This decision marks a notable shift from the initial screening process.

Among the prominent figures successfully confirmed by the Assembly are the former Commissioners for Health and Information and Strategy, Professor Akin Abayomi and Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, respectively. Notably, both nominees had faced rejection during the initial screening.

However, on this occasion, the Assembly opted to reject former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, who had also been previously rejected in the first list submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Likewise, the former Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Olalere Odusote, faced a second rejection by the Assembly.

In an additional decision, the House chose to defer the confirmation process for a new nominee, Tolani Akibu, indicating further deliberation.

The 15 individuals who have now been officially confirmed as cabinet-member-designates are Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medem, Mrs. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, Mrs. Barakat Bakare, Mr. Olugbenga Omotosho, Mr. Mosopefoluwa George, Dr. Yekini Agbaje, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, Dr. Iyabode Ayoola, and Sola Giwa.

The confirmation came after a thorough and meticulous assessment of the nominees by an ad hoc committee led by Hon. Fatai Mojeed, the Chief Whip of the House.

Presiding over the plenary on Wednesday, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, expressed appreciation for the committee’s diligence in conducting the screening process.

He reminded the confirmed nominees of their duty to serve the people of the state rather than individual interests.

Assuring the public of the House’s continued dedication to the welfare of the state, Speaker Obasa conducted a voice vote, announcing the names of the approved nominees. Concurrently, the lawmakers declined approval for 17 of the nominees.

The confirmed list encompasses Layode Ibrahim, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Bola Olumegbon, Mr. Idris Aregbe, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Mr. Moruf Fatai, Mr. Kayode Bolaji-Roberts, Engr. Abiola Olowu, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, Mr. Yakub Alebiosu, Mr. Lawal Pedro, Mr. Tunbosun Alake, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, Dr. Jide Babatunde, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, and Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo.

Conversely, the following individuals were not granted confirmation by the House: Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Mr. Yomi Oluyomi, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, Ms. Barakat Bakare, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, Engr. Olalere Odusote, Dr. Rotimi Fashola, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, Mr. Sam Egube, Mr. Olalekan Fatodu, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Mr. Mosopefolu George, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi, and Dr. Olumide Oluyinka.

This is as the House listed poverty, insecurity and devolution of power as major issues that must be addressed in the country.

The House, therefore charged the Federal Government to urgently solve the challenge of poverty in Nigeria.

The Assembly also urged the National Assembly to deliberate on the calls by citizens for fiscal federalism and devolution of power.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the plenary, noted that the country had enjoyed relative unity since Independence.

Obasa, a lawmaker representing Agege, lamented that peace and unity had, over time, been affected by different challenges.

“We call on the federal government to work on eradicating poverty, insecurity and do what would make the people live happily.

“I also urge the National Assembly to put more efforts on devolution of power and fiscal federalism so that Nigeria would be better”, he said.

The Lagos legislature observed a minute silence in honour of the nation’s founding fathers and martyrs.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Setonji David, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that an online media had reported that the assembly hurriedly passed a bill to set up Sharia courts, paving way for Sharia law in Lagos state which had been signed into law by the current state governor.

David, representing Badagry II, said the report was a mere figment of the imagination of the writer and a total lie from the pit of hell.

The spokesperson said no informed person should believe such lies against the assembly that was above the common standard of excellence, adding that the news was far from the reality.

He said: “The attention of the Lagos state house of assembly has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded report making the rounds on social media.

“That the assembly has secretly passed a sharia law in a deal to get Northern support for Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate.

“We will not have dignified the writer of this hate speech but in order to set the records straight, this is a mere figment of the imagination of the writer and a total lie from the pit of hell.

“No informed person should believe this lie against the assembly that is above the common standard of excellence. The news is far from reality.

“Some people are just mischievous. Spreading all sorts of untrue stuff. Is it possible to pass a law under cover?

“The process of law making is universal and very open. You cannot pass a law without subjecting it to public hearing in Lagos state.”

