The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikeja

  • Drama as Acting IGP stops Lagos CP hand over

    We work on directives, says Egbetokun

    Reporters waiting for the handing over of the Lagos Police Command Commissioner of Police (CP) office’s paraphernalia by Imohimi Edgal to Acting Commissioner of Police designate, Kayode Egbetokun, witnessed a mild drama on Tuesday at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja GRA.

    The handing over couldn’t hold due to an order from the police headquarters in Abuja.

    Earlier, the reporters were told that the event scheduled for 1:30 pm has been shifted to 3 pm.

    Few minutes past 3 pm, there were jubilations in the Conference Hall where the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the Area Commanders, waiting for the briefing by the Acting CP, converged.

    Not quite long, Edgal, who briefed the reporters in company with Egbetokun said: “Gentlemen of the press, are you here for the handing over and taking over? Are you here because you like me or you are eager for me to leave? Well, there is a directive that the status quo should remain till further notice.”

    Edgal told reporters that there is no change of guard for now, as he still remains the state Commissioner of Police.

    “I am sure that Kayode Egbetokun is an old timer in the command. Our first job as police is order and directive; we were about concluding the handing over and taking over procedure when we were instructed by our bosses from Abuja to suspend action for now. So, there is no change of guard for now. Of course, we will keep in touch of latest development,” he said.

    He did not entertain any question.

    Egbetokun, who came with his personal effect and his personal staff, left the command, saying: “We are government agents and we are always taking directives.”

    As Edgal was leaving for Abuja to meet with the Acting Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, there was gunshot salute.

    Read Also: I remain Lagos CP, says Edgal

    The policemen attached to Edgal’s convoy shot four times into the air to celebrate the “good news.”

    Earlier, the car of Egbetokun was parked at CP’s parking lot while Edgal’s car was parked at another place.

    It was gathered that as the duo was having a closed-door meeting, a phone call believed to be from the IGP’s office came in and directed that the handing and taking over should be cancelled till further notice.

    Immediately, after the announcement, Egbetokun’s vehicle was removed from the CP’s parking lot and Edgal’s vehicle replace

  • Several injured as train derails in Lagos

    Several passengers of the Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS), were reported to have sustained various levels of injuries when a mass transit shuttle train derailed at the Ashade railway crossing on the Agege-Ikeja corridor in Lagos.

    The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday.

    some personnel from various security agencies immediately cordoned off the area, to maintain law and order, while some of the injured were rushed to some hospitals in the neighbourhood, for first aid treatment.

    Mr Augustine Arisa, the Acting Lagos District Manager of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), told NAN that no life was, however, lost in the incident.

    “The derailment happened when the Apapa-bound mass transit train skidded off its tracks at the Asade Railway Crossing at Agege, on the Ikeja Corridor.

    “The shuttle train was going from Ijoko in Ogun, to Apapa.

    “The situation is now under control. We learnt that there was no casualty in the incident as some of the passengers only had minor injuries.

    “Everything is now under control and we are trying to put the train back on the tracks,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Nasarawa: 221 killed, 1,785 injured in 546 road accidents

    Arisa, however, confirmed on telephone later that an injured passenger from the incident was recuperating at the NRC Hospital, Ebute Meta.

    NAN further reports that the derailment caused a traffic jam along Capitol Road, Agege, which also extended to Mosalasi Alhaja, towards Mangoro area in Ikeja.

    NAN reports that on Nov. 16, 2018 a passenger train derailed around abattoir area of Agege and on June 20 of the same year, a commercial bus also rammed into a moving train around the Agege corridor.

  • LASG confiscates rail track traders’ wares

    The Lagos State Government on Monday began what it called “Operation all illegal traders must leave rail tracks in Lagos” with the confiscation of wares being sold on the rail lines.

    The Head, Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Task Force, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, said in a statement on Tuesday that the operation commenced at Ikeja rail track.

    According to Taofiq, different types of goods ranging from used clothing popularly called ‘Okirika clothes’, shoes, belts, fairly used electronics and gas cylinders were confiscated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Task Force had on Sunday warned traders and other persons doing businesses on rail lines in the state to leave or face arrest and prosecution.

    Areas notorious for rail line trading include Mushin, Pen-cinema, Ikeja, Yaba, Oyingbo and Agege.

    The task force chairman, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, had said that convergence of illegal traders selling and buying goods around rail lines was suicidal and an eye-sore in different parts of the state.

