QUEEN OF NETHERLANDS VISITS AMBODE, LAUDS LASG’S HEALTH POLICY

By Tope Musowo

Queen of Netherlands, Her Majesty, Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as part of efforts to advance the United Nation’s financial inclusion advocacy as a vehicle to alleviate poverty and fostering equitable economic growth in Nigeria.

Queen Maxima, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time in the last five years, in her capacity as the Special Advocate to United Nations’ Secretary General on financial inclusion for development, said she was impressed by the initiatives of the State Government to improve service delivery especially towards expanding access to affordable healthcare.

While noting that it was important for governments to prioritize access to affordable healthcare, Queen Maxima particularly lauded the health insurance scheme of the State Government, which legal framework had already been put in place, saying that Governor Ambode deserved commendation for coming up with such laudable effort.

She said: “Today I had opportunity to visit two clinics in the State where I saw the new pilot project in which you (Governor Ambode) has also started looking into which is to make health insurance possible even to the poorest of the people.

“I was very impressed by the leadership that the State of Lagos has taken as to coming up with a law which makes health insurance mandatory and also to able to plan for the future and you are already doing some credit to some health facilities which off course will improve efficiency of a lot of these institutions. I commend you for your efforts and I will like to know from you Mr Governor what is your commitment on the future in this field,” she said.      

  

Responding, Governor Ambode said the Health Insurance Scheme of the State Government aimed at expanding access and scaling up healthcare delivery in the State will commence in early 2018.

He said the legal framework to guide the implementation of the policy had already been put in place, while every necessary efforts to ensure the success of the scheme were being put in place. 

Governor Ambode, who received Queen Maxima alongside his wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and other top officials of the State, commended the visitor for her efforts at advancing issues relating to healthcare and financial inclusion.

Speaking on the health insurance policy of the State Government, the Governor said: “We are on the path of positive improvement on the things that have to do with health. Like the Queen rightly said, we have a law that allows us to do the Health Insurance Scheme which is targeted at the most-needy and the poor that cannot afford ordinary healthcare. 

We believe that if we pull the resources of every other person in the State together, those that cannot afford will be able to have a chance to access healthcare which is the main objective why the Queen has been going round to promote good healthcare for people generally.

“We want to say that we are deeply committed to that vision and we are committed to that ideals and also say that we will do everything possible to make sure that the Health Insurance Scheme starts up early next year and we can now allow people to have some sense of inclusion which is one of the basic principles of good governance.

“The main essence of good governance is for us to be able to carry everybody along. In a cosmopolitan city like Lagos that we have population of almost 22million people and the majority can really not afford the things we want them to, and so we believe strongly that a partnership like this is one in the right direction.”

On financial inclusion, Governor Ambode said the informal sector accounted for about 80 per cent of Lagos population, a development he said prompted his administration to set up N25billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) to serve as an instrument to grant members of the sector access to finance.

Besides, Governor Ambode said it was time to call on the Federal Government to scale up financial inclusion with the view to expanding access for more people to benefit, while also calling for escalation of mobile banking to ensure that more people from the rural areas have access to finance and all issues connected.

While drawing the similarities between Lagos and Netherlands, Governor Ambode said the State, being a cosmopolitan city, is striving as much as possible to ensure that every resident is comforted with hope of great future.

He said the present administration in the State under him was also working hard to bequeath functional and affordable healthcare system to the people of the State, just as he assured that the State Government would do everything possible to support the United Nations initiative being championed by Queen Maxima.

Betty Akeredolu leads campaign against breast cancer to FMC

By Tope Musowo

 The Founder of BRECAN and wife of Ondo State Governor Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has led some women including Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) members to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo on breast cancer campaign as  part of the event to commemorate the month of October cancer awareness month otherwise known as pink month.

According to her, there is no better time to do it than now. “This is why we mobilised our women to come and have their mammography check.”

The First Lady who observed that many women in the  state did not know that FMC has mammography machine added that the visit will make others to be aware that such machine is available in the hospital.

“The message of hope we are preaching is to let women experiencing breast cancer known that it is not a death sentence. To give them hope that breast cancer is curable.

“We are also here to let any woman who notice any unusual change in her breast like painless lump, blood discharge from breast nipples, breast colouration among others to immediately visit hospital because early detection saves lives. Though, such sign atimes might not be breast cancer but the only qualified people to decide this is oncologist based on the  result of different tests. Many women who are proactive are surviving the disease in their great numbers. Breast cancer is not a spiritual attack but purely a medical issue. The clear message is that women should  be breast health aware because breast cancer can affect any woman.

