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Lagos State SCRPS Speaks On Achievements In Public Schools, Redevelopment Of Tolu School Complex In Lagos…..

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11 months ago

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The Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, as part of its mandate to improve the performance of pupils, stated that it has rehabilitated about 246 public school buildings while 1,047 new classrooms have been injected into the schools system.

 

The Committee, in a bid to further encourage all-round students, has built recreation facilities like football pitches, multi-purpose courts and race tracks in some of the schools and the redevelopment of Tolu School Complex.

 

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the committee, Mr Hakeem Smith, on Thursday, during a media briefing held in Ikeja, on the redevelopment of Tolu School Complex, Ajegunle, Lagos.

 

Speaking further, he noted that there was a need to focus on the rehabilitation of the schools so as to help build capacity in the area of Science, Technology, Sports and the redevelopment of Tolu School Complex.

 

He noted that in line with the mandate given to the SCRPS at its inauguration in November 2019, by the governor of the state, the committee was saddled with the responsibility of aggressively revamping the infrastructure in all Lagos public schools, so as to improve teaching and learning, adding that the committee has regularly been carrying out the responsibilities with a visible result noticeable in all the education districts.

He said: “I sincerely welcome you all to this Media Briefing holding today, Thursday 8th of February 2024. This meeting became necessary in order to keep the media abreast of what we are doing at SCRPS and also to roll out what this office intends to carry-out in terms of schools projects in the year 2024.

“In line with the mandate given to the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), at its inauguration in November 2019, by Mr Governor, SCRPS was to aggressively revamp the infrastructure in all Lagos public schools, so as to improve teaching and learning, which eventually improve performance of our pupils. This directive was regularly carried out by this office with a visible result noticeable in all the education districts.

“As at today, we have rehabilitated about 246 public schools buildings while 1,047 new classrooms have been injected into the schools system. Also, about 1,593 bed hostel have been provided in the schools while over 200,000 unit dual composite furniture were also provided in the schools including Principal and Teachers’ furniture.

“To encourage an all-round students, there has been provision of purpose built recreation facilities like football pitches, multi-purpose courts and race tracks in some of our schools.

“In order to provide a 21st century school, there is the introduction of technology driven teaching environment through the use of interactive screen and  hand-held tablets by students. This was built at Vetland Grammar school, Agege and currently been built in the other education districts in the state.

“Sometime in 2022, SCRPS rehabilitated two numbers of 17+1 classroom blocks in Tolu complex. This intervention instructed by Mr Governor exposed the state of disrepair of most of the school blocks and the classroom inadequacy in the complex. A comprehensive assessment was instructed by Mr Governor which led to the regeneration we have just commenced in the complex.

BRIEF HISTORY OF TOLU COMPLEX.

I feel it is appropriate to let you in into a brief history about the place.

The land mass presently known and identified as Tolu School Complex was established im 1981 by Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande Administration. In propagating his Mass Education policy, the state government at that time reclaimed the subject parcel of land from the Lagos lagoon. This was necessary due to the dense population of the area and the lack of suitable space for the establishment of public schools.

The complex itself was in two parcels separated by Temidire street covering an expanse of approximately 11.73 hectares. Parcel A covers 10.61 hectares while Parcel B measures 1.12 hectares.

The school complex started off with just two schools: then called School 1 and School II, after which they were renamed Unity Secondary School and Olodi Apapa Secondary School respectively. In 1982/1983, some other schools came up namely : Adeolu Secondary School, Newland Secondary School, Ojoku Secondary School, Ojora Memorial Secondary School and Oshodi Secondary School.

During the era of Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru who was Lagos state Governor from 1984-1986, he continued the work of his predecessor in improving school infrastructure by upgrading the existing Jakande blocks to standard ones and more schools were added to the ever- growing community.

In continuing to trace the history of Tolu School Complex, the other events worthy of note would definitely be the construction of Bola Ige Millenium Secondary School during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also the Federal Ministry of Education policy in 2003 which mandated the creation of Junior and Senior Secondary Schools. This policy led to the establishment of even more schools in the complex.

 

At the moment, we have thirty-six (36) schools within Tolu Complex which are distributed as follows:

  1. 5 Primary Schools,
  2. 15 Junior Secondary Schools.

iii.               16 Senior Secondary Schools.

POPULATION:

  1. 9,191 – Junior Secondary Schools.
  2. 8,457 – Senior Secondary Schools.

iii.               2,066 – Primary Schools

Having been in existence for decades and been subjected to intense usage, the existing classroom blocks within the complex are obviously in different stages of dilapidation. From the ones requiring rehabilitation to the ones that need to be demolished and re-developed.

