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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos to establish two technical colleges

    Two colleges will soon be added to the five technical colleges in Lagos.

    The proposed colleges, which will be located in Akodo and Alimosho axis of the state, are to reduce the increased enrolment of candidates for technical and vocational education in Lagos.

    The Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) Executive Secretary, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, broke the news at a briefing in GRA Ikeja.

    She said the state government was planning to overhaul the  board to engender more enlightenment, improvement, and exposure.

    The state has technical colleges in Agidingbi, Ado-Soba, Ikorodu, Ikotun and Epe.

    “There is going to be the restructuring of Technical and Vocational Education in the state to engender more enlightenment, improvement, and exposure, said Erogbogbo.

    “This is because people are beginning to realise that technical education will drive the economy. There is no home where we don’t need tillers, electricians and all that are being done mostly by young men from Togo.

    “We don’t want to continue having our tilers from Togo. We don’t want to continue contributing to the economy of our neighbouring states,” she added.

    Part of the advocacy, Erogbogbo said, would include enlightening parents to realise that TVE is not meant for the not-do-wells.

    “Technical education is not meant for dropouts. Parents must embrace and encourage their students.

    Skill acquisition is very critical and important. It’s just that we all want to the white collar jobs and those days are gradually ebbing away.

    Upon her assumption of duties last September, Mrs Erogbogbo said she realised a dearth of instructors across the five colleges. Nonetheless, she was happy that the government responded to the board’s request by deploying over 100 instructors to improve on their teaching and learning.

    Through the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) embarked upon by student-trainees in industries,Mrs Erogbogbo said the students were able to experience firsthand and in practical terms, some of the things they were taught while in the colleges.

    Through the period that the board continues to monitor their progress, Erogbogbo noted: “Once a child graduates from JSS, he or she is eligible after passing our screening.

    “It is (programme) a three-year system, run as Tech 1, Tech 2, and Tech 3. When students get to Tech 2, that is when they go to the industries for the three-month working experience.  During that exercise, we monitor them through our instructors. After their IT (Industrial Training), they come back and are given a test to assess their level of understanding of what they learned. This, we do, to show how serious they are. We also conduct test periodically to determine and access their capability and how prepared are they for the labour market,”

    “In technical colleges, the critical thing is the exposure of these students to employability skills by going into the industries to see how things are done proper,” she added.

    Though there were still gaps, Erogbogbo assured that the government would continue to improve on the system.

    LASTVEB Director of Technical and Vocational Services, Laolu Oguntuyi, said the board, which was established in May 2010 to regulate technical colleges, vocational institutions  and other technical and vocational education training (TVET), is living up its mandate by producing competent hands in the vocational and technical landscape of Lagos and Nigeria.

    The board’s Director, Administration and Human Resources Mr David Adewunmi, who thanked the reporters for their support to the board over the years, assured that upon completion of the programmes, their graduates are competent to write a Business Plan

     

  • School celebrates Lagos @50

    Ronik Comprehensive School Ejigbo, Lagos has hosted parents, guests, and neighbouring schools to celebrate Lagos at 50.

    To make the event lively, the host schools made music, dance and drama presentations that vividly depicted the culture and tradition of the people of Lagos. The event also featured speeches by scholars on the place of Lagos in Nigerian history.

    Invited schools also competed for prizes in cultural dance, poetry, art and painting exhibitions. For instance, Benissant Nursery and Primary Schools, Okota, came first in the cultural dance competition with a thrilling Atilogwu. The host emerged first runners up, while Word of Power School, Akowonjo, came third.

    The host school also led others in the poetry contest, followed by Pavic International School, Idimu.

     

  • Diaspora fiesta: Fed Govt, Lagos target 15m audience

    Diaspora fiesta: Fed Govt, Lagos target 15m audience

    At a time when many Africans in the Diaspora are eager to connect with their roots, Lagos State and the Federal Government are creating a veritable platform for such reunion. This, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is the forthcoming Badagry Diaspora Festival.

