The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos releases financial statements for 2017

    The Lagos State government has released its second transitional International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) financial statements for last year.

    The statements chronicle the state’s financial activities during the period.

    The Accountant-General/Permanent Secretary inm the State Treasury Office, Mrs. Abimbola Umar, broke the news in a report at the weekend.

    She said the financial statements, which were prepared on an accrual basis in line with the requirements of IPSAS 33, increased the number of requests for partnership with the state government on infrastructure projects and service delivery since the adoption of accrual IPSAS in 2016.

    According to her, the state government’s financial transparency policy and accountability in financial reporting were further highlighted by its commitment to ensuring full compliance with accrual IPSAS by the end of this year.

    Reviewing the economic environment, Mrs Umar said: “The highlights of the financial statements include an increase in revenue by 13.65 per cent to N511 billion, from N449.60 billion in the previous year; additional recognition of property plant and equipment amounting to N385 billion and total assets of N2 trillion at year end.

    “Other notable information is the increases in Recurrent and Capital Expenditures by 14 per cent and 53 per cent respectively when compared with the previous year.”

  • Supremacy of the rule of law. Excerpts from the judgement delivered in the case:MILITARY GOVERNOR, LAGOS STATE & ORS. V CHIEF EMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU (1986)

    Kayode ESO, JSC: [P. 1798, paras. D – E]

    “ANOTHER very important matter emanates from the act of the applicants. They have no right to take the matter into their own hands once the court was seised of it. The essence of rule of law is that it should never operate under the rule of force or fear. To use force, seek the court’s equity, is an attempt to infuse timidity into court and operate a sabotage of cherished rule of law. It must never be!”

    Andrews OBASEKI, JSC: [P. 1799, paras. C – E]

    “In the area where rule of law operates, the rule of self-help by force is abandoned. Nigeria, being one of the countries in the world, even in the third world, which profess loudly to follow the rule of law, gives no room for the rule of self-help by force to operate. Once a dispute has arisen between a person and the government or authority, and the dispute has been brought before the court, thereby invoking the judicial powers of the state, it is the duty of the government to allow the law to take its course or allow the legal and judicial powers of the state (…) it is the duty of the government to allow the law to take its course or allow the legal and judicial process to run its full course. The action the Lagos State Government took can have no other interpretation than the show of intention to preempt the decision of the court. The courts expect the utmost respect of the law from the government itself which rules by the law.”

    Andrews OBASEKI, JSC: [P. 1802, paras. B – E]

    “I will be doing injustice to the course of the rule of law if I grant this application and allow the eviction of the respondent to stand. The Nigerian Constitution is founded on the rule of law, the primary meaning of which is that everything must be done according to law. It means also that government should be conducted within the framework of recognised rules and principles which restrict discretionary power which Coke colourfully spoke of as “golden

  • Lagos PDP member commends Buhari, joins APC

    Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left the party for All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Olawale-Cole said his decision was informed by what he described as impressive performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

    In an interview with our reporters on Saturday in Abuja, he said that he had formally joined APC and registered at ward `A’ Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    He explained further that his defection was influenced by “infrastructural development, transparency in governance and accountability of Buhari and Ambode.’’

    “I have examined the way the country is going; and from my findings it appears to me that supporting Buhari is the best choice we have at the moment.

    “After being a member of PDP for years and running for the governorship ticket of the party in 2007 in Lagos state, it was evident that the APC is different.

    Read Also: 2019: It’s direct primaries for all polls — APC

    “From what the president is doing in the fight against corruption and the issue of transparency in governance via Treasury Single Account and others, he must be encouraged by men of goodwill.

    “I have been in government before as a Commissioner for Finance and later for Works and Transport, Lagos State, we can see what the APC is doing differently, this government has a chance in the area of probity and transparency’’.

    He, however, noted that “There are still some shady deals among government officials but once the leadership is upright, the followers will do same.’’

    Olawale-Cole said that the decision to pitch his tent with the APC took him two years, observing that the decision was taken after critical analyses of the situation of things in politics.

    “I find it difficult to find anyone with equal standing in integrity, honesty and probity with Buhari.

    “Of course, there are inadequacies, but with time, the president and his Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will give us a better tomorrow and protecting our common wealth’’ he said.

