The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Ebola: Lagos tackles environmental pollution

    Ebola: Lagos tackles environmental pollution

    To prevent an outbreak of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state, Lagos State Government has kick-started a comprehensive revolution aimed at checkmating environmental pollution.

    To this end, Commissioner for the Environment Mr Tunji Bello has admonished residents to desist from defecating and urinating in public places and embrace proper environmental hygiene standards.

    He spoke at the “One-day Train the Trainers” programme organised by his ministry for Environment Health Officers (EHOs) (WoleWole) in all the council areas and Scientific Officers with the theme: Creating an army of advocacy to curb Ebola Virus through effective enlightenment at the grassroots.

    Bello explained that the state government had embarked on series of actions to control the spread of the disease since the announcement of its outbreak, especially in the state.

    “To complement other government efforts, the Ministry of the Environment has packaged educative programmes for Lagos residents starting with the “Train the Trainer” after which an army of these trained officials will embark on mass public enlightenment campaigns to markets, motor parks, schools across the state to create awareness on how to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease,” Bello said.

    He pointed out that since Lagos is home to all with a population of over 21 million inhabitants constituting diverse tribes across the country, the state government needs the support of the health workers who are professionally trained and Scientific Officers to act as health and end environmental police to assist in maintaining hygienic environmental standards across the state.

    Bello said the citizenry must cooperate effectively with the government and take necessary precautionary measures to contain stop Ebola virus disease in our communities.

    The commissioner stressed that Ebola is a highly infectious disease that makes those infected very sick, adding that presently, it has no cure.

    “As I speak, EVD is now considered an international public health emergency according to World Health Organisation (WHO). Ebola is a very terrifying disease, a killer. The only way out of this challenge is for us to embark on preventive measures which are what all our EHOs and Scientific Officers will be preaching across the state,” he said.

    He added: “We Lagosians should henceforth embrace strict personal hygiene not only for ourselves; we should extend the message further to the grassroots, other members of the public, our families, our friends and colleagues. If they are safe, we are safe; if they are not, we are not.”

  • Relief as peace returns to Ladipo market

    Relief as peace returns to Ladipo market

    The Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon Olatunde Adepitan has advised the newly elected leaders of Aguiyi Ironsi International Traders’ Association at the popular Ladipo market to sustain the existing peace and stability in the market.

    Speaking through the chairman of the market’s electoral committee, Mrs. Peju Akin-Ajayi, he noted that traders who are not interested in the politics going on in the market must be provided with the enabling environment to do their businesses without inhibition.

    “Leaders are chosen by God through people’s will. When an individual attempts to subvert the will of the people, he is calling for the wrath of God. Today, history is being made after about five years of commotion, fear, intimidation, harassment, lawlessness and killings. This is a new dawn in the annals of this market. Respect the constitution of the market, work with the relevant authorities and shun acts capable bringing you against the law. It is very important work closely with all the contestants because, though some lost out, you all belong to the same family of traders,” he noted.

    He added that those who sacrificed their resources, time and suffered to restore peace in the market would be compensated at the appropriate time.

    The association’s Chairman, Mr Cyril Onyemachi, promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by the traders who voted for him, adding: “A clean environment is one of the cardinal objectives of this administration, which include security, welfare for members, obedient to laws, prompt payment of dues and others,” he said.

    The outgoing Chairman of the market’s Management Committee, Hon. Olawale Olayiwola thanked the traders for their support and urged them to extend same to the new executive.

    Eze Ndigbo of Mushin John Nwosu, who described Onyemachi’s emergence as divinely arranged, urged the traders to give him necessary supports.

    The Chairman, Joint Management Committee of the market, Mr. Ajibade Hassan Olajoku, was sworn in as a representative of Paramo investment Limited, the owners of the market.

