The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Ex-NANS leader advises youths

    A former President of the National Association of Nigerians Students (NANS), Comrade Dare Ogunlana, has told his constituents not to expect motorcycles or sewing machines from him as a form of empowerment. Rather, he pledged to organise a robust empowerment programme that would enhance youth and women development.

    Ogunlana, popularly known as Above Jordan, gave the advice while picking his nomination form at the Peoples Democratic Party secretariat in Ibadan, in preparation for his political aspiration.

    “By the time you give me your mandate, I will ensure that we move constituents from a pedestrian politics to a world-class trend where all and sundry are not only involved in the process but also enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

    “I will work with the government of the state to initiate programmes that will help the youth, focus more on technical education and also establish a youth centre where youth development will be enhanced.

    “We cannot afford to remain on the usage of motorcycles, sewing machine and other minute things to empower our people; people deserve better representation which I am determined to offer,” he added.

  • Synagogue: Court declines to stop inquest

    Synagogue: Court declines to stop inquest

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused to grant an injunction suspending the inquest on the collapse of a building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun in Lagos.

    The collapse, which occurred on September 12, resulted in the death of over 115 people, mostly South Africans.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba held that there was no basis to restrain the District Coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, from continuing with the inquest.

    A lawyer, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje is seeking an order stopping further inquest on the incident.

    Lagos State the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Adeola Ipaye and Mr Komolafe are the respondents.

    The inquest was constituted on September 26 under the Coroner’s System Law No. 7 of 2007 to investigate the causes and circumstances surrounding the incident.

    The Coroner, who began sitting on October 13, had visited locus in quo (scene of the event) and had summoned the church’s leader, T.B Joshua to appear before him today.

    Ogungbeje’s lawyer, Mr Nelson Okedinachi had yesterday prayed Justice Buba to restrain the inquest from holding today, saying “heavens would fall” if the coroner sits, but state counsel, Mr Akinjide Bakare, opposed the application.

    Ruling, Justice Buba said: “This court on Friday declined to grant an ex-parte application to restrain the coroner from sitting and directed that the respondents be put on notice and abridged the time for hearing this case. The respondents were indeed served.

    “Now, counsel for Lagos State Government has appeared and sought for an adjournment to Thursday this week (tomorrow) to allow the respondents to react.

    “However, learned counsel for the applicant wants an interim order restraining the coroner from inviting Prophet T. B. Joshua from appearing before him tomorrow (today).

    “This court is not oblivious of the preamble of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules. However, Prophet Joshua is not a party in this application. He is not in detention.

    “If someone else chose to fight his cause in the name of public litigation, then the court can only restrain a body on behalf of another on certain principles. Nothing has been said as to what will happen to the applicant tomorrow (today), but rather to Prophet Joshua who will appear before the Coroner.

    “This court will always be guided by what is filed before it. If the application succeeds, the court can undo whatever is done. In this circumstance, the court will not restrain the Coroner’s inquest sitting tomorrow (today).

    “The matter is adjourned till 6th of November 2014 for hearing of the fundamental rights enforcement proceedings filed by the applicant.”

    Arguing that the inquest be suspended today until their case is heard tomorrow, Okedinachi said the Coroner could deliver his verdict before their suit is heard.

    “I will not be surprised if the coroner delivers his verdict tomorrow (today). He is a party in this suit and it is an insult on the court for him to continue sitting. The essence of T.B. Joshua’s appearance is to conclude the inquest,” he said.

    But opposed it, saying: “I don’t see how the heavens will fall or how the sitting of the coroner will affect the rights of Mr Ogungbeje.”

    But the judge said since the applicant is not directly affected by the inquest, he would not restrain it from sitting.

    “Show me what the Coroner wants to do to Ogungbeje….Why is T.B. Joshua not before me as an applicant? Is he detained? You must show me what will happen to Ogungbeje between now and Thursday,” he said.

    Okedinachi insisted that in a fundamental rights suit, someone can sue on another person’s behalf.

    Ogungbeje is contending that the composition of the inquest negates the principle of natural justice and Section 36 of the Constitution, and therefore should be declared unconstitutional and null and void.

    He said the inquest started sitting after state agencies had indicted Joshua and his church for wrongdoing and after the officials had blamed the church for adding additional structures on the building without approval.

