The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos to transform National Museum to world standard

    Lagos to transform National Museum to world standard

    • Lagos thriving under Ambode, says Lai Mohammed

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has vowed to transform the National Museum in Lagos to a modern-day cultural edifice of international standard.

    The Governor said this on Thursday at the Lagos House, Ikeja when Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed visited.

    Pledging to partner with the Federal Government to give face-lift to federal infrastructure in the state, the Governor noted that considering the strategic importance of culture and tourism to the identity of people, there was no better time for Lagos and the Federal Government to collaborate in driving the essence of culture with the view to improving on the situation on ground and thereby improve on the economy and develop the nation.

    The Governor said Onikan, where the museum is located, is a melting port of the cultural heritage of Lagos and Nigeria by extension, hence, serious efforts must be put in place to start to recreate the monument to adequately situate the history of the country.

    “Just the same way we have collaborated with the police, we will collaborate with you and ensure that whatever we can do to create a facelift to the infrastructure of the Federal Government in Lagos, we will do it because it will eventually be to the benefit of Lagosians and eventually aid the economic growth of Lagos.

    “Talking precisely about the National Museum at Onikan, we will go straight with the commissioners here to see how we can put up a modern-day museum of international standard and see how that can work towards our Lagos@50 Celebration next year.

    “We are not only doing it for Nigeria, but also for the future of our cultural heritage. We believe strongly that the axis around Onikan and Marina is actually the melting port of our cultural heritage and we must start to recreate the monument in that area to be able to say a whole lot about the history of Lagos and more importantly, a whole lot about the history of Nigeria and so we would see how we can run as fast as possible on that,” the Governor said.

    Ambode, who lamented that some Nigerian languages are gradually going into extinction due to lack of preservation of cultural values, said that with the renewed commitment of the federal and state governments, issues of youth unemployment could be adequately addressed using culture, tourism, arts, sports and entertainment.

    “That is why we are committed to the Employment Trust Fund. We are just about to inaugurate it and every year for the next four years, we will be putting N6.25 billion, totaling N25 billion. Using that fund, we will be creating arts and recording studios and business incubators because we don’t longer want our artistes to be recording their works outside Nigeria.

    We can do it and that is where we are going. That will create a lot of energy among our younger ones and before you know it, they are on track and we too are on track as a very viable economy,” Governor Ambode said.

    Mohammed said he was in Lagos to solicit the support of the Governor and State Government to collaborate in jointly moving the state and indeed the country forward in areas of culture and tourism.

    He said Lagos remains the economic and financial hub of Nigeria, and that it was worthy to underscore the fact that the state is thriving under Governor Ambode, who he said is not only doing well but has greatly improved on all he met on ground.

    He said the Blue Line Rail project being built by the State Government, when completed in December, would not only be the first in Nigeria, but also greatly boost the economy and tourism potentials of the state, as well as the 10-lane Lagos-Badagry expressway.

    The Minister said: “Governor Ambode is doing very well. Look at his emphasis on security; he met a security trust fund which was doing very well, and is now doing better. He has almost doubled the kind of equipment and facilities and assistance he is giving the police.

    “Only recently, we passed in the Federal Executive Council, a $200 million loan application for Lagos State to complete the Blue Line Rail. This is a project that had been stalled for political reasons and he pushed through this.

    “Look at Light Up Lagos Project, it makes it easy for you to move from point A to point B without any problems and this ultimately will impact positively on the economy of the state. He’s on the right track,” he said

  • Strange outbreak hit Lagos community

    Strange outbreak hit Lagos community

    An outbreak described as fatal febrile rash illnesses has been recorded in Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa LGA, area of Lagos State.

    It was identified by the Medical Officer of Health of the LGA on the 9th February. The report indicated that many children died as a result of the outbreak.

    Already 20 children had died as the cause of the outbreak remains unknown, just as 34 cases of sick children with described as Febrile Rash Illnesses (FRI) have been line listed.

    The fatality of the outbreak was also confirmed as the graves of 20 children who died from the FRI since the day of onset of signs and symptoms in the first case on 6th January 2016, were identified by their parents.

    Thirty-Four cases have been listed so far with 17 males and 17 females. 17 dead patients have been identified with nine males and eight females. All are within the age range of eight to 72 months.

