The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State

  • Man docked over abduction of teenage girl in Lagos

    Man docked over abduction of teenage girl in Lagos

    A 36-year-old man, Ezechi Uwazie who allegedly abducted a 17-year-old girl, has appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused is facing a two-count charge of abduction and fraud.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large at Suru-Alaba in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos on Aug.19 at 12.00 p.m.

    According to him, the accused walked up to the girl and presented himself as an importer, who is in search of the place where his goods are kept.

    “The girl, who was sent to the bank by her boss, described how he can get to Cele Bus Stop in Okota, Lagos.

    “The man insisted that she should take him to the place claiming that he was new in Lagos.

    “Suddenly, a man, who is also an accomplice, came to meet the girl, pretending that he did not know the man, suggested that they should accompany the man to the place.

    “The girl became unconscious and accepted the offer and they boarded a bus heading to Cele Bus Stop.

    “When they alighted from the bus, they told the girl that they should take a bus heading to Ejigbo, but the girl insisted that she cannot help again.

    “When they were at Cele Bus Stop, a man, who noticed that something was fishy, went to a nearby police station to report,’’ Okoliko said.

    “In the course of the argument, the accomplice pretending to be a Good Samaritan saw the man coming with a policeman and absconded.

    “The `fake importer’ was immediately arrested.’’

    The offences contravened Sections 141 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of 200,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payment to the state government, she said.

    The case was adjourned to Sept.13 for trial. 

  • Lagos plans new broadcast machinery

    The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the aggressive repositioning of the broadcast stations in the State was part of his administration’s strategy aimed at empowering the media outfits to compare favorably with the best in the world, pledging that the State would soon celebrate the birth of new broadcast machinery.
    Ambode, who spoke while declaring open the 65th General Assembly of the Broadcast Organisations of Nigeria (BON) held in Lagos, said his passion for the information platforms was very high, a development he said accounted for the massive investment aimed re-energizing the broadcast stations in the State.
    The Governor said: “As an administration, we are committed to re-energizing, re-positioning and re-engineering our broadcast stations by strengthening their operations with the provision of cutting-edge technology that will stand them out amongst their peers around the world.
    “I must confess here that as a Governor, my passion for the information platforms is very high. This is because of my belief that the media and information machinery are the windows through which the world sees us and vice-versa,” Governor Ambode said.
    The Governor, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said in recent times, his administration provided the radio stations in the State with new transmitters and studios, while Lagos Television is currently undergoing a holistic overhauling of its non-digital equipment, adding that the station had just taken delivery of six stream box avenirs that would enable it improve on electronic news gathering abilities, while a new HD Outside Broadcast Van would soon be delivered in the coming days.
    “During my first anniversary broadcast, I made a commitment to turn around the three stations. I want to assure you that we are on course. As we hope to invite our friends from all over Nigeria to celebrate the birth of a new broadcast machinery in Lagos State.
    “Lagos State Government is committed through our broadcast stations to deliver first class service to the people of the State as exemplified through the various projects being executed by this administration among which are road projects, the ‘Light Up Lagos’ Project and series of others.
    “We are also committed to promoting the broadcast industry to an enviable height in the coming years. Our dream Media City project will be a one-stop media empire to be located in the heart of Ikeja that will be the pride of all,” the Governor said.
    Governor Ambode, who also commended BON for its various initiatives, said he was delighted to be identified with the ideals of the broadcast industry which represents the bridge between the people and their elected representatives.
    Earlier, in his remarks, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the broadcast media has a critical role to play in helping government to quell insurgency and militancy in some parts of the country, a development he said was part of reasons why government was putting so much efforts and resources in achieving a more developed broadcast industry as evident in the efforts toward the digital broadcasting switch over.
    The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Ayotunde Adesugba, also charged the media to be at the vanguard of fighting all aspects of corruption at all levels by visibly setting agenda to fight graft, indiscipline and nepotism, among others.

  • Lagos now cornerstone for driving African arts, culture – Ambode

    Lagos now cornerstone for driving African arts, culture – Ambode

    …Accepts Hosting Right of 2016 AFRIMA

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said the winning of the hosting right of the 2016 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) by the State has further confirmed the fact that Lagos is now the cornerstone for driving African arts and culture, just as he expressed his administration’s commitment to continue to support the talents in the industry and promote cultural heritage of the continent.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, when he received AFRIMA delegation led by Head of Culture of African Union Commission, Ms Angela Martins and AFRIMA President, Mr. Mike Dada, expressed excitement at the development and accepted the hosting right, saying that it was in sync with his passion of using tourism, hospitality, entertainment, arts and sports to promote excellence.

