NEWS

Voting for Citizens' Day Awards has Commenced

Just Living Is Not Enough

Finalists have been announced for the citizens’ day awards and voting is now on. Visit www.solcitizensday.com to vote for your heroes. Voting ends May 24th, 2015.

Spirit of Lagos to Honour Exceptional Citizens on May 27

Spirit of Lagos, a behavioural transformation initiative, has announced it would hold an awards ceremony on May 27, 2015 to celebrate individual and corporate citizens of Lagos who have displayed selfless, civic responsibility and neighbourly acts to effect positive change in Lagos in the last few years.

Olaniyi Omotoso, Project Director, Spirit of Lagos, announced this at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, saying that the ceremony, tagged Citizens’ Day, is part of ongoing Spirit of Lagos activities to encourage Lagos residents to restore, share and protect those values that made Lagos great.

He informed that the awards ceremony which will be in three categories – individual, public service and corporate organizations – will be chaired by His Excellency, Babatunde Fashola, Executive Governor of Lagos State at a grand event to commemorate the 48th year of the creation of Lagos State.

The individual category includes Lifetime Achievement Award – for an elderly citizen, living or dead, who has impacted positively on the state; Award for Community Development – for a citizen who has impacted positively on his/her community; Award for Exceptional Community – for a community that has been able to do exceptional things through collaborative efforts; and Award for Exceptional Youth– for a young resident between the ages of 18 and 25 , with a strong commitment to societal good.

The Public Service categories include Lifetime Achievement Award, Role Model Award and Rising Star Award, and will reward employees of the Lagos State civil service who have demonstrated dedicated and excellent performances in the discharge of their duties.

The corporate organizations category will recognize and honour socially responsible corporate bodies – multinationals, emerging corporate bodies and small and medium scale enterprises – that have, in very tangible ways, given back to the society in which they operate.

According to Omotoso: “The award is to inspire and acknowledge good behavior as well as engender and sustain attitudinal change among Lagos residents. The search for these exceptional citizens and organizations will extend all the 57 LGAs/LCDAs in the state and will give residents of the locale the opportunity to identify and nominate those who they feel are worthy of the awards in their localities.”

He informed that a panel of judges made up of men and women of impeccable character and standing in the society will be appointed to screen and shortlist the prospective nominees who will subsequently go through a voting process by the public to determine the awardees.

Online version of the nomination forms are available on the Spirit of Lagos (SOL) website; http://www.solcitizensday.com/

Lagos State commends Spirit of Lagos’ Student Challenge initiative

The Director, Co-Curricular Services, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Marion Babs-Akinyeye, has commended the Spirit of Lagos for initiating the Students Challenge, an innovative platform for secondary school students in the state to proffer solutions to some of the social problems within their communities.

Mrs. Babs-Akinyeye made the commendation last weekend at the unveiling of the Students Challenge initiative at the Ministry of Education, Akoka, Lagos when students from select public schools in the six Local Education Districts in the state made presentations on how they would solve some of the challenges they face in their localities.

She said such an initiative was in tandem with the State Government’s efforts in ensuring overall development of various communities within the state.

“We commend the Spirit of Lagos for creating this wonderful platform for the students of the state to deploy their creativity in bringing about solutions to the challenges they face in their respective areas. We are impressed by the students’ display of creativity and great ideas that will complement the efforts of the state government in moving the state forward”, Mrs. Babs-Akinyeye stated.

She also commended the teachers for their efforts in grooming the students, which she noted were reflected in their project ideas as well as their presentation.

Speaking at the event, Olaniyi Omotoso, Project Director of the Spirit of Lagos said that the 2015 Spirit of Lagos Students’ Challenge was designed to enable students come up with ideas that they could work on as part of their contribution towards ensuring the restoration of the past glories of Lagos State.

He said that the Spirit of Lagos is a behavioural transformation initiative that challenges Lagos residents to restore, share and protect those values that made Lagos great, adding that the Challenge would enable students from the participating schools to come up with ideas that they could work on and that would at the same time improve the Lagos community.

Each of the participating schools was represented by a team of students who presented their project ideas, using scientific tools, equipment and drama, to a panel of judges. These students stated the source of their materials, their proposed mode of execution and how it would improve their communities. Omotoso informed the participating schools that they have up to three months to bring their ideas to life.

