Tinubu to Lagosians: Be calm, maintain peace - ITREALMS

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has passionately appealed to the good people of Lagos State to be calm and eschew any act that could lead to breakdown of law and order, reports ITREALMS.

Tinubu said the outcome of the election in Lagos where Labour Party won the presidential election should not be a source of provocation saying that the beauty of democracy is that people have a right to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Townhall: Lagosians urged to leverage ICT for PVCs - ITREALMS

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Lagosians have been urged to make use of various Information and Communications Technology (ICT) impetus introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in order to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, reports ITREALMS.

The Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Science and Technology, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Afinni Olanrewaju Suleiman, representing Lagos Island II, at 8th Annual Constituency Stakeholders TownHall Meeting in Lagos.

What Lai Mohammed told Lagosians @Digital Switch-Over launch - ITREALMS

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Speech by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the launch of the Digital Switch-Over in Lagos on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

Protocol

Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome to this epoch-making event, which is the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) of Lagos State. Please don't be confused by the technical jargon. DSO simply means the switch-on of digital television in Lagos State.

COVID-19 bonfires: Like Bayelsans, like Lagosians - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Not until recently the environmental hazards being faced by those at the Niger Delta region of this country, especially Bayelsa and Rivers States dawned on some of Lagosians as the lockdown over the ChineseVirus-19 also known as Coronavirus or COVID-19 continues its ravage.

ITREALMS gathered this was heightened by the reported unsigned letter from alleged “1m Boys” to Lagosians, which stated inter alia:

“Alert! Alert!! Alert!!!“We the undefeated“ONE MILLION BOYS“Are coming to visit your area very soon.“ So, make everybody prepare.“If you don’t comply, we will cut your hands”

Penultimate Easter Monday night was the same day the ‘eyes’ of some Lagosians became clear as they used to say in a local parlance on and over the issues of degradation when it comes to environmental hazards associated with the flames of any kind especially that of petroleum related like tyres, coupled with lack of adequate security.

Throughout the night was that of bonfires with used tyres. Initially some residents may not have cared much but on inquiry, it was learnt that some unknown group of criminals were said to have visited the neighborhoods of Ladipo at Shogunle, Mafoluku-Oshodi and even Ijesha-Tedo. But the effect did not manifest until the following morning when people woke up to behold black dust known as ‘soot’ where there is any atom of white changing colour.

Even after cleaning of such surfaces, in the next hour or two the black dust remains and by evening, the dust has not subsided because the debris are on the floor and once movement is expressed on the surface on the main road, the dust spreads.

Although by afternoon, some good Samaritans who understood the implications went out to sprinkle water to calm the dust, once Ikeja Electric restored public power supply and taps started running. As at the morning of the first day, a lot of residents were reported to have coughed out blood or clouts as first spittles.

As opposed to high-temperature incinerators, bonfires also tend to produce more carbon monoxide, which is harmful when breathed in and can form toxic ozone. As Milbourn puts it: "It almost doesn't matter what you burn but, instead, how you burn it."

“When you breathe in smoke, the particles could get deep into your respiratory system. You've likely experienced the results — stinging eyes, runny nose and coughing. ... But for those with underlying respiratory illnesses, inhaling smoke is dangerous,” a medical expert warned.

Health experts at Cleveland Clinics have posited that when anyone breathes in smoke, the particles could get deep into the respiratory system, thereby resulting in likely experiences such as stinging eyes, runny nose and coughing. ... But for those with underlying respiratory illnesses, inhaling smoke is dangerous, mostly in a large scale within any given society hence it becomes environmental hazard.

What is environmental hazard?

An environmental hazard, as elucidated by experts at Wikipedia and Omics on Environmental Hazards and Human Health; is a substance, a state or an event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment and or adversely affect people's health, including but not limited natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes, electromagnetic fields, floods, light pollution, noise pollution, vibration, x-rays etc. Noting that radioactivity is often associated with an exposure dependent risk of some cancers notably leukemia.