    She said no fewer than 15 million Nigerians in Diaspora would be encouraged to trace their roots back home through the festival holding from August 23 to 25 at Badagry.

    Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof Ademola Abass, represented Lagos State at the joint press conference in Lagos. Both governments said the festival, which would be a replica of the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture otherwise known as FESTAC 77, had been designed to assist Africans in Diaspora to reunite with their ancestral roots.

    Apart from putting issues of Africans in diaspora on the front burner, the festival, according to Dabiri-Erewa, would also providea  platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world and also promote tourism potentials of the country.

    The presidential aide, who praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for throwing his weight behind the festival, said the event would host the largest gathering of Africans in the world, and that it was a thing of joy that many Africans in diaspora had already indicated interest in tracing their roots back home.

    She said: “For the first time, we have been having in Badagry a festival that brings people in the Diaspora together but when we attended this festival few years ago, we sat together and said this would be the biggest cultural event to come out of Africa. And so after years of planning, we have been able to come out with this programme this year coming up from August 23 to 25.

    “The United Nations already has declared 10  years as its decade for Africa, and so within the said decade, Nigeria in particular, and Lagos will be putting up one of the biggest gatherings of the Diaspora all over the world in Badagry later this year.

    “One of the unique events of the festival is the ‘Door of Return’. A lot of people and things were taken out of Africa and Badagry in particular, and so our people in Diaspora would be coming back through that door that we are calling the Door of Return, which is the opposite of ‘Point of no Return. Beyond that, we will be showcasing the beauty and culture of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general through the festival,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

    On  the number of people in the diaspora expected to grace the festival, Dabiri-Erewa said many Nigerians in the diaspora have already indicated interest to be part of it, adding: “We don’t have an accurate database but we are working on 15 million Nigerians in the diaspora and a lot of them are already coming.”

    Prof Abass said the Lagos state government was delighted to partner with the Federal Government and other promoters of the festival, as the event was in sync with the cardinal objective of the present administration in the state to use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sport to promote excellence.

    He said apart from the fact that the festival was coming at a time the state was celebrating the 50 years of its existence, the festival would be utilised to showcase the giant strides of Governor Ambode’s administration in transforming Badagry to the next tourism hub in Africa.

    “This festival is going to be utilised to promote the huge efforts that the present administration in Lagos State has been putting into turning Badagry around in terms of infrastructure, in terms of tourism and so many other things and so this forthcoming celebration falls squarely within our government agenda to promote tourism and also promote investment.

    “As you know, we are developing a sea port in Badagry among so many other things and so the festival will be a win-win for everybody especially for us in Lagos State,” Abass said.

    One of the promoters of the festival, Mr Babatunde Mese-Waku, President of African Renaissance Foundation said a Brazilian, Baye De Santos, whose root has been traced to Ketu in Benin Republic, would be honoured at the festival for his contribution towards promoting issues relating to Africans in diaspora.

    Managing Director of Agile Communications Ltd, the marketing firm for the festival, Mr Rufai Ladipo, said series of activities have been lined up for the festival including carnival procession, boat regatta, fishing competition, dark era procession, Diaspora dinner, beauty pageant, cultural displays, heritage site visits, heritage night, festival market, international music concert and international symposium among others.

  • Ending extremism tops talks in Lagos

    Ending extremism tops talks in Lagos

    Community and religious leaders, as well as scholars met in Lagos penultimate week to chart paths to countering violent extremism in the Northeast and the Niger Delta.

    The interaction facilitated by UFUK Dialogue, an international non-governmental organisation, also focused on how to end youth restiveness and unemployment.

    Local and international scholars presented papers during the conference whose theme was “Countering Extremism through Peace, Education and Love.”

    Representative of UFUK Dialogue in Lagos, Mehmet Ozleyen, said religious leaders must preach love and peace to their followers and others.

