The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • How Lagos monarch, Elegbeda died, by wife

    How Lagos monarch, Elegbeda died, by wife

    •Funeral holds on Friday

    One of the wives of the late Lagos monarch, Elegbeda of Egbeda Kingdom, Olori Dele Balogun, yesterday relieved the last moments of the late Oba Samson Alade Balogun.

    Oba Balogun, who is due to travel to United Kingdom died in the early hours of Friday, August 14.

    He was 80.

    According to Olori Dele, the late monarch just paid for the ticket and scheduled to travel on September 10.

    She said: “The sickness started on Monday morning. Normally, I do bathe him after listening to news on radio station. That Monday morning, he said I should come and bathe him; I told him that the programme was still on but he insisted that he feel like having his bath immediately. When he was about to stand up, he said he was unable to lift his legs and when he tried lifting the legs, he fell down and was immediately attended to by his private doctor and another physician from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Tests were run on him and the result came out on Tuesday evening.

    “On Thursday, I got really scared with the way he was breathing. He was later taken to the hospital so as to avoid emergency at midnight. He gave up the ghost exactly 9am on Friday. But before he gave up the ghost, he couldn’t talk. I tried to clean his mouth with cotton wool because he can’t open the mouth well and he bites my fingers. I became suspicious. I called him three times, he answered. As I and his personal Assistant (PA) tried to lay him down, he looked at us and gave up.”

    The late monarch’s wife told The Nation that as at Tuesday, his voice was not audible, but continue to praise God, saying: “Thank you Jesus” repeatedly.

    “I never gave it a second thought that he was going to die because that has been his usual habit,” she said.

    The late monarch’s PA, Femi Ajolopo told The Nation that Oba Balogun fought to be alive.

    “It is difficult for me, I don’t know how to explain it, he tried his best, he fought, he did not want to go, and was telling us he did not want to die, but as God would have it, we were supposed to travel to UK together, we were even planning to move when he was ill and his sickness started all of a sudden on Monday, it was indeed shocking, I can’t still believe he is gone, it is very difficult for me to bear, and not easy,” he said.

    Ajolopo described the monarch’s last moment as painful.

    “He was giving us hope that he won’t die, but until the last minute, he gave up. Olori Dele was trying to clean his mouth, she felt he bit her, so she shouted his name three times and Kabiyesi answered her, then she told me to take him back to his bed, before I knew it, he was gone. He looked at the two of us and that was it. It was very painful and difficult for me to bear,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the funeral has been fixed for Thursday and Friday at the palace in Egbeda, Lagos.

  • Man arraigned for cables ‘theft’

    A 23-year-old man Josiah Luka, has been arraigned in court for stealing transformer cables worth N1.56million.

    The cables belong to a steel company in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    After being led to court by Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Corporal Akeem Ojesanya of the Shagamu Road Police Division, Ikorodu, Luka, an employee of Megal Steel Company, Ikorodu, was accused of cutting metal cables from transformers in the company’s premises on July 2, and concealing them across his waist and private part in a bid to smuggle them away.

    Ojesanya was caught when a security officer, Agri Oko-Ochang, mistakenly hit Luka’s while conducting a body search.

    He led the police to where he kept other cables he had stolen earlier.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Ojesanya’s counsel Mrs. A. Ali, told the court that her client had no one in Lagos to cater for him and urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

    This was not opposed by the prosecutor, Police Corporal Mary Ajiteru.

    Magistrate Adejumoke Olagbegi-Adelabu granted the defendant N50, 000 bail with one surety who must be gainfully employed, properly identified and have evidence of tax payment.

    The matter was adjourned till August 27.

     

  • Albino commits suicide over ‘discrimination’

    A 23-year-old albino Ugochukwu Ekwe yesterday committed suicide in Festac area of Lagos for allegedly being discriminated against by people.

    The incident occurred at 311 Road, B Close, after the deceased’s parents have gone to church.

    It was alleged that the deceased had attempted suicide last month, after complaining of the discrimination he suffered from people as a result of his pigmentation.

    He was said to have been rescued by a friend who arrived early enough, but he succeeded yesterday after refusing to follow his parents to church.

    A source in the neighbourhood told The Nation that his parents discovered his body hanging on the ceiling fan when they returned from church.

    He said: “On arrival from church, his parents were shocked to discover the body of their son hanging on the ceiling fan in one of the apartments. One of his siblings was said to have raised alarm which attracted curious neighbours.

