CHARGES BORDERING ON STEALING AND MONEY LAUNDERING TO THE TUNE OF N304,118, 500: COURT ADJOURNS TILL NOVEMBER 21, 2023 FURTHER PROCEEDINGS IN THE TRIAL OF A FORMER ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF NIMASA, HARUNA BABA JAURO, DR. DAUDA BITRUS BAWA AND A COMPANY, THLUMBAU ENTERPRISES LIMITED
Justice Tijani Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, October 16, 2023, adjourned till November 21, 2023 further proceedings in the trial of a former Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Haruna Baba Jauro, and two others.
Jauro, alongside Dr. Dauda Bitrus Bawa and a company, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on 19-count charges bordering on stealing and money laundering to the tune of N304,118, 500( Three Hundred and Four Million One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Naira).
At Monday’s proceedings, third prosecution witness, PW3, Orji Chukwuma, an investigator with the EFCC, told the court that he met the defendant when was the Head, Special Task Force 3, EFCC, Lagos.
In his further testimony, he told the court that “ objections were also taken, in respect to the admissibility of the statements of the defendant before Honourable Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
“While in court, my evidence was recorded. I testified also in a trial-within-trial and was cross-examined by Olalekan Ojo, SAN.”
When asked by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, if he also recalled that the said statements of the first defendant were also admitted as evidence and marked as exhibits Q, Q1,Q2,Q3 and Q4 at the end of trial-within-trial previously before Justice Olatoregun , the witness answered in the affirmative.
Oyedepo consequently sought to tender, in evidence, the proceedings of the trial-within-trial before Justice Olatoregun that were admitted and marked as exhibits, including the statements of the first defendant made on January 28, 2016; October 12, 2015; March 17, 2016 and 24 March 24, 2016.
Ojo told the court that he had no objection to the statements marked as exhibits in the trial-within-trial being tendered.
Justice Ringim, therefore, admitted and marked the statements as exhibits Twt1 to Twt5.
When Oyedepo asked the witness his response to the accusations by the first defendant, that his statements were not obtained voluntarily, he said the environment in which the statements were taken was very conducive, adding that “ it was in a big conference hall. He sat around an oval conference. It is a public space and anyone can come in at any time . No arms were carried into the conference hall.
We were both in company of people, including the defendant’s people and my own team members.
Continuing, Orji said that: “before taking his statements, cautionary words were administered to the defendant. To show his understanding, his signature and date were put down at the beginning and also at the end of his statements. The statement the defendant made in 2015 was made at the comfort of his office in NIMASA. ”When asked by the prosecution counsel to look at exhibits T1 -T5 and also show the court the cautionary words, the witness read out all the cautionary words written in the statements to the court. He also showed the court where the defendant put his name and signature on all the statements in agreement that he had been cautioned. The witness added that “At the end of the statement is the endorsement report given to the investigation team. It carries the attestations summary. It is the practice to put the endorsement on the part where there are spaces. The statement was not made under duress and was admitted before Justice Olatoregun.”
Justice Ringim adjourned to November 21 and 22, 2023 for continuation of trial.
Media & Publicity
October 16, 2023
EFCC arrests Chike Nosa Agada for an alleged N2bn fraud
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Chike Nosa Agada, an unlicensed foreign exchange dealer, for an alleged N2bn fraud.
Agada, a 37-year old native of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, was declared wanted by the Commission on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, for obtaining money by false pretence and stealing by conversion to the tune of N2billion.
He was arrested at a residence in the Bourdillion, Ikoyi area of Lagos on Monday, October 16, 2023 during a sting operation by operatives of the Commission, following credible intelligence linking him to the alleged fraud.
Upon arrest, a mobile device was recovered from him.