“We are looking forward to a time when women who have been diagnosed with the disease will be bold to say it out just  like people who have malaria can easily tell anyone. This will help to give hope and courage to victims.”

Mrs Akeredolu while challenging medical doctors to use  their positions to serve humanity commend Dr  Aba Katung  for his role during the just concluded BRECAN 20th anniversary. “Though some people see me as a nuisance in my campaign against breast cancer but this will make my voice to be louder until the war against breast cancer is won. It is only those who have not experienced the disease that can say that.”

The First Lady who disclosed that those battling with breast cancer across the State will start receiving treatment from next week. She urged everyone to donate to support them through N200m crowd funding put in place for breast cancer victims in the state.

In his response, the Chief Medical Director FMC Dr Hamed Adeagbo represented by Oladele Ayodeji apologised  for not sending representative to BRECAN anniversary and promised to cooperate with Mrs Akeredolu to reduce breast cancer in the state.”As part of our contribution to mark the breast cancer awareness month, the management has reduced by 50 percent, the cost of breast cancer treatment. So FMC is in full support of the fight against the disease. “

Africa holds the key for feeding 9 billion people by 2050, Adesina says during Norman Borlaug Lecture

Africa holds the key for feeding 9 billion people by 2050, Adesina says during Norman Borlaug Lecture: 17/10/2017 - Africa holds the key for feeding the nine billion people that will inhabit this planet by 2050, the President of the African Development Bank and 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said during his Norman Borlaug Lecture delivered on World Food Day.

AfDB commits to help Sudan build resilience and tackle fragility

AfDB commits to help Sudan build resilience and tackle fragility: 18/10/2017 - The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Wednesday, 18 October 2017 approved Sudan’s Country Brief 2017-2019, designed to help the country build resilience and address core issues of fragility.

Adesina calls for immediate action over deepening crisis of global malnutrition

Adesina calls for immediate action over deepening crisis of global malnutrition: 20/10/2017 - African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina has called for urgent action from stakeholders over the deepening crisis of global malnutrition.

World Food Prize Laureate says recognition motivates him to accelerate Africa’s agricultural transformation

World Food Prize Laureate says recognition motivates him to accelerate Africa’s agricultural transformation: 20/10/2017 - The World Food Prize is a great motivation which puts the wind behind the sails of what the African Development Bank is doing with its development priorities − the High 5s – especially Feed Africa, the President of the Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has said.

AfDB’s agricultural transformation strategy to guarantee 513 million tons of additional food production

AfDB’s agricultural transformation strategy to guarantee 513 million tons of additional food production: 20/10/2017 - The African Development Bank (AfDB) has developed a new initiative called the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative – a knowledge- and innovation-based response to the recognized need to scaling up proven technologies across Africa.

BRECAN @20: Experts Explore Way Forward, Charts Course On Cancer Management

By Tope Musowo
The founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) and the First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has identified crowd-funding as an alternative source of funding cancer treatment in Nigeria.

Speaking at the workshop organized by Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) at the Public Service Training Institute (PSTI) at Ilara Mokin, Mrs. Akeredolu who observed that aside battling with misconceptions that shrouds breast cancer, there is also the issue of funding treatment, thus the need to adopt crowd funding as a short time approach to addressing this ugly trend.

While calling for support to help Ondo State women with breast cancer through the N200million Crowd Funding Initiative, Mrs. Akeredolu stressed the need for all every individual to be involved as government cannot do everything.

“Aside the fact that we battle with misconception about breast cancer, we also battle with our people not having funds for treatment and so they resort to where they will not spend so much money like the Prayer House.

“In truth, these women have no other choice if access to care is not made available. We cannot wait for government to do everything. If we are to follow bureaucratic process to get funds that means most of these women will die before the funds come through. This is just a short time approach to addressing an ugly situation”, she stressed while emphasizing the place of advocacy and lobbying so that funds are appropriated for health.

Dr. Katung while speaking on the Challenges of Managing Cancer Patients in Nigeria highlighted late presentation, poor attitude of health workers, non availability of branded chemotherapeutic drugs in the face of poor resources among other.

According to him, the cost of medical diagnosis, histopathology as well as hormonal receptors among others is quite expensive, thus the need to adopt public education and promote awareness on risky behavior
While lauding the efforts of BRECAN over the years in fighting the scourge of breast cancer, Dr. Katung urged government at all levels to increase budgetary allocation on health.

