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  • I’ll lift Lagos workers higher, Sanwo-Olu promises

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday promised to make workers welfare his priority if elected.

    He spoke at a consultative meeting with civil servants at Alausa, the seat of power in Lagos.

    A tumultuous crowd of workers from all local government areas of the state converged on Adeyemi Bero Hall in Alausa to listen to the promises and programmes of the APC candidate.

    Workers’ welfare, Sanwo-Olu pledged, will be a priority of his administration if elected, promising that he would run a listening government to which every worker will have access.

    The governorship candidate, who was accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, described the meeting as “a homecoming,” saying they were moved to tears, seeing the crowd of civil servants who welcomed them.

    Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat served as Commissioners in the state.

    He said: “We have developed our programmes to address the current challenges facing Lagos and also to set the template for the realisation of a Greater Lagos that will be the pride of the black race.

    “This is the message we have been telling 25 million Lagosians on the campaign trail.

    “To achieve these goals, we believe there is need for a knowledgeable public service that will drive these policies and programmes.

    “Our programmes will not be effectively implemented and our objectives achieved without the readiness of the public servants to work with us as the drivers of these policies and promises made to Lagosians.

    Read Also: Lagos artistes declare support for Buhari, Sanwo Olu

    “Most of our programmes will be technology-driven and we feel there is need to meet with you and prepare you ahead.”

    All the government offices, Sanwo-Olu assured, will be equipped with free Wi-Fi to promote seamless communications among government workers.

    He promised that his government would bring back international capacity building and training opportunities for workers but said the condition for selecting beneficiaries would be strictly be based on merit.

    Speaking on his plans to reposition the state economy, the APC candidate said his government would be investing in power to create a 24-hour economy, pledging improved security across the state to drive investment.

    For his government, Sanwo-Olu said implementation of the recently introduced minimum wage is non-negotiable, promising the workers’ salaries would not be delayed beyond 27th day of every month.

    He said: “I am using this opportunity to assure our hardworking civil servants that my government will fully implement the minimum wage.

    “You can trust me on this because I introduced the current minimum wage in the state when I was the commissioner.

    “I will run a listening government and every worker will have access to us.”

    The governorship candidate also promised not to abandon the projects started by the outgoing government, reassuring workers that his administration would improve on the achievements recorded by the current government.

    The Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who led the workers to the event, described Sanwo-Olu’s programmes as “brilliant ideas”, pleading workers’ cooperation to achieve the goals.

    Also at the event included the Chairman of the party in Lagos, Hon. Tunde Balogun, and the Director-General of the Sanwo-Olu campaign group, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, among others.
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  • Why we dispersed ‘free Lagos’ rally, by Police

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on Thursday explained the ‘free Lagos’ campaign at Ikeja Airport Hotel was disrupted because the organisers did not notify the police about the gathering and were faceless.

    Organisers of the rally, Orange Movement, had alleged that policemen deployed to the venue had tear-gassed them, alleging they were hoodlums.

    Among the conveners of the event were former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); Spokesperson Afenifere Group Yinka Odumakin and Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, who were yet to arrive the venue at the time of the incident.

    While some participants had already seated inside Oranmiyan Hall where the event was to hold, it was gathered that others were stopped by a detachment of armed policemen mobilised to the scene from entering the hall.

    In the ensuing drama, the policemen fired several shots to disperse the crowd with people running helter-skelter within the premises.

    At a briefing with reporters on Thursday evening, Muazu confirmed he ordered dispersal of the group.

    According to Muazu, the command had to take proactive measures to prevent an accident similar to the spontaneous celebration by hoodlums at Okokomaiko on Wednesday that resulted to violence.

    Read Also: No tribe under threat in Lagos– Police

    He said that although citizens have right to organise peaceful protest, they are to notify the police in writing, adding that the Public Order Act was still being enforced.

    The police chief said information was received a rally the police were not informed of, adding that following Wednesday”s incident, he prevented a possible breakdown of law and order by hoodlums.

    He said: “It is against the law for anyone or group of persons to organize any public procession without getting approval from the police considering the tense situation in the state.”

