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Tag: Lagos State

  • Govt will ‘reduce decline of wetland, biodiversity conservation’

    Lagos State Government will help in reducing the decline of wetlands and biodiversity conservation, the Ministry of the Environment has said.

    The problem was caused by indiscriminate destruction of natural wetlands for housing/industrial developments following increasing population and technological advancement.

    At a news briefing to herald the beginning of the “2019 Youth Outreach Ecotourism Programme on Wetland and Biodiversity Conservation”, for pupils in public secondary schools, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, said this was the only way to make the environment conducive for all.

    Fourteen pupils will participate in the eight-day programme. They will comprise two each from the six educational districts and two representing private and missionary schools. The pupils, who were chosen after screening, will traverse wetland locations and other conservation sites.

    Read Also: Lagos seeks support for polio immunisation

    Bamgboye said: “This year’s theme: ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health” is targeted to educate the public about human values towards a sustainable environment and bring about a situation in which people live in harmony with nature.

    “It is targeted at creating awareness on the diversity provided by the natural eco-systems for human existence and well-being on earth, while contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, such as zero hunger, good health and well-being, no poverty as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystems restoration, cleaner water and among others.”

    Environmental Management Department Director Mr. Sheriff Savage, said the pupils would visit pristine and fragile ecosystems, zoological gardens and conservation centres across the five education divisions.

    “Through these visits, they will be acquainted with the abundant wetland resources and biodiversity of the state.”

  • Lagos seeks support for polio immunisation

    Lagos State Government will today begin another round of polio immunisation for children, Primary Health Care Board Permanent Secretary Dr Tayo Lawal has said.

    Speaking at the weekend on the preparation for the exercise, Lawal said to be immunised were children from ages 0-5. They will get Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Children between three months and five years will receive Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV).

    The board, Lawal said,  would launch the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS) National Immunisation Programme today at Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat, Sangotedo.

    He lamented that Nigeria is the only African country and one of the three in the world endemic for the wild polio virus, which must be eradicated.

    Read Also: Lagos urges contractors to comply with guidelines

    Nigeria, he said, was on the verge of receiving another polio free certificate, adding that to achieve this, states, including Lagos, have been mandated to get rid of the wild polio virus.

    Lawal said Lagos had just concluded three rounds of outbreak response after isolating type2 from water samples in Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ajeromi and Apapa.

    He said the National Immunisation Vaccine would also be administered at health facilities across the state.

    Lawal urged parents and guardians to bring their kids for the exercise because it is safe and protects them from polio.

  • Police arrest ‘fake’ spiritualist for defrauding traders in Lagos, Ogun markets

    THE police have arrested a 50- year- old described as a fake spiritualist with specialization in defrauding people.

    Raphael Ekechi’s victims are mainly in Lagos and Ogun States.

    He was picked up from his Alagbado hideout in Lagos after his latest exploit in Abeokuta.

    Ekechi claimed he had spiritual power that could fetch his victims including traders, contractors and politicians, immense fortune.

    He charged his victims heavily, raking in millions of naira in the process, and he often warned them against reporting him to the police, otherwise he would deal with them spiritually.

    But he ran out of luck after allegedly defrauding one Emmanuel Ekpe who defied his threat and reported him to the police.

    The security men went on his trail and arrested him on July 8, 2019.

    Among the items recovered from his ‘mystic temple’ during  the arrest by the police were  a sum of $3,700 suspected to be counterfeit, consultation forms ,a collection of Hindu paraphernalia and posters.

    The suspect  who gave his name in his  ‘metaphysical’ business as Raghdra Anandra ,claims to be  a 100 level Law student of the National Open University.

    The father of four claimed that his journey into the illegal business started when “I traveled to Accra, Ghana, and customs operatives seized my goods and it disorganized me.

    ”I still remember, it was during the military era. I lost about N3million  and it so frustrated me that I couldn’t get money and help from anyone.