    Health Commissioner, Lagos, Dr Jide Idris said his ministry has notified the Federal Ministry of health (FMOH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and immediately constituted a team of Epidemiologists to investigate the outbreak and institute appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

    Dr Idris said: “The ministry drew up an investigation plan to investigate the outbreak, verify reported deaths and report findings and recommendations. The disease causing the outbreak is yet to be confirmed. However, the signs and symptoms are suggestive of Febrile Rash Illnesses. Blood samples (and throat swabs) from the patients and water samples from the community have been taken to the Virology Reference Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH, Ikeja respectively. The source of the infection is still under investigation.”

    The Commissioner described the place where the outbreak is recorded- Otodo Gbame community as an expansive, sandy riverine, flood prone and camp-lie settlements with an estimated population of 100,000 people.

    “The people are mainly Egun, however there are other tribes in the minority. The community is a slum with waste deposited at different spots. There are many scattered shallow wells in the community. The water from the wells is found to be used mostly for bathing, washing and cooking. Majority of the citizen claimed it is not used for drinking but a few said they sometimes drink from the well. The community head Chief Hunpe Dansu confirmed the outbreak of the Febrile Rash illnesses,” said Dr Idris.

    Dr Idris said: “The government is presently intensifying efforts to conduct mapping of all slums and blighted areas in the state towards reducing the health hazards associated with such areas. The people are hereby enjoined to join hands with the government in the identification of slums and in ensuring environmental sanitation at all times. And members of the public and health workers are to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility or call the following lines- 08037170614, 08055281442 and 08023169485.”

    To control the disease and prevent further spread and avert additional deaths, the ministry has intensive awareness creation and community mobilisation and health education is ongoing through meetings and community dialogues. Continuous health education of the community on immunisation, measles and personal and environmental hygiene are on-going.

    “House-to house search for cases is still ongoing. Forty seven sick children were found, out of which 34 were line listed as Febrile Rash Illnesses. Immediate immunisation of children with measles vaccine is on-going in the community. A total of Five Hundred and Eighty-Seven eligible children were immunised with measles vaccine and administered with Vitamin A. Eight  blood samples and seven throat swabs were collected from cases of FRI and sent to the laboratory for measles and other possible viral illnesses. Follow up on suspected children who are undergoing treatment to monitor recovery and intervene with further medical attention if required. Seven cases were already followed up as at 15th February, with Six recovering while one who was still ill was immediately taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Ikate for further medical attention, while further investigation is still on-going,” said Dr Idris.

     

  • LUTH discharges Lassa fever patient

    LUTH discharges Lassa fever patient

    The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi – Araba, on Friday said that it had discharged its Lassa fever patient who had been in isolation for four weeks.

    A statement which was signed by the Information Officer of LUTH said that the patient had now tested negative to the Lassa fever virus after weeks of receiving treatment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first case of Lassa fever in Lagos was diagnosed at the LUTH on Jan. 15.

    It was a 25-year-old student of the Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria, Kaduna State, who had contacted the virus before he came to visit his parents at Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos State.

    He was admitted in a private hospital at Ifako-Ijaiye on Jan. 9 and was transferred to LUTH on Jan.15 on an account of developing symptoms of fever, sore throat and body ache.

    The medical personnel in LUTH had run a blood test on him of which confirmed that he had Lassa fever.

    The statement said, “It is gladdening to note that the patient has fully recovered and has been discharged having tested negative for Lassa fever virus.

    “When the case was reported, the Lagos State and Federal Governments were intimated and they gave a quick response by providing logistic support including providing the drug (ribavirin) for Lassa fever.

    “The hospital also mobilised its team of specialists including nurses, virologists and medical microbiologists.

    “The patient was managed in an Isolation Centre with other drugs and adequate infection control measures put in place.

    “These included contact tracing and monitoring,’’ it said.

    The statement said that the management of the hospital applauded the Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control and the Lagos State Government for their quick intervention.

    According to it, the LUTH is probably one of the first hospitals in the South West that has successfully admitted, managed and discharged a Lassa fever patient in this current outbreak.

    The statement called on multinational companies, corporate bodies and individuals to support and partner with LUTH to ensure efficient health care delivery to the country.

  • Prisoners escape as service vehicle collides with truck in Lagos

    There was commotion in the Badagry area of Lagos State, following the fleeing of some prison inmates who were being taken to court.

    The incident was said to have occurred around 7am, at Beyuf Bus Stop on the Badagry Expressway, after a long bus belonging to the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) rammed into a Stationary truck.

    It was learnt that several persons sustained injuries and as the prison officers were trying to calm nerves, many of the inmates were said to have fled.