    “I want to thank the African Union and the organizers of the All Africa Music Awards for finding it worthy to once again pick Lagos as the host city. We are very glad that Lagos has become more or less the cornerstone for driving the African arts and culture. I must say that even though this is the third time that Lagos is hosting it, but this is the very first time that the Lagos State Government will be practically involved and that goes to show that there is a convergence of vision between what the African Union stands for and what this particular administration stands for also.

    “We are big promoters of our culture; we believe so much in heritage; we believe also that the creative part of the African identity is yet to be tapped and obviously, we need to intervene in some of the things that are being done individually to be able to put things together so that we can together drive the African identity and that is why it is a no brainier for us as a government to actually say that we are going to participate in this,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor said he believes that talents abound in Africa, which, according to him, informed why his administration had been working hard to promote the African artists, adding that talents must be supported and assisted not to die, so that they can use their talents to push Africa to her rightful place.

    He said: “One of our vision is actually to promote our heritage and one of our programmes in the course of the electioneering was “Project THESE. We believe strongly that we can use Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Arts and Sports to actually promote excellence. We believe we are the next face of Africa and we think that the hub of entertainment should actually reside in Lagos and so we will do everything to promote our artists, to promote our producers and even those that are upcoming.”

    Besides, the Governor urged those in the creative industry to key into the N25bn Employment Trust Fund set up by his administration.

    Earlier, Martins commended Governor Ambode for his passion in developing and promoting arts and culture in the continent. She recalled that out of the States in Nigeria that received letters from the leadership of the African Union through the Commissioner for Social Affairs, His Excellency Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Lagos won the rights to once again host the 2016 edition of AFRIMA, adding that the development was a great achievement for both the Union and the State.

    “We want to thank you (Governor Ambode) for always being on the side of artists and on the side of the African continent in the development of the culture and creative industries of the continent,” Martins said.

    In his opening remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said the hosting right of AFRIMA further attests to the commitment of Governor Ambode to promote culture, arts and tourism.

    Ayorinde, who reeled out many achievements of the present administration in the sector such as the expansion of the One Lagos Fiesta, the hosting of the International Jazz Festival at the Lagos House, and the upcoming celebration of Lagos at the Toronto International Festival in September, said the Ambode administration has indeed continue to use the sector to achieve excellence.

    Some of the notable names in the creative industry who were part of the delegation include Innocent Idibia, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Seyi Shay, Praise, Simi, Olisa Adibua, Tee Mac, among others.

  • Bus conductor docked for alleged assault

    A 27-year-old bus conductor, Segun Adamu, was on Tuesday docked before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly assaulting one Mr Abraham Adams.

    The accused, whose address was not disclosed in court, is facing a charge of assault.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 29 at Ajido Bus Stop in the Badagry.

    He said that the accused stabbed the complainant on the stomach after an argument ensued between them.

    “The complainant who was a passenger in the bus, gave the accused a defaced-N100 note as his transport fare and this resulted into an argument.

    “In the middle of it, the accused carried a bottle, broke it and stabbed the complainant on his stomach,’’ he said.

    He noted that the offence contravened Section 171 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence.

    The counsel to the accused, Mr Joseph Awuwu, pleaded with the court to grant bail to the accused in liberal terms.

    He promised that his client would not skip bail and would attend further court hearings.

    Magistrate Abioldun Etti granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 and a surety who must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned till Sept. 6 for further hearing.

  • Lagos, Niger mull partnership on agriculture

    Lagos, Niger mull partnership on agriculture

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday kick-started discussions on partnership for the development of agricultural commodity value chain with Niger State aimed at ensuring food security and job creation for the two States and the country at large.

    The partnership, which is the second of its kind that the Lagos State Government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is entering, was said to be directed at considerably boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of not just the two States, but the the country.

    Addressing journalists after paying a courtesy visit on Governor Ambode at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said the discussion basically centered on how to explore the comparative advantage of the two States to the benefit of Lagos and Nigeria.

