LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
AWOLOWO’S PROPHECIES PROSPERING IBEJU-LEKKI, SAYS SANWO-OLU
- As Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Ex-Govs, Family Honour Awo
- Governor Urges Theatre Practitioners to Bring More Historical Performance to Lagos
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the Ibeju-Lekki axis of the State is prospering richly because of the prophetic utterances of the late sage and Premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement on Sunday evening after watching a stage musical drama performance titled ‘Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…’ produced by The Duke of Shomolu, a theatre company run by Joseph Edgar.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the uniqueness in what was presented on “Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…” was bringing back memory of Ibeju- Lekki where Awolowo was incarcerated and the blessing the Premier of the Western Region showered on the community, which had come to reality.
The play “Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…” which took place at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, showcased the political life and times of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, late Chief (Mrs) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, who the late sage himself described as ‘Jewel of inestimable value.’ The play was directed by renowned director, Makinde Adeniran.
Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo led other prominent Nigerians, including Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Sanwo-Olu; Osinbajo’s wife, Dolapo; former Governors of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Awolowo grandchildren, Segun and his mother, Mrs. Abah Zainab Folawiyo; Prof. Bankole Oyediran, the husband of Awolowo’s late daughter, Mrs. Omotola Oyediran, among others to accord honour to Chief Awolowo and his wife, Hannah.
Speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila gave kudos to the producer, Edgar, saying what he saw with the presentation was “immortality.”
The Speaker, while noting that it was common to have people who had passed being brought alive through books, drama and others, and not really through music, declared that the takeaway he had of the Awolowo from the presentation was that “once upon all the time, there was a man,” and not the common saying of once upon a time, there was a man.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in his address said one of the lessons and take aways from the theatre is the story about Lagos and more importantly the story about Ibeju-Lekki, where Awolowo was incarcerated for many months.
“For those who do not know, or have forgotten, Papa (Awolowo) was incarcerated in Lekki Town, Ibeju-Lekki, and he made prophetic utterances that the place will flourish, do well and be prosperous. Well, those prayers have continued to prosper the town.
“Ibeju-Lekki today is the most talked about in real estate and property development. Should we even mention the refineries, petrochemical plants, sea ports, among others? There is no other place we can talk about in Nigeria now like Ibeju-Lekki, particularly Lekki town. Papa Awolowo’s blessings have come true upon that town,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of the ‘Awo: The Man, His Jewel, And…’ to Nigerians, especially the younger generations, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the play showcased those who stood their grounds and brought the conversation about a united Nigeria to the front burner.
He said: “This story is also important, especially for the younger generation who wouldn’t have the opportunity to understand and reflect back on what life was like in the days of Awolowo, our fathers and grandfathers. It is very easy for us to push history behind, but this play has told us about those who stood their grounds in the conversation for Nigeria.
“When we hear about Awolowo, some people might not be able to put it in proper perspective, but those who have watched this musical show tonight can begin to connect that indeed these were great men who helped to shape the narrative of this country.
That is why all of us must hold on tightly to ensure Nigeria remains one, despite its ups and downs. We need to hold ourselves in these difficult times with the assurance that we will weather the storm together and come out stronger and better.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said he was excited to see the past glory of Glover Memorial Hall being brought back. He also expressed his appreciation to the Director of Duke of Somolu Production, Joseph Edgar, for bringing entertainment back to Lagos.
The Governor further urged theatre practitioners to bring more historical performance to Lagos Theatres.
“We are not only proud of what Duke and his wife has put forward. This is Lagos for you and we are happy and excited that we can bring back the glory of Glover Memorial Hall. Let’s bring more theatres, arts and issues back to Lagos, Western Nigeria and what we usually know and hear about in years past.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021
Press Statement
Ban On Dumping Of Wastes On Median Of Roads, Irreversible, Obuah Stresses
The ban on dumping of wastes on the median of roads and streets in Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs remains in force and will be strictly enforced as well as adhering to the approved dumping hours of 6pm – 12midnight at government approved receptacles only.
Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Bro. Felix Obuah re-echoed this while playing host to Environmental Health Students on industrial training with the Agency who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
The Director of Environmental Health and Head of Operations of RIWAMA, Mrs. Helen Ohaka led the students on the courtesy visit.
Bro. Obuah said the only way to stay out of trouble is for residents and those doing business is Port Harcourt and its environs to obey the ban on dumping of wastes on the median of the roads and streets and adhere strictly to the dumping hours of 6pm to 12midnight daily.
