LAGOS MAJORITY LEADER, HON SOB AGUNBIADE HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON CHALLENGES, PROSPECTS OF POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Applauds his Constituents for their resilience and ability to adapt to the new face of socio- economic changing.
It is unequivocally true that the ears that listen to a departure should get the feedback. This played out at the prestigious 700 Seater Hall of Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu, on Thursday October 28, 2020, where the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Ikorodu constituency II, Hon. SOB Agunbiade, convened the Stakeholders Meeting of Ikorodu Constituency 1, in a bid to rub minds together and dissemination of feed backs.
The programme had in attendance the presence of His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, who was ably represented by the Agbaakin of Ikorodu, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho and Oba Engr. Aremu Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba David Olukayode Raji, Eweye of Isiwu, APC East Senatorial Vice Chairman, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya Chairman and Vice of Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon Adeola Adebisi Banjo and Hon Ameen Apanisile, Vice Chairman Ikorodu Local Government, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Ag. Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr. Metilelu, CDCs Chairmen, Iya Olojas across the three local government in the Constituency, Chairman Nigerian Union of Teachers, Mr Oluwaseun Fakolade, religious leaders, Artisans and many others.
In his keynote adress to the gathering, the Chief Host, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, after recognising and paying homage to the Royal Heads, he welcomed and appreciated everybody for their suport and interest in the affairs of the State House of Assembly. He introduced the theme, "Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Prospects."
He said the theme was picked on account of the commitment of the Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa in ensuring that there is meaningful representation and accountability to the people and also to get people's opinion and suggestions.
"Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the world has sadly recorded over 1 million deaths with total cases of infected persons put at 37million while the total number of recovered person is 26million. The virus has not only spread across the world but has ravaged virtually every facet of the socio-economic and political life of nations. Normal life has become a mirage prompting many businesses to close or collapse, with the attendant loss of jobs and food shortage. These have compounded the already sure unemployment and poverty situation, particularly among the youths in developing and under developing countries like Nigeria
"It would be recalled that on the 27th of February, 2020, the first case of Corona Virus was detected in Lagos State and subsequently, the House on the 2nd of March of 2020 passed a resolution commending the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his team for their prompt response in addressing the outbreak of the disease in the State.
"In its collaborative efforts to stem the tide of the pandemic and bring a new lease of life to Lagosians, the House being the embodiment of the representatives of the people invited the Commissioner for Health, alongside the Chairman and other officials of the Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas to brief the Assembly on the efforts made so far to combat the pandemic in the State.
"The House further approved the sum of N20 Billion COVID-19 Intervention Fund aimed at containing and managing the spread of the virus in the State as well as mitigate its effect on Lagosians. This legislative support coupled with individual palliative efforts of Honourable Members in their various constituencies has had a great impact on the success recorded so far in the fight to effectively contain the ravaging disease.
"The economic headwind generated by the COVID-19 pandemic also necessitated the approval of the House for the reordering of the Y2020 Budget to provide necessary support for business owners, the vulnerable members of the society and improvement in healthcare facilities.
"To ascertain the level of preparedness of academic institutions in the State before the government officially reopen schools in line with guidelines on COVID-19 protocols, the Assembly mandated its relevant committees to embark on fact-finding assignment to different schools.
"While the government is taken steps to bring life back to normal we urge every citizen to obey all regulations guiding the containment of COVID-19 in the State in order to free our society of the pandemic which is limiting opportunities in many areas.
"That said, it would be out of place if we fail to mention the recent disaster that struck our beloved State within the last two weeks and the efforts made by the House to avert same.
"On the 8th of October, 2020 at the early stage of the protest, the End-SARS protesters were addressed by the Deputy Speaker of the House and when they insisted on meeting with the speaker, the RT. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa at about 12 midnight same day addressed the protesters and immediately convened an emergency session to consider their demands. The session was held the following day on Friday 9th October, 2020, where the House resolved to:
"(i) Call on His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to direct the Inspector General of Police to:
(a) proscribe the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and establish a new outfit which will be more efficient with code of conduct and rules of engagement clearly spelt out;and
(b) ensure that culpable officer of SARS at State and Federal levels are punished in accordance with the extant law;
"(ii) Call on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to:
(a) protect the protesters and ensure that they are not molested; and
(b) stop unwarranted molestation of our youth by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad," Agunbiade reads.
He further stated that resolutions were conveyed to the Governor and the President and it was pertinent to note that the Federal Government promptly adopted virtually all the resolutions of the Assembly.
"However, it is painful that rather than allow the successes achieved by the Assembly's intervention to be fully implemented some miscreants hijacked the protest and decided to take laws into their own hands, unleashing mayhem on the State by destroying the means of livelihood of citizens along with significant number of private and government properties. These miscreants, with virtual impunity looted shops and malls including government warehouses where COVID-19 relief packages were kept, killing innocent citizens and our gallant policemen as they razed down Police Stations, private homes, public utilities and infrastructure. They further attacked and desecrated traditional institution and our common heritage.
"There is no doubt that all of these colossal damages and losses which would run into hundreds of billions of Naira would impact negatively on our economy and consequently on the citizens. While we sympathise with those who have lost persons and properties, we appeal to everyone to remain calm and embrace peace and dialogue. On this note I wish to inform you that the House after visiting the scenes of destructions across the State has urged the Government to consider compensating the victims of the tragedy, while setting up an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the matter with a view to preventing a recurrence of the mayhem.
"There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria and Lagos State in particular is currently facing three shocks of the pandemic: dwindling oil and tax revenue, contraction in global trade and economic recession. These realities coupled with the recent youth unrest are negatively impacting on the economy of the State, hence the need to rethink our revenue generation model as a top priority in order to keep the economy of the State afloat.
"Thus, in tackling the socio-economic challenge posed by the pandemic, individuals are encouraged to look into the effective management of the various post- pandemic opportunities such as business creation by exploding e-commerce, adapting to the new ICT potentials, acquiring relevant skills or education, while government must also invest more in e-governance to facilitate a more efficient and robust governance.
"Citizens are highly commended for their resilience and ability to adapt to the "New Normal" especially in the face of the changing socio-economic situation that has led to a number of new businesses such as the Local production of safety health kits; nose masks, hand sanitizers, delivery services and others. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to be more innovative and creative in the face of this changing world situation," the lawmaker said.
While assuring his constituents that the 9th Assembly would continue to do everything within its reach to bring governance closer to the people to enable participatory governance, Agunbiade urged all to continue to support the government by performing your Civic roles.
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Hon SOB Agunbiade, Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, addressing the audience at the Stakeholders Meeting, held at Laspotech, Ikorodu.
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