    “I was returning from church when I saw people gathered in front of the block of flats. When I enquired, I was told that Ugochukwu had committed suicide.

    “He finished his secondary school in 2009. I also learned he had threatened to take his life, saying he was frustrated.

    “Later, we saw some policemen from Festac division who removed the body.”

    When contacted, spokesperson for the police command, DSP Patricia Amadin said she was yet to get details from the Area ‘E’ Commander, Frank Mba.

  • Lagos approves 112 emergency lines for gender-based violence

    The Lagos State government has approved the use of 112 toll free emergency line to report cases of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect maltreatment and other sexual assaults with an assurance that information provided will be passed across while the concerned agencies will be notified immediately.

    According to the government, the decision is in line with its quest to ensure that victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence have a voice and concerned members of the public who wish to report acts of violence are able to do so with utmost confidentiality.

    Meanwhile, the State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) has concluded training for 190 officials of the State Emergency Command And Control Centre on how to receive reports of Sexual and Gender Based Violence incidents.

    DSVRT Coordinator Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi told journalists yesterday that the officials were trained on how to receive reports of Sexual and Gender Based Violence.

    She said aside the dissemination of the information to the appropriate agencies for action, callers would be informed of relevant steps to be taken, depending on the nature of the call.

    “They would also be given details, addresses and telephone numbers of the relevant agencies that would handle their issues; for cases of rape or defilement, they can report such to the Mirabel Centre or the Office of the Public Defender (OPD),” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

    She said necessary steps have been put in place to help victims of domestic violence get help and counselling as well as free legal services from the OPD.

    “The essence of this initiative is to encourage victims and members of the public to make use of the 112 toll free emergency lines to ensure access to justice irrespective of class and means,” she said.

  • Man in court for alleged stealing

    20-year-old man, Friday Thomas, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s court in Isolo for alleged stealing.

    Thomas was accused of stealing goods worth N555,920 from one Boniface Okolie at Nwachukwu Street, Okota, Lagos.

    The prosecuting police officer, Abbass Abayomi said the accused is facing a one count charge of stealing.

    He said the offence is punishable under Sections 285 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Adeola Adebayo granted the accused N100, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till September 11.

  • Police arrest ‘robbery kingpin’

    An alleged armed robbery kingpin, Bolaji Oyekanmi has been arrested by officers of the Lagos State Police Command.

    Foreign currencies were recovered from his hideout.

    Police detectives attached to Ilupeju Police Station led by Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), swooped on the kingpin whose gang specialises in attacking bullion vans.

    It was learnt that the kingpin was nabbed after his gang successfully robbed a bullion van conveying cash.

    According to a police source, $118,000 and £50,000 totalling  N177, 246, 000 were allegedly recovered from a native doctor’s residence at Mushin, which served as the gang’s hideout.

    The foreign currencies which were said to have belonged to the Bankers Warehouse had been returned to the owners.

    Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni said the suspect is under interrogation.

  • Make housing affordable, NASFAT urges Ambode

    Make housing affordable, NASFAT urges Ambode

    The Women wing of the Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has urged the Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to provide affordable housing for Lagosians.

    According to NASFAT, the homes sold by Ambode’s predecessor were out of the reach of the poor.

    Speaking during a visit to The Nation as part of its activities for the 16th Women’s Week, NASFAT National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Samiat Mumuni, said housing should be made affordable for low income earners.

    “How many civil servants can afford buying a home as much as N13 million? Housing scheme should not be for first class or middle class alone, the lower cadre  should be the utmost beneficiaries like what we had during the Lateef Jakande era,” she said.

    Alhaja Mumuni hailed Ambode’s alignment project in the ministries, urging him to encourage staff with better welfare.

    For the ministries to thrive, she said, Ambode should ensure all leakages in the civil service are blocked.

    She lamented the high rate of unemployment, calling President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the issue.

    She said: “The federal government should provide enabling environment for existing companies to generate more employment. The idea of companies relocating to neighbouring countries should be discouraged. Mr President should formulate policy that brings in more investors and not the one that will drive investors away.”

  • Group urges Buhari to sign safety bill into law

    Group urges Buhari to sign safety bill into law

    Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) practitioners have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign National Safety Bill into law.

    This, the group said, will aid enforcement of safety regulations in the country.

