LAGOS SET TO HOST YEAR 2020 EDITION OF GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL

SANWO-OLU: LAGOS SET TO HOST YEAR 2020 EDITION OF GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday night in New York City, United States announced Lagos, Nigeria as the host city for the year 2020 Global Citizen Festival.

Sanwo-Olu who made the announcement during an interactive session of global leaders, activists and entertainers said the need to end extreme poverty by the year 2030, which is the aim the Global Citizen movement be embraced by every leader around the world.

The Governor said that Nigeria, which has over 200 million people with half of that population living below the poverty line requires concerted efforts by all and sundry to ensure that more people are taken away from extreme poverty on a regular basis.

“I stand before you this evening to join my brothers and sisters from Nigeria to announce to you that come September 26, 2020, we would be hosting the world. We would be hosting the Global Citizen Festival in Lagos, Nigeria. We are looking forward to it. It is the beginning of greater things to happen to us as people from West Africa and indeed the entire African continent.

“I will encourage the Federal Government of Nigeria to invite leaders from countries in Africa and around the world to grace the occasion. And as Governor of one of the 36 states in Nigeria, I will invite my colleagues to come and make commitments on behalf of nearly one hundred million poorest of the poor people in Nigeria so that by the year 2030, we would be writing a different story about the situation of the poor masses in the country,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Speaking on the event, the CEO of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans, together with the CEO of Teneo, a supporting company, the historic 10 hour global broadcast event spanning five continents will reach every corner of the world.

According to them, the idea is to spread the message in a very loud and well-coordinated manner for every leader across the world to hear and for them to see the urgent need to commit their knowledge and material resources to help the poor.

The year 2019 festival will hold at the central park in New York on Saturday.

Leaders in music and entertainment who have signed on to the perform at the year 2020 Global Citizen Festival in Nigeria include Usher Raymond, Pharell, D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Hold Space, Shawn Mendes among other artistes.

The 10-hour live event will be supported by Lagos State Government in partnership with live Nation and Delivered Production Services, made possible by Messrs Tunde Folawiyo and Aig-imoukhuede who are co-chair of Global Citizen, Nigeria.

Other panelists included Chairman of Motsepe Foundation, Mr. Patrice Motsepe from South Africa, Musicians, Usher Raymond and Pharell Williams.

President Buhari Departs New York for Nigeria on Friday 27th of Sept 2019

President Buhari Departing New York to Abuja on Friday 27th of Sept 2019.

Akeem Salau blog: GOV SANWO-OLU AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO UNVEIL LAGO...

Akeem Salau blog: GOV SANWO-OLU AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO UNVEIL LAGO...: L-R:  Vice Chairman, Global Citizen Nigeria, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; Cisco Systems Chairm...

GOV SANWO-OLU AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO UNVEIL LAGOS AS HOST FOR THE 2020 GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK CITY

L-R:  Vice Chairman, Global Citizen Nigeria, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; Cisco Systems Chairman & CEO, Mr. Chuck Robbins; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chairman, Global Citizen Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, during a press conference to unveil Lagos as host for the 2020 Global Citizen Festival, in New York City, on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

SANWO-OLU: ACCESS TO HYGIENE KEY TO SECURING FUTURE OF GIRLS

SANWO-OLU: ACCESS TO HYGIENE KEY TO SECURING FUTURE OF GIRLS

…Lagos Governor, Ex-Australian PM Address Session On SDG Goal 6

There must be a renewed commitment towards eliminating health impediments that can ruin the future of the girl-child and limit her productivity, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged.

Sanwo-Olu said all hands must be on deck in creating hygienic conditions that would stem the vulnerability of girls to infectious diseases, noting that all levels of government and the civil society had a responsibility to proffer solution to challenges that could restrict abilities of womenfolk.

