Tag: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Categories
News

Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Alebiosu at 90, Hails Him as ‘Stabiliser’ of Lagos Politics

Otunba Busura Alebiosu, an elder statesman and member of the Governance Advisory Council, was congratulated on his 90th birthday by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Alebiosu, popularly known as Otunba Gbelegbuwa of Ijebuland and the Chairman of the Council of Otunbas of Ijebuland, will turn 90 on Friday, April 24.

Sanwo-Olu referred to Alebiosu as a “stabiliser and leader of leaders” who has made important contributions to Lagos State politics and governance in a statement released on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.

Additionally, the governor commended the nonagenarian for his decades-long participation in public service and party politics, noting his influence in shaping the political landscape of the state since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.

“On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, family, the government and the people of Lagos State, as well as leaders and members of our dear party, All Progressives Congress, I celebrate our elder statesman and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Otunba Busura Alebiosu, on his 90th birthday,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He recalled Alebiosu’s political journey, including his time as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Somolu/Kosofe State Constituency, and his participation in Lagos politics from the era of Sir Michael Otedola through the aborted Third Republic to the present democratic dispensation.

Since he was chosen to serve in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Baba Alebiosu has maintained faith in the political system. From the Sir Michael Otedola era through the failed Third Republic to the current Fourth Republic, he has actively participated in Lagos politics,” the governor stated.

Alebiosu is “one of our leading lights,” according to Sanwo-Olu, who also noted that he possesses unique leadership traits.

He is one of our brightest stars. Baba Bush is a man with a great deal of experience and understanding, and I regard him as a stabilizer. More significantly, he is composed, honorable, and modest. He said, “I see leadership qualities in him that are uncommon among political leaders.”

The Governor prayed for the celebrant’s sustained health and mental clarity.

He said, “I hope you stay well for the rest of your life, have a clear head, and be able to continue leading us effectively. You’ll keep living with your head held high as you become older.”

Categories
Entertainment News News

Lagos govt breaks silence, reacts to Peller’s viral ₦36m tax claim, says ‘all earners must pay tax’

The Lagos State Government has reacted to the viral claims by popular TikTok creator, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, that he was issued a N36 million tax bill by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said on Tuesday that the LIRS is an independent body responsible for assessing and issuing tax judgments on behalf of the government.

Peller, a 20-year-old influencer who gained popularity in 2024, had expressed outrage during a livestream with singer Peruzzi, alleging that the government asked him to pay N36m in income tax.

He argued that he had only recently come into the limelight and questioned why he should be saddled with such a huge tax bill.

“The task force said I should pay N36m in tax. I swear to Almighty Allah, I don’t have anything. I only came into the limelight last year. Why should I pay N36m? Why will the government take money from me when it has never given me anything, not even TikTok support?” Peller lamented.

In response, Ogungbo said that while he would review the specifics of Peller’s case, taxation remains a civic duty for anyone earning income within Lagos State.

“Anybody who earns legitimately is required by Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare their income honestly and pay tax. So while the context of the size and quantum of this particular case needs to be properly investigated, the principle remains that anyone earning must remit taxes,” he explained.

Speaking on taxation for digital creators, Ogungbo added that new reforms now cover virtual transactions and digital assets.

“Irrespective of whether you earn physically or virtually, once you reside in Lagos and benefit from the state’s infrastructure, you are expected to pay tax here, unless you can prove you are paying to another jurisdiction, for instance, maybe you’re based outside the country, you have to prove to the authority here that you were paying to the other state or other national. But if your income, which you earn here virtually or online and you stay here, and you want to do something with the Lagos State Government, then you’re bound to remit your tax here.” he said. “But I do not have this particular case on my table for me to determine. Because we have a body (the LIRS) that is autonomous and that is very efficient in what they do. So Let me investigate and revert to you.”

The Special Adviser stressed that the LIRS operates with autonomy and efficiency but promised to engage the agency on Peller’s matter before giving further clarification.

Meanwhile, the LIRS has not officially commented on the TikToker’s criticisms.

Attempts to reach the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, on Monday and Tuesday were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.

Categories
Entertainment News

Sanwo-Olu Approves 25% Fare Discount For Regulated Buses, Rail Transport

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced 25 per cent discount on regulated bus and rail transports in the state.
The announcement comes after the expiration of the 50 per cent rebate earlier granted by Sanwo-Olu when the fuel subsidy was removed by President Bola Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu had on 2nd August, 2023 announced a 50% discount in fare on regulated transport bus and rail transport which ended on Sunday.
Many Lagosians were taken aback when the fare for BRT and others suddenly jumped up on Monday, signalling the removal of the 50 percent rebate.
But a statement issued by the Kolawola Ojelabi, Head, Corporate Communication, Lagos Area Metropolitan Authority (LAMATA), late Monday night said responding to calls for the reinstatement of the 50% rebate on fare for regulated bus and rail transport, Governor Sanwo-Olu has directed the implementation of 25 per cent discount beginning Tuesday, 7th November 2023.
 
“Following appeals to the Governor, he has extended the passenger fare reduction by 25% across the regulated bus and rail transport services until another review is announced.
 
“Within the three months period of the rebate, the pump price of diesel jumped from N867 in August to N1,300 in November 2023 representing about 50 per cent jump,” Ojelabi said.
Categories
Entertainment News

Victim Of Lagos Governor’s Demolition Exercise In Oworonshoki Loses Pregnant Wife, Child At Birth Over High Blood Pressure

A resident from Oworonshoki and Idi Araba communities, located in the Kosofe and Mushin local government areas of Lagos State, is now mourning the loss of his pregnant wife and their newborn child after the Lagos State government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, demolished their homes without offering alternative housing.

The victim said that his wife died on Friday as a result of high blood pressure following the demolition of their home and destruction of properties.

He added that since their home was demolished by the state government, his pregnant wife developed high blood pressure that never went down until her death.

SaharaReporters had reported that the state government through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources issued the affected residents only one week’s notice to vacate their homes, after which, the residents were thrown into lamentation as their homes were crushed down by the state government who provided them with no alternative shelters.

The affected residents have been protesting to register their grievances and plight over the continued demolition of their houses, without providing them with alternative homes and livelihood.

The residents have protested and marched along the streets of the area with various cards bearing various inscriptions including “Let us breathe, stop the demolition” “Our future is being truncated, stop the demolition” “No to Land grabbing” and “Don’t get elected to get us evicted.”

The protesting residents, including the aged, pregnant women and nursing mothers whose only homes have been demolished have demanded that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should provide them with new houses and compensate them for destroying their properties.

About Us

626blaze is an entertainment and lifestyle website that brings you latest gist and scoops from the world of music, fashion, movies, sports and social commentary.

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletters