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Tag: Lagos State

  • APC convention: Court refuses to stop Lagos’ delegates 

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a motion seeking to restrain the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Lagos State’s delegates for the June 23 national convention of the APC.

    Justice Babatunde Quadri, who read a ruling prepared by Justice Binta Nyako, said the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by a member of the APC in Lagos, Bunmi Tayo Church, was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.

    Justice Quadri said it was wrong to grant the orders sought by Church when all those to be affected by the court’s pronouncement, who emerged from the last Ward, Local Government and state congresses of the party in Lagos, were not before the court and have not been heard.

    “This application cannot be granted because all the parties to be affected by the reliefs sought are not before the court. The application therefore fails,” the judge said.

    He proceeded to grant accelerated hearing in the substantive suit currently pending before Justice Nyako.

    Justice Quadri said he was asked by Justice Nyako, who was bereaved, to help read the ruling which she already prepared and signed.

    He said the Federal High Court’s Civil Procedure Rules, under Order 23 Rule 2,  allows that where a judge is bereaved, another judge can deliver a ruling signed by the judge handling the case, but bereaved.

    Church, whose substantive suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/ 583/18, is challenging the outcome of the last Ward, Local Government and State congresses of the APC in Lagos State, had sought the interlocutory injunctions pending the determination of the main suit.

    He urged the court, in the motion, to restrain defendants – APC and INEC – “from according recognition or giving effect to the results of the 1st defendant’s (APC) Lagos chapter’s purported Ward congress, Local Government congress and State congress pending the determination of the substantive suit.”

    Church equally prayed the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining the APC from parading any person(s) or permitting any person(s) to parade themselves as being the persons elected by virtue of the 1st defendant’s Lagos chapter’s purported Ward, Local Government and state congress pending the determination of the main suit.

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    In his affidavit supporting the main suit, Church, who claimed to be interested in contesting for the party’s Chairmanship position in Mushin Local Government in Lagos, said he would have realised his ambition and become a delegate, but for the unlawful way the congresses were conducted.

    It is his contention that the congresses conducted in Lagos were in violation of the party’s constitution, its guidelines for the conduct of Ward, LG and state congresses and the Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

    Church’s lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), had while arguing the motion on June 14, contended that, since the APC’s national convention was scheduled for June 23, there was need to preserve the res (subject) of the substantive suit.

    He said there was special issues to be tried in the main suit, which seeks among others, the determination of whether the congresses conducted in Lagos State should not be set aside, the party having allegedly flouted the nation’s constitution, its constitution and its guidelines for the conduct of Ward, LG and state congresses.

    Bola Aidi, who represented that APC queried the competence of the motion for interlocutory injunctions and urged the court to refuse it.

    INEC’s lawyer, Alhassan Umar, also urged the court to refuse the motion on the grounds that it contains similar prayers as those contained in the substantive suit.

    Umar argued that the plaintiff failed, in the entire of his entire argument, to disclose any legal right he seeks to protect or showed any serious issues to be tried in the main case.

    He added: “Where the facts in support of the interlocutory application are similar to those in support of the main claim or are entirely interwoven with the facts required to determine the case on the merit, a court of equity is enjoined to decline granting the interlocutory application.

    “Instead, the court is enjoined to order accelerated hearing of the substantive matter. This is so because the court, in doing otherwise, may fall into the unhealthy situation of deciding the same issue twice.

    “First, at the interlocutory stage and then, the ultimate decision at the end of the trial. Such a procedure will be prejudicial to a fair trial of the substantive case.

    “The law is that the court should avoid the resolution of complex and intricate issues at the interlocutory stage.

    “It is submitted that the plaintiff/applicant has not satisfied the requirements to enable the court exercise its discretion in favour of granting the reliefs sought on the face of motion for interlocutory injunctions,” Umar said.