Ifesowapo Aboru Senior Secondary School, Alimosho proposed a device for heating up waste products such as plastics and cellophane to produce crude oil. Government College Ketu, Epe focused on the need to have maintenance culture as a habit in order to protect school infrastructure and other public infrastructure. They also came up with SOT (Save Our Treasure) and DIY (Do It Yourself) as slogans to drive maintenance culture among students and Lagos residents while Gberigbe Community Grammar School, Ikorodu identified ways of managing waste in their school.

Ajara Senior and Junior Secondary in Badagry are working on security consciousness and facilities within the school community. Agidingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja, isolated reading culture encouragement among students to improve success rates. The team from Ideal Junior and Senior Girls’ Secondary School, and Obele community Junior and Senior Secondary Schools’ project is on transforming the dilapidated sports field into a standard one.

Online version of the nomination forms are available on the Spirit of Lagos (SOL) website; http://www.solcitizensday.com/

Spirit of Lagos teaches Lagosians to Do the Right Thing for the elections

Lagosians and Nigerians in general will soon be heading to the polls to exercise their right to vote. Spirit of Lagos has undertaken an awareness campaign to educate Lagosians on how they should conduct themselves on election days.
As part of the campaign Spirit of Lagos teams are also visiting different areas of Lagos – Ijesha, Ojudu Berger Bus Stop, Aguda, Ikeja (Computer Village), Festac, Allen Avenue, Ojuwoye Market (Mushin), Retail Market Ogba, Ajegunle (Kalakuta Road), Ogba Bus Stop, Okokomiko Bus Stop, Oke-Ira (Ifako, Ogba), Alaba International Market and many more – to educate market women, transport workers etc. on the following issues:

– Sensitizing market men and women to participate in the Thursday market cleaning exercise.
– Pleading with them to not litter or deface Lagos state.
– Urging people to maintain orderliness at bus stops.
– Asking them to get their PVC and cast their vote on election days.
– Reminding them to remain orderly as they cast their vote.
– Educating them on the emergency number to dial (767) in case of any emergency.
– And encouraging people to make pledges on what they will do to make to Lagos better.

A flyer titled “Do the Right Thing” is also being distributed carrying the following message:

– Care for your neighbours like you would like to be cared for.
– Call 767 or 112 in emergency situations instead of just observing.
– Obey the laws of the land so that we can all live safely and peacefully.
– Treat everybody around you fairly.
– We are all valuable citizens regardless of our current position.
– Vote peacefully, it’s the right thing to do.
– Do not take your right to vote for granted.
– It is the way we choose those who lead and serve us.

You can also visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/spiritoflagos) to view pictures from the teams in the various areas of Lagos.

You can also connect with us on Twitter on www.twitter.com/spiritoflagos

Lagos State Commission brings to you,safe schools parents' watch conference

SAFE SCHOOLS PARENTS’ WATCH CONFERENCE
MAIDEN EDITION OF THE PARENTS’ CONFERENCE ON SCHOOL SAFETY

Venue: Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja.
Date: 24th November,2014.
Time: 10.00am prompt.

ADMISSION IS FREE
Please keep the date in your diary. Pre-registration is neccessary to avoid a stampede on the day. Delegates would be registered on a first come first served basis.

GET VALUABLE TIPS ON

Child Safety
School Safety
Positive Parenting

Do you know as a parent you have a role to play to ensure your children are safe and well protected both at home and school?

Do you care enough to know more about what the Lagos State Commission is doing to put parents in the driving seats of decisions bordering on safety in schools?

For further info:
Call +234 808 4074 769

Kindly send an email with your mobile number to schoolsafety@schoolrun.com.ng to register

School Safety theme Song
you and i for safety in schools you and i for safety in school you and i..you and i..you and i for safe Eko

Lets save the child

Lagos No Horn Day

WEDNESDAY, October 15, 2014 would have passed as any other day in Lagos State but for the noticeable calmness and quietude that characterized Lagos roads, thanks to the Lagos State declaration of the day as a No-Horn Day in the state. The announcement had come as one of those doomed idealistic and impracticable policies that various Nigerian governments come up with in their show of false thoughtfulness.

One was hard pressed to believe that Lagosians, infamous for their ill mannered road traffic disposition and noted for their penchant for noise pollution and self-centered habits, will obey some ‘trivial’ policy asking drivers in the state not to use their horns while driving on that day. I was even harder pressed to think that commercial bus drivers, notoriously known as Danfo drivers, who use their horns for various mundane reasons, will obey this policy.

The icing on the cake of this day was that the policy was never intended nor prosecuted by enforcement but through awareness, willing collaboration among interested corporate bodies and non-governmental organizations, and willing compliance of drivers in the state. All of these jointly worked to achieve the unexpected high level of compliance recorded by the organizers of the event.

Following the event on the social media left no one in doubt as to the huge success it recorded from all parts of the state. One wonders why there should be a No Horn’s Day in Lagos. Firstly, the availability of horns in motor vehicles is not by accident, but is a deliberate and well thought-out measure to avoid road mishaps and their ugly outcomes. After the first car accident, even before the car had a horn, it was mandatory for car owners to have someone ring a bell ahead to announce the approach of a vehicle. Secondly, it could be argued that no city in Nigeria is deserving of car horns more than Lagos with its huge human population, car density, traffic situation, road congestion, and the high incidence of traffic accidents.

The event came and went but not the experience, and definitely, not for the lessons. The level of success recorded by the policy despite the aforementioned issues is a case study into Lagosians’ disposition towards a better environment, a better Lagos.

Welfare has no coloration. One of the lessons from the day is that Lagosians are aware of their needs and are ready to come together to achieve or seek to achieve their common goals irrespective of who is championing the cause. Throughout the buildup of the campaign, there was no dissenting voice, at least, no noticeable one. Taking place in a penultimate election year with the charged political atmosphere as every political party is looking for reasons to attack one another; one expected that this policy would be used as a political tool by the opposition parties seeking to score cheap political goals. This did not happen.

With good arrangement, the devil could meet God. Another lesson from the activity is that with good organization, success is sure. One of the major success factors for the No Horn Day is the organization. The organizers sought and got the collaboration of major stakeholders – National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), many other NGOs and road traffic enforcement agencies in the state as well as many corporate organizations. Many of the stickers, fliers and posters that helped generate awareness were produced by these collaborating groups.

What is in it for us? According to Fashola, “This initiative is for our own good, it is for our own health, it is for our own life. It is not because Governor Fashola said so; it is not because Lagos State Government said so. It is simply because it is good for us. Doctors have told us it is for our own ultimate good.”

Hon. Kayode Opeifa, Lagos State Commissioner for Transport was a guest to many television and radio talk shows to explain the modalities for the day and to answer all the questions concerning the day. During the appearances, he spoke on the noise levels in the state and its implications to the residents and explained the benefits of the policy in such a way that many people understood what is in there for them and bought into the programme.

When there is a will, there is a way. Another critical success factor for the campaign is the will with which the organizers pursued the activity. The kind of will that contained the Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos and the will that demystified Oshodi and Obalende bus stops in Lagos and turned them from a dark spot and traffic dead-end to a crime-free zones with a free flowing traffic was replayed in this campaign. It was announced by the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and the organisers took it upon themselves to make a success of it.

Change is possible. Many look at Lagos State – the good, the bad and the ugly – and conclude that it is an irredeemable city. The biggest lesson from the No-Horn Day, for me, is that change is possible; that Lagosians can achieve attitudinal change that will make the state a better place. It should be a sign of hope for organizations and bodies like the Spirit Of Lagos, who seek to achieve a better Lagos, that a change of thinking is possible in Lagos State. On the No-Horn Day, Lagosians lived the call of Spirit of Lagos and actually changed their thinking. This spirit should be applied to all other facets of our daily living in Lagos State. And as we all were better for it on that No Horn Day, we will be better for it, going forward.

(Culled from http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/opinion/columnist/184426-udom-lagos-no-horn-day-matters-arising

A Day Without Horn In Lagos

Objectives
*To reduce noise pollution on our roads.
*To cultivate respect for other road users.
*To maintain and encourage road discipline.
*To improve road use courtesy.
*To avoid the indiscriminate use of horn.
*To be a defensive driver.
*To develop better road-user friendly (BRF) Lagosians.

