Lagos State Govt commences Phase II ‘Ounje Eko’, reveals starting date
The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced the commencement of Phase II of its ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market on September 1.
The state Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this in a news conference on Wednesday at the Alausa Secretariat.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in March, the LASG successfully implemented Phase I of the Ounje Eko Food Discount Market across its 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The temporary markets, which also took place at the Alausa, Secretariat and Lekki Phase I, operated on Sundays to provide selected food items at a 25 percent discount.
Its over six editions, reached over 250,000 beneficiaries across the State, ensuring essential food items were accessible to all citizens, regardless of economic constraints.
Residents across Lagos enjoyed 25% discount on a variety of food items, including Rice, Beans, Garri, Bread, Eggs, Tomatoes, Pepper, Tatashe, and Onions.
The commissioner said in a bid to further reduce the impact of high prices, the governor had approved commencement of Phase II of the Ounje Eko market.
“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we announce the commencement of the ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market Phase II, an initiative aimed at alleviating the impact of rising food prices on our citizens.
“This programme aligns with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to supporting Lagos residents through innovative and impactful initiatives.
“The success and wide acclaim of the first phase of the project have shown us the substantial impact such initiatives can have on improving the lives of our citizens.
“In response to numerous requests from the public, the governor has decided to expand and enhance this initiative,” the commissioner said.
Olusanya noted that the programme became more pertinent with food inflation reaching 40.9, placing the price of staple food items beyond the reach of many households, and its attendant social implications.
“This second phase will commence on Sept. 1, 2024 and will run for 8 weeks across 64 locations, including the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Phase 1, University of Lagos (UNILAG), and Lagos State University (LASU).
“It will also take place at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“The markets will operate from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Markets at the Alausa Secretariat and the institutions, such as UNILAG, LASU, LASUSTECH, LASUED, and LASUTH, will take place on Fridays.
“However, the market for Mushin LGA will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro.
“The food items available at the markets will include a maximum cap purchasable of 5kg each for Rice, Beans, and Garri, 2 loaves of Bread, 1 crate of Egg, 2kg of Tomatoes, and 1kg each for Pepper, Tatashe, and Onion per individual.
“It is important to note that the prices of these food items have increased over the past few months, varying from one location to another,” Olusanya said.
She also promised that the markets would operate seamlessly in collaboration with the necessary agencies.
“To ensure smooth operations, each market will be managed by a market leader, supported by eight ministry staff, four representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos Chapter.
“There will also be two representatives from the LGAs/LCDAs, typically the Head of Department for Agriculture and the Supervisor. We will also receive support from volunteers and local government chairmen.
“In collaboration with Payment Service Providers such as Money Master PSB by GLO, MoMo PSB by MTN, Smartcash PSB by Airtel, Palmpay, Hydrogen by Access Bank, and Traction, all transactions will be digitalised.
“No cash transactions will occur at any market location, enhancing accountability and convenience. For any transaction issues, such as declined but debited transactions, citizens are advised to contact their respective banks.
“We have made provisions to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience at all market locations. Adequate seating, canopies, and convenience facilities will be available.
“For any issues or complaints, citizens should approach the market leader, who will be wearing a branded red reflective jacket, or other staff officials in branded lemon reflective jackets.
“To guarantee safety and orderliness, we are engaging security and support personnel, including the Mobile Police, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC).
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) for traffic management, Civil Defense will also be represented and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for medical emergencies.
“And Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for cleanliness during and after the market hours,” she said. (NAN)
The reaction followed the invitation to the Assembly to a meeting with the governor at the Government House, on Monday (today).
Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said the meeting, scheduled for 10 am, was expected to address key issues, including the provision of sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
The 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, may, however, reject the invitation except their condition is met by the governor.
One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, blasted the governor for inviting the Assembly members via social media.
Opuende urged the governor to communicate with them appropriately, adding that it was surprising that Fubara would call them after he had told them at several fora to “dey their dey.”
He stated, “It is time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come.
“Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
Similarly, some former local government chairmen who served during the tenure of Wike were also seen in a viral video, singing and mocking Fubara over the invitation extended to the Assembly members.
A former chairman of Ikwerre LG, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, with scores of other dancing and singing in a mocking manner, asked the governor not to disturb the Speaker, Amaewhule.
They sang repeatedly, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
Following the Supreme Court judgment affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers, in their first sitting, urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget. They also demanded that he submit nominees for commissioner and other appointments, insisting that those currently serving in the cabinet lacked legal backing.
Additionally, they summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before them on Monday.