    He said: “The individual who is conscious of divine creation is first of all a hero of affection.

    “Such a person is deeply concerned about every existence; embraces everybody and everything compassionately.

    “With love, he or she sees the existence of other religious beliefs and philosophical views as a reality and constantly seeks ways of living together peacefully with other people with the idea of accepting others in their own place and respecting everybody.”

  • Lagos in the next 50 years

    The last week of April and all of May, this year, was season of prayers in Lagos. People of diverse origin, faith, interest, and class-including even the atheists-, were united in entreaty to God Almighty, to guide and quicken the drive to a Greater Lagos, a Smart City that will rival the best in the Planet.

    Prayers were offered in churches, mosques and shrines, at club houses, social functions, homes and meetings. Prayers soared on the wings of songs, drums, dance, drama and fanfare, exalting the Almighty for His blessings and favours that put Lagos in pole position in the country, kindling hope of improved humanity, affirming durability of concord among groups, showcasing the beauty of multi-ethnic cultural heritage, propagating messages of care and love and restating our determination and commitment to confront present and future challenges.

    During the colourful celebration of 50 years of peaceful co-existence and unprecedented socio-economic progress in the state, Lagosions earnestly requested for more of the same in the journey to Smart city of collective aspirations. Indeed, Lagosians love God.

    God loves Lagosians-this is the bedrock of the people’s faith, imbuing hope, courage and confidence to focus on collective dreams and pursue them with religiousness until they become reality.

    The question is not whether our supplications will be answered, but that the Smart City destiny of Lagos is assured.

    Some skeptics might say western nations have achieved development with little emphasis on religion. While this is a fallacy, as will soon be pointed out, the definition of development will not be complete when the spiritual needs of the people are downplayed or ignored.

    Those who had travelled to nations in the Western World, before September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Centre was attacked, could easily come to the conclusion that people there were living in paradise, as they enjoyed state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities, unequalled social and economic advancement, uninterrupted power supply, comprehensive health insurance scheme, superb social safety net, fantastic integrated transportation system, near zero-unemployment level, stable democracy, predictable conveniences, comprehensive health and medical scheme, high level of safety and security and  unfettered freedom and liberty.

    It is thus easy for one to conclude that, these nations must have evolved enduring development templates that other developing nations in quest of progress and good living must adopt to succeed.

    Definitely, these are not models that Lagos should adopt unconditionally. Paying appropriate attention to religious issues and prayers are crucial in the overall state’s development thrust. Religion is not a problem, but a big asset that is being strategically combined with other variables to produce best results.

    In the past 50 years of the existence of Lagos, we have not witnessed any major religious conflict, despite that Lagos, with a population of more than 20 million, harbours far more faith-based groups of varying denominations and far more ethnic groups than anywhere else in the country.

    Indeed, religion and prayers are working for us in Lagos. Religion and government travel in different but parallel tracks. They are most successful and most effective when they protect and encourage one another… (And) too much secularism can lead to moral decadence not good for society,” says Elder Wilfred W. Anderson.

    Something ubiquitous can easily be taken for granted such as air, water, sand and sunshine, yet our Planet Earth cannot sustain lives in the absence of one of them. So, it is becoming a reality with religion.

    From the beginning of human creation, religion has been there with us. From cradle to grave, we are immense in religious rites and experiences, that it has become part of our souls. Hardly can we write the history of a nation or group of people on earth without mentioning their religious experiences; it has become part of human existence and ways of life, and the fact that we have some few people who are atheists, does not diminish the significance of religion and prayer.

    The principle of Strategic Approach is that attention must be given to all variables, which must be combined in systematic manner to produce desired results and outcomes.

    For Lagos to continue to excel and transmit models for other states in the country and beyond, it must continue to benefit from the best of what are available around the globe, and marry them with the best in our clime, to produce results that are appropriate and comprehensive enough to accommodate all the citizens’ needs and aspirations, without destroying our ways, values and cultures.

