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Tag: Ikorodu

  • Man, expectant woman abducted in Ikorodu

    Man, expectant woman abducted in Ikorodu

    Two persons – an expectant woman and a man have been kidnapped in Asolo, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos.

    The man, Michael,  was said to have been abducted last week while the kidnappers whisked away the pregnant woman on Tuesday night.

    On notification of the ugly events around 2am, the Chairman Ikorodu West LCDA, Mr Kazzem Sulaimon, quickly informed the police authority in the state and other security agencies for rescue operations.

    On getting to the scene yesterday morning, they discovered that the kidnappers whisked away their victims through a swampy area leading to the creek.

    It was learnt that the nature of the area and situation met on ground made it difficult for the security operatives to proceed with the rescue operation.

    Speaking with The Nation, Sulaimon appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, to ensure more police stations are situated in the area.

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     According to him, a single police station can’t cover a vast area which comprise of Asolo, Isawo, Ori-Okuta, Ojokoro road, Butterfly and host of other neighboring communities.

    He promised to partner with the police command to situate more police stations in the area.

    Sulaimon said: “There was a kidnap of a man which necessitated the Commissioner of Police to come around to inspect the area and had a meeting with stakeholders on Sunday. Also, yesterday (Tuesday), another person, a pregnant woman, was also kidnapped. We gathered security agents to go into the swampy areas to capture the criminals and free the victims but things went contrary as the victims’ families disagreed on the mode of freeing them.

    “They were afraid of losing them if the security personnel engaged the kidnappers. They even blocked the way to the road where the kidnappers took to prevent security officials entering the swamp area,” he said.

    The council boss implored leadership of various Community Development Areas (CDAs) to improve the security of their communities by installing Close Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) in strategic areas.

    He pleaded with the families of the victims kidnapped to be patient with security operatives as there are ongoing actions to arrest the culprits.

    He urged residents to raise the alarm on any suspicious act or movement within their communities.

    “When they see something strange, they should quickly say something before it’s too late. Another factor we should take into cognizance is that landlord should should do background check on people renting their homes. Everything should not be about money; the fellow residents’ lives are at risk if landlords give houses to people with dubious characters,” he said.

  • Ikorodu West meets stakeholders

    Ikorodu West meets stakeholders

    • By Muinat Ajibade-Alasela

    Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area(LCDA) has held its 2024 Budget retreat.

    The Chairman, Kazeem Olarenwaju, said the retreat was an avenue to plan and make policies for the economic growth and development of the council.

    “I am very positive that our administration has done its utmost to improve the lives and living conditions of our residents, business organisations, students, communities, and all the good people of this great LCDA despite our financial constraints,” he said.

    The council boss urged the residents to cooperate with the principal officials of the council to tackle the formidable task before them.

    He said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Revenue is the basis of expenditures to have meaningful economic growth and development in their LCDA.

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    “We must all get ready to work assiduously to improve our IGR to complement the Federal Statutory Allocation. This year, we shall focus on education, health, social protection, and economic affairs infrastructural development, the construction and rehabilitation of roads and drainages, and staff welfare.”

    Olarenwaju further stated that the completion of on-going projects, all their resources shall be directed towards the achievement of these programmes.

    He said they decided to consolidate upon the feats to ensure the wheels of governance in their council are constantly oiled and fine-tuned.

    The council boss lauded the efforts of all other staff for their unflinching support throughout the year and implored for their continuous support for the success of the administration.

  • Ikorodu council inaugurates block of classrooms

    Ikorodu council inaugurates block of classrooms

    The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Wasiu Adeshina, has inaugurated a block of five classrooms at the Salvation Army Primary School, Ikorodu.

    The classrooms were equipped with chairs, tables and other instructional materials.

    During his address, Adeshina emphasised the importance of quality education and its impact on the overall development of a community. He expressed his commitment to investing in education and ensuring that every child in Ikorodu had access to proper learning facilities.

     “The classrooms commissioned today is another testimony of our well known tradition of long lasting legacy project and realisation of administration resolve to put back Education at the center stage of our development.

    “It is a statement of fact that my adminstration is ready to ensure that our children are well equipped with knowledge and skills for development at a tender age. The importance and impact of new block classroom can’t be overemphasized as it will enable the students to acquire more knowledge and teachers to improve the level of Education,” he said.

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    The council boss urged the school management, teachers, and students to make the most of the classrooms, stressing the need for disciplined learning, academic excellence, and good moral conduct.

    The representative of State Universal Basic Education( Subeb) board, Dr. Saheed Ibikunle, commended the chairman, for using government funds for developmental projects, specifically focusing on education.

    He stressed the importance of education as the cornerstone of socio-economic development.

