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  • Woman charged with attempted child theft in Lagos

    Woman charged with attempted child theft in Lagos

    A 32-year-old woman, Stella Ojei, who allegedly lured a toddler with candy and attempted to steal her, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny,Ojei committed the offence on Oct. 28 on Kareem Babatunde Street, Dopemu, Lagos.

    Donny said that the two- year -old child was playing with his friends when the accused passed by, saw them and lured the child with sweetie.

    “The accused was about taking the child when one of the neighbours sighted her and raised an alarm.

    “The accused was apprehended and handed over to the police,” he said.

    “The offence contravenes Section 406 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,’’ the prosecutor submitted.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folakemi Davies-Abegunde granted her bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Davies-Abegunde adjourned the case until Dec. 11 for mention.

    Read Also: Woman charged with stealing clothing materials

  • Lagos begins channelisation of four ferry routes

    Lagos begins channelisation of four ferry routes

    The Lagos State Government has commenced channelisation of four commercial ferry routes out of the 30 already identified as part of activities to scale up water transportation and tourism.

    Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adebowale Akinsanya, said the four routes would be followed with two more, while work on the remaining 24 would be implemented in phases within the next four years.

    Akinsanya spoke after an inter-agencies inspection tour of ongoing projects in and around the state inland waterways.

    The routes are 10km Ebute Ojo to Marina, 7km Bayeku to Ajah, 16km Ijede to Marina and 6km Ijede to Badore.

    All the routes are with 40metres width and minimum of four metres deep into the waters.

    Akinsanya said the inspection tour was a follow-up to last Sunday’s commissioning of three boats by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, which was part of the grand plan to escalate water transportation and explore tourism potential of the inland waterways.

    On illegal dredging and other unwholesome practices, the Commissioner said the State Government had already intensified enforcement of relevant laws, assuring that no stone would be left unturned in securing the waterways and also ensuring safety of lives and property.

     

  • Lagos hosts the world at LIPF

    Lagos hosts the world at LIPF

    The city of Lagos hosted scores of poets, writers and artists across the world at the Freedom Park at the CMS, Lagos, for the 2017 Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPF).

    The five-day festival, the third in the series, opened with poets from across the world in attendance.

    The poetry festival, which essence was to bridge the falling walls of our society with the power of words, was attended by many African poets and more than eight American poets.

    The annual poetry fiesta, which is usually spearheaded and sponsored by the Nigeria Breweries, began with a master class poetry workshop for young poets who are willing to climb to the top hill of poetry.

    This year’s theme, Bridges from Walls, explored arts capacity to unite society around its common humanity. The series of events lined up for the festival express the universal desire for love, joy and fulfilment. Workshop, master classes and poetry performances from poets from across the world characterised this year’s festival.

    The festival was prefaced with a theatrical musical dance. Chika Jones opened the floor of poetry with his spoken words.

    Chika, in his spoken words, explored the nausea of the conglomeration of different tribes with different geographical and traditional backgrounds in Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria is metaphorically a country forced together by the power of the gun.

    Ndukwe Onuoma, a Nigerian poet hailed the themes of colonialism, corruption over revolution, secession and agitation, devolution of power and so on which were mentioned in Chika’s poetry. “Change will come somehow, change will come someday, but that day is not today,” he said, in his poetic lines.

    Koleka Putuma, a South African female spoken word poet and a radical feminist divulged her displeasure over gender inequality and inequity in Africa and the word generally. She said that taking the females as the weaker sex is unfair and unjust. She also mentioned how the rights of women are being denied of them and how they are usually maltreated in the society. To Putuma, both male and female genders should be treated equally.

    Dike Chukwumerije, a popular spokenword poet, expressed the need to frown discrimination, ethnocentrism, jingoism, neo-colonialism, internal apartheid, xenophobia and dehumanisation. Dike furthermore poured thoughts, insinuating that evils, corruption and social vices recognise no one consequentially. “When the drum sounds, let everyone answer”, he urged.

    Rezthepoet Afolabi, who is also a musician, said: “Poetry is life, expression and the basis of our experience and existence. Our being here is to channel the power of poetry to stimulate conversations about topical issues as they affect the society. Poetry uses the power of words to inspire. As poets, what we learnt is what we share. We learn from others and others learn from us”, he said.

    In line with its commitment to youth empowerment and talent development in Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, is sponsoring LIPF.

