The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

Lagos to rehabilitate 471 roads by December

Lagos state Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has promised to rehabilitate 471 roads by the end of next month.

About 282 of the roads, LSPWC General Manager Ayo Shodeinde said, had been completed, adding that work has begun on 189 roads which will be completed by next month.

He said 117 of the roads belong to the Federal Government.

Some of the roads being rehabilitated had been bad for up to 10 years, he said, adding: “When the governor came in, based on his promises to the people during the campaigns, he said the situation was unacceptable and we have been able to put many roads in shape.

“We have done 282 roads since June 2015 till date. Anytime from now, we would start work on the 189 listed. We would work every day and night to ensure life is more comfortable for residents in the state.”

He listed some of the roads rehabilitated as Metal Box Road, Acme Road inward Akilo, Ejigbo-Ikotun road, among others while some potholes were also fixed.

Shodeinde said Alfa Nla/Capitol road in Agege, Brown Street in Oshodi, Okota road in Isolo, among others were being constructed.

“We are doing the second asphalting on Ejigbo; the place is quite motorable now. The Ikotun-Ijegun road is 85 per cent completed because of the drainage system,” he said.

Shodeinde said the exercise has reduced traffic congestion, pointing out that the public works gangs were on the road day and night.

“The Governor is not sitting down; he wants all the roads in Lagos to be motorable. He wants the hard life that Lagosians are going through to be alleviated. He cannot stand Lagosians going through hardship.

“People are testifying now that the traffic is moving. You know when the roads are good, it means economic growth, people will be able to move from one part of the state to another, transport their goods without stress, you will notice that even the hoodlums and pickpockets, they operate when there is gridlock, as far as gridlock that is being caused by potholes are concerned, we are on our feet to ensure that we put the road in order to reduce the traffic,” he said.

He assured that by the end of December, the LSPWC would have rehabilitated more roads across the state.

He urged the public to call 07098107021; 08023131820 and send also send enquiries@LSPWC-NG.com to draw attention to any bad road.

November 25, 2015
Group faults Soyinka on uniforms

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has faulted Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka’s statement that faith-based uniform be disallowed in schools.

The group said “if faith-based uniforms are allowed in United States, Britain, France and other developed nations, why should Nigeria be different? After all, our leaders tailored their policies alongside the Western nations.”

A statement by its Amir (President), Mallam Saheed Ashafa, wondered how a person of Soyinka’s calibre could make such a statement on education and human rights.

Soyinka, he said, is a respected scholar worldwide and should know better.

Ashafa said Soyinka erred by failing to recognise that the current school uniforms were faith-based.

He said: “It should be clearly stated that the current uniform in all government schools is already Christian – School uniform with beret for females and short for males as against Hijab and trousers for Muslims.

“Is Soyinka trying to say that students should begin to wear their indigenous outfit, meaning Yoruba students or students studying in Yorubaland will begin to wear Iro, buba and gele or Agbada and Sokoto with fila as against the faith-based uniform currently being worn? Its high time equality was granted instead of beating about the bush.”

“Of course, Soyinka won’t deny not to be aware of the position of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which emphasised that freedom (of religion) encompasses the right to wear religiously distinctive clothing or head coverings before making such comment,” Ashafa added.

The group posited that the “faithless campaign” of Soyinka would increase social vices in the society.

“It is high time we realised that certain ideologies can only operate as an illusion. They are philosophical and not ideal for societal growth. Such is the faithless campaign. The outcome of such if preached among students will be cultism, thuggery, kidnapping, robbery and raping, among others,” he said.

November 25, 2015
How cultists torched our homes, by residents

Residents of Ikota near Lekki-Ajah in Lagos yesterday relived how some cult members torched their homes on Monday.

They claimed that the cultists undertook the attack to avenge the alleged killing of one Dada last Saturday.

The late Dada was described as an occasionally visitor to the area.

The residents debunked the fire service claim that the fire was caused by candle light.

Fire chief Rasak Fadipe was quoted saying: “Somebody forgot a candle and slept off. It burnt out and started a fire. We met the fire raging and we engaged in active fire fighting operation to save the shanties, but unfortunately, we lost 17 of them to the fire.”

