News
Lagos Imposes N100, 000 Fine, Jail Term for Defaulters of Coronavirus Lockdown
Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passed into law an emergency bill to help the state combat the Coronavirus, the pandemic currently spreading across the world.
Personally sponsored by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker, the Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020 also afforded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the legislative concurrence to spend an initial N20 billion to effectively contain the virus and enforce compliance by Lagosians.
The bill was presented on the floor of the chamber by Noheem Adams, deputy majority leader, after which it scaled the first and second readings and was passed to the committee on health for further deliberation.
The bill was later laid before the House by the chairman of the committee on health, Hon. Hakeem Sokunle after which it scaled the third reading because of the urgent requirements to ensure the bill was speedily passed.
The bill gives the governor the opportunity to make recourse back to the house before any regulations.
The bill also stipulates a fine of N100, 000 for defaulters, one-month imprisonment in the correctional centre or three months community service.
Where the offence is not spelt out, it attracts N200, 000 and also allows the leadership of the various arms of government to structure their own restriction format. Section 8 of the Bill makes provision for the Coronavirus Trust Fund.
The bill further empowers the governor to declare a state of emergency of up to three months if the situation requires so.
Speaking on the bill, Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja constituency 2) noted that it was important to alleviate the impact of coronavirus in Lagos on the economy, especially since the bill would enable the executive to expend necessary funds to contain the virus by providing adequate facilities in the state-owned hospitals.
On his part, Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) said: “We urge Lagosians to bear with us. Pandemics are not new but the way government and people react to it matters 150 states in the world. “Lagos recorded the first case, so they should look at the possibility to broaden it to capture much more.”
Rotimi Olowo (Somolu I) noted that the spread of the virus is unprecedented and that as a result, stringent measures should be taken to forestall the pandemic.
“The bill should be alive for life,” he said.
Contributing, Speaker Obasa said the contingency plan in the budget cannot sort out the current issue. “Government needs to be seen doing something, making effective pronouncements.
“The governor can make recourse back to the House if need be. If the budget procedure takes much time that can’t suffice, the kick-off fund will help.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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