The complex comprises of several existing structures housing all the schools above and four existing Access Roads, Lagos State Water Corporation Storage, the John Ighalo Football Pitch and other amenities like Food sheds/ Kiosks which are boarded by the lagoon.

 

SCRPS INTERVENTION AND PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED AT TOLU COMPLEX.

During the several reconnaissance/ assessment visits to the Tolu Complex by SCRPS Officials, the following problems were identified:

  • High Student/classroom ratio which is not conducive for learning.
  • The pressing need for additional classroom blocks.
  • Most of the existing blocks require urgent rehabilitation as the blocks are in various stages of dilapidation.
  • Lack of recreational facilities, laboratories, teachers and principals’ offices, toilets etc.
  • Non-clearly defined boundaries within the school, encouraging inter-school scuffles and fights.
  • Inadequate access roads within the complex.
  • Recurrent issue of flooding within the entire complex.
  • Security issues in form of School Break-ins, Theft etc.
  • Non availability of ICT infrastructure within the complex.
  • Lack of perimeter fencing- allowing incessant activities of miscreants within the area.
  • All these deficiencies in standard requirements necessitated the need to regenerate the entire complex.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION – METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH.

METHODOLOGY:

  • Temporary relocation of students within the complex.
  • Breaking the projects into manageable LOTS.
  • Procurement Process and Contract Awards.
  • Project Monitoring, Supervision and Evaluation
  • Project Completion and Close out.

 

APPROACH:

For efficient management, supervision and to ensure timely delivery. The project was divided into six (6) lots. That is Lots A, B, C, D, E, F.

Furthermore, it was agreed upon that the categorization of projects into Lots will make it easier to get work done, being that most schools within the complex will be in session as at the time work starts. Also, arrangements have been made to assuage issues where students will need to be temporarily relocated within the school complex.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TOLU COMPLEX.

To make Tolu Complex a state-of-the-art Education City. SCRPS is therefore proposing the following:

  • Construction of Additional 13 Nos 15/18 Classroom blocks with offices and toilets in some of the schools having shortage of classrooms.
  • Renovation of identified dilapidated classroom blocks.
  • Construction of perimeter fence and gate houses.
  • Construction of New inner roads and drainages.
  • Rehabilitation of Existing Access Roads.
  • Construction of Health-care center.
  • Construction of a Fire service station.
  • Construction of Multi-purpose sports complex.
  • Construction of Facility Management Office.
  • Construction of other External works i.e .Gates, Food sheds/Canteen etc.
  • External Electrical Works-Solar powered flood light.
  • Provision of an all -inclusive school to accommodate people with disability.
  • Provision of land for the ICT hub, central laboratory and arts/ creativity blocks under private sponsorship arrangement.

 

REASONS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TOLU COMPLEX AND EXPECTATIONS.

  1. GROWING POPULATION.

Ajeromi-ifelodun Local Government with a growing population of 1,077,735 (Est. 2020) inhabitants, with 33.8% aged 0-14yrs, we believe it is imperative for the Sanwo-olu led administration to undertake this ambitious regeneration of the school complex, as it will offer succor to the educational needs of the locality.

 

  1. CATALYST FOR COMMERCE.

The regeneration of Tolu complex will serve as a catalyst for growth of more commercial entities like SMEs, Food Vendors, Bookshops, Mini Shuttles and other school needs vendors in the locality. This will in turn help the state in generating more IGR.

 

iii.               POLITICAL GAINS.

Undertaking this ambitious project in Ajeromi-ifelodun LGA will amount to strategic political gains for this administration. It will also help to sustain and improve electoral performance in the locality dominated by the Non-Yoruba speaking voting population, from 43.5% (2015) to 74.9% (2019).

 

 

  1. CAPACITY BUILDING.

We believe that a holistic regeneration of the Tolu complex will help build capacity in the area of Science, Technology, Sports and Academics due to the state-of-the-arts structures and facilities that will be situated in that area. It would be an all-in educa

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FALSE CLAIMS STEMMING FROM MISINTERPRETED BOARDING VIDEO POST

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2 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating online and on social media on the boarding of Air Peace passengers on flight P47123 from Abuja to Lagos on December 20, 2024. This report is false, mischievous and misleading.

The false video post was designed by some faceless individuals with the intent of misleading the flying public to cause confusion and distraction for management of Air Peace and its stakeholders including the regulators.

On the day in question, there were flight delays because of poor weather conditions, specifically harmattan-induced haze and fog, which is common at this time of the year, and which significantly limits visibility and impacts flight operations nationwide.

To ensure that passengers continued their journeys with minimum disruptions, Air Peace deployed three aircraft to Abuja to evacuate all the passengers. While processing them for their flights at the boarding gate, passengers overwhelmed both the FAAN and boarding officers and rushed to the airside. Duty managers and ramp officials then had to mount barricades in front of the motorized step to differentiate passengers on flights.

