henryebi@yahoo.com
08036977194
………………………………………………………………………….

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja conferred National Honours on 450 Nigerians and non-Nigerians, who have distinguished themselves in the service of the nation and humanity, saying that citizens who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.
Leading the 2022 National Honours Award recipients, in the category of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) are Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, immediate past CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.
Speaking at the event, the President commended the National Awards Committee headed by the highly revered Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, the Emir of Lafia, for a great and patriotic duty by diligently going through over 5,000 submissions and coming up with these recommendations.
The President noted that the screening and selection of nominees for this year’s award as always, followed established broad criteria, in accordance with the National Honours Act CAP.N43 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
They include but not limited to: ‘‘consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity; outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community.’’
Other criteria listed by the President for selecting the recipients are:
‘‘Distinct act of bravery in the protection and/or defence of national interest, public peace, safety of life and property.
‘‘Remarkable achievement in any field of expertise where the person’s activities in that field have made significant contributions to the attainment of national goals and objectives.
‘‘Immense contributions towards the uplift of community, state, nation and/or humanity through achievements by way of inventions and bringing outstanding honour and glory to the state through personal dedication and patriotic commitment. Service with integrity is also a basis for the selection process.’’
Emphasising that nation building involves a lot of sacrifice by the citizenry, the President declared that citizens who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.
He, therefore, lauded the 2022 National Award recipients for distinguishing themselves in various ways ‘‘for the purpose of recreating a new Nigeria of our dreams through respect for the rule of law, image laundering, transparency and accountability in management of scarce resources.’’
Equally, the President added that those in the private sector have also creditably discharged themselves in business, entertainment, hospitality, transportation and other forms of human endeavours to transform Nigeria.
‘‘We have amongst the recipients today, Amb. Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who are doing our country proud on the international scene. Our dear sisters are a source of inspiration to our young women that through the dint of hard work and dedication, they can achieve greatness.
‘‘We also have on the list, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, a religious leader who hid over 262 Christians in his mosque from attacks in Yelwa Gindi Akwati village, in Plateau State. He is a good example of religious tolerance we preach amongst Nigerians. I am excited that he is being honoured today with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
‘‘Worthy of mention are our Artistes, particularly, our very own Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), who won the Grammy Awards in 2020. He along with other artistes have repositioned the Nigerian entertainment industry and placed it on the global map. At the just concluded Dubai Expo 2020, Nigeria’s pavilion was a beehive of activities as our musicians entertained guests from around the world.
‘‘Despite the present economic challenges, Nigeria still boasts of men and women of integrity; Ms. Josephine Agu, an airport cleaner returned $12,200 found in a toilet at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as well as Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim, a bank security man who found and returned $10,000.
‘‘Today, we celebrate their dignity and strong strength of character by conferring National Honours on them.
‘‘They are a shining example to our younger generation.
‘‘I congratulate all the recipients today who will be joining the league of Awardees.
‘‘I appreciate the non-Nigerian recipients and assure all of you that this administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to undertake your lawful businesses to allow you to sustain your efforts at contributing to the development of our nation, Nigeria,’’ he said.
The President acknowledged that the list of awardees is justifiably long because the exercise has not been carried out since 2015.
He recalled that since the inception of this administration, there has not been such occasion like this where individuals and friends of Nigeria have been so singled out for investiture except for the Special Investiture Ceremony in honour of Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe and Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN.
The President noted that the Investiture Ceremony for Abiola and others was specially carried out to right the wrong done in the past, to assuage our feelings and to resolve to stand firm now and in the future for the sanctity of the electoral process and our democracy.
In like manner, he said, the country’s athletes were also honoured recently for their spectacular performances in several competitions.
He appealed to other Nigerians who are yet to receive this recognition to be patient and understand that their efforts in nation building are appreciated and at the right time, would similarly be recognized.
‘‘This administration will continue to partner with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria with like minds in our efforts to build the Nigeria of our dreams where everybody will strive to excel in their chosen fields devoid of parochial sentiments,’’ he said.
President Buhari also used the occasion to remind the recipients and other Nigerians that National Honours are not merely decorative, saying:
‘‘They remind us of an important part of our responsibility as citizens. We must always endeavour to do our best for our country.’’
The President restated the commitment of the Federal Government, under his leadership, to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.
He reaffirmed his solemn pledge in the Independence Day address to the nation of handing over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders.
The award, which is in 10 categories, was presented to Supreme Court Justices, judges, top lawyers, incumbent and former governors, Ministers, traditional rulers, creative artistes, politicians, businessmen, athletes, security officers who died in the line of duty, and other distinguished Nigerians.
A total of 6 persons were conferred with GCON, 55 received Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 65 got the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON), 77 were presented with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR); 110 received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON); 74 were presented with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and 55 received Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
There were four recipients each for the Federal Republic Medal I (FRM I) and Federal Republic Medal II (FRM II) Second Class) respectively.
The seven foreigners honoured received the OFR Award.
Speaking on behalf of the Awardees, the Senate President thanked the President for the honour, pledging that the award is an encouragement to more work and a call to duty to serve Nigeria with renewed strength, loyalty and honesty.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 11, 2022

PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU OFFICIALLY RECEIVES FEDERAL APPROVAL LETTER FOR LEKKI-EPE AIRPORT

• ‘Lagos Now On The Race To The Future’ – Gov

• Ehingbeti Economic Summit Begins

The federal approval recently granted the Lagos State Government to embark on the development of a passenger and cargo airport on the Lekki-Epe axis of the State has been officially presented.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, received the Federal Government’s instrument authorising the State to commence the airport project.
Minister for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, presented the document to the Governor on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at the ongoing Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti) 2022 taking place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
Lagos Government initiated the aviation project, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), in response to the pace of development on Lekki-Epe axis, which is now a fast-growing hub of commerce and industrial activities. The entire airport infrastructure will be sited on 3,500 hectares, with the first phase of the project estimated to cost $900 million.
Some private consortia have already expressed their interests in developing the airport, but Lagos Government is yet to decide on which investors to partner on aviation infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu described the approval as another “successful step forward” towards delivering his administration’s agenda of Greater Lagos and keeping the State on the path of irreversible economic prosperity.
The Governor said the development was a triumph for the vision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who initiated the Lagos Economic Summit where the idea of the airport started.
He said: “Granting the licence for the airport project is a right step in the right direction. For us, it is all about partnership for the greater good of our State. The real beneficiaries are the citizens and the businesses that will be using the infrastructure to activate more economic prosperity. We are bringing the Government to tap business opportunities, while also providing platforms for businesses to flourish. That is how great economies are developed.
“The foundation of growth is building requisite infrastructure and creating platforms for businesses to thrive. This aviation infrastructure will reduce journey time and make commercial hubs in Lagos easily accessible. It would help investors to make best local and international business decisions, given all the investments that have been brought to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.”
Sirika said the federal mandate to Lagos Government on the airport project enjoyed accelerated approval, because of the growing need to further link Lagos and Southwest to international markets and regional trade.
The project, the Aviation minister said, would transform the GDP of Lagos and create jobs for the national economy. He said the airport would complement the existing Murtala Muhammed International Airport whose operation is overstretched.
“There has been an expansion in Lagos, from Eko Atlantic City to Lekki Free Trade Zones. This growth necessitated the need for another airport in Lagos. We will deploy our statutory agencies to ensure the project is done in compliance with international standards,” Sirika said.
Declaring the two-day summit open, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos had begun its race to building a prosperous future with the introduction of a 30-year growth plan that would bring the State on the same pedestal with developed cities in 2052.
He said the Government’s pathways to the future were planned based on the projection of creating and implementing localised solutions within the context of unique socio-economic realities facing the State.
Sanwo-Olu said the State would have an allowance to look outside for inspiration, but stressed that all suggested ideas must be considered on the foundation of deep local context and adaptation.
He said: “Over the next two days, we will listen to policy-makers, thought-leaders, futurists, disruptors, innovators, investors, and economists among others; all united by an abiding focus on the development trajectory of Lagos.
“They will share insights and offer perspectives on Lagos’ pathways to the future, most especially the solutions that can be readily implemented within the context of our unique circumstances. Indeed, the emphasis on ‘home-grown’ and localised solutions is very important.”
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, said the summit had offered Lagos a better deal in growth prospects, as the State harnessed robust conversations with key private sector players.
Egube said the State Government had implemented 210 of the 222 resolutions reached in the past eight editions of the economic summit, adding that the engagement with the private sector had helped improve accountability in governance.
The summit chairperson and Partner, PwC Nigeria, Mrs. Mary Iwelumo, said the ongoing event, which is the 9th edition in the series, recorded historic participation of 30,000 participants within the country and overseas.
The summit attendees include members of the State Executive Council, current and past elected public office holders in Lagos, captains of industry, business leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs and investors.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

