Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, expressed hope that the cases of out-of-school children would soon be a thing of the past as private organisations have collaborated with the government under an initiative tagged “Project Zero” to provide succour to school children and increase accessibility to basic education in the State.

Project Zero, which is a collaborative effort between the State Government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and organised private sector, will provide a school bag with School Uniform, Sandals, a pair of socks, writing materials and exercise books for school pupils to encourage and stimulate their interest in learning.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative held within the premises of the State Universal Basic Education Board Office at Maryland, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat decried the rate of out of school pupils across the country.

He maintained that the outbreak of COVID-19 and its attendant effects had further discouraged learning among pupils coupled with economic effect of the pandemic on the parents, saying that “With the assured support of our partners, Project Zero will bring pupils on the brink of dropout back to school. Our activities shall commence with the tracking and identification of children who have dropped out or with a high risk of dropping out of school”.

The Governor commended the initiative by the organised private sector coming together to partner with the State Government to uplift the standard of education in the State.

He said, “I also appreciate you for the confidence you have reposed in us as government, to achieve our dream of an all-inclusive quality basic education. I must admit that your far-reaching donations and services will in no little way bring excitement and fulfillment to lives of many children who otherwise might have been deprived of basic education owing to varying reasons and circumstances beyond their control”.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo thanked Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for willing to give substantial resources of the State to education and for his commitment to the delivery of quality education, particularly for investing in the EKOEXCEL.

The Commissioner berated the failure of our social system, which has led to the menace of hoodlums in our society, and called on all to join hands with the government to tackle the out-of-school children menace in Lagos, adding that every child deserves access to quality learning.

Recalling the positive impact of the Eko Excel initiative of the government, she stated that one of the objectives of Eko Excel initatives, which is to ensure that every child should be able to read from Primary One, was a huge success.

The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mr. Yinka Ogundimu, acknowledged the need for initiatives like Project Zero, noting that there is a need for more similar partnership as the government cannot do it alone.

He bemoaned the rate of decadence in the society, stressing that the situation is not irredeemable if necessary efforts and policies are implemented, revealing that the Assembly and the Executive arm of government have already set machinery in motion to guarantee quality education as evidence in the proposed 2021 Budget.

The Executive Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LASUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King extolled the passion of the Governor for the sector and the priority accorded quality education, maintaining that quality education is not only the best gift every child should have but it has now become the right of every child that is backed by law.

Alawiye-King disclosed that children of school age now have no reason to stay at home with the support already being shown by different stakeholders within the education sector to encourage learning.

He assured all education stakeholders that every contribution realised for the project will be used for the purpose of ensuring that every child of school age has no reason to be away from school.

LASG

BuildingLagos

ForAGreaterLagos

… Says Enforcement Will Commence Next Week

The Lagos State Government has declared that it would, next week, commence Physical Planning enforcement on all Tank Farms illegally operating in the State.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, who disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Alausa on Friday, expressed displeasure at the unapproved and illegal operations of many Tank Farms in the State, saying that no such facility should operate without Planning Permit.

He noted that the indiscriminate operations of Tank Farms has negatively impacted the host communities and rendered residents helpless, saying “In most cases, the road capacity is inadequate for the activities of the Tank Farms, whose operations have led to the collapse of road infrastructure, rendered critical social amenities such as schools and hospitals inaccessible and created urban squalor of the host communities”.

Salako averred that the deliberate neglect of host communities by Tank Farms operating in the State despite unhonoured government overtures, was regrettable, especially when viewed against the backdrop that most of the outfits creating these problems were not only unapproved but also not paying taxes to the State.

The Physical Planning Commissioner maintained that there is no going back on the plan to start enforcing the extant Physical Planning laws on all erring Tank Farms as from next week, since the ultimatum given had lapsed.

Recall that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development had met with Tank Farm Operators earlier in the year and issued a week ultimatum to regularise their facilities, which was followed by an additional two-week extension, a month after the first ultimatum had expired.

LASG

BuildingLagos

ForAGreaterLagos

Headquartered in Henderson, Nevada not Sillicon valley California, Parler the new social media app seems not to be railroaded and they seems to chart their own course and find their own rhythm in an increasingly digitalised world trying to find connection via mobile phones.