While we empathize with you, our loyal customer, we condemn in very strong terms the misinformation, insults and deliberate falsehood disseminated in the video post. Such representations are not reflective of our values or operations.

There is no truth in the allegation, and we urge the public to disregard the report in all its entirety.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this period and sincerely regret any inconvenience these delays may have caused you. The safety of our passengers and crew is our utmost priority.

At Air Peace, safety is not just a priority but a fundamental precondition for all our activities. We remain committed to maintaining safe and timely operations.

For further assistance or inquiries, please contact us via callcenter@flyairpeace.com.

 

 

SIGNED

Dr. Ejike Ndiulo

Head, Corporate Communications

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Christmas, Cash Scarcity and Attacks against CBN’s Proactive Stance – Toni Kan

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1 day ago

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December 20, 2024

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Let us look at a few figures……..

Nigeria’s population is put at a little over 200 million people while the UK population is about 68 million. This means that the Nigerian population is about three (3) times that of the UK.

As at June 2023, the UK banking system had about 49,421 Automatic Teller Machines and almost 2.3 million Point of Sales Terminals.

By contrast, the Nigerian banking system had a little over 22,600 ATMS according to TechCabal and is projected to reach 29,000 by 2029 according to Statista. Conversely, Nigeria boasted 1,665,664 POS terminals as at December 2022. Meanwhile, figures attributed to Inlaks, which is described as Nigeria’s biggest ATM operator, suggest that Nigeria needs at least 60,000 ATM machines to serve its population of over 200 million.

Where is all this going? Well to borrow a phrase from the comedian, Jeff Foxworthy; hold my beer, sir!

Those who know me well know what my favourite Igbo proverb is. It goes something like this in translation – “the disease that gives you warning, does not kill you!” It is a proverb that underlines the imperative of proactivity, what the Igbo people might call igba mbo.

So, I was really pleased when I read that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was taking a proactive step to ensure that there is no cash scarcity this Christmas.

Nigerians love cash and that love can become obsessive and reach fever pitch at festive periods. Have you been to Abeokuta during Ojude Oba? Or to Kano during the Durbar? Or Onitsha during Ofala? Those are regional festivities. So, you can imagine what happens at Christmas!

All efforts at driving a cashless policy and economy seem to collapse when festivities come around the corner and this year, the CBN was quick to take proactive action weeks before the festivities reach fever pitch. But the apex bank’s interventions seem to be having unintended consequences even though as at the time of writing this, the apex bank had put out three (3) different circulars and one press release around the issue.

First, is a not-so-surprising pushback from the banks and then a seeming lack of understanding by the general public no thanks to rampant mis-information.

The issue of cash scarcity around the Christmas period worsened under the sway of Godwin Emefiele at the CBN. The fall-out from the disastrous naira redesign he superintended over at the apex bank continues to haunt our banking vaults but Olayemi Cardoso and team are focused on making sure we turn that dark corner.

Let us begin with the first circular dated November 29, 2024: “Cash Availability Over the Counter in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).” The circular had two sections: DMBs were directed to ensure efficient cash disbursement to customers Over the Counter (OTC) with the CBN insisting that it will enforce the directive and ensure compliance.

Secondly, members of the general public were encouraged to report instances where they are unable to get cash Over the Counter or through ATMs. The CBN ended with a list of 37 email addresses and phone numbers across the 36 states and FCT for reporting issues.

On paper, it looked like Nigerians and the cash worries were all sorted this Christmas but it didn’t take time for the expected pushback to occur. News reports began to circulate of long queues at banks and of ATMs struggling to dispense more than N10,000. “NAN reports that long queues have emerged at ATM stands around the city as residents struggle to have access to cash…Meanwhile POS operators are currently taking advantage of the situation to demand exorbitant charges on transactions.”

While Nigerians were still trying to make sense of the reason behind the long queues, another report had an official of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASBIFI) pointing fingers. According to the report, “ASSBIFI President, Olusoji Oluwole, told the Punch that “Banks have only two sources of cash: the CBN and retailers. The CBN has not met banks’ demands, and retailers often sell cash for profit, making it harder for banks to access funds.”

As if in response to the charge, the apex bank responded “with their full chest” as we say on social media with a December 13, 2024 circular – Updated Penalty on Inappropriate Cash Disbursement Practices by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in which it condemned the “illicit flow of mint banknotes to currency hawkers and other unscrupulous economic agents that commodify naira bank notes thus impeding efficient and effective cash distribution to banks’ customers and general public.”

Giving bite to the circular the CBN said any bank found culpable of “facilitating, aiding or abetting, by direct actions or inactions, illicit flow of mint banknotes” would be fined N150m and then hit with the full weight of the relevant provisions of BOFIA 2020.