     

    NAN

  • Lagos to host coconut heritage festival

    The Lagos State Government said on Friday that it would soon host the 7th Coconut Heritage Festival tagged “AGUNKEFEST’’, in commemoration of the 2018 World Coconut Day.

    Mrs Aramide Giwanson, the Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on Arts and Culture, said in Lagos that the event being organised in collaboration with the African Coconut Heritage Initiatives would hold on Sept. 2, at the Suntan Beach Front, Badagry.

    The theme of the festival is “Harnessing Coconut Production for Economic Empowerment and Tourism Development in Lagos State”.

    Giwanson said the objective of the celebration was to create awareness on the array of invaluable economic, health and environmental benefits that coconut offer amid cultural manifestation.

    “In addition, the festival intends to draw global attention and beam a searchlight on the Badagry division of the state, thereby highlighting its rich cultural and traditional values to attract both domestic and international tourists.

    Read Also: ‘How coconut can become another forex earner’

    “The celebration is also in line with the state government’s vision and commitment to develop every division of the state, as well showcase its cultural and economic potentialities to the world,” she said in a statement.

    According to her, activities lined up to celebrate the one-day programme include a symposium on the theme of the celebration.

    It will be followed with a grand finale ceremony where all stakeholders in the industry and coconut value chain will exhibit their products.

    She said the event would end with cultural displays and entertainment among different communities in the local government areas and local council development areas in the state.

    The festival made its debut in 2009.

    It is meant to annually celebrate coconut in reminiscence of the first coconut plantation in Nigeria, established by the Roman Catholic Mission on the Topo Island, Badagry, in 1876.

    NAN

  • Hajj 2018: 2nd batch of Lagos pilgrims arrive Thursday

    The second batch of 310 Lagos pilgrims will be transported back to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia aboard Med-view Airline on Thursday.

    Mr Abdulrahaman Ishola, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, made this known on Thursday in Lagos.

    “The second batch of 310 pilgrims are ready to be transported back home today.

    “ We will continue to thank Allah for a successful exercise, and we pray that He accepts all our acts of worship.

    “I advise the pilgrims to obey all regulations regarding their luggage and should not carry excess luggage,” he said in a statement by Mr Jamiu Dosunmu, the board Public Relations Officer.

    Ishola also advised the pilgrims not to engage in excessive buying of goods, saying that any extra good in excess of the approved kilograms would be confiscated.

    Read Also:Hajj 2018: Nigerian pilgrim dies in elevator pit

    He urged pilgrims to take cognizance of the 32 kg and 8 kg for big and small bags given by the Air carrier and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON ).

    Ishola thanked the state government for showing interests in hajj operation and for providing necessary logistics to make the operations smooth and successful.

    He reiterated the commitment of the board to ensure safe and timely arrival of Lagos pilgrims.

    Ishola assured them that arrangement had already been put in place for subsequent flights after a four day break.

    Only 2,000 pilgrims from Lagos state participated in the 2018 Hajj.

    312 of the pilgrims were earlier transported home on Tuesday.

  • Abstain from cultism, drug abuse, Ambode’s wife tells students

    Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday appealed to students to abstain from cultism, drug abuse and other career-ruining ventures, stressing that no excuse could justify indulgence in social vices.

    Mrs. Ambode, who made the appeal in her keynote address at the second Distinguished Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo, identified social vices as the bane of proper youth development in the country, urging them to resist the temptation to engage in social vices as they will only ruin their future.

    According to her, “No matter the peer pressure, emotional challenge or psychological issues you may be facing, I urge you to say no to drugs, cultism and other vices. One moment of indiscretion is enough to ruin a life. Your lives will not be ruined”.

    She urged them to make best use of the knowledge gained today, for their self-development tomorrow.

    Mrs. Ambode, an alumna of LASU, rated students of the University very high, describing them as some of the best, capable of holding their own anywhere in the world.

    Mrs. Ambode filled with nostalgia, recalled her student days when “I walked the same road as you do, eat at the same joints as you eat, attended lectures in some of those classes that you use today; I am a proud alumna of this great institution”.

    She reflected that the founding fathers of the school had a vision of academic distinction for all students that would pass through it, hence the robust academic agenda and phenomenal rise of the institution, when compared to its peers around the country.

    She said because of the quality of education in that institution, many products of the school had gained global recognition and doing very well in coveted professions around the world.