     

  • Lagos State celebrates albinos, distributes sun screen

    The Lagos State Government joined the world to mark the International Albinism Awareness Day with a public lecture themed “promoting the well-being of Albino Pupils and Students in Lagos State”.

    Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, counselled that, the protection of Albino’s skin from the sun is very important because they are more sensitive to sun exposure.

    She noted that the melanin which normally protects the skin from UV (ultraviolet) damage is in short supply and that is responsible for the difference in colour of the eyes, skin and hair.

    To help Albino pupils and students in Lagos State in this direction, the state government gave out free sun screen bathing soap and body lotion to help them in skin management and reduce the risk of skin cancer. She also urged them to wear sun glasses to mitigate the effect of the sun on their eyes and vision.

    While acknowledging that Albinism could be challenging, she emphasised that it does not limit the success of anyone, adding that there was no reason for any albino to feel inferior. She charged the pupils and students to be focused, challenge themselves in any field of their choice and they will excel.

    A guest lecturer, Dr Edi Onyinye Prisca, said in her paper: “Managing low Vision with Albinism”, advised people with Albinism to avoid exposing their eyes to the sun, manage their movement to avoid collision and sit at vantage positions in class to enable them see properly.

    Mrs. Josephine Omolola, in her lecture “Total Care for Albino Child”, counselled parents to show love and care for their albino children and expose them to education. She opined that, like every other children, albinos are undeniably special gifts from God and parents, neighbours, relations and indeed the society should support them to grow and attain the peak of their careers to enable them contribute to the development of the nation.

  • Megamound boost for middle class

    Hope is on the horizon for middle income earners desirous of owing a property in the highbrow Lekki axis of Lagos State.

    This comes on the heels of a special offer plan from a Real Estate development firm, Megamound Investment Limited.

    Last week, the firm unveiled a new project known as “County Apartments,” for this category of Nigerians. The new estate, which is planned to sit on 16, 000 square metres of land, has been designed exclusively for investors who craved a unique social living space.

    Megamound’s Head of Sales, Marian Diagbonya, explained that the development was conceived following the successful construction, sale and management of Lekky County Homes. County Apartments is located within the same estate as Lekki County Homes.

    “County Apartments sits within the Lekky County Homes Phase 2 and will have uninterrupted power supply, sewage system, boreholes, a recreational area and schools, among other modern and social amenities,” Diagbonya said, further describing the estate as “a great place to live the life you have always dreamt of.”

    Diagbonya assured investors of  return on investment (RoI) which she said will be difficult to match anywhere. This is because the estate comprises 16 blocks of 10 flats each, totaling 160 units. The flats range from one-bedroom to three-bedrooms.

    Her optimism on the RoI is based on a 15 per cent annual capital appreciation in investment yields on Lekky County Homes, on whose back the the new estate is riding. Besides, its already developed neighbourhood present ample opportunity for it to yield more value in its first five years post completion.

    “Being an off-plan, the current prices for the County Apartments are expected to shoot up by completion date, therefore, immediate capital appreciation is anticipated for investors. The good thing is, County Apartments is strategically located between Chevron Drive and VGC, and this gives it proximity to several major sites,” Diagbonya said.

    The firm’s General Manager, Olayemi Lashore, said the project would be completed on November 201, its deadline. He said the firm is committed to real estate development, having been in business for over 25 years, and driven by the need to provide adequate and affordable accommodation for all class levels.

    Describing the structural integrity of the buildings, the Project Manager, County Apartments, Emmanuel Adepalusi, said the houses had been designed to stand the test of time. He explained that considering the terrain, each building in the estate will be standing on 72 pile points of nine metres in depth.

    For investors desirous of mortgage facilities, Omoluabi Mortgage is partnering the firm to provide mortgage facility for the project.

     

     

  • We’re going through much pain, widows

    The Computer Village in Ikeja Lagos State is popular for one thing. It is the hub of electronics in the Western part of Nigeria, even as the Alaba International Market Ojo, also in Lagos is also well known for electrical and electronics which traders from outside the country patronise.