    He argued that if allowed to continue, the inquest proceedings would occasion miscarriage of justice. According to him, the Coroner would base his decision on the testimonies of the same state officials who openly indicted Joshua and his church.

    Ogungbeje said for instance, the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA), the Building Control Agency, the Fire Service, the Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and others made public and prejudicial statements on  the cause of the building’s crash.

    He said Joshua’s claim that an aircraft hovered over the building prior to its fall, and that it could have been sabotaged, was ignored.

    “The Lagos State Building Control Agency even went ahead to seal up the main building of the church. The General Manager of the agency said in the papers and I quote him as follows: ‘We have investigated and found that they had no approval for the additional structures. Even the main church which they have added about three floors on was sealed two days ago,’” he said.

    The lawyer is seeking an order nullifying the inquest proceedings so far, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from calling further witnesses.

    He wants the court to stop them from sitting, investigating, embarking on fact-finding or taking any untoward action in any manner whatsoever on any facts connected to the case.

  • Five die in Lagos fire

    Five die in Lagos fire

    Five persons were burnt dead at about 10.28 pm on Monday. It was after a vehicle ran into a packed haulage truck near the Alimosho General Hospital bus stop at Igango, a Lagos suburb.

    The packed vehicle, which belongs to a private company, according to an eyewitness, was packed on the expressway indiscriminately.

    Rescue operation officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Fakolade Olatunbosun said a vehicle coming from Igando, which was being pursued for hitting a car, had turned off his head lamp to escape arrest. In the process, it ran into the stationary truck which was fully-loaded with alcoholic beverages. “Its fuel tank exploded and the vehicle caught fire,” he said.

    Olatunbosun said the three occupants of the affected vehicle died, while the Honda Civic car marked Lagos BDG 638 BP, which ran into it as one of its two occupants died instantly.

    A passerby who was said to be walking along the road during the disaster was also caught by the fire while trying to run for dear life. “The man fell into the nearby drain where he met his untimely death,” a source told The Nation.

    The LASEMA officer said two others victims who sustained serious burns were taken to the Gbagada General Hospital since the Alimosho General Hospital lacked the facility to handle their condition.

    Hoodlums, it was learnt, took advantage of the accident loot and vandalise property.

    The state Director of Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said five burnt bodies were recovered, adding that two survivors with burns were taken to the hospital for treatment.

  • Honour for Senators Tinubu, Solomon, others

    Honour for Senators Tinubu, Solomon, others

    THE National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chapter in Lagos State, has honoured Senator Oluremi Tinubu “for her selfless services to the state and the nation.”

    The group’s Chairman, Comrade Frank Nero, said she got the Excellence Award because “she is the best representative in the Lagos Central Senatorial District so far. She extended her goodwill to the grassroots by empowering the people, especially the youth”.

    Other personalities honoured by the group were: Oba Abdul Fatai Aremu Ojora; Hon Olumuyiwa Wahab Jimoh, member, Lagos State House of Assembly; Dr. C. Z. Anago, a former chairman, Apapa Iganmu LCDA; Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon (GOS) of Lagos West; CID Onyeka, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orile, and Hon Bamidele Avoseh.

    Nero urged the youth to be law-abiding during the forthcoming election. “This is our nation; let nobody prepare for war. Elections are not for wars. The youth in the different parties should not see themselves as enemies; rather, they should see themselves as partners in progress. Elections are not about fighting,’’ he advised.

    The guest speaker, Comrade Nelson Ekunjemi, said the future of the country was in the hands of the youth, adding: “Some youths dissipate their energies in the wrong things like thuggery. I wonder why a youth would want to be used as an instrument of destruction. We should go for what we can do to develop ourselves. Some people, such as Jesus Christ and General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) became great men when they were youths. I wonder why a youth would want to be used as weapon of destruction.”

    Avoseh also advised the youth, saying: “If any politician buys you a cutlass or gun, tell him to give it to his brother.’’

    He urged traditional rulers to tell the politicians the truth, adding that when there is peace in the community, it is for the good of all.

  • LASAA to parley parties on posters, banners

    LASAA to parley parties on posters, banners

    THE Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) will hold a meeting with political parties to spell out modalities guiding the use of campaign posters and banners for the forthcoming general elections.

