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Oreoluwa Finnih leads Stakeholders in charting path for building sustainable Lagos….

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4 months ago

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A 2022 report by the Office of Sustainable Goals revealed a startling statistic: about 3 million Lagosians, that is 10 percent of the total population, live in hard-to-reach or underserved communities.

 

This figure, compounded by the city’s rapid population growth, urbanisation, and projected rise in sea levels is posing a threat to the resilience of Lagos.

 

In a bid to change this narrative and build a resilient and sustainable Lagos State, Oreoluwa Finnih, the special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals recently gathered stakeholders across the country to discuss how best to achieve sustainable development goals for Lagos State.

 

 

Themed ‘Building a Resilient and Sustainable Lagos,’ Finnih hinted that the Lagos State Sustainability Summit is symbolic of Nigeria’s unity and commitment towards achieving a sustainable future for Lagos and significantly reflects the country’s shared purpose, collective responsibility, and resoluteness in guaranteeing a better and more sustainable Lagos for future generations.

 

 

Finnih said the summit is only a result of a genuine collaboration and a thirst for excellence, adding that beyond this summit, she and her team have pooled resources, expertise, and resolve together to align their activities with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure that the vision of a sustainable and resilient Lagos becomes a reality.

 

 

This, she said, is because her commitment is not merely superficial; but demonstrated through the integrated policies, strategic partnerships, and concerted efforts that they are witnessing.

 

This summit, she said, is one major outcome and an example of these endeavours. The theme for this summit, ‘Building a Resilient and Sustainable Lagos’ was neither randomly decided, nor is it out of place. It is a deliberate choice that mirrors our ambition of Lagos Sustainability Vision.

 

“In fact, it is built around the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSDG), fundamental principles of social responsibility, equitable development, and the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable growth and development.

 

“Building a sustainable Lagos has never been more important than now because of the surmounting pressures ahead. Going by the United Nations 2030 sustainability agenda, we are left with just six years to attain the sustainable development goals.

 

“Although Lagos remains ahead in the sustainability journey, we still face unique challenges that range from rapid urbanisation to a growing population, and increased vulnerability to the impacts of climate change,” Finnih explained.

 

 

She recognised the tireless efforts of three critical bodies who have been instrumental to the realisation of this summit: the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSDG), the Lagos State Safety Commission, and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

 

She said the OSDG’s mandate has evolved to lead as the principal SDG coordinator in Lagos by championing initiatives that accelerate the attainment of the 17 goals. For us, sustainability is the practice of meeting today’s needs without compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their own needs.

 

She stressed that the OSDG execution strategy is and will remain characteristically innovative, inclusive, and practical.

 

Finnih said she and her team has refined strategy on four pillars: Strategic Planning which aligns state-level initiatives with global sustainability targets, resource mobilisation, which secures the financial, technical, and human resources including forming strategic partnerships, advocacy and awareness which engages all sectors on the importance of sustainability, and of course monitoring & evaluation to track their progress, assess impact, and make informed adjustments to meet her objectives.

 

In essence, she added that these pillars are directed towards the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, closely aligned with the SDGs, to reinforce our commitment to establishing Lagos as Africa’s Mega City.

 

 

For this cause, we have commissioned the OSDG Lighthouse Project, a flagship programme targeted at improving the livelihood of thousands of Lagosians in hard-to-reach or underserved communities.

 

“We have also commenced the Lagos Minds Project geared towards bettering the mental well-being of our teeming young population.

 

“We are also building a comprehensive data repository to guide the OSDG and other stakeholders in evidence-based decision-making.

 

“The OSDG has also designed a comprehensive framework and assembled a dedicated team for extensive monitoring and evaluation across both the public and private sectors. This is to compare our baseline and target outcomes and drive the change we seek,” she said.

 

 

During his keynote address, Rabiu Olowo, executive secretary and chief executive officer, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria said the FRC plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability practices through several key functions and initiatives which includes establishing and enforcing reporting standard, promoting best practices in corporate governance, training and education, facilitating transparency and accountability, monitoring and compliance, encouraging innovation and adoption of sustainable practice and collaboration with stakeholders.

 

 

Olowo mentioned five thematic levers for aligning financial strategies with the sustainable development goals to include better prioritization of resource allocation ( Budgeting), focusing on service delivery and outcomes, sustainable financing, economic empowerment and sustainability reporting.

 

 

He said FRC is not relenting on its efforts to promote and enforce sustainability practices, support innovation, and collaborate with various stakeholders.

 

“By doing so, we will help drive Nigeria’s transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

 

“The FRC alone cannot handle this task and that’s why partnerships like this are the only way to advance sustainability practices in Lagos. This is a responsibility that the FRC is happy to execute with all the seriousness that it deserves,” he added.

 

Also speaking at the summit, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State said the summit serves as a pivotal moment to build consensus and forge new partnerships around the priorities shared.

 

 

Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State said Lagos State Development Plan (2022–2052) sets the framework for our long-term vision. It emphasizes four key pillars: economic growth, human capital development, infrastructure expansion, and environmental sustainability.

