The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced plans to convert under-bridge Ijora which was recently cleared and sanitised to a recreational space.

The government had last week after a five-day quit notice, destroyed illegal shanties occupied by squatters under the bridge.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had earlier lamented that block moulders, fuel sellers, and miscreants occupying the space under the bridge pose a security risk, stressing that the government would not allow it to continue.

Giving an update on the development, Wahab in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle revealed that the cleared space will be used for the public benefit of Lagos residents.

According to him, the endeavour which aims to restore the public space for the benefit of Lagos residents, will have community members also participating in the inspection and planning process.

“Following the expiration of the Commissioner’s five-day notice to unauthorised inhabitants of the Ijora Under-Bridge, the Special Task Force, under the direction of ACP Bayo Sulaiman, executed the removal of makeshift structures. Subsequently, the Lagos Waste Management Authority swiftly commenced the removal of debris.

“This initiative, however, extends beyond mere demolition and clearing. Guided by the directives of Governor #jidesanwoolu and HC #tokunbo_wahab, a team comprising the General Manager of LASPARK, Hon. Adetoun Popoola; the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende; and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, has embarked on a mission to transform this area into a recreational space.

“This endeavour aims to restore the public space for the benefit of Lagos residents, with community members also participating in the inspection and planning process.

“The transformation of Ijora Under-Bridge is poised to complement the adjacent National Theatre Complex’s ongoing refurbishment, and further enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Lagos,” he added.

The Lagos State Government has disbursed the total sum of N398,833.591.81 as insurance benefits to 136 beneficiaries of 85 deceased public servants who died while in service of the State Government.

Speaking at the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi stated that the payments to families of deceased staff are clear manifestations of the humane nature of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration towards its vibrant workforce.

Imploring the beneficiaries to see the payment as a seed, which is to be invested wisely, Oluyomi emphasised that the Lagos State Government gives priority to insurance welfare packages for its workforce and also to government property. The insurance packages for staff include Group Life and Group Personal Accident, amongst others.

His words: “Payment of the Insurance Death Benefits to the congregation of beneficiaries is to serve as succour to their immediate families to help in the education and general welfare of the younger children.”

The Finance Commissioner also commended LASACO Assurance PLC and Consortium of Underwriters/Brokers for playing their parts in ensuring the sustenance of best practices towards making life much better and rewarding for families of the deceased staff of the State Government under the Global Insurance Policies.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Temitope Hundogan appreciated the Lagos State Governor for his empathetic and kind gesture of ensuring prompt approval of the insurance premium, just as he encouraged the beneficiaries to put the money into good use.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director, LASACO Assurance Plc, Mr. Abiodun Razzaq applauded the Lagos State Government for putting smiles on the faces of beneficiaries who lost their loved ones while in active service of the State Government.

He emphasised that Lagos State remains the flagbearer and is always at the forefront in the payment of Insurance Death Benefits.

The event was also attended by Hon. Femi Saheed, Chairman House Committee on Finance.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Abisola Magaret Ogunlola, on behalf of other beneficiaries, expressed her appreciation to the Lagos State Government for the kind gesture.

By Moses Adeniyi

The Provost of Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Professor Abiodun Adewuya has said the College is on a mission to produce world class doctors and other health professionals in a bid to cover up the deficits of professionals locally in Nigeria and globally.

He mentioned the College plans for the year 2024 to  produce about 1,000 health workers in line with the plans of the government to meet the demands for more health professionals of standard quality to service the needs of the masses.

According to him, the College is now the only state owned institution in Nigeria with a fully accredited version of medical surgery programme, mentioning it  is now recognized as one of the topmost medical schools in Nigeria.

“The exponential growth of LASUCOM over the years to meet the demand for well-trained medical and allied medical personnel has necessitated the planned expansion of the current facilities; including Lecture/Seminar Halls, Laboratories, hostel accommodations as well as critical human resource in terms of quality and quantity.

“The need to produce a larger number of doctors and other healthcare workers to meet the healthcare needs of the populace has not only been underscored by the Lagos State and the Federal Government. It has attracted global attention.

“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria recently addressed a letter on the issue to the Committee of vice-Chancellors highlighting this need and conveying approval of 100 percent increment in the quota previously approved for all Medical Schools.

“This would enable the College to have a quota of 200 intakes for its medicine and Surgery programme and 20 intakes for Dentistry programme.

“This is in addition to taking initiatives on creative ways of collaborating with government and other stakeholders in expanding its facilities to meet the challenge of producing more Doctors and other healthcare personnel to meet the healthcare needs of the global community,” the Provost said, at a press briefing held in Ikeja, the State Capital,  in commemoration of LASUCOM’s 25th anniversary Celebration.

At the briefing to herald the ongoing events, the provost said the anniversary which was themed, “CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN MEDICAL EDUCATION” exuded that the milestone is a testament of the commitment of LASUCOM to excellence in medical education, research and a lasting mission to produce world class graduates in the field of Health Sciences.

He reminiscenced that LASUCOM which was formerly a Monoprogram educational institution offering only Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree programme, and one faculty; the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, has grown to become a college producing world class graduates in the field of Health Sciences.

“Since then, LASUCOM has transformed and is now regarded as one of the topmost medical schools in terms of quality of its personnel, researches, academic contents, graduate output and alumni ratings as well as infrastructure in line with the vision of the founding fathers of LASUCOM.

“The aim of the college is to produce medical doctors and health professionals who are of acceptable national and International standards and in  high quality and in such a number that is required to meet the health care needs of Lagos State and the nation at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels  among others,” he said.

“LASUCOM under the umbrella of the Lagos State University is the only state owned institution with a fully accredited version of medical surgery programme,” he stressed.

Mentioning that it is the best state owned medical college in Nigeria, he stated the college now has 170 academic staff spread across six faculties, 300 non academic staff comprising administrative and technical staff.

According to him, the college currently has six faculties; Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry and the two faculties which have just been added are Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and Faculty of Pharmacy.

“There were 1,019 graduates, 44 dental surgeons, 76 nurses, 99 Physiologists, 22 pharmacologists and 1,112 students presently,” he said. .

He disclosed that LASUCOM has secured the NUC’s approval to run four new programmes which include the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) under the Faculty of Pharmacy, Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), Radiography and Radiation Science and Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) which falls under the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.

He disclosed that a number of college staff have won grants totalling more than N3 billion Naira.

Events lined up to celebrate the 25th anniversary which started last Friday Feb 2, include Novelty March by LASUCOM Alumni and Students at LASUCOM Sports, Thanksgiving Service, an interfaculty debate at the  FBCS/FBMS auditorium, Monday.

On Wednesday, Feb 7th, a community engagement, health awareness drive and free medical treatment will be held at the LASUCOM Sports Complex.

Also are Alumni engagement with students at the FBCS/FBMS  Auditorium on Thursday, Feb 8th and in conclusion, Founders’ Day Anniversary Lecture and Awards Ceremony at MRC Building by Friday, 9th February, 2024.

The provost acknowledged President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu and other past leaders of the State for their contribution  to the development of the College.