The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Lagos pilgrims move to Mina today

    Lagos pilgrims move to Mina today

    Ahead of the Hajj rites at Mount Arafat, the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (LSMPWB) will today move its 3,047 Pilgrims to Mina on the outskirts of Mecca.

    Amirul Hajj Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, who made this known during a meeting with the pilgrims in Lagos House, Mecca, on Saturday, reiterated the need for pilgrims to spend the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, that is tomorrow, in Mina. They will proceed to Arafat on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, which falls on Wednesday.

    He said in the state’s tradition, which conforms with Prophet Muhammad’s practice, pilgrims will supplicate individually and collectively for themselves, families, Lagos State Government and Nigeria.

    The Amirul Hajj urged pilgrims especially the elderly to be mindful of their health, considering Mecca’s harsh’s weather.

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has hailed LSMPWB’s efforts in catering for the pilgrims.

    During a visit to Lagos House on Saturday, NAHCON scored this year’s Hajj operations of Lagos state high.

     

     

     

  • Bridge railings theft suspect held

    Bridge railings theft suspect held

    THE police have smashed a three-man syndicate which specialised in stealing bridge railings in Lagos.

    Musa Inusa, 32, was arrested at Costain last Monday while carting away the stolen railings.

    Inusa’s two other colleagues, Abdullahi and Ibrahim fled on sighting a police patrol team.

    Lagos Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said his men intercepted the suspect and his gang members while carting away the stolen railings.

    Disu said: “On the fateful midnight, policemen from RRS while on routine patrol at Costain by National Art Theatre, intercepted three men, one was pushing a cart with ten-cut-to-size aluminium bridge rails and the other two were coming behind him. On sighting the police approaching, two of the suspects, Abdullahi and Ibrahim ran away and Musa was arrested.

    “Upon completion of our preliminary investigation, we found that the suspect and his gang members are in the habit of cutting down the rails of highway bridges which are meant to save lives when eventualities occur on the highway within the metropolis.”

    Disu said efforts were on to apprehend Ibrahim and Abdullahi.

    The suspect told the police that they cut the bridge railings into pieces and sizes before selling the aluminium to buyers at Ijora and Oyingbo markets.

    Inusa told police: “I am one of the three-man syndicate stealing bridge rails across the state. We have our own market where we sell the stolen rails. I came to Lagos in 2010 from Kano to search for means of livelihood, all my efforts to secure a job was fruitless. It was Ibrahim who introduced this robbery act to me. The midnight I was arrested, I, Ibrahim and Abdullahi went to Costain by National Art Theatre and stole 10 pieces of aluminium bridge rails. Suddenly, on our way home, we were intercepted by the RRS men.”

    He said they have two businessmen who buy the stolen goods from them.

    “We always sell one pole of bridge rail to one Alhaji Ibrahim at ijora at the rate of N7,000 and another man simply identified as Baba Supo at Oyingbo. My own job is to convey the stolen items to the buyers while the duo of Abdullahi and Ibrahim do the sawing and cutting,” he said.

  • NGO hosts conference, concert for Nigerian youths in diaspora

    NGO hosts conference, concert for Nigerian youths in diaspora

    A youth oriented non-governmental organisation, World Changers International is set to host a leadership summit alongside a concert to foster synergy among the Nigerian youths both home and abroad.
    The programme announced during a press briefing in Lagos is tagged ‘Celebrating Nigeria at 55’ with the theme: The role of the youth in diaspora in national development’.
    The two-day event which is scheduled for October 8th and 9th 2015 will hold at the London Metropolitan University, London.
    Speakers at the conference include eminent African leaders, businessmen, policy makers and top government functionaries.
    The programme will also feature top Nigerian entertainers who have made global impact.
    Speaking at the press conference, the President of the Coalition, Tim Ayoola Abiodun said it was difficult to get Nigerians in Diasporas to be part of the project.
    “Nigerians in Diasporas have associated themselves with the negative aspect of our dear nation. They don’t believe if anything good has ever come out of this country and they tend not to know.
    “They’ve familiarized themselves with what the international broadcasting stations are bringing to their screen on daily basis, which is the insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.
    Ayoola explained that the programme is aimed at presenting the positive aspect of Nigeria nationwide and bring a positive reflection of Nigeria change era to the limelight.
    He said it is also important that youth inclusion in governance is not neglected.
    According to the Country coordinator, Eve Nnaji, people abroad ask questions that are somewhat ridiculous as regards Nigeria in particular.
    “My friends, my mate ask me questions during my stay in America; like do we have cars? Do we have microwaves? Do we have shoes? Were you guys naked? These questions followed me through the college and they are just ridiculous.”
    In the quest to influence youths to the Nigeria change era, Eve said the initiative finds it imperative to involve some top Nigerian entertainers who have made a global impact.
    The Concert Producer, Anthony Dike said the concert aims at encouraging Nigerians using their talents abroad to bring in their craft and contribute to the Nigerian industry.
    “They may think we don’t have structure, but there are at least structures that can juxtapose your career.”
    According to Anthony, 9ice has confirmed coming for the event but he was not sure about 2Face’s participation.

