The Lagos State Government has released 2,231 extra buses into the public transport system, demonstrating its willingness to facilitate people’ mobility.

During Tuesday’s 2024 Ministerial Briefing, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Commissioner of Transportation, revealed this.

During the press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Osiyemi restated the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s pledge to provide the people of the state with efficient and reasonably priced transport options.

According to NAN, the 2024 edition of the ministerial briefing began on Tuesday.

It will run until May 29, with ministries giving account of their stewardship in the last one year of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

Osiyemi said that the state government, in partnership with private investors, would augment the Bus Rapid Transit in operation with the 2,231 buses to be injected into Lagos State transport system.

He said: “Our mutually beneficial partnership with the private sector has continuously yielded positive results.

“We expect 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas buses before the end of the year to come in two phases.

“We had receive 1,000 CNG buses first, then we’ll receive the other 1,000 shortly.

“In addition, we are to receive 231 electric buses in Lagos State.

“The government will only be a regulator.

“Transportation is very crucial in a metropolitan city like Lagos State, and as such Governor Sanwo-Olu is committed to our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which is our focal point, and we will leave no stone unturned.

The Commissioner attributed the absence of traffic lights on some major roads to the ongoing road construction and upgrade of traffic lights as security intelligence cameras.

Osiyemi further enlightened residents of the implications of committing traffic offences.

He said: “We’re aware of some non-functional traffic lights.

“We had to disconnect them because of the ongoing road construction.

“Then, again, we intend to upgrade most of these traffic lights to help us gather intel on erring road users.

“There’s no fine for following one-way.

“Your car will be impounded, then you will be subject to a psychiatric test before you are  charged to court, for a possible jail term, depending on the result of your psychiatric test.”

Osiyemi said that the government was prioritising the completion of strategic transport projects encompassing rail, water, road, and bus infrastructure.

By ensuring the timely delivery of the projects, he said the administration aimed to bolster the state’s transportation capabilities and cater to the evolving needs of the populace.

Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, denounced the notion that only private drivers are arrested for traffic offences.

He urged residents to insist on going to the designated offices when they are stopped for traffic offences.

Giwa said one of the ways residents won’t fall for their tricks is by simply following them to their office.

He said: “As adults, we should be able to tell what a real office of the Ministry of Transportation looks like.

“The moment you want to insist on going to their office, they will refrain from their mischief.”

On commercial buses, Giwa said: “The only reason you’d rarely see public buses in our compound is simply because they earn by the second.

“They know that for every minute that car stays in our compound, they lose money, they always focus on getting the required fine paid.

“Unlike private drivers, it’s for personal use.

“So often, they take their time to rally round to pay the fine for their offences.”

Meanwhile the introduction of Traffic Management Solution devices, handled by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officers, is reportedly paying off as 26,816 violations were captured in three months, from January to March.

Wale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, urged residents to help in exposing fake officials.

Some other achievements of the ministry mentioned at the event included the commencement of operation of the Blue Line Mass Transit, with which over one million passengers have been transported.

Also, the recently inaugurated Red Line, when in operation, is envisaged to transport 250,000 passengers per day initially.

The 37km rail line integrating key bus terminals at Oyingbo, Yaba, Oshodi, Ikeja and Iju extends to Agbado in Ogun State.

The media office of Yahaya Bello says the former governor of Kogi state was never invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement signed by Ohiare Michael, Bello’s media office said the anti-graft agency declared the former governor wanted without sending an invitation his way.

The statement added that Bello is not afraid of the EFCC.

It was earlier reported that the EFCC is accusing the former governor of involvement in the laundering of N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

On April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege on Bello’s Abuja residence in a bid to arrest him.

While the operatives were at Bello’s residence, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the scene.

Shortly after Ododo left the residence, the EFCC operatives ended their siege.

Bello was believed to have been rescued from his residence by Ododo.

Amid the drama, the Kogi high court delivered judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit, restraining the commission from “harassing, threatening to arrest or detaining” the former governor.

On the same day, the EFCC obtained a warrant of arrest against Bello from a federal high court in Abuja.

Subsequently, the anti-graft agency declared the former governor wanted, while the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) placed Bello on a watchlist.

In the statement, Michael said Bello is not a fugitive running from the law.