Earlier, facilitators at the break out session in the different forum such as Youth Forum , Survivor Forum, Health Professional Forum Women Forum and General Forum explored in detail different topics which were followed by question and answer sessions from participants.

Presenting his paper titled ‘What Is breast cancer? Breast Cancer Pathogenesis’, Dr. Olumide Aladesuru, a Consultant General Surgeon took time to highlight what breast cancer means and the factors that puts one at risk such as gender, age, race, hereditary, poor diet, smoking, alcoholism among others.

While tracing the clinical features of a painless lump on the breast as a ticking bomb, Dr. Aladesuru x-rayed treatment option such as breast reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy with involve the use of Tamoxifen stressing that breast cancer is indeed treatable when detected on time.

Dr. Aladesuru also explored the clinical options of Risk Reduction Modalities which include among others surgical option as he stressed that screening culture should be encouraged.

Dr. Akinjide Ogundokun, a family Physician while exploring the topic: ‘Early Detection Of Breast Cancer And Patient Navigation’ traced the different stages of breast development noting that in Nigeria, the peak age of breast cancer is about 42.6 years which is 12% less than 30 years of age.

According to him, majority of patients delay presenting at the hospital because of ignorance, fear of surgery and at times because they seek alternative herbal therapies thus complicating the whole process.

Another Family Physician, Dr. Olaniyi Johnson who spoke on Breast Cancer Prevention; Lifestyle Approach emphasized that people are increasingly living at risk because of their lifestyle.

Dr. Olaniyi also highlighted the dangers of certain lifestyles that puts one at risk of cancer which include smoking, alcoholism while stressing that it is good to maintain healthy body weight, eat right and be involved in physical activity in order to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Other facilitators at the programme include Dr. Margaret Isabella who explored the need for a national health policy; Jennifer Dents; Dr. Niyonzima (Uganda Cancer Care) among others.

England Based Occupational Therapist Donates Books to Nigerian School

By Tope Musowo

An occupational therapist based in England, Adedolapo Adewole yesterday donated 1400 books to the Federal School of Occupational Therapy, Oshodi Lagos, as a show of her support for the profession in Nigeria.

 Adelapo who came from England  down to Nigeria in 2015/2016 for her  compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and  internship, at the school, said during the official book presentation yesterday that," I was here for over a year,during which I lectured them foundations for professional practice,ethics in occupational therapy,during that time I saw this need for reading materials, so I made up my mind to do something about it, when I went back I got in contact with this charity organization in England called Books2Africa International,I did a project research and told them how we need their help to get some books for the students here to make them be at par with their counterparts in other parts of the world".

"They approved the project, funded the project, they donated 1400 books,which got chipped down to Nigeria and here we are today for the official presentation of the books,these you are seeing would cost thousands of pounds if we are to put a figure to it,we are really grateful to Books2Africa International,i am also grateful to my brother Mr Ademola Adewole,who also contributed to the cost of chipping the books to Nigeria".

"My motivation for doing this is as result   of my passion for education,I'm passionate about the students because I see the amount of efforts and dedication they put in into their studies with limited or no resources, if they have access to more resources I know they will excel and become professional in this field,so that is my motivation for doing this,I started with the set one who gave me the inspiration to apply for this project encourage them anything is possible".

"My advice to the students is to make the best use of the books,and be more focus and I know the sky is just the beginning for them,they shouldn't follow this common mentality that nothing can be done around here and sit down on the same spot,the world is so big for them to explore and make name for their selves and they can always go beyond the limitation of Nigerian environment".

"Beyond this book donation I'm also looking at getting the World Federation of Occupational Therapy to give accreditation status to this school and contribute to what is happening here,that  is my next project ".Dolapo said.

The Acting Principal of the school,Mr Akinwole Adeoso in response to the donation said,"Its a move I really applaud,Dolapo had her internship here was so supportive, she saw the need and felt she should do something about it,she  has the passion of taking the practice of occupational therapy in Nigeria to the next level.

"As you may be aware,this is the first school of occupational therapy in Nigeria, as much as government is doing her best, the growth of the practice outside there is faster than our pace in Nigeria, so Dolapo felt so concerned about this,that's is why she is trying her best to ensure she contribute to the growth of the practice here.

"This is a big challenge to me and everyone of us,she was just here for a couple of months and she felt the need to do this ,with this she is already addressing one of the teething issues in this school. So the message for all of us is that wherever we find ourselves whatever situation we meet on ground we can do something about it.