  • No tribe under threat in Lagos- Police

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on Thursday said no ethnic group or tribe was under any threat in the state.

    He urged Nigerians to dismiss fake and provocative posts on social media alleging that Igbo traders in Lagos were being prevented to go about their businesses, assuring that the state was peaceful.

    The police chief spoke at a briefing with reporters on Thursday evening where he also assured that security arrangements have been reviewed following few cases of violence recorded in the state on Election Day at Okokomaiko on Wednesday.

    Muazu also warned those circulating such provocative posts to desist, stressing that the police would identify, isolate and bring them to justice.

    “One serious issue the command is contending with now is the menace of fake news circulated on the social media, on a plan attack on Igbo traders in Lagos especially, in Oshodi and other prominent markets by hoodlums.

    “The command did not only debunk such rumours but took practical steps to reassure the Igbo communities and all other residents of Lagos State of their safety.

    Read Also: Police to strengthen security in Lagos

    “We made massive deployments of our special force to streets and markets as well as vulnerable areas.

    “We equally arranged town hall meetings over the last few days. Yesterday (Wednesday), we met with Igbo trading community led by Eze Ndi Igbo of Oshodi, Hausa community and Yoruba Community and others.”

    He added: “Let me reemphasis that Lagos State is peaceful and Lagosians are peace loving people.

    “There is no tribe or community under threat in any part of the state. Our patrol and surveillance are intensified.

    “We have reviewed and redoubled our strategies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections come March 9.

    “I call on Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses and to continue to support the police to serve them better by being vigilant and report any suspicious movement or persons to the police through our emergency numbers.”

    The police chief said the principal suspect of the Okota election disruption who was pelted with stones by a mob would be prosecuted.

    He confirmed that Demola had been discharged from the hospital and was being treated as principal suspect, adding the police would get the names of other suspects from him.

    The commissioner also said that the command had learnt lessons from the way the hoodlums who disrupted elections in Okota operated, adding that they would not allow such incident again.

    He said the restriction of movement during the governorship election would be total and that no motorcycles, tricycles will be allowed near polling units.

    Muazu explained the hoodlums did not come at once and came from different directions, adding they parked their motorcycles close to the polling unit and once they noticed they had a sizeable number, attacked voters.

    He said the command would hold meeting with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and also members of motorcyclists association on Friday to ensure they do not allow themselves to be used by any trouble maker.

  • Three feared killed, policemen injured in Lagos clash

    Three persons were yesterday feared killed and many others, including policemen, injured after violence broke out at Alaba Rago in Lagos State.

    It was gathered that violence erupted at Okokomaiko before noon when some youths celebrated the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s election on the expressway.

    Sources said the youths, armed with cutlasses and bottles, sang songs of victory from Alaba Rago and marched towards Okokomaiko, blocking the expressway and challenging other road users.

    They were said to have resorted to violence at Okokomaiko, attacking traders and destroying their shops.

    A woman, who identified herself as Blessing, said: “They came from Alaba Rago and were celebrating President Buhari’s victory. They shouted Sai Baba and marched towards Okokomaiko.

    “When they got to Okokomaiko, they started destroying traders’ goods and this made them (traders) to run for fear.

    “The hoodlums went to Okokomaiko Police Division and the officers tried to stop them, but they were violent. They attacked the officers and injured some of the policemen.

    “We heard gunshots and later news started spreading that they killed one of the policemen. Parents ran to schools to take their children.

    “Vehicles were not moving on this busy road because the youths also burnt tyres. It was terrible. Soldiers later came to restore peace.”

    A meat seller, Sule, condemned the violence, saying it made it impossible for him to sell.

    “I am from the North and those who caused this violence are also from the North. I have not sold anything since morning. What will I do with this meat now?” he said.

    A motorcyclist said policemen arrested some people when they got to the scene. He, however, alleged that those arrested were innocent bystanders and not the perpetrators of the violence.

    At the time of this report, policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and soldiers were still on the scene. An RRS helicopter was hovering over the area.