He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Media & Publicity
October 16, 2023
EFCC arrests David Boniface Akani, Johnson Umuke, James Michael, Akeke Favour, Enange Benard, Godson Ubi, Eddie Godson, Eyo Jesse Bassey, Joachim Omuyeh, Dickson Abang, Ikora Sunny, Emmanuel Godwin, Dannis Lipeunim, Agwazia Sunny Henry, Abang Emmanuel, Godspower Eyan, Elena Samuel, Adie Godson, Chisom Stanley, Nonso Solomon, Eyam Daniel Okpa ,Aka Richard, Fonime John Etukudo, Nsisong Udoh, Saviour Daniel, Sampson Sunday, Joshua James Michael, Paul Edet Etiemana, Archibong Okomobong Bassey, Inemesit Akin Bassey, Edidiong Aniete Tom, Ebowusim Chifia Aslem, Nwanchukwu Ebenezer Chinonso, Archibong Alfred Archibong, Itauma Uforotobong Richard, Bassey David Nicholas, Chidozie Ikechukwu, Japhet Linus Akwaowo,Victor Evans, Fortune Udia, Benjamin Amos, Prince Augustine, David Daniel, Augustine Obinna, Udeme Unanaowo Unanaowo and Obinnaya Jide,
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested forty-six(46) suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Calabar, Cross River State and Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
While the Calabar suspects were arrested on October 13, 2023, their Eket counterparts were nabbed on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Both arrests were intelligence- based.
22 suspects were arrested in Calabar and they are: David Boniface Akani, Johnson Umuke, James Michael, Akeke Favour, Enange Benard, Godson Ubi, Eddie Godson, Eyo Jesse Bassey, Joachim Omuyeh, Dickson Abang.
Others are: Ikora Sunny, Emmanuel Godwin, Dannis Lipeunim, Agwazia Sunny Henry, Abang Emmanuel, Godspower Eyan, Elena Samuel, Adie Godson, Chisom Stanley, Nonso Solomon, Eyam Daniel Okpa and Aka Richard.
The remaining suspects, 24, arrested in Eket include: Fonime John Etukudo, Nsisong Udoh, Saviour Daniel, Sampson Sunday, Joshua James Michael, Paul Edet Etiemana, Archibong Okomobong Bassey, Inemesit Akin Bassey, Edidiong Aniete Tom, Ebowusim Chifia Aslem, Nwanchukwu Ebenezer Chinonso.
Others are: Archibong Alfred Archibong, Itauma Uforotobong Richard, Bassey David Nicholas, Chidozie Ikechukwu, Japhet Linus Akwaowo,Victor Evans, Fortune Udia, Benjamin Amos, Prince Augustine, David Daniel, Augustine Obinna, Udeme Unanaowo Unanaowo and Obinnaya Jide,
Items recovered from them include sophisticated mobile phones, six exotic cars and laptops.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Media & Publicity
October 16, 2023
EFCC arraigns Aisha Alkali Wakil (a.k.a Mama Boko Haram), Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode on two -count charges bordering on conspiracy and cheating to the tune of N150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Aisha Alkali Wakil (a.k.a Mama Boko Haram) alongside Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode w before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on two -count charges bordering on conspiracy and cheating to the tune of N150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only).
Count two of the charges reads: “That you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode, while being the Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, (a Non-Governmental Organisation) and Saidu Mukhtar (at large) sometimes in August, 2018 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Alhaji Bulama Bakki CEO Bakki Commodity Investment Company Limited and Ngumati Investment Company Limited under the guise of executing a contract for the supply of 5000 bags of high quality white beans of 50kg each at the rate of N23,000 (Twenty Three Thousand Naira) only each and seven unit mobile ultra-scanning Machines solar energy (2018 brand) at the rate of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only totaling N 150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only) which he did and you refused to pay him and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(a) of the Borno State Penal Code Law Cap 102 and punishable under section 322 of the same Law.”
The defendants pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges when they were read to them.
Counsels for the prosecution, A.I Arogha and S.O Saka prayed the court for a trial date. Justice Fadawu thereafter adjourned the matter and ordered for the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Centre.
Media & Publicity
October 14, 2023
Goni Muhammad and Seidu Seriki Hamani get seven years imprisonment, for offering fake gold belonging to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan to their victims
The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, September 28, 2023 secured the conviction and sentencing of Goni Muhammad and Seidu Seriki Hamani to seven years imprisonment, for offering fake gold belonging to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan to their victims.
They were arraigned on May 16, 2022, before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on two- count charges bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N 26, 492,000( Twenty Six Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand Naira only).