    He said: “It was a private discussion. It was just to say hello to him (Governor Ambode) and we did not discuss much. Part of our conversation, we discussed agriculture and we specifically discussed how we can partner with Lagos State to support agriculture to the benefit of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.”

    It was gathered that discussion on the partnership is still at the preliminary stage, while more would be revealed on modalities as to how things will pan out as regard the partnership going forward.

    Governor Ambode had earlier entered into partnership with Kebbi State also on development of agricultural commodity value chain. The agreement, aside being aimed at the production of 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice requirements annually, also principally centres on boosting the production of wheat, ground nut, maize, millet, sorghum, sugar cane, cows among others.

    He said: “This relationship is visionary and it is also a pointer to the fact that the two states have decided to openly support the vision of Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The change mantra which President Buhari has been preaching is what this whole relationship is all about that we must look inward. We must start to reintegrate our economy in such a manner that we must not continue to import what we can produce and we must create a value chain where we have comparative advantage to do so,” Ambode had said.

  • Ambode flags off Epe-Marina lagoon reclamation project

    Ambode flags off Epe-Marina lagoon reclamation project

    …Says Badagry-Marina Project to be delivered in August

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday embarked on extensive inspection of on-going projects across the State, where he equally flagged off the world class Epe-Marina Lagoon reclamation project aimed at giving a quantum leap to the tourism potentials of the State.

    Governor Ambode, who was accompanied on the inspection tour by top government functionaries, said the lagoon reclamation projects in Epe and Badagry, upon completion, would look like that of Dubai in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    He assured that the Badagry-Marina Lagoon reclamation project would be completed by the end of August, this year.

    The Epe-Marina Lagoon reclamation project is a complete redevelopment of project site to facilitate development of the area and promote tourism.

    The project comes with sand filling to the lagoon up to about 200 meters and dualization of the network of roads in the axis with functional walkways.

    Speaking on why the Epe-Marina and Badagry-Marina projects were embarked upon simultaneously by the State Government, Governor Ambode said: “We want to actually duplicate what you see in Dubai-Marina. This is a whole stretch of two kilometers of real estate and new tourist centres that we are putting in Epe and Badagry at the same time.

    “We believe strongly that coming out from our retreat that we said we are going to grow the IGR of Lagos State by 2017 to N30billion and 2018 to N50billion, we believe that some of these projects that we are commencing now are just inlets to our dream of growing the IGR.

    “We know that by the time we are expanding tourism potentials of Badagry and Epe at the same time, we will be able to get new investors that will be able to come to our new locations to do other things beyond what you see about recreation, tourism or entertainment and then get a whole lot of investments into Lagos State. This is part of our dreams and dreams do come true.

    “We are looking at the future of tourism from both axis. You cannot put tourism in those places without doing the infrastructure that is required to allow people to come in and that is why we are also doing the road network,” the Governor said.

    Governor Ambode, who equally inspected the on-going dualization of about 25 network of roads in Epe, said the massive investment of government in the area was part of the grand plan to transform the axis and same was in line with the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) project.

    He expressed satisfaction with the level and pace of work done so far, saying that the quality was of international standard.
    He also expressed optimism that the projects, upon completion, would decongest the heartland of Lagos as people would be encouraged to move to Epe and Ibeju-Lekki axis.

    Speaking to journalists at the project sites, Governor Ambode said: “We believe with this expansion, the whole lot of what we are trying to do in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki axis will be developed.

    “We are inspired to see how we can look at the phase two of this project as quickly as possible. This road dualization is expected to be completed in 16 months but because we are ahead of schedule, we are looking at the first quarter of next year.

    “With this, we have just injected 30 kilometers of standard roads into Epe and the meaning of that is of course changing the economy of Epe Township, real estate will be boomed and we are encouraging commerce and industrialization.

    “This project is the backbone of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Deep Seaport and the proposed Airport. All the State Government is doing is stimulating the economy and that is what is happening here,” he said.

    Governor Ambode also inspected the VIP Chalets in Epe where he disclosed that government will expand the housing scheme in the area and carry out perimeter fencing of the project site.

    Earlier, Governor Ambode and his team inspected the Adeniji Adele transport interchange outward Third Mainland Bridge, where he ordered massive enforcement against illegal dropping and picking of passengers at undesignated bus stops.