    But last week, the Computer Village seemed overstretched as a result of more people that visited it that day, in addition to the normal heavy human traffic that has become its feature.

    That day, women, especially widows and their children were there in their numbers on the invitation of the Happy Moment for Widows and Children Foundation (HMWCFO), a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The NGO had invited them to interact and fete with them.

    That day was a day of celebration for many of the widows and their children when a fellow widow, Princess Yeolade Adetona, founder of Happy Moment for Widows and Children Foundation (HMWCFO), extended love to them.

    They could not hide their delights. They danced, played games, listened to motivational talks, ate and drank. They were also given food items including sugar, salt, groundnut oil, tin-tomatoes and matches, among others.

    According to Princess Adetona, it was not the first time she had carried out such gesture, even as she promised to do much more for widows and their children both in Lagos State and beyond.

    She said the gesture was borne out her zeal to make widows and their children happy.

    Princess Adetona said: “Today’s programme is all about widows and their children. The country’s economy is in a shambles and many people are suffering.

    “I am a widow; I lost my husband to a plane crash in 2007; we were together for 15 years. I know what it takes to be a widow, it is not easy. I have gone through a lot and that is why I established the foundation.

    “The aim is to put smiles on the faces of widows, their children and orphans, and to empower them and encourage them to face the future with hope.

    “Many of them feel all hopes are lost and I am here to let them know that they still have hope. I don’t want to see them cry, I want to see them happy. I pray God takes me up so that I can do more.”

    She said the widows and their children received food stuffs including sugar, salt, groundnut oil, tin-tomatoes and matches among other things.

    “They have also eaten several delicacies and drinks. They had dancing competition, and the winners received gifts. They are all happy,” she said.

    The founder of the organisation revealed that the NGO has plans to provide accommodation for some of the widows and their children.

    “The accommodation that the organisation plans to establish will be home for widows and their children. They would also have the opportunity to learn several vocations, including fashion design and hairdressing, to enable them to be empowered and make life meaningful for them.

    “I have to do this because when I lost my husband in a plane crash, I had problem with accommodation. I was living from one place to another; there was a time I slept in my car for two days with my children because we had nowhere to stay,” she said.

    She, however, said she was yet to get over the death of her husband, noting that God has been faithful.

    She urged widows to have hope in God. “What I am doing here today resulted from my placing my hope in God.  I have four children and God has been faithful. I am reaching out to widows to tell them that they still have hope.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mojisola Ajiroba said the gesture will relieve some of them of the burden of caring for the families alone.

    “What we widows are passing through is terrible; from handling the kids, feeding and to send them to school is never easy for us,” she said.

    She said the programme has helped them to know that they need to depend on God to help them train the children.

    “I thank Princess Adetona because without her we will not be here today. She has showed us that she cares for us; she remembers what we are passing through.” She said.

    She urged government to remember widows and their children, noting that what they are going through is much for them to bear.

    “We suffer a lot and we have many problems. If government can help us, they will wipe our tears, alleviate our suffering and life will be better for us,” she said.

    Another beneficiary, Kate Okoye, described the programme as good and life-changing. She said Princess Adetona has made them become hopeful, made them have a sense of belonging.

    “She has touched our lives in a positive way. She has made us to realise that to be responsible for the upkeep of our children and ourselves is not the end of life; she urged us to move on and remain strong.

    “I can only plead that government should support her; she is good, she makes us happy, she touches lives, she made us not to feel that we are hopeless. This is what government is meant to do but government cannot do it alone. So, government should assist her.

    “We all left our wares to be here to feel happy. It is one thing to be happy; it is another thing to sell our wares. Happiness is more important than any other thing, because when you are happy, you have every other thing you need in life. I pray God will bless and grant her long life,” she said.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Agboola Dabiri, represented by Mojisola Abiola, said the ministry is ready to support the foundation.