Trying to answer the Facebook question and possibly do a coup on the reign of the blue king, Facebook while Parler is red! There is no doubt that Facebook is the king of socially media followed by Tweeter, though facebook has been seen in a way as a bully and a collosus in the social media ecosystem buying up stuff like WhatsApp, instagram and all what not. With billions of dollars to throw around, facebook can be said to be the king and followed closely by Tweeter.

Recently, a smooth sailing and new social media app known as Parler has come to bridge the gap that Facebook hasn’t done which is free speech. Facebook doesn’t allow you to post some critical things and once that is done , you are either suspended or deleted ! Don’t talk about gays, don’t talk I’ll about lesbians irrespective of your political leaning in short Facebook expect you to be political correct most times and that can be upsetting for those that are not in the business of political correctness but in the business of correcting politicians ! One thing that Trump Elections gave the world is a new social media app.

According to Wikipedia, it describes Parler as “Parler is an American microblogging and social networking service launched in August 2018. Parler has a significant user base of Trump supporters, conservatives, and right-wing extremists. Posts on the service often contain far-right content, antisemitism, and conspiracy theories.”

With over 4 million active users and 10 million users, Parler seems not too popular in Africa and Asia , maybe the organisation hasn’t looked at theses regions (MEA).

“Parler markets itself as a “free speech” and unbiased alternative to mainstream social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. However, journalists and users have criticized the service for content policies that are more restrictive than the company portrays, and sometimes more restrictive than those of its competitors”, Wikipedia added.

One thing that is noticed is that the new app has a lot of conservatives going there and it looks as if it’s designed for conservatives in mind and not the ones that are in tune with the “current realities” as it is with Facebook, while Tweeter is for youths and short talkers and LinkedIn for the corporate minded ones. Parler is a clear departure from these.

According to Emma Vatnsdal an online commentor described Parler “It was enough for millions of users to abandon their blue ship in favor of a red life vest. A haven, so to speak, where they felt their voices could be heard unmoderated and unfiltered, without fear of censorship or fact-checking.”

As of July 2020, Parler reported more than 2.5 million users, with more parting ways from Twitter and Facebook as the 2020. This has shown the great promise the social media has!

One of the founder, Rebekah Mercer has a deep pocket and also described as a conservative. She would be the few women that will be threading in an ecosystem women aren’t known to have done which is social media start-up ecosystem but what she got going for her is age and deep pockets so marketing wouldn’t be an issue. Mercer is the daughter of Robert Mercer, a hedge fund manager and the co-founder of the now-defunct political data-analysis firm Cambridge Analytica, so as we can see, she ain’t new to startup ecosystem.

“John and I started Parler to provide a neutral platform for free speech, as our founders intended, and also to create a social media environment that would protect data privacy,” she told CNN’s correspondent.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu
Parler account @AnthonyNwosu

Association of Licensed Telecommunications companies of Nigeria (ALTON) had their first conference this year at Sheraton Hotels Ikeja , Lagos. The event brought who is who in the Telecommunications ecosystem. One of the key things that was discussed apart from how to depeen the broadband penetration was the issue of emerging technologies such 5G and other contending issues.

The ‘Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2020’ which was a huge success. The Public Relations and Sales Executive teams of Hoop Telecoms were present for the event.

Themed COVID -19 Impetus for Accelerated eGovernment Adoption. The event was graced by the deputy governor of Lagos State Femi Hamzat, former minister for Science and Technology Mr. Hakeem Popoola Fatim and so many other important dignitaries. The event was powered by Digiserve

Speaking about the event Maureen Adigwe – Okafor of Hoop Telecoms said “we are delighted to be at this event to know the current trend in the telecoms industry. Having emerged from the pandemic, the time to engage the industry stakeholders Is here and we as an Organisation is making use of this opportunity to engage and enlighten the industry what we have and our various cutting edge solutions. “

HOOPTEL is led by a strong management team with knowledge and extensive experience in the telecom industry, and other professionals with strong administrative skills and experience. We are primarily focused on delivering solutions to customers in Enterprise networks connectivity, Broadband internet services, Voice communication solutions, Video and secured data solutions, Data Centre and co-location services, managed cloud services, and other related telecommunication systems.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Picture Description