    He said that many lives had been lost to the illegal rail track trading.

    Taofiq said the Monday operation was carried out as a follow-up to the earlier warning to traders to vacate the tracks.

    He said that no arrest was made during the operation, as the traders ran away leaving their goods when they saw the task force operatives.

    “It will no longer be business as usual until a zero tolerance on this is maintained. The government has reiterated and warned council officials and market leaders against collection of money from such illegality.

    “Anybody caught collecting illegal fees from these illegal traders on rail lines across the state would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

  • 2019: Stakeholders advocate multi-agency synergy

    Thought leaders from the security, safety and media industry have advocated robust public enlightenment and advocacy education on critical issues towards a hitch-free 2019 elections.

    They said this at the monthly Enterprise Security Risk Management Round Table dialogue recently organised by Academy Halogen in Ikeja, Lagos State.

    Speaking at the roundtable, the Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Adekunle Ajanaku noted that based on past and contemporary development, elections in Nigeria are prone to violence and civil disturbances mostly orchestrated by political sponsors using vulnerable youths as tools.

    “Electoral violence has become a vocation,” he said.

    “As there are perpetrators there are ‘investors’ in the crime too. This is mostly aided by drug abuse and youth vulnerability among other factors.”

    Dr. Abdulrazaq Balogun, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) mentioned unresolved issues arising from the electoral primaries amongst the political parties as a major factor likely to pose risks to the coming election. Aside this, he noted that concentration of more politicians in two or three political parties and complex electoral processes are risks that require thorough understanding.

    Speaking on the pivotal role of the media in ensuring a trouble-free 2019 elections, a journalist with The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Joe Agbro, described the media as integral and a vital vehicle for disseminating information to the masses. But he expressed worries on the role of media houses as gatekeepers and agenda setters in recent times, stating that ownership influence still affects the quality and quantity of information flow before, during and after elections.

    “Media is very important in election conversation,” he said.

    Read Also: Voter education brings INEC to Crawford

    “Information dissemination is germane to mobilization of electorates. We have found that ownership influence may affect what is published. And there is also the issue of fake news on the rise now. These are risks affecting the judgment of the electorates. They can lead to crisis.”

    On her part, Mrs. Bamidele Olateju, an influential online newspaper columnist with Premium Times noted that there is need to include youth in strategies aimed at reducing risks associated with Nigeria’s coming election. She explained that Nigeria has a huge Youth population who can be communicated to through the social media.

    “Our youth population is huge, they are tech savvy and equally vulnerable. We need to engage them via social media. In our sphere of influence we can engage and educate them properly on the attendant risks associated with the coming elections”, Olateju said.

    Director General, Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP), Mr. Olayinka Odutola described election period in Nigeria as a period prone to many risks some of which poses multiple socio-economic challenges for the country eventually. He explained that risks associated with the coming election can be categorized under people, process, systems and external events.

    The participants were unanimous that there is need for a robust strategy to reduce the risk of the coming 2019 election.

    In his recommendation, the Group Managing Director, Halogen Security Company Limited, Mr. Wale Olaoye, advised the use of technology in solving electoral issues. Dr. Balogun also advised that the social media space should be regulated to reduce incidence of fake news and other bad influence on the polity.

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Aladesanmi Adebayo advocated for more quality media orientation to the masses and key stakeholders involved in the election business. “If we can control public perception of issues involve in election, there will be less problem. Let the right information get to the people at the right time”, Aladesanmi said.

    To avoid or reduce emergency risks before, during and after the election period, Mr. Femi Giwa, Director of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said there is need for key stakeholders involved in election management to build trust and synergy.

    Chief Operations Officer, Academy Halogen, Dr. Wale Adeagbo, said that the Academy will  continuously galvanize rich thought leadership ideas capable of igniting the right rhythm in the nation’s economic and social space.

    Academy Halogen, a subsidiary of Halogen Security Group is an institution dedicated to enterprise security risk management, thought leadership and policy development.

  • FAAN engages contractors, banks for improved project financing

    In a bid to encourage improved access to funding of contracts especially for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has hosted contractors and commercial banks to a collaborative forum.

    At an event, held at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday December 12, 2018, the Managing Director of the Authority, who was represented by the Director of Engineering, Engr. Nurudeen Daura said  the forum is aimed at developing a financing mechanism which will optimize the cash flow of FAAN

    The forum he said will  also provide  the much needed support to its  contractors, to enable them access opportunities for working capital enhancement.