    Other elected officials are: Mr. Festus Obinali, Vice Chairman; Anthony Awazelibe, Secretary; Victor Nnaji, Assistant Secretary; Chukwunonso Efobi, Financial Secretary; Chile Okonwo, Treasurer; Emmanuel Mbamara, Public Relation Officer (PRO); Emmanuel Aroh, Assistant PRO; Uzoma Onyemaobi, Welfare Officer; Ezeh Darlington, Provost, and Lotenna Okoli, Assistant Provost.

  • Anxiety as alleged bomber is held at airport

    Anxiety as alleged bomber is held at airport

    •Police interrogating the disabled suspect

    Anxiety swept through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos yesterday as security officials arrested a disabled young man suspected to be a bomber.

    He was allegedly found with improvised explosive devices while trying to gain entrance into a facility near the Centrex Unit of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    Sources said the suspect was moving suspiciously along the road leading to the international wing of the airport when private security officials caught him with the alleged devices, following which he was handed over to the police.

    Confirming the incident, the General Manager, Public Affairs of NAMA, Mr Supo Atobatele, said: “The basic truth is that the said suspect was on the ground making phone calls along the airport road close to Centrex, an annex office of NAMA, when the agency’s security personnel accosted him.

    “His incoherent explanation exposed him to the security personnel who later found on him some devices suspected to be explosives. He was subsequently handed over to the Airport Police Command for further investigation.”

    A police source said the devices found on him are wired cables, which could be converted into explosives.

    Officials of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the Nigeria Police are still examining the devices, which had allegedly been diffused.

    Sequel to the suspect’s arrest, security has been beefed up around both the domestic and international terminals of the airport.

    Many workers, contractors and others that passed through the main entrance into the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NAMA and other offices were subjected to intensive search.

    At the headquarters of the police command, detectives, intelligence personnel and anti-bomb specialists were on hand to carry out intense interrogation on the suspect

    The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Waheed Salau declined comment on the development. But it was gathered that the office of the Inspector General of Police had been briefed.

    A source said the police were working to ascertain if the wires were explosives.

  • LASTMA arrests official for ‘bribe’

    LASTMA arrests official for ‘bribe’

    Following the extortion allegation leveled against a policeman and an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) by a driver last Saturday, the agency has arrested the official.

    The Nation had reported on Monday that a policeman, who was identified as Mr Friday with Force Number, 246623 and some officials of the agency, had collected N10,500 from an inter-state commercial bus driver heading for Edo State for not having a ‘Lagos State driver’s licence’.

    The driver, who was simply identified as Chris, said incident occurred about 7am in the Cappa bus stop area, along the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

    The driver said he was moved to Ilupeju bypass where he was eventually extorted by the team.

    To operate in Lagos, The Nation gathered, commercial vehicle drivers would be required to go through the drivers’ institute to obtain the drivers’ permit, which would enable them, with other documents, get the national driver’s licence.

    LASTMA spokesperson, Mamud Hassan, who confirmed the official’s arrest, said the agency was still looking for the policemen.

    He urged the driver to come and collect his money, adding that he should not be afraid as nobody would victimise him.

  • Driver accuses police, agency of extortion over ‘Lagos licence’

    Driver accuses police, agency of extortion over ‘Lagos licence’

    An inter-state commercial bus driver has accused some policemen and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) of collecting N10,500 from him for not having a “Lagos State driver’s licence.”

    He claimed the incident occurred about 7am last Saturday around Cappa bus stop on the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

    The driver’s 18-seater white Toyota commercial bus was heading for Benin, the Edo State capital, when he was allegedly arrested with his passengers.

    To operate in Lagos, commercial vehicle drivers are required to go through the drivers’ institute to obtain the driver permit.

    The owner will take the permit along with any other documents for the national driver’s licence.

    The driver, who simply identified himself as Chris, was arrested by the LASTMA officials led by a policeman identified simply as Friday with Force Number, 246623 and taken to Ilupeju Bypass where he was allegedly extorted.

    He said: “They demanded my Lagos State driver’s licence and I told them I did not have. I even told them that I had never heard about the existence of such, but they insisted, saying that if they should impound my bus and take it to their station, I would pay N100,000 before it would be released.