“Let it be known to all that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is not afraid of the EFCC, he is not a fugitive running from the Law. All he demands is that the rule of law be respected!!,” the statement reads.

Recall that the EFCC, in a statement on Monday, said Bello was invited when his tenure ended but he refused to honour the invitation.

On April 23, Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chair, said he invited Bello to his office for a dignified interrogation.

Olukoyede said Bello turned down the invitation and requested operatives to come to his village instead.

The media office dared the anti-graft agency to prove that Bello was ever invited.

“The EFCC stated that they invited Alhaji Yahaya Bello immediately after his tenure ended on the 27th of January 2024. We challenge the EFCC to publish a copy of the invitation delivered to Yahaya Bello,” the statement reads.

“They should also tell Nigerians the date the alleged invitation was delivered and who it was delivered to. We are certain that the EFCC will not be able to produce any of the foregoing as to date, they have yet to invite Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“Indeed, just about the end of his administration, several online news sites published that the EFCC would arrest the Governor as soon as he handed over power to his successor as they intended to charge him for alleged crimes committed as Governor of Kogi State.

“True to the stories, the EFCC on the 5th day of February 2023 in an ongoing trial of other persons, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 before Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, amended the Charge to include in Count 1 thereof, the allegation that Yahaya Bello conspired with others, including a Kogi State Government House Cashier, in September 2015, to convert the sum of 80 Billion.

“The news of the inclusion of his name in the Charge as usual was given wide publicity by the EFCC who still had not invited him but had described him as being at large.

“It was thus clear from the foregoing that the EFCC was out for mischief. A stage was being set to move in a gestapo manner to his home, lay siege there and violently arrest him with the aim of tarnishing his name and ruining his reputation as if he were a fugitive even though he was not invited.”

Michael accused the EFCC of violating the court order barring the agency from harassing the former governor.

“For the protection of his reputation, rights to presumption of innocence, liberty, and dignity of the human person, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as a Law abiding Citizen, caused to be filed a Fundamental Rights Enforcement action in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the 8th day of February 2024, at the High Court of Justice, Kogi State,” the media office said.

“The belief of the imminent dramatic arrest, which eventually occurred on the 17th of April 2024 in Abuja, was indeed predicted in paragraph 36(c) of the Affidavit in Support of the Originating Summons filed on the 8th of February 2024.

“Upon the above facts, particularly that he was to be investigated, invited, arrested, or prosecuted on an impossible allegation, the High Court granted him reprieve by restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting, and prosecuting him, pending the determination of the Originating Motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights. The said Order was served on the EFCC on the 12th day of February 2024.”

• Former Nigerian Football Star Endorses Adron Games as Platform for Sporting Talent

Former Nigerian football icon, Daniel Amokachi, has voiced his enthusiasm for the upcoming 2024 edition of the Adron Games, marking his participation in the prestigious event. Amokachi praised the tournament as a miniature National Sports Festival, highlighting its ability to unite athletes from all corners of the country.

Expressing his delight, Amokachi remarked, “It’s an honor to be part of the Adron Games 2024. The event serves as a showcase for the abundance of sporting talent within Nigeria. It’s like a mini National Sports Festival, where athletes of all ages come together to compete.”

Encouraging sports enthusiasts, Corporate bodies, and the general public to embrace the event’s festive atmosphere, Amokachi emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity to enjoy and experience the Games fully. He also stressed the significance of supporting initiatives like the Adron Games in advancing sports development nationwide.

Scheduled to commence in June and extend through August 2024, with the National finals set for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Adron Games Championship promises to be bigger and better than ever. According to Oladapo Emmanuel, Director of Operations at the Adron Sports Foundation, the tournament will feature over 64 teams competing in the football championship, with the winners advancing to the prestigious National finals.

Emmanuel further highlighted the broader objectives of the Adron Games, emphasizing its role in fostering team spirit, facilitating networking opportunities, and promoting a sense of responsibility among participants. With the backing of Adron Sports Foundation, a subsidiary of the renowned Nigerian real estate giant, Adron Homes and Properties Limited, the event aims to create lasting memories and ensure everyone involved has a fulfilling experience.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 edition of the Adron Games, the endorsement of Daniel Amokachi underscores the event’s significance within the Nigerian sporting landscape. Stay tuned for updates and coverage as the tournament unfolds, promising thrills, excitement, and a celebration of sporting excellence.