    The bill, which has since been passed by the seventh National Assembly, is rumoured to have been signed by into law but safety practitioners said the bill had remained on the president’s table for consent before the last general elections.

    The Director General of the Lagos State Safety Board, Mrs Dominga Odebunmi, said the speculation about the signing of the bill was fuelled by unconfirmed statement by officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

    She said it could not be confirmed if the bill had become a law, since there had been no signed copy made available to the Lagos State government, which established the first safety body in the country. She added that safety practitioners also had no information about the status of the bill.

    She said: “We are proud that the Federal Government pushed the National Assembly to pass the National Safety Bill before the last general elections. But, we are pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari to sign bill into law. Given that the president is a man that puts his pen where his word is, we are optimistic that, before the end of the year, he would sign the bill into law.”

    If President Buhari signs the bill into law, Odebunmi said, it would empower federal and state emergency response agencies to enforce regulations that would promote best international safety practices.

    She added the bill would play key role in preventing recurring industrial accidents, such of gas explosion and keep dangers away from work places.

    The Executive Director, Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Mr Jamiu Badmos, said economic growth of the nation is tied to the passage of the bill, noting that a safety law is needed to prevent needless loss of lives and properties.

    He said the Factory Act of 1990 could no longer guarantee safety and wellbeing of workers at their places of work, adding that there would be more job creation through establishment of State Safety Council if President Buhari signs the National Safety Bill.

  • Community pledges to fight crime

    The Ogunbiyi Community Development Association, owners of Computer Village, Ikeja has pledged to fight crime in the electronic business community.

    Its chairman Niyi Olasoji made the pledge when the group visited the new Commissioner of Police (CP) Fatai Owoseni.

    Olasoji said the association would embark on projects that would promote peaceful coexistence, noting that business can only thrive when the environment is conducive.

    He said the members would ensure that government rules and regulation on business operations are strictly observed.

    “We have resolved to support the Lagos State Government in ensuring the security of the environment. We have ensured the electrification of the streets in the village and empowerment of the youth within the community. We are equally going to fight noise pollution and ensure the closure of markets at the appropriate time in compliance with government directives,” he said.

  • Ambode, Jakande to students: future in your hands

    Ambode, Jakande to students: future in your hands

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state’s first Executive Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande have challenged secondary school leavers to aim for the best in their academic pursuit.

    The duo enjoined them to stay focused and not be distracted.

    They spoke during the presentation of 250 Free GCE forms to indigent students of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area at the council secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Jakande expressed happiness that the free education introduced during his regime is gaining more acceptability.

    “We never believe that the policy (free education) could go far but we that God that what we started then is being embrace by the populace,” he said.

    He hailed the council’s Executive Secretary Rasaq Ajala for investing in the youths.

    Ambode who was represented by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Olabisi Ariyo said the exercise was borne out of the realisation of the importance of education in the development of the people.

    “Since education has been identified as the greatest weapon against poverty, we must do everything within our means to ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background,” he said.

    The governor assured Lagosians of his administration’s commitment to providing qualitative education at all levels.

    “It is therefore necessary to appeal to parents to secure the future of their children and themselves by not engaging them in street trading during school hours. This is against the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.

    “To the beneficiaries of these Free GCE forms, I enjoin you all to show appreciation by performing well in your examinations through hard work. This is the only way you can make the council and your parents proud,” he said.

    Ajala said the gesture was an evidence that the council is progressing.

    He said: “We are very much conversant with the maxim that education is the best legacy you can bequeath to a soul but the factors militating against it left much to be desired. One major hindrance why many of our youths have unfulfilled dream is because of their inability to meet up with the financial demands of their academic. In this wise, we decided to assist these youths to realise their potentials. We believed so much in the power of knowledge. Education liberates the mind, inspires confidence and gives the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.”

    He said the council went through a painstaking process before embarking on the gesture, appealing to the beneficiaries to see it as a golden opportunity to pursue their life time dream.

    “My esteemed students, you must take your academics serious so that you can use it as a tool to free yourself from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease and all sorts of vicious vices. You must also inculcate excellent moral such that your immediate community can vouch for you. Do not be swayed by unproductive activities that neither add value nor bring progress to you. The future is yours; therefore I implore you to make maximum use of any worthy opportunity that comes your way. You must see yourself as good ambassadors of this council. We want that stereotyped mindset to change. We want Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to be projected positively in the committee of Local Councils through your academic achievement and impeccable character,” he said.