On why the activities of the school seems to have been underreported, the man blamed it on the media that has not given much publicity to the their activities, according to him,they usually have two major events every year,matriculation and convocation,and another annual event on every October 27, which ordinarily should be an avenue to publicise the school the school always invite the media,and also the fact that not many people dont know about the practice, like he said ,the school is the first in Nigeria and the whole of Africa,apart from Obafemi Awolowo University which also run a BSc in Occupational Therapy and a similar program in Benin,he added that if many universities in the country are running the program the awareness would have been more than this",the Principal added.

Mr Olukoju Emmanuel ,an occupational therapist, a lecturer in the school in his own response rather put it this way,"word cannot describe how I feel,I was the one that received the books when it was chipped to the country about four months ago,she gave me a call from the UK that the book will be arriving, I never knew it was going to be this number of books.

"1400 books is outstanding,these students have to see this a rare and golden opportunity,I was once a student of this school before I went to India for further studies,so I understand what it is when you have to study with limited resources,but one thing I know Nigerians for is that we are always excelling whenever we find ourselves despite all odds. 

"We quite appreciate this good gesture because if we have all we need in this country, there won't be any need for many of us traveling abroad for education. This is actually a step in the right direction so I urge the students to make the best use of it",Olukoju said.

World food day:Federal Lawmaker gives 500 constituent welfare package

By Dapo Thomas

Hon Jimi Benson member Federal House Representatives has reiterated his resolve to ensure the welfare of his constituents,as he empowered 500 people through his 'I care food bank' scheme. 

The young and vibrant federal legislator noted that, he was moved to kick start the welfare package of which these marks the twelveth edition, believing that once hunger is dealt with issue of theft and poverty induced restiveness will be reduced to the barest minimum amongst his constituents.

"I started this monthly incentive idea last year and had much faith that to a large extent it will impact positively on the masses in Ikorodu Federal constituency.

"This is just a part of the good things we have in stock for you, I promise good representation and your well-being is of paramount importance to me. Said Hon Benson. 

The lawmaker gave already sealed bags containing non perishable items like: rice, Harrison, milk, tea, sugar, beans, tomato paste, Maggi, salt and bread to 500 constituents to commemorate this year's world food day just as the Lagos State held a grand event to mark the day. 

Day of the Girl Child: Project Forward Everyone Engages School Girls in Ibadan

By Tope Musowo

In commemoration of the 2017 International Day of The Girl Child which is marked every October 11th, Project Forward Everyone has organized a workshop for adolescent girls in public secondary schools in Ibadan on Menstrual Health Hygiene and Self-esteem.

Project Forward Everyone, an organization poised to addressing developmental challenges in Nigeria through well-designed approaches yesterday drew experts from different departments to do justice to this year's  theme, "Power of The Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030".

Speaking at the programme,Women Leader and Sustainable Development Practitioner, Mrs Olanike Oladapo from the Center for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) Ibadan, focused her teaching on self-esteem when she urged the girls who were from different secondary schools across Ibadan the capital city of Oyo State, on the need to build a high self-esteem.

  Emphasizing the difference between high and low self-esteem,why girls need to build their confidence level and achieve whatever they set their minds to achieve. She added that every girl is a “unique individual” and there is no one else in the world like her.

Another expert from the Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. (Mrs) Oyedunni Orulogun spoke on “Demystifying Menstrual Health for the Nigerian Girl”.

 She started her presentation by encouraging girls that they could achieve whatever they want to achieve and that gender is never an excuse. While highlighting some of the issues affecting girls such as education, nutrition, child marriage, legal and medical rights,she also spoke on some myths and misconceptions about menstruation especially the  prevalent rural practice of girls being kept in the bush during their menstrual  periods. 

Prof. Arulogun stressed that menstruation could affect all aspects of a girl’s life especially in education, economics, health, participation and dignity but there is need for the girls not to limit themselves. She proffered simple steps on how girls can have healthy periods such as changing napkins 2-3 times a day, drying undergarments under the sun, keeping clean and dry. 

She encouraged parents to seek advice about sexuality education in order to educate their girls,how parents need to talk to their girls especially during menstruation. She ended her presentation by encouraging girls to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Meanwhile,speaking with Devcom Nigeria after the event, a cofounder at Project Everyone, Miss Chinonso Onwunali explained that the aim of the workshop was to empower the school girls with the right knowledge about menstruation and increase their esteem to go after their life goals in line with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

"The main aim of the event is to positively engage school girls within Ibadan on menstrual hygiene and self-esteem issues. There is a need for adolescent girls to be aware of the changes their bodies go through at adolescence. They need to have the correct knowledge about menstrual hygiene and self-esteem which are important at this stage of their life.

