The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Badagry

  • AIDS agency screens 166 motorcyclists in Badagry

    In support of Lagos at 50 celebrations, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has counseled and tested 166 motorcyclists(okada riders) in Badagry Local Government Area of the state to curb the spread of HIV virus. Earlier on,  the agency had carried out a similar programme in Ikorodu and Epe Local Government areas.

    Sensitising the motorcyclists  on the basic facts of HIV/AIDS and stigmatisation, the health educator of the agency, Mrs. Olushola Adebambo, said the virus could be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, sharing of sharp objects with infected person, transfusion of an unscreened infected blood to uninfected person and from an infected mother to her unborn baby during pregnancy, childbirth or after birth during breastfeeding.

    She added that HIV could not be transmitted through sharing of clothes, dishes, toilet, seats, hugging, shaking of hands, touching or being near to an infected person and through eating together.

    Appreciating the efforts of the Lagos State government was the Chairman of Badagry Central (Branch B of NNAMORAL), Mr. Michael Hoteyin, for conducting free HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) for the Nagari Nakowa Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Lagos State (NNAMORAL). He said majority of the motorcycle riders who were ignorant of their HIV status had been tested and received results immediately. He, therefore, urged all members to access free HIV counseling and testing to know their status in order to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS in Lagos State.

     

  • Lagos terminates contract for Badagry 48-room hotel project

    Lagos terminates contract for Badagry 48-room hotel project

    The Lagos State Government has terminated the contract for the construction of a 48-bedroom hotel project at the VIP chalets in Badagry, which was awarded in 2013 to Messrs. Anatolia International Limited.

    The project is currently being promoted as part of measures by the Ambode-led administration to boost tourism within the Badagry axis.

    A statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, stated that the decision to terminate the contract followed a resolution taken at the State Executive Council meeting which held on Wednesday after an appraisal of progress report on the project.

    The statement said the pace of work was not commensurate with the amount already released for the project. It also cited inefficiency and overall poor performance by the contractor as reasons for the contract termination and the subsequent blacklisting of the said company.

    It maintained that one of the major policy thrusts of the current administration is tourism and hospitality sector development and that the government has left no one in doubt about its resolve to grow the state’s economy and empower the youths through several alternative means which include the tactical promotion of tourism, entertainment and sports.

    “The inability of Messrs. Anatolia International Limited to key into the vision of the present administration, as part of the efforts to fast-track the development of its tourism sector, necessitated the decision of the State Executive Council to terminate the contract,” the statement said.

    Ayorinde added that the current administration is resolved in its avowed mission to bring rapid infrastructural development to the state in a manner that gives zero-tolerance to insouciance and inefficiency.

     

  • ‘Benefits of investments in Badagry, Epe’

    For two days, stakeholders in the tourism, maritime, oil and gas sectors converged on Badagry in Lagos State to explore the investment potential in the area.
    The event was held under the auspices of Badagry Economic Summit.
    It was the first effort by the private sector and the local governments to unveil the potential of Badagry and Epe since the state’s creation 50 years ago.
    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who declared the event open, urged government officials to liaise with monarchs on the use of land and sea to avoid restiveness.
    He added that freight forwarding and maritime thrive more on the West Coast cities of the neighbouring countries, adding that federal and state governments should create policies to implement the Badagry Sea Port blueprint to redirect traffic to Badagry Port.
    Ambode was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Development and Communication, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan.
    The summit, which has as theme Unleashing investment potential around the coastal zone of Epe and Badagry, resolved to prepare Badagry people to invest in tourism, oil and gas and maritime.
    According to a communiqué, the summit identified Badagry and Epe as viable hubs for promoting and developing tourism, oil and gas and maritime. It called on the government and stakeholders to establish vocational and skills schools to train youths of the area to make them competitive in the labour market. Other highlights were:
    •That the problem of tourism is caused by the absence of poor power supply. It urged the government to address the matter, particularly by using abundant water bodies, as well as gas.
    •That government should invest in marketing and promotion of tourism in Badagry and Epe to attract tourists and investors alike,
    •That since water transportation is part of the intermodal transport system in Lagos, the government should build modern jetties and encourage public sector initiatives in boat building and construction to create jobs and drive water based tourism,
    •That the Ministry of Science and Technology should partner organisations to impact on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in tourism, oil and gas, among the youth in the area,
    •The summit advocates a sustainable growth of tourism, maritime, oil and gas. It said there is need for the government to develop a 10-year business development masterplan for the two divisions.
    •That for a safe and peaceful communal integration of Badagry and Epe, there is need for the government to increase the number of security personnel in the coastal zones to avoid restiveness.
    At the events also were monarchs, senior officials of Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Navy, Airforce, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