The hazards associated thereof have been further categorized into core four classes, namely physical, chemical, biological, and cultural. Physical hazards are physical processes that occur naturally in the environment, according to experts at study.com.

They also postulated that chemical hazards, for instance, are hazardous substances that could cause harm. While the Biological hazards include viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, to name a few, that could cause adverse health impacts, whereas the cultural hazards have been defined by Chegg’s experts as certain behaviors or practices that expose people to various types of health hazards, and not limited to over-eating, excessive smoking or consumption of alcohol, use of drugs that are addictive, avoidance of exercise, and choice of hazardous occupations.

What is a substance?

A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation methods, i.e., without breaking chemical bonds. This, Chemistry dictionary, defined further as the “real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence.”

What are tyres made of and hazards?

The materials of modern pneumatic tyres are synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric and wire, along with carbon black and other chemical compounds. They consist of a tread and a body. The tread provides traction while the body provides containment for a quantity of compressed air, according to experts.

They also classified the three main effects of tyre burning on the environment as air, water, and soil pollution. The airborne pollution caused from the tyre burning kilns is significant, consequently, the black fumes also known as ‘soot’ contain heavy metals and other harmful pollutants that linger in the air and could lead from acute to chronic health hazards.

Often in every country that may have endorsed the United Nations Environmental Protection policies, its absolutely illegal to burn vehicular tyres among others, as stated recently by the Deputy Director at Environmental Protection Agency Ghana, which is the department of Ghana Petroleum, Mr Kojo Agbenor-Efunam.

Lagosians bemoan bonfires, fears more death:

Lagosians wake up after the second Presidential address on the ravaging ChineseVirus-19 to see most of their streets with bonfires flames still gushing in Ojodu, Oshodi, Shogunle, Isolo and some parts of Ogba, all in Lagos, showed that the bonfires were set to wade off hoodlums, particularly the 1m Boys.

On the last days of the first phase of the 14-day lockdown as directed by the President, General Muhammadu Buhari, retired, hoodlums were reported attacking residents in Agege and environ, asking for food. Even as the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had disclosed that over 100 of such hoodlums including cultists identified as Awawa Boys were arrested and would be prosecuted according to the law.

Following the bonfires across the state, most residents were faced with increase in cough and clout spits as well as effects on their throats, just as health experts said that for those with underlying respiratory illnesses, inhaling smoke is dangerous.

Leave Lagos, says Odumosu:

In response to lamentations of Lagosians, the State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu warned armed robbers and cultists to leave the state or face the consequences of crime.

Odumosu who spoke through Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, said that two suspected armed robbers and 98 suspected cultists were arrested already in different parts of the state.

Equally, Elkanah said that the Command warned parents to advise their children to stay at home as the police were ready to deal with hoodlums of any kind in the state, warning that hoodlums should either leave the state or repent from their evil ways.

Like Bayelsans, Like Lagosians bonfire:

Above all, the outcome of every bonfire is what the Nigeria’s Niger Delta region has experienced for years, particularly the Bayelsans, whenever there are flames from petroleum products or better still crude oil processing. A section of America environmentalists under the aegis of the Centre for American Progress (CAP), posited that particle pollution, commonly referred to as “soot,” is one of the deadliest forms of air pollution, thus is essential for every national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopts the strictest rules possible to protect citizens from the dangers of breathing these particles.

Soot defined:

CAP which has leading policy experts, analysts, and senior fellows, including Mr. Olugbenga Ajilore, defined soot as the common term for a type of particle pollution called PM 2.5—particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller. They stressed that such fine particles, are even smaller than dust and mold particles, or approximately 1/30 of the size of a human hair. This encompassed a variety of pollutants, including chemicals, acids, metals, soils, and dust, which are suspended in the air after emission. Soot can come in solid, liquid, or gaseous (“aerosols”) states.