One of the counts reads: “That you, Goni Mohammad and Seidu Seriki Hamman sometimes in January, 2020 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtained 2 grams of gold at the rate of N26, 492,000.00 (Twenty Six Million Four Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand Naira) allegedly belonging to the wife of the former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan under the false pretence which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to them. EFCC Counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed presented three witnesses and tendered several documents as exhibits before the court. However, defence counsel, H. Waziri prayed the court to temper justice with mercy and “consider their in-ability to secure bail after they were arraigned before the court”.
Justice Kumaliya, in her judgment, found them guilty, convicted and sentenced them on count one to seven years imprisonment each for the offence of conspiracy and seven years for the offence of obtaining under false pretence. The jail terms are to commence from the day they were first arraigned and run concurrently.
The Judge further ordered Muhammad to pay the balance of N16, 492,000.00 to his victim or serve additional seven years imprisonment
The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC, for conspiring and obtaining N26, 492,000 from their victims under the guise of selling two grams of gold belonging to a former first Lady, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. They were charged to court and convicted.
Media & Publicity
October 15, 2023
LASG REOPENS LADIPO MARKET
The Lagos State Government has reopened Ladipo Market, Mushin, after meeting the most essential criteria, set for reopening sealed markets.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, business activities would commence at the popular spare parts market, after its recent closure for various environmental infractions.
He noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu prioritised the issue of clean environment, public health, and safety, in line with the THEMES Plus agenda, which informed the recent drive, to enforce strict compliance with waste management best practice, across markets in the state.
The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to environmental sustainability and public safety, particularly within markets and around business facilities, stressing that the goal was to ensure all markets in Lagos State, followed laid down environmental rules, resulting in a safer and healthier business environment for buyers and sellers.
Gbadegesin urged the traders to support the efforts of the State Government, by adhering strictly to the environmental laws, as markets that run foul of the law risk indefinite closure.
Nigeria’s First Lady Declares COWLSO National Women Conference Open in Lagos
…says women should break barriers and adopt a more positive mindset. Women should support each other, pursue education, and sustain conversations on issues that affect their growth.
First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, stated this while declaring open the 23rd National Women Conference organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).
The First Lady pointed out that women stand a better chance of creating a world of more opportunities for themselves, given the renewed consciousness among them about their own potential and role in national development.
The conference, which has served as an annual rallying point for women within and beyond Lagos state to introspect and engage on issues affecting them, has as its theme ‘Unleash Your Potential’.
To do that, the First Lady charged them to break barriers and interrogate stereotypes while adopting a more positive mindset about who they are in the task of reshaping the society.
“Through the years, I have had the privilege of meeting many remarkable women who have overcome challenges, broken barriers, and achieved remarkable success in various fields. Some of these women have served as sources of inspiration to me, and some as mentors and role models from whom I learned the ropes that have helped me through my journey in life.
“The potential that lies within each and every one of us knows no bounds. It has the capacity to transform not only our individual lives but also the broader landscape of our nation and the world.
“Let us remember that our potential is not just about personal success; it is about uplifting our families, communities, and our great nation as a whole. When women are empowered, society thrives.”
Speakers at the conference, including the Senate President, represented by his wife, Ekaete Akpabio, and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, described the focus of the conference as another clarion call to bring more women on board in governance.
They noted that Nigeria needs the contribution of all women, supporting the present administration to drive ongoing reforms.
The 23rd edition of the National Women Conference had the theme ‘Unleash Your Potential’.
SIGNED
Busola Kukoyi
SA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”
President Tinubu Appoints New PTDF Executive Secretary / CEO
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ahmed Galadima Aminu to serve as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for a term of four (4) years in the first instance.
The new Executive Secretary / CEO of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund recently served as the General Manager of the Education and Training Department at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
His appointment trails the application for retirement submitted by the outgoing Executive Secretary / CEO, Bello Aliyu Gusau, to proceed on 90-days pre-retirement leave beginning on September 26, 2023.
The President has directed the new Executive Secretary / CEO of the PTDF, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, to serve in acting capacity until he commences his fresh term of four (4) years in office, beginning on December 26, 2023.