    The police yesterday morning averted a clash between hoodlums on Lagos Island after a faction attempted to prevent traders from opening their shops.

    The Nation learnt that hoodlums stormed Oluwole, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tinubu, Bamgbose and Alli streets around 9am, accusing traders of not voting for their candidates during last Saturday’s elections.

    They were, however, confronted by another faction, who found their actions to be provocative.

    Policemen from Area ‘A’ Command intervened to stem a potential crisis.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said 37 suspects were arrested at Alaba Rago, adding that investigation had begun.

    He confirmed that the hoodlums attacked police vehicles and injured personnel who attempted to take them off the highway.

    Oti said: “Some youths blocked the highway and information was sent to the police. Policemen on traffic control duty were deployed and they tried to make them to leave the road, but they attacked the policemen. Some policemen sustained injuries. Reinforcement was dispatched to the scene and 37 persons were arrested. Investigation is on.

    “There was no crisis on Lagos Island. What happened was that hoodlums were about to confront themselves and policemen were quickly deployed to avoid clash.”

  • Three killed, policemen injured as youths clash in Lagos

    …Police arrest 37, avert another clash

    Three persons were on Wednesday feared killed and many others including policemen injured after violence broke out at Alaba Rago in Lagos.

    It was gathered that violence erupted at Okokomaiko before noon when youths in their hundreds stormed the express in celebration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration as winner of last Saturday’s presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    According to sources, the youths armed with cutlasses and bottles sang songs of victory from Alaba Rago and marched towards Okokomaiko blocking the entire expressway and challenging other road users.

    They were said to have resorted to violence at Okokomaiko, where they attacked traders and vandalised their shops as ‘punishment’.

    A woman who identified herself as Blessing said: “They came from Alaba Rago and were celebrating President Buhari’s victory. They were also shouting Sai Baba and marching towards Okokomaiko.

    “But as soon as they got to Okokomaiko, they started destroying traders’ wares and this made the traders to run for fear of their lives.

    “The hoodlums marched to the Okokomaiko Police Division and the officers there triedbto stop them but they were violent. They attacked the officers and injured some of the policemen.

    “We heard gunshots and later news started flying that they killed one of the policemen. This issue has been on since morning. Parents ran to schools to take their children.

    “Vehicles were not moving on this busy road because they also burnt tyres. It was terrible. It was the army that later came and restored peace.

    A meat seller Sule condemned the violence, lamenting that it made it impossible for him to ply his trade.
    “I am from the north and those who caused this issue are also from the north. I have not sold anything since morning. What will I do with all this meat now?” Sule lamented.

    A motorcyclist said policemen made some arrest when they got to the scene, but alleged that those arrested were innocent bystanders and not the perpetrators of the violence.

    At the time of this report, policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and soldiers were still at the scene. An RRS helicopter was also hovering the area.

    Meanwhile the police averted a clash between hoodlums in Lagos Island Wednesday morning after a faction made to obstruct traders from opening their shops.
    It was gathered that some hoodlums had stormed Oluwole, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tinubu, Bamgbose and Alli Streets around 9am, accusing traders of not voting their preferred candidates during the last election.
    They were however confronted by another faction who found their actions to be provocative and in bad taste.

    It was gathered that both faction engaged in a heated brawl and were close to attacking each other when policemen from Area A Command intervened.

    Contacted, police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said 37 suspects were arrested at the Alaba Rago incident, adding that investigation had commenced.

    Oti confirmed the hoodlums attacked police vehicles and injured personnel who made to take them off the highways.

    He said: “Some youths blocked the highway and information was sent to the police. Policemen on traffic control duty were deployed and they tried to get them to leave the road but they attacked the policemen. Some policemen sustained injuries. Reinforcement was dispatched to the scene and 37 persons were arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

    “There was no crisis at Lagos Island. What happened was that hoodlums were about to confront themselves and policemen were quickly deployed to avoid any incident.“

  • Ohanaeze: no crisis between Igbos, Yorubas in Lagos

    The Igbo community has no issues whatever with its Yoruba hosts in Lagos State, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze has declared.

