Lagos To Reinstate Psychiatric Tests For Traffic Offenders

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reinstate psychiatric assessments for traffic offenders within the state.

Mr. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, disclosed this during the official presentation of the communiqué from the second Lagos Traffic Conference, held on Wednesday.

The conference also marked the 25th anniversary of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Giwa said the decision followed strategic discussions and key recommendations aimed at enhancing traffic management and road safety across Lagos.

He noted the recommendations were designed to improve LASTMA’s effectiveness, mandate, and moral standing.

“For the mental health assessment of offenders, the agency should reintroduce psychiatric evaluation for those caught driving against traffic,” Giwa said.

He explained the measure aligns with previous road safety strategies to instill discipline and deter errant road users.

Giwa also stated that LASTMA officers would undergo international training to meet global traffic management standards.

Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA General Manager, spoke about a 20-year blueprint for a technology-driven traffic system in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki confirmed the agency was progressing well in its vision for improved traffic regulation.

He said the agency began compiling detailed traffic incident data last year, including crashes and other road events across Lagos.

“This deliberate approach gives us a credible database that allows the government to plan better and make informed decisions,” he said.

The blueprint also includes a focus on improving LASTMA officers’ welfare to enhance performance and service delivery.

He highlighted Lagos State’s increased use of Information Technology Systems (ITS), as seen around Allen Roundabout and other areas.

“The ITS tools monitor, control, and enforce traffic behaviour in real time,” he said.

He said surveillance cameras had been installed on the Third Mainland Bridge and around Alapere to promote speed control and road safety.

Bakare-Oki added that the camera installations followed incidents of road rage after rehabilitation of the bridge.

“Since deploying the cameras, road crashes on that stretch have declined,” he said.

He stressed the initiative was not for revenue generation but to safeguard lives and property and assured that residents would soon witness major improvements in LASTMA’s operations.

Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, also congratulated LASTMA on its 25th anniversary.

Represented by Mr. Nonso Okechukwu, he described LASTMA as a beacon of traffic management excellence in Nigeria.

He urged LASTMA to lead engagements with private transport operators in line with state traffic policies.

Gbeleyi noted that Lagos’ vision of a smarter, safer city could be achieved through strategic partnerships.

He affirmed the Bureau’s readiness to provide policy support, PPP advisory, and institutional guidance.
(NAN)

Smokers Risk Cardiac Arrest, Expert Warns

Published

1 hour ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

A Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, in the department of surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Prof Eyo Ekpe has warned cigarettes smokers and patients with diabetes to take adequate of their chest in order not to fall a victim of cardiac arrest .

He said that these health conditions trigger certain types of abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.

Professor Ekpe gave the warning on Wednesday while delivering the 117th Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Uyo, titled “My Chest! My Chest!! My Chest!!!: Relieving Chest Pain, Preventing Death and Restoring Health”

He disclosed that many Nigerians have died for ignoring cardiac arrest triggers, preventing them, or seeking late medical attention to chest related ailments.

“Chest pain should not be ignored. Symptom of chest pain that is reported early would afford the clinician the opportunity to obtain adequate medical history from the person, medically examine the person thoroughly, optimally conduct the necessary laboratory tests to unravel the cause, and apply an evidence based treatment modality to relieve the chest pain, prevent death and restore heath.

“People should guard their heart diligently to prevent heart attack. Cigarette should not be smoked, high blood pressure should be prevented or controlled, diabetes mellitus should be prevented or controlled, and high blood cholesterol and lipoprotein should be prevented or controlled. A culture of regular physical exercise must be intentionally domesticated.

“People should guard their heart diligently to prevent cardiac arrest. Causes and triggers of arrhythmias should be prevented by preventing stress, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, coronary artery disease and electrolyte disorders, and avoiding cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse,” he stated.

Ekpe said medical consultation for chest problems should be with qualified medical doctors to avoid misdiagnosis, wrong treatment and complications, adding that regular medical checks and timely reports of symptoms of ailments must be prioritised.

“Safe-driving habit and road safety must be taken as a serious business. Seat restrained-belt should be used by all occupants of moving vehicles.

“Bicycles, motorcycles and tricycles should not ply traffic-congested roads. All victims of chest pain and chest injuries must be attended to by qualified medical doctors in a timely manner,” he advised.

News

FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime

Published

2 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

FirstBank has suffered a temporary disruption to its major digital banking channels, which will prevent some customers from completing transactions.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the bank said the downtime is affecting services on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and its *894# USSD platforms.

“Please be informed that we are currently experiencing some downtime affecting transactions to other banks on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and USSD platforms. Customers may therefore experience delayed or declined transactions,” the circular read.

The bank apologised for the inconvenience and assured customers that its technical team, working with partner service providers, is making every effort to restore full services as quickly as possible.

The disruption occurred less than two months after FirstBank introduced facial biometric authentication on its FirstMobile app, designed to enhance the customer experience and security.

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Begins 10-day Vacation, Departs Abuja For Europe

Published

3 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

“The vacation will last 10 working days.

“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”

Details later…