    The agency’s Managing Director, Mr. George Noah, said the move was aimed at checkmating indiscriminate use of campaign posters and banners.

    Noah added that the parley would seek to ensure that the use of campaign posters and banners is done with proper consideration for the environment under enabling laws.

    He said: “Our officials are being attacked and harassed daily whenever they set out to discharge their statutory duties across the state. Despite repeated appeals and warnings, we have noticed an increasing trend in this ignoble act. This has to stop.”

    “We wish to restate our commitment to our earlier directive that posters will not be allowed within unauthorised places like high streets, highways, major roads, loops, bridges, pillars and triangulars. Posters are only allowed in designated zones namely: walls of public schools, public hospitals and stadia. The guidelines published by the agency before the last general elections of April 2011 still subsist. We wish to re-emphasize our preparedness to collaborate with all political parties, politicians, campaigners and supporters in achieving a smooth electoral exercise.”

  • Shell, SNEPCO partner on health

    Shell, SNEPCO partner on health

    TO tackle oral diseases which represent a major public health problem in the country, the management of St Kizito Clinic in Lagos has partnered Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) to set up a dental unit.

    The clinic’s Medical Director, Alda Gemmani, who spoke at the inauguration of the dental unit, lamented that dental health issues were yet to receive priority attention due to competitive health demands resulting in high prevalence of the consequences of poor oral health.

    Gemmani said periodontal disease and dental caries are two major oral health problems, while others include malocclusion, traumatised anterior teeth, dental fluorosis, and oral tumours.

    He revealed that the clinic’s daily consultations revealed poor oral health and dental hygiene among both adults and the children who are most vulnerable, adding that the issue not only causes pain but loss of man hours, leading to a reduced income for the family, with its attendant stress.

    “The Clinic started preventive dental services and educational programmes among patients and pupils of Ilasan-Jakande, Lekki; Idi-Araba, Mushin and Oreta, Ikorodu environs. So, the need of a dental unit to address patients’ needs grew due to lack of an accessible and affordable dental clinic in these areas.”

  • Federal task force swoops on Lagos highways

    •Takes over traffic control

    Scores of men and women engaged as Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, popularly called SURE-P/FERMA Federal Task Force, yesterday took over traffic control on federal highways across Lagos State.

    This situation forced men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) hitherto assigned to those areas, to step aside to avoid any likely clash.

    As early as 7.00am, the Sure-P Task Force officers were seen around Ketu as well as the Toll Gate, where their operation base is located.

    About three officers were each stationed at various points within a distance of 10 metres along the highways.

    The officers, who were dressed in black pants and T-shirts, looked business-like as they went about their duties.

    The officers, numbering about 5000, underwent rigorous training and exercise at the old FERMA yard around the Toll Gate area for over five months.

    Among their duties listed on a sign post erected at the old FERMA yard include: Recovery of Federal Government properties in the state, traffic management and control, and enforcement of right of way.

    A LASTMA officer, who spoke under anonymity, told this reporter: “They (Sure-P task force officers) distorted traffic flow on these roads, especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. They halted the activities of LASTMA officials on the road. When our officials complained, they ordered that they leave the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “Few minutes later when they discovered that our officials didn’t yield to their directives, they attacked them. And our officials were forced to leave the expressway. On October 23, they attacked a LASTMA official who was managing traffic on the expressway. They brought out guns and that made everyone to scamper for safety. On that day, motorists abandoned their vehicles to avoid attack.”

    The Ministry of Transportation had few months ago, raised the alarm on the possibility of the Task Force usurping the duties of LASTMA.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that the taskforce was set up to cause chaos in the state ahead of next year’s elections.

    However, the National Coordinator of the Sure-P Federal Task Force, Abdul Razak Rafiu Otto, refuted the claim, saying that it was set up across the 36 states of the federation with no sinister motive.

  • Adamawa: Group protests exclusion of Ngilari from race

    Some communities and youth groups, under the aegis of the Adamawa Collective, have kicked against the exclusion of the Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari from the 2015 governorship race.

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), last week, announced the zoning of the governorship position to the Central Senatorial District, thereby excluding aspirants from the Northern and Southern districts.

    The pasrty’s decision was announced after Ngilari, who is from the Northern Senatorial District, obtained nomination form to contest the election.

