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Tag: Badagry

  • Badagry presents N1.9bn budget

    The Badagry Local Government has presented a total sum of N1,929,889,099.38 as its total budget for the 2018 fiscal year.

    The Chairman of the council, Hon. Olusegun Onilude, presented the budget tagged “Budget of Hope” to the people of the local government area on Thursday at the council secretariat.

    He said out of the total sum, the capital expenditure would gulp 27 per cent as against 73 per cent of the recurrent expenditure.

    “This is an improvement on the last year’s budget in which 11 per cent was voted for the capital expenditure of the local government, “ he said.

    Onilude pointed out that the budget was to give hope to all the residents in the area since it was meant to give them a sense of belonging by the provision of projects that would impact positively on their well-being.

    He noted that out of the budgeted sum, if teachers’ salaries and personnel costs were deducted, the capital ratio stood at 55 per cent as against 45 per cent overhead costs.

    “Since this administration resumed, we might not have been making noise about our achievements, but we are silently impacting on the lives of our people. The first thing we did was to complete the legislative building  which accommodates all the legislators, clerk of the house and some supervisors.

    “ We have equally repaired some of our roads. We provided the drainage at Ikoga Market and Ikoga Motor Park. Some of our roads from Agric to Isalu, Sako,Samuel Ekundayo in Badagry and some roads at Ikoga have been graded. An attempt was made to sandfill the Badagry Roundabout Motor Park. Efforts are still ongoing in that direction.

    “We have also tarred roads at Jegba, opposite Methodist Church, Badagry and drilled boreholes at Gberefu and Isalu .This administration has completely tarred Ayekomeh-Badagry Road leading to the GRA, while the Ajido Recreation Centre has been completed. The Ajido Town Hall, which was in bad state, has been salvaged. “

    On the security of lives and properties of the people of the local government area, Onilude said his administration had put a machinery in motion to stem the wave of crimes in the area. This, he said, yielded a positive result when early in the year over 150 cultists renounced their membership of their various cult groups.

    “The welfare of the members of staff of the local government is also paramount. To this end, we have instituted free-interest loans for the staff to cater for their emergency needs as occasions demand,”Onilude said.

    He urged the people of the local government area to cooperate with the administration by paying their rates and tolls to the coffers of the council as at when due to facilitate the provision of goods and services.

  • Lagos opens eight vehicle inspection centres

    Determined to ensure that only road worth vehicles ply the state’s roads, Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode today started the inauguration of eight computerized vehicle inspection centres spread across nooks and crannies of the state.

    The exercise, which would be rounded up tomorrow would put an end to human-error prone testing in checking the health status of vehicles on the roads.

    The eight centres located in Oko- Oba; Ayobo-Ipaja; Oko-Afo; Badagry; PWD; Gbagada; Agric-Isawo and Epe added to the two centres – Ojodu and Odogunyan- Ikorodu commissioned in April last year.

    With the centres in place, the government plans to completely eradicate physical inspection of vehicles while the issuance of road worthiness certificate would be hinged on the inspection of vehicles at any of the testing centre.

    Ambode who was represented at the opening which is still ongoing as of the time of filing this report, by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson said before the end of the year, 10 more centres would be opened.

    The governor said it is the plan of his government to replicate the centres in all the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

    He said, “We’ve taken this route to ensure that there’s a departure to happened between 2013 and 2016, when over 416 lives were lost and 2,498 were injured due to road crashes caused by human errors which research has proved to be responsible for 90% of accidents while mechanical and environmental factors account for only 10%.”

    He disclosed that since the opening of the two centres at Ojodu and Ikorodu, 93,768 vehicles were inspected between April 2017- December 2017. Of these, 53,970 vehicles passed, 39,798 failed and 29, 977 of those that failed had a retest and passed.

    “It is noteworthy that over 60% of the vehicles that failed were as a result of faulty brakes while others failed due to issues relating to lighting, suspensions, tyres and so on. This effort has been tripled with the launch of these 8 new centres which will provide a faultless and human error-proof system that will indicate the state of your vehicles in the following areas among others: Emission system, the beam (lighting focus and aim), braking system, suspension system, body, tyres, etc.”