    This, the Governor said, would enhance ease of vehicular movement around that axis and drastically reduce traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge inward Obalende and Lagos Island.

    The Governor also inspected the on-going rehabilitation and upgrading of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki, as well as the on-going bridge being constructed at Ajah Roundabout.

    He, however, urged the people to continue to pay their taxes so that government would continue to provide the needed infrastructures.

    He said: “I think in the last 14 months, we have been able to show Lagosians that we can actually appropriate the taxes that they paid judiciously and then allocate it to the different sectors that really have meaning and impact to the ordinary Lagosians.

    “The more they see what we are doing, the more inspired tax payers should be to perform their civic obligations and when they pay their taxes, our commitment remains the same, we will use these taxes judiciously and also expand the growth and economy of Lagos so that life becomes safer, cleaner and then more prosperous for all Lagosians,” he said.

  • NDLEA arrests 21 suspected drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 21 suspected drug traffickers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it arrested 21 suspected drug traffickers at the Seme border in the last six months.

    It said it seized 28.572million CFA and N7.5million from them.

    The suspects, it said, include eight females and 13 males, three of whom are foreigners – a Ghanaian and two Niger Republic citizens.

    Eight suspects have been tried at the Federal High Court and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, NDLEA said.

    Its Seme Commander, Mr. Odotong Essien, said the agency seized 1,457.867 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, weighing 1.457 tonnes, valued at over N100million.

    Essien, who briefed newsmen at the Command’s headquarters at Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos State on the agency’s activities in the last six months, said NDLEA has adopted new strategies in its war against illicit drug traffickers.

    No fewer than 13 drug dependent persons were counseled during a public enlightenment programs on the dangers of abuse and trafficking, Essien said.

    “We have modified some of our strategies by blocking the waterways in partnership with the marine unit of the Nigeria Customs Service and the marine police, as well as many track routes, which has paid off tremendously.

    “The inter-agency cooperation and synergy at the Seme Border, especially with Seme Command of Nigerian Customs and the police has helped. All this was made possible through the officers’ commitment and leadership of our amiable Chairman, Col. Muhammed Mustapha Abdallah (rtd),” Essien said.

  • Voluntary teachers take protest to Lagos Assembly

    Voluntary teachers take protest to Lagos Assembly

    — wants LASG to absorb them

    A group of teachers who had served Lagos state for six years as voluntary workers protested to the state House of Assembly on Monday calling on the State government to absorb them into the state’s mainstream civil service as it plans to recruit more civil servants, including teachers.

    The teachers under the aegis of the Voluntary Teachers Scheme (VTS) Monday made their stance known at the Lagos State House of Assembly, where they urged lawmakers to prevail on the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government to consider their six years of service, where they worked primarily as voluntary teachers, with monthly stipends of N15,000, as a parameter that qualifies them for full-time employment with the state government.

    One of the teachers, who identified himself as, Sunday Dada, said,”we want the state government to look into our case and give us, members of VTS, a good percentage in its recruitment exercise. For six years non-stop, we worked as voluntary teachers in various secondary schools in all the districts in Lagos State. We taught various subjects with the best of all intentions even though we were only paid monthly stipends of N15,000, which was still irregular.

    “Now that the state government intends to recruit new civil servants, including teachers, we are of the strong opinion, that our years of sacrifice should count for something. We therefore plead that the government should look upon us with mercy, and give us a good percentage in the available positions,” he added.

    Both the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi addressed the protesters assuring them of the House’s support in helping to push through their requests to appropriate quarters.

    Promising to look into the protesters’ plight, the lawmakers however said the House couldn’t guarantee that their requests would be met by the state government.

  • Kidnapping: Efforts on to rescue Iba monarch, others – Ambode

    Kidnapping: Efforts on to rescue Iba monarch, others – Ambode

    …Convenes emergency Security Council meeting with Police, Service Chiefs

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presided over an emergency security council meeting attended by heads of security agencies in the State, just as the State Government assured residents that efforts are being put in place to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the State.

    Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni said government and all security agencies in the State are bordered about the emerging crime of kidnapping, and that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently in the State including the Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni.

    “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping are rescued and we bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

    He added that the emergency Security Council meeting was principally to holistically appraise the security issues confronting the State, as well to assure members of the public on the priority and importance that the State attached to their welfare and security.