In addition, CAP team said soot is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, particularly coal, thus is emitted by a variety of sources, including burning coal for electricity or industrial fuel, manufacturing, oil refining, and motor vehicles.

Soot as a public health concern:

Experts at CAP maintained that soot poses tremendous harms to public health, particularly because of its size, even as particulate matter is so small that it could easily enter human lungs and bloodstream, potentially causing damage in a number of ways. While the Environmental Protection Agency of United State described the process of soot harming the human body as “Microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and have been linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children.”

Does Nigeria have EPA?

Yes, Nigeria do have. Historically, the Federal Government in1988 established the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) (now Federal Ministry of Environment with effect from September,1999) to protect, restore and preserve the nation’s ecosystem. FEPA has a wide range of functions to protect the environment, and primarily responsible for environmental licensing, enforcement of environmental law, environmental planning, education and guidance.

In Lagos, there is Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), unfortunately there was no education and or guidance over the implication or health hazards of Lagosians as may be associated to bonfires emitting from tyres.

Summary:

From all indications, Nigeria may have FEPA and Lagos’s LASEPA, but its obvious the country has no policy guidelines on soot and its associated environmental hazards.

One had expected that at least, LASEPA should have issued a press statement in order to educate and enlighten Lagosians as they tend to live out the Bayelsan forced style of life due to the increase in bonfires, especially with used tyres.

As at the time of filing this story, Vulcanisers who often display used tyres as symbol of location, have developed plan to always pack their displayed tyres inside for safe keeping, because it has since the evolution of ChineseVirus-19 also known as Coronavirus or COVID-19 turned a scarce commodity.

Although some elites are engaging the residents turned over-night vigilante on the dangers inherent in any bonfires let alone with tyres.

For the state government its not enough to merely caution and condemn over the radio the bonfires, there should be a deliberate attempts to educate the populace, mostly Lagosians, especially on the health implications, namely premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, leukemia, besides acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children.

Though for Bayelsans, it may have come from economic crude oil, but for Lagosians, it’s out of security necessity. Therefore, its time to do all things possible to ensure that soot is reduced drastically if not eradicated, whilst it remains an avoidable health hazard that must be collectively battled. Not forgetting that the latest bonfires were elucidated by letters from robbery gang known as ‘1m Boys’ who have since abandoned night as the period of attacks to even unleash their attack and robberies on Lagosians during the day-time.

All hands must be on deck as number of emergency vigilante continues to rise. Lagosians must devoid of anything to escalate the COVID-19 related ailment by staying safe and practicing all health expert directives including putting on facemask when stepping out of homes.

*Contributed by Remmy Nweke

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COVID-19: Why Sanwo-Olu must apologise to Lagosians - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Since late night on Friday, April 17, 2020 when the news of demise of former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Abba Kyari, a lot have been revealed on the insincerity of government and governance, especially by the Lagos State government led by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which has now left a little to be desired.

At first his administration declared lockdown in Lagos, associated to ravaging ChineseVirus-19 also known as Coronavirus or COVID-29; closing markets and reducing gathering to 25, hence the Funke Akindele family birthday batch for the husband landed her in trouble soon after. I do not need to recount all negative commercial sides of that messy exercise and trauma she and her family as well as friends went through because of this law.

Barely a week after she has been sentenced to 14-day community service and fine of N100 each for her and husband, the news broke that the former top official of Buhari administration, Abba Kyari, was reportedly flown into Lagos, a state supposed to be on lockdown as proclaimed by Mr. President and subsequently by states including Lagos State Government under Sanwo-Olu.

Aside that Lagos State was on lockdown and flights were not allowed across the country, Sanwo-Olu government allowed an indigenous index case to be flown into its space, yet the State commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, denied his whereabout, only to turn around two weeks later that they approved a facility, precisely the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi in Lagos State, where the CoS eventually died.

The state government, through the Commissioner of Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, confirmed to newsmen Saturday that due to enquiries by Nigerians, it was necessary to announce that the chief of staff died on Friday in the hospital.