He emphasized that the wastes should also be discharged at the government approved receptacles only.
The RIWAMA boss enjoined the students to use the knowledge and experience gained during the period of their internship to boost their environmental health consciousness and let the general public benefit from these experiences by serving as crusaders of the Agency in preaching the gospel of clean and healthy living and healthy environment.
To show the seriousness attached to the ban on dumping of wastes on the median of roads, Bro Obuah re-emphasized that the task force set up for the enforcement of the ban would be working round the clock to ensure compliance, and that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted without delay.
According to the RIWAMA Sole Administrator, as environmental health students, “you owe it to the State and the society as a whole to join the Agency in spreading the message of clean environment and healthy living at all times whether at home, in the offices or at business places in addition to sensitizing the public on all Covid-19 protocols”.
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to
Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).
Monday, September 13, 2021.
JULIUS BERGER ESCALATES OPERATIONS AT ABUJA-KANO ROAD PROJECT
….Invests in hundreds of new state-of-the-art Equipment and Machineries to expedite accomplishment of AKR Works
To emphasize its determination to deliver its habitual highest standard bearer quality, and to seriously sustain its historically acclaimed durable road works legacy across the country, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc weekend took delivery of hundreds of new and crucial construction equipment and machineries for one of its major road project in the country, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.
SCOA took delivery of the equipment for Julius Berger for further handing over to the construction company in their Isolo Lagos facility last Friday.
In his welcome address at the event, the Group Managing Director of SCOA, Dr. M. F. Boulos said his company is pleased to enter “a rewarding relationship with Julius Berger and we are pleased to have to handle the equipment that will assist in the magnificent Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.”
Dr. Boulos said that “SCOA has proudly entered into the partnership with Julius Berger Nigeria, a German renowned company in bringing in such huge quantities of trucks and other machineries,” adding that, “these superb equipment will enable Nigeria’s foremost engineering construction company and most reliable infrastructure development partner, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, handle the contract in a timely and professional manner to have positive economic and social impact on the communities and Nigeria.”
He disclosed that Julius Berger will be the first to engage the new technological equipment, Wirtgen, which is also uniquely environmentally friendly in road construction adding that, “what you see here today is a tip of the iceberg. A part of the items you see here have been delivered through Port Harcourt and Warri ports; and more are yet to arrive Nigeria, and even as we speak here at this ceremony, more equipment are right now coming here from the port to meet us.”
Representative of Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the Commercial Manager of the Abuja- Kano roadwork, Mr. Ralf Brendicke, did not mince words in stating the company’s determination to deliver a good job at project completion date.
“These trucks and equipment are needed for one of Julius Berger’s project, the AKR project which the company is constructing to bring prosperity to communities and Nigeria. We realise it is a very important highway; so we are determined to deliver a highly efficient and environmentally friendly road. This accounts for the detailed professionalism being put in place to deliver a strong, timely and well completed road that can withstand pressure, in the best engineering traditions of Julius Berger,” Brendicke said.
Brendicke further said the size and engineering scope of the project pose very high demands on equipment and manpower. Similarly, the load of traffic borne daily by this very important highway makes it susceptible to damage, so much so that Julius Berger has deployed a state-of-the-art road construction technique. “The highly efficient and environmentally friendly road construction solution is called Cold In-Place Recycling, CIR.”
With over 3000 men and 900 pieces of equipment already working on the project, the Julius Berger MD’s representative said with the delivery of the trucks and other equipment it is a foregone conclusion that the Abuja-Kano Road (AKR) project will be a huge success.
The German Consul-General in Nigeria, Dr. Bernd von Münchow-Pohl was also in attendance at the event.
Members of the Board of Directors of SCOA, including the Managing Director, Dr. M.F. Boulos, the Deputy MD Amresh Shrivastava, Commercial Director Prince Boniface Nwabuko, Magnus Onyibe and Sarah Boulos, and the Company Secretary Michael Adeyemi were led by the Chairman, Mr. Henry Agbamu to the event in Lagos.
Also on the delegation from Julius Berger Plc at the event were JBN Manager, ERC Lagos, Mr. Theodorus Kleynhans, Head of Media Relations Office, Prince Moses Duku, Head Corporate Communications, Mr. James Agama, and Emmanuel Isibor, Media Liaison Officer.
Members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the media, were also present at the ceremony in Lagos.