    President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Solomon Aguene, dismissed reports of tension between the two ethnic groups, describing them as handiworks of mischief-makers.

    He said insinuations of a deep-seated acrimony and suspicion between Igbos and Yorubas on the account of political affinities were untrue.

    Aguene told reporters on Wednesday in Lagos that the Igbo community remains grateful to its Yoruba hosts and will do nothing to alter the mutually beneficial relationship between the two.

    According to him: “The Igbos in Lagos are active contributors to the thriving Lagos economy through their individual and collective enterprise and industry helping to open up new economic and investment corridors in Lagos State.

    “The Yorubas on the other hand have warmly welcomed and received the Igbos offering access to choice political and economic opportunities.

    “To cement this very cordial relationship between the Igbos and the Yorubas, sons and daughters of Igboland over the years have been appointed or elected to enviable positions of leadership here in Lagos.”

    He said though there were pockets of skirmishes during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in some parts of the state, especially in Okota, they had nothing to do with the cordial relationship the Igbos have enjoyed over the years from their Yoruba host communities.

    While describing the Yoruba people as the best friend of the Ndigbo in Lagos and beyond, he advised Ndigbo residents in Lagos and their host communities not to allow some mischievous elements to destroy the long standing friendship between them.

    Chief Ogbona said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, being the umbrella body of Ndigbos, has met with constituted authorities in the state, and has received the assurance that no such crisis exist.

    Read Also; Ohanaeze warns against manipulating results in South East

    “We therefore call on all citizens to remain law abiding, and respecting constituted authorities, we urge them to go about their normal businesses while we iron out all the grey areas including the immediate and remote causes of the alleged breach of public peace and possible solutions to prevent reoccurrence,” he stressed.

    He also called on all political actors and government authorities in the state to begin to take steps to address noticeable gaps and trust deficits leading to regular ethnic disharmony in Lagos.

    “We call on the Lagos State Government, the National Orientation Agency, the political actors and other critical stakeholders to do more in terms of orientation to help douse inter-ethnic rivalry, jealousy and mistrust,” he added.

    National leader of the People of south East Region (POSER) Amb. Obuesi Phillips, said most often the people creating the crisis were not from the southeast.

    He added that Ohanaeze and POSER have been advocating for a peaceful co-existence between Igbo residents in Lagos and their Yoruba host communities.

    He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the AFENIFERE for their fatherly role in nipping the challenge in the bud and praised Police authorities for the swift response to the very ugly incident, he alleged was engineered to taint the already existing cordial relationship between the Igbos and the Yorubas in Lagos.
    He said the Igbos in Lagos have pledged to continue to work assiduously for the advancement of the Centre of Excellence.

  • Teenager charged with robbery

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded an 18-year-old motorcyclist, Sodiq Adedeji, in prison for allegedly robbing a man of his motorcycle, valued at N250,000, with a knife.

    Chief Magistrate Mr. A. A. Fashola remanded Adedeji in Kirikiri Prison and ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    Adedeji, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge bordering on robbery, but his plea was not taken.

    Read also: Court frees director, brother on charges of non-declaration of assets

    Prosecuting Sergeant Michael Unah said the defendant committed the offences with others at large on December 28 last year at about 5:01am at Oniwaya junction, Agege, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant armed himself with a knife and other dangerous weapons and robbed the complainant, Mr. Lanre Soremi, of his motorcycle.

    Unah said the complainant shouted and the defendant was apprehended by passers-by.

    He said the offences contravened sections 296 and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

    The case continues on March 10.

     

     

  • Hajj: Lagos begins medical test

    The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSMPWB) yesterday said the first phase of medical test of intending pilgrims has commenced.

    The test, the board said, is to certify the health condition of the pilgrims.

    LSMPWB’s Secretary, Mr Ishola Rahman, emphasised the importance of the medical test to include ensuring that all applicants are healthy and fit to perform the exercise.

    He reiterated the commitment of the board to fulfil all righteousness as dictated by the Saudi Arabian Authority.

