The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ‘Why Fed Govt must build Lekki coastal road’

    A member of the House of Representatives (Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency), Mr. Adebayo Balogun, has given reasons for the need to build a coastal road from Akodo Ise to Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In an interview with reporters at the weekend, he said it is evident that the existing road infrastructure in Ibeju Lekki, especially the Lekki axis, cannot accommodate the emerging industrial revolution in the area.

    He said the existing roads had been damaged.

    Balogun urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to begin the process of completing the whole stretch of the Port Harcourt -Lagos coastal road.

    Read Also: LASU renames longest road after Lateef Jakande

    The ministry in the interim, should make provisions in the 2020 budget estimates for the construction of a coastal road from Ise in Ibeju Lekki to Victoria Island in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, he said.

    Last Thursday, the lawmaker moved a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Construct Lekki Coastal Road from Akodo Ise to Victoria Island, Lagos State.

    In the motion, he noted that Ibeju Lekki Local Government is located along the coastal line of Lagos State and is probably the fastest growing economic and industrial hub, especially with the establishment of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, which sits on 16,500 hectares.

    Balogun further said: “Dangote Oil Refinery, which is the largest in Africa with its conglomerates such as a fertiliser plant, a petrochemical plant and a sub -sea gas pipeline project, is expected to begin operations at the local government in less than two years.

    “With a daily production of 650,000 barrels per day, it will transform the Nigerian economy from a net importer of refined petroleum products to a net exporter of petroleum products.”

  • Court grants 7up employees bail for alleged theft

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court has granted N100,000 bail to two employees of 7up Bottling Company, Oluwatosin Opeyemi and Olamiposi Ayoola.

    The defendants were arraigned on charges of conspiracy and stealing to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi, who granted the defendants N50,000 bail each, ordered them to produce one surety each in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must be employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

    Read Also: Woman inserts pepper in housemaid’s private part over N26,000 theft

    The magistrate adjourned the case till September 9 for mention.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ezekiel Ayorinde had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 16 at Alausa, Ikeja.

    He said the defendants were allegedly caught stealing a pack of Pepsi drinks valued at N960.00 from their employer, 7up Bottling Company.

    “The security guard caught the defendants, employed as ‘motor boys’, throwing the drinks across the fence to another compound to pick them after closing time.

    “The attention of the management was called, they went to the other side and saw 12 pieces of Pepsi drinks.

    “The duo were handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.

  • Govt will ‘reduce decline of wetland, biodiversity conservation’

    Lagos State Government will help in reducing the decline of wetlands and biodiversity conservation, the Ministry of the Environment has said.

    The problem was caused by indiscriminate destruction of natural wetlands for housing/industrial developments following increasing population and technological advancement.

    At a news briefing to herald the beginning of the “2019 Youth Outreach Ecotourism Programme on Wetland and Biodiversity Conservation”, for pupils in public secondary schools, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, said this was the only way to make the environment conducive for all.

    Fourteen pupils will participate in the eight-day programme. They will comprise two each from the six educational districts and two representing private and missionary schools. The pupils, who were chosen after screening, will traverse wetland locations and other conservation sites.

    Read Also: Lagos seeks support for polio immunisation

    Bamgboye said: “This year’s theme: ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health” is targeted to educate the public about human values towards a sustainable environment and bring about a situation in which people live in harmony with nature.

    “It is targeted at creating awareness on the diversity provided by the natural eco-systems for human existence and well-being on earth, while contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, such as zero hunger, good health and well-being, no poverty as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystems restoration, cleaner water and among others.”

    Environmental Management Department Director Mr. Sheriff Savage, said the pupils would visit pristine and fragile ecosystems, zoological gardens and conservation centres across the five education divisions.

    “Through these visits, they will be acquainted with the abundant wetland resources and biodiversity of the state.”

  • Danfo driver ‘kills’ one-year-old baby

    A commercial driver, Taiye Musa, has been arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly driving in a dangerous manner and causing the death of a one-year-old baby.

    Musa, 25, pleaded not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving and manslaughter.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby said Musa committed the offence on July 9 at Elf bus stop, on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    He alleged that the defendant drove his commercial bus marked APP 584 XX in a dangerous manner and caused the death of Baby Chimbu Uligwe.

    Read Also: Danfo driver jailed one month for stealing retired police officer’s wallet

    “The deceased’s mother, Mrs. Tochukwu Uligwe, sustained injuries in the accident, as she was carrying her child at the bus stop,” Emby said.

    He said the defendant drove without a licence.

    Magistrate K. K. Awoyinka granted the defendant N300, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must be employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    One of the sureties, she added, must be a civil servant.

    The case continues on August 23.

  • Suspect beats up policewoman

    A 49-year-old man, Ogunkeye Oyewole, has been brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a female police sergeant.