  • Ambode: we’ll transform Badagry to economic hub

    Ambode: we’ll transform Badagry to economic hub

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has reiterated his administration’s commitment to turning the Badagry corridor into an international hub for business and tourism.

    Ambode spoke at a two-day Badagry Economic Summit (BES). The event is organised by the Badagry Convention and Visitors Agency (BCVA).

    Represented by his Special Adviser on Community Affairs and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan, the governor said it was in line with this vision that the state was determined to complete the 10-lane Mile Two-Seme international highway before the end of 2019.

    His words: “We have clearly shown our commitment to carry along every part of the state in a way that no part is left behind or disadvantaged.

    “We are convinced that every part of the state has a peculiar endowment which could be harnessed for the overall growth and prosperity of our state.

    “We see the landmark of Badagry and its strategic location as a gateway to West African sub-region and this confers on it, a natural advantage to become the main centre of trade and commerce.

    “It is in recognition of these potentials that this administration had decided to open up this access through the provision of world-class infrastructure that will attract investors to develop the economy and tourism potentials of Badagry .

    “We are determined to make Badagry a global hub for tourism  and turn the Marina into a hub for leisure and entertainment in West Africa.

    In his welcome address, BCVA managing director Ashamu Sewanu Fadipe said the Badagry Economic Summit is about Epe and Badagry divisions because of the developments coming out of there. He said: “The essence is to harness the potentials and putting Badagry and Epe on the limelight and also putting Badagry as a hub for economic development.

  • Badagry to become international hub for investments

    March 23, 2017 (NAN) Some stakeholders at the ongoing two-day Badagry Economic Summit on Thursday said that the town would, by 2020, become an international hub for investments and leisure activities.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the maiden edition of the summit in Badagry, Lagos State, organized by Badagry Convention and Visitors Agency.

    The summit theme is:” Unleashing Investment Opportunities around Historic and Coastal Zones of Epe and Badagry”.

    NAN reports that the summit is to create economic opportunities for the ancient city that is blessed with several natural economic endowments.

    Speaking on the summit, Prof. Femi Pearse, the Managing Director, Whispering Palms Resort, said that the summit would bring about social and economy developments to the ancient town.

    He said that the investment opportunities abound Badagry when fully harnessed would create millions of employment opportunities for the youth in the community, especially, the indigents.

    Also, Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, a former Commissioner for Tourism in Lagos State, said that Badagry had come of age to be the leading destination for business leisure and investment in West Africa.

    He said that Badagry used to be a slave port and market, where the largest enslaved Africans were taken to Europe some centuries ago.

    Afikuyomi said that the historical antecedents coupled with the natural endowments of the locality such as the border ports, oil exploration and upcoming seaport in Africa would project the town into limelight.

    He said that without doubt, all these investments opportunities would draw a good number of visitors and investors to the ancient town, making Badagry prosperous than any city in West Africa.

    Similarly, Mr Gani Balogun, the Managing Director of Tarzan Boats and Water Investment Ltd., said that the summit would expose the aquatic-tourism and water transportation investment opportunities in Badagry to the outside world.

    He said that Badagry was blessed with enormous investment opportunities and cultural/tourism potential that investors could invest in it.

    According to him, “The term aquatic refers to water body, the ecosystem and its biodiversities which can be transformed into leisure activities otherwise refers to as tourism.

    “Tourism activities began with water transportation in Lagos State, movements of people from one community to another through the waterways.

