The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Ambode warns against indiscriminate tree felling

    Ambode warns against indiscriminate tree felling

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday warned residents against indiscriminate felling of trees. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to preservation of the environment and mitigation of global warming via tree planting.

    Flagging-off the 2015 tree planting campaign, the 8th in the series, at the Technical College in Ikotun,  Ambode said this year’s theme: “Tree, The Lungs of The Earth”  was apt as it clearly underscored the importance of the exercise in sustaining human life through air purification.

    He said tree planting remained the cheapest and simplest option for tackling climate change challenge and its effect on lives. Statistics and projections about the impact of climate change on the earth planet, particularly the gradual depletion of the rainforest, reinforced the need for all hands to be on deck, Ambode said.

    The governor enjoined the public to embrace tree planting as a way of life in order to restore the dignity of the earth, saying for every tree that must be removed, at least five must be planted.

    He hailed Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) for its advocacy that has resulted in the planting of about 5.9 million trees and the creation of over 96,000 jobs for artisans and professionals.

    “Today, let me reaffirm this administration`s commitment to preservation of the environment, mitigation of global warming and its attendant climate change through the annual tree planting exercise. We will not relent, we will continue in our effort. I will now flag-off the exercise that would take place simultaneously in 180 locations across the state.  Tree planting exercise remains the cheapest and simplest option and strategies to tackle the challenge, hence our resolve not to relent in this exercise”, the governor said.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Permanent Secretary Hakeem Ogunbambi an engineer, said the 2015 tree planting exercise is a worthy step to stem the tide of environmental degradation and inordinate exploitation of earth’s resources.

    He said the gathering was unique because it was the first of its kind by the Ambode administration.

    Ogunbambi said the exercise was taking place simultaneously in all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) with six areas designated as ceremonial sites across the state.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of award plagues to outstanding students, teachers, individuals and corporate organisations who participated in the ‘Me and My Tree’ programme.

    Oriade Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Bola Badmus-Olujobi urged residents to embrace tree planting as a panacea for climate problems.

    The council chief, who gave the change at Learing Field School on Assembly Road during the yearly Lagos Tree Planting, urged residents to take the exercise seriously to complement Ambode’s efforts in tackling flood and climate change.

    Olujobi urged residents to join hands with her administration and the state government in making Oriade LCDA a tree- friendly council area.

    Dignitaries at the event include LASPARK Managing Director Dr. Mrs Titi Anibaba, traditional rulers, House of Representatives member representing Lagos Mainland Constituency Jide Jimoh and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) Olawunmi Jasper among others.

     

     

  • Work begins on Ikotun-Ejigbo road next week

    Work begins on Ikotun-Ejigbo road next week

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has promised that work will begin on the dilapidated Ikotun-Ejigbo road within one week.

    During a visit yesterday, he described the state of the road as unacceptable, assuring residents that their suffering would soon end.

    Residents trooped out to thank him for his gesture.

    The governor said: “I have come personally to see for myself the state of Ejigbo road and it is very clear that this is totally unacceptable and there is no other remedy than to let our officials come to site within the next one week and the people of this neighbourhood should be guaranteed that work will start on Ikotun-Ejigbo-Isolo axis within the next seven days.

    Ambode appealed to the residents for understanding when the work begins, saying relief would be provided for them.

    “We would make sure that you have immediate relief and that in the course of the rehabilitation the people in the neighborhood should just bear with us? but work will commence immediately after Ramadan”, he said.

    A resident, Mr Taiwo Olaniyan, explained how he spends several hours in traffic daily.

    “Traffic on this axis has been terrible, a journey of five minutes, you end up spending hours because of bad road. The situation is worst whenever it rains that is why you find a lot of commercial vehicles taking one way just to get out of the traffic.”

    He thanked the governor for the gesture which he said would ease motorists and commuters’ pains.

     

  • Family accuses police of ‘incessant harassment’

    A Lagos family has gone to court to restrain the police from infringing on its right.

    The Okunu-Eleku family of Oko Olomi village in Gboije, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is praying that the police be stopped from interfering in “a minor family dispute”.

    It claimed that the police have abdicated their statutory constitutional responsibilities to dabble into family matters. The family is urging the court to compel the police to prosecute one of its members, Madam Toyin Awawu –Eleku, for constantly giving false information to the police about principal members of the family.

    Applicants in the suit with number FHC/L/CS/104/15 filed on behalf of the family by the law firm of Paul Bamidele Ogundele are agent to the family, Mr. Femi Bakare Otolono, Chairman/CEO of Otofemi properties, Chief Tajudeen Eleku, Chief Segun Eleku, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Balogun and Mr. Lateef Eleku.

    The family alleged that on the strength of Madam Eleku’s petitions, many family members were arrested and detained and released on bail after investigation vindicated them.