    “The state government has several programmes for widows and children, which has brought positive impact on them.  The Child Development Department in the ministry has been equipped to protect and enforce the rights of children in various ways. The department organises different programmes that was aimed at enlightening the public on various ways to prevent child abuse. We have also put in place several legal and social policy frameworks that would ensure the protection of the rights of children at every stage in life,” he said.

  • Lagos State: Lawmaker hands over classroom blocks to schools

    Rep. Taofeek Adaranijo, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Agege Federal Constituency, Lagos State, on Monday presented two blocks of three classrooms to primary schools in the constituency.

    Adaranijo, a former Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, said during the inauguration, that the classrooms were part of his 2016 and 2017 constituency projects for the development of education.

    The News men report that the lawmaker inaugurated a block of three classrooms at Moses Orimolade Primary Schools, Orile Agege, which he named after Oba Hakeem Agbedeyi, the Alaige of Orile-Agege.

    He also inaugurated another block of three classrooms at Anwar-ul-Islam Primary School, Dopemu, Agege, which he named after Oba Kamila Isiba, the Olu of Agege Kingdom.

    Adaranijo also gave school furniture, boards, electric fans, among others, to the schools.

    He said that the projects were part of his promises during the 2015 electioneering campaign; to make laws and motions for the benefits of Nigerians.

    The lawmaker said that he was committed to representing his constituents and bringing problem-solving and people-oriented programmes and projects to the constituency.

    According to him, my commitment to education necessitates the construction of the classrooms as part of the means of giving back to public schools.

    “These projects serve as complement to the huge investments of Lagos State Government in the education sector.

    “Projects such as these will afford our children the opportunity to continue learning in conducive classrooms for proper assimilation of studies.

    “It will also reduce the number of pupils in classrooms for better and efficient performance,’’ Adaranijo said.

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, commended the lawmaker for his contributions to the education sector.

    “I want to congratulate our representative. I commend your effort and achievements so far.

    “It shows that you are not fighting for your purse and selfish interest.

    Read Also: Stable Bamidele moved to Lagos for post-surgery treatment

    “The essence of legislature is not about law making alone; it is just part of it. The major task is representation, representing people’s interest in parliament.

    “We all must play prominent role to develop our education and our children.

    “It is only when we educate our children that we can have a rest of mind. All of us must contribute to the growth of education. Education first in everything we do,” he said.

    Obasa noted that teaching indigenous language was key to development, adding that stakeholders should encourage teaching of the language.

    He urged other council chairmen to prioritise education in their programmes and policies.

    Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, who appreciated the lawmaker for the gesture, said that government alone could not bear the burden of education.

    Sopeyin said that the projects were testimonies of the passion of Adaranijo in repositioning the education sector.

    He urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the classrooms for effective teaching and learning.

    In his remarks, Mr Olaekan Majiyagbe, the Education Secretary in Agege Local Government, said that the projects would impact positively on the schools and the community.

    NAN

  • On Lagos’ fresh employment initiatives

    Obviously, there exists a large army of unemployed youths in our country. According to a latest National Bureau of Statistics report, the country’s unemployment rate is 14.2%. But this number still did not include about 40 million Nigerian youths captured in World Bank statistics in 2009. By implication, it means that if Nigeria’s population is 180 million, then 50% of Nigerians are unemployed, or worse still, at least 71% of Nigerian youths are unemployed. This is particularly disturbing.

    Since Lagos State is home to about 21million Nigerians, it is safe to affirm that the State, which is the fifth largest economy in Africa, feels the brunt of the menace of youth employment the most. That Lagos alone accounts for over 70% of national industrial investments makes it attractive to job seekers from all across the country.

    In Lagos, unemployed youths fall into various categories viz employable and unemployable degree holders, medium level education certificate holders, school certificate holders and drop outs and those who never made it beyond primary schools. Stark illiterates also swam on the State on a daily basis, seeking jobs.

