The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ibeju Lekki

  • Ibeju Lekki begins road repairs

    The Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, Olorunkemi Surakat, has kick-started the rehabilitation of bad roads on Ajah-Epe Expressway.

    The chairman inspected projects, council’s properties and road rehabilitation in the local government yesterday.

    Surakat said his team had begun work on the Ibeju-Age Road. He pledged that the repair work would move to Bogije and Awoyaya roads before the end of the week.

    He said: “A spot on the Ibeju-Age Road has cut into two. So, we need to attend to it urgently so that people plying the road can have good movements. We notice that a journey of between two to three minutes on that road now takes over 30 minutes because of the bad road. That’s why we did it first. We are taking it from there to the other roads.

    “Although it is a state road, it is also a major road. So, we cannot ignore it. Instead, we decided to complement the state government’s efforts by working on the roads that our little resource can repair.”

    Surakat said capital projects were his major concern, adding that his administration had earmarked other projects to work on.

     

    He said: “The expectation is 60 per cent capital projects to be put in place. During my first tenure, I was able to do a lot of projects; I don’t expect to do less during this new tenure. The expectation is that the second tenure must be better than the first tenure.”

    The council chief said his local government was happy with the development the state government brought to Ibeju Lekki.

    He pledged that his administration will take advantage of this to take the local government to a higher level.

    Surakat said: “We have the Free Trade Zone, we have Dangote refineries, we have a proposed airport, we have a proposed seaport. But we are still expecting more. Apart from this, my administration will do a lot on education, upgrade health care centres and, most especially, tourism. We will tap into all the benefits of tourism that Ibeju Lekki has to offer.

    “For example, we want to look at the beach side of the local government, popularly called Eleko Beach. We want to develop it so that we can attract people from far and near.”

     

  • Ibeju-Lekki community leaders battle monarch

    The leaders of Okegun-Odofin in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos  have accused the Ibeju-Lekki monarch, Oba Olusegun Salami and the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Muslim Folami, of attempting to create an “illegal village,” named  Okegun-Ladeseso in the community.

    The leaders have threatened to create problems should the move be allowed. They also accused the duo of plotting to impose Mufutau Olamiji, a former personal assistant to the monarch, as the new Oba of the community as a way to topple the Baale of Okegun Odofin, Chief Ismaila Ogunkoya, who has been the head of the community since 2008.

    According to the community, in 2013, Olamiji, requested for a piece of land in the community through the monarch on which he built a house close to the Okegun-Odofin water front and gradually established a palace in the area.

    He was said to have connived with the monarch to name the area as Okegun-Ladeseso.

    One of the leaders, Chief  Shamsudeen Ogunkoya insisted that there was no area in their community known as Okegun-Ladeseso. He said: “Olamiji is not a member of the community.

    “My brother, who is the Baale of this community has a cordial relationship with the monarch and has contributed immensely to the wellbeing of this community. To the best of my knowledge, if the plot is not checked, the consequences  might be disastrous.”

    The head of the Ogunkoya family, Alhaji Wasiu Ogunkoya, also accused the monarch and the commissioner of being behind the crisis.

    “We made several payments to the Onibeju of Ibeju land whenever any land is sold as a way of paying homage.”

    Oba Salami, who admitted that the tussle was over the sale of land and control of the waterfront, said the Ogunkoyas were being selfish.

    He said that he installed and crowned both Ogunkoya and Olamiji in different zones. He explained that both of them wrote applications for upgrading from Baale to monarch, which he was still working on. It was wrong to link the commissioner to the crisis, adding that the crisis had been ongoing before the commissioner’s appointment.

  • Police arrest two suspected killers of Inspector in Lagos

    Police arrest two suspected killers of Inspector in Lagos

    Mr. Fatai Owoseni, Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of two suspects over the alleged killing of an Inspector and two civilians in Ibeju-Lekki.

    Owoseni announced the arrest when he visited the area, following a bloody clash that left the police officer and two other men dead during a festival on Saturday.

    The police commissioner warned members of the community, including traditional rulers, against causing breach of public peace.

    “We will make sure there is no reprisal attacks in the community but the traditional heads need to do something to stem the crisis.

    “Elders in this community should be ashamed of themselves.

    “The police helped you to settle clashes but you went ahead to kill an inspector,’’ Owoseni said.

    He charged religious leader to always preach peace among their adherents so as to stem the crisis

    “You should always use your wisdom and position to calm the community.

    “The Police will continue to do its best in chasing militants away from your community.