    Ekanem said: “The sponsorship is a strand in the fabric of the company’s philosophy of “Winning with Nigeria. We recognise that the arts play an important role in strengthening the cultural values of our society and we believe that we can help to contribute to the breeding of young, emerging talents and create a shared performance space for poets from Nigeria and across the world”.

    Ekanem further stated that Nigerian Breweries Plc is supporting the festival to help project the role of poetry as a tool for re-engineering of society. “Poetry does not only interpret society or serve as its mirror, it also helps us imagine better ways of being and living,” he explained.

    Also the Director of the event, Efe Paul, commended the Nigerian Breweries for spearheading the sponsorship of the creative event. He also thanked everyone and supporters who made the event worthy of attending.

  • OAU Alumni to launch Lagos new branch

    OAU Alumni to launch Lagos new branch

    The national body of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) alumni will, on November 22, inaugurate a new branch in Lagos.

    Called the Great Ife Mainland Metro (GIMM), the branch has elected Adekunbi Akin-Taylor as its president.

    Speaking with The Nation after his election,  Akin-Taylor said the event would hold at OAU Guest House/Hotel on Opebi Street in Ikeja at 4 pm.

    She called for donations or brochure felicitation advert to enable the association execute projects at OAU.

  • Lagos goes after tax defaulters

    Lagos goes after tax defaulters

    A massive tax enforcement is on the way in Lagos. The state government yesterday directed all its revenue agencies to all tax defaulters.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, who broke the news in a statement. He lamented that many residents were not fulfilling their civic obligation of paying taxes, saying the prevailing situation would adversely affect the government’s infrastructural renewal drive ongoing across the state.

    He said the government had concluded plans to go all out to enforce the tax laws so as to bring more Lagosians into the tax net.

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwinmi Ambode at a forum, expressed concern that only about 600,000 Lagos residents are up to date in paying their taxes, a situation he said was not helpful to scale up provision of infrastructure and other amenities for the people.

    Ayorinde said the Government remains committed to completing all ongoing projects on schedule, but that it was largely dependent on prompt payment of taxes by residents in the State.

    He listed some of the major ongoing projects to include, the Oshodi Transport Interchange, reconstruction of the Oshodi International Airport Road, network of roads in Epe to link Ijebu Ode, construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lane from Abule Egba to Oshodi as well as the construction of the Pen Cinema flyover.

    He said government has  commenced the construction of over 20 network of roads within the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun States to ease movement and enhance business activities between the two States.

    He listed the 20 roads to include Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road); Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River); Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).

    Ayorinde said these projects have already begun in earnest. The construction of the 181 roads earmarked across the 57 local councils, which is now an annual ritual of this Government will commence anytime soon and many more too numerous to mention.

    He said Ambode was commited to ensuring that all these projects are completed before 2019. But the possibility of achieving such will require taxable citizens of the state who have not been paying their taxes to start doing so, he stated.

    “This administration is grateful to Lagosians who have supported the government, particularly in the discharge of their civic responsibility through payment of taxes. That is the oil that keeps the engine and wheels of government moving smoothly.

    He drew attention to the fact that when there are no resources, these  projects would be stalled. No government in the world can achieve its set out objectives without funds and these funds are available ongoing largely from what residents pay as taxes. It is therefore expedient that taxes should be paid correctly as at when due”, he said.

    Ayorinde listed some of the major projects that have been completed so far to include the Abule Egba and Ajah flyovers, the Aboru Abesan Link Bridge, Ago Palace Way, Ajasa Command Road, network of roads in Ogudu and Epe and the construction of the DNA Forensic Centre, among many others, were as a result of the tax payers money which according to him, the state government judiciously utilized to make life more comfortable for the people.

  • Factory worker faces car battery theft charge

    Factory worker faces car battery theft charge

    A factory worker, Oche Joseph, who allegedly stole a car battery valued at N25, 000, on Monday appeared in  an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Joseph, 31, who lives in new garage area of Mende,  Maryland, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The accused, according to Police Prosecutor Lucky Ihiehie, committed the offences at No. 1, Salami St, Mende, Maryland, on Oct 31.

    He said the complainant, Mrs Mojisola Salami, reported the incident at Anthony Police Station on Oct. 31.

