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beggar epidemic6699819479824796919 Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday discussed the idea of a law to curb street begging across the State.
The law, if it comes into existence, would also penalise the encouragement of street begging by residents. In this way, it would be an offence to give money to a street beggar.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who described street begging as a menace taking over the state, agreed with the lawmakers at plenary that criminal elements have taken over the streets disguised as beggars.
Reacting to the motion brought by Hon. Abiodun Orekoya and some of his colleagues, Dr Obasa noted how previous administrations in the state made efforts to curb street begging, but that the challenge had not abated. Obasa emphasised the need for a law that would criminalise street begging and also penalise individuals who give money to beggars on the roads.
"When we address the source, then we can curb it. When you go on the road, you find children between the ages of five and six begging. It means there are established groups of people benefitting from this. They warehouse and provide for them.
"Beyond the child rights law, we should come up with another law that speaks to begging and giving. We must come up with genuine laws and institutions that handle begging.
The Speaker said the proposed law should aim to establish a centre where individuals who wish to give alms can do so, while the centre would ensure that the alms reach those in need.
"The law will create a fund to be managed by people with integrity so that if you are in need, you would go there," he said.
He said while this would help people fulfil their religious beliefs about almsgiving, it would also help curb street begging, reduce crime on the road and promote greater responsibility among residents.
The Speaker said the smart city goal of the state cannot be achieved when beggars adorn the roads, inhibiting free movement and engaging in crime which include drug peddling and stealing from motorists.
He questioned how children as young as five or six manage to travel from other states to Lagos, suggesting that some individuals may be sponsoring and accommodating them.
Calling for a holistic approach to end the challenge, the Speaker said it was better to tackle it from the source which includes discouraging giving directly to the beggars on the road.
Obasa also urged local government chairmen to come up with ideas to manage street trading rather than thinking of outrightly chasing traders off the streets.
"Street trading happens across the world. It is for our council chairmen to come up with ideas to better manage the activities of traders in their domains.
"How do you build a shop and put it at N30 million? What will the traders be selling there?
If you remove them all, where do you also want them to go?" He asked.

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LAGOS ASSEMBLY MOVES TO CRIMINALISE STREET BEGGING, MULLS LAW AGAINST GIVING ALMS TO STREET BEGGARS ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

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Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday discussed the idea of a law to curb street begging...

img 20231107 wa0002417308788476393403 The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, resolved to invite the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Akibu, the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Senate of the tertiary institution and other top staff over allegations of extortion and certificate racketeering levelled against the school recently.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, while noting that the source of the story could be suspicious and not trustworthy because of its tendency to blackmail, agreed that the concerned officials of the institution be invited so that facts about the allegation could be unearthed for the sake of the reputation of the school.
"I agree that the committee should invite those to be invited to establish facts about the allegation, but we must not because of that destroy our institution's reputation," Dr. Obasa, an alumnus of the institution, said adding that if anyone is found wanting, such a person should be sanctioned.
Moving the motion under 'Matter of Urgent Public Importance', Hon. Owolabi Ajani told his colleagues that there was a need to invite the Commissioner, the VC and others for the House to unravel the facts behind the allegation.
Ajani noted that LASU had maintained a high level of integrity over the years adding that this must be sustained. While Hon. Sa'ad Olumoh urged that the investigation should involve people in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit of the institution, Hon. Desmond Elliot and his colleague, Ladi Ajomale, who said they attended LASU, supported that the allegation be investigated.

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LAGOS ASSEMBLY INVITES COMMISSIONER, LASU VC, OTHERS OVER ALLEGED CERTIFICATE RACKETEERING ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

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The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, resolved to invite the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Akibu, the...