    “While the argument was going on, the passengers in my bus were complaining, advising me to settle them so that our journey to Edo State would not be delayed. I still did not want to comply but when the pressure from my passengers became so much, I had to negotiate with them and we finally agreed on N10,500.

    “It was the policeman that collected the money from me. I do not know when Lagos State introduced their own driver’s licence and which law says if a driver does not have it, he won’t ply Lagos roads. Governor Babatunde Fashola must address this issue”.

    LASTMA spokesperson, Bola Ajao said the allegation would be investigated, adding: “In LASTMA, we don’t condone indiscipline. We will act on this allegation.”

  • ‘I sleep with knife because of my husband’

    •I caught her with another man, claims husband

    Suliat Onakoya broke down in tears before the Customary Court, Agege, the popular Lagos suburb, as she sought the dissolution of her marriage to Waheed Onakoya for being “violent and uncaring.”

    “This is the second year he left home and I have been responsible for our rent. Each time he comes home, he would always threaten to beat me to death if I don’t leave his house. He told the landlord to eject me, but he couldn’t because I don’t owe him. I sleep with a knife because I am afraid he may attack me at night. I was hinted by my co-tenants that he beat his previous wife to a coma. He beats me over trivial issues. I don’t love him anymore; I want a dissolution,” she pleaded.

    Onakoya, who debunked the allegation, said: “I work in a neighbouring state; I only come home at weekends. Painfully, I once caught my wife with another man in our room. She enjoys listening to gossips. However, I love her and still want to be part of her.”

    The court president, Mr Philip Williams, advised the parties to maintain peace and urged Suliat to stop sleeping with a knife. He fixed a mediation session for the couple and ordered them to bring two relations each.

    He adjourned the case till September 11.

  • One dies, others injured as boat explodes

    One dies, others injured as boat explodes

    •Another electrocuted

    A man, Emmanuel Omu, was yesterday confirmed dead, and several others injured when a boat exploded in Lagos.

    Although the explosion was said to have occurred on Friday, the body was recovered yesterday by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials.

    The boat, belonging to an Oil and Gas company, was said to have caught fire after its engine exploded while trying to refill gasoline at Capital Oil Jetty on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    It was learnt that most of the boat’s passengers were rescued by volunteers immediately and taken to hospitals on Lagos Island.

    A relation of the deceased, Sunday Ezugha, told The Nation on telephone that they had been looking for him since the explosion occurred but could not find him. He said the explosion occurred between 7.45 and 8am last Friday.

    Ezugha accused the boat owners of abandoning the victims, adding that all efforts to reach them since the mishap had been unsuccessful.

    NEMA’s Southwest spokesman Ibrahim Farinloye said the agency only got the information after a report was made on Sunday.

    In another development, a 30-year-old man simply identified as Raphael was yesterday electrocuted at 20, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

    The victim was said to be doing some plumbing work on top of the building at the instance of the company occupying the premises before the incident.

    The director, State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, said the electrocution may have been caused by a naked wire.

    He said: “We used our ladder to bring him down, but unfortunately, he was already dead. He was doing some plumbing work on top of the building when the incident occurred. We also attended to four fire cases on Saturday night.”

  • I’m married to trouble, man tells court

    A traditional medical practitioner, Olatunde Salia, is seeking to divorce his  wife, Ganiyat, because of alleged attempted murder, rudeness and constant fighting.

    Salia, who said he remarried to kill loneliness, told the Customary Court in Alagbado, a Lagos suburb: “I thought I had passed the stage of child nursing. I never knew I was wrong. I wanted peace but I found trouble.”

    Salia, who said the 12-year-old union was contracted under Native and Customary Law, added: “My wife knows the nature of my job, but she complains bitterly whenever I attend to female clients. She is very temperamental. The last time I tried to avoid her trouble, she ate rat killer. Out of fear, I hurriedly took her to a nearby hospital at night.