    Ihiehie told the court that the complainant, while in her house was alerted that the accused and another man still at large had opened her car and stolen the battery valued at N25, 000.

    He said the security guard opposite her house was watching when they were removing the battery.

    “He moved in and apprehended the accused while the other accomplice ran away.”

    The offences  contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years for conspiracy.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with two sureties whose addresses must be verified.

    She adjourned the case until Jan. 29, 2018 for hearing.

    Read Also: Sales boy arraigned for alleged theft

  • Lagos, Delta lead competitiveness report

    Lagos State topped the first National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN) report unveiled in Lagos at the weekend. It was followed by Delta and River states. Borno and Gombe states, however, were at the bottom with 36th and 37th positions respectively.

    NCCN Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Matthias Chika Mordi, said the report, which include the sub-National Index (SNI), ranked all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in four key areas:HumanCapital, Infrastructure, Economy and Institutions.

    Lagos was best in infrastructure and economy, but Borno and Zamfara were  poor in human capital, no thanks to healthcare and education issues.

    According to the report, all the states performed very well, in at least, one of the four themes, and 23 sub-themes.

    Mordi said the new SNI is a platform for research and discussion to boost the discourse on how to move the country from oil dependency, and embrace a diversified economy.

    ‘’The report also emphasises the importance of competitiveness at the state level, highlighting local and state governance, and the vital role each state plays in the overall path to job-rich growth.

    “In aggregate, Nigeria remains challenged in its competitiveness. We expect the SNI to have a catalytic effect in competitive state policies, which will ultimately lead to greater business productivity, resulting in job creation and poverty reduction,” he said.

    The NCCN said it collected data for the report in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and research groups while a total of 8,147 households were sampled.

    They also collected information randomly from 2000 private businesses and used probability proportional to size (PPS) within each sector. Of this number, 1820 businesses responded to the survey, representing a 91 per cent response rate.

    “The index is a culmination of 20 months of intense work. We’ve worked rigorously to ensure objectivity and transparency in our methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation.

    “Where possible, we applied effective tools for cross-validation, and ease of replicability. It is by no means perfect, but we envisage improvements with subsequent iterations of the index,’’ Mordi added.

    Former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke praised the report, urging the states to be more productive.

  • Lagos targets 2m water passengers daily

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday opened three newly acquired executive boats, with a plan to divert at least two million passengers on the waterways daily.

    This, he said, will reduce traffic on the road.

    Ambode pledged to explore the tourism and economic potentials of the waterways.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the boats held at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre area of Victoria Island, the governor said he was committed to the implementation of the integrated transport management system designed to scale up water, rail and land transportation.

    He said the boats and four Jet Skis recently acquired by the government was to ensure safety and fight crime on the waterways, while in coming months, the state would take delivery of additional seven commercial ferries.

    He said: “This is a significant day for Lagos State as we commission three boats belonging to the Lagos State Government. We discovered that sometimes, we do not have the ability for our officials to go on the waterways to address issues relating to people and citizens that live alongside the waterways.

    “As you aware, 25 per cent of Lagos is water and it is important that we put in the right initiatives that can actually make activities on our waterways to thrive and the also people living along the waterways to bring them into proper perspective.

    “Sometimes when dignitaries come from other States or countries, they are not able to see the true side of Lagos from waterways perspective and that is one of the reasons we decided to procure the boats to promote tourism in the state so that people can see the great potentials of Lagos State.”

    Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development Adebowale Akinsanya said about 30 commercial routes on the waterways have been identified for dredging and channelisation, while 10 jetties spread across the state were being constructed.

    The ministry, he said, was working with the Justice ministry to enforce compliance with safety standards and checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

    Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) General Manager Tiamiyu Adeshina said the Jet Skis would be deployed to aid rescue operation in case of emergency, and helps to fight crime.

    “Each of the Jet Skis has the capacity to carry two divers and the idea behind this is that when an incident occurred on the water, there is a Jet Ski that will move divers fast to the incident scene while the rescue boats are coming behind and when they get there, divers are dropping into the waters and as soon as they rescue people, we put them into the rescue boat and take them to hospital,” Adeshina said.

    Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Managing Director Damilola Emmanuel, said the commissioning was the beginning of sustainable development for the waterways, adding that apart from efforts by the agency to enforce safety standards, the government has concluded plans to license 10 new operators who would provide better ferries.