Speaking with The Nation yesterday, a resident, who just gave his name as Samson, said the cult members torched the structures around 12.34am, while some residents were asleep.

“It was the death of one Dada, who was killed last Saturday by some cultists that caused this incident,” he said.

Another resident, Sylvester, said what the cultists did was a retaliation.

“I heard Dada’s clique killed someone from the other gang and it was what caused the fight. I don’t know if there was any other reason. I can’t even say much because I don’t know who is watching me,” he said.

Another resident, Jerry Macolo, who has been living in the area for eight years, said the fire was not caused by candle light, adding: “Majority of the structures here are shops and they were closed at that time. Those people were ready to kill anybody because of the incident that happened last Saturday. I don’t even know what woke me up. I just smelt fire and when I came out of the house, I saw fire everywhere. “

Mrs Joy Nathaniel, who lost goods worth N50,000 to the fire described the incident as pathetic.

She said the neighbourhood is different from what it used to be, adding that it is not a safe place to live anymore.

“I operate a restaurant. When I got to my shop yesterday (Monday), I couldn’t recognise anything. I couldn’t rescue a table spoon. I borrowed all the kitchen utensils to cook. It was sheer wickedness.

“We are scared to voice out. That is how they kill each other. We will be glad if the government can mobilise men of the armed forces to our community to eradicate them. We can’t move freely because there is always trouble. This neighbourhood used to be peaceful but now, we don’t know who is who. We need help,” Mrs Nathaniel said.

November 25, 2015
Two held for alleged Indian hemp trafficking

Two men, Ismaila Aliu, 28, and Edwin Igwe, 39, have been arrested at Seme Border for alleged trafficking of 20 bags of substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

Parading the suspects yesterday, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone II, Lagos, AIG Bala Hassan said they were arrested following a tip-off.

Hassan said the substance would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He promised to arrest others at large.

Aliu, who works at Seme border, said his work is to bring in contraband.

He said: “I bring in many things including rice, groundnut oil, turkey meat and sausage rolls. I was not around when the last incident happened. There are small boys who work with me. My role is to bring in anything their goods for a fee.

“That fateful day, they called me to come and carry goods. When I came I saw them with police and I asked what the matter is? They told me that what they carried attracted the police. I looked at the goods they were talking about and they looked like Bibles and others looked like video tapes (CDs). I tried to call the person who bought the load and told him that there was a problem and that he should bring money for the problem to be solved. I told him to bring N500, 000 but he brought only N480, 000. I also called the owner of the goods through my senior brother and he promised to make the owner come quick. The owner is an Igbo man. My work is to bring in contraband and they pay me there. I am not a criminal. I don’t steal rather.”

Igwe said he loads goods into vehicles for a fee.

He said: “I am based at the border between Togo and Ghana. We work for so many people, we are like agbero people and agbero people have no choice in the type of work they do so far it will fetch them small money for food and drinks.

“It was one Jennifer who owns the goods that asked me to give Aliu N480, 000. I was in Lagos when Aliu’s brother called me. He told me Aliu was arrested with Jennifer’s goods. Jennifer gave me the money to go and give Aliu to perfect the releases of the Indian hemp. Jennifer is a foreigner, a Ghanaian. She gave me the money to give Aliu and I was later arrested.

“I don’t know anything about the other goods from across the waters. I don’t know how to swim hence I will not be able to steal or smuggle anything through the waters. I am a mere loader. At times, I am paid N3,000 for loading contraband. I am innocent because I know that what they are doing is illegal but what I am doing is just to find food and transport money. Now that I know that it is an offence, I will not load contraband again it is just that there is no job.”

November 24, 2015
Lagos, FRSC join forces against traffic gridlock

Lagos State Ministry of Transportation is to partner the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ease traffic gridlock.

Towards the end, a team comprising the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS), the Lagos State Traffic Management authority (LASTMA) and FRSC officials will hold joint patrol.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi told FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander Hyginus Omeje in his Alausa, Ikeja office yesterday, that managing traffic in Lagos required all related agencies to work together.

He said many motorists did not have valid papers, adding that the government is receptive to ideas on traffic management.

Transportation, he said, was at the heart of the state’s economy and cannot be taken for granted.

