Rilwan Akiolu renews special status call for Lagos, others

• Cautions policemen against meddling in land matters
• NPC reveals plans to start e-registration of births

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called on the National Assembly to grant Lagos and other deserving states special status to enable them to get more funding from the federation account because of the socio-economic roles such states play in the wellbeing of the country.

Oba Akiolu stated this, yesterday, while hosting the National Population Commission (NPC) Federal Commissioner in Lagos, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, in his palace at lga lduganran on Lagos lsland.

The monarch, who said that accurate data collection was key in economic planning, also called for the overhauling of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to be more alive to its responsibility of sensitising Nigerians on the activities of government and their roles towards nation building.

Earlier in her remarks, Oladunjoye, who explained that she was in the palace to pay homage, said that the NPC would soon launch e-registration of birth certificates in the state.

She further said that the NPC was also preparing for the house-to-house population census once the Federal Government gives approval and date for the national exercise.

Meanwhile, Oba Akiolu has cautioned policemen against interfering in land ownership disputes, describing it as an act that undermines their ability to function effectively while on duty across the country.

He disclosed plans to write to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to recommend possible solutions to the issue and others that could assist in making the police more effective nationwide.

He stated this when the newly appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2, Alagbon, AIG Romokere Ibani, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Lagos Island.

Earlier, Ibani assured Lagosians that the FCIID under his watch would serve the state better than before, saying that they will work to improve security of lives and property in Lagos State.

He said: “We will do our best to ensure that Lagos remains peaceful and residents can go to sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We appeal to Lagosians to also partner with us as we work daily to ensure that law and order are maintained across the state.”