However, the requests were ignored, as Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stated that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment before taking action.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and widely published in national dailies on Friday.
In a bid to establish a relationship and woo the lawmakers, the SSG, Danagogo, wrote a letter addressed to the Speaker, Amaewhule, on Sunday, titled, “Meeting between the Governor of the Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Danagogo stated in the letter that the meeting became necessary following the governor’s receipt of the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment.
The letter said the discussion would centre on the provision of a space for the lawmakers to be sitting, presentation of the 2025 budget, among others.
The statement read, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgment, and has, therefore, directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting to discuss:
“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;
“Presentation of budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker, and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows”
The invitation of the lawmakers by the governor came as the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the House expires today.
Amaewhule had, during plenary on Friday, said the Assembly had taken legislative notice of Fubara’s failure to forward names of his commissioner nominees to the House for screening.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Johnson, failed as his mobile line was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.
News
My State is out of bounds to criminals – Command CP warns
My State is out of bounds to criminals – Command CP warns
The Commissioner of Police (C} in Ondo State, Wilfred Afolabi, has warned kidnappers and other criminal elements to steer clear of the state.
Afolabi gave the warning on Sunday in Akure during an interactive session organised by the state Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), tagged: “The Platform”.
He said series of operations had been carried out in different parts of the state, while some kidnappers were arrested and victims rescued since he assumed office.
The CP said that efforts made so far by the command, in terms of relationship with the people, had started to yield positive results.
According to him, the People Safety Partnership initiative I introduced when I assumed duty in the state a couple of months ago, is already paying off.
He explained the initiative was especially effective with residents of violence-prone communities on intelligence gathering.
The CP, therefore, called on the residents to immediately contact the police whenever they suspected any strange faces and suspicious movements in their areas.
He, however, said the command needed assistance from government and other stakeholders in the state, in terms of provision of patrol vans and repair of grounded patrol vehicles.
According to Afolabi, the provision of more vehicles will ensure the timely and effective response to distress calls.
“We can’t use orthodox methods to address present security challenges. Most of our vehicles are grounded. The refurbishing are ongoing through the financial assistance of the people.
“We need Military drones that can go 50km, live tracking devices to get the location where criminals are hiding, Lawful Intersection (LI), fueling of vehicles among others.
“Now, kidnapping has gone highly sophisticated and you can confirm from anybody.
“We can’t use the same old method, or maybe the approach of the 70s or the 80s or even the 90s to address this present security challenges.
“In a lot of states where they are having successes and breakthroughs, they have hi-tech machines, drones, LI machines, live tracking, but here, we don’t have them.
“So, most times, whenever there is any incident of kidnapping, you deploy your men to comb the bushes. That is archaic and you hardly can achieve much success,” he said.
Afolabi further disclosed that the successes he had achieved was as a result of the synergy with other sister security agencies in the state.
The CP also said that the command, under his watch had trained various investigative personnel periodically, whicb would enable continuous achievement of the needed results.(NAN)
News
FRSC Corps Marshal sanctions Sector commander over worn-out tyre
FRSC Corps Marshal sanctions Sector commander over worn-out tyre
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has condemned the use of a worn-out tyre on one of the corps’ patrol vehicles in Ondo State.
Mohammed ordered the immediate sanction of the Sector Commander, under whose jurisdiction the infraction occurred.
This is contained in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Sunday in Abuja
The FRSC boss said that the Corps had zero tolerance for any form of compromise against its core values and safety standards.
He explained that a vehicle intercepted was booked for infraction, but the Sector Commander would be made to pay the fine for his negligence, in addition to being sanction.
“The FRSC has been inundated with a very disturbing video that has gone viral on the information environment.
“This is particularly on social media; regarding one of its patrol vehicles, under the Ondo State Sector Command, captured operating with a worn out tyre.
“While we commend the public for their watch dog role over the services we provide, it is important to state without any delay that this very act is a complete negation of the corps’ core values.
“This includes, as well as, operating procedures on maximum safety standards for all operational and administrative vehicles of the Corps,”he said.
The FRSC boss reiterated the corps’ commitment to maintaining high-quality standards, especially in vehicle maintenance, and pledged to continue enhancing its safety protocols.
Mohammed said that the corps’ management would continue to supervise field commands diligently, while commanding officers were expected to uphold the corps’ ideals.
“It is therefore apt to remind the motoring public that the FRSC remains a pace-setter amongst agencies in Nigeria and we will continue to enhance on the mileages achieved in that regard over the years,” he said.(NAN)