This was the crux of the keynote address by the Lagos Governor at a breakfast session held on Thursday with the theme: “Toilets and Future”, jointly organised by RB, Water.org and Global Citizen in the ongoing 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

Sanwo-Olu shared the stage as chief guest with former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, during the session that focused on access to Clean Water and Sanitation - the Item 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In his speech titled: “Are We Washing Our Hands-off Girls’ Future? Toilets Will Transform the World”, Sanwo-Olu pointed out that lack of access to clean water and sanitation would limit the extent to which women and girls could live their lives and restrict their rights to take part in activities which opposite gender would do without hindrance.

He said: “It is bad enough when sections of a population are cut off from clean water and sanitation. It is as many times worse if the affected demography is women and girls. The harsh burden of a lack of sanitation amenities falls on them on account of one thing: menstrual hygiene.

“Inability to maintain adequate menstrual hygiene and lack of access to clean toilets severely limits the extent to which women and girls are able to live their lives and take unrestricted part in activities that men and boys can take for granted.

“For girls, it results in increased level of absenteeism from school, thereby widening an already unacceptable education disparity in societies where many parents still have to be convinced to see the value of educating their girls and young women.”

The Governor said if there were no usable sanitation facilities in schools, girls would more likely be compelled to stay away from learning in a period between three to five days monthly, adding that same situation would occur if sanitation facilities were provided but deemed insufficiently safe for the use by girls.

Sanwo-Olu said there must be radical change in the provision of sanitation facilities for girls, emphasising that women must have toilets specifically built for their hygienic comfort. He said the era of providing generic sanitation facilities in public places without considering their comfort for girls must end.

He said: “A school toilet facility designed by girls and women for girls and women would be radically different from one designed by men who presume to imagine what women require. If we fail to redress this, we are, in essence, undermining the future of many of our girls, and by extension, our own future as well.

“It is in our collective interest to see toilet in a new light – as a priority in the infrastructure and development agenda of any truly progressive government. Clean toilet is not just a toilet; it is one of the building blocks of a better tomorrow for all of us.”

Actions being taken in addressing the challenges, Sanwo-Olu said, must not exclude the input and participation of women and girls, stressing that the problem could only be truly solved if the affected gender was allowed to partake in policy and decision-making discussion.

He said he was not unaware of the persistent pressure on resources in Lagos, especially land and water, occasioned by the pace of population growth.

As Governor, Sanwo-Olu said increasing access to clean water and sanitation remained a defining line of action for which his government remained fully committed to creating sustainable solutions in the next four years.

On his part, the former Australian PM applauded the Nigerian government in taking the lead to address the global issue, saying leaders across the world must rise up for the girl-child to save the world of imminent danger.

Recalling his personal conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue, Mr. Rudd said: “It is clear that Nigerian government is evidently interested in addressing the SDG’s 6 and coming here this morning to meet the Lagos State Governor speak about what he is doing at the sub-national level further confirms that Nigeria is serious about securing the future of the girl-child.”

The ex-Australian leader, however, said low taxes and reducing vulnerability of low-income earners from exploitation remained the key elements leaders needed to consider if the world was serious at achieving SDGs.

Other speakers at the session included founder and Chief Executive Officer of Water.org, Gary White; Head of Water Resources at the World Bank, Karin Krchnak and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on SGDs, Mrs. Solape Hammond.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

GOV SANWO-OLU RECEIVES ENVOY FROM THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL PROCEDURES

 L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Akewusola Wasiu Adedamola; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako; United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Ms Leilani Farha; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; UN official, Mr. Jon Izagirre Garcia; Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai during a courtesy visit by officials from United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures to the Governor at Lagos House, Alausa, on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

LAGOS, CHINESE GOVT TO PARTNER ON SKILLS EXCHANGE

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said his administration’s development agenda was aimed at leveraging the population of the State for sustainable socio-economic development.

The Governor said although the State was facing the challenges of growing population, his administration was prepared to turn the burden to opportunities by training people and equipping them with life skills.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Monday while hosting the Consul General of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Chu Maoming, in Alausa on a courtesy visit.

The Governor said his administration would be expanding the state government’s relationship with the Chinese government to build human capital by exposing young population in the State to training opportunities in diverse areas, including technology, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and cultural exchange.