  • Community, DISCO meeting deadlocked

    A meeting between residents of Igbehin-Adun in Ilasamaja, Mushin, Lagos and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) ended in stalemate.

    There were hot arguments between members of the community, especially the youths, and EKEDC Mushin District officials during the meeting held at Olayinka Close in Ilasamaja on Tuesday.

    Last week, the residents protested what they called the epileptic power supply in their area and “loath-some” billings by EKEDC.

    Their representatives made their grievances known at EKEDC head office on the Marina in Lagos on September 3. They alleged that they were being billed for what they did not consume by the Iyana-Isolo and Idi-Araba districts of EKEDC.

    The EKEDC team was led by the Distribution Manager, Francis Nduka, the Commercial Manager, Kunle Ogunmoroti, and Public Relations Officer Mrs Bola Bayo-Kujore. They were received by the community’s traditional leader, Rasheed Asheni-Irokosu; Omonigbehin Landlord Association’s chairman, Hon Dele Dasaolu and two community leaders, Chief S.K. Daniyan and Alhaji Ganiyu Olukotun.

    An 11-point resolution was tabled before the EKEDC officials.

    Tagged “Committee against EKEDC Injustice and extortion in Ilasamaja and its environs,” the resolution reads: “Rejection of outrageous ‘crazy’ bill in the name of estimated bill. Rejection of incessant power outage from the hours of 7pm till the following morning which makes the environ vulnerable to attack of thieves and armed robbers; rejection of the N750 monthly service charge and demand for the refund of the previous payment; rejection of any payment on prepaid meters through overt or covert means; demand for immediate repair of faulty feeder pillars, transformers and cables serving our environs; demand for free replacement of faulty prepaid meters; declare that we shall pay the sum of N2,000 monthly on energy consumed pending the time prepaid meter will be made available as it is obvious that the present estimated billing is customer unfriendly and killing; declare that EKEDC should write off all accumulated bills from the ‘crazy’ bill and outrageous estimated bill regime; declare that there should not be any distribution of bills and disconnection pending the time issues raised above are resolved; declare that we are law abiding Nigerians ready to pay for energy consumed as long as the right parameters in billing are followed and declare that EKEDC Officials are safe in our environment in the discharge of their statutory duties.”

    Neither party was ready to shift ground after hours of discussions. They have agreed to meet again to resolve the knotty areas.

    Until then, the community leaders urged residents not to pay any electricity bill. EKEDC was enjoined to provide uninterrupted power supply. It was also advised against embarking on disconnection of electricity.

    Although, Nduka promised the community 14-hour daily power supply, but many residents expressed doubt about EKEDC of fulfilling its promise.

    Baale Asheni-Irokosu warned EKEDC against disconnecting light, pending the resolution of the dispute.

    He also assured the EKEDC officials of their safety, describing the residents as peace-loving.

  • Govt, truck operators meeting ends in stalemate

    Govt, truck operators meeting ends in stalemate

    The stakeholders meeting held yesterday in Lagos on the ongoing strike by truck operators ended in a stalemate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, at a point, the truck operators walked out of the meeting, held in Apapa, in anger.

    Association of Maritime Truck Owners chairman, Chief Remi Ogungbemi said the meeting would continue today in the office of the general manager of Western Ports in Apapa.

    Representatives of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and two groups of truck owners and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) were in attendance.

    Ogungbemi said the Lagos State government’s restriction of their time of movement was not good for business as terminal operators and shipping companies did not work at night.

    He described the restriction order as “rather biased” against truck operators as fuel tankers were allowed to move at anytime.

