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By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, declaring that the initiative is now a permanent feature of efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
The assurance came during the second edition of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise held simultaneously across Lagos yesterday.
The wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who led the exercise in Alimosho Local Government Area, was joined by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab; the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Rotimi Akodu; members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO); and other senior government officials.
The Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, coordinated monitoring activities in the Apapa area alongside top government functionaries.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Wahab commended the level of cleanliness observed in Alimosho, describing it as one of the cleanest local government areas in the state.
“We observed that some local governments are very clean, and this local government appears to be one of them. We cleaned up some areas and will continue to encourage the chairman and his team, as well as community leaders, to deepen engagement with residents on environmental cleanliness,” he said.
The commissioner praised the local government for maintaining waste management facilities, including compactors used for evacuating refuse.
Wahab stressed that environmental sanitation remains a priority despite public holidays and festivities.
“We had the Sallah celebration three days ago, and there were other festivities yesterday, but today we are cleaning our environment because we are committed to ensuring that every last Saturday of the month is observed as Lagos Environmental Sanitation Day,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the movement of commercial vehicles during sanitation hours and the low participation of some residents, Wahab noted that compliance was generally encouraging.
“In fairness, we did not find many commercial buses on the roads. We have communicated with the relevant stakeholders. As for residents, we will continue to engage and educate them on the importance of dedicating just two hours each month to cleaning their surroundings,” he stated.
According to him, the government is focused on building a lasting culture of environmental responsibility among Lagos residents.
He clarified that the state was not imposing movement restrictions but rather promoting voluntary compliance through sustained public enlightenment.
“This exercise was suspended for almost ten years. Bringing it back in a state with a large youth population requires strategic communication and persuasion. We are taking the message of conviction to the people,” Wahab added.
Also speaking, Agoro underscored the importance of environmental cleanliness in safeguarding public health.
“We are serious about cleaning our environment. Nobody wants to live in a dirty environment. A clean environment promotes good health and helps reduce the spread of diseases,” he said.
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While advocating voluntary compliance, the Head of Service warned that violators of environmental laws would face appropriate sanctions.
“It is not about punishment but about encouraging people to do the right thing. However, where there are violations, there will be enforcement by the Ministry of the Environment. Our goal is to create a society where people naturally understand that indiscriminate waste disposal is unacceptable,” Agoro stated.
I’m authentic PDP governorship candidate in Enugu — Nnamani
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Samson Nnamani, has insisted that he remains the authentic flag bearer of the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Nnamani made the declaration during a press briefing in Enugu, where he dismissed claims of factionalisation within the PDP and described reports of his suspension as politically motivated.
Addressing journalists on the leadership crisis in the party, Nnamani maintained that there was no longer any faction in the PDP, insisting that the structure recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained the authentic one.
“We are all aware that the Supreme Court has given verdicts concerning the authenticity of any faction. I want to categorically state it now that there is no longer faction in PDP.
“The one recognised by INEC is the authentic PDP. INEC has responded to the court verdict and recognised the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led PDP,” he stated.
Nnamani dismissed his purported suspension from the party, describing it as a “kangaroo action” by political opponents. “All these purported suspension of Samson Nnamani are just kangaroo things that politicians do. But what they don’t know is that they don’t understand the game. We are ahead of them,” he said.
He questioned the legitimacy of those behind the suspension, alleging that they still recognised him during the primary election process.
“You said you suspended somebody, and on the day you conducted what you called your election, you recognised the same person you suspended and counted votes for him,” he added.
The PDP governorship candidate further claimed that he was the only aspirant who actively mobilised party members across the 17 local government areas during the primary election.
“Samson Nnamani went for primaries. He is the only person that participated actively in mobilising PDP members for the primary election. We have the records in all the 17 local governments,” he stated.
He maintained that the primary election that produced him as the PDP governorship candidate was duly monitored by INEC officials from Abuja.
“The primary election that brought Samson Nnamani to be the flag bearer was duly supervised by INEC officials sent from Abuja. Members of the electoral panel declared him winner,” he added.