What To Do
*Avoid the use of horn.
*Avoid the use of siren.
*Be patient, tolerant,courteous and road-user friendly (BRF).
*Obey Traffic rules and regulations.

Play Your Part
*Be a partner today, send the message to at least 100 people via Twitter, Facebook, Email, Instagram or SMS.

Safer roads, Safer drivers, Safer vehicles and Safer community.

Spirit of Lagos Song Competition

WHO ARE WE?
The Spirit of Lagos is a movement that launched its campaign of “restoring lost glory” in March 2014 and has since adopted the message “CHANGE YOUR THINKING”, with the understanding that when people think differently, they act differently. Our message is communicated daily through various media, challenging and encouraging Lagosians to re-adopt the fundamental values that once made Lagos great.

HOW CAN YOU HELP US?
Am glad you asked. The Spirit of Lagos initiative ➡️is taking root in the hearts and minds of residents of Lagos. Hence it has become necessary to find a theme song that captures the intent and essence of the initiative in a way that resonates with and inspires residents of Lagos. Who is qualified to do this if not Lagosians themselves thus the creation of the “Spirit of Lagos Theme Song Contest”. The theme song should reflect our core values which are:
• Social Justice: respect for all and preservation of our collective rights under the law.
• Civic responsibility: understanding that we all have a part to play in developing and sustaining our communities and public services.
• Citizenship: our voluntary commitment to knowing and maintaining the law.
• Good Neighbourliness: Doing unto others as we would like done unto us. One for all and all for one.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION?
• Participants must be resident in Lagos.
• The composition must not be longer than 3 minutes.
• You can only submit one entry.
• You can submit either a video or an audio recording.
• The music must be original and never been played before on any platform.
• All entries must be in any of these formats only: asf, asx, avi, divx, dv, dvx, m4v, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpg, qt, wmv, 3g2, 3gp, 3ivx or 3vx.
Please see Terms and Conditions on the website for full detail.

HOW TO SUBMIT?
The competition opens at Midnight of Monday September 1st of 2014 and closes 24th of October, 2014 by 11:59pm. There are three ways to submit your entry:

FACEBOOK
• Go to www.facebook.com/spiritoflagos and submit via the online app.
• Fill in your first name, surname and mobile number(s).
• You will be required to ‘like’ the Spirit of Lagos page before you can submit your entry.
• Once you have uploaded your entry, share with your friends to get them to vote for you.

TWITTER
• Submit entry by uploading a link to the video using the hashtag #SpiritofLagos
• Once you have uploaded your entry, share with your friends to get them to vote for you.

IN PERSON
You can drop a CD/DVD of your entry at either of these locations in an envelope addressed to:
• The Spirit of Lagos Theme Song Contest. 2 Abieyuwa Amadasun Street, off Oduduwa Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos State.
• The Spirit of Lagos Theme Song Contest. 26A Babatope Bejide Street, off Emma Abimbola Cole Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State. You must include your first name, surname, mobile number(s), and a Lagos address along with your submission.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
Just in case you were wondering if you would be giving us your song for free, well you won’t.
• 1st prize is N500, 000; 2nd prize is N200, 000 and 3rd prize is N100, 000. That’s not all –
The song with the most votes at the close of entries wins N50,000.
• The winning song will also get professionally produced and become the spirit of Lagos theme song.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
Entries will be narrowed down by a panel of judges based on: Originality, Creativity, Message, Balance & Blend and overall Acceptability. The final five songs will be re-posted online and played on radio for voting – the winning songs will be decided by people’s votes. The full panel of judges will be revealed in subsequent communication.

Spirit of Lagos unveils plans to restore Lagos

An octogenarian Pa Samuel Sode, a former policeman, has for long been nostalgic of the period when peace and security were easily taken for granted in Lagos.

Thus, he would always tell whoever cares to listen that in those days Lagos was usually referred to as home away from home. “I lived Dopemu with my wives and 15 children and we never had any cause to cry over insecurity.

In those days, there was no influx of people and residents lived peacefully with one another. Also, I usually trekked from Dopemu to the airport in company of my immediate family and there was never a time any of us was hit by a vehicle.