    Read Also: Prisons congestion: I’m very concerned -Ambode

    Encouraging the students she said, “I can see seated before me this morning future presidents, governors, captains of industry, great researchers and accomplished technocrats.

    “The Lagos State Government in conjunction with our University has given you the platform to challenge yourselves to face the future, by offering you practical classes through the ‘Ready Set Work’ initiative, and series of lectures and programmes like we are having today,” she said.

    She commended the university authorities for the establishment of a Career Development Centre, for continuous improvement of LASU graduates, for professional efficiency and effectiveness.

    In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun reeled out several scholastic and professional achievements recorded by the institution, through outstandingly brilliant male and female students, who have continued to make waves locally, continentally and globally.

    He noted with pride, that the United Nations had just chosen a cohort of millennium fellows from the University, to support its Sustainable Development Goals.

    Other such exploits according to him, included an on-going exchange programme with Indiana University, USA, among other inspiring achievements.

    Prof. Fagbohun stressed that the Centre for Career Development was established to entrench the potential of students, with a vision to chart career pathways and produce employable and marketable graduates, for national and global relevance.

    Guest speakers, Joke Silva, Segun Arinze and Mrs. Dan-Faparusi Ogugua Enitan, unanimously counseled the students to adopt the five Ds of Desire, Determination, Diligence, Dedication and Discipline, in their pursuit of career success, adding that they should get rid of fear and be prepared to start small.

  • Orphanage owner nabbed over missing child in Lagos

    Proprietress of God’s Own Orphanage located along Siluko Road in Bénin City, Mrs. Kehinde Blessing Imariagbe, has been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command over the discovery of a missing child in her orphanage.

    The child identified as Elo Ogidi was reportedly stolen from the Christ Embassy church in Oregun, Lagos State on Sunday, July 8, 2018.

    It was gathered that she was discovered at the orphanage in Edo through the help of a prophetess.

    Speaking to newsmen when she was paraded, Mrs. Imarhiagbe rained curses on the man that brought Elo to her.

    Imarhiagbe stated that the man claimed to be father to Elo which was why she did not report the matter to relevant authorities.

    She gave the name of the man that brought Elo as Patrick Chukwuma.

    According to her, “I have been calling Chukwuma since last week but his numbers could not be reached.

    “It was my mistake not to report to the matter because I felt since it was her father that brought her. We only report cases if the child could not be traced to anybody.

    “If it as an abandon child, we go to the police. The girl looked like the man that brought her which was why I believed.”

    Edo Police Commissioner, Babtunde Kokumo, said the stolen child was brought to the orphanage under questionable circumstances.

    He said the matter would soon be charged to court after investigation has been concluded.

  • Lagos set for Red Cross youths camp, tackles drug abuse

     The Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRC) is set to host a week-long International Youth Camp (IYC) that will tackle the menace of drug abuse, especially among youths in Lagos.

    Mrs Adebola Kolawole, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), made the disclosure in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

    Kolawole, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the society, Lagos branch, said that the camp would hold from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 at the Resettlement Camp, Igando, in Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

    The NRC-IYC is an annual event aimed at promoting youths’ emotional, social, cognitive and behavioural development.

    The theme is: “Awakening Humanity in Youth and Fostering Generational Z Leaders.” The Generation Z are youths between the ages of 15 and 24.

    According to Kolawole, one of the major issues that will dominate discussions at the event is tackling drug abuse, especially among the youth.

    “In Lagos State, drug abuse is something everybody is campaigning against, and we are working with the Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA).

    “This is Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s initiative against drug abuse, through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development,” she said.

    On the activities to expect, Kolawole said that there would be a lot of arts and culture on display.

    She said: “The IYC has been tagged: “Eko Re”, meaning ‘This is Lagos.’

    Read Also: Buhari becomes Red Cross grand patron

    “We are rich in culture and heritage; we want to showcase some of the things Lagos is known for.”

    Also, Mr Nwapa Nwapa, Acting Chairman, National Organising Committee (NOC) of the camp, said that the IYC was one of the Red Cross’ activities to appreciate its volunteers.

    He told our reporters that about 1,000 youths were being expected from different countries.

    “It’s an IYC and we have about 190 national societies in different countries; we have sent invitations to all the 190.

    “Last year, we had 10 countries in attendance. This year, we are hoping to have more.