  • ‘What to do before going into partnership’

    ‘What to do before going into partnership’

    Okenna Nnebedum, a legal practitioner, is a Principal/Attorney at Gavel Law House, Lagos. He is also a public affairs analyst and a teacher in a business academy. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, he talks about the ABC of starting business in Nigeria, business partnership, the empowerment programme of the Federal Government among other issues. Excerpts:

    WHY should a lawyer be involved in setting up a business?

    I must remark that at setting up stage, CAC makes it mandatory that for certain documents submitted and/or uploaded during company registration, they must be endorsed by a lawyer or notary public. Examples of these include the Company Secretary FORM CAC 2.1 and Declaration of Compliance FORM CAC4. Of course I will not forget to mention it that not everyone can relate with CAC as far as company registration is concerned. A lawyer, a chattered secretary, etc. are categories of persons that can apply to obtain CAC accreditation to function as CAC accredited agent.

    Companies and Allied Matters Act is the principal or overall law regulating setting up, operating and winding up businesses in Nigeria. If that Act contains an enactment that lawyers should be thus involved, then it becomes immaterial whatever anyone thinks.

    However, I must emphasize that businesses vary in scope and scale. Businesses are also determined either as one either into production of tangible goods or into rendering of intangible services. Though, in this computer age, technology is blurring the lines between products and services. Intangible factors are now replacing what obtained previously as factors of production in economic theories of the 19th century. Idea, internet, information, etc. are replacing land, capital, proximity to market, etc. as factors or value determinants for wealth exchange in this 21st century. In that realm, we talk about intellectual properties, and there’s no entrepreneur who hopes to effectively play or survive in this market without a lawyer to tie-up all the business to business and service level agreements.

    It is so real than imagined, how value is exchanged, business offerings in real time are rendered satisfactorily from the comfort of our bedrooms. Example is money transfer through our hand-held devices.  Smart phones are now products that render services. Obviously, we now see some products servicized while services are productized.

    Many Nigerians find it pretty difficult to go into partnership business. What do you think is responsible for this?

    Pretty difficult and I love how you qualified it. It doesn’t mean that partnership businesses are non-existent in Nigeria. Hope I got your question right? Good. So, partnerships serve to leverage mutual strength based on value derivatives from diverse skills. In prehistoric days, it originated from transactions like trade by barter; it’s a form of one-off partnership. Scared about breaches of trust and fidelity, people hardly do partnership business.

    However, I must say that partnerships business still operates in modern day business operations though the nomenclature has changed. Starting from a non-disclosure or non-circumvention agreement, there are business-to-business arrangements that have benefitted those in it, and are successfully thriving. I give you an example in the movie industry. Do you think all the channels in the bouquets of a satellite TV licensee belong to it? No, it doesn’t.  Content aggregation is arranged in a water-tight agreement to fill in programmes in exchange for fee. All over the world, almost everyone is on Facebook today, and without knowing, it’s a partnership. Ask me how? Do you ever wonder that Facebook seldom has own content except what you upload on it by yourself.

    But the point I’m making is that partnerships are not always obvious by operations, but by intent, they’re legally binding in all transactions. Much as I want to reiterate that trust is a very scarce commodity in today’s morally decadent society, stability and predictability in the legal system will curb those excesses.

    For people who are   interested in going into partnership, from the legal point of view, what are those necessary things that should be put in place?

    To start with, one would need to understand the tripod realities. What I mean is that any partnership stands on 3-legs, namely; the parties, the business and the environment. I’ve talked about sovereign risk, which applies to corporations and individuals alike. It’s a fundamental to determining credit rating or integrity quotient; which when abysmal scares away potential partners. Simply put, if you’ve not been faithful in small things, no one would partner with you in bigger projects. Secondly, on business, I’ll say that there are certain businesses you can never do without partnership. Almost all food majors in Nigeria today manufacture noodles. The major raw material is palm oil and starch; which they either import or source locally. As I’ve earlier stated, a well-structured SLA would come to functional and self-sustaining aid. Finally on environment, one must take periodic readings of the weather of government’s policies seriously. If one doesn’t know the extant policies per time, such an entrepreneur does business at his own risk. Nigeria has been observed as one country with high risk of policy inconsistency. Bad as it is, economists would say, the higher the risk, the higher the returns. If MTN never ventured into GSM business in Nigeria way back in 2001, against all palpable risks, it wouldn’t be relishing on its stupendous and unmatched returns over time, comparative to previous returns in the whole region of Sothern Africa.