    Lagosians are religious people. Overwhelmingly, we are either Christians or Muslims; we have some other Lagosians who are traditionalists and some atheists, whose interests have always been factored in development thrusts.

    Lagos State Government has been working hard to protect all religious groups, without preference for one. You cannot see a worship centre within the State Secretariat complex, but across the road, there is a mosque and a church, constructed by the state, but each overseen by a governing council, who may not necessarily be public servants, to take care of spiritual needs of more than 95 per cent of workforce, residents and visitors in Alausa and its environs.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, as are his predecessors, appreciates the importance of religion and prayer in pursuit of avowed objective of Greater Lagos. He has been protecting religious freedom without favouring any group over the others.

    Through the Ministry of Home Affairs, he has been able to sustain harmonious relationship among all faith-based organisations. He has fostered durable peace in the state, and his peace initiative promises to become more comprehensive and self-sustaining when Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), State chapter, is decentralised for ownership at the grassroots.

    In the two consecutive years of Ambode’s administration, Lagos was adjudged as the best in the country in pilgrimage operation to the Holy Lands of Mecca and Jerusalem, with expressed approval and satisfaction of pilgrims.

    The state will continue in that manner to satisfy the spiritual yearnings of its citizens. Kidnapping, which is threatening harmonious existence, is foreign to the state and is being robustly addressed. It will soon become history when more security measures, such as deployment of commissionaires trained by Nigerian Legion (Lagos chapter), construction of watch tower and installation of close-circuit televisions come to fruition in education institutions.

    That Ambode’s administration has been outstanding is because he has been implementing a Lagos Template, which has all the beautiful components of the western version, with important local components that will transform the state from a Mega City to a Smart City.

    Lagosians have faith in the destiny of their state, and confident in the ability of the present government to transform the state to a true Smart City of prosperous and happy citizens. Ambode has his heart set on the task at hands, and will not be distracted.

     

    • Lookman Seriki is Head Public Affairs Lagos Ministry of Home Affairs
  • ‘Lagos deserves special status’

    ‘Lagos deserves special status’

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, in this interview with Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu and Musa Odoshimokhe, speaks on what she has been since leaving office; the alleged marginalisation of women in politics and how the Federal Government is working to reposition the country.

    What have you been doing after leaving office as deputy governor?

    I want to say that I have been having my quiet time. I have been able to do what I like doing in my private capacity. I have been doing what is relevant in the education field. I have established the Sarah Adebisi Sosan Foundation. For now, the foundation is focused on the development of youths and women in my local government area in Ojo. I have been meeting people to counsel them on issues that will promote their progress and wellbeing. Generally, I have devoted my time to human development.

    What do you consider as your legacy as former deputy governor and Commissioner for Education?

    I am happy that the legacy I left has not diminished, because the quality of education in the state has continued to improve. It is obvious that teachers are now better off, in terms their contribution to the promotion of learning and quality education. These efforts are being geared towards training and learning in schools. Our schools have improved; our students and pupils are excited because they are making progress in learning and other education curricular. Though system may not be perfect, but at least we are happy when we look back and see what is happening in view of the legacy we left behind.

    Lagos has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. What are your reflections as a Lagosian?

    I want to thank God for Lagos State, because when you look back to the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, and up to this moment 2017, trying to introspect to the giant stride and development Lagos has recorded, I want to say it has been tremendous. It is commendable, because Lagos has leaped forward in terms of structures and has recorded outstanding progress. Like someone who just arrived Lagos State from oversee recently alluded to it, the development witnessed in Lagos is unbelievable. That is also the testimonies of many people and we give glory to God. I have seen a lot of developments in the state. Lagos State has gathered international recognition as a state to be reckoned with and we must commend all those who have been party of the success story.

    How did you feel when you were not able to complete the second term with former Governor Babatunde Fashola?