    In order to frontally address the State’s peculiar unemployment question, the State government has put in place several new initiatives alongside existing ones. For instance, to prepare graduates for life after school, Ready-Set-Work was launched. It isan entrepreneurial and employability training programme aimed at ensuring that every student who graduates from any tertiary institution in Lagos has knowledge, skills, and attitude required to gain employment upon graduation.

    The 13-week training programme prepares final year students for immediate entry into the workforce as employees and employers of labour by equipping them with market- aligned soft skills, business tools, and a mindset re-orientation to the world of work. Since its inception in 2016, 12,500 students have benefitted from the programme.

    Another fresh strategy being deployed to tackle unemployment in the State is the revamp of technical education. Technical education is the form of education that prepares people for specific trades, crafts and careers at various levels. As our country aspires to diversify its economy; it is evident that a vital instrument needed for attaining such height is skilled manpower development and a competent workforce.  It is in order to address this need that the State government has been boosting technical education in the State.

    The collapse of many industries and the limited capacity of government at various levels to employ the teeming population have made white collar jobs practically non-existent. However, there exists job opportunities in other areas that our youths need to be sufficiently equipped to exploit. In the construction industry, for instance, there abounds limitless opportunities for youths with relevant skills for gainful employment. Sadly, this is not being fully exploited because of lack required competence. Thus, to get the needed good hands, property entrepreneurs go to neighbouring Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Cameroon.

    Presently, the Lagos State government is laying great emphasis on technical education to reverse the trend. Hence, the 5 Technical and Vocational Colleges in the State have been rehabilitated and properly equipped while advocacy campaigns have been stepped up to get more students enroll into the colleges. Steadily, the efforts are paying off as enrolment into the colleges has increased by 120%, a situation that has spurred approval for the establishment of 3 additional Technical Colleges in the State.

    Read Also: Lagos, Ambode and 2019

    The State government is equally partnering with several firms to further develop technical education through the setting up of Academies within the Colleges. Notable among these are Samsung (Engineering Academy), Electrical Power Engineering (Power Academy), Automechatronics (Automotive Academy) and Julius Berger (Construction Academy). The good thing about this development is that some of them provide instant employment for grandaunts of these colleges since they can vouch for their competence. For instance, 26 graduates of the State’s Technical Colleges were recently recruited by Dangote Groups as Technician Trainees at Dangote Academy, Obajana while 115 Graduates in Electrical Installation were recruited by Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

    To further exploit the current momentum, the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board has  collaborated with General Electric for the training of students and Instructors on 3D Printing Technology and Kansai Plascon on Human Capacity Development for fifteen (15) Instructors in Painting and Decorating. The quality of training has also led to the employment of some graduates of the colleges while many have equally become self- employed.

    In order sustain existing progress in terms of enhanced job opportunities, the agriculture and agro business sector, with huge capacity for mass employment, is equally being creatively explored. Thus, the Agric Yes programme is being vigorously pursued to train students, school leavers and graduates in Agro related enterprises at Araga in Epe. Upon completion of training, land, accommodation and other vital tools needed to start off are provided for those who choose to stay back in the Farm Settlement while those willing to practice elsewhere are equally supported to stand on their own.

    Also, in order to really catch in on the job creation potentials of ICT, the State government introduced Code Lagos, an initiative aimed at teaching 1 million Lagos residents to code by 2020. In May 2017, the programme launched a successful pilot phase with 67 schools, comprising both public and private schools, which exposed over 5464 students to the Code Lagos Coding Framework.