“Lagos and China can learn from each other, because we share similarities in several areas. Both entities are both hugely populated, with Lagos being the most populous city in Africa. China has a huge population not only in Asia, but also in the world. Based on these similarities, we can promote value exchange that would lead to improved human capital development on both sides, Sanwo-Olu said.

“Lagos is growing by the day and we are faced with the challenges of catering for this population. We initiated a development agenda that is aimed at harnessing the potential of residents. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with China, which would explore opportunity of technology transfer to build the skills of our young people.

Also, there are many exchange opportunities in Chinese manufacturing sector, agriculture, construction and culture. Our people need to take advantage of this opportunity for employment generation.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu observed that Lagos and China shared long history of collaborations, but added that his government would deepen the relationship.

Maoming said the Chinese private sector investors had concluded to increase the volume of trade with Lagos to the tune of billions of dollars, stressing that the investment would result in job creation and knowledge transfer.

He said: “I arrived Nigeria in May and I have visited a lot of Chinese businesses operating across the country, including Lagos. Today, there is good news. Chinese business community has concluded the plan to increase their size of investments in Lagos. The presence of Vice Chairperson of the China’s biggest oil company, National Offshore Oil Corporation, here today is an indication of the readiness of the Chinese business community to inject billions of dollars in the Lagos economy. We are exploring other areas of opportunity in which China and Lagos can cooperate to sustain our bilateral partnership.”

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right), presenting a plaque to the Consul General of China in Lagos, Mr. Chu Maoming during a courtesy visit by the Consul General at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, September 16, 2019

NIGERIA MUST NOT LET FAMILIES OF EX-SERVICEMEN DOWN, SAYS SANWO-OLU

Lagos Governor Receives NDA’s 3^rd Regular Course Alumni

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday made a case for the welfare of the families of ex-Servicemen who died in the course of serving the nation. 

The nation, the Governor said, must not shirk its responsibility in creating economic opportunities for the families of the ex-Servicemen who put down their lives for the unity and progress of Nigeria. This, he said, would keep the faith of their children in oneness of the country and increase their patriotism.

Sanwo-Olu spoke while receiving a delegation of ex-Servicemen who paid a courtesy visit on him at the Lagos House in Alausa.

The delegation, made up of alumni of 3^rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), met with the Governor ahead of their yearly reunion holding on Tuesday and Wednesday in Lagos.

Spouses of the ex-Servicemen also visited Wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.

While receiving the delegation, the Governor said: “The country owes a duty to honour servicemen either dead or alive, because their thoughts and aspirations are the benefits some of us are enjoying today. As members of the 3^rd Regular Course, it means each one of your members has, at one point or the other, played a part in the wellbeing of our nation. Therefore, we must not let their families regret the action and heroism of their fathers who put down their lives to keep us united. 

“The legacies left by ex-Servicemen also bring the burden of leadership on the present crop of leaders. We must do a lot more so that the generations coming behind us would also have good things to say about us.”

Sanwo-Olu described the ex-Servicemen as “men of high calibre”, noting that their gallantry had shaped the Nigeria narratives since independence. He charged all Nigerians to promote unity and uphold values that would make the labour of the servicemen not to be in vain. 

He said: “I am delighted that ex-Servicemen still make out time to do what is important to mankind, which is to bring happiness to people that truly need it. It goes to show that we have improved on the foundation that was bequeathed to us. The activities of the alumni group have also made people to believe in Nigeria, which is the common nationality all of us truly share.”

Leader of the delegation and former Senate President, Sen. David Mark, praised the Lagos Government on behalf of ex-Servicemen for creating a peaceful atmosphere to host the meeting of the participants of the 3^rd Regular Course, noting that the alumni took the course 52 years ago at a time Nigeria was facing internal crisis.

Since the alumni body was constituted, Mark, who retired from the military with the rank of Brigadier General, said the group usually met on September 3 and 4 every year to help widows and children of their colleagues who died in active service to the country.

As part of the group’s activities, the former Senate President said children of fallen soldiers get yearly scholarship to enable them further their education and give them hope after the death of their breadwinners.