    “Some people may question why we are praising government officials for using public funds for development projects. But it is important to recognize that the chairman has made education a top priority. Education forms the foundation upon which a society can thrive.

    “We welcome as many stakeholders to quickly come in to also assist. Education is changing and so many things are changing”, he said.

    The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, urged community members to join hands with the government in expanding educational opportunities to all.

  • IE powers Ikorodu communities with N250m transformers

    IE powers Ikorodu communities with N250m transformers

    Electricity Distribution Company Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), in its efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure to ensure improved service to its customers in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State, has replaced the faulty 15MVA power transformer at Sabo Injection Substation (ISS) with a new one.

    According to the Chief Technical Officer, Ikeja Electric, Olajide Kumapayi, an engineer, the replacement of the faulty power transformer which cost about N250 million became necessary to ease the hydra-headed problem of power supply being experienced by over 15,000 customers connected to the power transformer one (T1) at Sabo Injection Substation before it spoilt completely.

    He noted that the replacement would increase the availability of supply from the previous three hours to at least 12hours daily. This would be based on the service band tariff class associated with the feeders.

    Kumapayi said nine 11kv feeders were radiated from Sabo Injection Sub-station through the two power transformers which include Ayangburen, Lasunwon, Lagos Road, Marie, Ladega, Erunwen, Igbogbo, Ijebu-Ode and Eyita communities and environs.

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    He said the construction of a new Injection Substation at the Lagos State University of Technology (LASUTECH) Ikorodu will commence shortly noting that it will provide one dedicated 11kv feeder for LASUTECH and two additional feeders to relieve Erunwen and Ijebu-Ode 11kv feeders in the Sabo Injection Substation. He assured that these investments will no doubt ensure optimal utilization of the technical assets to guarantee wider access and power availability across all impacted feeders in our resolve to meet the demand of our esteemed customers.

     The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie

    while expressing IE’s commitment to improved service delivery to her esteemed customers across the entire network coverage area, thanked vigilant customers, community leaders and security operatives who have continued to assist in safeguarding electrical equipment in their neighborhood against theft, vandalism and acts of sabotage as failure to do so will jeopardize concerted efforts of the company from achieving the desired objective of sustainably powering livelihoods, businesses and communities.

  • DSVA takes campaign against SGBV to Ikorodu

    DSVA takes campaign against SGBV to Ikorodu

    The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has taken its advocacy against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) to  Ikorodu.

    The joint advocacy walk which held last Thursday involved a tour of the ancient town including the main motor park, Sabo, Ebun Oluwa, Alinson, Ladega and Benson markets, the Palace of Ayangburen of Ikorodu, and Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, amongst other places. The theme was, SGBV: not in my Lagos.

    The walk was carried out in conjunction with officers and men of the Lagos State Police Command.

    In attendance were the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikorodu Branch Vice Chairman Bemigho Elijah, the Child Protection Network and the Good Women, amongst others.

    DSVA Executive Secretary Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that between August 2022 and July 2023, the agency attended to over 5,383 cases ranging from domestic violence to sexual violence, rape, incest, sexual assault and defilement.

    Vivour-Adeniyi  said for the past four or five years, Ikorodu has been one of the top five local government areas with the highest incidences of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse.

    Explaining the Command’s involvement, she said it was  because most times, the police serve as the first point of contact with cases of domestic and sexual violence and because it is important for the people to have confidence in the system.

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    “This actually came from the Commissioner of Police who was of the opinion that there was a need  for members of the public to see that there is collaboration between the Police and government, working together towards a common goal which is ultimately to ensure that when people experience violence, they have confidence in the system and are able to report atrocities, most especially because we know in most cases, police serve as first responders.”

    She assured residents of the readiness of the government and the police to intervene in the malaise in the town and reverse the trend.

     “Ikorodu, light has come. We want you to know that there is help for you, we want you to know that you should not suffer in silence. In Ikorodu, we have at least three divisions, that is two designated Police Stations, where you can report cases to; the Igbogbo FSU, Owutu FSU.”

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khan Salihu said the Lagos State Command is keying into the advocacy against SGBV in order to sensitise and send a message  to Ikorodu community that gender-based violence must become a thing of the past.

    Salihu said that is why the Lagos State government sees it as a priority to eradicate SGBV in the state.

    He assured the people of quick response from the police anytime a case of domestic and sexual violence is reported. 

     DSVA Head of Field Operations, Mrs. Oluwakemi Bello told the people  that cases of husbands beating their wives or vice versa are no longer a family matter but a criminal offence.

    She warned residents against all forms of sexual violence, explaining that any one arrested and charged to court after due diligence and investigation, particularly for child defilement,  would be sent to life imprisonment.