    Read Also: FAAN boss assures on workers’ promotion

     He said “The  scope involves working with selected financial institutions, in order to provide liquidity to our major contractors through direct and contingent funding”.

     Stating that investment opportunities abound in the industry, especially FAAN, he encouraged the banks and contractors to take advantage of these opportunities through constructive partnership in the overall interest of all.

    Also in attendance at the event were the Authority’s Director of Finance & Accounts, Mrs. Nike Aboderin, Director of Human Resources, Mr Anozie Honorius, representatives of First Bank Plc, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Polaris Bank, Tam Tam Nig Ltd, Inland Chips Nig Ltd, Pencks Ltd, amongst others.

  • Trafficker bags 37 years for importing cocaine

    A Federal High Court in Lagos Friday sentenced a drug trafficker, Efobi Onyeka Innocent, to 37 years imprisonment, for unlawful importation of 1.515 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil.

    Justice Ayotunde Faji convicted Innocent, 36, following his second plea of guilty to a three-count charge of unlawful possession of cocaine and conspiracy to unlawfully import the said drug.

    The judge sentenced Innocent to 15 years imprisonment on count one, seven years on count two and fifteen years on count three. The terms shall run concurrently.

    The convict was arraigned by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    NDLEA counsel, Mrs. Juliana Imaobong Iroabuchi, said offences contravened sections 11(d,) 11(b) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    But Innocent pleaded not guilty.

    During the trial, Iroabuchi called six witnesses, who testified that the convict was arrested at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on September 27, 2017, when it was discovered that he ingested the cocaine from Brazil en route Morocco.

    They told the court that he excreted same six times during interrogation.

    Midway through the trial, Innocent changed his plea to guilty.

    His counsel prayed the court to be lenient in sentencing his client, on the ground that he was a first time offender with no previous criminal record and had become remorseful in detention.

    The lawyer said the convict engaged in the act to raise money for his collapsed business.

    Following the plea, Justice Faji adjourned for sentencing.

    But delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Faji turned down Innocent’s plea.

    The judge held: “I do not agree that the convict is remorseful, he only changed his plea after the prosecution had gone far with his trial.

    “One must not lose sight of the rampant nature of the crime. Consequently, I shall sentence you, Efobi Onyeka Innocent, to 15 years imprisonment on count one, seven years on count two and fifteen years on count three. The terms shall run concurrently”.

  • 100 resident doctors in LASUTH to donate blood

    The Association of Residents Doctors, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, says its members will donate 100 pints of blood as contribution to the development of the community and patients care.

    The association’s President, Dr Ajibola Salami, made this known during a blood donation exercise by the doctors in LASUTH, held on Friday in Lagos.

    The exercise was part of activities lined up for the association’s 2018 Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting with the theme: “A Healthier Nigeria: Roads and Road Blocks.’’

    Salami said: “The blood donation is very important, because as doctors in LASUTH, we know a lot of people are dying due to absence of blood and blood products.

    “Sometimes, it is difficult to find some blood groups that you have to go all the way to farther hospitals, including private ones, yet we still do not get blood products.

    “So, doctors will donate blood; we are going to donate one pint of blood per doctor, that is, we will be donating 100 pints as we expect 100 doctors to donate.

    “This is our contribution to availability of blood and its products within the hospital.’’

    The association president said he had been a blood donor for more than seven years and donated once every year.

    He urged members of the public to also donate blood voluntarily and contribute their quota to the development of the community and patient care in the state.

    Read Also:Firm donates 18 ICU beds to LASUTH

    “We need people to be aware that they can donate blood freely and contribute to society generally, blood is not enough in our hospitals.

    “When we have emergencies and surgeries, we need blood; we do not have artificial blood, but blood is collected from people and given to others in need of it“So, it is never too much,’’ Salami said.

    Also, a donor, Dr Abdusalam Moruf, who is a past president of the association, said he had been a voluntary blood donor for five years.

    According to him, it is a tradition he has sustained, having realised that the aim of donating blood includes saving lives.

    “There are a lot of benefits for someone to donate blood, both to the donor and those to receive blood, and of course, the gratification you will receive from it as a donor.

    “It is encouraged that a healthy individual should donate at least twice or three times in a year, because, most times, medically, the red cells in our bodies are changed every 90 days.

