Alausa Alert February 2014

Another Medical Feat From LASUTH I n what has become a norm, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), which has become synonymous with recording medical firsts, has recorded yet another medical feat by successfully carrying out the first corrective surgery on two patients with severe hearing challenges. The Institution's Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, in conjunction with the Cochlear Foundation, University of Freiburg, Germany , implanted Cochlear, a hearing - dele johnson device that helps convert sound into impulses which enables patients hear and understand, in two patients. Speaking on this outstanding performance, Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof Adewale Oke, described the surgery as another feat in the hospital's quest to provide excellent healthcare for the people of the state. He stated that the mission will, to a very large extent, improve selfesteem and build social confidence in patients , who as a result of loss of hearing, isolated themselves from societal engagements. Chairman, LASUTH Board, Dr. Olatunde Williams ,said that Freiburg University and LASUTH have found a lasting solution to a long standing problem through Cochlear Implantation in deaf people. It is a good thing to find a lasting solution to a long standing problem and that Continued on Page 6 Vol. 9, No 2, February 2014 LASG Makes 31 Residents Home Owners - bode lawal, seyi akitoye & wasiu sanni H istory was made on Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 when the ever dynamic and innovative Fasholaled administration made thirty one (31) residents of the state new home owners, courtesy of the State government’s Home Ownership Scheme (LAGOS HOMS). It was a moment of joy and ecstasy as hundreds of curious Lagosians thronged the LTV Blue Roof, venue of the big draw, to witness how the pre-qualilfied applicants realised their dreams of becoming home owners through a transparent public ballot supervised by a very excited Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and other dignitaries, including the First Governor of the State, BrigadierGeneral Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd) and first civilian Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The event got to the climax when the Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, picked the first draw of two winners for one-bedroom apartment at Shitta Estate in Surulere, won by Mrs Safurat Owoyemi and Mr. Jubril Omotayo Omosuyi Ajayi. The selection was done after the First Lady, Dame Emmanuela Abimbola Fashola, had inspected the draw boxes and placed the ballot envelopes in them, according to the preferences of the applicant. Former Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye picked the only draw for an apartment in Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha Estate, Ijaye, Ojokoro, won by Mr. Abayomi Sylvester Akintoye, followed by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson who picked the first set of successful winners in the Honourable Olaitan Mustapha Estate Ijaiye Ojokoro. He made four new home owners out of the 36 names earlier selected for that particular scheme. Mr. Abayomi Oluremekun, Mrs. Adebisi Akinyele, Mr. Oluseyi Continued on Page 4 Dangote To Invest $9 Billion In Lekki Free Trade Zone - seyi akitoye I n line with the growing confidence of investors in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has expressed his desire to invest the sum of $9b to build refineries and petrochemical company in the zone. Governor Babatunde Fashola who expressed joy at the coming of the Dangote firm to the zone , said the situation signals a breakthrough in the quest to fast track development in the zone. He explained that the frosty relationship between his administration and the host communities had been resolved, noting that misunderstandings were bound to happen in every relationship. “We have reached an agreement in public. There has been a clear understanding today. We spoke in both local language and dialect and you can see that by clear show of hands the people themselves have given their support. It wasn't a voice vote; it was a unanimous show of hands that they want this project; so we are ready to go”. LASG SPENDS N500M ON TRAINING OF TEACHERS A s a strategy of improving the capacity of its teachers and make them cope with the challenges of their job, Lagos State has spent the sum of N500m on the training and capacity enhancement of teachers between 2010 and 2013. Furthermore, the state has approved the connection of 800 public schools into the public water supply, while 25 out of 34 institutions in Yaba area of the city would, in the next few weeks, have full broadband connection to the switch board. Speaking at the formal introduction of the proposed Dangote Refineries and Petrochemical Company to host communities ,signaling the formal takeoff of the multibillion naira investment at the zone, Dangote, commended Governor Babatunde Fashola ( SAN), for establishing the zone, noting that it holds enormous economic benefits for the state and the country. The Governor was of the view that government owes it a duty to ensure that whatever misunderstandings that occur do not disrupt the activities in the trade zone. Speaking in Lagos at the Breakfast and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards Meeting under the Support Our Schools Initiative, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), stated that in order to ensure sustainable utilization of facilities provided in the educational facilities, government has put in place a maintenance programme for schools in the state, adding that . a standard template has been developed for fixing broken windows and broken chairs, bulbs etc. Furthermore, teachers in the state have been given the responsibility for ensuring that teachers report whatever is going wrong in their classroom and that such observations be forwarded to the school principal who will collate,