    Read Also: Ambode approves construction of Fagba Bridge

    He appealed to Lagosians to patronize the centres “so that our commitment to a safe, secure, reliable and efficient transport system will bear the expected fruits.

    “This is because vehicle safety is a key component for total safety on the roads. As always, I wish to remind you that the government cannot do it alone. It is therefore the responsibility of all vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles”, he added.

    He called on major stakeholders and partners in road transportation such as NURTW, RTEAN, Taxi operators and other road users to take advantage of our gesture through patronage of these 10 centres.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salam said the state government is leveraging on technology to reduce road carnage and improve road safety which is one of the administration’s watchwords.

    Managing Director of the Lagos State Computerized Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS), Prince Segun Obayendo said each of the centres has capacity to inspect 80 vehicles per day.

    He commended the Governor for putting in place the safety infrastructure which he described as a project to save lives.

    “This is about doing the right thing to get the right result by checking the health status of our vehicles. Unfortunately we have not been doing this in the country, we have compromised on this”.

  • Badagry targets winning Lagos spelling competition

    The wife of the executive chairman of the Badagry Local Government and chairperson of the new Era Foundation of the Council Chapter, Mrs. Mojisola Onilude has charged the winner of this year spelling bee competition of the local government, Miss Ewuche Favor of Topo Senior Grammar School Topo Badagry to brace up for the challenge of becoming a one day Governor of Lagos State.

    She gave this charge during this year’s Spelling Bee Competition organized by the Local Government for both Primary and Secondary Schools Students in the Council Area.

    Mrs. Onilude said all hands must be on deck by the Principal and teachers of the Topo – Senior Grammar School to see that Miss Ewuche beats all other contestants in the forth coming grand Finale of the spelling bee competition in the state emerge as the first one day governor of the state of Badagry since the inception of the competition in 2001.

    “Last Year, one of our students, Miss Blessing Ogidan, a Student of Methodist Senior High School, Badagry was the first runner up at the grand finale of the competition of Lagos State. She is the current one day Deputy Governor of the State. This year, I am sure that the one day governor will come from Badagry”.

    To this end, she said the local government will do everything possible to make that dream a reality for the local government.

    Mrs. Onilude who commended the initiative of Senator Oluremi Tinubu in the establishment of the spelling bee competition in Lagos State in 2001 as the wife of the Governor of the State Senator Bola Tinubu Pointed out that the mustard seed she sowed has helped to push up the educational standard in the State and encouraged Pupils in Primary and Secondary Schools in the State to aim at achieving higher Status in life.

    “This spelling Bee Competition which has now been taken over by the Lagos state Ministry of Education in collaboration with the New Era Foundation has become one of the most prestigious competitors among Public Primary and Secondary Schools Students in Lagos State” She said.

    Other Winners of the Competition in the Local Government include, Miss Aguinam Precious of the Methodist Senior High School, Badagry who emerged as the second runner up and Master Yemaro Segun of the Methodist Senior Grammar School Badagry who emerged as the third runner up in the Secondary School category and Miss Ogunjimi Raimot of the Methodist Primary School, Badagry emerged as the Winner of the Primary School Category.

  • Three docked over alleged snatching of election materials

    Three men, who allegedly snatched election materials during Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Congress in Badagry, Lagos, on Monday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in the state.

    The accused are Oke Sunday, 37; Epi Ajose, 45; and Raufu Tijani, 23.

    The accused, who have no fixed addresses, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and breach of the peace.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, ASP Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences at 11.30a.m. at Local Authority Primary School, Badagry.

    The prosecutor said that the accused disrupted the election by snatching materials for its conduct.

    Unuigbe said that Messrs Gusanu Paul and Abdullahi Bashiru reported the case at a police station.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.A. Ojo, granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

    Ojo ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed.

    He also directed that the sureties should show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned until June 6 for hearing.

  • JJT, Badagry, other parks boost recreation, tourism

    PARKSand Gardens in Lagos State have lived up to expectation as they have become tourists and recreation havens. Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, who disclosed this at his Ministry’s annual ministerial briefing, which held in Alausa yesterday, said the recently established Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park, otherwise known as JJT Park, the Rafiu Jafojo Park and the Badagry Park, have continued to attract visitors from within and outside the country.