 

 

At the heart of this plan, he said, is a commitment to using technology, innovation, and inclusive governance to build a city capable of adapting to an unpredictable future.

 

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos, like many urban centers worldwide, faces increasing pressures from rapid urbanization, climate change, and social inequality.

 

He said but instead of being daunted by these challenges, he sees them as opportunities to shape a Lagos that thrives on resilience and sustainability.

 

“Sustainability has always been central to our developmental agenda. In 2021, Lagos became the first sub-national government to activate the $1 trillion Nigerian Green Bond Market Development Program, paving the way for sustainable finance in urban development.

 

 

This bold move is more than just a financial milestone, It is a testament to our commitment to building a greener, smarter Lagos.

 

“Our Lagos Climate Action Plan sets ambitious targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It encompasses critical sectors such as energy, food systems, manufacturing, transportation, and urban infrastructure.

 

 

By mobilizing resources towards green projects, we are driving the systemic changes needed to foster sustainable growth without compromising our environment or the well-being of our people,” the governor explained.

 

He disclosed that Lagos is also pushing forward with projects such as the Circular Lagos Project, which promotes zero waste and a circular economy.

 

These initiatives, he said underscore its focus on long-term strategies that unlock the potential within the sustainability ecosystem and support Lagosians in living more harmoniously within the city.

 

 

Sustainability is not just about the environment; it is about creating a city that works for everyone. The future we envision for Lagos is one where no one is left behind. Our city planning must address the needs of all residents—urban and rural alike—and consider the cross-sectoral impact of our policies.

 

 

We are dedicated to creating public spaces and services that promote social interaction, safety, and inclusivity. Cities are made by people, and they must be for the people.

 

“This means ensuring that all residents, regardless of income or background, have

access to the resources and opportunities that will enable them to thrive,” Sanwo-Olu said.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/oreoluwafinnih_lagossustainabilitysummit-sustainablelagos-activity-7239992144046751744-Zc4O?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

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Alleged Forgery: EFCC Set To Arraign Oba Otudeko, Ex-First Bank MD Bisi Onasanya For N12.3Bn Fraud

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4 days ago

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January 16, 2025

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Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed Monday, January 20, 2025, for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arraign the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko and a former First Bank Managing Director Stephen Olabisi Onasanya for allegedly looting N12.3billion naira from First Bank.
Otudeko – former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, FBN Holdings – and Onasanya are to be arraigned alongside a former board member of Honeywell Soji Akintayo and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited connected to Otudeko.
According to the EFCC, the four committed the fraud in tranches of N5.2billion, N6.2billion, N6.150billion, N1.5billion and N500million, N6.2bbillion and N2.09 Billion between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.
The 13-count charge, filed by EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari on January 16, 2025, further claimed that the defendants made and uttered forged documents to deceive the bank.
Otudeko, Onasanya, Akintayo and Anchorage will be brought before Justice Aneke, to whom the case, registered as FHC/L/20C/2025, has been assigned.
Specifically, count 1 accused the defendants of conspiring “to obtain the sum of N12.3Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V-TECH DYNAMIC LINKS LIMITED and Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false.”
In Count 2, it was alleged that the defendants, on or about the 26th day of November 2013 in Lagos, “obtained the sum of N5.2 Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V TECH DYNAMIC LINKS LIMITED which representation you know to be false.”
The 3rd count claimed that the defendants, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, obtained N6.2 Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for and disbursed to Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false.”
In the 4th count, they were accused of conspiring to spend the N6,15 Billion, out of the monies.
According to the Commission, the offences contravened Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Counts 5 and 6 read: “That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO, STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA, SOJI AKINTAYO AND ANCHORAGE LEISURE LIMITED on or about 11th day of December 2013 in Lagos, procured Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to retain the sum of N1,5 Billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretense and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
“That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO, STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA, SOJI AKINTAYO, AND ANCHORAGE LEISURE LIMITED on or about the 17th day of December 2013 in Lagos, converted to the use of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc the sum of N500 Million Naira Only which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretense and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2 (b)) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Other charges are as follows:
“Count 7. That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO, STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA, SOJI AKINTAYO AND ANCHORAGE LEISURE LIMITED on or about the 3rd day of September 2013 in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: uttering a forged document – titled “Letter of Application” with the intent that it may be used by the First Bank in the belief that the said document is genuine and emanated from V-Tech Links Dynamic Limited, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES ACT, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of same Act.
“COUNT 8: That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO, STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA, SOJI AKINTAYO AND ANCHORAGE LEISURE LIMITED on or about the 3rd day of September 2013 in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court uttered a forged document titled “Letter of Application” with intent that it may be used by the First Bank in the belief that the said document is genuine and emanated from V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2)(c) of the MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES ACT, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under same Act.
“COUNT 9 That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO, STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA, SOJI AKINTAYO AND ANCHORAGE LEISURE LIMITED on or about the 3rd day of September 2013 in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: making false document titled “AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATE TO FIRST BANK” with intent that it may be used by First Bank in the belief that the said document is genuine and emanated from V-Tech Links Dynamic Limited, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES ACT, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of same Act.
“COUNT 10: That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO, STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA, SOJI AKINTAYO AND ANCHORAGE LEISURE LIMITED on or about the 3rd day of September 2013, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court made a forged document titled “AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATE TO FIRST BANK” with Intent that it may be used by the First Bank in the belief that the said document is genuine and emanated from V-Tech Links Dynamic Limited, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES ACT, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under same Act.
“COUNT 11: That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO AND STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA on or about the 31st day of October 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured Abiodun Olatunji and Raymond Eze to transfer the sum of N6,200,000,000 (Six Billion, Two Hundred Million Naira Only), to STALLION NIGERIA LIMITED’s account number “2015708429” domiciled with First Bank, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: Fraudulent False Accounting and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18 (c) and 15(2 (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
“COUNT 12: That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO AND STEPHEN OLABISI ONASANYA on or about 11th day of December, 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured Abiodun Olatunji and Raymond Eze to transfer the sum of N2, 090, 000,000 (Two Billion, Ninety Million Naira Only), from STALLION NIGERIA LIMITED’s account number “2015708429” domiciled with First bank, to Emmerado Logistics Limited’s account number “0688985010” domiciled with First City Monument Bank, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: Fraudulent False Accounting and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18 (c) and 15(2 (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
“COUNT 13: That you, CHIEF OBA OTUDEKO on or about the 3rd day of September 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst being the Chairman of First Bank Plc indirectly had a personal interest in a loan facility sought for by V Tech Dynamics Links Limited in the sum of N6,150,000,000.00 (Six Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only), which interest was not declared to the Bank and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(1) BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ACT 2004 and punishable under Section 18(2) of same Act.”