    It is a natural thing that one will feel pained, because nature will always play its role in everybody’s life. Everybody loves success, everybody loves to be great, again lets gives thanks to God that I have the opportunity to serve the people in that capacity. It is God who makes things happened; it is not by act of man. If God says thing will happen this ways nobody can change it. As a Christian, I know everything is possible with God. If God says you will prosper, you will and if He says you are not going anywhere, you will go anywhere no matter your efforts. I was disappointed but by the same token I took everything calm and give glory to God. I felt it but I have my peace. People were coming to me, trying to say one thing or the other to urge me on. But, for it not to be seen that I did not appreciate their efforts, I made some moves, but when it was very clear that the matter was a case closed, I accepted it that way and have my peace. I was calm and have my peace.

    How did you emerge as deputy governor?

    That is a story that was all over the place. I had spoken about it on several platforms. Like the case of former Governor Babatunde Fashola, he said he never planned to be governor. In my case, I equally never planned to be Deputy Governor; it is only God who determines where people will be. I was not a politician, but again I was born into the family of politicians. And when the opportunity came, I took it calmly and when I was invited to serve in that capacity I accepted it. I later got to know about lots of things that had happened around my choice as Deputy Governor. I thank God for my choice. My father was a politician and when it came to election period; my father ensured that we all voted, he tutored us on this civic responsibility.  Nobody was exempted from participating in the voting process. I think it was another way of compensating my father for his loyalty and service to the people. My father went through a lot as a politician. Sometimes he was accused of things he never knew about but he remained dogged and emerged clean from such blackmails. So, I think it was a way of just compensating him when I was chosen.

    How were you able to cope with the home front as deputy governor?

    As you can see, I was able to cope because my domestic staff was quite supportive. My husband was very supportive and it was a balance between my office and the home front. I did not allow one to suffer for the other.

    Politics, they say, is a dirty game. What was your experience?

    I want to say that politics can be dirty and it can be is quite interesting as well; it depends on the way you take it. For me, I don’t allow it to be dirty. Politics is all about understanding what you want. It involves lots of intrigues, lot of back stabbing and other challenges. A politician once told me that if you want to destroy your opponent, we know how to package the plans. What he said it surprised me and I wondered at it, but that is how some people can go when it comes to politics. Some people don’t have conscience when it comes to politics, they can drag to any extent.

    What is your assessment of the Ambode’s administration?

    I want to look at the previous leaders of the state. So, let us start with our national leader and our father, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and others like Baba Lateef Jakande. I was a young lady then when Jakande was governor and he did a lot to promote the development of education. Today, many that have education was because of his programme. We thank God that Jakande provided school system that helped grew the education of Lagos State. The state also made remarkable progress when our leader Asiwaju when he came on board. He did a lot of things to enhance education, many schools were built, and there were lots of appreciation by stakeholders on the model put in place by these leaders. The good platform he established was sustained by Fashola and has been further advanced by Ambode. The roads have been improved upon. The Aboru roads axis which used to be a difficult terrain has become huge success, the Ajah roads connection and other road network are testimonies that government has made progress in the past decades.

    What is your position on the clamour for special status for Lagos?

    I support the moves by 100 per cent. Look at Lagos State; it is one state that is so cosmopolitan in nature. It is one state you have every tribe or ethnic group in the country residing within it. Lagos is a mini-Nigerian. People are saying that if I go to Lagos, my life will change and they are actually making it in the state. That is one state that harbours all tribes. It is one state that takes a lot or burden off the federal government in term of what people gain from the state. So, why should it not be given a special status? The state deserves that special status. We are the one that generates more VAT in the country and we are not getting what is due to us. Even members of other countries prefer to come to Lagos State, given this situation, Lagos State deserves the special status and it should be accorded it as a matter of priority.

    In your view, has Buhari met the expectations of Nigerians?