    Tin-Can Island Chapter of RTEAN Deputy Chairman Mr Anthony Agbanose accused Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) of unnecessarily going after truck drivers, often times, resulting in accidents.

    Agbanose also blamed the incessant falling of containers off moving trucks on the deplorable state of roads across the city.

    He said it would be better if the restriction order was not on only a selected category of trucks.

    Mr Cajetan Agu, who is in charge of compliance and monitoring at NSC, told truck operators to keep to their agreement with the state government during a meeting at Alausa, Ikeja.

    Agu urged the operators to, henceforth, ensure that they maintain their trucks as the stakeholders worked out the possibility of calling off the strike.

    He said the operators should also be prepared to keep to using the service lane and driving under over-head bridges.

    Agu said government would rescind the restriction order when the operators submit the letter indicating their willingness to keep to the agreement.

    Responding, the operators said they were on their way to submit the letter to the office of the Ministry of Transportation permanent secretary at Alausa.

    Lamenting the shippers’ plight, Lagos State Shippers Association president Mr Jonathan Nicol urged NSC to determine who would pay the demurrage for locked-up containers.

    Commissioner of Police, Port Police Command, Mrs Hilder Ibifuro-Harrison, said the police would ensure compliance with the law, adding that the law banning truck movement during the day had existed since 2012.

    She said the government had the responsibility to protect its citizens, adding that the police would work along that line with human face.

    The commissioner said security would always be provided to free the economy.

    Ibifuro-Harrison said it was not good that work had been on hold for two weeks, adding that it would be demanding for all stakeholders by the time they resumed work.

    A company, FT Global Ltd., represented by Chief Chris Orode, said a “call-up” system must be put in place to ensure sanity in trucks operations.

    Orode said a truck park had been secured, adding that they have been discussing with NPA, NSC and the government to ensure a healthy business environment.

    A representative of Greenview Terminals, Mr Yakubu Abdullahi, blamed truck operators, saying production has been difficult since his company did not get its cargo on time.

    He urged stakeholders to be transparent on all issues affecting them and solicited government’s support to fix the port access roads.

    The General Manager, Western Ports, Chief Michael Ajayi, said it was sad that trucks were falling and killing people.

    He said government was only carrying out its responsibility of protecting citizens by restricting movement of trucks.

    Ajayi said truck operators could seek redress in court since the issue involved an existing law.

  • N85m lost to bird flu outbreak

    About 79,134 birds worth over N85 million were lost to Avian Influenza, popularly known as bird flu in Lagos, the Director, Veterinary Services, State Agricultural Development Authority, Dr Ganiu Adams, has said.

    To control the spread of the disease, he said the veterinary department depopulated 71,026 birds.

    He said 20 farms in Lagos have been confirmed positive for bird flu infection following laboratory examination by the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State.

    In a statement in Abuja, Adams said bird flu education remained a critical and central strategy of control of the disease worldwide.

     He said many poultry trades risked being affected by the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, adding that few commercial farms and live birds markets practice adequate bio-security measures.

     “Since the beginning of July, streams of reports of high mortalities of birds in various poultry farms across Lagos State have been pouring into the Avian Influenza desk office. So far, 20 farms in Lagos have been confirmed positive for bird flu infection following laboratory examination carried out by the National Veterinary Research Institute.

     “The current scourge has led to the loss of 79,134 birds with an estimated worth of over N85 million. This excludes the stock of farmers who did not make official report to the state. To control the spread of the disease, the veterinary department depopulated 71,026 birds,” he said.

    Adams, who spoke at the Sensitisation/Awareness Workshop for Stakeholders on Preventive Measures against Avian Influenza, added that the state was at risk of bird flu infection through birds being brought from other parts of the country. The state, he said, accounts for over 200 poultry markets and serves as the most popular outlet for poultry and poultry products from different parts of the country.

    Earlier, the Federal Government called for collaboration with the private sector to prevent further outbreak of the disease.

    The Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Dr. Abdulganiyu Abubakar, said it was sad to note that after about eight weeks of non-report of suspicious outbreak of the flu nationwide, the disease was recently recorded in Lagos and Oyo states. It also made incursions into Abia and Enugu states.

     He said the problem must be urgently addressed because of the grave consequences of the outbreaks on the traumatised poultry industry.

    Abubakar said: “It is thus imperative that concrete steps are taken to reduce the socio-economic impact of bird flu and improve the well-being of our people. I am aware that participants at this workshop are important stakeholders from the private and public sectors.