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Certificate Scandal: We don’t have your record as a lawyer. – Supreme Court To Ex Speaker Obasa….

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6 days ago

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January 15, 2025

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More trouble may be brewing for the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as the Supreme Court of Nigeria has revealed that there was no record of him as a lawyer in their registry.

 

 

The apex court keeps records of all certified lawyers allowed to handle cases in any Nigerian court.

 

Obasa’s profile on Wikipedia and the Lagos Assembly’s website describes him as a lawyer and solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even though there is no mention of where he practiced or a case he handled.

 

He is also described on the Assembly’s website as graduating from the Nigerian Law School in 2007, a year after he obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from the Lagos State University.

 

But in a response to an enquiry on the subject matter on July 24, 2020, the Supreme Court categorically stated that Obasa’s name was not found on the numerous rolls of legal practitioners kept with it.

 

 

The letter signed by one Gertrude B. Karenton-Mordi on behalf of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and seen on Monday, said, “This is to inform you that we have checked our records and cannot find the name: MUDASHIRU AJAYI OBASA on the nemerous Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept in this honourable court.

 

 

MUDASHIRU AJAYI OBASA is at liberty to come to the honourable court with his call to bar and qualifying certificates for enrollment.”

 

Interestingly, this is not the first time that the 47-year-old Lagos Assembly Speaker will be linked to a scandal — this merely adds to a long list of alleged wrongdoing Obasa had been discovered to be involved in.

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National Sports Festival: FG, Enugu govt sign host state agreement

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6 days ago

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January 14, 2025

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The Federal and the Enugu State Government have signed the host state agreement in respect of the 2026 National Sports Festival billed to hold in the South East State.

The agreement, which was signed by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade for the FG and Governor Peter Mbah for Enugu State, on Tuesday, now awards Enugu State the full hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah thanked the Commission and other sports stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the state and his administration to stage the event, assuring that it would discharge its hosting responsibilities in a way that would leave a lifelong memory and experience on the athletes and all lovers of sports in Nigeria and beyond.

“We also appreciate the value and significance of this award. I want to commend the commission for finding Enugu worthy of being the next host of the 23rd National Sports Festival. We are going to discharge ourselves creditably.

“As you know, we like to be a role model as a state that gained preeminence over 115 years ago. We will not want to let our forebears down. We will live up to that standard.

“We have already set forth at dawn. Immediately that announcement was made, we mobilised our team. We are already working on revamping the Awgu Games Village and a whole lot. We have decided to deliver a brand new Games Village. We are also completely renovating the stadium to brand new.

“We are making sure that by the time you come here by the end of this year, you are going to be highly impressed. It is not revamping, rebranding or re-equipping, but we are also going to build additional facilities to the existing one.

“We are looking forward to having a word-class experience befitting the sports men and women, making our hosting a lifelong memory and experience,” he stated.

Earlier in his address, Hon. Olopade said the commission was encouraged by Enugu’s bid, available facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s determination to turn around the sports and social infrastructure to grant Enugu the right to host the event after the 22nd edition to be hosted by Ogun State.

The National Sports Commission boss added that the hosting would boost investment and tourism in the state before, during and after the event.

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