    The head, Gender Desk of the Lagos Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Grace Agboola, who lamented high incidences of sexual and domestic violence in Ikorodu, urged the victims not to be afraid to speak out when they are violated, even if the perpetrator is their father, brother or neighbour.

    “If they tell you that you will die or threaten to kill if you expose them, don’t be afraid to speak out. It is when you keep silent that you will die. Even if it is your father, speak out”, she admonished them.

  • Council inaugurates community CDA exco

    Residents of Irepodun Community Development Association (CDA) at Olopomeji area of Odogunyan in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has inaugurated their fourth executive to direct affairs of the CDA in the next two years.

    The team is chaired by ex- Leader of Second Lagos State Youth Parliament and a two-term Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Ikorodu North Alhaji Olalekan Murisiku.

    Others are: Vice Chairman I Emmanuel Jayeola; Vice Chairman II Wasiu Tugbebo; General Secretary Olasoji Taiwo; Assistant Secretary Ojo Ojelade; Financial Secretary Afolabi Akinsola; and Treasurer Usman Nurudeen.

    They were inaugurated by Head of Department of Agric, Rural and Social Development in Ikorodu North LCDA Mrs Folashade Tobun.

    Represented by her asistant, Mr Olalekan Kuti, Mrs Tobun urged the exco to abide by laws of Lagos State establishing CDAs.

    “The law that establishes CDAs in Lagos State frowned at keeping associations’ money at home or in individual bank accounts. Any individual or group of people who embezzles community money will face the music, ” she said.

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    She noted that it was wrong for your predecessor not to handover books of accounts, attendance register, membership register, certificate of registration issued by the council, and all CDA property to new executives at the end of their tenure.

    The departmental head presented a copy of the constitution of Lagos State CDA to Alhaji Murisiku.

    Murisiku thanked residents for the confidence repose in him.

    He said his administration would be open to constructive criticism.

    “It is an enormous task ahead of me and my team to continue the progressive journey our founding fathers have started.

    ‘’As your chairman, I know I have a daunting task before me. I shall display the highest level of commitment and loyalty to our communal interest towards engendering development, ” he said.

    He promised that the executives would be transparent and accountable.

    “Our goal is to reposition this CDA and lay a solid foundation to thrive. Our focus is achieving people-oriented programmes and projects. These, we shall pursue collectively and vigorously, if you support us”, he said.

  • Promoting Ikorodu cuisines

    It was an exciting ceremony for Ikorodu indigenes as they gathered at the Labi Oasis Hotel, to commemorate the maiden edition of the town’s local food competition.

    The event was aimed at projecting the varieties of the local foods consumed in the town to rebrand the ancient town and position it as a tourism site for non-indigenes, foreign investors and promote business and cultural activities in the town.

    Ifokore (wateryam porridge) was prepared by eight contestants who under 30 minutes, displayed their culinary expertise to the delight of the audience.

    The contest, which had two categories: secondary school and adult, was won by Kingsfield College, Ikorodu and Nofisat Adeniji of Kolex Catering Institute.

    For their efforts, the winners will embark on an all-expense paid trip to Ghana through the Ikorodu Diaspora Programme geared towards promoting the cultural heritage of the town.

    Guests were also treated to  various local delicacies, such as, Afon, Ebiripo, and Ifokore.

    Ikorodu Tourism Limited Managing Director Morufu Ogunsanmi, explained that the yearly chef contest would expose the various Ikorodu delicacies beyond the country as well as encourage food vendors to add them in their food menu.

    “It is no gainsaying that Ikorodu image has been bathed with negative impressions, which has denied the town proper channels of development that is required.

    ‘’As such, the Chef Competition Award positioned to promote our local cuisine to compete favorably with international dishes, The Ikorodu Tourism Market and Ikorodu in Diaspora are targeted to correct this stereotypical impression,” he added.

    He noted that aside the health benefits in consuming local foods, they are cost-effective and available in the market.

    Former Managing Director, Ikorodu General Hospital, Dr Mobolaji Olukoya, noted that the country need to put more effort to export its local foods, adding that such event would attract investors, boost tourism and improve the economy in the town.

    He advised that more local dishes be eaten to preserve our culture.

  • Striking NASU workers shut LASPOTECH gate

    Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) branch, locked the gates of the institution’s main campus in Ikorodu yesterday over non-payment of their March salary.

    The union has been on strike since January over their demand for the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration, which would see workers moving from one salary grade level to the other.

    There has been disagreement between the union and the institution’s Governing Council over the implementation of the CONTISS 15 since 2016.

    However, things took an alarming turn yesterday when members of the union locked the entrance gate to the school and sent those found on campus away.  The union members also went to the LASPOTECH staff school and sent the pupils and teachers home.

    The Nation gathered that the workers, who had been receiving salary since the strike began in January, were shocked when they were not paid for March.

