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  • Lagos blue rail line begins operations Sept. 4

    Lagos blue rail line begins operations Sept. 4

    Lagos blue rail Line will begin full commercial operations on September 4, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, has said.

    She spoke yesterday when she took reporters on a guided ride and tour of the physical infrastructure.

    Mrs. Akinajo said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will take the inaugural ride at 9am on September 4, before other passengers begin to ride.

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the rail line in January, and it has since been on test run.

    Akinajo said the delay was caused by prevailing circumstances around import and export.

    Read Also: Blue Line Rail commercial operations begin Monday — LAMATA

    She said LAMATA is committed to starting operations on September 4.

    Although the train is electric, it will run on locomotive for the first four weeks of operation to allow the electric system come up fully and sync properly with the physical infrastructure. It is also to allow passengers get familiar with the system. The tracks will, however, remain energise, so passengers are not allowed to cross them.

    Akinajo said: “The train will run 12 trips in two schedules for now – 6.30am to 10am (morning peak) and 4.30pm – 9pm (evening peak). The train will also stop for 90 seconds at each station. It will run 76 trips, from 5.30am -11pm, when it becomes fully operational in four weeks. About 150,000-175,000 passengers are expected to board daily.

    “The full length of the trip (Marina – Mile 2) will cost N750. However, the 50 per cent discount announced by Governor Sanwo-Olu on BRT rides also applies to the train ride because passengers can only access the service with their cowry cards.”

    She warned against eating and drinking on the train, saying criminals would be arrested and handed over to the police, “as there are about 30 cameras along the tracks.”

  • Attend to boys, Lagos tells parents

    Attend to boys, Lagos tells parents

    Lagos State has urged parents to be attentive to the welfare and upbringing of the boy-child as much as they do the girl-child to help him grow into a responsible adult.

    Wife of the governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, spoke at the parenting seminar, an annual event forming part of The Boy-Child Initiative, her pet project.

    She noted the seminar ‘is to enlighten parents on behavioural management of boys, social inclusion, consequences of poor parenting and drug abuse’.

    According to her, the initiative also aims to ‘to lead conversations about welfare and interests of our boys. The limelight had always been on the girl-child, and we felt it was appropriate and important to look the direction of our boys’.

    Mrs. Sanwo-Olu urged parents to attend to their male children, so they can develop and deploy their talents well.

     Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Youths and Social Development, Mrs. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, hailed the initiative.

    “Most crimes, are perpetrated by young males. One of the key reasons established is lack of good parenting and societal perception of upbringing of the male child. It is imperative we change this mindset, and realise every well-brought-up girl child will be complemented by a well-brought-up male child.”

    Founder of The Intentional Parent Academy, Mrs. Wendy Ologe, noted that parenting requires training and not perfection. She said behavioural differences in children can be handled with positive parenting and behavioural therapy.

    Mrs. Ologe identified coaching, modelling commitment, developing character, building connections and enhancing compassion as some ways to mentor responsible boys into becoming responsible adults.

  • UI@75: Invest in universities for a great nation, says Lagos deputy governor

    UI@75: Invest in universities for a great nation, says Lagos deputy governor

    The deputy governor of Lagos state, Obafemi Hamzat, has called for more investment in Nigerian universities in order for the country to become a greater nation.

    He made the call during his investiture and decoration as a UI@75 Ambassador.

    Hamzat noted that the University is a place where all members are educated and the place from where ideas can be harnessed to grow the nation.

    He stressed that quality investment in universities would bring innovations and patents that would help drive the economy.

    Hamzat however appealed to the government and the various unions in the universities to be realistic and not dabble into issues that would not promote the development of education in the country.

    He commended the management of the University of Ibadan for maintaining the infrastructure of the University.

    He, however, urged the University to continue to ensure quality in instruction and the hostels.

    He also advised the university to expand its technology infrastructures in order to offer opportunities to more students, stating that the Alumni of all Universities in Nigeria must contribute to changing the stories of their universities, coming together to bail their alma maters out of their poor conditions.

    Read Also: UI theatre @ 60: Alma mater honours Kareem

    He assured that he was committed to the cause of uplifting the University of Ibadan.