    Aside all those existing businesses, there are businesses which at incorporation stage require some regulatory compliance measures. For example, if ABC Pharmacies LTD applies to CAC for registration and has as one of its business objects, “to do business as a drug manufacturer, importer, distributor, etc, by law it must have a qualified/licensed pharmacists as shareholder and director. Same applies to business objects pertaining to building construction, geology/mines, computer software, hospitals, legal services; there must be evidence of updated professional membership of practices licence.

    Legally, what are those necessary things to put in place in order to ensure continuity?

    Simple. It is by adoption and application of corporate governance ethical values and internationally established operational standards. One has to do with the board while the latter has to do with finance and audit. Both have a common factor, transparency in succession plan and financial dealings.

    I remember, more recently in response to certain economic bad weathers that swept away some banks during the recession. In response to and to forestall further insider abuses, the CAC, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Financial Reporting Council, Central Bank and strategic institutions evolved corporate governance measures to check against incessant company failures in order to maintain corporate health and economic stability. Example: sections 23(g) and 45 FRCNA establishes a Directorate of Corporate Governance for the FRCN while Sections 50 & 51 stipulates the objectives and functions of the Directorate of Corporate Governance of the FRCN.

    However, I seriously would advocate strict practice and compliances to corporate governance codes. It ensures adequate disclosures, effective decision making, transparency in business transactions, statutory and legal compliances, protection of shareholder interests, commitment to values and ethical conduct of business, long-term survival of the companies, as observed in Europe and other developed jurisdictions, it plays vintage role in attracting foreign investment. The extent of foreign investment, in turn, shapes the prospects for economic growth for many developing countries. On the reverse, it helps in reducing corruption significantly in order to enhance a country’s development prospects.

    To what extent has the empowerment programmes of the Federal Government helped in reducing unemployment?

    To a great extent, it does reduce unemployment. The emphasis on building focus on productions is commendable because its value chain also provide jobs indirectly. As a chamber, we’ve been privileged to be offering highly subsidized legal services to budding entrepreneurs at the side-line of conferences, seminars and various for a where such programs are organized/hosted. Am aware there are many organized by some churches, I’m not permitted to mention their names here. Today, they’re thriving with the N10million grant and businesses we assisted them in setting up.

    So, by and large YouWin, BIG portal, TEF, etc. are very necessary to rejig the economy. That’s how the Asian Tigers galvanized their economies, and it boosted their GDP. I commend the federal government. I also commend the Lagos including all other state government for taking a cue.

  • Keystone bank supports educational development in Lagos school

    Keystone bank supports educational development in Lagos school

    In keeping with its commitment to promote qualitative education and sustainable development in Nigeria, Keystone Bank Limited, has handed over a renovated and fully equipped Sick Bay to Dodan Barracks Primary School, Obalende, Lagos to manage remote health challenges of the students.
    Speaking on the lender’s passion for investment in the education sector at the commissioning ceremony, the Divisional Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications of Keystone Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Osotule said that the intervention is aimed at supporting the school to further improve the learning and teaching environment, thereby raising the standard of education in the country.
    Osotule said: “As a bank that is committed to the development of Nigerian youths, Keystone Bank recognises education as the bedrock of sustainable development, which is why education is one of our core CSR pillars.”
    “As much as education is an essential aspect of the development of any society, it is also important that children have easy access to first level healthcare while at school”.
    “The initiative is part of the bank’s overall strategy to create a sustainable impact around healthcare, education, youth/women empowerment and employee volunteering. We shall continue to do more in this regard.” Osotule stressed.
    In his response, the head teacher of the school, Mr Kayode Edun, thanked the Bank for the kind gesture. “We truly appreciate the efforts of Keystone Bank in giving the school’s sick bay a new lease of life. It is our prayer that the bank will continue to grow from strength to strength; and as progress is made, more initiatives like this will be implemented”, Edun said.
    Keystone Bank, a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers has been at the forefront of various educational and Women/Youth empowerment initiatives in recent times.
    The lender recently partnered with the Junior Achievers Nigeria ( JAN ), spearheading efforts in the furtherance of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial literacy drive by teaching children across the country on financial education/Independence.