Sanwo-Olu Restates Commitment To Tackling Water, Sanitation Challenges

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated the commitment of his administration to tackling the state’s water and sanitation challenges.

 The governor stated this on Wednesday at the 4th edition of the Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC) 2023 with the theme:  ‘Accelerating Sanitation and Hygiene in a Megacity through Regulation and Innovation’ held in Lagos. 

He said since the inception of the LIWA Conference in the year 2020,’’   The state government has sought to reposition water governance and regulatory dispensation in the state, improve water security and investment opportunities. Our commitment is in line with this administration’s goal of improving access to clean water and sanitation.’’

Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat explained that the megacity status of Lagos State and the pace at which its population is growing underscores the urgent need to promote and facilitate efficiency in the water sector, as well as guaranteeing  its financial viability.

He said, ‘’The economic and commercial activities that abound in the state, along with its major link to international businesses and the outside world, has made Lagos a beacon of hope and prosperity that attracts a constant influx of people which translates to a constant growth in population. This means that the government needs to work meticulously to administer the resources and facilities needed by this huge population to be productive most especially in the area of sanitation.

 ‘’It has been estimated that Lagos by 2050 will hit a population of 40 million, hence it has become crucial that we get in front of this issue and come up with sustainable strategies that will provide safe water sanitation and ensure better hygiene for the people of the  state.

‘’Our administration is committed to providing easy access to safe water and hygiene, not just because it is expected of us, but because it is a fundamental human right and it falls within our welfare policy for the State. It is also by this index of sanitation that our dear State will be adjudged for livable suitability, and ensure that we achieve the SDG target 6 which will in turn announce our utmost readiness for local and international investments.’’

In her speech, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWACO) Mrs. Funke Adepoju said Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are fundamental to human health.

. . . Mourns Publisher Of Nigerian NewsDirect, Samuel Ibiyemi

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep sadness over the death of the Publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper, Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi.

He described Ibiyemi’s death as shocking and a colossal loss tojournalism and the media industry in Nigeria.

Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi died on Tuesday at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State of pulmonary embolism.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his chief press secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Ibiyemi’s death is  painful and heartbreaking, noting that the rich experience and knowledge of the deceased will be sorely missed.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who also commiserated with the Ibiyemi family, the management and staff of the Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper over thedeath of the Publisher, said Ibiyemi had written his name in gold, saying the legacies he left behind are immense and indelible.

 He said: “On behalf of the Lagos state government, I sympathise with the Ibiyemi family, the management and staff of Nigerian NewsDirect over the death of an accomplished journalist and Publisher, Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi.

“I also commiserate with the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of  Nigeria (NPAN), the President, Executives and members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), the deceased friends, colleagues, and entire journalists in Nigeria over the demise of Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi.

 “Dr. Ibiyemi was a brilliant, hardworking and versatile journalist, who had distinguished himself in the media profession as a Reporter, Business Editor and Energy Editor, before establishing his newspaper, Nigerian NewsDirect.”