The President wishes the new PTDF Executive Secretary / CEO well in the discharge of his duties.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 17, 2023
President Tinubu Appoints New NAHCON Chief Executive Officer; Approves Dissolution of NAHCON Board
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi to serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for a term of four (4) years in the first instance.
The President has directed the outgoing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, to proceed on 3-months pre-retirement leave as provisioned by Public Service Rule (PSR) 120243 with effect from October 18, 2023, leading to his eventual retirement from service on January 17, 2024.
The new Chairman / CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, will assume office in acting capacity on October 18, 2023, and will continue to serve in substantive capacity for a fresh term of four years, beginning on January 17, 2024.
President Bola Tinubu has also approved the dissolution of the Board of NAHCON.
The President expects that the new NAHCON leadership will serve in reverence of Allah and with utmost adherence to the precepts of service according to the Holy Qur’an.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 17, 2023
Nigeria, China Strategic Partnership Key to Africa’s Development– VP Shettima
**Says President Tinubu’s foreign policy drive boosting investors’ confidence*
Vice President Kashim Shettima said today that Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China needs to be scaled up, as it remains key to Africa’s development.
This, he assured, is in progress on the part of Nigeria, just as he said since assuming office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strategically tinkered with the country’s foreign policy to drive and boost investors’ confidence.
To augment this, the Vice President noted that President Tinubu has walked the talk by creating levellers for the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The Vice President who is representing President Tinubu at the ongoing Belt And Road Initiative Forum in Beijing, China, stated this when he was hosted by his People’s Republic of China counterpart, Vice President Han Zheng, at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing.
He expressed profound gratitude for the warm reception accorded his delegation, noting that Nigeria and China, having celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2021, must now take their destinies into their own hands.
Declaring that the rest of Africa stands to gain from a successful Nigeria, VP Shettima said, “Our mutually beneficial relationship will be further enhanced and upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
“Nigeria is China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa; it is the largest economy in Africa and the most populous country in the African continent. The Belt and Road Initiative is a big beautiful concept that can be deployed to achieve this”.
The Vice President drew attention to the burgeoning relationship between Nigeria and China, stating that both countries stood to gain mutually from their friendship.
On his part, Vice President Zheng assured his Nigerian counterpart of continued partnership with Nigeria, hinting that President Jinping’s meeting with VP Shettima would enhance political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and better develop the bilateral relation between the two countries.
Vice President Shettima was later a guest at the State Banquet hosted by President Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan.
In the meantime, attention and focus would shift to the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Initiative Forum at the Great Hall in Beijing billed for tomorrow.
VP Shettima is expected to proceed to the National Convention Centre to deliver his Paper titled, “Digital Economy As A New Source Of Growth”.
A bilateral meeting with the Chinese President and Prime Minister of Pakistan is also on the VP’s itinerary, just as he and other members of his delegation will be presiding over meetings with management of top construction, technology, finance and communication giants in China.
*Stanley Nkwocha*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications*
*(Office of the Vice President)*
*17th October, 2023*
President Tinubu Appoints New ICPC Management Team; Approves 90–Day Pre–End of Tenure Leave for Outgoing ICPC Chairman
In exercise of powers conferred on the President as established in Section 3(6) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and in furtherance of the Renewed Hope mandate to reform key institutions and invigorate Nigeria’s war on corruption, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new management team for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), pending Senate confirmation:
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu — Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, ICPC
Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu — Secretary to the Commission, ICPC
The new Chairman of the ICPC is nominated for confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, following the President’s approval of the outgoing Chairman’s request to proceed on pre-end of tenure leave beginning on November 4, 2023, ahead of the expiration of his tenure on February 3, 2024.
The position of Secretary to the Commission does not require Senate confirmation and, therefore, by the directive of the President, the appointment of Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu as Secretary of the Commission takes immediate effect.
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu has embarked upon many far-reaching reforms as the Attorney General of Jigawa State since September 2019 and holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Law. He was also named as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate in October 2023.
Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu is a lawyer with over 30 years of experience and has served meritoriously in the public service as a Member of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.