    “But you are starting an internal fight instead of joining hands with us to combat them.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the clash started when some youths from Ilagbo community and Oriyanrin town fought during the Kilajolu festival at Ilagbo.

    In the scuffle that ensued, two civilians and one Inspector of Police were killed while several houses, vehicles and property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

  • Gunmen kidnap Monarch, demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen kidnap Monarch, demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen have kidnapped a traditional ruler at Ibeju-Lekki, Baale Salino Kareem.

    The 75-year-old Baale was whisked away around 2am on Sunday when the gunmen invaded his palace through the waterways.

    The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically before taking the man away in their speedboats.

    According to residents, the kidnappers established contact after 48 hours and demanded N20 million as ransom.

    This is just as five persons kidnapped in the area in March have regained their freedom. It was gathered that the victims were released after paying N3million ransom each.

    The Baale’s kidnap was said to have thrown the community into panic, with residents fleeing for safety.

    It was gathered that the development prompted the Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni to visit the area and assure the residents of security.

    During the interactive session with Owoseni, another monarch, Oba

    Muyiwa Ogunbekun appealed for proper monitoring of the waterways.

    He said: “We cannot sleep with our eyes closed anymore. Kidnappers have taken over Ibeju-Lekki. We want proper monitoring of the waterways by providing us with marine police and gun boats.

    “We know police are doing their best but the best is not enough. We want adequate security of our waterways.”

    Tosin Oshinuga said: “The kidnappers are not ghosts and live in our mist. Some of our youths should work with the security agencies to contain kidnapping and other vices.”

     

  • Gunmen kill three policemen, two others in Ibeju Lekki

    Five persons, including three policemen, were on Wednesday killed at Oko-Asagun village in Lekki by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

    The incident occurred three days after the killing of 12 persons including four policemen and two soldiers, at Ishawo, Ikorodu.

    The policemen were killed when they attempted to stop the gunmen from kidnapping some telecommunications company workers.

    The gunmen eventually kidnapped Tayo Jibade and Johnson Ezewudo, of TYDACOM Limited, Tunji Moshood, Akinbambi and Rauf Idowu of Erickson Limited.

    The policemen were said to be attached to an estate developer in the area.

    Others killed were said to be the community leaders.

    The gunmen allegedly accessed the community through the Ode-Omi creek.

    A witness, Jude Ajagun, said: “We were working on a site being developed by one Onoside, who contracted us when we started hearing sporadic gunshots and scampered for safety. I hid beside some blocks, while I was watching the scenario.

    “I saw about six heavily armed men, three were wearing mask and they sighted three policemen attached to an estate developer and shot them dead. Two civilians were also shot while four others were injured.

    “The kidnappers marched their victims towards Ode-Omi, I think the militants are from that side.”

    A worker of one of the companies, who pleaded anonymity, said they have kept vigil since Wednesday, hoping to hear from the gunmen.

    The gunmen, he said, were yet to contact the company as at 4pm yesterday.

    He said: “We are expecting a call from them to know what they want as ransom, but they have not established contact with us. We are appealing to the kidnappers to temper justice with mercy as those abducted are innocent of any crime. They should treat them with human face in the spirit of Easter.”

    A community leader said they were happy when they saw policemen guarding an estate being developed, adding that the essence of sending the policemen had been defeated.

    “We need the presence of joint security task force and not just a handful of policemen. We are living in fear; some of us spent huge amount of money to erect houses to develop the area, but we can’t enjoy our sweat. Kidnapping has become the order of the day in Ibeju Lekki. The government promised us security but we are yet to see the security.

    “We are appealing to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to wade into the matter and prevail on the commissioner of police and the military to provide us with adequate security as life is no more interesting.

    “Our children are being dehumanised by the hoodlums on daily basis, our life style has been affected badly. We suggest that the governor should request for air bombardment of the creek as that is the only solution.”

  • Housewife docked for “calling pastor a prostitute”

    Housewife docked for “calling pastor a prostitute”

    A housewife, Nkiruka Ibeanu, was Thursday charged by the police with allegedly calling a female pastor, Lovelyn Mba, a prostitute and threatening to kill her.
    Ibeanu, of Abijo in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, was arraigned before Mr B. I. Bakare of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a two-count charge marked V/25/2017 bordering on threat to life and breach of peace.
    Prosecuting Sergeant Innocent Odugbo, said the alleged incident occurred following a disagreement between the women, sometime last December at Ajangbadi, Lagos.
    Odugbo alleged that Ibeanu conducted herself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by calling Mba a prostitute.
    He added: “The defendant also sent text messages to the phone of the complainant, saying, she would kill the complainant.”
    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 56 and 166 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
    Ibeanu pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    Magistrate Bakare granted her N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum who must be gainfully employed and have verifiable addresses.
    He adjourned till March 29 for mention.