As if Lagosians have not heard enough of government telling what some observers classified as lies or misleading statements, the dead corpse was flown out of Lagos air space to Abuja and in between, the report now reaffirmed that even Abba Kyari’s family members where brought to Lagos amidst the lockdown to see him, while they lock citizens in.

Yes, we sympathise with the family over the loss of their loved father, but was that visit utmost necessary given that Lagosians have been locked down or better said that “Lagosians were locked inside”, which began some days before the Buhari’s lockdown national broadcast. Yet, some have not seen pap let alone palliative from government till date.

In all, Gov. Sanwo-Olu has been doing good until this moment, thus, what is the moral burden of still telling or even persuading people to stay at home since government and its officials have elected to play against the rules and even arrest those reportedly making effort to irk a living like artisans, likewise the harassment of Funke Akindele family and friends.

Therefore, its high time that Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos, not only apologise to Lagosians for flying a national index case to their environment and Funke Akindele family, but moreso grant Funke state pardon. Yes, they, state or government made the lockdown laws, but clearly flaunted it to a chagrin taste.

It is prayed that after the current part 2 of this lockdown by Buhari across Lagos, Ogun and FCT that government at all levels must have gotten their thinking caps right by coming out with outlines to help citizens, especially Lagosians in the post-COVID-19 lockdown economy, which in all intents and purposes go beyond present clamour for palliatives.

Already, the number of robberies across Lagos, have since turned residents on lockdown into untrained vigilante, thereby exposing them to a lot of dangers. And when will this end, remain unclear, even as more cases are being discovered on daily basis.

Whereas Lagosians continue inspite of aforementioned to abide with the rules of constantly washing hands as often as possible under a running tap, for those who have waterworks working in their areas, facemasking will do us a lot good when outside, until vaccines are found.

May God heal our world and dead rest in peace. Amen.

*Contributed by Remmy Nweke

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Lagosians explore Google maps to improve road usage - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A 2017 study listed the 150 least to most stressed out cities in the world. With Stuttgart in Germany nabbing first spot as the least stressed city to live and work in, Lagos came in at 148 (just two spots ahead of the most stressed city - Iraq) which will be no surprise to daily commuters on Lagos streets.

There were obviously factors other than traffic playing a role in defining this list but lack of space and cramped environments, including high traffic areas, featured high on the list of reasons people are stressed out in cities like Lagos.

Traffic is a challenge, no doubt about it, but there are tools available for Lagos road users to use to help smooth their journeys and make life a little easier.

Do the most with your travel time using Google Maps:

Lagos traffic may seem like an insurmountable, unavoidable, stressful part of the workday, over which it may seem you have no control. The truth is, there are several ways you can use technology to reclaim a few hours every day or make good use of your time on the road.

· First and foremost, how real is the traffic situation?: Who says you have to hit the road at 07h30 or 17h00 sharp? With just one tap, you have access to information like ETAs, live traffic updates and quickest routes to familiar places – like home, work and the gym. This will help you decide whether you should join the fray or stick around, head off to the gym or make a stop to buy the milk you know is needed at home.

· Know before you go: If gym is an alternative to traffic for you but queues aren’t, try using Google’s “Popular Times” feature. This is accessible through Search and Maps and will help you decide how to better use your time. If the gym’s too busy and filled with other traffic dodgers, for example, you can choose to see how busy things look at your local mall or the library or the supermarket.

· Share your ETA and location: Sitting in traffic on your way to work and your boss keeps asking for updates? Use the Share Trip Progress functionality in Google Maps to share your journey with them, via Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or even email. Once they open your shared link in Maps, they’ll be able to track your progress with ease. In much the same way, you can share an actual estimated time of arrival at home with your family, keeping their minds at ease on those “extra trafficky” days.