Also, paying a visit to the market was never a problem as there was a high level of discipline; the markets were well structured while traders were unwilling to play smart on the buyers. At various bus-stops, there was nothing like pick-pocketing or robbery as residents were contended while the government was out to serve the citizenry. Shaking his head in dismay at what has become of Lagos over the years to the present, Pa Sode said: “Residents lived in harmony with one another and there was a high level of discipline, especially in homes, schools, offices and churches.

“Nowadays, the reverse is the case; indiscipline has gradually set in and Lagos has almost lost its special features as evil thrive daily in various homes. A place which was hitherto was referred to as a ‘small London’ has more or less become a no man’s land with various atrocities thriving in every sector !”

The octogenarian did not stop there as he lamented thus: “Now that I am close to the grave, I wish I can rewind the clock and turn the State to what it used to be. I want to enjoy peace like before, a neat environment, road free from gridlock and a high sense of discipline in every sector”.

But relief seem to have come the way of Pa Sode and all who share his sentiment as some concerned residents of the State, have taken it upon themselves to restore the lost glory of the State.

The concerned citizens, through an initiative called “The Spirit of Lagos” have introduced various programmes packaged by these concerned citizens, there is hope that Lagos can still become what it used to be. One of the programmes meant to sanitise residents, took place recently with Ebute-Ero, Makoko and Oworonshoki as take-off points.

The concerned citizens arrived each venue with canoes flying their banners on the lagoon while the project coordinator Mr Olaniyi Omotosho, took time to address residents on attitudinal changes in the State, saying we all have responsibilities to return the lost glory of Lagos.

Olaniyi said the sudden change in the citizenry’s behaviour was as a result of population explosion through migration from different parts of the country. “The unique value that were present in Lagos are getting eroded gradually. However, we want to bring back those values again and present them to Lagosians,” he said.

According to him, the group has designed a better way to make things work for them, one of which was to make people understand the need to be part of the new development.

“There was a time in Lagos when everybody understood the need to be part of the development, that is why we joined organisations like Boys Scout, Boys Brigade, and voluntary organisations did some things because we realised we had a role to play. This time around, people do not care about what goes wrong in their environment but we believe things will work out fine,” he said.

Olaniyi enjoined people to cultivate the spirit of togetherness which “is no longer in existence; in those days people were interested in their neighbours and looked after their children. This time around, nobody cares about about this and people now go in different directions. Also, we need to understand the laws of the land which has gradually faded away. We are introducing the whole idea about the Spirit of Lagos, the initiative is a long term plan”.

On why the choice of some coastal communities, he said,”the name Lagos came out of water and we hope to bring back what Lagos truly represented”.

Also, a member of the group Solaboludele Simoyan, said residents have the responsibility to contribute their own quota towards the development of a new Lagos. “Being a part of the society, we must contribute our quota and think of what to do to help Lagos to grow. If you want Lagos to be clean, learn to dispose refuse properly, use the pedestrian bridge and obey traffic lights, there are so many things we can do to make Lagos great,” she added.

(Culled from http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/spirit-lagos-unveils-plans-restore-lagos/#sthash.J4khcaKs.dpuf)

Spirit of Lagos: Preaching attitudinal change to Lagos residents

Lagos the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and one of the most populous cities in Africa has always been a destination point for many from time immemorial. Those who were around in Lagos many years back recall stories of how peace thrived in the society as well as how it is referred to as Africa’s London.

Today, the big question on the lips of many is what went wrong and at what point in time did Lagos became a ‘mind your business’ town? Senior Reporter Anthonia Soyingbe in this report makes an attempt to x-ray the activities of Spirit of Lagos group as well as take a look at the degeneration of right attitude in Lagos.

Despite the many developmental strides in Lagos today through the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, many seem not to connect with it because they feel it has no personal benefit to them. Somebody needs to be reminded that the processes taken to achieve development are not always friendly.

However, the end result brings joy to many. How and when did people get it wrong?

Passionate about negative attitude of individuals which in turn have negative effect, some concerned individuals under the umbrella of The Spirit of Lagos have taken it upon themselves through public enlightenment and living right to bring back the lost glory of Lagos.

The Spirit of Lagos group is all about the life of Lagos. It is the embodiment of all things good about Lagos and the very lifeline that connects its glorious past with its future that every resident of Lagos who seeks a sane environment longs for.