    The deputy governor was supported by the Permanent Secretary of the office of the Deputy Governor,  Mrs Mobolaji Daba; the Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Olayemi Kalesanwo; the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service/Public Service Commission, Mrs. Olasunkanmi Oyegbola and the Director of Budget, Mr. Emmanuel Olajide.

    On the University of Ibadan, delegation were the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu; the Chairman of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, Professor Peter Olapegba; Dean of Technology,  Professor A. I. Bamgboye; Professor Yahaya Mijinyawa; Head Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Dr Omobolaji Omobowale and the  University’s PRO, Mrs Adejoke Akinpelu.

    Caption: Chairman of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, Professor Peter Olapegba (second left) presenting a plaque to Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (right) while the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale (Middle) cheers them on.

  • Lagos State pays N2.017bn to 644 retirees

    Lagos State pays N2.017bn to 644 retirees

    Lagos State Government paid N2.017 billion as retirement benefits to 644 of its retirees Wednesday.

    Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, (LASPEC) Mr Babalola Obilana, disclosed this at the 101st batch Retirement Bond Certificate presentation for retirees in Lagos State.

    Obilana said Wednesday’s payment represented the retirees’ past service benefits prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2007.

    He noted that the event was organised to celebrate a significant milestone and exceptional retirees who had dedicated their time, energy and talents to the service of Lagos State.

    “It is indeed an honour to recognise and commend the retirees’ hard work and commitment demonstrated throughout their years of service to Lagos State.

    “This retirement bond certificate presentation is not just a formality; it is a moment to reflect upon the remarkable contributions you all have made.

    “Your unwavering dedication has helped to shape Lagos State into the Centre of Excellence it is today.

    “These retirement bond certificates symbolise more than just financial rewards; they represent the trust and confidence we have in our retirees.

    Read Also: VIDEO: LASU best graduating student meets Gov Sanwo-Olu at Lagos State House

    “They are a testament to the lasting impact you have made just as your dedication has been the bedrock of the goal of a greater Lagos State,’’ Obilana said.

    In his remarks, Mr Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, lauded Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for prioritising the welfare of public service workforce even in retirement.

    He advised the retirees to be prudent with their money and to be careful about choosing investment options.

    He also admonished the retirees to feel free to reach out to LASPEC or to the ministry for any pension-related information or further clarifications.

    “I applaud our retirees for their exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication to the development of Lagos State and pray that their retirement be filled with joy, fulfilment and new experiences,’’ Musa said. (NAN)

  • Lagos blue rail line begins commercial operations Sept. 4

    Lagos blue rail line begins commercial operations Sept. 4

    The Lagos Blue rail line would begin full commercial operations on September 4.

    The managing director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, stated this on Wednesday, August 30, when she took reporters on a guided ride and tour of the physical infrastructure.

    She said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would take the inaugural ride at 9am on September 4, before other passengers begin to ride.

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the rail line in January, and it has since been on test run. 

    Read Also: Engineer hails Lagos over Blue Rail Line

    Akinajo said the delay was caused by prevailing circumstances around import and export. 

    She, however, noted that LAMATA is committed to starting operations on September 4.

    Though the train is electric, it would run on locomotive for the first four weeks of operation to allow the electric system come up fully, and sync properly with the physical infrastructure. 

    It is also to allow passengers get familiar with the system. 

    The tracks would, however, remain energised so that passengers are not allowed to cross them.

    According to Akinajo, “the train would run 12 trips in two schedules for now – 6.30am to 10am (morning peak) and 4.30pm – 9pm (evening peak). The train will also stop for 90 seconds at each station. It will run 76 trips, from 5.30am -11pm, when it becomes fully operational in four weeks. 

    “About 150,000-175,000 passengers are expected to board daily.

    The full length of the trip (Marina – Mile 2) will cost N750. However, the 50 per cent discount announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on all BRT rides also applies to the train ride because passengers can only access the service with their cowry cards.”

    She also warned against eating and drinking on the train, adding that criminals would also be arrested and handed over to the police as there are about 30 cameras along the tracks.

