News

Breaking: Anti-Open grazing, VAT bills scale second reading at Lagos Assembly

Published

4 years ago

September 7, 2021

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday committed the bill on open grazing to the committee on agriculture after it scaled second reading.

The House also read for the first and second time the state’s Value Added Tax bill and asked the committee on finance which is handling it to report back on Thursday.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, described the ‘Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ as timely and one that would ensure harmonious relationships between herders and farmers and protect the environment of the state and the southwest zone.

The Speaker also suggested that the bill should make provision for the registration of herders and prepare them for ranching.

“Allocating percel of land is not enough but there should be training of those who would go into ranching,” he said noting that ranching is expensive and required adequate preparation.

Concerning the bill on VAT, Speaker Obasa said it would lead to “increase in revenue and increase in infrastructural development. This is in line with fiscal federalism that we have been talking about.”

Obasa said the VAT law when passed, would help the state meet challenges in its various sectors. He also urged the Lagos State government to do everything legally possible to ensure the judgement of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, is sustained even up to the Supreme Court.

He lamented a situation where about 500 billion is generated from Lagos State while 300 billion is generated from other southwest states and paltry amounts are disbursed to them in return.

“It is an opportunity for us to emphasise again on the need for the consideration of true federalism,” he said.

Speaking earlier on the bill on open grazing, Hon. Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1), lamented the havoc that herdsmen had caused in the southwestern zone.

According to him, farmers have continuously become afraid to visit their farms thus causing shortage of food. He also said many farmers had become indebted as they now find it difficult to pay back loans they secured.

He said it was lamentable that cattle roam the streets causing accidents and embarrassing people.

He advocated for stiffer penalties for herders caught carrying firearms.

His position was supported by Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) who said open grazing in the 21st century is an aberration.

Joseph said the bill would ensure peaceful coexistence, reduce crime and help to guide the activities of herders.

On his part, Hon. Olumoh Saad Lukeman (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), suggested that the high court should be made to handle cases from the enforcement of the bill when passed or that the state should establish special courts for such purpose.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, in his contribution, described Lagos as a cosmopolitan state and, as such, having to see cattle in the streets is worrisome.

He expressed support for the bill because, according to him, it would give a level of security to the state and help reduce economic losses. He added that Lagos has 250 hectares of land in Ikorodu and another 750 hectares on Epe for ranching.

Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1) said it was common to see cattle going to school as if they want to learn while Hon. David Setonji (Badagry 2), recalled “a time we went on oversight function in a school here in Lagos. We were embarrassed by cattle. We had to wait for the herder to move the cattle before we embarked on our oversight function.”

Setonji suggested a collaboration between men of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the police in the implementation of the law when passed and assented to.

Other lawmakers who contributed during plenary include Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, Hon. Rasheed Makinde and Hon. Sanni Okanlawon.

News

BREAKING: FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Suspended Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

Published

3 days ago

April 14, 2025

lagoslately

The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has suspended Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina following allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by a senior university official, Engr. Folasade Adebayo.

The suspension was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim.

According to the statement, “At its 7th Emergency Meeting held virtually on Monday, April 14, 2025, the Governing Council reviewed a request from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, to embark on his accumulated Annual and Research Leave. The Council approved a six-month leave—totaling 126 working days—effective from Monday, April 14, 2025, out of his total leave entitlement of 228 days.”

Furthermore, the Council appointed Prof. Olubunmi S. Shittu, the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and the most senior among the three deputy vice-chancellors, as Acting Vice-Chancellor for the six-month duration.

This move follows pressure from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the Council initially addressed the complaint. Sources say the Minister was displeased that the Council allegedly dismissed the harassment claims and asked the complainant to apologise to Prof. Fasina.

“The Minister was furious that the complaint was being swept under the rug and that the victim was being compelled to apologise,” a source revealed. “He personally contacted the Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), to express his displeasure.”

Following the minister’s intervention, Senator Ndoma-Egba convened an emergency online meeting of the Council on Monday afternoon. During the session, members agreed to suspend Prof. Fasina. However, the Vice-Chancellor reportedly requested to proceed on his accumulated leave instead of facing a direct suspension.

In the interim, Prof. Samuel Olubunmi Shittu, a Professor of Soil Science and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), will serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

News

Man Reportedly D!es Trying To Cart Away Agemo Statue In Ijebu

Published

4 days ago

April 13, 2025

lagoslately

A suspected thief, identified as Jeremiah Kosesochi Nwoke has reportedly d!ed while attempting to cart away the Agemo statue located at the Itoro Roundabout in Ijebu Ode.

The incident, which occurred overnight, has thrown residents into shock as the statue stands near the roundabout leading to the ultramodern palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

It was gathered that the deceased allegedly made several futile efforts under the cover of darkness to uproot and steal the symbolic statue.

However, the deceased allegedly uprooted the heavily-padded statuebut d!ed in the process of carting it away.

Celebrities

“Don’t Be Deceived by Twitter Polls or Social Media Hype” – Burna Boy Advises Fellow Artists

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2025

lagoslately

Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has offered some candid advice to fellow musicians, urging them not to get carried away by online popularity.

In a message shared via his Instagram Stories, Burna warned artists not to be fooled by Twitter polls or the support of Nigerian social media fans, pointing out that this virtual applause rarely translates into real-world success—especially when it comes to filling stadiums around the globe.

He emphasized that achieving a number one spot on streaming platforms in Nigeria shouldn’t be seen as the pinnacle of success. Instead, he encouraged artists to set bigger goals or consider having alternative business ventures.

His post read:

> “Dear artists,
Don’t let Twitter polls and Naija social media fans deceive you. They won’t fill up any stadium for you in any part of the world.
Your song being Number 1 on any streaming platform in Nigeria is not something to celebrate. Aim higher or do other businesses on the side. I type with love. No sign of aw.”

In a similar vein, singer Spyro also had a message for upcoming acts. He advised that signing to a major label or linking up with a top artist is no guarantee of success. According to Spyro, having a “failure mentality”—where one expects everything to be handed to them—will only lead to amplified failure, no matter how big the platform.

He stressed the importance of diligence and hard work, stating that talent alone isn’t enough. Spyro urged emerging artists to stop chasing fantasies and start putting in real effort to build their careers.