    The briefing was to commemorate the third year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    According to him, Governor Ambode’s Administration has progressively altered the state landscape  through aggressive greening, tree planting, beautification, landscaping and establishment of parks and gardens.

    “To enhance environmental sustainability and meet health and recreational needs of the citizenry, the state government in the last one year commissioned three world-class parks in different parts of the state. These parks are the Johnson Jakande Tinubu(JJT) Park, located in Alausa, Ikeja, Rafiu Jafojo Park in Shasha, Alimosho and Badagry Recreational Park.

    “Together with other existing parks, the JJT Park, Rafiu Jafojo Park and Badagry Recreational Park soon became vital to the tourism matrix of the state as Lagos State scaled up as both local and international tourists destination with an upsurge of park users by one hundred and twenty-four per cent,” he said.

    The state greening policy was consistent with its aim of aiding climate change mitigation efforts and reclaiming the glory of Lagos environment, which it was renowned for as well as parks and gardens. He added that government, in conformity with this goal, has encouraged the establishment of Parks and Gardens Units in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to promote the ideals of greening and stimulate the development of recreational parks at the grassroots.

    “As we speak, six new parks are earmarked for development in Oregun, Iponri, Ikotun, Queens Drive (Oyinka Abayomi, Ikoyi), Iganmu and Epe in addition to the establishment of a florist’s village in Osborne, Ikoyi to enhance the greening programme,”he said.

    He explained that the state greening programme received a major boost from the state Nursery Unit, which has been able to meet ninety-five per cent of the state’s need for plant by increasing seedling production from a paltry four thousand plant seedlings monthly to over fifty thousand plant seedling monthly.

  • Man docked for alleged fake vision, obtaining N400,000 to avert death

    A 36-year-old man, Temitope Adeite was on Friday arraigned in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State for allegedly obtaining N400, 000 from one Mrs Emmanuella Obafemi over fake vision.

    Adeite, whose address was not provided, was alleged to have collected the money from his victim to appease the gods over a vision he saw that the woman would die.

    The accused was charged with obtaining under false pretenses contravening Section 322 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Akpan Ikem told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in March at Ikoga area of Badagry.

    “The accused collected the money from the complainant, Mrs Emmanuella Obafemi, to appease the gods over a vision he saw that the woman would die.

     Read Also: Alleged escape bid: Court sends senator’s brother, others to prison

    “He converted the money to his personal use and went on a spending spree but later ran away when he realises that the police were after him.

    “He was later arrested, brought for questioning and charged before this court,” he said.

    The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In a ruling, Chief Magistrate, Jimoh Adefioye granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Adefioye said the sureties should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case until May 23 for mention.

    NAN

  • N53b Lagos Dubai city berths in Badagry

    The much talked about Lagos Dream got a major boost on Thursday, April 12, 2018, when the foundation of the Badagry N53billion business city was laid.  Debuting with the first phase, an N18billion shopping complex, christened the Oba Akran International Shopping Mall, the managers of the project said the vision, when completed, will translate the lush vegetation along Lagos-Badagry-Seme-Cotonou International Express-road to what they described as ‘Lagos Dubai.’

    To be constructed on 93-acres of land, the project, which is expected to be completed in the next 24 months from commencement, is being handled by PALMNTO Nigeria Limited, a consortium of investors and developers in conjunction with the Badagry Royal House and other investors.

    The land breaking and foundation laying ceremony, supervised by De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, array of other numerous traditional royal fathers, top government officials and a teeming population of investors, was brief but thrilling as the speeches on investment were laced with rich traditional dances.

    The core stakeholders said the vision is to transform Badagry to an international trading and tourist centre in the mode of Dubai.

    In line with this spirit, Setonji David, representing Badagry Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, was business-like when he reached out without airs, plastered the two blocks together and quickly unveiled the foundation stone. Time was 2pm, Thursday April 12, 2018. Simple as his assignment was that afternoon, observers said the ceremony has flagged off a new chapter in the economic history of both Badagry and Lagos State.

    The Oba Akran explained the vision and revealed how the idea was born: “The desire to have a legacy which will serve to immortalise my name and of course immortalise the historic royal institution of Badagry, has, for a very long time, been nursed by me.