    The case, it claimed, had gone from Elemoro Police Station, to Area Command at Ajah, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) , Panti, Yaba Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),  Ikeja, to X – Squad at Fire Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Squad, Abuja and Lagos State Task Force at Alausa, Ikeja.

     

  • Judge warns parties in land disputes

    Did anyone send thugs to attack people and damage shops on a disputed land at Agunfoye Idiorogbo Village in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos, on July 2 and 3?

    Nobody did, a Lagos High Court, Ikorodu Division, was told yesterday.

    Speaking before Justice M.A. Savage, the defendants and judgment creditors, including some representatives of the Adeyoruwa family of Agunfoye, Idiorogbo Igbogbo, alleged through their lawyer that the respondents sent heavily armed thugs to the land in defence of a court injunction.

    They claimed that six of the thugs were arrested by the police at Igbogbo Division on July 2 and 3,but were released on the orders of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

    But, respondents counsel Olatunji Oshikoya denied the allegations, saying the land belongs to his clients.

    Providing pictures to back up his argument, he said no shop of the claimant was destroyed, adding  that those arrested were not party to the proceedings. He urged the court to discountenance the allegations.

    In his ruling, Justice Savage said: “All allegations by the judgment creditor have been denied. The court’s orders must be obeyed.”  He said his orders on the matter subsist, urging the counsels to advice their clients to obey court orders or face the consequences.

    The case was adjourned till October 20.

     

  • Lagos seals off 29 fake medicine stores

    Lagos State Task Force on Fake, Counterfeit and Unwholesome Processed Foods has sealed off 29 illegal Patent Medicine stores.

    Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi said the stores contravened the law on the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine stores.

    Their offences includes sales of drugs without license from the regulatory authority; failure or refusal to relocate from a market area and adherence to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and market place as stipulated by the law; and sales of counterfeit and fake drugs.

    She said: “The closure is part of the government’s efforts at ridding the state of fake, substandard and illegal drug operators and outlets as well as ensuring high drug quality through sanitation and streamlining of drug distribution system in the state. It is important that operators of pharmaceutical shops and patent medicine stores operate within the ambit of the law regulating their operations as the state government would not take it lightly with any operators of pharmaceutical products who disregard the laws of the state.”

    The government, she said, acted in accordance with Chapter C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act of 1999, Number 25.

    The affected stores and unregistered premises are: Goodnews Store at 8, Badore Road, Folarin Bus-stop, Ajah; Jonadab Nwaogwugwu Chemist, Seyi-Omogwa Street, Lakowe Phase 2, Lekki; and BL Supermarket, Yomade Shopping Mall, Awoyaya Bus-stop, Lekki ; Tela Rose Pharmacy, 13 Shonibare S. Complex, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki; Omata Chemist, 2 Seyi Omogwa Street, Lakowe Phase 2, Lekki; and Uzoma Shop, Bale Palace, Abijo town, Lekki; Chidominion Stores, Olasuru Shopping Plaza, Haruna Bus-stop, Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajah; Chinkem Pharmaceutical Ltd., Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajah; Shade Chemist, 2, David Oladapo Street, Ajah; Big Friend Merchant Store, Sangotedo Ajah; and Kike Medicine Stores, Oke-Imole Street, Sangotedo, Ajah.

     

  • Ejigbo three: Witness’ absence stalls suspects’ trial

    Trial of 10 persons accused of abusing three women in Ejigbo, Lagos, two years ago, was stalled yesterday because of the absence of a witness.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court was told that the prosecution witness (PW) was held up in traffic by a downpour.

    Prosecuting state counsel Bola Akinsete said the witness left Port Novo, Republic of Benin for Lagos but could not make it to court because of the “heavy rainfall”.

    She said the witness would arrive in Lagos yesterday and would be accommodated.

    The prosecutor prayed Justice Ipaye to adjourn the matter till today, saying the witness would be in court to testify.

    Responding, Olukoyede Ademiluyi, holding the brief of Tunji Busari, counsel to the second and third defendants, did not oppose the request, but pointed out that the prosecution should have taken steps to ensure that the witness was in court.

    “This is a case that must be tried expeditiously and not one to beý dragged”, he said noting that it was the second time the prosecution was asking for adjournment since the trial started in March.

    Citing the Evidence Act, he said: “Where the prosecution is unprepared or a witness is unprepared to make himself available, the court can discountenance such a witness and proceed with other witnesses”.

    Ademiluyi urged the court to go on with other witnesses pointing out that it appeared the prosecution was not ready to go oný with the matter.

    Lagos State preferred charges against Ahmed Adisa , Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Harun a for their involvement in the torture and molestation of Mrs Ajoke Agomo and her daughters.

