Lagos State House of Assembly Archives

Sustain Late Wigwe’s Legacies, Lagos Assembly Tells Late Banker’s Colleagues

– House observes a minute silence

The Lagos State House of Assembly resumed plenary on Monday with a call on colleagues of late banker, Herbert Wigwe, to sustain his legacies.

Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, lost his life in a helicopter crash in the United States of America. He was with his wife, Doreen, son and Abimbola Ogunbajo, a former chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group.

Speaking under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described Wigwe’s demise as “shocking, painful, disturbing and unexpected.”

Dr. Obasa recalled his last encounter with the late Wigwe on their way back to Lagos from Abuja describing the deceased as one who was passionate about Nigeria’s development.

“The demise of Wigwe is painful because this is someone who struggled to establish himself in terms of professionalism, his contributions and activities in the banking industry and even his personal life.

“There is no doubt that he was a philanthropist, at least we know of the Lagos City Marathon which he had supported for many years.

“My last encounter with him was on my way from Abuja to Lagos in his aircraft. Within the one-hour flight, we had a lot of discussions,” the Speaker said recalling how Wigwe spoke concerning the economy, the nation and its polity.

“All we can do now is mourn and accept what happened as what fate has brought upon us. He did not die alone. His wife, son and friend were with him.

“The lesson from this is that even though none of us wants to die, we must put the best of us in our relationships with others and contribute our best to our society and nation as these are what people will remember after us.

“I want to urge his colleagues to sustain his legacies, his philanthropic activities part of which is the Lagos City Marathon which has been expanded beyond the shores of Nigeria as well as the Wigwe University which, I am sure, was for the benefit of Nigerians,” the Speaker added as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.

In their contributions, some of the lawmakers described the late Wigwe as a man who was humble despite his financial strength.

“Though very wealthy, he brought himself to understanding people. He was a friend of this state for many years. He despised domestic violence and spoke against it vehemently,” Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot said.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun also described the late banker as easy-going and unassuming.

Eromosele Ebhomele

Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Nigeria needs Tinubu – Obasa, Lagos lawmakers eulogise ex-governor

– Congratulate Oba Elegushi at 45 for role in peaceful coexistence

… Celebrate ex-IGP, Musiliu Smith, who recently clocked 75

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday described the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a man for whom Nigeria as a country currently yearns.

Members of the House said this at plenary as they took time to eulogise the former governor of Lagos, who recently celebrated his 69th birthday.

Speaking after Hon. Victor Akande (Ojo 1) urged his colleagues to join him wish Tinubu a happy birthday, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, noted that it had always been customary of the House to celebrate the Jagaban of Borgu on his birthday, but that this year’s celebration happened at a time the House was on recess.

The Speaker who said Tinubu had earlier been honoured by attendees at a colloquium organised in his honour, added that the comments by the lawmakers during the day’s plenary showed how the APC National Leader had impacted in the lives of individuals.

He agreed with the members of the House that Tinubu remains one man that can effectively steer the Nigerian ship to make the country attain greater success in the coming years.

“We all congratulate him and wish him all the good things of life.

“We believe strongly in him and we have the conviction that he is a worthy man that can steer the ship of this nation. It is not about religion or ethnicity, but it is about wisdom, knowledge, experience and the capacity to lead,” Speaker Obasa said.

Earlier, Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu 1) described Tinubu as a man who understands the country and has the needed experience.

Olowo said Tinubu is a man that no one can love to hate because of his role in the advancement of the country.

For Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1), Asiwaju Tinubu is “a father figure to most of us and we will continue to celebrate him for a long time to come.

“He is adjudged one of the most active politicians. As a father to us, we appreciate him. He recognises those who are loyal and brilliant. He is the only man that can lead this country to meet its goals.”

Supporting his colleagues, Hon. Rasheed Makinde called Asiwaju Tinubu a man of the moment who believes in hunting talents and keeping them to prosper.

He said even though Tinubu has not held office for a long time, he still remains relevant because of his large heart and spirit of forgiveness.

He urged Asiwaju to help lead the country in 2023.

Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2), said he was delighted to share the same birthday with Tinubu who he called an inspirational figure.

“The Asiwaju that I know is a builder of people, a stabiliser and one who loves selflessly. He is a man who loves other people’s progress. I can only wish him many more fruitful years, first as father and the National Leader of the APC,” he said.

In a related development, the House also celebrated Oba Saheed Elegushi, who was described as a monarch that has brought advancement to his Ikate land while preserving the culture and traditions of his domain.

Hon. Temitope Adewale, while moving that the traditional ruler, who recently clocked 45, be celebrated, said Oba Elegushi had kept the state proud.