    Ishola said: “Intending pilgrims should not to hide their health status. This would jeopardise the effective management of their health and may result in unforeseen circumstances, which may either lead to disqualification if later discovered or lead death if unknown.”

    He further stated that Lagos is known for quality management of their pilgrims and this year must not fall short of such trust.

    Rahman appealed to all intending pilgrims that the earlier their illnesses is identified, the better for them as there will be opportunity for early commencement of necessary treatments.

    The intending pilgrims are advised to visit the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital’s Laboratory (LASUTH), Ikeja for the first phase of the medical test after collecting their application and Pre- Hajj screening forms from the board.

     

  • Two women docked over alleged N334, 000 fraud

    Two women were yesterday brought before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over allegations of N334, 000 fraud.

    The defendants, Tatiana Dike, 41, and Adenike Freeman, 74, who live in Surulere are being tried on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraudulently obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Jan. 21 at No. 8 Adenowo Str., Ikate Surulere.

    “The defendants obtained N337, 000 from one Esther Okwara under the pretext of renting a mini flat apartment at No. 8 Adenowo Street, Ikate Surulere,” Osayande said.

    She submitted that the defendants, who were alleged to have deliberately swindled Okwara, failed to procure the apartment as promised.

    The prosecutor said that offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 325 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety each in like sum.

    Adelaja said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    She adjourned the case until March 18 for mention.

  • Lagos and the physically challenged

    Sir: It is quite pleasant to note that that the Lagos State government is constantly stepping up on its care and support for the physically challenged in the state. Recently, the state government doled out entrepreneur empowerment fund and assorted assistive devices to people living with disability.  No fewer than one thousand physically challenged benefitted from the exercise while numerous others were provided with assistive devices.

    Additionally, various bodies such as Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (Lagos Chapter), Lagos State Association of the Deaf, National Association of the Blind, Association of Parents of Children Living with Intellectual Disability, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (NSCIAN), Lagos Chapter, The Dwarf Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter and Lagos State Albinism Society received financial grants ranging from two million naira (N2,000,000) to five hundred  thousand (N500,000).

    It will be recalled that, in order to passionately and holistically address the plight of the physically challenged in the society, the Lagos State Special People’s Law was passed in June 2011. The law seeks to uphold the rights of all persons living with any form of disability in Lagos State by safeguarding them against all forms of discrimination and giving them equal rights and opportunities. The passage of the law gave birth to the establishment of Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA). The first governing board was inaugurated on 9th July, 2012 and charged with implementing the law.

    The law compels employers of up to 100 personnel to reserve at least one percent of the workforce for persons with disabilities. Also, it has become a crime in the state to discriminate against any person with disability because of physical challenge. The state also provides rights of children with disability; right to education; right to healthcare services; right to freedom of communication; right to public transport; right to drive and reservation at parking lots.

    Other rights include provision of facilities at public buildings; right to legal aid; rights of tenants with disability; public functions; rights under emergency situations; right to first consideration in queues; right to 5% of accommodation reservation consideration and rights to social security among others.

    While commending the Lagos State government for its concerted efforts at transforming the lives of the physically challenged in the state, it is important to emphasize that as a nation and a people and for obvious reason, we need to impact more meaningfully on the lives of these special people. We need to take a cue from what a nation like America has achieved with its Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. Thanks to the Act, transportation, public facilities and many services in the United States are more accessible to the physically challenged in the country.

    With ADA, many city buses and trains have lifts or ramps for wheelchairs, priority seating signs, handrails, slip-resistant flooring, and information stamped in Braille. Emergency call centers are equipped with telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs), and federally funded public service announcements have closed captioning. Most importantly, ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in job recruitment, hiring, promotions, training or pay. ADA’s provisions have enabled many people to live independently, despite any physical or mental disability, and have helped protect their rights.

    For us in Nigeria, the overall emphasis should be on more inclusion of the physically challenged within the larger society. We need to make them have a sense of wider acceptance in the society by supporting them as much as we could. We need to treat them as our fellow compatriots. It is only in doing this that we can make them walk through life with a smile and renewed hope.

     

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi,

    Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.