    At the time of filing this report, The Nation gathered that efforts were in top gear to arrest the escaped inmates, some of whom sustained injuries.

    An official of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) who pleaded anonymity the incident said the headlamp of the NPS was not bright and the driver did not see the stationary vehicle in good time.

    He alleged that the occupants of the bus were trapped inside for hours before the arrival of some people.

    “It rammed into the back of the truck headlong. Those inside the bus were trapped for sometime before one of the officials opened the door to allow rescuers carry out emergency work. Amidst the concussion, some of the prisoners escaped. The injured persons were taken to the hospital,” he said.

    An official of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) told our correspondent that the service has commenced manhunt for the escapees.

  • Lagos clamps down on depot for selling ‘expired’ products

    For allegedly revalidating the expiry dates on some of its product and reselling to customers, Haano Industries Limited fish depot was Tuesday sealed by the Lagos State government.

    The depot located at 114 road, Oba Akran was cordoned off by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Ministry of Health after a tip off on the activities of the operators.

    It was learnt that the security operatives laid siege on the cold room Monday evening, to avoid the contamination of evidence site as well as provide security for the ministry’s officials who inspected the place Tuesday morning.

    The Nation gathered that the officials after Inspecting four cold rooms of the company containing several tons of fish, sealed the premises.

    Led by an Environmental Health Officer of the ministry, Kuforiji Adebayo, the team it was learnt, stated that the closure was to allow for thorough laboratory investigation of the fish found in the cold rooms.

    According to Adebayo: “This place is being sealed for health analysis. The samples of the consignment being taken are for laboratory analysis. What we have met on ground is highly suggestive of the fact that there are questionable practices.

    “What has been established is that there is fraud. We have found that the company is revalidating the expiry of its products. As a responsive and responsible Government, we would not fold our arms and allow unwholesome fish to be sold to residents.

    “What we have seen indicates the condition of the fish before they were frozen were not okay, that is why there are blood stains in the cartoon of the fish.

    “If the labels are being changed now, the impression it leaves is that the labels might have been changed before the investigations.”

    Earlier, the company’s fish manager, Sabir Alli denied the allegations that the company was revalidating the expiry dates, adding that their products that would be expiring next month would have been sold before then.

    Alli said the stickers littering the lobby of the cold rooms fell off because of the shifting of fish cartoons to create space for new consignments.

    When contacted, the state command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, an SP, said the police received a tip off about two weeks ago that the company was changing the expiry dates on its products.

    She stated that the police quietly monitored to ensure that the allegations were not sponsored by rival firms and took time to catch them in the act.

    “We got a call from our source on Monday that they were revalidating the products and we decided to swing into action.

    “This was confirmed by a lot of the stickers found in the lobby with March 2016 as expiry date. Our source within the company indicated that the revalidation of the expiry date was done in the lobby of the cold room and corridor, and that is why the place was littered with expired and new stickers.

    “Police would liaise with the Lagos State Ministry of Health to carry out further test so that we can get to the bottom of this,”she added.

     

  • Lagos mobile courts convict suspects for different offences

    The Lagos Mobile courts were busy at different locations in the metropolis Monday trying suspects arrested for different offences bordering on traffic and environmental offences.

    At Ikeja, under magistrate Nurudeen Layeni convicted 15 offenders, 12 were arrested for street trading and were fined N3000 each or 1 month imprisonment while two others were convicted for street fighting that could lead to breach of peace contrary to section 166 (1) h and punishable under section 166 (2) of criminal law of Lagos state and they were given four hours community service as punishment. One tricycle arrested was however, discharged and acquitted.

    At Obalende under Magistrate Patrick Nwaka convicted five people who were fined N1000 each for unlawful parking even as each driver presented tickets issued to them by the local government, four commercial bus drivers were convicted for dropping and picking passengers from unauthorized bus stops and were fined N20,000 each or six months imprisonment. One person was convicted and given one hour community service for hanging on d door of a commercial bus.
    Under Magistrate Olalekan Aka-Bashorun conducting trial at Oshodi-Isolo local government where 10 people were arrested for obstructing traffic by crossing highways, they were however, set free with warning not to cross the highway again. Five street traders were convicted and fined N5000 each. 10 were convicted for street trading.

    From last week till Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the task force, Taofiq Adebayo said Task Force impounded 113 motorcycles, charged 199 out of 239 arrested miscreants while 31 were screened out.