    I will say yes. But, there is room for improvement. So, when you consider the kind of economy that the administration met, the kind of empty purse and treasury inherited, the administration should be commended. Looking at where the money was coming in the past and how it has dried up when we took over, I think people should appreciate that government has been trying. The oil which sold at very impressive rate before we came had fallen below expectation. But, apart from the issue of mono-economy that has been the challenge of the country; I think our government should look into agriculture in order to do better. If government does that things will improve, the confidence that people have been losing will be reposed. I think people should do their home work to get information before they should lay claims to what has not really taken place. It because of the lack of knowledge many people seem not to understand how things have been going on. They should look at the high level of terrorism that had taken place, the money that had been diverted and some have even refused to return the money they have misappropriated up till now. When you look at the whole issue, you discover that this is not the way to go. Corruption has manifested itself in many ways in the country and I think the government has been battling it to ensure that the country has a new direction.

    What is your assessment of women participation in politics?

    Women have proven that they are good managers. The few ones that had been there have shown that they can do better than men. When you look at the statistics you will see that women have not been well represented in politics. The 30 per cent women affirmation is not even enough where you have women totaling half of the population. Looking at the present composition at the National Assembly and even state assemblies, women participation in the last election has been low. We have been marginalised, I think women should be encouraged to do better. Again, women and men are partners in progress, but that is not to say we should be relegated to the background.  

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won some councils in Lagos State during 2015 elections. what were the lessons?

    We all know why it happened that way. We all know that it was because of the money they stole at the national level, which they put into the election that aided their agenda. It is really unfortunate that politics has been monetised to the level it is. But, we thank God that all that is now over and it will never repeat itself again in the state. I as a leader in my council and other leaders of other councils have looked at it and maybe, we did not work hard enough in the past. That has been corrected.

    How is your party resolving the Lagos council primary crisis?

    Was there any crisis? There were no crises to the best of my knowledge. There was primary and like in other climes there were issues. And whatever it was there is a way of resolving issues. We are working hard and noting short of success is expected at the polls. So, our people should work for the success of our party as well. In the last 2015 election many intrigues played out and money was used to infiltrate us by the PDP that will never happen again in the state.

  • Lagos partners MTN on security

    Lagos partners MTN on security

    The Lagos State Government yesterday unveils a code, 9999, with which Lagosians can donate to the special purpose vehicle – Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) with which it is changing the security architecture of the state.

    The government said this followed a deal it sealed with MTN Nigeria Limited, on collection of donation towards the Fund.

    LSSTF Executive Secretary Dr Abdulrazaq Balogun, said the development was part of the strategy to provide wide range of avenues for Lagosians to contribute towards the fund, thereby scaling up the provision of security for the people.

    Balogun said through the partnership, MTN subscribers would be able to donate N50 to the fund at a time, by just texting ‘HELP to 9999.’

    He urged Lagosians to make the donation a continuous one, adding that with her huge population and its goodwill, this would not be impossible for the state

    He said: “The Lagos State Security Trust Fund is delighted to announce a partnership with MTN on collection of donation to the fund. This is one of the avenues we are providing to allow teeming Lagosians who are eager and willing to contribute to the Fund to be able to do so.

    “The fund, in the past and still counting, has donated and still donating several equipment and vehicles to security outfits in the state to enhance their capability to perform optimally towards securing lives and property of the residents,” Balogun said.

  • RCCG Lagos Province 54 to host Breakforth 2017

    The Lagos Province 54 of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) will on July 2 host a special family programme, tagged: Breakforth 2017 at 7 a.m.

    The programme, which will be held at the Museum Centre of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Oba Ogunji Road, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos, will have Pastor Charles Kpandei, the pastor-in-charge of RCCG Region 11, as guest speaker.

    His wife, Pastor Bola, is special guest.

    Host Pastor Ben Femi Ayanda, the Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 54, said the programme is designed to impact the lives of families.