According to history Lagos ‘The Land of Aquatic Splendor’ developed through the selfless contributions of the residents. Today, the reverse seems to be the case. It is generally believed now that the only way to make it in Lagos is to out-smart the other person.

Gone were the good old days when the younger ones stand up for elders to sit in public places without being told, the days when children walk to and from school without the fear of kidnappers or being hit by reckless drivers.

Those around in Lagos in the 1970s will not forget in hurry the beautiful and orderly and how living in Lagos was a thing of joy. Lagos developed through the selfless contributions of its residents based on clear understanding that everyone has a part to play in the wellbeing of their environment.

Civic responsibilities then taught in schools and at home and lived out through voluntary organizations was the bedrock of society and the base for character building. This is the true spirit of Lagos which must be restored and preserved as it was in the beginning.

Addressing newsmen recently in Lagos, the project coordinator Niyi Omotosho who displayed passion for the re-birth of a safe Lagos said, “We can talk from today till next year, but it is meaningless unless we all understand that there is a responsibility which lies within us to make our world a better place. We should also take cognisance of the fact that government cannot do everything for us so we should make it a point of duty to contribute our own quota to bringing back the lost glory of Lagos. This includes neighborliness living a life worthy of emulation. We should all volunteer to do something good and positive for our society.We are tired of telling our children how beautiful Lagos was and restore everything for them. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the right step, we all should take the right step and bring back the lost glory of this land”

The spirit of Lagos is the life of Lagos. It is the embodiment of all things good about Lagos and the very lifeline that connects its glorious past with the future that we dream of.

“Why a dream? Because this once vibrant, courageous, neighbourly, law abiding, enterprising yet responsible, fun loving, mole breaking and accommodating spirit, has been challenged and diluted by a combination of factors that love what it represents but are unlearned about its workings and the grace, energy, resilience and excellence that made it triumph and sustained it.

There is now the need to revisit its fundamentals, restore them, share them and protect them. For this dream to become a reality, there is no doubt about the need for the residents of Lagos to start thinking change as a precursor for a change in behaviour necessary to complement and sustain the extraordinary physical infrastructural and economic development going on in the state,” Omotosho added.

Unearthing the Spirit of Lagos, Omotosho looked into four cardinal dimension of human endeavours; social justice, civic responsibility, neighborliness and citizenship. “Nowhere is the true spirit of Lagos better demonstrated than the way we relate with and care for one another especially the vulnerable. It is an indication of the closeness of larger human family demonstrated by ‘all for one, one for all’. Lagos personified this bond of humanity and this sprit should be restored to challenge the pervading self-interest inclination that society is gradually slipping into. Messaging this campaign will clearly demonstrate that the good of all is the true spirit of Lagos,” Omotosho enthused.

Proper disposal of waste, obeying traffic rules, are some of the many ways lovers and residents of Lagos can help restore the lost glory. For Lagos to truly take its place in the league of cities, its residence must embrace the citizenship spirit as manifested in all aspects of living including, traffic, sanitation, safety and patriotism. The journey of a thousand mile begins with the right step. Doing the right thing is the only antidote to a sense of entitlement and reliance on others and government.

[Culled from http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/02/spirit-of-lagos-preaching-attitudinal-change-to-lagos-residents/]

Spirit of Lagos Poised To Bring Back The Old Lagos

Project Director of Spirit of Lagos, Olaniyi Omotoso, says the memories of the old Lagos he witnessed as a child but which has been lost to evolution led to the creation of ‘Spirit of Lagos’.

He noted that Lagos has always been a land of opportunities and with these also came responsibilities. However, the development has robbed the city of its old beauty and there is a need change that trend.

He said that the focus of the Spirit of Lagos was to bring back the good old days of a safe and beautiful Lagos, and the way they are going about that would be to bring back the history of Lagos and tell it to the people as a means of inspiring the desire to want to re-enact and enjoy that mien.

A series of events have been lined up to start this mission to bring to the fore, the spirit of Lagos. Music and drama would be part of the items lined up to achieve this. There are also series of personality modelling, in which there would be focus on the lifestyle of selected persons who represent the true Lagosian, as they intend to make Lagos residents build a better sense of responsibility in their attitude to the welfare of the city.

