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Be conscious of security threats — Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu to market leaders

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2022

NewsDirect

…Tasks them to support efforts to make Lagos markets meet international standard

…Concerted efforts needed for noticeable compliance — Lagos SA

By Moses Adeniyi

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called on market stakeholders in Lagos to become responsive and sensitive to security concerns, mentioning that such was important to avert attack mishaps, as security is ‘everybody’s business.’

The First Lady who spoke at a one-day seminar organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) on ‘Market Sanitation, Security and Safety for Market Leaders,’ in Sururlere division of Lagos State, charged the market stakeholders to join up in the system of intelligence gathering by divulging information of security threats to the appropriate channels.

“We have purposely included the security and safety of our markets as part of the topics at this seminar for obvious reasons that security is everybody’s business, and as market men and women and community leaders, we must be conscious of the need to make our security a priority.

“When we see something, let us not only say something but do something to ensure that a potential security threat is nipped in the bud,” she told the market stakeholders.

Reiterating that there must be proper identification of all traders and people trading in the market, she said monitoring and evaluation of security activities in the market “must be a daily affair and also in every community.”

“As market men and women, you must take ownership of security in your markets, and you have to speak up and speak out loud and clear when you suspect any suspicious movement or activity around you,” she charged them.

She further charged them to be sensitive to prevent fire outbreaks in the markets.

This is just as she called on them to instill sanity in markets across Lagos, mentioning such was essential to take the profile of market situations in Lagos beyond the present state to meet international standards.

Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairperson of COWLSO, said it was essential to reject unhygienic practices in their entirety including “indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages, and street trading, among others.”

According to her, the seminar was in furtherance of efforts to ensure that market activities are conducted in a hygienic, safe, and secure environment.

According to her, the sensitisation was held in necessity to ensure that market activities are conducted in line with international best practices, especially as they relate to sanitation, security, and safety.

“The truth is that it is in our collective interest to imbibe international best practices in administering markets and our environment,” she said.

She mentioned that empirical evidence have shown that there is a nexus between the state of an environment and the health of residents in such an environment.

“Garbage in, Garbage out; it is the way you treat your environment that it responds to you. This is why hygiene in the market becomes extremely important as all residents are connected one way or the other.

“We know that a lot of waste is generated from our markets and as market leaders, it is important that we must reject unhygienic practices in their entirety including indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages, and street trading, among others.

“The issue of hygiene and cleanliness in our markets is paramount, and every important and necessary step must be taken by all stakeholders to inspire a healthy and secure marketplace,” she said.

In his address, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, said organising such programme “consistently over the years is a proof that with our concerted efforts, making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy is possible.”

He said the seminar addresses the fibre of the state of security and sanity of markets in Lagos State.

“Much vigilance and attention must be paid even to the tiniest detail in our markets, so as to guarantee safety of lives and properties,” he mentioned.

“No doubt, security and sanitation remain vital issues in our society, especially in our markets,” he said.

“In the past years, the First-Lady has been on the borderline, leading and taking this noble cause to Local Governments in the State,” he added.

According to him, since the sensitisation, there “have seen a tremendous level of compliance in our markets as it concerns market sanitation and security and this is why we must commend the efforts of the First-Lady of Lagos State, the entire members of COWLSO; our amiable Iyaloja-General and Market Leaders and Users, whose concerted efforts have led to this noticeable compliance.”

He said it was essential to spread the message across other nooks and crannies of the State.

“Let me also inform us, that, Lagos State under the leadership of Mr Governor has been at the top of the security situation in the State, hence the ease of business and the developmental projects we are experiencing in the State,” he added.

Commending the organisers of the programme he assured continuity of efforts to enhance “the advocacy and sensitisation on Market Sanitation and Security for Market Leaders.”

He urged the stakeholders to maximise the opportunity to learn better ways on market sanitation and security that the seminar affords.

The State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, represented by Dr. Hassan Sanu, said with the space limitation of the State in face of teeming population, it was important for market stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly, with conscious efforts to management of market sites.

He said it was important for them to imbibe proper waste management in line with the demands of the recycling system for the green economy initiative of the State.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, represented by Bola Adewunmi, appreciated the State Governor for the support in line with waste management.

He called for proper waste sorting and management to make the waste-to-wealth system a reality in the State.

The edition of the seminar is the fifth in the series of the intervention which was put together through a collaborative effort of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in line with the commitment to put the welfare and wellbeing of market men and women on the front burner.

Since its first edition in January 2020 at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, divisions where the seminar has been held include Ikorodu Division (May 18, 2021); Ikeja Division (September 17, 2021); and Badagry Division November (25, 2021).

News

Shettima departs for 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas

Published

21 mins ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to depart Abuja for Dallas, United States of America, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit.

The summit is organised by the Corporate Council on Africa.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of The Vice-President, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Nkwocha said Shettima would join other political and business leaders across Africa, the USA and beyond for the summit.