    He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of breach of the peace and assault.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clifford Ogu said the defendant committed the offence on July 18 at Ajegunle, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by assaulting Sergeant Blessing Familokun while she was performing her duty.

    Read Also: Three men ‘beat up’ police officer

    “The defendant’s wife went to the station to report him for beating her up mercilessly.

    “When the policewoman followed the complainant to her house to invite the defendant, he beat her up too,” the prosecutor said.

    Magistrate J. A. Adegun granted the defendant N50,000 bail with one surety, who should be employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on August 9.

  • Man charged with raping girl, 13

    A 28-year-old man, Moses Okechukwu, has appeared before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

    He pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of rape, sexual assault and trying to escape arrest.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akpan Nkem alleged that the defendant committed the offence on July 15, at 2, Chukwuma Close, Jakande, Ajangbadi, Lagos.

    Read Also: Court remands labourer for allegedly raping, killing 59-year-old woman

    He alleged that Okechukwu unlawfully had sex with the girl without her consent.

    “The defendant forcefully penetrated the girl’s private parts without her consent.

    “He also assaulted Chukwuemeka Okereke while trying to escape arrest,” the prosecutor added.

    Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekomoya granted the defendant N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    He adjourned till August 28.

  • American gets N200,000 bail for alleged assault

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ court has granted bail to an american, Breedlove Shawn, who was charged with assaulting a towing van operator, Femi Banjoko, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

    Shawn, 52, is standing trial on a three-count charge of assault and assault occasioning harm before Magistrate T. A. Ojo.

    He was arraigned with an Uber driver, Adeyemo Akintunde, for allegedly assaulting Banjoko, an employee of Billafary Towing Services Ltd, after being caught parking in a restricted area.

    Akintunde is facing a one-count charge of breach of the peace.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Ojo granted Shawn and Akintunde N200,000 bail each.

    Read Also: Alleged assault: Court fixes Aug. 20 for Sen. Abbo’s trial

    She said the first defendant should provide two sureties as part of his bail conditions.

    Ojo said one of the sureties must have a means of livelihood in Nigeria, be employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The second defendant is to provide one surety in the like sum, who must be employed with evidence of tax payment.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Oluwabunmi Adeitan said the defendants committed the offence on July 24 at MMIA.

    The Uber driver, she said, came to pick Shawn at the airport, adding that he had an altercation with Banjoko and caused him grievous body injury.

    The case continues on August 26.

  • Guard accused of stealing N2,385 from offering box

    A 20-year-old guard, Michael Nwaogwu, has appeared at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N2,385 from an offering box.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Godwin Oriabure said the defendant committed the offence at midnight on July 17, at St. Dennis Catholic Church, Akoka, Bariga, Lagos.

    He alleged that another guard, Mr. Musa Ayay, discovered that the offering box was tampered with.

    Read Also: Man returns to jail for stealing 40 crates of drinks

    Oriabure said the defendant confessed when Ayay confronted him.

    Ayay alleged that the money was recovered from the defendant’s underwear.

    Magistrate Oluwatoyin Ojuromi granted the defendant N30,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    One of the sureties, she said, must be a relation.

    The case continues on August 19.

  • Lagos seeks support for polio immunisation

    Lagos State Government will today begin another round of polio immunisation for children, Primary Health Care Board Permanent Secretary Dr Tayo Lawal has said.

    Speaking at the weekend on the preparation for the exercise, Lawal said to be immunised were children from ages 0-5. They will get Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Children between three months and five years will receive Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV).

    The board, Lawal said,  would launch the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS) National Immunisation Programme today at Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat, Sangotedo.

    He lamented that Nigeria is the only African country and one of the three in the world endemic for the wild polio virus, which must be eradicated.

    Read Also: Lagos urges contractors to comply with guidelines

    Nigeria, he said, was on the verge of receiving another polio free certificate, adding that to achieve this, states, including Lagos, have been mandated to get rid of the wild polio virus.

    Lawal said Lagos had just concluded three rounds of outbreak response after isolating type2 from water samples in Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ajeromi and Apapa.

    He said the National Immunisation Vaccine would also be administered at health facilities across the state.

    Lawal urged parents and guardians to bring their kids for the exercise because it is safe and protects them from polio.

  • Buhari condemns killing of 23 mourners in Borno

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the dastardly attack on a funeral procession in Maiduguri, Borno State, resulting in the deaths of mourners.

    About 23 of the mourners were reportedly murdered by the Boko Haram terrorists.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari has received assurances from the armed forces that the terrorists who committed the killings “will pay a big price for their action”.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns veteran sports journalist, Akinloye Oyebanji

    He said: “The Federal Government is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard the nation’s security. This administration is determined to end the menace of terrorism. ”

    He said that a major exercise has begun to hunt down the attackers with air patrols by the nation’s Air Force and ground operations by the army.

    The President assured the residents of Maiduguri and the citizens settled in IDP camps that they will receive increased protection against further attacks by the assailants.