    Ayanda said: “This programme is designed for all to receive and enjoy Father’s blessing in the second half of this year so that we can break forth into all-round enlargement.”

  • Lagos resumes sales of Lake Rice

    Lagos resumes sales of Lake Rice

    Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oluwatoyin Surau has said that the sales of Lake Rice will resume at designated outlets across the state today.

    Suarau explained that the sale of the product is part government’s commitment to ensure that Lagosians scale through recession.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, he said, had assured Lagosians that his government would do all  to achieve food security and create more jobs.

    The Commissioner hinted that sale of the product is auspicious especially with regards to next week’s Eid-il-fitr celebration.

    He said the rice which had been subsidised by the government is available at different sizes and at approved outlets. This, he said, would make the product affordable for residents, adding that the rice is fresh and safe for consumption.

    Suarau assured that the ministry would ensure a fair distribution of the rice across the state and ensure that product is available during the festive period.

    The Commissioner listed the approved sales outlets to include; Lagos State Agric Input Supply Authority Centres at Ojo, Ajah, Odogunyan in Ikorodu, and Epe as well as the secretariats of all the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the State.

    “Lake Rice would also be available for sale at the Agricultural Development Area Complex Oko-Oba, Agege; LTV Complex Agidingbi; State Universal Basic Education Board, Maryland; Government Technical College, Idimu-Alimosho and the Eko Farmers Mart Surulere”, Suarau added.

    While noting that the prices of the product has not changed, he said that the 50kg bag of Lake Rice would be sold for N12,000 while the 25kg and 10kg will be sold at N6,000, and N2,500 respectively.

  • New BoI-support film gets glamorous Lagos premiere

    New BoI-support film gets glamorous Lagos premiere

    It was an A-class event last Sunday, as the latest Bank of Industry-support film, Isoken, premiered at the Landmark Center, Oniru, Lagos, amidst pomp.

    The highly anticipated romantic comedy by Jadesola Osiberu, which is currently showing in cinemas made a loud impression on the crème of guest that witnessed the stylish private screening, tagged ‘African Royalty Grand Premiere’.

    Present at the opulent event were cast of the movie, notable celebrities and society’s bigwigs such as Professor Wole Soyinka, Oba Adewale Osiberu, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Dr. Victor Uwaifo, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka and Mrs Uche Nwuka, Group Head, Creative Industry Desk at the Bank of Industry.

    Speaking to journalists at the event, Nwuka expressed optimism that the film will yield expected Return on Investment (RoI), even from its first week in Nigerian cinemas.

    “We expect a huge Return on Investment. I expect to have my money back in one week. We put in a lot into the film and Jadesola has put in her best into this film as well and we can see the quality of production and storyline. I salute her courage. So I actually expect the best of Return on Investment on this great film,” Nwuka said.

    The movie had earlier premiered at the West End’s Cineworld in London where it sold out to the audience.

    According to Nwuka, BoI decided to support ‘Isoken’ owing to its strong storyline, and the fact that the producer is a promising young and upcoming filmmaker.

    “At BoI, we are very passionate about working with young filmmakers and Jadesola was the first of such. With BoI buying into her passion and commitment to story-telling through film, we are happy with what we’ve seen today and equally proud to be affiliated with this project,” she said.

    Jadesola, a Harvard Business School alumnus and former head of Ndani TV, is popular for her web drama series, Gidi Up. She wrote, produced and directed the rave-of-the-moment flick, ‘Isoken’.

    Starring Dakore Akande, Funke Akindele, Marc Rhys, Bolanle Olukanni, Joseph Benjamin, Tina Mba, Damilola Attoh, Nedu, Lydia Forson and Patrick Doyle among others, the film takes the audience on a romantic and hilarious journey, exploring cultural expectations, racial stereotypes and bonds that unite families.

    Serenading guests at the premiere, Uwaifor performed some of his hits, including ‘Joromi’, setting the tone for the Benin setting of the film.