    “Example is the movement of people from Epe to Badagry, Ikorodu to other coastal communities within the state ,” he said.

    Balogun said that these were some of the various opportunities that the summit would expose the community to for its social and economic developments.

    Mr Fatai Shokunbi, Chairman, Badagry Convention and Visitors Agency, said that the summit was organised in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture.

    Shokunbi said that the summit was designed basically to bring together cooperate organisations and individuals to share ideas about tourism, culture and economic investments opportunities embedded in Badagry.

    “The main objective of the summit is to provide direction into the reality of making Badagry an international market hub for investment and leisure activities.

    “The ongoing deep seaport projects, railway, ultramodern market and Oil discovery/exploration in the ancient city when completed will make Badagry a preferred tourism and business destination in Africa,’’ he said.

    Shokunbi said that Badagry opportunities lay on three economic agenda: Tourism and Hospitality, Seaport Development and Logistics, and Oil exploration.

    He said that at the end of the two-day summit, Badagry would have experienced massive influx of tourists and investors that wanted to tap from the investment opportunities abound in the ancient city

  • Man bags 2 years imprisonment for stealing phone

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced a 20-year-old man, Hassan Badmus, to two years imprisonment for stealing a mobile phone valued at N85,000.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, did not give Badmus an option of fine.

    She held that the accused was guilty of a two-count charge of stealing and burglary levelled against him.

    The chief magistrate sentenced the accused to one year imprisonment on each of the counts.

    She hoped that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to criminal acts.

    The accused who resides at Badagry, Lagos, was arraigned on Feb. 22.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Inuoha, had told the court that he burgled the residence of Mr Chibuike Okonkwo and stole his Samsung phone valued at N85,000.
    Inuoha said the accused was apprehended by security guards as he was about leaving the house.

    He said that the theft occurred on Jan. 26 on Agumaje Street, Badagry, adding that the offences contravened Sections 21, 285 and 305 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused had pleaded not guilty on arraignment, and was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He, however, could not meet the bail conditions and had been in prison custody until he was found guilty as charged.

  • PDP Lawmaker defects to APC

    A  member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, Rep. Emmanuel Ukoette, representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom on Wednesday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a letter to the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, read on the floor of the House, Ukoette notified the House of his defection.

    He said he was leaving the PDP because of the inability of factions within the party to reconcile their differences.

    “It is clear to Nigerians that the PDP is factionalised and therefore, baring members, especially I from engaging my constituents well enough.

    “ The factions within the party are led by the National Chairman of the Party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

    “ The string of legal battles trailing the leadership crisis might end in fiasco and that is not the ideals of the founding fathers and, therefore, my resolve to move to the APC,’’ he said.

    Speaking on point of order, the Minority Leader, Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP- Delta), urged the Speaker to declare Ukoette’s seat vacant.

    Ogor said Ukoette’s defection move would be challenged in court, adding that democracy was not about jumping from one political party to another.

    “My Speaker, this defection will be challenged in the court because it is not true that the PDP is factionalised.

    “I urge you to declare Ukoette’s seat vacant, so that he can go back for a fresh election and see if he will win an election on his new platform,’’ he said.

    However, the Majority Leader of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamela (APC-Lagos), urged to accept the situation with self-control.

    “We are in a season of alternative path. One day, we have a swelling of the ranks of the opposition, the other day; we have a depletion of the ranks.

    “I understand the feeling of the Minority Leader, but I believe that he should accept the loss because it appears more PDP members will join the APC,’’ Gbajabiamila said.

    Earlier, Speaker Dogara swore in a new member, Rep. Johnson Oghuma (APC) to replace Phillip Shuaibu, who was elected as the Edo Deputy Governor on Sept. 28, 2016.

    Oghuma represents Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo

  • Lagos to fix Badagry hinterlands power problem

    The 16 years power problem some hinterlands in Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State will be over soon, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Mr. Wale Oluwo has said.

    He said the inability to connect the areas to the national grid arose from some hitches.

    Oluwo spoke at the weekend during an interactive session with community leaders, youths and stakeholders of the Gbaji-Seme community electrification project, at Suntan Beach, Badagry.