    Describing the decision of the PDP leadership as undemocratic and unacceptable, the group accused the party of double standard and a plot to undermine the governor because he is from a minority group.

    At a media briefing yesterday in Abuja, the group’s Coordinator, Eli Gamaliel, and Secretary, Dr. Panny Boga, argued that Ngilari was not a party to the agreement the party reached with the eight aspirants from the Central zone to contest the poll.

    According to them, Ngilari was still pursuing his ouster in court at the time the PDP reached the agreement with the eight aspirants.

    They added that by virtue of the court’s verdict, which installed Ngilari as governor, the agreement should have been overtaken by events.

    Gamaniel said: “It is important to state that when the decision was taken to zone the governorship to the Central Senatorial District, Governor Ngilari was not in office, neither was he part of the meeting.

    “The doctrine of necessity, which brought President Goodluck Jonathan to office during the illness and later death of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua remains a good reference point for the PDP.

    “It was in that same spirit of the doctrine of necessity that the late Governor Patrick Yakowa continued in office and contested in 2011 and won. This zoning arrangement for Adamawa State is to say the list, unjust and uncalled for.”

    Secretary of the Adamawa Collective, Boga, accused PDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Alhaji Hassan Tukur, of allegedly plotting to impose a particular candidate on the state.

    Boga said: “It is on record that Mu’azu and Tukur have mounted tremendous pressure on Ngilari to drop his governorship ambition in 2015 for the Senate. This was on the excuse that it has been zoned and reserved for the Fulani, particularly Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    “Yet, it is on record that impeached Governor Murtala Nyako, who spent almost eight years in office, is of the Fulani ethnic extraction.

    “We are not shocked by the stance of the hegemony because this was the same stance the likes of Prof Ango Abdullahi took when he insisted that President Jonathan should not contest in 2011 or the heavens would fall.

    “We, therefore, insist that since Ngilari was never a party to the agreement that zoned the governorship to Adamawa Central, it cannot be used against him in any material particular.”

  • Neighbourhood policing inaugurated

    Neighbourhood policing inaugurated

    Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS) has been inaugurated in Idimangoro, Agege Local Government. The group serves the entire community and operates within the established law of the land. It also works in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies to ensure the security of lives and property within the community. The event was held at the weekend in Sebiotimo, Agege, a Lagos suburb.

    VPS’s chairman Mr. Omodele Morufu, said the community was the first to introduce VPS in Nigeria .He, therefore, urged the residents to cooperate with members of the group in the discharge of their duties.

    “Neighbourhood policing can only be achieved if the community members can ensure a mutual relationship with the police as this will also reduce the crime rate in the community,”he said.

    The Chairman, Cammadeco Local Council Area, Comrade Segun Balogun, said the VPS had been doing a great job in the community. According to him, the cult memebers in our community are the problem. They call themselves Awawa boys, Million dollars and Abuja boys, among others. If two trusted residents can be employed from different communities in Agege Local Council Area,it will help reduce the level of crimes. Everything depends on members of the community. If they work hand- in- hand with the police, there will be a positive change.”

    The Divisional Police Officer, Isokoko Police Station, CSP Aliko Dankoli, said: “Community policing is a balance between re-active and pro-active policing. Residents should endeavour to report robbery cases during operations and not after they have extorted their valuable items.Parents should also train their wards to eschew crimes.”

  • Air traffic controllers slam Synagogue’s claim on aircraft

    Air traffic controllers slam Synagogue’s claim on aircraft

    The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has criticised the Synagogue Church of all Nation over claims that a mysterious aircraft flew over the church building a few minutes after it collapsed.

    President of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Victor Eyaru described as unacceptable, the information from the church located in Ikotun in Lagos that the building caved in moments after a mysterious aircraft hovered around the building undergoing construction.

    He spoke at the weekend in Kano.

    A section of the Synagogue Church Building collapsed on September 12.

    Eyaru, in his address at the 43rd annual general meeting of NATCA in Kano said the collapse should not be linked to any air traffic control activity.

    He said:” We want to state categorically that where the church is located is not part of either restricted or prohibited airspace where air traffic cannot take place”.

    “The aircraft in question was undertaking normal aviation practice in accordance to prescribed procedures and any link to the building collapse is absurd, laughable and acceptable”.