    “We want to encourage our volunteers to do more. We want to awaken the humanity in them so they can do more than they are presently doing,” he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Olakunle Lasisi, the Lagos Branch Secretary of NRC, commended LASEMA and the state’s Ministry of Youths and Social Development for their contributions toward ensuring the success of the event.

    Lasisi said: “Since Lagos branch won the bid for the IYC, LASEMA has been very supportive; particularly in terms of facilities.

    “The Ministry of Youth and Social Development promised to mobilise as much as 1,000 mattresses for us.

    “The commissioner, Mr Agboola Dabiri, made a personal contribution of arranging a visit to the Oba of Lagos, to enable the international participants to meet one of our influential monarchs.”

    The IYC is jointly sponsored by the Saudi Arabia Red Crescent, Turkish Red Crescent, LASEMA, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and Culbeat Foundation, an NGO.

    NAN

  • Waste: Lagos creates two more transfer loading stations

    The Lagos State Government says it has opened two more Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) for effective waste management.

    Mr Adebola Shabi, the Special Adviser on Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), told our reporters on Wednesday that the two loading stations are located at Odaleke and Agunlejika areas of the state.

    TLS is a building or processing site for waste before they are taken to the engineered landfills where waste materials are buried.

    It is an integral part of the waste management treatment infrastructure chain.

    Shabi said the recently created stations has increased the number of functional loading stations in the state to five.

    According to him, TLS will hasten the turn-around time for waste collectors, thereby ensuring a cleaner Lagos.

    “The government has reopened the landfill at Abule-Egba to enhance waste management.

    “So in the last two weeks, we have opened two loading stations and a landfill, and we are still looking for sites to open for more landfills in Igando and Isheri-Olofin areas.

    “We are working to ensure that the environment is clean. If these five TLS are working efficiently, there will be no waste on the streets,” Shabi said.

    Read Also: Lagos hosts food fiesta

    Waste management, he said, was usually a population growth challenge, particularly with the tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos State.

    The special adviser disclosed that Lagos with a population of about 24 million generates over 20,000 tonnes of waste on a daily basis.

    “In the past, only Epe and Ewu Elepe landfills are functioning, and the distance from Lagos metropolis down to these landfills is far.

    “When you talk about waste management law, you do not have to travel far because of the environmental and health impacts.

    “By the time you allow trucks to travel far, leachate (liquid) from the waste drips on the roads which affect the asphalt and damage the roads.

    “Also, the stench or odour that comes from the waste is not good for human health and so the transfer loading stations help to process the waste before being taken to the landfills,” Shabi said. 

    NAN

  • ‘Plea bargain saves cost, time’

    The lagos State government and the Police have agreed to promote the administration of criminal justice by encouraging defendants to enter plea bargaining once they admit their guilt.

    The agreement was reached during a visit to the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Imohimi Edgal, Commander, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Mr Peter Gana and Police prosecutors by a team of  lawyers from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Also present was the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Panti, Mrs Yetunde Alonge.

    Edgar promised to include plea bargaining in the training of prosecutors and other officers of the command.

    The CP advised  the DPP to set up liaison office at the state CID and FSARS for effective implementation of plea bargaining.

    He promised that Investigating Police Officers (IPOs) would be instructed to give opportunity to such liaison officers to discuss with criminal suspects on the benefits plea bargaining.

    Deputy Directors of Public ProsecutionYahkub Oshoala and Dr Jide Martins said plea bargaining had a lot of advantages.

    According to them, it helps reduce their punishment; public funds and time are saved as lengthy trial is avoided, and prisons are ultimately decongested.

    Oshoala and Martins solicited for the support of the command to ensure a successful use of plea bargain.

    They said 70 cases were effectively disposed last year through plea bargaining.

    They urged the CP  to popularise plea bargaining among defendants.

    They said those who admit guilt should be encouraged to make known their intention to opt for plea bargain before judgement in a trial.

    In response to questions from the police commissioner, Oshoala explained that plea bargain agreement would be drawn by both counsel in accordance with the law while a defendant would sign to indicate his or her acceptance of the terms.

    Oshoala said: “An applicant for plea bargain has to state the reasons and it would be considered only on its merit and based on the seriousness of the offence committed. The lawyers would write their recommendations too and the Attorney-General would consider the facts of the matter and circumstances.”

    He emphasised, however, that the grant of an application for plea bargain is at the discretion of the Attorney-General and that it does not in any way prevent police investigation of crime aimed at proving the guilt of defendants.