David urged residents of the state and Nigerians as a whole to take the peddlers of this unfounded report as uninformed, and uneducated people who needed to be schooled about the law making process.

He said Tinubu was a fast selling product across the country and does not need any law from the state to further endear him to all Nigerians.

The lawmaker said by the special grace of God, Tinubu would emerge winner of the 2023 presidential election to the shame of purveyors of the hate news.

The lawmakers, while urging Sanwo-Olu to equip the state’s security agency noted that such efforts would adequately protect the lives and property of residents.

The House further resolved that the Governor should call on the commissioner of police in the state to intensify efforts to secure the state.

Raising the issue as a ‘matter of urgent public importance. Age-Sulaiman narrated how he escaped death from gunshot adding that the incident occurred in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

“I heard some people making noise while the campaign was on and I called for calm but I didn’t know that there were some elements who came with another intention.

“We were about going out when somebody told me not to go out and two persons stood beside me and right there I heard a gunshot sound and the next person beside me shouted my leg with blood-stains,” he said adding that he escaped by the whiskers.

Commenting on the incident, Rotimi Olowo, condemned the use of thugs to settle political matters. He also urged that security in the country be given more seriousness through the establishment of state police.

“The commissioner of police should investigate the issue,” he said adding that politicians and other Nigerians are not safe at this period.

His colleague, Yinka Ogundimu suggested that the Governor should be called upon to protect lives and property by asking the commissioner of police to intensify efforts, his colleague, Tobun Abiodun, urged people to desist from crime.

“Killing one individual can cause a family eternal sorrow,” he said as he used the opportunity to call for the establishment of state police.

“I know our government is very responsible, but we want to use this opportunity to call on the Governor again,” he said.

The lawmaker stated this on Monday at a public hearing on a bill to establish the security operation in Lagos state, adding that the outfit had become important for the security of the lives and properties of the people of the region.

“I’m sure we all recall the incidents before the establishment of Amotekun, the killings, maiming, kidnapping and their likes.

“In the wisdom of our governors, they decided on Amotekun,” Obasa said.

Obasa pointed to the fact that the idea had stirred different reactions around the country but insisted the South West cannot relent in the zone’s bid to ensure people are safe.

The Speaker recalled that the Neighbourhood Watch was established in Lagos in 2016 and now other states have queued into the idea thus making it important for it to be amended to accommodate Amotekun.

Obasa further explained that the bill on Amotekun would be accommodated in the existing law, adding that “Amotekun has come to stay and we must stand by it.”

“Our race has spoken and we must stand by it but in line with the constitution.”

The lawmakers’ decision came following Wednesday’s ruling by an Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court ordering all parties in a suit filed by Ambode against the lawmakers to maintain status quo, while it adjourned till November 20 for the next hearing.

Addressing journalists shortly after a brief sitting by the committee to announce its decision, its chairman, Fatai Mojeed, said the matter was adjourned indefinitely as the committee got a court order to stay action on the matter and that they had to respect the opinion of the court.

He said “We are lawmakers, we are not law breakers, which was why we had to adjourn the matter indefinitely. The people of Lagos should be expecting more from us.”

The court adjourned the matter brought before it by Ambode, against the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa in connection with the ongoing probe of procurement of 820 buses by Ambode’s administration.

Justice Adesanya adjourned till 20th of November, 2019 for the respondents in the matter to respond to the plaintiff’s application. Adesanya had on 29th, October 2019 ordered the Speaker and some members of State House of Assembly to appear before the court after hearing a motion ex-parte moved by Ambode’s lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).

Other defendants are the Clerk of the House, A. A. Sanni, who signed the newspaper ads, inviting Ambode to the House by 2pm; Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee set up by the House to probe the procurement, Fatai Mojeed; and members of the Committee: Gbolahan Yishawu, A. A. Yusuff, Yinka Ogundimu, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, M. L. Makinde, Kehinde Joseph, T. A. Adewale and O. S.

The lead counsel to the respondents, Adenike Oshinowo prayed the court to give them time to respond to the application because it was received late.