By SodiqAdelakun

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to demolish over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele under bridge, starting from today, May 6, 2024.

This was revealed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. TokunboWahab, in a statement on Sunday.

According to the Commissioner, the removal of the shanties is part of the state government’s efforts to restore sanity and cleanliness to the area.

Recall that the government had urged occupants of the shanties to vacate the area before the demolition exercise begins, to avoid any disruption or loss of property.

“The Lagos State Government will undertake enforcement action to remove over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele underbridge from tomorrow, Monday, 6th of May, 2024.

“The removal is coming after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move with their belongings,” Wahab stated

He said operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance department of the ministry will be given security backup to conduct the operation.

This exercise, according to him, is part of the commitment of the state government to reclaim all ungoverned spaces that dot the Lagos landscape.

“Apart from the unsanitary conditions of residents in the shanties, it also serves as a hiding place for criminals and points for peddling hard drugs and substances which is injurious to the wellbeing of law-abiding residents.

“Therefore, I advise all the occupants of the shanties in their interest, to voluntarily move out with their belongings before the commencement of the enforcement operations on Monday,” he added.

Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has successfully carried out another enforcement exercise, this time at Adeniji Adele under bridge, following a similar operation last week in Ikoyi.

During the Ikoyi exercise, an apartment where tenants paid an annual rent of N250,000 was discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

The enforcement team removed all structures, including a container used for illegal activities, from beneath the bridge.

According to Commissioner for Information, GbengaOmotosho, out of the 450 squatters arrested under the bridge, 371 requested relocation to their various states.

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that he initiated a forensic audit of the State Government’s account to recover stolen government funds and not to witch-hunt anyone.

Otti said this on Sunday during an interactive session with constituents of Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

The governor said that upon assumption of office as governor, he established an audit with the primary objective of recovering stolen government funds and not to send anyone to jail.

He said that the report of the audit revealed that “a lot of money was looted and stolen brazenly” for non-existing projects which include the Abia Airport Project.

“I am looking for the airport for which funds were moved from the coffers of the government for.

“The people concerned with the act of moving the airport project funds in question went to the media and  began to say all manner of things.

“If you are following the happenings in the media space, you will see these things there.

“The problem with lying is that when you tell one lie, you will need another one to cover the first lie and need three more lies to cover the second one.

“We are looking for our money and we must find our money.

“If we don’t find the airport, then they will refund our money,” he added.

According to him, the government will not relent in improving the welfare of the citizenry through various progressive initiatives that facilitate socioeconomic growth.

He said that the government was determined to recover the funds and  utilise it for the development of the state.

Otti commended the House of Assembly member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Mr Roland Chinwendu, for playing “politics of no bitterness”.

“Immediately, after the elections he  came to me to make it clear that as the member representing my Constituency, he would work with me  to move Abia forward.

“It is worthy of note that he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and I commend him for that,” he said.

Earlier, Chinwendu said that the emergence of Otti as the governor was an indication that the citizens desire good governance.

“The elections are long over and I was elected to deliver effective representation and not elected to play politics of opposition or bitterness.

“We have a governor whose dictum is practical government and good governance and I have no reason not to identify with him,” he said.

He assured the governor of the unalloyed support of his constituents and urged him to extend his infrastructural development to every part of the constituency.

Also, a Chieftain of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, commended the lawmaker for reaching beyond party affiliations to support the Labour Party-led government in Abia.

He said that the present administration was poised to reposition the state through governance.

In an interview, Mr Henry Ori, Leader of the Ebubedike Movement for PDP in Nvosi Ward 5, said that the programmes and policies of the present administration were development-oriented.

“It is for this reason that we are here to show solidarity and support as well as encourage the governor to sustain the good works,” Ori said.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has underscored the pivotal role of religious and traditional institutions in tackling the pressing issues of malnutrition and hunger within Nigeria.  Speaking at an event organised by the National Council on Nutrition and the World Bank-Assisted Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aliko Dangote Foundation, emphasised the significance of faith-based groups in the national agenda for improving nutrition and human capital development in Nigeria.

During the high-level dialogue on nutrition at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, themed ‘Faith Leaders as Catalysts for Enhanced Human Capital Through Nutrition,’ Mrs. Youssoufou highlighted that nutrition goes beyond mere sustenance; it is about nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. She emphasised that adequate nutrition forms the cornerstone of human capital development.

Mrs. Youssoufou painted a grim picture of the situation in Nigeria, where malnutrition significantly hampers the nation’s progress. She pointed out that children are particularly vulnerable, suffering from stunted growth, cognitive impairments, and increased susceptibility to diseases due to inadequate nutrition.

She stressed that malnutrition’s consequences extend beyond physical health to affect educational achievements, economic productivity, and overall well-being. Urgent and concerted action from all sectors of society is imperative to address this crisis.

Mrs. Youssoufou highlighted the unique position of faith leaders, with their grassroots reach and influence, in driving positive change in nutrition.

She said their teachings on compassion, justice, and stewardship can inspire individuals to prioritise good nutrition, support vulnerable populations, and advocate for policies promoting food security.

By leveraging the collective power of faith communities, Mrs. Youssoufou proposed fostering a culture of health and wellness that values nutritious diets, breastfeeding, and access to essential nutrients. She suggested educational programs, awareness campaigns, and community engagement to empower individuals to make informed dietary choices.

Moreover, she emphasised the role of faith leaders as advocates for policy changes to address systemic barriers to good nutrition, such as food insecurity and inequitable access to healthcare services.

She added that by advocating for greater investment in nutrition-sensitive programs, they can create an enabling environment for improving health outcomes nationwide.

The dialogue aimed to facilitate the sharing of insights, best practices, and innovative solutions among faith leaders to drive progress in nutrition and human capital enhancement in Nigeria.

It called for unity transcending religious divides to work towards a healthier, more prosperous nation.

The host of the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressed the indispensable role of faith and traditional leaders in improving nutrition within their communities.

“Your influence is indispensable. We believe that, regardless of the quality of ideas we bring to the table, our efforts will fall short without your participation and endorsement,” he said.

The VP stressed that Nigeria’s future readiness hinges not just on food abundance but on the nourishing quality of its food supply.

“We must proclaim to the world that our commitment to producing food of unparalleled richness is not rhetoric,” Shettima declared, noting that “this gathering is a solemn pledge to safeguard our well-being and preserve the legacy of generations yet to come.”

He restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritizing nutrition as part of Nigeria’s food security drive.

Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said malnutrition and related challenges have over the years negatively impacted human capital development, requiring accelerated interventions.

The Minister described the efforts and interventions of the National Economic Council (chaired by the Vice President) and the engagement with faith-based leaders as testimonies that Nigeria has the institutional mechanism to combat hunger and malnutrition with their associated challenges.

On his part, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the engagement with faith-based leaders was not just a dialogue but a clarion call for action to address one of society’s most disturbing challenges.

Prof. Pate called on religious and traditional leaders in Nigeria to leverage their network and influence in society to support the government in combating hunger and malnutrition, describing faith-based leaders as the backbone of their communities, hence their importance in improving the nutritional outcomes in their various domains.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Daniel Okoh, pledged the commitment of their communities and congregations to the efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the country, stating that their presence at the event underscored their loyalty to the campaign.