The Special Adviser urged drivers and commuters to exercise patience on the road.

Omeje said the joint patrol team would check the quality of vehicles on the road and ensure compliance with traffic and other extant laws.

He called for an expansion of the state security council to include other agencies, such as FRSC as is the case in Edo State.

Omeje advocated the establishment of mobile courts to those arrested by the patrol team.

November 24, 2015
Lagos assures judges of prompt salary payment

Lagos State Government yesterday assured customary court judges of prompt payment of their salaries, henceforth.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem made the pledge at a workshop for the Judges.

The theme of the workshop, organised by the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission (LSJSC), was: “The role of customary court judges in the nation’s judicial system.”

Kazeem, represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Funmi Odunlami, said the government was aware that local governments have not been paying judges regularly.

This, he said, was capable of dampening judges’ morale.

The commissioner said: “The state executive council is looking into ways of putting a stop to such morale dampening treatment and it shall soon come up with a lasting solution”.

Lagos Chief Judge Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, represented by Justice Taofikat Oyekan-Abdulai, described the state as a pace setter in justice administration, urging the judges to always uphold the truth.

Justice Atilade, who reminded the judges that customary courts have limited jurisdiction, counselled them to dispense justice fairly and without fair or favour.

She said the people’s tradition should guide them when dispensing justice as they are not to apply common law in all the cases before them.

LSJSC Executive Secretary Mrs Ayodele Odugbesan urged local governments to ensure prompt payment of the judges’ salaries.

She noted that contrary to the council’s expectations, courts are not revenue generating institutions.

November 24, 2015
250 undergo free eye test

No fewer than 250 persons have benefited from a two-day free eye test in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

The blindness prevention programme was organised by the council in collaboration with Pietros Eye Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Many got free reading glasses during the exercise.

Also, the organisers gave 90 per cent discount to those suffering from cataract for surgery at Pietros Hospital.

The council’s Executive Secretary, Kazeem Afolabi, said the gesture would give hope to those with defective sights.

Afolabi, represented by his wife, Folashade, a doctor, said the 2002 World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics showed that 67.5 per cent of eye defects could be prevented if detected and treated early.

“People go blind every day, but we are not aware. The programme is aimed at revealing the major causes of avoidable blindness such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive error, poor vision, hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy, among others.

The council’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rahmat Odesesan, urged the beneficiaries to visit a standard eye centre at least twice a year.

A beneficiary, Mrs Ibironke Bolarinwa, said: “I was tested and my results required that they give me a pair of glasses. When I heard of the screening, I was happy because I didn’t have to go a long distance. I appreciate the gesture. In seven months, I have benefited a lot from this council. It was also through the last hypertension and diabetics screening that I knew I am diabetic. I advised other councils to emulate this gesture.”

Another beneficiary, Adeoye Olaeye, who was diagnosed with cataract, said: “When I got my eye result, I was sad because I didn’t know how I was going to raise the money for the surgery. It was later my daughter, who accompanied me here, said I was going to pay N10,000 instead of N60,000. I really appreciate the council. I count myself lucky.”

A resident, Mrs Tola Alabi, praised the doctors and urged the council not to stop the gesture, adding: “This is not my first time of benefiting from the services of the council. My ears are always on ground to know whenever there are occasions as this.”

November 24, 2015
Study: nine out of 100 Nigerians have been raped

Nine out of every 100 male and female Nigerians were reportedly raped as children, a study has shown.

The results of the study, titled: “Being a man in Nigeria: Perceptions and realities,” were presented last Saturday to the Lagos State Government at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Ikeja, as a landmark research by Voices 4 Change (V4C) Nigeria.

Wife battery, sexual harassment and rape were also found to be some of the major violence perpetrated by men against women.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Mrs Lola Akande warned perpetrators of violence against women that their actions contravened the 2007 Lagos State Domestic Violence Law.

The state, she said, had shown the capacity to prosecute offenders.

The researchers including V4C’s Mrs Caroline Enye and Mrs Patience Ekeoba, statistically showed that verbal abuse, forced/early marriage are common in nine states (six in the North and three in the South).