  • Ibeju-Lekki communities prepare to benefit from industrial growth

    The communities in Ibeju-Lekki recently met and agreed to jettison their diversity of interest as well as lack of common objective to enable their people enjoy the benefit of investments the area is attracting as a new commercial hub of Lagos State.

    With the rate of large-scale industrial growth that Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State is attracting, the over 150 towns and villages in the area have agreed to unite and work together to leverage on the change being witnessed for the benefit of their people and safeguard the future of their children through common objectives and goals.

    This was the crux of deliberations by stakeholders at a summit in the area, which attracted monarchs such as Onibeju of Ibeju Oba Rafiu Olusegun Salami; the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun; the Onise of Ise Land, HRM Oba Abdul-Ganiu Adebowale Adegbesan; the Onimedu of Orimedu, Oba Hamzat Atiku; the Onitedo of Itedo, Oba Tajudeen Elemoro and others.

    Also at the event were civil servants, political figures and trade union members.

    It was organised by President and Founder of Ibeju-Lekki Development Foundation, Ademuyiwa Oniwonlu.

    Oniwonlu, who kindled the course of discussions at the summit, said the new commercial hub of Lagos State is shifting and heading towards the area.

    He told the people to be prepared, adding that it was time to put aside all their differences – be it political, social, tribal, communal and whatever.

    “It is time to rally round and stand together as a people from a common-front and speak with one voice for the greatness of our community.

    “We can only say that we have made adequate use of all these developments when the lives of our people are positively affected. When every man, woman and child can confidently say ‘I am proud to be an indigene of Ibeju-Lekki’.

    “It is time to sound the trumpet calling all our children, students, artisans, gifted, talented, boys, girls, men, women, young, old, skilled, semi-skilled, non-skilled, home and abroad to come together and be a part of this remarkable time in our history.

    “It is time to stand up and be counted as we take this giant step towards the greatness of Ibeju-Lekki. It is time,” Oniwonlu said.

    According to him, Ibeju-Lekki is a “uniquely blessed community in Lagos State”.

    “Nature has endowed us with the very best of locations as we are proudly the custodian of beautiful lagoon fronts and gorgeous ocean fronts. Our beaches are second to none as they attract a massive amount of tourism year-in year-out. Many tourists have given good testimonies of our several relaxation centres and nice resorts.

    “Our people are most welcoming, peace-loving and friendly. This accounts for the many years of peaceful and harmonious co-existence between indigenes and non-indigenes within our communities. A great number of people from home and abroad have identified this attribute and are pouring into our communities to live, work and settle in for the longer term.

    “Our tradition institutions comprising of the Obas, the Baales, council of chiefs and community leaders have done very well in maintaining harmony among our people. They have been instrumental in setting all disputes within our communities and among our people,” Oniwolu said.

    According to him, change has come to Ibeju-Lekki and the communities have no better choice than to embrace it wholeheartedly and make the very best out of it for the sake of their children and generation yet unborn.

    “Ibeju-Lekki is now under the spotlight of development and the whole world is watching and watching us very closely. A lot of people around the nation are beginning to wonder and asking the question: what will the people of Ibeju-Lekki make of this great development?” he said.

    A member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Bolaji Isiaka, who is also an operator in the oil and gas industry, said the areas must brace for the effects of development it is attracting.

    He added that the communities must learn from the experience of the people of Niger Delta, so that industrial growth would turn to a blessing for the people and investors in the area, saying the ability of a community to attract investment is the catalyst to any feasible development.

    Isiaka said: “The Ibeju –Lekki Development Foundation will do all units capacity to ensure that the enabling and peaceful environment is place to attract investors from far and near. We will further see to it that all existing investors already on ground and operating within our local community receive our support and co-operation to the fullest such that they will be willing to increase their level of investment in our community.”

    Oba Adegbesan, who spoke on behalf of other monarchs, prayed that God should support the foundation, to enable it bring the envisage development to the communities and the people.

    He urged unity of purpose among the people.

    Other stakeholders, who spoke at the event, pleaded with the monarchs and members of the foundation to ensure that they have the interest of the communities and the people at heart.