img 20231106 wa0004111921032735602224 The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced deliberation, probe and consideration of the 2022 Auditor General's Report for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state. Hon. Kehinde Olaide Joseph, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (State), said the exercise was to ensure that the committee's statutory oversight is used as an antidote to financial recklessness by MDAs in the State. Speaking on Monday at the Assembly complex where the exercise is held, Hon. Joseph added that the consideration of the report aligns with the need for improved efficiency and best practices in the pursuit of the statutory objectives of the Public Accounts Committee (State). "The Assembly is poised to commence deliberations and considerations of the audited report of the State Auditor-General on the Accounts of the Lagos State Government for the year ended 2022, having been committed to the Committee for proper deliberations. "This exercise will cover the period from 1st January to 31st December 2022 as well as the economic activities of all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government in all sectors of the State Government. The committee will be inviting all heads of indicted MDAs for clarifications regarding the queries raised in the Auditor-General's Report to enhance service delivery. "The exercise will also ascertain the completion, accuracy, and reliability of the financial transactions within the sectors and confirm the level of compliance with financial regulations, relevant legislations, and accounting standards as well as reflect on each sector's financial performance and position. "In addition, the committee would confirm the revenue and budget performances of all MDAs, capital expenditure, reconciliation of the financial records with the Oracle system of the MDAs, and ascertain the project management and control systems of MDAs in Lagos State," he said. Hon. Joseph, while noting the herculean task before the committee, said the exercise must be carried out for the State to move forward and to attain probity. "I urge you to bear in mind that public expectation is high on this administration as we have been acknowledged as the reference point in probity and accountability in governance by other States in the Federation,” Hon. Joseph added. The committee chairman said the House of Assembly under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa cannot afford to disappoint the electorate, especially as the present administration is positioned to build and improve on previous foundations laid for the development of the State. "It is not a witch-hunt on any MDA but to ensure that the committee's statutory oversight is used as an antidote to financial recklessness by in the State. Let me assure you that reports of findings and recommendations will be compiled and forwarded to the House for deliberations after the exercise. "I hope that the resolution on the outcome of this exercise will facilitate effective management of resources in the State,” he added.

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LAGOS ASSEMBLY COMMENCES PROBE OF AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT FOR MDAs, SAYS OBASA, LAWMAKERS POISED TO FULFIL PROMISES TO ELECTORATE ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced deliberation, probe and consideration of the 2022 Auditor General's Report for Ministries,...

493ok3mm7E24714123858602556706 In light of recent narratives surrounding the preparations for the "This Is Life Crusade" set to take place from the 6th to the 11th of November, 2023, the organizers have issued clarifications to address several misconceptions.
Igbogbo Stadium Renovation: The organizers emphasized that the choice of Igbogbo Stadium as the venue for the Crusade was not linked to the ongoing renovation and redevelopment efforts undertaken by the Lagos State Government. The stadium was already part of the government's plans for redevelopment, and it is one of six stadium being simultaneously worked on.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road Project: Similarly, the renovation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in Ikorodu was already an ongoing project initiated by the Sanwo-Olu led Lagos state Government before the conception of the "This Is Life Crusade" vision. The organizers had no role in initiating or funding this project.
Contractor Payment: The statement made it clear that neither the "This Is Life Crusade" or Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo had offered or paid any contractor for the road or stadium project. These were government-led initiatives, and the organizers were not involved in the procurement process.
Free Medical Surgeries: The Ikorodu General Hospital generously provided space and facilities for the free medical surgeries associated with the Crusade without any charge. The statement highlights the hospital's benevolence in supporting this initiative.
The Founder and Visioner of "This Is Life Crusade," Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, expressed his gratitude for the support received from the Lagos State Government in providing the Igbogbo Stadium, Ikorodu General Hospital, and other human and logistical support for the event, emphasizing that no charges were incurred.
The organizers used the opportunity to reaffirm their deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Governor and the team working with them to ensure the smooth execution of the Crusade Vision. They also expressed their prayers for divine rewards for the government's commitment and actions in realizing the objectives of the first Crusade of the "This Is Life Crusade" in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Mrs. Nasara Katugwa-Washpam, Chief Operating Officer of the "This Is Life Crusade," and Rev. Hakeem Ogunniran, the Crusade Director. It serves to dispel any misconceptions encompassing the Crusade's preparations and the organizers' relationship with ongoing government projects.

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CLARIFICATIONS ON IGBOGBO/IKORODU CRUSADE PREPARATIONS ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

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In light of recent narratives surrounding the preparations for the "This Is Life Crusade" set to take place from the...

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AVOID MAJOR HOTELS IN NIGERIA, US WARNS CITIZENS ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

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