The President implores the new management team of the ICPC to always be above board as they discharge their duties without fear or favour concerning all matters before them.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 17, 2023
President Tinubu Condoles Ex–Senate President Lawan over Mother’s Death
October 17, 2023 in Latest News, Press Releases
President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, over the death of his mother.
Senator Lawan’s mother, Hajiya Halima (Baba) Ibrahim, died at the weekend and was buried on Sunday in Gashua, Yobe State, in accordance with Islamic rites. She was 86.
President Tinubu described the late matriarch as a strong pillar of support, not only for Lawan and his siblings but also for others beyond her immediate family.
The President asked the former Senate President to find strength in the knowledge that Mama lived to an advanced age and to continue to cherish the good name she left behind.
“We thank God for the invaluable roles played by the deceased matriarch in raising exemplary children and for her tireless service to Allah and her community,” the President said.
President Tinubu prayed that Almighty Allah forgive the shortcomings of the departed elder and supply her family with the needed consolation in this difficult moment of grief.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
October 17, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
NIGERIA’S FIRST LADY DECLARES 23RD NATIONAL WOMEN CONFERENCE OPEN
…Says Women’s Potential Are Boundless
… As Akpabio, Sanwo-Olu, Others Laud COWLSO
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, OON, has declared the 23rd National Women’s Conference open, saying that women have the capacity to transform not only individual lives but also the broader landscape of our nation and the world if given the needed support.
Giving a Keynote Address at the Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island on Tuesday, Senator Tinubu urged participants at the event to work together, collaborate, and support one another to ensure that every woman in Nigeria has the tools and opportunities to reach her full potential.
According to her, women have the power to shape the future as leaders, innovators, caregivers, and agents of positive change but must continue to break down barriers that limit their progress, challenge stereotypes, and foster an environment of equal opportunity for all.
The First Lady told women at the conference to remember that their potential is not just about personal success; but about uplifting families, communities, and Nigeria as a whole, hence the need to unleash their potentials and transform the communities.
She said “I call upon each and every one of you to embrace the theme of this Conference, “Unleash Your Potential,” not only for your benefit but for your individual States and the benefit of our beloved Nation.”
While delivering a Goodwill Message at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the theme for the Conference, “Unleash Your Potential”, is very apt in view of the current challenges that Nigeria is facing, as it underscored the need to be more intentional and determined in harnessing the innate abilities and capacities of women to drive the Renewed Hope agenda at the national level, and similar initiatives being implemented at the sub-national levels.
Sanwo-Olu maintained that the gathering of women under the COWLSO umbrella, represents an invaluable opportunity to explore the collective power and potential of individuals, particularly women, in the quest to build a Greater Lagos.
He acknowledged the many interventions of COWLSO in critical sectors such as Health, Education, Environment, and Youth development are impacting positively on the lives of Lagosians, revealing that COWLSO recently completed the construction of three-floor classroom building in partnership with the Lagos State Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, (SCRPS), for students of Ogombo in Ajah.
The Governor urged participants at the Conference to be catalysts of positive change in their various communities, workplaces, and families, saying that together, we have the power to shape a future where every individual, regardless of gender, is afforded equal opportunities to excel and contribute meaningfully to society.
Other speakers at the event included the Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, and the Governors of Oyo, Ogun, and Osun who were represented at the event, lauded the various giant strides of COWLSO and the developmental projects already delivered by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials.
Earlier, the Chairman of COWLSO and the wife of the State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, acknowledged the First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, OON for the massive support she continues to give to women and children, as well as the Senate President Senator; Godswill Akpabio, the Governors of Oyo and Bauchi States, Engr. Seyi Makinde and Abdulkadir Mohammed for identifying with the cause of women’s leadership and development in the State.
The First Lady who listed some activities of COWLSO under her leadership, reported that the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials had impacted lives through its various interventions in the education sector, Agriculture, donation to orphanages, seminar on sanitation, security, and safety for market leaders and stakeholders, senior citizens outreach with presentation of cash gifts and household items, just to mention a few.