"We believe that in doing this, we will be giving the girls the right education, promoting

the good health and wellbeing of these girls and also expose them to better opportunities in life through lifted self-esteem",said Chinonso.

Schools that were represented at the event include the following among others;Community High School, Sango,Immanuel College High School, Orita UI,.Isabatudeen Girls High School, Basorun.The students showed willingness to learn, asked relevant questions from the resource persons and as well participated actively in the breakout sessions.

Project Forward Everyone expressed its willingness to take the issue of menstruation and self-esteem to other schools and to the rural areas. The organization was optimistic that there was a need to engage more girls within a safe space and create more girl child ambassadors advocating for the rights of girls.

Famous Journalist, Ajagbe, Joins Councillorship Race

BY OLA MUHAMMED

Indication has revealed that famous political journalist and brain behind  one of the leading social media platforms in Nigeria(August24news.com) Mr Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim has joined the lcouncillorship race in Lagos Island East LCDA,under the ruling All Progressive Congress. (APC).

OMOATITEBI as he is fondly called by his teeming supporters and admirers will be contesting for the post of the honourable councillor in ward E3 which is the premiere ward in Lagos island East LCDA.

Devcom Nigeria gathered that the front line blogger has worked with several media outfits where he learnt the rope before establishing his own online platform after gathering experience that span over decades 

As we gathered,he began his political sojourn  in 1999 during the Era of Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress(AC),then he remain as the party transformed into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives Congress (APC)

Report has it that since the race began ,Omotatitebi is seriously making waves in the Lagos Island political space and far ahead of other six aspirants including a strong contender Hon. John Akinsuyi Somide,a development which some political analysts has attributed his popularity to the reputation he has  built for himself as a member of pen fraternity over the years.

We also gathered that,omoatitebi who has been the official correspondent of the party in Lagos Island right from the days of Alliance for democracy to its present All Progressive Congress will have his way due to his track records and unprecedented achievements.

According to a prominent leader from ward E3, who spoke on condition of anonymity with our correspondent said," the bold step taken by omoatitebi is a welcome development in his political career and we shall make use of him because he his a good material for the party and has been using his pen to promote the image of the party successfully,so giving him the opportunity to be the number one citizen of the ward is not a mistake.

He said, "we will never regret our action for supporting Omoatitebi because he was able to produce all documents required by the screening committee,he answered perfectly the functions of a councillor, outline the boundary of the ward and other relevant questions asked by the screening committee during the exercise".

In an interview with our correspondent, OmoAtitebi promise to sponsored four bills that would positively impact the lives of the good citizen of ward E3 and Lagos Island generally in the fist four years in office and Ten diffrent social amenities program that would promote the ward.

Stakeholders Meeting: constituents lauds Makinde's efforts,demand more development projects.

By Dapo Thomas

The residents of Ifako-Ijaye constituency II have lauded the efforts of Hon Lanrewaju Rasheed Makinde for what they described as good representation at the Lagos State House of Assembly while asking him to do more.

This was the submission of the constituents on Friday during the simultaneous constituency stakeholders meeting held in 39 constituencies out of 40 in Lagos State,themed “True Representation and Accountability”

People of  Ifako-Ijaye praised Honourable Makinde for influencing developmental projects to the area particularly the recently commissioned Abule -Egba Flyover while they also raised some of their needs for prompt inclusion in the 2018 budget.

Mr Gboyega Salvador, former Special Adviser to Ex- Gov. Babatunde Fasola said over 41 roads in the area had been damaged when Abule-Egba Flyover Bridge was being constructed.

“Mainly, our challenge, because of the flyover that was done at Abule-Egba, is bad link roads. The first things the state should have
done is to repair all the inner roads.

“We have lost almost 41 inner roads in Ojokoro LCDA (Local Council Development Area) and this is affecting the economic activities of the constituency.

“Educationally, we are backward; the government needs to give us more.
We need to develop markets,” he said.

Salvador, who described Ambode as a performer, lauded the idea of the
Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting to feel the pulse of the people.

Also speaking, Oba Saka Taiwo, the Alagbado of Orile-Alagbado, who commended Ambode for infrastructural development, added most inner roads in the area needed repair.

“We want the government to do more to ensure provision of employment
opportunities for our children who have gone to school.

“We are not saying the government is not trying, we are only saying they should not rest on their oars but try harder for the development of the society.