PRESIDENT BUHARI IN CHAD, ASKS FOR PATHWAY TO ENDURING DEMOCRACY
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the current Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Countries, LCBC, Monday joined the celebrations of the people of Republic of Chad in inaugurating their interim administration to lead the country to elections and the formation of a democratic government.
At a bilateral meeting held by the two leaders, shortly before the inauguration of General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno as the Head of the Transition Government and Head of State to oversee the transition process, President Buhari congratulated the country’s leader on behalf of the LCBC for earning the trust of the majority of Chadians to head the transition process to full fruition.
The President equally congratulated the participants of the just-concluded Inclusive National Dialogue for the patriotism they demonstrated in reclaiming their country from the path of instability and repositioning it for sustainable governance and development.
President Buhari expressed hope that the event will, “hopefully bring to closure, the painful phase of the Chadian political history which led to the sad passage of one of Chad’s most illustrious sons, late Marshal Idriss Deby itno.”
President Buhari extolled the Chadian state’s responsible engagement within the sub-region and beyond, citing the country’s “very active involvement in the collective activities for peace within the LCBC and MNJTF, the Sahel and in the reactivation of her relationship with Sudan,” which he said were exemplary.
The President expressed his hope and that of the LCBC, which he chairs, that “today’s event will usher in another period of peace and stability within Chad and our sub-region in order to build on the gains of previous efforts.”
President Buhari urged all stakeholders in the Chadian political process to work towards consolidating and re-establishing a resolute, resilient and sustainable democracy for the benefit of the good people of Chad.
At the ceremony, the Head of the Transition Government, thanked President Buhari for the warmth and friendliness he had demonstrated towards the country and sub-region, especially in ensuring peace and stability.
Itno commended the Chairman of the LCBC for historic interventions in upholding the interest of the Chad Basin, and Africa, assuring that President Buhari’s leadership had been impactful.
He promised to put in place a transition process that would reflect the will of the people, while focusing on ameliorating poverty through provision of quality education, better health facilities and sustainable infrastructure.
President Buhari returned to Abuja after the ceremony in N’Djamena.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 10, 2022

GOV AKEREDOLU RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOURS AWARD
•Says Award Has Reinforced His Belief In Nigeria
•Dedicates National Honour To People Of Ondo State
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has received the National Honours Award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON.
The National Honour was conferred on Governor Akeredolu by President Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.
In a brief interview after the ceremony, the Governor said the award has reinforced and strengthened his belief in Nigeria.
He said: ”This award means a lot to me because I never expected it. So, for the Federal Government to think about giving me this Honour, I want to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Whether we like it or not, the struggle for a better Nigeria is what I stand for, and I believe that is being recognized. I thank Mr President and the Committee.
“The Honour will reinforce my strong belief in Nigeria. You know I have always believed strongly in Nigeria and I have always said Nigeria is a must.
“So, my belief in Nigeria is reinforced and strengthened. This will renew our belief in the country and support for her. I strongly believe in Nigeria and that stands forever.”
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
October 11, 2022.