    A member of staff, who refused the give her name after finding her way to get into the premises, told The Nation that representatives of the union held a meeting with the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola, on Tuesday, but “I don’t know the outcome of the meeting.”

    Read also: LASPOTECH: Understanding the CONTISS imbroglio

    It was learnt that the Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, left the campus for Alausa to discuss the crisis with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Contacted, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, said the salaries had not been paid because those responsible for its preparation were not allowed to work.

    “We are on strike. We cannot go to our offices so how can we work? How can salaries be paid?  We only go round our offices but cannot enter. This is why the salaries have not been paid,” he said.

    Around 4pm, policemen arrived and ordered the workers to re-open the gate. They remained on campus patrolling the area as at press time.

     

  • Striking NASUP workers shut LASPOTECH gate

    Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), locked the gates of the institution’s main campus in Ikorodu on Wednesday over non-payment of their March salary.

    The union has been on strike since January over their demand for the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration which would see workers moving from one salary grade level to the other.

    There has been disagreement between the union and the institution’s Governing Council over the implementation of the CONTISS 15 since 2016.

    However, things took an alarming turn on Wednesday when members of the union locked the entrance gate to the school and sent those found on campus away.  The Union members also went to the LASPOTECH staff school and sent the pupils and teachers home.

    The Nation gathered that the workers who had been receiving salary since the strike began in January, were shocked when they were not paid for March.

    A member of staff who refused the give her name after finding her way to get into the premises, told The Nation that representatives of the Union held a meeting with the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola on Tuesday but “I don’t know the outcome of the meeting,” she said.

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    It was learnt the Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, left the campus for Alausa to discuss the crisis with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    When contacted, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, said the salaries had not been paid because those responsible for its preparation were not allowed to work.

    “We are on strike.  We cannot go to our offices so how can we work? How can salaries be paid?  We only go round our offices but cannot enter.  That is why the salaries have not been paid,” he said.

    Around 4pm, Policemen arrived and ordered the workers to re-open the gate.  They remained on campus patrolling the area as at press time.

  • TCN’s capacity utilisation dips to 14.8%

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised concern over the reduction in the load utilisation of its distributor company in Odogunyan substation, Ikorodu, Lagos State  to 14.8 per cent.

    Its Assistant General Manager, Transmission Egbin Sub-region, Ajiboye Oluwagbenga who conducted the Federal Ministry of Power inspection team from Abuja, explained that although the 132/33KVA substation has 96megawatt (Mw) load allocation, it is currently grossly under-utilised.

    He said there was high hope for demand for the load when the TCN was constructing the plant but the Ikeja Electric which is the major distributor of the power is now rejecting the load and rendering the plant almost idle.

    He said: “It is a 2*60MVA. It was commissioned by the minister on May, 7 2018. Presently our projection about the loading is not being met. We have 2*60MVA which is equivalent to 96Mw. But currently we are just making about 14Mw. This morning it was on 20Mw but now it is on 14Mw, translating to about 14.8 per cent loading.”

    The major target of the power consumer which is Mega Steel was utilising 28Mw upon the commissioning of the project last year, but he noted that the dwindling economy has compelled the firm to reduce its demand for power.

    According to him, before the completion of the Odogunyan project, the TCN was only wheeling power from a 132KV single line between Ikorodu and Sagamu, called 132KV single line.

    He said: “With the connection of Ikorodu-Sagamu to double circuit, there is need for additional bay at Ikorodu since it is going to be additional line now. We need to have the second bay. It is the one that is being constructed by these people. The bay which is the expansion project is almost 95 per cent. Every equipment has been tested. This one will take just one day to fix this thing back. If was with Odogunyan project and it was awarded  in 2010. Its commencement was 2011-2012 while completion and commissioning was in May 2018. The line will be completed in July this year. It is a different project.”

    At the Odogunyan substation, the Principal Manager, System Operation Area Control, Mr. Adeniyi Adeleke appealed to the Federal Government to draft armed security personnel from the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to take over the surveillance of the power plant.

    He told the inspection team that was on a fact finding mission that there are no Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the substation.

    He said: “We don’t have issues with the community presently but the security situation is not okay. We will appreciate a situation where we can have law enforcement agents here 24/7 guarding the station, equipment and the personnel. We will really appreciate that. We don’t have CCT in this station. Robbers had entered here and we didn’t know where they came in from.

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    shortage of manpower and lack of operation vehicles in the substation.

    Continuing, he recalled: “On Sunday We are supposed to have five staff but we have only three. We are just managing and people find it difficult to go on leave. Imagining only two people running this substation, which operates everyday.

    “They are three in the station and somebody must have some rest. We need more hands. We need training programmes for our staff. We don’t even have official vehicles to run the station.”