Category: City Beats

Shock waves ran through the Alagbado Customary Court in Lagos, yesterday, when Omolara Adekunle, who wore a forlorn look, prayed the Alagbado Customary Court, Ile-Iwe, Lagos, to dissolve her marriage of 10 years with her husband, Sunkanmi.

The union, which is blessed with three children, has, for many years, been enmeshed in troubles.

With tears cascading her face, Omolara  said: “I have never enjoyed the ‘fun’ and attention deserving of a married woman. With three children, my husband gives me N100 per day. Even when he is financially buoyant, he prefers to spend it on Indian hemp. I can’t remember the last time my husband bought a dress for me or even appreciated my efforts towards the family. I always complain bitterly whenever he sniffs in the sitting room. Instead of taking to correction, he beats me mercilessly to the extent of using a bottle on my head. As the father, I want the responsibilities of our children in his care, but I want them in my custody.”

However, Adekunle, who wore a pitiful look, said dissolution of the marriage was the least in mind. He claimed to give her N500 per day, but could not afford N15,000 monthly for three children.

“We have lived happily together as a family. Through thick and thin, she stood by me. All she said is true, but I seek forgiveness. I am jobless and can’t afford to cater for their needs. I need my wife in my life because she has always given me her back to lean on,” he pleaded.

The court President,  Mr Olabode Sekoni, therefore, adjourned the case till July 21, for judgment.

The President of the Heroes Forum, Mr. Gboyega Amoboye, has asked the National Assembly and the National Conference to provide in the nation’s constitution, a public holiday for the celebration of its heroes to foster unity.

In a statement, Amoboye, a media consultant, said for the labour of our heroes past and living not to be in vain, conscious effort must be made to remember and celebrate them annually “just as the United States (US) does annually to the memory of the late black American activist, Martins Luther King Jnr.”

He said that there was no reason we should be unable to celebrate ours if the country used to celebrate British Heroes as Empire Day.

Amoboye also sought a national burial for the late former Minister of Information, Prof Dora Akunyili, whom he described as the “best female president Nigeria had looked up to,” in appreciation of her selfless and most patriotic service to her fatherland.

He said: “In the world over, especially developed countries, monuments of national heroes are built in strategic locations in capital cities where citizens and tourists visit regularly to keep their memories alive and dig up national history.”

Residents of Mafoluku Oshodi in Lagos State, under the aegis of Mafoluku Community Residents’ Association, have denied attacking officials of the Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC). They described as “a cocktail of lies,” company’s claim that members of the community assaulted its workers during a protest on June 21.

The residents said the protest was to call attention to their plight, having been paying outrageous estimated bills for many years.  The association said it had met many times with officials of IKEDC in order to resolve the problem to no avail.

It said the rally was peaceful, adding that at no time were the police invited.

The movement to IKEDC’s office, the association said, was at the instance of reporters, who witnessed the protest, noting that the group met no staff at the office. The group maintained that contrary to claims of the power company, none of the journalists reported a brearkdown in law and order.

On the temporary shutdown of Mafoluku injection substation, the association said it was done as a “punitive measure to discourage Nigerians from exercising their rights to proper billing system.”

The group said the residents had been responsible for fixing and maintaining electricity cables and other spares of the company.

The residents said they would no longer be responsible for the provision and maintenance of IKEDC facilities.

They sought a 50-percent reduction on all estimated and coded bills from January till when pre-paid metres would be available.

The residents also insisted that the 50 percent reduced bill would only be paid after a duly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between them and IKEDC.

Besides demanding a public apology from the company for spreading what they called malicious information about the community, the residents are seeking immediate restoration of power in the area. The resident said they are open to dialogue with the company.