    “My wife and I wash separately to the extent of fighting over clothesline. She lacks respect and embarrasses me publicly. We have children but from different spouses. We married to support each other in times of distress. What else do I want from a woman who doesn’t listen to me? I can’t bear the pain anymore; I don’t mind dissolution.”

    Ganiyat, however, told the court: “How can another woman buy foodstuffs into our home when I am still alive? He told me to leave his house if I was tired of him. I slightly pushed him because of the provocative statement. My husband swathed his leg and told his friends that I intentionally wanted to destroy his leg. He is quick to anger. He punched my eyes because I accused him of selling on credit; I have been in pains for over two weeks now.”

    “ I lied to have taken a rat poison because my presence in the house wasn’t noticed. I don’t regret my actions. My stubborn attitude has brought me this long in the marriage. I am sorry for the trouble I have caused him. At this level, death should be the only thing separating us.”

    The Court President, Mr Olubode Sekoni, advised them to cease fighting and maintain peace since they still live together. The case was adjourned till Thursday for judgment.

  • Akeusola for NOUN’s lecture

    Akeusola for NOUN’s lecture

    A professor of Yoruba-French Comparative Linguistics, Olu Akeusola will tomorrow speak at the fifth inaugural lecture series at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    Akeusola, the Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos, will speak on: ‘Preserving Yoruba language through linguistic vaccination of comparative grammar’, at the NOUN’s national headquarters, Victoria Island Lagos. Time is 2pm.

    Before his current position, Akeusola was the Dean of Arts and Social Science of NOUN.

  • ‘Cancer patient’s case can’t be handled in Nigeria’

    ‘Cancer patient’s case can’t be handled in Nigeria’

    •Woman requires N16m for surgery in India

    She cuts a pitiable picture in her pathetic state. What used to be her face is now a drooping mass of flesh. Her eyes, nose, mouth and chin are indefinable, making her look scary.

    This is the cancerous condition that a business woman, Mrs Yinka Popoola, has been battling with for three years.

    Writhing in pains, he now lives at the mercy of her three equally needy children in an uncompleted building at Ayetoro in Ogun State since her husband and relations seem to have abandoned her.

    Following her story in The Nation over a month ago, a source said kind-hearted Nigerians donated about N300,000 to aid her recovery. But sadly, the money went into medical bills and drugs.

    The patient, who hails from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, requires N16 million for corrective surgery in India as her condition cannot be handled here.

    But how did this problem start? “Over three years ago, I noticed a small boil by the side of my nose. At first, I thought it was nothing serious, but it continued to itch me terribly as I scratched it constantly. Then, it started growing bigger; I called my husband’s attention to it. I told him that I suspected a skin infection. He casually dismissed my suggestion, insisting that it was a mere boil which would soon ripen and pour out its puss,” she had told this reporter.

    As time went on, she realised that it was more serious than that. As the pains worsened, her face began to take a different shape despite her efforts to manage the ailment.

    Within a year, she became impoverished since all her savings and what was left of her business went into saving her life.

    With no help in sight, she hit the streets with the aid of her children, begging for alms to sustain herself.

    The search for what to eat took them as far as Mowe, an Ogun State suburb, where they met with a Good Samaritan at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Camp, who gave her some money and directed her to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for diagnosis.

    She heeded the man’s advice, following which she underwent a scan and series of x-ray which raised her hope that the disease could be treated through surgery.

    After roaming the hospital for days, she, again hit the streets, trudging from one bus stop to the other, begging for alms to feed herself and her children, and to see what she could raise out of the N3.2 million initial estimated cost of the surgery.

    Out of desperation, she opened an account with GTBank with number 0128760777, under the name, Yinka Popoola. She gave her phone number as 08143122984.

    As her condition grew worse, a sympathiser, who simply identified herself as Bukola, stepped up efforts to help her. “We wrote to LUTH, seeking a written medical bill, but the hospital wrote back on March 13, this year, that the surgery couldn’t be carried out in Nigeria because of lack of the relevant equipment. Now, I don’t know what to do except a miracle happens,” she said on Saturday.