JULIUS BERGER WINS 7TH CONSECUTIVE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR LEADERSHIP AWARD AT #IAMBRANDNIGERIA’S TOP 50 BRANDS 2022
The Country’s practically most reliable and innovative engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has robustly for the 7th consecutive time won top rating as “Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand in the Building and Construction Services Category” at the Top 50 Brands Nigeria Awards.
At a ceremony to unveil the Top 50 business brands in Nigeria last week in Lagos, the highly acclaimed construction experts, again retained its leadership position in Nigeria’s engineering construction sector in recognition of its outstanding and ever trustworthy quality, brilliant innovativeness and operational best international standards and practice in the building and construction industry for the year 2022.
At the eagerly anticipated annual national brands evaluation event anchored in Lagos, where who is who in the various industrial sectors are assessed and named with ranking awards, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc emerged the winner in the building and construction sector with a Brand Strength Measurement, BSM, of 66.5, notching up an additional 6 points to strongly beat and best its own previous brand performance record of 60.5 points at the previous 2021 ratings.
The Chief Executive Officer of Top Brands Nigeria, Taiwo Oluboyede in his opening remarks at the landmark event congratulated Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and other sectoral winners declaring that, “…today, these are the Best Brands in Nigeria”.
According to Mr. Taiwo Oluboyede, the CEO of Top Brands Nigeria, the drivers of the #TOP50BRANDSNIGERIA awards, the Brand Strength Measurement (BSM) ratings of nominated companies are determined by their consistency of corporate mission, professional resilience, individual Brand Identity, Client Retention, Quality Elements, Market Category Leadership as well as a brand’s Diversification activities and Productivity. Other BSM assessment considerations include Innovation, National Spread, Online Engagement and a brand’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Consciousness and engagement. According to Taiwo Oluboyede, “…This becomes the objective measurement and merit-driven outcome of the annual brand research endeavour, where we evaluate a brand’s ability to deliver on its promise to its customers or clients who consume its products and services from the customers’ or consumers’ point of view….”
Oluboyede speaking from the citation of Julius Berger from the BrandNigeria 2022 Manual, further said that, among many other fine technical qualities of Julius Berger, the company places emphasis on the deployment of progressive construction methods and innovative technologies to achieve sustainable and value-driven solutions. He said the scope of Julius Berger’s operations covers “…all areas of construction including the pre and post phases. Success is built on the strategy of having vertically integrated operations, which improve efficiency and timelines of project execution”.
To underscore the foregoing, the Top Brands Nigeria CEO said, “Julius Berger is a brand that is unmistakably recognized throughout Nigeria, a brand that has built a track record of delivering the highest level of performance and a brand synonymous with quality and reliability”.

Congratulating Julius Berger at the unveiling of the 2022 awards in Lagos, Taiwo Oluboyede reiterated that“…the engineering construction leader is a company seized of a progressive and open-minded corporate culture constantly progressively driven by a development and growth-oriented Board and executive management. The company empirically never stands still in its efforts to drive both the Organization and its clients’ developments forward to its sworn allegiance to good success”.
Julius Berger at this year’s event was also again positively cited and commended by Taiwo Oluboyede for its consistent business culture of punctuality and capacity to arrive on schedule and well prepared for maximum productivity in all of its projects and operational tasks with ready clients.
It would be recalled that the Executive Director of Administration of Julius Berger, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, earlier told news correspondents during one of the company’s media parley events that: “…In Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, punctuality is the soul of business and, as a propelling operational policy, we seriously work to arrive at every milestone and assignment as planned. That corporate culture proudly and productively underpins our company’s reliability to our clients in every project. That is our proud historical legacy; a tenacity and consistency of purpose that has made us to consistently win the highly coveted construction sector leadership award…” Bayi added that, “…we promise to maintain our matchless productive momentum and remain the trusted and preferred partner when project timelines and success matter most to the client. That is Julius Berger’s lasting and reliable promise.”
With regard to the 2022 construction sector leadership award to Julius Berger, Alhaji Bayi who had to give his remarks on the telephone from offshore where he was for official assignment said: “…On behalf of the Board, Executive Management and entire Staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, I wish to appreciate and thank the BrandNigeria organization for this valuable award, and for the objectivity that has continued to define the ratings, keeping the nominations for the awards only merit-driven”.
The CEO of BrandNigeria, Taiwo Oluboyede, had earlier noted that since the advent of Julius Berger in Nigeria for the construction of Eko Bridge in Lagos in 1965, the engineering construction company has historically and decisively stood strong as a preferred partner for project success anywhere there is an engineering challenge in the country
Besides Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, other winners at the 2022 BRANDNIGERIA TOP50BRANDS Award event included the Dangote Group, Globacom, Lafarge, MTN, Oando, FCMB, Access Bank, Coco-Cola, Zenith Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, UBA Plc, Nestle, Cadbury, BUA Group, Fidelity Bank, Total energies, Guinness, Airtel, Nigeria Breweries, Toyota, P&G, Channels Television, Samsung, Multichoice, etc.

