• Announces state’s readiness to support e-commerce
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, said the judiciary was crucial to making Lagos State an international financial centre, a destination for investment, and a haven for investment worldwide.
The governor also expressed the need for a strong judicial system that would ensure transparency and accountability to drive the system. Also, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, raised concerns about the lack of courtrooms for magistrates to conduct cases, saying it was constraining effective justice delivery.
Sanwo-Olu and Alogba spoke at the opening session of the two-day Justice Reform summit in Lagos yesterday. The CJ said the plight of magistrates and judges, grappling with poor working conditions and inadequate welfare, had become a concern to address ineffective justice delivery.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the strides the state had made in the justice sector in the state and acknowledged that more work had to be done by the government and other stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice.
Sanwo-Olu said: “We need a strong judicial system for that to exist because that will be one of the strongest points that anybody will be looking for. We know that people must have access to us and so that’s why we must ensure that we have no barriers between ourselves.”
In his keynote address, a former President of the Law Society of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Gregory Vijayendran, highlighted lessons to learn from Singapore.
Vijayendran said Singapore had always relied on the rule of law and highlighted in his presentation lessons Lagos could learn from the island country.
MEANWHILE, Sanwo-Olu has said the future of commerce is digital and that Lagos is ready to support those willing to embrace the change. The governor said his administration remained dedicated to creating a conducive environment for businesses to flourish, with robust infrastructure, favourable policies, and unwavering support.
Speaking at the launch of Jumia’s new integrated warehouse in Lagos yesterday, the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the state would support initiatives that drive economic growth and provide employment opportunities for the people.
He said: “This warehouse will create numerous jobs and provide skill development opportunities, further strengthening our local workforce.
“Lagos, as we all know, is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy. Our city is not just a hub of commerce but a beacon of opportunity and growth. The establishment of this cutting-edge warehouse highlights the crucial role Lagos plays in the economic landscape of Nigeria and Africa at large.
“It is a symbol of our commitment to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, innovate, and contribute to the prosperity of our society.”The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jumia Nigeria, Sunil Natraj, stated that the launch of the integrated warehouse marks a key moment for Jumia Nigeria.
He said: “By consolidating our operations under one roof, we are not only streamlining our fulfillment processes but also laying the groundwork for significant improvements in efficiency, scalability, and cost reduction.”
