The Lagos State Government, Monday moved to protect and preserve its brand name from any form of abuse or misuse as Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) signed into Law a bill banning the use of the State’s Seal of authority without approval.

In his remarks before signing the bill into law at the Lagos House, Alausa venue of the event, Governor Fashola emphasized that the purpose of the Law is to ensure that the seal is not misused or used in any manner that will bring the name of the State into public odium.

According to the Governor, “This bill is meant to regulate the Seal of Lagos State which has become a very much-sought-after brand and not just locally but also internationally, and it is important that as we build on the Lagos Brand, we must control and ensure that its use is not brought to any disrepute or used in any manner that would embarrass or threaten the common brand and the common patrimony that the Seal represents for all of the people of this State”.

Governor Fashola noted that the Seal, which according to him contains the symbol of the authority of Lagos State, has been in existence since the State was created in May, 1967.

“Upon the creation of the State on 24^th May, 1967, the Government of the State set about the design of this symbol of authority. It was well received by the public so much so that Governor   Mobolaji Johnson, in his letter of 28^th of December 1967 addressed to Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, a member of the Committee on the symbol, commended him on the artistic design and the interpretations ascribed to the features as being a true reflection of the characteristics of the people of Lagos State”, the Governor said.

He declared, “It is, therefore, appropriate and timely to ensure that its uniformity in appearance is maintained and with respect and dignity are upheld by the passage of appropriate legislation to protect what for us is a very worthy legacy of heritage”.

Noting that each of the features that make up the totality of the Seal has a colour code applicable to it which has been set out in the Law, the Governor said the purpose is to ensure that nobody uses any other colour to represent any of the features.

“This is essentially a law to protect the brand of the Seal of the Government of Lagos State”, Governor Fashola said, pointing out that a lot of devices currently being displayed as the Seal of the Government of Lagos State do not conform to the actual symbols and particularly the colours making up the Seal.

He said there are also uses to which the Seal has been put, especially at events, to suggest that the Government of Lagos State is participating when indeed the Government sometimes do not have information about the event at all; with no reason, prior information or authorization sought for or obtained through the Government.

“We feel that this will help us to protect our partners in the private sector who respond to our calls for support and it will help them to create a method of cross-checking that when we say that we are actually partnering with a project, they will know that the process has been complied with and will, therefore, not be misled into necessarily giving support or disbursing fund or making commitments in the belief that they are actually partnering with our Government”, Governor Fashola further explained.

This, he said, is not restricted to only the corporate partners of Government “but those individuals who, at one time or the other respond to our calls to support projects, worthy public interest projects such as Adopt-A-School, the Security Trust Fund and so many things that we ask people to support”.

“We want to be sure that when they see the Lagos State Government Seal in the prescribed form, they will know that the appropriate prerequisites and conditions precedent to the use of that seal have been complied with in accordance with this law” the Governor said.

According to the Governor, “Another important  feature of the Law is the prohibition of the use of the  word “Lagos” or any other word or words that suggest the support, involvement, sponsor or participation of the Government of Lagos State in any business activity or commercial venture without first obtaining the approval of the State Government”, adding that this is to protect the members of the public from being misled into believing that any such activity or undertaking is endorsed by the Government of Lagos State.

“Perhaps, I should state here also that today’s event is a further demonstration of the principles of true Federalism. I say this because our Federalism as defined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria permits government of component states in the federation to adopt their own symbol of government”, the Governor said adding, “I am, therefore, of the opinion that the law would provide the legal framework required for the enhancement of the dignity and reverence deserving of the Seal of the Lagos State Government”.

He thanked “all of the agencies, the Ministry of Justice, the House of Assembly, the office of the Special Adviser on Political Bureau and Legislative Powers who have worked tirelessly to bring us to what I think is truly a glorious dawn for the preservation and protection of the Lagos brand and logo”.

Introducing the bill earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Powers, Hon. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, said any misuse of the Lagos State Seal, through unauthorized use, misrepresentation or defacement will attract N250, 000 fine or two years imprisonment or both.  

He said the Bill titled “Bill to Regulate Use of The Seal of Lagos State”  spells out,  among other provisions, that except for official use, nobody is allowed by the law to make use of the seal without due authorization by the approving authority who, in this case, is the Governor of the State.

The Law, he said, also forbids anyone to display the seal for commercial use or for political campaigns without the approval of the Governor while it also prohibits any form of misrepresentation or use in any manner capable of bringing the name of Lagos State into disrepute.

The Law, however, allows the Media to reproduce the seal for purposes of publication and information dissemination.

Also present at the event were the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN), the Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Powers, Hon. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, among other members of the Executive Council and top government functionaries.