According to him, the lawmaker representing the constituency had done so much for the youths and the community at large.

The Babaloja General of Ojokoro LCDA, Alhaji Akinloye Oladejo also called for a state of emergency on inner roads in Ojokoro, saying that bad roads had been affecting industries and markets in the area.

Oladejo, who noted that Ambode remained a listeners, urged Makinde to commune with the governor to repair all inner roads that went bad as a result of the construction of the flyover bridge, as he laud Makinde for performing beyond expectations.

Speaking with Newsmen, Mr Tony Nwokolo, the Proprietor/ Founder, Hope
Fountain School for the Deaf, Ojokoro commended Gov. Ambode and other
representatives for identifying with people living with disabilities.
Nwokolo, a deaf, said: “We are disabled part of the community. As you know in Nigeria, people look down on  the disable but with the coming of Ambode, things are improving.

“Our representatives in the council, state and federal are not identifying with disable. Any time they visit our school, we are always very happy for identifying with us.
“Special schools need more attention from Government, philanthropists for the provision of school clinics, bus , canteen, and many other
things.

“Being a disable is not the end of the world. Whether you are deaf or blind, there is hope. We want government to look into employing the disabled. We want the society to give inclusive treatment.
“If government wants to employ 100 people, it should consider the disable community, for example if 80 per cent goes to able body, 20 per cent can go to the disabled. That will give us a sense of belonging in the community.’’

Earlier in his speech, Makinde, the Chairman, House Committee on House Services said that event was to feel the pulse of the people as their representative and relate same to the executive arm.

The lawmaker said that the House, under the leadership of the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa to ensure that people have meaningful representation.

“We do this through good laws that guarantee infrastructural developments, creation of more jobs and qualitative education for the benefit of all.

“Also, we want to ensure affordable health care delivery system that ensures the well being of our people and establishment of a security system that promises safety of lives and property among others.

Makinde said that suggestions, demands and requests of previous stakeholders’ meeting were collated and forward to the executive arms, which had resulted in most infrastructural projects. He said that the objectives of the meeting were to strengthen participatory democracy, ensure true representation through accountability and seeks inputs from constituents on their welfare and need.

The lawmaker said that the House had done a lot to improve legislative competence and accomplishments by review old legislations and initiating new ones to meet current needs.

“We have passed various resolutions that have changed the lives of the people and the face of Lagos State. The House has continued to work tirelessly in attending to disputes bordering on matters of justice, violation of human rights and others,’’ he said.

From the mainland to the Island and hinterland, lawmakers were confronted with problems the constituents have been grappling with,which deserve policy statement that could afford them the needed respite.

In Ifako-Ijaiye constituency  2 stakeholders called for speedy repairs of most of the inner roads linking the Abule- Egba jubilee flyover bridge constructed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, as most of them are now in UK. 

Save the environment initiative: CleanEdge takes campaign to secondary schools

By Tope Musowo

Resolute in its pursuit of a cleaner environment, particularly in Oyo state,CleanEdge has begun the pilot phase of its save the environment campaign starting with a secondary school in Ibadan the capital city of Oyo state.

 CleanEdge team led by the Campaign Manager, Tosin Gbadegesin,Campaign Coordinator,Tope Ogunweide,Instructor Toyib Aremu and Content Creator,Okunade Waliyah visited Methodist Grammar School Bodija,Ibadan on Thursday for a pilot test of the campaign program before the official take off.

 According to a statement made available to Devcom Nigeria,the significance of the pilot phase of the program was to enable the team which recently called for volunteers envisage any likely change that may confront the volunteers in the course of the campaign so as to nip it in the bud before the final take off.

 With a massive turn out,the team was given a warm reception at Methodist Secondary school where they began the pilot phase of  sensitizing secondary school students in Oyo State on how best they could manage their waste and preserve the environment.

The students with the cooperation of the staff of the school,gave their rapt attention while the instructor Toyib Aremu an environment enthusiast from the Center for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) ,University of Ibadan,made his presentation on waste management, the havoc improper waste management can wreck to our environment.

 His presentation also cover different ways on how  the students  could recycle their waste and  proper waste management. 

The  students however demonstrated good knowledge and impact with brilliant questions that followed the presentation. After the question and answer sessions, the school was presented with waste paper bins which was to constantly remind the school of Cleanedge “save the environment campaign" for the students to put what was taught to good use as they also  teach others.

Cleanedge therefore hope to take its sensitization campaign to over 150 secondary schools in the state 33 local government from 19th of October to 17th of November 2017.