According to him, the summit will feature high-level dialogues, networking business sessions and the plenary, all scheduled for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

He said that the African leaders expected at the summit include, the President, Republic of Liberia; Joseph Boakai, President, Republic of Malawi; Lazarus Chakwera and the President, Republic of Angola, Joao Lourenço.

Nkwocha said other African leaders that would grace the summit are the President, Republic of Botswana, Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, President, Republic of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho, Nthomeng Majara.

He said besides the summit’s plenary, Shettima would speak at the Roundtable on African Infrastructure Investment with a focus on impact and returns.

” He (Shettima) is also scheduled to speak on a high-level panel on agribusiness, focusing on transiting “from food insecurity to thriving agribusinesses.

” Additionally, the Vice-President will speak at a plenary session on Navigating Africa’s Energy Future as well as chair a session dedicated to promoting the ‘invest in Nigeria’ initiative.

” He is also expected to attend other meetings and engagements on the sideline of the summit.”

Nkwocha said that Vice-President Shettima is expected back in the country at the end of his engagements in the US.

News

Israeli to close Al Jazeera’s operations in the country – PM Netanyahu

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Cabinet has unanimously voted to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.

The move came after Israeli lawmakers recently approved a new media law widely referred to as the “Al Jazeera law” that gives the government powers to ban foreign broadcasters if they are deemed a risk to state security.

Netanyahu announced the Cabinet decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in which he called Al Jazeera “the hate channel.”

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said on Sunday that he had signed the closure order and that it would be implemented immediately.

According to Israeli reports, this means that offices in Israel could be closed, broadcasting equipment confiscated, the station removed from cable and satellite television channels and its website blocked.

The Israeli government had accused Al Jazeera, which is based in the Gulf emirate of Qatar and has a wide reach in the Arab world, of biased reporting on the ongoing war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera has reported extensively on the catastrophic situation in the Palestinian territory and shown images of death and destruction that are rarely seen on Israeli television stations.

The channel also regularly shows videos of attacks on Israeli soldiers by Hamas’ military arm, the Qassam Brigades.

The channel has rejected allegations of bias and, in the past, accused Netanyahu of spreading “new lies and inflammatory slanders” against the network.

Al Jazeera has also accused the Israeli military of deliberately targeting journalists on several occasions.

Netanyahu has accused Al Jazeera of “damaging Israel’s security, actively participating in the massacre on October 7 and inciting against Israeli soldiers.”

Al-Jazeera was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Doha. It was one of the first Arab TV stations to publish critical reports on the region and quickly gained popularity.

The Israeli government’s efforts to ban Al Jazeera have drawn criticism from some of the country’s most prominent allies, including the United States and Germany.

The U.S. State Department expressed irritation of the decision and reiterated support for the free press all over the world.

A German Foreign Office spokesman also criticised the so-called Al Jazeera law last month: “A free and diverse press landscape is the cornerstone of a liberal democracy.”

News

OTC 2024: PETAN leads stakeholders on sustainable energy solutions for Africa’s future

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has led delegates to the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas U.S. to discuss sustainable energy solutions for Africa’s future.

Mr Kevin Nwanze, Executive Secretary, PETAN, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Nwanze said that PETAN’s Nigerian pavilion at OTC 2024 would be hosted under the theme, “Sustainable Energy Solutions for Africa’s Future”.

He said that the conference would have more than 200 hours of multidisciplinary discussions and networking events, including a wide range of topics, suited for every participant.

PETAN scribe, however, called for stakeholders’ participation at the 2024 OTC, holding between May 6 and May 9 at the NRG Park, Houston, Texas, US.

According to him, PETAN has been responsible for hosting stakeholders at the OTC for many years.

“The association is calling on government agencies, stakeholders, oil and gas companies, and Nigerian investors to participate at the Nigerian pavilion at the prestigious event in Houston, U.S.

“Participation in the Nigerian pavilion shall deliver a unique opportunity for exhibitors and delegates to interact with global professionals

“As they share their insights on technological advances, energy transition, safety, environmentally focused solutions, and economic and regulatory impacts of the offshore energy sector,” he aded.

Nwanze said: “It allows organisations to engage with world leaders, CEOs, and government officials from around the world, with the chance to create and develop business relationships.

“And also tap into emerging regions vital to offshore development and obtaining recognition necessary for growth and visibility to thousands across the globe.

“Showcase your company’s capabilities to over 1,000 delegates and over 250 companies in the industry.

“Promote products and services to operators and contractors in the local region.

“Gain access to the latest industry news and access to networking opportunities with professional contacts from across the world.

“Network with the upstream, midstream, and downstream organisations and high-profile government officials and key decision-makers in the industry.

“Build and establish new leads as well as entrench a global presence in the industry.

“Get familiar with competitors’ capabilities to stay ahead in the industry,” the statement read.

The OTC 2024 expects over 31,000 energy professionals as attendees, 45 technical sessions, 450 presentations and over 1,300 exhibitors drawn from different countries, including Nigeria.