    “This I believe will foster the much needed spirit of public-private partnership and collaboration in the current fight against the on-going threat of bird flu.”

  • Truck owner remanded in prison custody over Ojuelegba tragedy

    Truck owner remanded in prison custody over Ojuelegba tragedy

    An Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has remanded in prison Adeyanju Kilani, the owner of the articulated vehicle from which a container fell off the Ojulegba bridge 14 days ago.

    Kilani, 50, is facing trial on a two-count charge bordering on permitting his driver,  Wasiu Adeleke, to drive without a licence, Ministry of Transport (MOT) test and Road worthiness certificate.

    Prosecutor G.O. Osuyi said the offence was committed on September 2, on Ojuelegba Bridge along Funsho Williams Avenue, Lagos.

    He said: “Adeleke, drove a diesel truck marked Lagos EPE 46 XK carrying a 20-foot container loaded with iron doors and white cement in a negligent manner.

    “In view of his alleged reckless driving, the container fell, causing the death of Abubakar Sule, 52, Umaru Sulaiman, 46 and Kamilu Umaru, 28.

    “The truck also damaged a Toyota Corolla with number-plate LSD 532 CN, valued at N2 million belonging to Sumaila Marksman and a Nissan Sunny, marked DG 750 LND, valued at N600,000, belonging to one Joseph Ajayi,” he said.

    The offence, Osuyi said, contravened Sections 31 and 36 (1) and (2) of Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012.

    Kilani pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku was furious on learning that Adeleke, the driver, was arraigned before the court on September 11, on an eleven-count charge of reckless driving and causing the death of three motorists.

    She said Osuyi should have informed the court of the similar sister case and asked for a consolidation of the charge.

    Defence counsel W.O. Toriola urged the court to grant Kilani bail on self-recognition as “a senior citizen” without criminal record.

    Osuyi did not oppose the bail application.

    Botoku ordered that Kilani be remanded in prison pending her ruling on his bail application.

    She adjourned till September 23 for ruling.

  • High Court grants policeman, three fishermen N4 million bail

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted three fishermen and a police constable standing trial for the alleged kidnapping of nine police officers N1 million bail each.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa ordered the accused to produce two sureties each in the like sum.

    One of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused; the other must own property within the court’s jurisdiction.

    He adjourned the case till October 5.

    The accused – Godwin German, 36, Tamarami Tunwa, 23, Akowe Jacob, 41, and Mayibi Hazeez, 29 – are facing a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping.

    The accused, who were first arraigned on September 8, pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Raymond Odion, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 24, 2014, at Arepo, Ikorodu area of Lagos.

    Odion alleged that the accused kidnapped nine policemen and officers who were on duty.

    The kidnapped policemen, he said, were ASP Abdullahi Bature, Inspector Raymond Oriere, Inspector Usman Mohammed, Inspector Oguntimehin Kolawale and Inspector Tijani Jimoh, Corporal Elogbamen, Corporal Yakubu Alitu, Corporal Usman Abdulkareem and Corporal Dauda Mohammed.

    He said the offence contravened Section 2 (c) (ii) of the Terrorism prevention Act, 2011.

    Defence counsel, Mr. S. W. Baide urged the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms.

    “The accused persons are responsible citizens that will not jump bail,’’ he said.

  • Community, DISCO meeting deadlocked

    Community, DISCO meeting deadlocked

    A meeting between residents of Igbehin-Adun in Ilasamaja, Mushin, Lagos and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) ended in stalemate.

    There were hot arguments between members of the community, especially the youths, and EKEDC Mushin District officials during the meeting held at Olayinka Close in Ilasamaja on Tuesday.

    Last week, the residents protested what they called the epileptic power supply in their area and “loath-some” billings by EKEDC.

    Their representatives made their grievances known at EKEDC head office on the Marina in Lagos on September 3. They alleged that they were being billed for what they did not consume by the Iyana-Isolo and Idi-Araba districts of EKEDC.

    The EKEDC team was led by the Distribution Manager, Francis Nduka, the Commercial Manager, Kunle Ogunmoroti, and Public Relations Officer Mrs Bola Bayo-Kujore. They were received by the community’s traditional leader, Rasheed Asheni-Irokosu; Omonigbehin Landlord Association’s chairman, Hon Dele Dasaolu and two community leaders, Chief S.K. Daniyan and Alhaji Ganiyu Olukotun.