A consultant for the project, Professor Adeniji, was also on the programme to provide an historic angle to the mission of the ‘Spirit of Lagos’.

Prof Adeniji noted that indeed an average Lagosian would never want to leave the city despite the complaints about the stress and chaos in Lagos; a phenomenon that describes the Spirit of Lagos which draws people in a special manner.

He noted that the activities of the Spirit of Lagos are not just events but a process to create the right attitude where people need to be more responsible for that city they call home. “Do your part”, he said.

(Culled from http://www.channelstv.com/2014/03/22/spirit-of-lagos-poised-to-bring-back-the-old-lagos/)

Group unveils plans to kick out indiscipline in Lagos

While hawkers were at one end of the road, street traders occupied the other end. To compound the problem, mini-bus (danfo) drivers busied themselves with picking and dropping passengers in unauthorised places.

Metro-pixBeggars were not left out as they pestered the motorists to come to their aid. All these were happening when the fully loaded commercial bus took off from Ikorodu enroute Oshodi.

At Ogolonto, there was a traffic jam which stretched to some kilometres. It was so chaotic that instead of the usual 20 minutes, the commuters spent three hours before alighting at Oshodi.

At the popular Mile 12, the passengers were ‘greeted’ by the offensive odour from the heaps of refuse at Akanimodo market. Surprised by what he saw, one of the passengers who identified himself as Jimmy Charles asked the conductor why people allowed refuse to become mountains.

Jimmy who recently returned to Nigeria from Spain where he had lived for many years, was flattened by the response of the conductor. Are you a ‘’JJC’ (Jonny just come)?” he retorted. Alighting at Oshodi, Jimmy who was going to see some friends at Ajegunle, boarded another bus to Boundary.

He was upset when some street urchins popularly called area boys, emerged from no-where at Mile Two and started demanding for money from the driver in a very unruly manner. By the time Jimmy alighted at Berger Suya, he became totally downcast as the Nigeria of his dream had faded away. The popular suja joint was an eyesore with refuse dotting the entire landscape.

These acts of indiscipline have become a recurring decimal in Lagos, the acclaimed “Centre of Excellence”. Apparently upset by these ugly scenarios, a rescue group – Spirit of Lagos- has pledged to restore sanity to the mega-city. The group said it has initiated projects to actualise this dream.

One of such projects took off last Friday at Kofo Abayomi Street of Lagos Island. The Project Coordinator, Mr Niyi Omotosho said restoring the lost glory of Lagos is paramount to the group.

According to him, the Spirit of Lagos seeks to bring about an attitudinal change through fundamental re-orientation of the citizenry. The group which has been in existence for about four years, charged motorists to suppress the animalistic instinct in them and voluntarily obey traffic light at road junctions even when they are not under the watch of traffic wardens.

Why would a trader choose to display his wares on a pedestrian bridge on an expressway and inhibiting human movement?” he asked. He wondered why reasonable people will close major roads and streets in the name of holding parties. Omotosho decried the attitude of local government officials who give out such permits.

Why would people fold their arms and expect manna to fall from heaven. We can’t leave things in the hands of government without doing our part in our interest. The Spirit of Lagos is the embodiment of all things good about Lagos and the very lifeline that connects its glorious past with its future that we dream of.

Historically, Lagos has always been a fair and just place to live both in terms of access to recourse for injustice and a collective responsibility to fight wrong to an individual or a group.

History is replete with examples of these acts of liberation that make everyone free in Lagos. These will be reenacted and presented to reawaken Lagosians to a spirit that should never die through indifference and a lack of information of all that the government continues to put in place to ensure justice for all in Lagos,”he said.

A concerned citizen and member of the group, Anthony Ajero, echoed Omotosho’s concern, saying: “No society thrives without a clear understanding of and a commitment to what it means to be a citizen and a willingness to comply with those rules.

Voluntary commitment to maintain law and order is the basis for peaceful enjoyment for all. For Lagos to truly take its place in the league of cities, its residents must embrace the citizenship spirit as manifested in all aspects of living including, traffic, sanitation, health and safety and patriotism,” he said.

(Culled from http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/group-unveils-plans-kick-indiscipline-lagos/#sthash.Nvgq8tQO.dpuf)