+9

Rt. Hon Dum Dekor, HYPREP Team Tour UK Over Ogoni Remediation Exercise
…Very Revealing, Says Rt. Hon. Dekor

The Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities at the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor who was part of the Nigerian delegation to the United Kingdom, as part of federal government’s effort to clean up the impacted sites in Ogoniland, Rivers State has described the tour as very revealing.
The federal lawmaker who represents Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, embarked on the tour alongside members of the Board of Trustees, Governing Council as well as projects officers of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Projects (HYPREP).
Addressing journalists on his return to the country at the weekend, Rt. Hon. Dekor, who was a former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as one time Works Commissioner in the state, said the tour which he described as very revealing would help in applying similar measures in addressing the Ogoni clean-up exercise.
He disclosed that the delegation which was led by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and also, some Nigerian stakeholders in the United Kingdom took their time to observe models of successful remediation projects.
Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor added that the visit also exposed the HYPREP team to the intricate processes of remediation exercise, and established linkages with advanced laboratories engaged in the analysis of ground water and soil samples.
He said the team understudied the Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) in relation to evaluating air pollution management.
“It was very revealing to me. I think I’m privileged to be part of the tour. We have gone through several parts of the UK and have seen a lot of practices and techniques, from what we saw, that most of the sites are being remediated and asides that, nobody is living there. A lot of them are also sites that have been in that condition for so many years”, he said.
Those in the team were the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, Senator Representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator (Dr) Barry Mpigi, the Director General of National Oil Spell Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, Idris Olubola Musa, Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinard Giadom, Representatives of UNEP, Chairman, HYPREP Board of Trustees, Dr. Mike Nwielaghi, Public Relations Officer of Central Representative Committee, CRAC, HRH, Suanu Baridam, members of HYPREP Board of Trustees and Governing Council amongst others.
The study tour of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the United Kingdom, October 2 to 8th, 2022 involved visits to projects where environmental remediation has been undertaken, is in progress or where relevant expertise is available.
PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU MULLS HEALTH INSURANCE COVER FOR THEATRE PRACTITIONERS
…As Governor put smiles on the faces of veteran actors
…Nollywood practitioners endorse Lagos Governor for second term
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to institute a health insurance scheme for theatre practitioners in the State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the health insurance scheme during a dinner with veterans in the Yoruba Nollywood industry at the Lagos House Marina on Monday night.
The announcement by Governor Sanwo-Olu was commended by the Nollywood actors and actresses at the event who appreciated the Governor for deeming it fit to take care of the health of the theatre practitioners, especially the veterans in the industry.
It would be recalled that in recent times, theatre practitioners battling various health challenges and lacking funds have had to take to social media to beg Nigerians to foot their medical bills. Some are also living in penury due to their inability to work in old age and health challenges.
Sanwo-Olu, who said he would pay the insurance premium cover for the theatre practitioners, most of whom are aging, said the Nigerian movie industry and practitioners had played key roles in shaping development of Lagos.
He said: “We realise that your industry is one of the highest employers of labour. You have continued to provide succour and means of livelihoods to a lot of citizens quietly. More importantly, you give freshness to our lives through your stories. There is always a lesson and information to learn from the experiences you paint in your works. You fill in the creative space of our society and project good values about our culture, way of life and race.
“It is interesting to see your industry grow, even without enough support. You are able to stand and build names around the industry. As a Government, some of the interventions we have brought forward to assist your industry are not out of place; it is your right and entitlement which makes the Government to look back in assistance to further shape our society for greater good.
“To further enhance our intervention, we are going to initiate an insurance scheme to assist the Nollywood and give the practitioners free access to health care in public health facilities. This scheme will be specially categorised for professionals in the film business. This is yet another token of what the Government can offer those who have shaped our society. The insurance scheme would come in handy for practitioners who cannot afford medical expenses and prevent them from seeking assistance in an embarrassing manner.”
The Governor said his administration would continue to contribute required resources to the entertainment and creative industry to make life easy for the theatre practitioners. He also pledged to provide additional intervention funds for those in the Nollywood industry.
Sanwo-Olu, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown, approved a N1 billion intervention fund for the film industry. The intervention was as a single-digit soft loan initiated to cushion the effect of the pandemic, among other incentives, for the creative and entertainment industry.
The fund has been accessed by many practitioners in Nollywood, who used the grant to fund for movie production. The additional support, Sanwo-Olu promised, will boost the creativity and innovation in the sector.
The Governor commended the efforts of Nollywood Actress, Mrs. Foluke Daramola-Salako, who operates an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Passion Again Rape and Abuse in Africa, which is seeing to the wellbeing of veterans in the industry. Sanwo-Olu said his administration would continue to reach out to the movie legends through the platform.
“This is a new beginning of the journey that will further strengthen Nollywood; we are going to be interacting more with every layer in the industry and provide opportunities where necessary. We want to be a partner in bringing this noble industry out for more growth and celebrate the industry veterans while they are alive,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Speaking earlier, some of the theatre practitioners at the event, including, Adebayo Salami, a.k.a Oga Bello, Jide Kosoko, Adewale Elesho, Idowu Phillips, a.k.a Iya Rainbow and Mahmoud Alli-Balogun, commended the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for carrying out people-oriented programmes and projects which according to them are people-oriented qualify him for a second term in office.
The theatre practitioners during the event unanimously endorsed Governor Sanwo-Olu for second term and promised to work for his victory in the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State.
They also expressed their support for the candidature of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to them, has done a lot for theatre practitioners.
The dinner was attended by over 100 Yoruba theatre practitioners, directors, producers and marketers, among which are Tade Ogidan, Lere Paimo, Fausat Balogun, Iyabo Ogunsola, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Charles Olumo, Saidi Balogun, Toyin Adegbola, Taiwo Hassan, Damola Olatunji, Bimbo Akintola and Eniola Badmus, among others.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
11 OCTOBER 2022