    “At a point in time, I remembered the 93-acre family land on which we are today, and thus, came to the conclusion that such a parcel of land could be used to provide the legacy of my dream.  Thereafter, effective machinery was set up to produce technical, legal and financial partners and in the process, PALMNTO Nigeria Limited emerged.

    Top officials of Palmnto, the consortium handling the project, also told The Nation why they are enthusiastic the project will be a great success. The Managing Director, Kalu O. Okorafor, said “For over two years now, the company has been trying to put things together in order to kick-start the project. Along the line, our consultants have given us tremendous support and advice, which enabled us to weather the storm of business space.”

    He expressed appreciation to bodies like Amalgamated Traders Association of Lagos (ATAL), Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), which he said have been critical to the development of the project, assuring them that their confidence and support in the project would not be in vain.

    “The scope of Oba Akran International Shopping Mall is big. We call on investors to partner with us for early realisation of the project. We assure you that profit-wise, we are for a win-win situation for the stakeholders,” he added.

    On what the project would be made up of, Okoroafor said, “for the first phase, which will cost N18billion, the building structures consists of lock-up shops, plazas and offices, warehouses, banking halls, police posts, clinics, fire stations and so on, while the second phase is estimated to cost N54billion. The amount would be expended in the construction of a five-star hotel, schools and housing estates.

    “Outside the main structures is to be accompanied with well-planned road networks, paved walkways, external electrification, water supply with treatment plants, refuse disposal system, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera system, car parking lots amongst others.”

    He added: “The facilities that would be provided here in the mall are of world class standard. The environment is serene, aesthetically pleasing with laid-out landscapes.”

    Jide Adefesowa, a lawyer and director of the outfit, introduced a spiritual dimension while explaining to The Nation how the project was initiated: “First of all, I have to appreciate the Almighty God, because it is through the Almighty God that I came here. It is the intervention of God that brought me here today. Why I say this is that it was through my pastor, Pastor Amos Ade, of the Christian Revival Centre, who said that I should tap into the virgin land of Badagry; that I should put my investment in Badagry Kingdom. Then I told him that I didn’t understand. He told me that I will be part of the people that will develop Badagry. It was through that that I met Architect Okorafor,” he said adding that from that meeting, a partnership was struck.

    ”What I can tell you is that the opportunities are limitless. It is massive and it cannot be quantified. In the coming years, you will be a witness to the massive transformation that will take place in this place. Everybody is committed and there is already massive interest by all the stakeholders and the target market.

    “The project is not going to be for the people outside alone. It is going to benefit the people of Badagry in a lot of ways. Not only will there be investors coming from this place, many of them are going to be employed. We are close to the ports through which goods and services could be ferried to any part of the country. They are key to this, given their already established talents and way of life. So, they are going to benefit massively. That also goes for the people in neighbouring countries. Investment is not restricted. There will be investments from all over the world; from America, UK, Asia and other parts of the world. Everybody is welcome. The space is large enough for everybody.

    Confirming this belief, Okorafor, told The Nation that citing of the project in its present location, was not only going to create another world for Badagry and its people, but would help to open up the space for business in Nigeria, especially with the several investment initiatives of the Lagos State Government.

    ”You are aware that within Badagry here, drilling of oil is already going on. You are also aware of the deep sea port, which the government is pursuing. The governor has already signed some documents. Don’t forget the 10-lane expressway that passes through here. With the BRT, with the train and other easy transport services, you are in Badagry in 30minutes. So, there is a tendency that in the next seven or 10 years, you may not find a space anymore here with the massive development that is expected.

    Emphasising that the first phase was envisaged to be completed in two years, with an additional six months grace period, he said the thinking is that the shopping mall and the over 10,000 lock-up shops, plazas and storage facilities, that consisted of the first phase, was all that would be needed to ensure the massive activities that would lead to the influx of people, which in turn, would then make the second phase quite attractive.

    “What we are thinking is not the usual thing you see around. If you see our architectural designs, you will understand. We want to change the face of what you already know and surpass it. It is not going to be like any other market. I don’t want to mention names. What we are looking at is market. We are looking at maximum comfort for anybody that comes here to do business or for whatever reason. If we had wanted to build the usual thing, we would have finished it in the next six months. But we are thinking outside the box and looking at something bigger, because of the type of business that is expected and the type of people we also expect, which includes those that are used to maximum comfort and ease of doing business elsewhere.