    An 11-point resolution was tabled before the EKEDC officials.

    Tagged “Committee against EKEDC Injustice and extortion in Ilasamaja and its environs,” the resolution reads: “Rejection of outrageous ‘crazy’ bill in the name of estimated bill. Rejection of incessant power outage from the hours of 7pm till the following morning which makes the environ vulnerable to attack of thieves and armed robbers; rejection of the N750 monthly service charge and demand for the refund of the previous payment; rejection of any payment on prepaid meters through overt or covert means; demand for immediate repair of faulty feeder pillars, transformers and cables serving our environs; demand for free replacement of faulty prepaid meters; declare that we shall pay the sum of N2,000 monthly on energy consumed pending the time prepaid meter will be made available as it is obvious that the present estimated billing is customer unfriendly and killing; declare that EKEDC should write off all accumulated bills from the ‘crazy’ bill and outrageous estimated bill regime; declare that there should not be any distribution of bills and disconnection pending the time issues raised above are resolved; declare that we are law abiding Nigerians ready to pay for energy consumed as long as the right parameters in billing are followed and declare that EKEDC Officials are safe in our environment in the discharge of their statutory duties.”

    Neither party was ready to shift ground after hours of discussions. They have agreed to meet again to resolve the knotty areas.

    Until then, the community leaders urged residents not to pay any electricity bill. EKEDC was enjoined to provide uninterrupted power supply. It was also advised against embarking on disconnection of electricity.

    Although, Nduka promised the community 14-hour daily power supply, but many residents expressed doubt about EKEDC of fulfilling its promise.

    Baale Asheni-Irokosu warned EKEDC against disconnecting light, pending the resolution of the dispute.

    He also assured the EKEDC officials of their safety, describing the residents as peace-loving.

  • Lagos takes custody of assaulted girl

    Lagos takes custody of assaulted girl

    The Lagos State Government has taken custody of Adebimpe Badmus, the 16-year-old girl allegedly burnt with iron by her aunt in Ketu.

    Miss Badmus is in the custody of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).

    Her aunt, Alhaja Ajarat Jimoh, had accused her of sleeping with their landlady’s son, Wale Abimbola.

    Alhaja Jimoh reportedly sought the help of her friends, Khadijah and Iya Daniel, to hold the victim’s hands and legs before applying the iron on her.

    Miss Badmus was initially detained along with others at the Ketu Police Station, before she was later taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

    She has since denied sleeping with Abimbola.

    In a phone conversation, Abimbola also denied sleeping with her, saying that wasn’t the first time her aunt accused her (Miss Badmus) of sleeping with someone in the neighbourhood.

    He said: “Adebimpe once used my mobile phone to call her boyfriend who later bought her a phone. Because of the fear of her aunt, she kept the phone with me and comes for it when she needs it. At times, I advise her and she talks to me whenever something is bothering her. That is the only relationship between us. She is a decent girl.”

    The Nation learnt at Ketu Police Station that a case has been filed before the Ikeja Magistrate’s court in Lagos.

    A court registrar confirmed that Miss Badmus is in WAPA’s custody.

    [ad id=”403656″]He said the suspects were still in prison custody.

    The case, he added, has been transferred to another court in Ojota, Lagos.

    Director, Child Development, WAPA, Mrs Alaba Fadairo, told The Nation that Miss Badmus is hale and hearty, adding that she would resume school in the next academic session.

    A neighbour, Temitope, who also described the victim as a decent girl said she used to attend a secondary school in Mushin before she was brought to live with her aunt.

    “When she came last September, her aunt promised she was going to be transferred to another school but days turned to weeks and then months. Adebimpe stopped schooling and became a trader. She sells fish with her aunt on the Island. Aside the last incident, she has always been maltreated but still she takes care of her aunt’s children. As a married woman, I don’t wash the way Adebimpe does every day. Residents noticed all that is happening but no one could talk because they weren’t feeding her,” she said.

    Temitope, who was at the last court sitting, said the suspects had been granted N500,000 bail each. She said they were still at Kirikiri Maximum Prisons because they are yet to produce a guarantor.

    She said: “I am really overwhelmed justice has been done. I think the government should ask the victim if she really wants to continue her education or learn handiwork and afterwards be monitored. I urge other parents and guardians to learn from her case.”