According to the First Lady. The 2023 theme of the Conference “Unleash Your Potential”, is urging participants to take risks, face their fears, and push past their comfort zones in order to discover what they are truly capable of achieving. “Our focus is to bridge the gap between where you are presently and the place or position where you ought to be, where your potential is fully unleashed”, she added.
The COWLSO Chairman, however, remarked that unleashing one’s potential is a step one has to take with courage as anyone who fails to unleash his/her potential has robbed the world of valuable treasures.
OLUBUKONLA NWONAH
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY
October 17, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU MARKS WORLD FOOD DAY WITH LAGOS FARMERS, RECOMMITS GOVT TO FOOD SAFETY MEASURES
- Governor woos individual paddy rice farmers for immediate supply
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, recommitted his administration to actions and interventions that would make quality food affordable and accessible within the State.
The Governor said the ongoing development of Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, was part of the current interventions by his Government to ensure food affordability, stressing that the facility would help bring the food market closer to the consumers and scale down food prices.
Sanwo-Olu joined hundreds of farmers at Lagos Farm Fair – an event held at the Police College in Ikeja for the commemoration of the 2023 World Food Day.
The event with the theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food; Leave No One Behind”, was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture with the objective to promote awareness and action against hunger, and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
Farmers from various Local Government Areas of Lagos, who were supported by the State Government through Lagos APPEALS Project, exhibited their produce at the Fair and offered reduced prices for bulk purchase of their crops.
As the State population grows, Sanwo-Olu said there was need for collaborative efforts and innovation to sustainably scale up agricultural production to meet demand, while improving food supply chain and security.
The completion of the Food Logistics Hub next year, the Governor said, would centralise the State’s food supply from the farm to the markets where consumers would buy at affordable prices. He said the facility was being developed with capacity for long-term storage to reduce waste and loss.
He said: “It is another year of commemoration of the World Food Day. For us in Lagos, it is to celebrate and appreciate our resilient farmers, while also bringing up a conversation on need to begin to ensure that food is affordable and accessible. It is important to note that the current economic situation has made the prices of food to go up, but I believe with deliberate interventions that will bring the market closer to the consumers, we can help to bring down the food prices.
“As part of our efforts, we are currently building the largest Food Logistics Hub in West Africa in addition to middle level markets we are opening across the State. By this time next year, we would have completed the first phase of the project. The Logistics Food market will be the central hub through which all farm produce will come into Lagos. The facility has cold and dry storages from which food will be supplied to the middle-level markets and where products go to the retail shops.”
Sanwo-Olu said the Logistics Hub was part of a “robust, integrated” plan of his administration to ensure food adequacy and sufficiency. Other initiatives, he said, focused on equipping farmers to raise productivity, and supporting the market in order to make food affordable for the end consumers.
The Governor said despite the deficiency of land in Lagos, the State had been showing the way in urban farming in areas, such as aquaculture, piggery, fishing, poultry, vegetable and fruits production. He reiterated his commitment towards providing infrastructure and creating incentives for farmers to meet residents’ nutritional needs.
In spite of the collaboration with some key agrarian States for paddy rice supply, Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos-owned Imota Rice Mill hardly received adequate paddy rice from its suppliers to meet production capacity. He called on independent paddy rice farmers to collaborate with Lagos in order to sustain the rice production.
“Farming is an important component of our Government’s activities. We need to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow. While we have collaborated with some major agricultural states within the country, we are also looking for independent paddy rice farmers across the federation to raise paddy supply to Lagos Rice Mill. We need a lot of paddies to meet up with production capacity. It doesn’t matter the tonnage of paddy rice they have, we are ready to take it up. This is calling on paddy growers across the country to key into this opportunity,” he said.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, noted the event was held in the wake of critical food security issues facing the country and which required “urgent” actions to scale up food production across the various value chains.
She said the Farm Fair would encourage action on food insecurity, promote production and consumption of safe food, which would have an immediate and long-term benefit on the people, the planet and the economy.
“Not only is Lagos playing frontline role in the aqua farming industry, we are also key players in production of other crops and edible produce. This year’s commemoration of World Food Day is to come out and encourage our farmers, and create a platform for them to be aware of all the incentives and interventions we have created for them,” the Commissioner said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
16 OCTOBER 2023