  • Lagos lawmaker urges FG to repair Lagos-Badagry expressway

    A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Ibrahim Layode, on Saturday appealed to the Federal Government to give urgent attention to the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to ease the hardship of commuters and motorists on the road.

    Layode, representing Badagry Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the appeal during a walk exercise tagged; “Oil “88” Walk For Fitness” which he organised for residents.

    He spoke with the residents at his constituency office shortly after the walk.

    The lawmaker, who also is the Chairman, House Committee on Housing, urged government to repair the failed portions on the road to alleviate the sufferings of the people, saying “the road is in bad shape.”

    “We plead with the Federal Government to remember the helpless people of Badagry. This road is an international road, but has been abandoned.

    “I think the Federal Government needs to declare a state of emergency on this road becaue it is in a state of disrepair,” Layode said.

    He said that the residents had been asking so many questions from him about the condition of the road and urged government to come to the rescue the people.

    The lawmaker, who commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for his people-oriented polices and development strides, urged the people to be patient with the government on the controversial new Land Use Charge Law, 2018.

    Layode assured residents of the state, especially in Badagry, that the Assembly was committed to reviewing the law to meet the aspirations and yearnings of the people.

    “The Assembly is working tirelessly to ensure a review of the law as the people have complained that the increment was not affordable to them.

    “Whatever the state government realises from Land Use Charge will be used for development purposes; Gov. Ambode-led government is committed to the development of the state,” he said.

    On why he organised the walk, Layode said: “we are committed to the well-being of the people and that the walk is meant to make them keep fit”.

    “We organise the walk every three months and we also give them health talk during the walk. Most of the people don’t know the importance of health walk.

    “You could hear the dentist talking about the need to take care of our mouth. So, we need protection for our body.

    “We do this regularly to burn the fat in our body and guard ourselves against diseases.

    “We even organise football matches for our people every Saturday to ensure that our people keep fit,” he said.

    Layode said that the final his football competition would come up on April 7 and promised that his support for women, youths, the aged as well as education would not reduce.

    Some residents, who participated in the walk, expressed satisfaction with the exercise and pledged their support to the lawmaker in the 2019 general elections.

    NAN

  • Ambode installs three monarchs in Badagry

    Three traditional rulers in Badagry area have been installed by the Lagos State Government.

    The monarchs are the Aholu of Ajara Vetho, Oba Koshoedo Ahisu, the Aholu of Ajara Topa, Oba Samuel Owolabani and the Aholu of Ajara Agamathen, Oba Agano Toniyon 1.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muslim Folami, said his administration is committed to improving the lives of the people at the grassroots and making Badagry a tourist centre.

    “This administration is determined to give Badagry the development it requires; that’s why we have commenced several projects around the ancient city which would be completed in due course.

    “We intend to make Badagry a tourist’s haven because of its historical monuments and its proximity to other ECOWAS countries. We have completed the Light Up Lagos Project in Badagry by illuminating the major streets and other inner ones,” he said.

  • Badagry endorses Ambode for second term

    Badagry endorses Ambode for second term

    THE Badagry Division of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday endorsed Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office.

    The division comprises four local government areas: Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo, Badagry and six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs): Iba, Oriade, Ifelodun, Oto-Awori, Badagry West and Olorunda.

    Dignitaries at the endorsement included Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule; APC Badagry Division Chairman, Prince Rabiu Oluwa; Commissioner for Agric and Cooperatives, Oluwatoyin Suarau; his Finance counterpart, Akinyemi Ashade; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Aramide Giwanson; former Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan; former Head of Service (HOS), Sunny Ajose and Cornelius Ojelabi.

    Oluwa, who made the announcement, hailed Ambode for scaling up infrastructure development.

    According to him, Ambode was adopted as the party’s sole candidate because of his achievements in the past three years.

    He said the governor’s dedication to duty, coupled with his desire to make the state a better place to live in, earned him the supports for a second term in office.

    Oluwa said: “Ambode’s unimaginable performance and commendable zeal for developmental projects have been visible across the state. In Badagry Division, we benefitted from his policies. This is why we are declaring our support for his re-election so that he can continue to make our division and Lagos an enviable state.”