L/R: Edidiong Nwankwo, Sales Executive for Hoop Telecoms, Mr. Toba Obaniyi – Managing Director Whogohost, Engr Lanre Ajayi – Executive Chairman Digiserve Network, Deputy Governor of Lagos State – Femi Hamzat, Former Minister for Science & Technology – Mr. Hakeem Popoola Fatim, Enterprise Sales Executive for Hoop Telecoms – Sandra Nwaigwe and Public Relations Executive for Hoop Telecoms – Maureen Adigwe – Okafor

The Academic Staff Union of University, (ASUU) has approached the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA to further advance discussion on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a software application designed by the Union for payment of staff salaries and other emolument.

The visit was to make presentation on UTAS and demonstrate the working of the payment platform to NITDA, the nation’s IT Regulator saddles with the responsibility of certifying such software for the use of the country.

A member of the Union, who made the presentation to NITDA explained the working of the payment platform and other benefits of the application.

He said the platform would ensure accountability and transparency in the payment of universities’ staff salary and other emolument.

He said the platform is also designed with cognisance of the peculiarity of the university system with the objectives of future upgrade.

The Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, NITDA, Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, who led the team of the Agency’s technical experts in software informed the ASUU representatives that the Agency will subject the software to further testing for quality assurance and other criteria such applications need to meet and forward the outcome of its investigation to appropriate quarters.

The Lagos State Government will continue to enforce its traffic laws to maintain sanity on roads and save lives.

The State Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) will keep enhancing the enforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law 2018 with which it has been checking the excesses of commercial motorcyclists and others who drive against oncoming traffic and ply restricted routes. The action is to halt the resurgence of impunity and violation of traffic regulations.

Amid the enforcement, which began on Tuesday, commercial motorcyclists have taken laws into their hands and attacked the Task Force team, injuring officers carrying out their lawful duties. The perpetrators of this violence will be identified and made to face the law.

However, the officers were undeterred by the criminal activities of the motorcyclists; 131 motorcycles were seized; 15 riders arrested and prosecuted; and 150 vehicles impounded in various areas of the State.

The Task Force subsequently arraigned and prosecuted 35 drivers of impounded vehicles, who had to forfeit their cars to the State for driving against oncoming traffic; 62 drivers who plied the BRT Corridor were fined N70,000 each; and 28 tricycle owners were also arraigned in court.

The Task Force was again attacked in Ikeja, on Wednesday. It retreated to avoid an escalation of the crisis. The team, however, mobilised more personnel to quell the riots started by the riders.

Traffic enforcement agencies will continue to assert their authority. They have been directed to arraign and prosecute all violators to ensure that penalties are apportioned in consonance with the law.

For the avoidance of doubt, commercial motorcycles and tricycles remain restricted from operating in six Local Governments and nine Local Council Development Areas – Apapa LG; Lagos Mainland LG; Surulere LG; Ikeja LG; Eti-Osa LG; Lagos Island LG; Onigbongbo LCDA; Ojodu LCDA; Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA; Iru-Victoria Island LCDA; Lagos Island East LCDA; Apapa Iganmu LCDA; Yaba LCDA; Itire-Ikate LCDA; and Coker-Aguda LCDA.

The Lagos State Government will continue to dialogue with stakeholders in the transportation sector – NURTW, RTEAN, ANACOWA, TOOAN, TODAL and MOALS – to restore sanity on Lagos roads and halt the disregard for the Lagos Traffic Law (2018).

Gbenga Omotoso

Commissioner for Information and Strategy

While stressing the need for internal auditors to assist management to maintain adequate internal control and reporting systems, the participants urged SWAIAP to train and properly equip members and internal auditors in general with tools and skills necessary for effective internal audit practice in the West African sub-region.

The participants also resolved that SWAIAP should engage tertiary institutions through the relevant regulation agencies to incorporate internal auditing in their syllabuses as a course of study as practiced in developed economies.

The association, they resolved, should also liaise with relevant agencies and institutions in the propagation of effective and strong corporate governance, risk management system and adequate internal control and compliance and virile reporting systems.