  • Lagos-Ibadan expressway to be ready next month

    Lagos-Ibadan expressway to be ready next month

    Works Minister Dave Umahi has said the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be completed in September.

    But the minister said work on the road’s interchanges would continue.

    He explained that among the reasons for the delay in the construction of the road was funding as well as the payment of compensation to property owners affected by the construction.

    Umahi spoke during his tour of federal highways in Lagos and Ogun states yesterday in Lagos.

    The minister praised the contractor handling the road project, Julius Berger Plc, for doing a good job.

    He promised that all government roads will henceforth be built with concrete because of its strength and durability for up to 50 years.

    Read Also: Wike resolves dispute over Abuja Airport 2nd runway saga

    According to him, this will not only make for pleasurable ride and shorter commuting time for the public, but will also save money for government to take care of other sectors.

    Umahi also said plans were in motion to concession Federal Government roads in the six regions across the country.

    He said: “It’s not enough to build roads but more importantly to maintain and elongate the life span of the roads.”

    The Director of Works in the Southwest, Adedamola Kuti said the inbound Lagos road had been completed and that the outbound Lagos axis would be delivered next month.

  • Lagos ranks 5th best African city to live in

    Lagos ranks 5th best African city to live in

    Lagos has emerged as the fifth best African city with high desirability by people to live, work and invest, according to a report by Brand Finance City Index 2023.

    The survey puts Lagos at 56.7per cent behind Cape Town (South Africa), Cairo (Egypt), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Casablanca (Morocco) as the first four best African cities with 62.9, 60.7, 59.7, and 59.3 per cents.

    Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, also makes the chart by coming behind Nigeria, as the sixth African city with 55.1 per cent.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints new board, management of NDDC

    Cape Town, Cairo, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Lagos and Nairobi are the only six African countries that appear on the 100 world’s best cities as numbers 60, 67, 72, 76, 90, and 94 on global rankings.

    London (England) is crowned as the world’s best city brand in the ranking, scoring 84.6 per cent, while New York (the United States) and Paris (France) come as 2nd and 3rd garnering 83.0 and 79.7 per cents.

    “The ranking is based on a global survey of close to 15,000 members of the public conducted in April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents to measure perceptions of the world’s top 100 cities,” the report said.

  • Two fun seekers from Lagos drowned in Ogun river

    Two fun seekers from Lagos drowned in Ogun river

    Two fun seekers from Lagos state have drowned in a river at Itori area of Ogun while swimming after a church programme in the state.

    The two persons identified as Femi Akinola “m” aged 32years of Odo Eran, Itire in Lagos state and Tunde Falade “m” aged 35years of Kola Alagbado, also in Lagos, were swept away on Monday evening by a heavy tidal wave.

    The two victims who were members of Cherubim and Seraphim Church Onikoko via Itori had attended the inauguration of the church in Itori area on Sunday, August 27.

    They, however, they left the church premises on the evening of Monday, August 28, for a nearby river to swim but got drowned in the process.

    It was gathered that although divers moved in to rescue them from the heavy tides and rushed the two to a health center in Itori where they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty.

    A grieving member of the Church, one Adebayo Adeosun, reported the incident to the police at about 18:30pm that some boys numbering about seven who came from Lagos on Sunday for his Church inauguration were drowned in a river.

    The police spokesperson in Ogun state, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident, said that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Olayemi Jacob, detailed his team to the scene where the remains of the two were evacuated.

    Read Also: Lagos ranks fifth best African city to live, work, invest

    SP Odutola noted that preliminary investigation revealed no marks of violence on them and no foul play suspected, stressing that their remains have been evacuated to Ifo general hospital for autopsy reports and later deposited in the same morgue.

    Odutola quoted the commissioner of police Ogun state police command, Abiodun Alamutu, as extending the police deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time, assuring that the command remains committed to promoting public safety and preventing such tragedies in the future.

    She, however, warned restive youths to steer clear of Rivers whose depth or tides they cannot be ascertained.

  • Lagos ranks fifth best African city to live, work, invest

    Lagos ranks fifth best African city to live, work, invest

    Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria, has been ranked as the fifth best African city with high desirability by people to live, work, and invest, according to a report by Brand Finance City Index 2023.