    According to ICT experts, knowledge of coding is important not only to individual students’ future career prospects, but also for their countries’ economic competitiveness as well as the ability of technology industry to unearth qualified personnel. In our technologically enhanced world, people with excellent ICT skills stand better chance of being self reliant entrepreneurs. Currently, Code Lagos has trained over 31,000 Lagosians to code while 364 Coding Centres have also been set up in 352 primary and secondary schools as well  12 Out-of-School Centres located in Yaba, Ikorodu, Meiran, Surulere, Ipaja, Ilupeju, Isolo, Onikan, Ikeja and Fadeyi. By June, 2018 another set of 1,260 Lagos residents will commence coding classes in the 12 Out-of-School Centres.

    Plans are currently underway to expand the programme to run in 1500 primary and secondary schools as well as 50 Out-of-school Centres across the State by the end of this year. The goal is to ensure that 100,000 Lagosians are trained by September 2018 and 150,000 by December 2018. Once the Code Lagos initiative has been sparked there is no telling where it may end. Founders of Microsoft and Facebook had good technical skill and programming ability as well as many other skills. These and few other well known personalities can be cited in computer coding classes to encourage more youths to take keen interests in ICT.

    No doubt, with the conception and execution of more strategic plans, it is envisioned that unemployment will considerably reduce in Lagos. It is, however, important to stress that we need to alter the curriculum of our tertiary education to embrace courses that fit into current socio-economic reality. Indeed, more emphasis must now be placed on technical education and skill acquisition.

    Ogundeji is Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Alausa, Ikeja

  • Mimiko calls for more investment in quality education

    Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has called for significant and sustained investment in quality education as that would help in creating massive development in Nigeria.

    Mimiko said this at the maiden edition of the Education Risk & Governance summit organised by Conrad Clark Nigeria, held at the Landmark Towers in Victoria lsland Lagos. The event tagged  “Learning Strategy, Quality and Safeguarding, and considered issues such as governance, funding, the role of government/regulators, education service providers, regulators and other stakeholders in resolving Nigeria education crisis.

    He said that Nigeria as one of the most resourceful countries in the world, and one which would benefit hugely from a significant and sustained investment in quality education.

    He said that such an investment would create massive development in the country and increase income flow into the economy.

    Mimiko posited that it is the fundamental right of every child to get an education and in ensuring this right; we will become more intentional about building a future for each Nigerian child.

    Read Also: Mimiko calls for more investment in education

    In her words, The Director General, Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo emphasized the need for schools to adopt the starfish structure of leadership and governance, a structure where every arm of the school is learning and growing at the same pace and where roles are properly defined and carried out accordingly and effectively.

    Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Golden Links Educational Consultants (United Kingdom), Angelina Ikeako addressed the issues of violence, abuse and safeguarding of children.

    She emphasized the need to empower children to speak up when being abused and challenging the norm of being silent.

    According to her, it is time to move from strategic practices to operational practices and also to Implement and monitor the child protection policies already in place to know if they are effectively carried out.

    She insisted that child safeguarding needs to be tackled from the children, staff and management levels in the schools.

    In his paper, The Chairman of Cornfield Group, Dr Tope Agbeyo, spoke on the use – or lack thereof – of technology in Nigerian schools, said that Nigeria is losing bright minds to Education Capital Flight due to absence of quality and technology driven education, and the lack of credibility of Nigerian certificates.

  • Lagos Muslim pilgrims board begins payment for BTA

    The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced payment of Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) to intending pilgrims for the 2018 Hajj.

    The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, announced this on Friday in Lagos at a meeting with 19 appointed coordinators to manage pilgrim affairs in the state.

    AbdulLateef, who doubles as the “Amir-ul-Hajj” for Lagos state, said that pilgrims would be given the opportunity to exchange a minimum of N244,000 for 800 dollars within a two week window.

    “We urge the pilgrims to proceed to the pilgrim board’s office at the old secretariat for their BTA without further delay.

    Each pilgrim is entitled to exchange a minimum of 800 dollars for N244,000 at the official rate of N305.00 to a dollar as directed by the Federal Government,” he said.

