News
Ambode Speaks On Life After Retirement
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in connection with Political Economist and co-founder of Pan African University, Prof. Pat Utomi charged Lagos State senior Civil Servants to prepare for life after retirement.
The two days training organised by Ambode was designed for top civil servants approaching their retirement in Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday February 26.
Speaking at the event, Ambode said the intending retirees were being trained on how to prepare for life after retirement, especially on the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS.
The governor assured the workers that the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions and LASPEC would continue to ensure that public service retirees not only get what was due to them statutorily, but also continue to receive, through other agencies and programmes further and additional support and assistance that would add value to their lives in retirement.
He said his administration was committed to the implementation of the Pension Reform Act of 2014, which was first passed as the Pension Reform Act of 2004.
Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke, stressed the need to prioritise pensioners’ welfare, adding that “it has both moral, economic, strategic and social ramifications”.
The governor added that the training was designed to ensure that all public servants, especially those who were nearing retirement were trained on an on-going basis of the implications of the laws and regulations relating to the Contributory Pension Scheme with a view to ensuring that they could adequately prepare for the future.
“The main objectives of the Lagos State Pension Reform Law are: to assist all persons in the employment of the State Government to save towards their retirement and as well ensure that persons who leave or retire from the public service of the state receive their terminal or retirement benefits as and when due”, he said.
Speaking, the facilitator, Utomi, commended Lagos State Government for the training, saying it is of great importance for every civil and public servant to have adequate preparation for retirement so as to plan well and effectively when out of service.
He said the Contributory Pension Scheme had made it easy for civil servants to plan for their future, charging them to utilise their earnings judiciously for a better future.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishments and Training, Rhoda Ayinde, said Lagos State Government was so passionate about its workers, which necessitated such training on preparation for retirement so as to right the wrongs and prepare for the future.
“The State Government don’t want any of its workers to agonise, hence the training. We all know what retirement is all about, that is why the state government wants us to have enough training before we retire so that we can prepare adequately”, she said.
News
IGP directs police officers to wear black bands in honour of Taoreed Lagbaja
Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, has directed officers to wear black bands in honour of Taoreed Lagbaja, the late chief of army staff (COAS).
In a statement signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, Egbetokun ordered personnel to wear the bands during the seven-day mourning period.
“This directive is to pay tribute and honour the late General who has shown gallantry, dedication, and passion for fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“He was a great leader who deserves to be honoured by all means.”
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of Lagbaja.
Lagbaja died on Tuesday after battling an undisclosed ailment. He was 56-years-old.
He was appointed COAS by Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
Lagbaja enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.
In September 1992, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th regular course.
He served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
Lagbaja also participated in various internal security operations, including operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in south-east, and forest sanity in Kaduna and Niger.
The president has appointed Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS.
News
LASEPA seals off churches, hotels over noise pollution
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed off some establishments over alleged noise pollution.
The facilities sealed include churches, lounges, nightclubs, bars, and hotels in the Lagos metropolis.
In a statement on Wednesday, Babatunde Ajayi, the general manager of LASEPA, said the move was in line with the agency’s efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.
“In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, LASEPA took action, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state,” Ajayi said.
He noted that the establishments were found guilty of breaching environmental regulations despite multiple warnings from LASEPA.
He reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy on regulatory non-compliance, saying “we will not permit disregard for our regulations”.
Ajayi said the enforcement drive focused on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota.
He added that the sealed outfits include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Night Club and Lounge, and Bridge Spot Bar.
Others are Okiki Event Centre and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.
The LASEPA boss urged all businesses to recognise their environmental obligations and work alongside the state government to foster a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
News
Tinubu approves establishment of Teaching Hospital in Ondo
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a teaching hospital in Akure, Ondo State, to support the training of medical students at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, to initiate the necessary arrangements for the establishment of the teaching hospital. Prof. Pate has since dispatched a team to Ondo State to assess the location.
Leading the team, Dr. Jimoh Olawole Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, inspected FUTA’s permanent site, designated for the hospital. Salaudeen also visited the Akure Annex of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), which will serve as a temporary site for the teaching hospital.
Speaking with reporters after the inspection, Dr. Salaudeen expressed optimism about the hospital’s potential to become operational soon, citing available facilities. “President Tinubu directed that Akure should have a federal teaching hospital,” Salaudeen stated. “We are here to coordinate with the state government and review the site options for establishing the teaching hospital.”
Salaudeen highlighted the urgency of the project, noting that FUTA has begun training medical students, who are now in their third year. “The state government has provided a temporary site, and we are pleased with the infrastructure at the permanent site, including an auditorium, health center, and classrooms,” he said.
He added, “Our goal is to identify equipment needs at the temporary site to create a model federal tertiary hospital that supports student training. The enthusiastic support from the community is encouraging and will facilitate a peaceful learning environment.”
Ondo State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, affirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the project, ensuring it aligns with the president’s vision. “We have drafted an MOU and laid groundwork for the medical students to complete their training on schedule,” Ajaka said.
FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, expressed relief, saying, “We’ve been concerned about where our medical students would complete their clinical studies. I’m thrilled that the federal government has stepped in to provide a solution.”
Prof. Oladiji also highlighted FUTA’s biomedical engineering department, which aims to contribute to the school of health sciences by producing essential medical equipment. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to training future health professionals and engineers who can innovate and support the healthcare sector,” she added.
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