    They also warned monarchs and members of the foundation not to compromise on the interest of the people in any dealing with government and investors.

    At the end of the deliberations, the people agreed that investors would be urged to sign agreements with the communities on what they can do to impact on the people, especially in the area of provision of portable water, drainage network, serviceable roads among others.

    They agreed that suitable qualified individuals will benefit from life-changing training schemes that will make them relevant and marketable in the every changing job market.

    Oniwolu, who read other areas of deliberation, said: “This development programme will cut across all levels from unskilled, semi-skilled training and job placements,” the meeting said.

    “The health of our people is the wealth of our community so, therefore, a great attention will be given to our existing primary health care centres and clinics across Ibeju-Lekki. The foundation will make every effort to provide equipment and encourage health care personnel to dutifully serve our people. Great steps will also be taken to establishment basic healthcare clinics where they do not exit.

    “The qualitative education of our children and wards will not be compromised in any form or manner.

    “Provision of qualified teachers and conducive learning environment is cardinal to achieving this goal and therefore will be pursued at the relevant quarters. Scholarship schemes will be made available but will be tailored towards developing our youth in the direction that will give them the best opportunities in the immediate job market and also facilitate the rapid development of our communities.

    “Ibeju-Lekki is blessed with a rich heritage, which includes awesome ocean and lagoon fronts. These natural endowments will receive attention and protection such that an excellent preservation level is maintained together with a high level of hospitality from our people to attract visitors from home and abroad.”

    However, the existence of Ibeju Lekki Local Government could be traced back to 1990 during the local government creation exercise by the then Nigeria head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. It was one of the four created in Lagos State and one of the 289 created in the country that year.

    The seat of the Ibeju Lekki Local Government was originally at Akodo before the recent Lekki Local Council Development Area was carved out, which necessitated the moving of the seat of government to the present Igando Oloja location.

    Lekki presently houses several estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas allocated for a Free Trade Zone, with an airport and a sea port under construction. The proposed land use master plan for the Lekki envisages the Peninsula as a “Blue-Green Environment City”, expected to accommodate well over 3.4 million residential population and an additional non-residential population of at least 1.9 million.

     

  • Ambode unveils Electrification Project for 67 communities

    Ambode unveils Electrification Project for 67 communities

    Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday commissioned electrification project in 67 communities in Ibeju- Lekki and Akodo areas of the state.

     

    Ambode, who spoke at the commissioning ceremony held in Ibeju-Lekki, said his administration was moved to embark on the project because of the ordeals the communities were subjected to for lack of access to electricity.

     

    He said the project was another success story of the ‘Light Up Lagos’ project, an initiative of his administration.

     

    According to him, the ‘Light Up Lagos’ project was built on a tripod which included Community Electrification, Street Lightening and Power Advisory Committee, made up of key stakeholders from the public and private sector which had a mandate to develop a roadmap to provide sustainable power supply to homes and businesses in Lagos in the medium to long term.

     

    He added that the project falls under the community light-up initiative, saying the attention of the state government was drawn to the challenges of the residents of the 68 communities for over five years.

     

    The governor said, “After a due assessment of the situation, we commenced work last year October and we promised to ensure that these 68 communities are connected to the national grid.

     

    “Today, we are delighted to say that these communities have been connected to the national grid.

     

    “To make this project a reality, 33kv dedicated high-tension lines were laid from Ajah sub-station to Eleko junction and from there spread to 68 communities a high tension network covering 131.5 kilometers was rehabilitated and 86 transformers were installed at a total cost of N600million.

     

    “Beyond fulfilling our promise to these 68 communities, we have also demonstrated our commitment to run an all-inclusive government which no one will be left behind.

     

    “We have demonstrated our intention to run an all inclusive government. And it will boost the socio-economic activities of this axis. 34 communities is been addressed and before September, we shall connect them to the national grid.

     

    “As we do this, we will intensify our light-up initiative because the vision is to light-up all roads in the state.

     

    “Through this, we are re- affirming our commitment to the wellbeing of the residents of Lagos irrespective of their location.”

     

  • Chibok girls: Ambode backs Buhari’s rescue effort

    Chibok girls: Ambode backs Buhari’s rescue effort

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has on Thursday pledged support for the President Muhammadu Buhari led – administration to ensure the safe return of the missing over 200 school girls in Chibok village of Borno state.