    “It was in that horrible state of idleness that I decided to become a fraudster.

    “My second reason is that I found out that some Nigerians are gullible in order to get rich quick and I decided to use my brain instead of gun to get what I wanted.

    Read Also: Police arrest five suspects over Ekiti killing

    “I lied to all my clients or should I call them victims? I lied to them that I got power and learnt metaphysical science from an Indian University and that was how I became a fraudster.

    “I have sold pure water and I was making N400 daily. I have followed these people who sell fake drugs in the open market with loudspeaker and they used to give me N500 after sales. It was the activities of these fake drug sellers that helped to sharpen my mind.

    “I pasted posters on the streets   with Ragen Hindu monk temple boldly written on the posters to attract patronage from people in need of spiritual protection, get rich quick charm, among others.

    “I charged N7,700 for consultation form, N500, 000 for power charm, N2, 000, 000(two million) to see my master general and N1,000,000 (one million) to win contract.

    “I believe in the Bible and I believe that the Bible is supreme.  I don’t mention Bible because I know that what I am doing is fake and you cannot joke with the Bible or  the Quran.”

    Recalling the incident that led to his arrest,Ekechi said : “This man, Emmanuel Ekpe, was in my office and he complained that what (charm) I did for him did not work. He wanted his business to boom and mystic power to perform miracles as an evangelist.

    “I charged him a sum of N167,000   but he deposited N57,000  and he promised to pay the balance after one month.

    “I told him that he must pay me the balance otherwise the charm I gave him would not work, because he cannot cheat the ‘spirit’. Unfortunately, it still did not work for him.

    ‘’When I told him how people like him ran away to avoid the wrath of the mystic gods, I  thought that he would do the same not knowing that he went to report to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    “I plead for forgiveness, I will not defraud people again.”

    Giving his own side of the story, Ekpe said he reported the suspect to the police after he threatened to deal with him for demanding a refund of his money when the charm he gave him did not work.

    The  36- year- old second hand clothes trader said he approached  the suspect after his business crashed and it became difficult to raise money to start all over again.

    He said Ekechi gave him  a ring for which he paid  N18, 000.

    He added: “He opened a black box and asked me to pick the ring with my left hand. He said I should do a sacrifice for it to work and he asked me to pay N120, 000, but I deposited N80,000.

    “He said I would  pay N18, 000 for spiritual tax, another N35, 000 for sacrifice bringing the total amount I paid to him to N167, 000.

    “I told him that I did not get what I paid for; I asked him to refund my money, but he refused and instead threatened my life. But I was told he has refunded N53, 000.”

  • ‘Beware of unscrupulous agents’

    LAGOS State Government on Monday advised residents to patronise only certified estate agents while seeking accommodation.

    Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing Mr. Wasiu Akewusola gave the advice at Alapere in Ketu, near Lagos, where a developer allegedly duped no fewer than 262 prospective home buyers.

    “Residents of Lagos State should desist from patronising quacks and criminals when seeking accommodation and homes to buy,” he said.

    Akewusola decried the high rate of fraudulent acts by illegal estate agents who are swindling people of their hard-earned money.

    “Lagos State Government is concerned about the rise in the criminal and callous activities of some dubious estate agents, who lure unwary individuals to purchase non-existent parcels of land or rent one flat out to hundreds of tenants,” he said.

    The permanent secretary said the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), a directorate under the ministry, is responsible for registration and regulation of agents.

    A statement by Mrs. Adeoti Sobowale, assistant director, Public Affairs of LASRETRAD, said Akewusola advised intending tenants to ensure they transacted business with only registered agents.

    LASRETRAD Director Mr. Ajayi Adeyeye described the activities of dubious estate agents as criminal and illegal.

    He urged the public to report unscrupulous estate agents to LASRETRAD at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

     

     

  • Lagos partners institute on swine fever prevention

    Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, is to undertake a participatory rural appraisal and collection of farmers’ perception on pig phenotype.