The lawmaker was supported by his colleague, Hon. Desmond Elliot, who described the monarch as a 21st century Oba.

In his contribution, Speaker Obasa said the young monarch had endeared himself to the people because he has shown a strong passion for the peace and progress of the state.

While praying for the traditional ruler, Obasa added that Oba Elegushi was being praised for ensuring peace in the state.

He said the commendation should be a challenge to other traditional rulers in the state to play positive roles for its growth and progress.

The House further eulogised Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, who recently clocked 75.

The House affirmed Smith’s importance noting that he has continued to serve the country as the chairman of the Police Service Commission.

Speaker Obasa described him as a man of peace, a quintessential Lagosian and one who often expresses his views and suggestions about the effective running of the state.

He thereafter directed the acting Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, to write a letter congratulating each of the celebrants on behalf of the Assembly.

Obasa, Lagos lawmakers mourn, eulogise late ex-Governor Jakande

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday observed a one-minute silence in honour of a former governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who passed away in the early hours of the day.

At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the members also resolved to write a letter of condolence to the family of the deceased.

The House further urged the Federal Government to look into the proposed Metro Line by the Jakande administration which was stopped by the military regime of that period.

Speaker Obasa, who described Jakande’s achievements as inexhaustible, noted that the Lagos State Univeristy, which the former governor established, has produced a lot of successful people in the society.

He also recalled Jakande’s free education and free book policies as well as the his success in the infrastructure sector in the state.

“He crowned his achievements with free education and free books,” Obasa said.

“We can only imagine how many people have become successful after passing through LASU. God gave him the wisdom,” Obasa added.

The representative of Mushin Constituency 1, Nureni Akinsanya, who earlier raised issue on the floor of the House, described the late Jakande as one who achieved a lot for the state.

His position was supported by Hon. Abdulsubur Olayiwola (Mushin 2).

On his part, Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2) said that the deceased scored grade ‘A’ in mentorship and was very visionary.

Kasunmu added that the younger generations are witnesses to the deceased’s infrastructural development adding that this was highly commendable.

“Baba scores ‘A’ in mentorship. He is visionary. We thank the Lord that the younger generations are able to see the infrastructural development done by the late ex-governor. I wish we give him a standing ovation for the departed soul.” Kasunmu said.

For Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), the deceased was a lover of the poor and he attended to issues with wisdom.

Femi said that Jakande turned around the state with hardwork, adding: “If you look at waste management-incinerating plants in the state are all credited to Lateef Jakande.

“These are things that have made Lagos to be known for what it is today. The ferry service of today can be credited to Baba Jakande.”

Hon. Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun 2) recalled how the late Jakande wrote a book in honour of Pa Obafemi Awolowo.

He urged the House to send a delegation team to Jakande’s house for condolences.

“He was a journalist. He wrote The Trial of Obafemi Awolowo in 1966. We have all spoken well about the late former governor.

“We are able to see what he had done. I want to implore us all to delegate some members to visit the house of Baba Jakande,” Oluwa said.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti Osa 2) eulogised the late Jakande for developing Lagos.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, also praised the late Jakande adding: “If we could have the opportunity not to die in this world, we could have said the late former governor should not die.

“Papa had done a lot for the state; hence, I express my condolences to the Family, House and the people of lagos state.”

Lagos Assembly to Sanwo-Olu: Ensure strict enforcement of COVID-19 rules

The Lagos House of Assembly on Monday called on the governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to commence very tough enforcement of the COVID-19 protocols among residents of the state.
The House said its decision follows the outright disregard for the protocols against the pandemic by some residents and visitors to the state.

The members of the House also asked the governor to call on the state’s commissioner for information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, to embark on enlightenment campaigns and education of the people concerning the dangerous effects of the pandemic on the society.
Prior to the decision of the lawmakers, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, noted that the state, just like the country, cannot afford another lockdown because of the adverse effect such would have on the economy.

Speaker Obasa said there was need for more enlightenment because COVID-19 in the state and country was taking a dreadful dimension.

He noted that the life of every single individual in Lagos remains precious and as such, there must be conscious efforts to protect the residents.
Kicking off the debate, the acting chairman of the House committee on health, Hon. Hakeem Sokunle (Oshodi/Isolo 1), had raised concerns over the new wave of COVID-19 in the state.

Sokunle told his colleagues that before now, only few patients needed oxygen. The situation, he said, has changed as over 80 percent of patients now needing oxygen.

He proposed that apart from enlightenment, there should strict compliance to the COVID-19 protocols as well as the cancelling social engagements.

He also urged that wearing of face masks should be enforced.
Sokunle’s position was supported by Olowo and other lawmakers.