    The government, he said, was determined to ensure that the affected communities got better supply than Badagry town.

    The Commissioner said none of the 30 communities identified for the electrification would be left out, adding that efforts would be made to include any other community not already captured in the exercise.

    “This electrification project including the erection of poles, installation of transformers, among others, that are within the control of the government would be completed in two weeks after which we would prevail on the Federal Government to complete the process of connecting the entire Badagry town to a more reliable power source through the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in Agbara,” he said.

    Lagos State Electricity Board General Manager Mrs Ibilola Kasunmu pleaded for understanding from the affected communities, promising that the government would facilitate the project’s completion.

    “We acknowledge the patience already exercised by all the stakeholders in this project but I just want to encourage you to be more patient because restoring what has been bad in 16 years within a very short while could be more onerous than one could ever imagine,” she said.

    Alapa of Apa Kingdom Oba Oyekan Ajose acknowledged the government’s intervention in the project, which, he claimed, should have be handled by the Federal Government.

    Olologbade of Kweme Kingdom Oba Sejiro Olalekan James said the interactive session showed that Akinwunmi Ambode is a listen governor.

  • Badagry to become tourism hub in Africa – Ambode

    Badagry to become tourism hub in Africa – Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday said that his administration would ensure that Badagry becomes the hub of tourism and resort enterprises in Africa.

    Ambode said this at the `One Lagos Fiesta’ which took place at the Badagry Grammar School in Badagry, Lagos State.

    He added that his administration would ensure that the town becomes a flashpoint for development projects in the state.

    “This administration is determined to transform this ancient city into a tourism hub that would attract so many international people to this great city.

    “The six-lane road construction would further boost its economic activities and let’s not forget the seaport that would soon be developed in the town in the nearest future.

    “Our eyes are set on Badagry and we are doing things for the future because we intend to open up Badagry forever,” he said.

    Ambode commended the turnout of people at the event.

    “I have been to two different events but I must commend the turnout here because it is the largest and the best that I have witnessed so far.

    “This goes to show that people here are committed to moving the state forward and I’m so excited and glad about that,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the artistes that performed at the all-nite fiesta were; Mayorkun, Olu Maintain, CDQ, Dremo and Ara, amongst others.

  • ATMs disappoint customers in Badagry

    ATMs disappoint customers in Badagry

    Residents of Badagry area of Lagos State yesterday decried the non-dispensation of cash by several Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
    A NAN correspondent reports that Badagry residents went through such experience every weekend and during public holidays.
    NAN reports that there are eight banks in Badagry which many describe as insufficient.
    They are Zenith Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), First Bank, Union Bank, Wema Bank, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank and Ecobank.
    NAN reports that at weekends and public holidays, the ATMs do not dispense cash.
    At Zenith and UBA, their gates were shut, indicating that the ATMs were not dispensing cash.
    Also, customers who wanted to withdraw money at Skye, Diamond and Wema, were left disappointed as the ATMs were not working.
    There was also a long queue at the FirstBank ATM and the machine stopped dispensing cash about 1.45p.m.
    Some customers who spoke to NAN expressed their frustration, noting that it had become a usual trend.
    A woman, Mrs Tife Adeite, said: “ATMs do not work in the area during weekends and public holidays. It is a normal thing that during weekends and public holidays, ATMs would not be working in the whole area.
    “The hardships we face because of this issue is becoming unbearable and no bank official is punished for this act of wickedness, ” he said.
    Another customer, Mr Ayo Akanbi, expressed displeasure over the situation.
    “The bank officials knew it was a long break; so I wonder why they did not make adequate plans for this particular day.
    “It has become a regular thing for the ATMs to always disappoint during public holidays like this; so, the relevant authorities should come to our aid,” he said.
    Another resident, Mr Mayowa Balogun, said more banks should be brought into Badagry.
    “The cause of this problem is that there are insufficient banks in Badagry.
    “Also, the banks should provide ATM galleries that would be able to accommodate more ATMs in order to meet the demands of the people, ” he said.
    NAN reports that officials of the banks were not available for their reactions.