… Agency Urges Residents to Stop Patronising Cart Pushers

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified its enforcement and clean-up operations across the state to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and maintain environmental sustainability.

The agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, emphasised LAWMA’s unwavering commitment to keeping Lagos clean, noting that the monitoring and enforcement team had been mobilised to ensure compliance with waste management laws of the state.

He said, “LAWMA remains resolute in stamping out illegal waste disposal and environmental violations. Our Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Anti-Cart Pushers Squad has been actively dislodging illegal waste operators who contribute to the degradation of our environment. We urge residents to desist from patronising them and instead work with registered PSP operators for proper waste disposal.”

Gbadegesin said the enforcement team recently carried out major operations in areas like Ifako-Ijaiye, Dopemu, Agege, Ojodu Berger, and other parts of Lagos, apprehending cart pushers known for collecting waste and dumping it at unauthorised locations, stressing that such activities violated environmental laws and undermined the state government’s efforts at maintaining a clean and livable city.

He warned that ignorance of the law is not an excuse and anyone caught engaging in cart pushing would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The LAWMA boss further noted that the Authority had also commenced the evacuation of waste from illegal dumpsites along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, particularly behind Circle Mall, adding that the operation, simultaneously taking place at Mile 2 Badagry expressway, would continue in the coming weeks, in line with the agency’s ongoing efforts to clear accumulated waste, remove silt along the median and verges and prevent indiscriminate disposal along highways.

In a separate exercise, LAWMA has intensified efforts to clean up Lagos waterways, ensuring that rivers and water bodies remain free of waste and blockages. The initiative is aimed at reducing environmental pollution and promoting cleaner water channels across the state.

Gbadegesin urged Lagosians to support LAWMA’s initiatives in 2025, by properly disposing of their waste, reporting service gaps, and calling the agency’s helplines for backup waste collection services.

“A cleaner Lagos is achievable when everyone plays their part. We urge residents to work with assigned PSP operators, report waste-related infractions, and adopt responsible waste disposal habits. Together, we can create a cleaner and healthier city for all,” he added.

For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or visit www.lawma.gov.ng.

Access Bank Appoints Uche Orji as Independent Non-Executive Director

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Uche Orji as an Independent Non-Executive Director of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’), effective from January 7, 2025, following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (‘CBN’).

This appointment reflects our commitment to enhancing our governance practices and ensuring a diverse and experienced board.

Mr. Orji is a renowned investment banking professional, information technology entrepreneur, and finance expert with three (3) decades of professional and board experience. He is the Co-founder and Partner of Titangate Capital Management, an equity firm that invests in deep-tech, enterprise software, semi-conductors, hardware, and artificial intelligence companies.

He is the Founder and Director of Vitesse Africa Limited, an investment advisory firm focused on African energy, technology and infrastructure sectors. He serves as an Executive Board member and investor in Ultrasafe AI, an artificial intelligence/IT development firm that maintains strategic collaborations with leading technology companies. He also sits on the Board of Private Infrastructure Development Group, London, and chairs the Risk Committee.

Previously, Mr. Orji served as the founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. He held positions as Managing Director and Senior Analyst at UBS Securities Limited New York and Managing Director and Head of European Technology/Semiconductor Equity Research at JP Morgan Securities, London. He also served as Executive Director/Portfolio Manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, London. Earlier in his career, he was Acting Financial Controller at Diamond Bank Limited and an Audit Trainee at Arthur Andersen & Co.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Port-Harcourt and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, the Chairman of the Bank said:

“Mr. Orji has been appointed based on his exceptionally rich professional, academic, and corporate board experience which will be invaluable to the Bank as we continue to pursue our strategic objectives.

We are confident that his addition to the Board would further enrich the quality of our decision-making process, enabling us to deliver even greater value to our customers and stakeholders.

His appointment has been made in accordance with the Bank’s internal policies and has been notified to all relevant regulatory authorities underscoring our commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.

On behalf of the Board, Management and staff, I warmly welcome Mr. Orji to the Board and look forward to his contributions towards our goal of becoming one of the top 5 African Banks in the shortest possible time.”

Go and List Your Challenges, Lagos Speaker tells NANS Member During Courtesy Visit

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lagos State University (LASU) branch, on Friday paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

The student representatives said the visit was to congratulate Meranda over her emergence as Speaker of the State Assembly.

Meranda, an alumnus of LASU, was elected Speaker on January 13 after the removal of Mudashiru Obasa by the lawmakers over issues relating to alleged high-handedness and financial impropriety.

Describing her as a thoroughbred Lagosian, the chairman of NANS, Abdulraheem Azeez, used the opportunity to list some of the challenges faced by students in the university.

According to him, students have had to read in darkness as the Ikeja campus gets less than two hours of power supply daily.

Azeez also raised the need for the State to make available loans for indigent students as well as for the Assembly to provide opportunities for students to witness the plenary of the House.

Meranda, while thanking the students for the visit, urged them to always attend town-hall meetings in their constituencies where they can contribute and make their opinions known.

She further encouraged them to apply for the loans initiated by the government as done by students in other countries.

The Speaker requested the students to formally send their complaints in written forms to the House for action.