    “Donating blood also helps to nourish oneself, so that you are replacing the old blood in your body; there is a lot of medical benefits to that as well,’’ Moruf said.

    Another donor, a Senior Medical Officer 1, Surgical Unit, LASUTH, Dr Salawudeen Taofik, said people do not lose anything by donating blood.

    Taofik said donating blood did not have anything to do with age, weight, race or religion.

    “However, if you are fit, it is encouraged to donate, and it helps your blood system to regulate.

    “I started to donate blood from 400 level as a medical student till date; I have been a donor for 12 years and I donate to help patients in need of blood.

    “It is difficult to get blood; sometimes patients are financially constrained to get.

    “I urge people to donate blood. You will not lose anything; be compassionate and help to save lives,’’ the medical officer said.

    NAN reports that other activities lined up for the AGM include a scientific conference and medical outreach for public servants at the Public Service Office in Alausa, Ikeja. (NAN)

  • FSARS operative allegedly shot dead LASTMA official in Lagos

    A police inspector attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja on Wednesday allegedly shot dead an official with the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) while controlling traffic.

    Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria that the LASTMA official, named Adeyemo Rotimi, was shot dead at Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos.

    It was gathered that the LASTMA official was shot dead when he challenged the policeman, identified as Joseph Oki, for disobeying traffic rules.

    It was also  learnt that the victim, popularly known as ‘Baba Ibeji’, had stopped the police inspector who was driving a cream coloured Highlander jeep with registration number plate LSR 277 BJ to allow free flow of traffic.

    It was gathered that the LASTMA official reportedly scolded the policeman for flouting traffic rules.

    According to sources, the policeman, who felt insulted by Adeyemo’s warning, allegedly pulled a pistol and shot the LASTMA official in the eye, killing him on the spot.

    NAN learnt that the policeman attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by the mob.

    It was gathered that some policemen in the area reportedly rescued the FSARS officer from the angry crowd who also damaged his vehicle.

    Contacted, Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, did not deny the incident.

    “I am writing a release on the incident,” Oti said.

  • Ambode swears-in five new perm secs

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja swore-in five new Permanent Secretaries into the State Civil Service.

    The appointees are Dr. Olabisi Taiwo (Ministry of Health), Mr. Olusegun Ajibade (Public Service Office), Mrs. Abiayo Akinsiku (Primary Healthcare Board), Dr. Yusuf Jimoh (Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations), and Mr. Ganiyu Rufai (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives).

    Ambode charged them to place high premium on efficient service delivery and work to make the machinery of governance to roll faster in the overall interest of the people.

    The governor told them to bring their wealth of experience and knowledge to bear in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and to go all-out to meet the high expectations of not only government but the teeming population of the State.

    “With this appointment, you have all effectively become the Accounting Officer of your MDAs. You have been entrusted with a bigger and more sensitive responsibility which will put to test your leadership and managerial skills.

    “Let me remind you of the very high expectations that will be placed on you, not only from the government but more importantly, from the over 22 million Lagosians who desire efficient and service delivery.

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    “Your ability to meet these expectations will depend on the amount of creativity and innovation you can bring to bear in the discharge of your responsibilities.

    “Nobody expects you to reinvent the wheel. What is expected of you is to bring to bear your knowledge and experience so that the machinery of governance can roll faster and deliver more quality results to the teeming population of our State,” the Governor counseled the appointees.

    While congratulating the new Permanent Secretaries, the Governor pointed out that the elevation was strictly based on merit as evidenced by their outstanding performance, commitment and dedication to duty over the years, saying they must work to justify their appointments.

    Responding on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Taiwo expressed gratitude to God and the governor for the opportunity to serve the State at the highest level in the civil service, just as she assured that they would not betray the confidence reposed in them but rather uphold the principles of public service.

  • Factory worker docked for alleged theft of cables

    A factory worker, Sunday Shagidi, 24, was on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly stealing cables worth N360,000 from a company.

    The accused, who resides at 34, Church Avenue, Ketu, Lagos, was docked on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Sergeant Kenrich Nomayo, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large, on Oct. 12, at Eleganza Company located at 33, Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja.

    Nomayo said that the accused left his duty post in the company’s factory and trespassed into the store and stole the cables, valued at N360, 000.

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    He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Ojo, however, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and adjourned the case until November 14.