Sanwo-Olu tasks NUJ with more robust coverage of Lagos State government activities

Sanwo-Olu tasks NUJ with more robust coverage of Lagos State government activities

By Prince Benson Davies

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has tasked Lagos journalists to promote activities of the state government.
He stated this when the executive members of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by the Chairman, Adeleye Ajayi, visited him at Alausa.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said: “The Government of Lagos State is doing a lot in the area of interventions to better the lives of Lagos residents.
“Before the palliatives being enjoyed in Lagos, we had Ogbonge Women Initiative. We also gave out free cows to Abattoirs and eggs at a cheaper rate. People don’t have as much information as they should get in Lagos State and we need the media to keep spreading the information.
“Our 27 facilities across the state are always full to the brim for capacity building at all times.”
He commended the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, for deeming it fit to honour Governor Sanwo-Olu as the Grand Patron of NUJ.
On his part, Ajayi commended the governor and his team for the giant strides recorded in the last five years and some months.
The governor came up with the themes agenda, and today he has accomplished this and graduated to the themes plus agenda.
“This comprises Traffic Management and Transportation, under which the Red and Blue rail lines were commissioned and eight train stations were constructed, while high-capacity ferries were commissioned while new jetties and terminals were also commissioned.”
On Health and Environment, over 1 million residents have been captured in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme (llera-Eko).
On Environmental Regeneration, the state government dislodged illegal occupiers from black spots across the state, while nine new schools were established to complement the existing 1,723 public schools under Education Technology, just as over 3,000 teachers were recruited for effective teaching.
On innovation, science, and technology, the state government remains focused on making Lagos a 21st-century economy by attracting investments worth trillions of naira, while the Lagos Film City in Epe was performed under entertainment and tourism.
“Under the state’s Social Inclusion initiative, over 3,000 people with disabilities (PWDs) were nominated for empowerment skill acquisition and training programs to ensure security, governance, and gender equality.

“On youth development, the state government equipped the youths with skills in vocations like catering, tailoring, shoemaking, ICT, hairdressing, and governance,” Ajayi said.
Speaking further, Ajayi applauded the humanitarian gesture of the Lagos State Government as the victims of the Docemo Fire Incident were duly compensated, adding:
“We commend the state government for all these giant strides and for turning Lagos into the megacity of our dreams.
“On the part of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, we can assure you of our firm and consistent support and collaboration with the state government.
“We, therefore, propose Quarterly Media Engagement between the Governor and the Media to promote Lagos State Government initiatives and policies. Together, we are going to accomplish more for the betterment of the lives of the people of Lagos State,” he said.
Ajayi also appealed to the state government to equip the NUJ secretariat with furniture and a generator; look into pilgrimage opportunities; issues of contract staff; and create a housing scheme for journalists of Lagos Council, amongst others.
Top officials of the Lagos State Government who attended the meeting are Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; Director Public Affairs, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Segun Ogundeji; Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile; and Senior Special Assistant, New Media to the Governor, Jubril Gawat.

Other NUJ executive members in attendance are Philip Nwosu, Vice Chairman; Tunde Olalere; Secretary; Olayide Awosanya, Assistant Secretary; Adeola Akindele, Treasurer; Innocent Anaba; Financial Secretary; Kemi Ishola, Internal Auditor; Adeola Ekine, NAWOJ Chairperson; Alaba Igbaroola, Ex-Officio; and Gboyega Oni, an ex-officio.