    25 both commercial and private vehicles were arrested and issued tickets for various traffic offenses.

  • Okpekpe race organisers hail Lagos State govt

    • On successful organisation of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

    Organisers of the prestigious Okpekpe 10km road race have congratulated the Lagos State government on the successful organisation of the first Access Bank Lagos City Marathon last Saturday in Lagos.

    Mike Itemuagbor, owner of Okpekpe road race, the only IAAF labelled road race in Nigeria, believes Lagos State, particularly Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu have succeeded in putting Lagos on the map of the world as one of the destination areas as far as international marathons are concerned and wants the organisers of the Lagos City Marathon to build on the successes they  recorded in this first edition.

    ‘I want to sincerely congratulate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his total commitment to the organisation of the race which many have adjudged to be very successful. It shows that he is a sports loving governor,” said Itemuagbor.

    ‘I also want to congratulate Deji Tinubu as well as the Athletic Federation of  Nigeria for a job well done,”he  said and hopes this race and the Okpekpe 10km road race can help nurture that culture of long distance running that was aborted following the controversy that trailed the last full marathon held in Lagos in the 90s.

    Apart from the athletics and tourism benefits that can be derived from the organisation of the Lagos City Marathon, Itemuagbor also wants the government to promote the health benefits inherent in running long distance road races as well as use the marathon to promote specific purposes or events or projects.

    ‘The health benefits in running a marathon or any road race are huge. Beyond helping you to lose or maintain weight, there are lots of other health benefits,” said Itemuagbor.

    “Running will strengthen your heart and ensure the efficient flow of blood and oxygen throughout your body, which helps decrease your risk of a heart attack,”he said. He believes if a culture of running is developed,it will lead to people engaging in exercises which is one of the best ways to naturally reduce blood pressure if it’s above normal and it can help keep high cholesterol in check.

    “Running also improves your immune system, so your body functions are more effective and efficient at fighting off germs,”he added.

    Itemuagbor also wants the organisers to use the race to promote specific events or projects.

    ‘We are using the fourth edition of the 10km Okpekpe road race on May 7 in Okpekpe to promote cancer awareness among the rural women in the locality.I will like the organisers of the Lagos City Marathon to have this in mind when planning for the second edition,”he said.

  • Lagos inaugurates mobile courts to fight impunity on roads

    Lagos inaugurates mobile courts to fight impunity on roads

    The Lagos state government Friday inaugurated five mobile courts buses for road traffic offenders with a pledge to end impunity on the roads.

    Both the state Attorney General, Kazeem Adeniji and the Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade‎ issued the warning at the inauguration of five buses that serve as mobile which held at the High court premises, Ikeja.

    Justice Atilade who observed that most traffic offenders often evade the consequences of their misdeed warned that it would no longer be business as usual for them.

    The Chief Judge warned; “Let it be made known‎ to all that the era of recklessness and impunity on our public roads and highways are gone.

    “Those who chose to make life difficult for other people, especially on our roads should have a re-think, as they would henceforth be held accountable for their misdeeds.”

    Justice Atilade pointed out that flagrant disregard and violation of traffic rules with impunity is unacceptable and urged the people of the state to discourage and condemned the act.

    She identified with the commitment of the state to fully enforce the extant traffic laws and take stiffer measures against road traffic offenders.

    She said the judiciary will, on its part, remain committed ‎and stop at nothing to back the initiative of the government.

    Earlier, the state Attorney General, ‎Kazeem Adeniji remarked that the mobile courts which represented institutional reaction to identified societal changes will facilitate prompt and immediate trial of road traffic and environmental offenders.

    Adeniji listed offences to be tried by the court to include‎ “persons, including motorcyclists, who drive against traffic, refuse to obey traffic signs like Zebra Crossings and Traffic Lights indications, crossing the highways where Pedestrian Bridges are provided, driving on the BRT by non-designated vehicle and parking at undesignated places,  commercial buses on motion with their doors open thereby endangering lives of both their passengers and other road users, noise pollution and street trading, amongst others.”

    He expressed hope that the reduction in the commission of these traffic offences will determine how much Lagos has progressed as a civilised society.

    The state Attorney General said that the mobile courts will operate in accordance

    with Schedule 2 to the Special Offences Court Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015 for the Mobile Court’s rules of procedure and with the rules of natural justice, equity and good conscience in line with Constitutional provisions of fair hearing.

