project to the citizens, which will be executed with the highest levels of environmental sustainability.

The Fourth Mainland Bridge is a 37.4km freeway subdivided into three sections namely Island Section, Lagoon Section and Mainland Section. It will commence from Abraham Adesanya Roundabout in Lekki through Ajah and Langbasa areas, crossing the Ado Badore Road before arriving at the Lagoon shoreline.

The road crosses the Lagoon via a 4.5km Lagoon Bridge landing between Bayeku and Ijede villages, passing through Ikorodu-Epe expressway to further link Isawo Road and from there to Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

COVID19 is still very much around! This is one of the things I reiterated to our resilient SMEs and businesses at the Oyingbo market today.

Our people are strong and bouncing back even as the world continues to experience the economic effects of the pandemic.

I thank Lagosians for the continuous drive, pushing through adversity and embracing the spirit of Lagos.

As a government, we have rolled out direct business and community interventions across all LGAs that will make lives easier as we approach the end of the year.

- Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu

*LAGOS CANCELS INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE*

Lagos State Government has opted for a low key celebration of the 60th Independence Anniversary due to the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still with us.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the planned parade and other activities that involve the gathering of more than 50 people should be cancelled.

He congratulates Lagosians on this auspicious occasion and strongly advises that they should celebrate quietly at home and pray for the country. They should also observe the COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of face masks to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The Governor urges Lagosians not to relax their vigilance against COVID-19 so as not to reverse the gains that the state has made in fighting the disease. They are to keep embracing social distancing and washing of hands with soap and water. Anybody who feels unwell should stay indoors and contact health authorities.

The police and other security agencies have been directed to ensure that nobody flouts these directives in the interest of all of us, especially now that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is warning that a second wave of the deadly disease could occur.


Signed:
*Gbenga Omotoso*
*Commissioner, Information and Strategy*