The stakeholders also urged the body to encourage the publishing of internal audit textbooks both study and practice books for tertiary institutions and professional training institutions.

They also agreed that the association should encourage professional institutions in West Africa to incorporate internal auditing in their syllabuses as it is done in other developed economies.

The communiqué also stated that the body should embark on massive enrolment of internal auditors in practice with adequate developmental programmes to bridge the acute knowledge gap as a result of poor foundational development.

Other decisions included to embark on massive enrolment of intending or student internal auditors to create strong foundational knowledge of the profession and embark on research and development (R & D) that would bring about inventions and innovations that would be acceptable as global best practices.

It also resolved to encourage the enactment of law backing the practice, regulation and administration of internal auditing in West African countries.

source

Great leader, fearless warrior, courageous fighter, gallant soldier, standing till the end.Deliverer of the oppressed, champion of the masses, friend of the poor, voice of the voiceless, saviour of Ghana, pride of Africa: forever you shall live in our hearts.You served your people with honor, dignity, respect and pride and now the great call has come and you have gone home to rest.

You have gone the way of all flesh and you have passed the baton of gallantry and leadership to the next generation.

Yet know this: that you live in our hearts and that we shall meet again in the halls of Valhalla where the brave shall live forever.

And even now, like an irrepressible phoenix your memory lingers. You were like Horatio at the Roman gate. You were like King Leonides and his 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae.

You were a case study in audacity, courage and strength, climbing every mountain and leveling every valley.

You were like Achilles at the siege of Troy, William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk, Alexander the Great at the Battle of Guagamela and Bonny Prince Charlie at the Battle of Culloden.

You overcame every obstacle that stood between you and your destiny and you climbed every hurdle and swam every river that stood between you and your glory.You were like Aragorn at the Battle of Gondor and Jon Snow at the Battle of the Bastards. You were prepared to give up your life that others may live.

You were like Karl Drogo of the Dothraki, Ragnar Lothbrook of the Vikings and King Shaka of the Zulu: magnificent in your quest for justice and in your rage, passion, power and splendour

You were courageous, forthright, disciplined, accountable, fair-minded, strong-willed and faithful till the end.

You were everything that they said an African leader could not be. You proved them wrong and made us proud.

You led your beautiful nation Ghana but you were also the father of modern Africa. Friend of Muammar Ghaddafi, brother of Thomas Sankara and follower of Madiba, the great Nelson Mandela, all others pale into insignificance in your gargantuan shadow.
You will live forever in our hearts O proud son of Africa and we shall meet again in the halls of Valhalla where the brave shall live forever.

I remember your famous words spoken with conviction, confidence, aggression, passion and strength after you took the reigns of power by the force of arms for the second time in Ghana. You said,

“For the second time I have risked my life for mother Ghana. There is no justice in this nation and I daresay where there is no justice there can be no peace!”.

I fell in love with you that day when I heard those words and I longed to have your strength, your fearlessness and your conviction as a guiding light and principle in my life

Though you never knew it from that moment you became my hero and the hero of millions in my generation from all over Africa because you dared to do what others feared to think. You were our very own Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.

You walked where angels feared to tread. You did what needed to be done and were prepared to risk all, including your life, if you failed.

Those words which you spoke in 1981are as appropriate today as they were then and the lack of justice that you spoke of and fought against so valiantly then are a true reflection of the situation in most of Africa today.

Yet who shall inspire and deliver us now that you have gone? Who shall guide us and lead us to greater heights? What shall we do without you O great warrior? What can we do without you O great son of Africa?

It can never be the same without your voice, without your smile, without your humour, without your charm, without your rage and quest for fairness and justice and without your glorious sun shining.

Our hope lies in one thing and in one thing alone: that one day, when the Lord sees fit to call us home, we shall meet again in the halls of Valhalla where the brave shall live forever.
Now rest in peace great and gallant soul and wherever they bury your body, there we shall go to pay homage to your spirit and to honor your memory.

We shall bow before your bones, pray by your grave and as we leave we shall look at you one more time with pride and say “here a Roman lies!”

Fani F Kayode