    He said the courts will be presided over by Magistrates and that there will be Prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice and defence Lawyers from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) who will be readily available to those defendants who so desire.

    Adeniji said ‎traffic congestion can become history in Lagos State if Lagosians resolve to make it history.

  • Lagos issues two-week ultimatum to illegal abattoir operators

    Lagos issues two-week ultimatum to illegal abattoir operators

    As part of the measures to curb the spread of unwholesome processed meat and meat products, the Lagos State Government has read the riot act to operators of illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the state.

    According to the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau, the warning became necessary in order to guarantee wholesomeness in the process of meat which Lagosians consume.

    The Commissioner who disclosed this in his office, stressed that it is necessary to monitor the whole process of meat handling right from the Animal Markets to the Abattoir, and even transportation, saying that government has handled significantly the distribution aspect by introducing the Eko Refrigerated Meat Van which is now used to transport meat rather than the former obnoxious meat transportation.

    “Government will continue to close down illegal Abattoirs and Slaughter Slabs which are not hygienic and not in compliant with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state,’’ Suarau said.

    He said that the issue of animal slaughtering is still a big issue because a lot of animals must be inspected before and after slaughtering according to the meat inspection law.

    “The danger with unrecognized abattoirs is that the animals slaughtered there are not inspected by veterinary professionals to detect the one that has diseased or pregnant ones because it is illegal to slaughter pregnant animal,’’ he revealed.

    The Commissioner stressed that Government is giving all operators of unauthorized abattoir within the State two week to close down operations.

    He however disclosed that two-week ultimatum has been given to the operators of illegal abattoirs located within Military Cantonments and Barracks in the State, where Veterinary Officers are denied access, stressing that Government can no longer tolerate such illegal practice.

    According to Suarau, “We have veterinary officers deployed to all recognised abattoirs in the state to inspect and certify the meat hygienic for human consumption and that is why we are advocating that all illegal abattoirs in State should be shut down.”

    The Commissioner further disclosed that the authorised abattoirs in the state are Abattoir and Lairage Complex Agege, Achakpo Mechanized Abattoir Ajegunle, Ologe Mechanized Abattoir Badagry (Under construction), Matori Slaughter Slab, Itire Slaughter Slab, Ilaje Slaughter Slab, Ikorodu Slaughter Slab, Badagry Slaughter Slab and Epe Slaughter Slab.

    He however reiterated that Government will continue to clamp down and arrest operators of any abattoirs within the nook and crannies of the state that is not officially recognized.

  • Lagos gives 7-day ultimatum to residents on gated streets

    Lagos gives 7-day ultimatum to residents on gated streets

    Lagos State Government has given seven days ultimatum to residents to keep to the directives that gates or barricades leading to major roads in the state, is locked between 12 mid night and 5am with manned security guards to allow free flow of vehicular movement.

    State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami, who revisited the directive yesterday at a press conference, said the government will not hesitate to remove gates of streets where residents fail to comply.

    According to him, “this is a serious issue and we are not taking it likely with anyone, residents have within seven days to comply with this directive or have their gates remove.”

    He assured residents of security, saying that government officials will go round to make sure that people comply with the government directives.

    Earlier, Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Affairs, Mr. Tajudeen Quadri, who addressed journalists alongside the commissioner and Special Adviser to the Governor on communication and Community Affairs, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said recent trends revealed that some residents have abandoned the directives.

    He said the development have given rise to come back of street gates even streets that never had them before are now erecting theirs fortified with all manner of objects.

    Quadri recalled that before 2009 when the government came up with the directive, it was observed that streets where gates are under lock and key constitutes serious bottleneck and makes it difficult for police, fire service and vehicle on emergency to go through when carrying out their legitimate duties.

    He said it also constitutes obstructions to traffic, especially in areas where such streets gates or barricades are on the roads meant to serve as thoroughfares or alternative links.

    Also affected are pregnant women in Labour and sick people of which some has lost their lives because they were unable to get through to hospitals because their gates where lock with no security guards to attend to them.

    He recalled the inconveniences the situation has cause, stressing that henceforth leaders of community must ensure that residents comply with the directives to avoid pulling down their gates.

    He recalled the inconveniences gated streets have caused residents who have to walk round to access their area, while adding that some gates are deliberately locked for purposes of allowing roads to be used for parties.

    He said government is revisiting the directives on the gates and barricades, with the aim of solving the challenges posed by the unrestricted erection of street gates all over the state.