This time no pointing fingers were seen but the CBN was not done. Eager to completely squelch rumours around “the validity or lack thereof of the old ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 banknotes” the refusal of which was contributing to the long queues, the CBN issued a press release shutting it down: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 banknotes currently in circulation….the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.”

The third circular from the CBN which it said was in line with its “ongoing efforts to advance a cash-less economy” seems to have hit a raw nerve among Nigerians who, as we have already noted, love their cash even though it is now an offence to spray the naira.

News outlets also seemed to also get it wrong. The CBN circular of December 17, 2024 did not put a limit on how much cash you and I can withdraw from banks. The limits imposed in the circular titled – CIRCULAR ON CASH-OUT LIMITS FOR AGENT BANKING TRANSACTIONS – are “for agency banking operations” and as reported by TheCable is among interventions intended to address “identified challenges, combat fraud and establish uniform operational standards across the industry.”

Now, can I have my beer back as I attempt to outline how easily well-intentioned policies are rubbished by that euphemistically named malady known as the “Nigerian factor”.

The ASBIFI official was quick to point fingers even though simple logic can show that Over the Counter cash scarcity and at ATMs has little to do with the CBN or its cash distribution operations but with our Nigerian any-how-ness.

Let’s consider this. How is it that banks cannot fill up 22,600 ATMS, most of which are within or in close proximity to their branches but can afford to give cash to 1.6m PS operators? Doesn’t this seem to suggest that someone is out to make sure that the ATMs don’t have cash while the PoS operators continue to make a killing?

And why does it seem right that Nigerians should continue to pay between N250 and N400 per N10,000 withdrawals to PoS operators when ATM charges are far lower at N35 and only after you have made multiple withdrawals from other bank ATMs?

Oh, bankers have said ATMs are difficult to maintain on account of several factors and this takes us back to the figures we shared from the UK. Of the 49,421 ATMs in the UK, “78% were free to use” during the period under reference. So, why do we always talk about maintenance when it comes to Nigeria? Imagine if we paid N10 per ATM transaction, wouldn’t that be better than paying N250 to a PoS operator for every N10,000 withdrawn?

And for context, in 2014, data on various e-payment channels indicated that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) remained the most patronised payment mode in Nigeria accounting for 89.7% of all electronic transactions with PoS transactions accounting for just 4.58 per cent. Today, the reverse is the case and the question to ask remains; what changed? The answer has something to do with financial inclusion but that is a topic for another day.

As you ponder that poser, ask yourself why is it always difficult to get mint bank notes over the counter in the banks meanwhile, step into any event center and you will see some hawker waving bright new notes in your face. Surely, they don’t get those notes from the CBN.

When the CBN referenced the Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023 to the effect that the old notes are still legal tender, their X Formerly Twitter page was filled with bile. But what many are failing to contend with is that the current leadership is only trying to make sure the mess they inherited doesn’t get worse.

As we prepare for Christmas and the New Year the advice is simple; go to your bank and ask for your money or withdraw from the ATMs and if you suspect any funny business, email or call the hotlines provided by the CBN.

Say no to any-how-ness this yuletide.

 

Toni Kan is a PR expret and financial analyst.

 

 

 

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Aviation Minister Leads Delta APC Leadership To National Chairman, Advocates Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections

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2 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN, today, led the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, to the National Chairman of the APC, His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja.

 

During the meeting, the Delta APC leaders briefed the National Chairman on the current state of the party in the state and the ongoing efforts to reconcile party members. They presented the report of the Reconciliation Committee, which has been approved by the Delta State APC State Working Committee (SWC) and earlier submitted to the National Chairman.

The delegation emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating that the era of a one-man leadership style in Delta APC is over. They reaffirmed their collective commitment to working as a united team to reposition the party and strengthen its prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections. This new direction was evident in the composition of the high-powered delegation that visited the National Chairman.

 

In his response, the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, commended the Delta APC leadership for their efforts to foster unity and ensure the party’s victory in future elections. He assured them of his commitment to work with Delta APC leaders, including those absent from the meeting, to build a united and formidable front. During the meeting, Dr. Ganduje also spoke with Delta State APC Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, who was unavoidably absent due to health reasons, and wished him a swift recovery following his recent surgery.

 

The delegation to the meeting comprised prominent leaders of the Delta APC, including: Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, OON-Founding Leader of APC in Delta State,

Elder Godsday Orubebe- Former Minister,

Senator Ede Dafinone,

Senator Joel Thomas-Onowakpo,

Rev. Francis Waive- Member, House of Representatives and

Hon. Victor Ochei-former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly.

The meeting was concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among the Delta APC leaders and a shared commitment to repositioning the party for electoral success in 2027.

 

 

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