    Ambode made the promise when members of the “Bring Back Our Girls Campaign Movement’’ visited him at governor’s office at Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the 500 days of the abduction of 217 Chibok girls.

    “’We appreciate your persistency and consistency to this noble course which has kept hope alive in the last 500 days.

    “’We are more disturbed about the reaction of the past administration, which was inadequate and globally condemned.

    “I want to state categorically that my administration truly identifies with the position expressed by President Buhari as he has vowed to bring back the girls alive.

    “We pray that God will grant our prayers and make their safe return a reality as well as grant their parents the strength to carry on,’’ he said.

    Ambode promised to be committed to the upkeep and welfare of the internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state and ensure that they were comfortable.

    Earlier, Mrs Aisha Oyebode, the Coordinator of the Lagos chapter of the movement, decried the slow pace of government’s efforts in the rescue operation of the missing girls.

    Oyebode, who was represented by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director of Women Advocates’ Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) said there was need for the girls’ rescue.

    She said the movement had engaged many relevant agencies, stakeholders, state governors and even President Buhari, but all to no avail as the girls had yet to be rescued.

    According to her, the movement is demanding that the Nigerian government fulfils its constitutional role of ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians is prioritised.

    “This abduction has affected education in the North-East, especially the education of the girl-child. Government needs to do something to avoid the long term effect of these problems.

    “The Chibok girls are not the only victims of insurgency, there are many men and women being kidnapped in the North-East on daily basis.

    “This insurgency has also displaced over two million Nigerians and some of them are in Lagos State,’’ she said.

    “We call on the Lagos State Government to support the demands to ensure that its relevant agencies fulfil its legal role of safe guarding the welfare of IDPs.

    “We urge Gov. Ambode to ensure that the immediate needs of the IDPs in Kirikiri, Ibeju-Lekki and Magodo are met, especially the right to education and healthcare as applicable to other residents.

    “Also, we urge you to commission a security review of all public schools in the state to ensure the safety of school children,’’ Oyebode said.

    She appeal to Ambode to relay their demands to other state governors at their next Governors’ Forum to aid collective fight against insurgency, boost rescue operation of the Chibok girls and ensure the welfare of IDPs.

    In her remarks, Mrs Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, urged Ambode to utilise his position to support the movement.

    “You have shown so much commitment and action to the welfare of the people in your short stay in office.’’

    Moses Zakwa, Chairman, Chibok Community in Lagos, said that there were no functional schools in Chibok presently and that all the young indigenes had fled the community abandoning the aged.

    “We are so concerned because the abduction of these girls had turned our community to a desert.

    “We appreciate Lagos State for accommodating some of our displaced people and we beg Gov. Ambode to help in finding a lasting solution to the problems of the Chibok people,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the female students were kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, on the night of April 15, 2014.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Ambode, Chibok” count=”6″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link” header_background=”#000000″ header_text_color=”#e0e0e0″]

  • Kasali: Ibeju-Lekki ‘ll vote APC

    Kasali: Ibeju-Lekki ‘ll vote APC

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr. Kola Kasali has described the App Progressives Congress (APC) as the Ark of Noah, which will take the people of Ibeju-Lekki, East District, to the promised land.

    The party chieftain dismissed as a ruse the insinuation that Ibeju-Lekki is a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the APC will win the governorship election in thew area to confirm that the people have sealed a pact with the progressive camp.

    Kasali spoke when the APC campaign train rolled into Ibeju-Lekki.

    He said: The APC is the ark of Noah. It will take Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to Aso Villa. It will take Mr. Akinwumi Ambode to Alausa Government House. It will take our candidates to the state and National Assembly. I only have one message for you. Go and get your PVC. We will use PCV for this election. We will use card reader. Get ready.”

    Kasali described the PDP as a confused organisation, recalling that the party masterminded the postponement of the election because its failure was imminent.

    Urging the people to reject the PDP, he said, if a PDP governor is elected in Lagos State, he will scrap the additional 37 councils.

    He added: “We don’t want a governor that will reduce the number of councils from 57 to 20. We want continuity in Lagos. The government is contructing our roads here. Ibeju-Lekki will soon become a free trade zone. sIbeju-Lekki is the future of Lagos. The future has started today.”

    Another chieftain, Tunde Isiaka, said: ‘PDP is fighting against the card reader because they have seen the futility of using the card reader to rig. They are distributing rice, money and GSM. But, I ask you to reject them. Our chiefs have been upgraded. Our roads are being tarred. We only know the APC here. PDP has not done anything for us.”