Mrs Ekeoba said: “The research found that in Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, Lagos, Rivers and Enugu, men who regularly partake in childcare and house chores are described in several ways such as woman-wrapper, mijin-hajiya, mumu and ice-water.”

The study covered issues ranging from cultural to social and religious attitudes towards masculinity among Nigerian men.

It further found that 43 percent of men and 28 percent of women believe that women deserve to be beaten at times.

November 24, 2015
Agbara robbery: Police nab gang leader in Delta

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (SIRT) have arrested the gang leader of Thursday’s bank robbery in Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun State.

Twenty suspected militants dressed in military camouflage laid siege to the town as they raided about three banks before escaping through the waterways.

The suspect, simply identified as Kelly Rotor, was arrested following a shootout between detectives and three members of his gang at Sapele, Delta State.

A policeman died in the shootout.

Rotor and others were said to have also participated in the Festac, Ikorodu and Lekki bank robberies.

A source said IG Solomon Arase drafted the special elite squad to track and arrest the suspects, who have laid siege to Lagos in recent times.

He said Rotor, after the Agbara operation, travelled to Sapale for a wedding where detectives arrested him.

The suspect and some of his gang engaged the police in a gun battle. He was later arrested with gun injuries.

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November 23, 2015
Soldiers shoot two policemen, three others dead

TWO policemen and their driver were reportedly killed yesterday when soldiers opened fire on their bus at Festac Town in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

A motorist driving an Honda Accord car and a security guard also fell to the soldiers’ bullets.

But the police claimed that their men were not killed, but injured.

The incident occurred at the 7th Avenue via T Close/4th Avenue, where the soldiers have been stationed since Monday’s gun battle with pipeline vandals.

The guard, Mohammed Idris, was hit in the eye as he dashed back to his duty post from where he went to buy noodles on hearing sounds of gunshots.

The Nation learnt that the officers were led by Inspector Muhammed Adamu Area ‘E’ Command, FESTAC Town.

They were said to be chasing the Honda Accord driver, who they mistook for a robber.

They fired at him to stop but he drove on.

The Nation learnt that the soldiers returned fire, thinking that they were being attacked.

Many fled as guns boomed. Some hurriedly closed their shops; others remained indoors.

An eyewitness said the policemen were trailing a man who went to a bank on 23 Road.

“The guy drove a green Honda Accord marked AAA354DW coming from the bank where he went to exchange hard currency. The policemen I learnt were tracing him from the bank in a shuttle bus. Some people said the officers are fond of using shuttle bus to operate.

“On getting to where the soldiers mounted a road block due to Monday’s gun duel with some vandals, the policemen shot. They traced the man into the soldiers’ barricade, shooting sporadically. The soldiers returned fire, killing the two policemen inside the shuttle bus and the driver,” he said.

The driver identified as Murphy drove a FESTAC Shuttle bus marked JJJ602XM.

Another eyewitness said the late Idris went to buy noodles from a nearby makeshift shop.

“The shop is close to his security post. When the people there heard gunshot, some ran away, the shop owner laid down to avoid being hit. Idris was trying to rush back to his duty post when he was hit by the stray bullet on the right eye. He died on the spot,” he said.

According to the witness, the policemen were in mufti and police jacket.

The Nation learnt that officers from Area ‘E’ came to evacuate the bodies.

Police spokesman, Joe Offor, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), described the incident as an act of omission.

He denied that the policemen were dead, saying they are in hospital.

Offor said: “At FESTAC Town, a man was attacked after he had withdrawn money from a commercial bank. As he was leaving the bank with the money, two men on motorcycle accosted him and made away with the money.

“Some sympathisers alerted the police at FESTAC Division. By the time the police got there, the robbers had fled.

“Somehow, some mischievous guys in the area saw a moving Honda Accord and started shouting that he was the thief.

“Meanwhile, the driver of the Honda did not know he was the one they were talking about and was still moving at his own pace.

“When he got to the checkpoint mounted by the soldiers, who were stationed along 7th Avenue because of pipeline vandals, he made to drive through.

“But the soldiers thinking that the driver was truly a robber, who was trying to escape, opened fire on the moving vehicle. The bullet hit two of our men and the civilian.

“Contrary to rumours making the rounds, our men didn’t die. They were injured and they are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”

November 20, 2015