    The ranking is based on a global survey of close to 15,000 members of the public conducted in April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents to measure perceptions of the world’s top 100 cities, the report reveals.

    Lagos and Nairobi were ranked behind Cape Town (South Africa), Cairo (Egypt), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Casablanca (Morocco).  

    Read Also: List of African countries with Best Rule of Law in 2022

    Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, also made the chart, coming behind Nigeria, as the sixth African city with 55.1 per cent.

    The survey puts Lagos at 56.7per cent behind Cape Town (South Africa), Cairo (Egypt), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Casablanca (Morocco) as the first four best African cities with 62.9, 60.7, 59.7, and 59.3 per cents respectively.

    London (England) is crowned as the world’s best city brand in the ranking scoring 84.6 per cent, while New York (the United States) and Paris (France) come as 2nd and 3rd garnering 83.0 and 79.7 per cents respectively.

    Here are the six best African cities to live, work, invest in:

    1. Cape Town (South Africa)

    2. Cairo 67 (Egypt)

    3. Johannesburg (South Africa)

    4. Casablanca (Morocco)

    5. Lagos 90 (Nigeria)

    6. Nairobi 94 (Kenya)

    Here is a full list of cities to live, work, invest globally:                   

    1              London            (UK)            

    2              New York            (USA)     

    3              Paris                (France)          

    4              Los Angeles        (USA)  

    5              Sydney (Australia)              

    6              Singapore          (Singapore)           

    7              Tokyo    (Japan)   

    8              San Francisco     (USA)

    9              Dubai    (UAE)      

    10           Amsterdam        (Netherlands)      

    11           Miami   (USA)      

    12           Toronto                (Canada)

    13           Barcelona            (Spain)    

    14           Rome    (Italy)     

    15           Chicago                (USA)     

    16           Melbourne         (Australia)             

    17           Zurich    (Switzerland)        

    18           Berlin    (Germany)            

    19           Milan     (Italy)      

    20           Boston  (USA)      

    21           Manchester       (UK)         

    22           Geneva                (Switzerland)       

    23           Madrid (Spain)    

    24           Vienna  (Austria) 

    25           Vancouver          (Canada)

    26           Luxembourg      (Luxembourg)     

    27           Osaka    (Japan)  

    28           Abu Dhabi            (UAE)      

    29           Munich (Germany)            

    30           Stockholm           (Sweden)              

    31           Copenhagen      (Denmark)            

    32           Seattle (USA)      

    33           Hamburg             (Germany)            

    34           Liverpool             (UK)      

    35           Dublin   (Ireland)

    36           Frankfurt             (Germany)            

    37           Houston               (USA)     

    38           Brussels               (Belgium)               

    39           Montreal             (Canada)

    40           Edinburgh           (UK)         

    41           Hong Kong          (China)    

    42           Seoul     (South Korea)

    43           Lisbon   (Portugal)              

    44           Rotterdam          (Netherlands)      

    45           Oslo       (Norway)               

    46           Auckland             (New Zealand)    

    47           Bangkok               (Thailand)              

    48           Dallas    (USA)     

    49           Prague  (Czech Republic)

    50           Helsinki                (Finland)

    51           Budapest             (Hungary)              

    52           Perth     (Australia)             

    53           Kuala Lumpur    (Malaysia)             

    54           Shanghai              (China)    

    55           Athens (Greece)

    56           Lyon      (France) 

    57           Marseille            (France)

    58           Beijing  (China)     

    59           Mexico City        (Mexico)

    60           Cape Town         (South Africa)    

    61           Saint Petersburg         (Russia)  

    62           Warsaw                (Poland) 

    63           Moscow               (Russia)  

    64           Istanbul                (Turkey )

    65           Doha     (Qatar)    

    66           Santiago               (Chile)     

    67           Cairo      (Egypt)    

    68           Bucharest            (Romania)             

    69           Rio de Janeiro    (Brazil)    

    70           Jakarta  (Indonesia)           

    71           Antalya (Turkey) 

    72           Johannesburg   (South Africa)      

    73           Shenzhen            (China)    

    74           Chongqing          (China)    

    75           Sao Paulo            (Brazil)    

    76           Casablanca          (Morocco)             

    77           Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)      