    The aim is to determine the prevalence or otherwise of African Swine Fever (ASF) among pigs.

    Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Dr. Olayiwola Onasanya said yesterday in Ikeja that the research would enable the institute control measures and develop vaccine for the disease.

    Read Also: Making Lagos work again

    He said the research would involve holding meetings with stakeholders in the piggery value chains in order to collate data on the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) on farms and other places where pigs are kept or processed, as well as collecting samples from pig farms, abattoirs and slaughter slabs.

    Onasanya said the research would involve carrying out investigation of current and old suspected outbreaks of ASF on pigs farms and other relevant activities that would ensure the success of the research project.

     

  • Lagos Assembly calls on NNPC, Sanwo-Olu to protect pipelines against vandals

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday at plenary passed a resolution calling on the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to protect pipelines to curtail vandals’ hazards.

    This resolution followed a petition addressed to the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa and read on the floor by the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni during plenary session.

    Scores of protesters from Ijegun in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alimosho had earlier in the day stormed the House over July 4 pipeline explosion.

    The protesters among other things also demanded compensation for victims of the recent fire disaster occasioned by the activities of pipeline vandals, restriction of tankers, stoppage of approval filling stations /gas plants in Ijegun environs.

    Speaking, Mr Rotimi Olowo (APC-Somolu I), who earlier in the day addressed the protesters and received their petition letter on behalf of the Speaker, said that bunkering had become a big business in the area unabated.

    “This latest pipeline explosion is one too many, Mr Speaker, that particular community has suffered too long as regards vandalism and destruction of lives and property.

    “When you talk about bunkering, it is a big business backed by very rich people in terms of logistics and transportation. It is not what the community can withstand.

    “It is unfortunate that we are losing lives. The government should come to the aid of people who suffered losses. We need a patrol and stationary Armoured Personnel Carriers at the area,’’ he said.

    He said that NNPC and the Lagos State Government should collaborate to end the trend and help the victims of the latest victims of pipeline explosion.

    Reading the resolutions of the House, Olowo said: “This House call on the Governor of Lagos State to provide and station security personnel around pipelines where the vandals usually operate.

    Read Also: Ijegun fire outbreak: Lagos CP warns pipeline vandals

    “The government should stop tanker drivers from packing their tankers around the pipelines and that the NNPC as a matter of urgency provide barricade to protect pipelines and to prevent vandals.

    “That the state government should provide support for the victims, especially those that lose their lives and their property as well as thorough investigations and prosecutions of vandals,”

    Speaking, Prince Bisi Yusuff, (APC-Alimosho I), who joined Olowo to address the protesters, said that the whole of Alimosho was under threat by the bunkers and not Ijegun area.

    Yusuff said pipeline bunker had ravaged Baruwa, Aboru, Abule-Egba where more than 80 persons died, saying the trend had prevented people from sleeping with their two eyes closed.

    The lawmaker decried the negligence of NNPC for not providing adequate surveillance on its pipelines.

    Mr Kehinde Joseph, representing Alimosho II where the latest pipeline explosion occurred described the scene as gory saying that no fewer than 18 persons died while many sustained several degrees of fire injuries.

    Joseph, who noted that NNPC and some security agents were culpable, called for compensation of the victims and justice for the apprehended vandals.

    He said that the government should look into the demand of residents calling for restriction of tankers in and out of the area between 10:00p.m and 5:00 am.

    In his remark, the Speaker said: “We sincerely sympathize and share the grief of the relatives of the victims and we also commiserate with the people of Ijegun and entire Alimosho.

    “It is needful for the government to ensure protection of lives and property and there is need for us to call on our government, for now to bring about security in the area mentioned.

    “We just have to do something about this; we don’t have to fold our hands.

    “So, it is acceptable to me to call on His Excellency to provide security and also to look at some of the requests of this joint CDAs most especially coming to the aid of the victims and helping them.