    Speaking on the spate of kidnapping in the State, Owoseni said: “All of us are bordered. As the people are bordered, government is bordered and law enforcement institutions in the State are bordered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenals of the State towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalize the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

    “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries, the Bank of Industry (BOI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the State and federal level had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed,” the CP said.

    Owoseni, who addressed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the State, the State Attorney General, urged members of the public to stop patronizing street traders, saying there have been instances where criminal elements hide within them to launch havoc on unsuspecting citizens.

    He said the law against street trading had always been in place even before Governor Ambode came into office, but that the enforcement was being implemented responsibly considering the mood of the society.

    He said: “The law has been there even before the present executive governor came into power, so what we are doing as responsible government and responsible security and law enforcement institutions is to further engage like the Governor did last time on television on the evils of street trading.

    “It is not just about stopping the street trading, it also has the security elements. The fellows that are on the roads under the guise that they are selling, some of them are also criminals. There are criminals hiding within them to commit some havoc and for people that are also patronizing them like the Governor has said, everybody is just thinking this is a new law but it is not. We know the mood of the society and we want to balance our enforcement and that is why we are doing a lot of public enlightenment.

    “We are also telling our people that some of those people that they patronize, some of them sell things that would cause havoc to the people. Some of those items they sell are either expired or poisoned because they know you are on the move and you want to grab quickly.

    “Some of these guys also carry weapons under their shirt that they can use to harm people including those beggars. So, these things put together, it is going to be a win-win situation if our people avoid patronizing street hawkers and the hawkers can also form a formidable front and meet the government and ask for the creation of corner shops for them. They are on the roads and vehicles can also hit them, so there are lots of dangers involved and that is why we are engaging the people via enlightenment on the dangers involved,” he said.

  • Lagos Assembly calls for more security in coastal areas

    Lagos Assembly calls for more security in coastal areas

    As suspected hoodlums continue to invade coastal areas of Lagos State, the state House of Assembly has called for more protection of the coastal areas in the state by the police.
    This became a resolution of the House after it was raised under matter of urgent public importance at plenary yesterday by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Publicity, Hon. Tunde Braimoh, who called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to sign the Neighbourhood Protection Safety Bill recently passed by the House into law.

    The lawmaker also used the opportunity to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to increase the number of security men in the coastal areas in the state to forestall the upsurge of hoodlums in the areas.

    Braimoh recalled an incident in Igbo Olomu area of Ikorodu where alleged illegal bunkers reportedly invaded the community, killing, kidnapping and raping the residents.

    “The Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Oluranti Adegbule was driven out of the place by hoodlums when she went there for inspection, while one of her security aides was wounded. Crime has now become a recurring decimal in the place.

    “The people of the area are apprehensive as the mobile policemen deployed to the place cannot match the number of criminals in the area. We need to do something quickly to avert further damage,” he said.

    The incident was confirmed by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency 1, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who said that though peace has since returned to the area, the residents are still apprehensive.

    Agunbiade, who is the Majority Leader called for a reinforcement of the policemen in the area as well as constant surveillance and monitoring of coastal lines in the state as he said that they have become porous in the area of security.

    In his contribution, Hon. Abiodun Tobun from Epe Constituency 1, observed that the attack on people living in coastal areas in the state is becoming rampant, adding that it has extended to Epe area of the state.

    Tobun revealed that a daughter of a monarch in Epe area, Alara of Ilara was recently kidnapped, and was only released after ransom was paid.

    He added that an expatriate was also kidnapped at a project site in Epe, and called on President Buhari to fortify coastal areas in the state to drive away the invading Niger Deltans.

    Another lawmaker, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu said that the success of Lagos has become an attraction to criminals, while Hon. Jude Idimogu also supported the protection of the coastal areas in the state.

    In his own view, Hon. Victor Akande, who commended the efforts of the state government on security and called on the Federal Government to consider the issue of state police.

    Akande stressed that if there is state police, the security situation of the state would improve due to its large population.

    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stated that the state government is doing much to protect lives and properties of the residents of the state.

    According to him, security is an important matter, which he said was why the issue of state police and restructuring was important.

    “We need to assure investors that Lagos State is safe for investment and investors. We will continue to support the Federal Police, but we want the Governor to sign the Neighbouhood Protection Safety Bill recently passed by the House into law,” he said.