· Driving in cars with kids: If it’s your turn to drop the kids off at school, and you have an Android device, why not use Google’s Bolo app to use their time in traffic wisely? Bolo is a speech-based reading app that helps kids learn how to read in English - your kids can read out loud with the app, which “listens” to them while offering encouragement and feedback to help improve their reading skills. Bolo operates offline so there can be no “poor coverage” excuses!

· Mixed Transit options coming soon: People, in general, are quick learners and those faced with traffic on a daily basis will often find ways to shorten or ease this process. For some, this means mixed options when it comes to transport. You could drive or cycle to a taxi/bus station, taxi/bus or rideshare from there and then walk the last few metres to work. Google has announced its Mixed Transit feature, which will be coming to your phone soon and promises to help commuters plot their mixed transit options out every day - choosing the fastest option available.

*Nenye Dom/Editor

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2019 Elections: Sanwo-Olu declares 'I was confident of Lagosians' - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he was confident that the people of the State would choose courage over fear in the just concluded gubernatorial election.

Sanwo-Olu polled a total of 739,445 votes to defeat his main challenger, Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got a total of 206,141 votes.

Declaring the vote as a referendum by the people of Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said that Lagosians had once again, decided that they would continue to take the path of progress that started in 1999 by voting for APC
.
''This election signaled more than a vote for me or any other candidate. It was a vote, a referendum, on how a state and its people would define themselves. Would we be courageous and confident enough to seek our greater place in the world? Or would we turn so scared that we spend the greater number of hours fighting each other instead of joining ourselves in productive cooperation that will uplift the lives of each of us?''

''We were confident that you would choose courage over fear and select cooperation over confrontation. You made this enlightened choice in resounding and clear numbers.''

''Let us be completely frank and honest so that we may quickly clear the air of those things that might pollute and soil our politics if we allow them to linger.'' Sanwo-Olu said.

Making reference to some unwholesome part that played up during the electioneering process, Sanwo-Olu advised political actors to sheathe their swords adding that the time for campaign is over and now is the time to join hands together, build peace and stronger collaboration for the benefit of the State.

''There were things said during this campaign that should not have been said. And tactics employed that were shortsighted and potentially disruptive to the social accord and harmony of purpose we have enjoyed in Lagos.''

''Those who tried to use ethnicity to bring discord in hopes that such tactics might bring them victory have been sorely disappointed. The election is over. I ask them to cease and desist from this unwise conduct.''

''Our people are generous in spirit, compassionate at heart and as fair-minded as any people can be. Despite the challenges that we may face, our people exist in a space that is above hatred.'' Sanwo-Olu declared.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated his total commitment to the unity of Lagos regardless of gender, ethnic nationalities, political and religious differences, pledging to lead with fairness and openness.

''To be the leader of a people such as these is an honour of the highest level and a sacred obligation. A leader befitting this state and its people is one who unites and leads them to greater progress; not one who seeks to pit them against each other.''

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Pix: L-R: Deputy Governor-elect,Kadir Obafemi Hamzat; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; National Leader All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, after the declaration of Mr. Sanwo-Olu as the governor elect of Lagos, at Bourdillion, Ikoyi Lagos.

PDP is ridiculing self before Lagosians - APC

ITRealms:

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is ridiculing self before Lagosians, reports ITRealms.

The Publicity Secretary, Lagos State APC Mr. Joe Igbokwe said in a press statement made available to ITRealms that PDP in Lagos has constituted itself into public nuisance with ridiculous noise, mostly about the performance of the Governor Akin Ambode’s regime.

Also, the party said that PDP is hurt badly by after-polls blues following the alleged grand failure of its extensive and expansive plot to steal Lagos in April 2015.

Igbokwe equally said Lagos PDP is not reasoning well on either what performance is or what is going on in a Lagos it has experienced unending frustration and pains of defeat as it prepares for the political grave.

APC further said that PDP cannot recognize achievement when it sees one and wonders how a party that wrecked Nigeria in 16 years of disastrous leadership could assess performance of a party that has taken Lagos to new heights as one of the few mega cities of the world.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)  
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