    “Some of them lost their houses, family and see how we can be of help to this people. There is the need to call on NNPC to protect the pipelines from the vandals.”

    Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni to communicate the resolution of the House to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and send a copy to NNPC.

    The lawmakers also took turns to bemoan general insecurity in the country, especially in the Southwest, calling on governors in the region to come up with blueprint to secure lives and property.

     

     

  • Making Lagos work again

    Sir: The centre of excellence, Lagos arguably did backslid from its position in 2015 where the then governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) impressively left the state. No doubt, gigantic projects particularly some necessary overhead bridges to address traffic situations alongside inner roads constructed by the succeeding Akinwumi Ambode administration are commendable. However, the state honestly didn’t sustain the momentum from Fashola’s administration. For example, scores of roads in the state are presently eyesores to an extent that some motorists now pack and use commercial buses.

    Disgustingly, the state metamorphosed to refuse dump arena after Fashola’s exit. Ambode’s first gaffe was the cancellation of monthly environmental sanitation exercise in place which restricted movement for merely three hours on last Saturdays, without any alternative scheme to address sanitation. That alone is abysmal error. Ambode’s government had anchored its action on a court judgment that declared the exercise unlawful and an infringement to freedom of movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Strangely, the state government without wasting time comfortably adopted the verdict despite the critical implications particularly hygiene that is sufficient to set aside the judgment. To restrict movements for such a reasonable time in a month for health reasons cannot fall within the context of infringement to peoples’ movements. There is a doctrine of necessity for remedying lacunas. For example, under national security, movements are always restricted during general elections as well as presidential movements despite Sections 35, 38 and 40 of the Constitution.

    Logically, if there is a right to life which can be indirectly threatened by dangerous sicknesses resulting from unhealthy environments, arguably, a public policy to prevent such hazards within a reasonable time aptly cannot amount to infringement of right to movement.

    Another critical issue is bad roads. The stresses motorists and commuters go through daily are better imagined than experienced. Had Ambode conscientiously continued with his predecessors’ policies with constructive modifications as Fashola did after succeeding Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos would have been ahead of where Fashola left it.

    Thus, these episodes present big lessons for the present governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The administration thus, faces critical tasks to put the state back to shape. The situation requires state of emergency principally on refuse disposal, roads rehabilitation and traffic management. Similarly, the rate of area boys’ excesses in Lagos roads grew exceedingly during Ambode’s tenure than it was when he took the mantle of office from Fashola. These areas must be critically addressed.

    Now, over to federal government. The high population in Lagos is undeniably, worrisome.  Imagine if military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida didn’t thoughtfully relocate the federal capital territory to Abuja, how would federal government effectively be operating from Lagos including presidential movements alongside the great workforce?

    The seaports call for a state of emergency and transcend temporary decongestion. Sensibly, having a functional seaport only in Lagos is a big blunder.  There’s urgent need to spread out the seaports to other geopolitical zones. If not, the trailers-packing, traffic crisis in Lagos roads and excessive population may never be subdued no matter the efforts deployed.

    Typically, in any system where economic activities are concentrated in one direction, the congestion being experienced in Lagos environs must follow. Ditto on unemployment ratio as too many people would be queuing for few employment opportunities. But if decentralized, job opportunity will multiply correspondingly to number of seaports, and government agencies alone will likewise absorb a good number across all their operational stations. Thus, while the palliative measures by the governments are estimable, the ultimate panacea remains to decentralize the seaport.

     

    • Carl Umegboro,

    Lagos.

  • Parents protest as Oro festival threatens promotion exams in Igbogbo, environs

    Thousands of school children in Igbogbo, near Ikorodu, Lagos State, stand the risk of missing their promotion exams this week if traditionalists in the town go ahead with their planned restriction of movement by females from yesterday through Tuesday.

    Oro worshippers in the town are imposing a 48 hour restriction, otherwise known as Isemo, on females and business activities in the area.