    They are accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

    Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till today and tomorrow.

     

     

  • Ensure proper refuse disposal, residents told

    Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary, Jide Bello has appealed to residents of his area to stop indiscriminate refuse dumping.

    Speaking during the tree planting exercise in Mushin, he said virtually all the roads constructed by the state and local governments were being damaged by flood because of the refuse blocked the drainage channels. “The refuse were generated by few disgruntled individuals, larger number of people suffers when the roads are bad. The rain water could easily enter the drainage channels if the refuse had not blocked the drains. There must be attitudinal changes by the residents. The slogan of our party,” he said.

    Bello went on: “Tree planting has become a yearly programme of the state, the trees we planted last year and years before are being nurtured to maturity, families, schools , churches, mosques, markets, associations, clubs , streets and others must cultivate the idea of planting trees.

    “The trees are beneficial to human existence. No individual or group of people must cut any tree without government approval. Rams, cattles, goats etc must not be allowed to eat leaves from these trees; the owners of such animals will be prosecuted.”

    He urged landlords to leave enough space for car park, trees and others within their compounds adding that illegal parking of cars, trucks on major roads should become a thing of the past.

    In attendance were representative of Lagos State Governor Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, a director in the Ministry of the Environment, Bade Adebowale, an engineer, the Onitire of Itire land, Oba Lateef Dauda, Area Commander Area ‘D’ Command Mr MD Garba, CDC chairman Alhaji Rasheed Agbolade, Chief Imam Mushin Central Mosque Alhaji Sulaimon Olanijo.

     

  • ‘My man is cruel, uncaring’

    A middle age woman, Jacinta Iniekung, has asked the Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 17-years marriage, accusing her husband, Edet of abandoning her.

    Mrs Iniekung, a resident of 7, Alake Street in Ojota, Lagos, said her husband accused her of promiscuity.

    she said: “My husband’s attitude changed immediately we got married because I was the one who rented the house we lived in. Since then, he never made his intention known to me,” she said.

    The petitioner said she wasn’t told her husband was building a house in his hometown until he completed it.

    She said: “Two years after our wedding,” we lived as strangers. He mostly slept outside. We never had our own moment. Mrs Iniekung said she had lost count of the number of times her husband locked her outside before she returned from work, adding that when she could no longer stand the maltreatment she left his house.

    “It’s been seven years since I left the house and he hasn’t granted me access to see our children. Our second child was four-year-old when my husband brought a letter from welfare office which stated that our children should be in his custody,”she said.

    Mrs Iniekung said she was opportune to see her son six years after she left but he couldn’t recognise her.

    “The reason I brought his case to court is because I heard he is relocating to AkwaIbom with our children and I really don’t know what my fate will be if they go. I am not happy; we gave birth to these children together, “she added.

    The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Willams, ordered the respondent to appear in court on July 23.

  • New magistrate to try brothers

    Lagos Chief Judge Justice Olufunmilaya Atilade has re-assigned the case of the Sanusi brothers, Sulaiman and Kehinde, , to another Magistrate following their petition.

    Magistrate P.A. Adekomaya is taking over the case from magistrate Adeola Adedayo, who the brothers accused in their petition of bias.

    Their petition followed magistrate Adedayo’s allegation on April 13 how were to be arraigned before her for alleged unlawful possession of firearms, were after her life.

    The new trial Magistrate is P. A.  Adekomaya takes over from Magistrate Adeola Adedayo who at the last sitting of the court on April 13 raised alarm over alleged threat to her life by two suspects who were to be arraigned before her for alleged unlawful possession of firearms.             She said: “I feel very threatened, let the world know about it so that if anything happens to me and any member of my family the whole world will know who to hold.

    I don’t know why a defendant should know my house; my life is at risk. Somebody is alleged to be in possession of firearms and he wrote petitions to threaten my life analysing my marital status, my family background and where I live, who I live with and how I move in and move out everyday.”

    I don’t know why a defendant should know my house; my life is at risk

     

  • Support for Uche family

    Support for Uche family

    Want to help the Uches, who have three sets of twins? You can do so through Mrs Ruth Uche’s GTBank account with number: 0174096996.

    Mrs Uche’s husband, Emeka, absconded from home when he learnt that his wife was pregnant with their third set of twins.

    He has yet to return despite his wife’s plea to come back. Mr Uche told The Nation last week that he disappeared because he could no longer cope with the strains of providing for his family.

    He said in a phone conversation with The Nation: “I love my children,  I miss my wife too, but I am afraid to come back. People won’t understand how frustrating life has been. I am scared I would be arrested if I come out.

    “How do I watch my kids suffer? I could not tolerate it. I did not even have money to assist my family. I watched them suffer daily, without knowing what to do.”