    78           Riyadh  (Saudi Arabia)       

    79           Buenos Aires     (Argentina)           

    80           Izmir       (Turkey) 

    81           Macau  (China)    

    82           Manila  (Philippines)         

    83           Colombo              (Sri Lanka)             

    84           Jerusalem            (Israel)    

    85           Guangzhou         (China)    

    86           Zagreb  (Croatia)

    87           Almaty  (Kazakhstan)        

    88           Bogota  (Colombia)            

    89           Chengdu              (China)    

    90           Lagos     (Nigeria)

    91           Tel Aviv                (Israel)    

    92           Hanoi    (Vietnam)              

    93           Nanjing                (China)    

    94           Nairobi (Kenya)  

    95           New Delhi           (India)     

    96           Bangalore            (India)     

    97           Dhaka   (Bangladesh)        

    98           Mumbai               (India)     

    99           Kyiv        (Ukraine)   

    100         Karachi (Pakistan)              

  • Customs smashes fake drugs syndicates at Lagos port

    Customs smashes fake drugs syndicates at Lagos port

    • Officers reject N50m bribe

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Port command, Apapa, Lagos, announced yesterday, that it smashed a ring of fake drugs syndicates.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, its Area Controller, Adekunle Oloyede, said that officers of the command rejected an offer of $54,330 about N50 million bribe from one of the suspects arrested in connection with two containers of imported fake drugs.

    Read Also; Insecurity: TETFund releases N550m to Kaduna college

    The two containers of banned drugs, Oloyede said, were declared as electronics by the scrupulous importers who have been detained.

    The imports, valued at N550.2 million, originated from India and included 175,200 bottles of CSMIX cough syrup codeine stacked in 876 cartons with each carton containing 200 bottles.

     Oloyede explained further that 50 cartons of manual grater machine containing 70 pieces per carton and one carton of ceiling fan were used as decoy to conceal the drugs.

    The Area Comptroller added that 84 cartons of gastro resistant omeprazole capsule BP 200mg, were discovered in the container, saying that each carton contains 50 packets of 10 capsules each.

    He announced that a timely intelligence from the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) on the suspected importation of unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products concealed in two 40 feet containers with bill of lading numbers 227578945 and 227898171 led to the seizures.

    He explained that the owner of the containers had been arrested after he offered $54,000 as bribe to move out the cargoes from the port.

    “Two suspects have been arrested and are presently at the custody of the Enforcement Unit in accordance with the investigation process of the service.

    “One of suspects in custody, Mr. Boniface Ike accepted that he is the owner (Importer) of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with OC Enforcement DC GI Aliyu and Team Manager CIU AC H Abubakar.

    “I instructed my officers to play along, the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50,000,000 equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate of N920. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the Enforcement Unit to be tendered as exhibit.”

    He added that, on arrival of the vessel at Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT), the containers  marked MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1 were transferred immediately to the enforcement station for 100 per cent physical examination for further investigation.

    “The physical examination was conducted on both containers by Enforcement Officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police and Examination officers of the Terminal on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at about 14:00hours and Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at about 13:00hours, respectively. The following were discovered:

    “Container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated the items laden were 1,016 packages containing electrical goods ceiling fan,36 jewel (Cooper) and  chilly cutters (stainless steel plastic) but after examination, the container was found to contain five  cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each rolls contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.

    “Ten cartons of Super Royal 225 Tramadol. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet of 10 tablets, 105 cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules, 754 cartons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles, 50 cartons of Manual Grater Machine – 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment, one cartons of Compo ceiling fan as means of concealment,” Oloyede said.

    The Customs chief noted that the unregistered’ pharmaceutical products intercepted were regulated products by NAFDAC and didn’t have the required permits and certificates for importation in which the documents were to ascertain the safety of the products to Nigerians.

    The comptroller assured that the service would not be a part of nefarious acts which would jeopardise the safety and lives of law abiding Nigerians, adding that any fraudulent importer or agent who tried to perpetrate such acts would be arrested and prosecuted.