    Parents and guardians are protesting the restriction, coming midway into the end of the school calendar year examinations for their children and wards.

    One of the parents, who wants to remain anonymous, pleaded with the Lagos State government and human rights groups yesterday in an SOS to save the educational development of innocent children by prevailing on the traditionalists to shelve the restriction.

    Read also: ‘Illegal health training institution uncovered in Ikorodu’

    The concerned parent said: “It is an infringement on the rights of business owners who must not open shops while it lasts as business activities are totally paralysed and brought to a total collapse.

    “When and each time  this illegality is observed, communities such as Offin, Oreta, Baiyeku, Selewu, Macauley, Morekete, just to mention a few,  are also affected since Igbogbo township is their only access route to the mainland.

    “Close to three million people live in these communities.”

     

  • Remi Tinubu donates house to widows

    The senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, has built a house to accommodate childless widows in her constituency.

    The facility named “Patience Home,” is located within the premises of the New Era Youth Camp, along Kayetoro -Eleko road, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

    Commissioning the home, on Friday, amid pomp and ceremony, Tinubu said the project was named after her mother, Princess Patience Ikusebiala, who was present at the occasion.

    Tinubu said she was inspired to build the home for childless widows to improve their lives as many of them had been thrown out of their matrimonial homes by their husbands’ relations.

    “In furtherance of better welfare for my constituents, I have from 2014, empowered 1,430 widows under the Widows Economic Empowerment Scheme (WEES), which I initiated for my senatorial district. However, there is so much more to do.

    “In furtherance of my commitment, Patience Home will provide temporary accommodation to childless widows for a period of 6 to 12 months. The skills available include fashion designing, catering and hotel management will span 12 months, hats, beads and crafts for a duration of 6 months.”

    Read Also: It’s a year of new hope, says Oluremi Tinubu

    She disclosed that the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, would provide skills acquisition training at the centre located in Orimedu,  near Ibeju -Lekki .

    Tinubu said her New Era Foundation (NEF), is partnering with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), National Headquarters, to run the Home.

    The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, commended Senator Tinubu for initiating and sustaining the project.

    She said the senator has always been finding something to offer to the society particularly the less privileged.

    “We are happy to have you as our senator in Lagos Central District. Thank you for the vision. Thank you for the empowerment schemes and love for the less privileged,” she enthused.

    The high point of the event was the commissioning of the heavily furnished 10-bedroom house by the wife of General Overseer of TRCCG, Pastor Folu Adeboye, who was represented by Pastor Rachael Odesola.

    Dignitaries present include the Lagos APC senatorial leader, Tajudeen Olusi,  Southwest APC woman leader, Kemi Nelson, immediate past Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Hon. Mutiu Are.

    Traditional rulers also graced the event. They include Elemoro, Oba Tajudeen Afolabi, Onibeju Oba Olusegun Salami and Oba Gbadegesin Adeboeale.

  • ‘Use IT to develop healthcare delivery’

    THE wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, has called for the use of technology in  Nigeria’s health care system.

    Speaking during the 2019 Healthcare Nigeria Conference organised by Hygeia Health Management Organisation (HMO),  in Lagos tagged ‘ Healthcare in Nigeria: Transformative Solutions’, Ibironke noted that “to attain a laudable health reform,  information technology is key.”

    She said: “I must say that we cannot be talking about the transformation of healthcare without due application of Information Technology to healthcare delivery. You will agree with me that today’s doctors are increasingly young and versatile, especially in the application of digital skills. Such skills must be applied in the delivery of health care services.

    “The world is now talking about telemedicine and telehealth which allow patients and doctors to communicate from remote distances. It will reduce travel time as well as pressure on our doctors. It is increasingly crystal that dynamic application of technology will boost healthcare industry”.

    She admitted that bad healthcare system kills talents, innovation and precious lives.

    She urged actors in the health sectors to boost the drive to transform the health sector.