    Read Also: Pilgrims urged to emulate Christ’s virtues

    He advised the intending pilgrims to take advantage of the concessionary exchange rate and to present their receipt of payment and international passport to get their BTA.

    “It is advisable that they come forward before the window closes because the dollar rate is higher in the black markets and banks.

    “Only fully paid pilgrims are entitled to the official rate and must come with their receipts of payment and international passports,” he said.

    He also advised Muslims to use the fasting period to seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy for themselves and other faithful worldwide.

    “You should invest your resources to propagate good deeds and help your Muslim brothers and sisters as much as you can, as this is more rewarding in this blessed month of Ramadan,” he said.

    The Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Muftau Okoya, emphasised the directive of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) that all intending pilgrims must possess a National Identity Card.

    He urged the intending pilgrims to register for the identity cards, while expressing the determination of the state government to ensure a successful Hajj.

    NAN

  • Protesters want Ambode to probe Ilaje killings

    Hundreds of residents of Ilaje community in Makoko, Lagos on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest to the state House of Assembly over recent killings in the area.

    The protesters urged Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos Assembly to probe the alleged killing of four persons in the community on May 10 by men of Lagos State Task Force.

    Addressing the leadership of the House, Mr Alex Omotehinse, spokesman for the protesters, said that the alleged murder of innocent persons by the police required government’s investigation to prevent break down of law and order.

    “Our protest is all about unlawful invasion, killing and maiming of our people by the policemen under the leadership of Jide Bakare, the Chairman, Lagos State Task Force on Land Grabbing.

    “We are not fighting on our land, Bakare led a team of policemen to Ori Oke and Ilaje Community, and invaded the communities, killing four people, while several others were injured.

    “The injured are in the hospitals with gun injuries. The Commissioner of Police said he was not aware of the operation, describing it as illegal.

    “The Lagos Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohinmi, had said that the command set up a committee and that the people involved had been arrested.

    “But surprisingly, those involved are still moving around freely and nothing has been done to them.

    “That’s why we call on the governor and the House of Assembly to set up an independent panel of enquiry so that those who are culpable would be brought to book.

    “As a matter of urgency, this matter must be addressed, we want the police to parade the culprits and stop aiding and abetting them,” he said.

    According to him, if the government failed to act, the Ilaje nation will rise to defend themselves, saying that they were peace-loving people.

    Omotehinse, General Secretary, Ilaje National Alliance Movement, said that the people wanted the arrest and prosecution of those who carried out the attack on the community.

    Omotehinshe, who said that the people had lost confidence in the police to carry out impartial investigation into the case, alleged that the police command was shielding the culprits.

    Also speaking, Mr Adeola Ilori, a human rights lawyer, said that he was pained that the state government had not paid a visit to the family of the victims.

    Ilori said that such attacks on defenceless citizens was not only a threat to the people, but also their future.

    Addressing the protesters, the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who commended the protesters for peaceful conduct, said that the House would look into the matter.

    Obasa, who was represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, said: “I want to assure you that this case will be presented to the Speaker.

    “All the issues you have raised are issues of importance and we will look into the matter. All I am telling you is that justice will be done on this matter.”

     

    NAN

  • Ambode’s wife disowns fake aide

    Wife of the governor of Lagos State Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday disowned a certain individual posing as her representative to extort money from the public.

    Mrs. Ambode, in a statement by her media aide, Folashade Kadiri, said the individual has been using social media to disguise as her representative to defraud people.

    The statement reads: “The attention of Mrs Ambode has been drawn to the criminal activities of a certain individual, masquerading as her representative, for the purpose of exhorting money from unsuspecting persons, using the social media platform.

    “Her Excellency wishes to state that she has no links with such fraudulent element, neither has she authorised anyone to act on her behalf in questionable circumstances.”

    She urged the public to be vigilant and avoid dealing with shadowy figures, purporting to represent her, for motives that are self-serving and dubious.

    He called on them to report any individual behind such nefarious act to security agencies.