PRESS STATEMENT

SPN WELCOMES PLANNED SALARY INCREASE FOR LAGOS WORKERS BUT CALLS FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST ANTI-POOR POLICIES OF THE APC GOVERNMENT

The Lagos State Chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) welcomes the planned salary increment announced by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu while addressing a gathering of workers during a visit to the office of State Head of Service on October 4.

According to news reports, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that since September he had instructed, the “Head of Service (HoS), the Commissioner for Establishment, Training, and Pensions to work out modalities for salary increases for the entire over 100,000 public service workforce.”

However, we urge Lagos State workers, public sector unions as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to follow up on the verbal pronouncement, as it could be an ordinary political talk for the purpose of securing workers support in the forthcoming general election. Indeed, we call on them to demand the involvement of Lagos state joint negotiation committee in working out the said modalities.

To us, an upward review in wages is long overdue not only in Lagos but nationally. Given the economic hardship, high inflation, and high prices of foodstuff, fuel and electricity, ordinary working class families are at the receiving end. This is a result of anti-poor capitalist policies, something only compounded by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian war on Ukraine.

Indeed that the Lagos state governor said he was “not going to wait for the Federal Government’s minimum wage increase confirms the fact that the current minimum wage, which is still not being implemented by some states is due for a national upward review

Therefore, we reiterate our call on the NLC and TUC to begin to demand a new national minimum wage while at the same time fight for the full implementation of the current one by all the state governments. We also call on NLC and TUC to demand a reversal of neo-liberal policies (privatization of power, deregulation of the oil sector etc) and resist cuts in social service, education and healthcare underfunding etc.

However, we frown at the fact that the same Lagos government that wants to be seen as pro-people with the promise of an increase in workers’ salaries is compounding the economic hardship being faced by the ordinary people in the state. For instance, it recently increased the monthly refuse disposal bill by 50 percent and hiked BRT fare. At the same time, the state miscellaneous offence taskforce and its local governments criminally extort ordinary Lagosians on daily basis with obnoxious and outrageous and multiple fines and taxes.

Besides, there here are shortages of teachers in most schools. Lagos State government should employ more teachers and rehabilitate dilapidated school buildings. Also, the state government should pay many primary school pensioners who work as gatemen at most schools in Lagos State but have yet to receive their pension after four years of retirement.

Therefore, we call on Lagos state public workers and other ordinary people not to drop their guard because of the planned salary increase, which is possibly done in order to woo support for the APC in 2023 elections, but be prepared to resist all anti-poor policies of the APC governments in Lagos and at the federal level.

SIGNED:

Rufus Olusesan Moshood Osunfurewa
Chairperson, Lagos SPN Secretary, Lagos SPN