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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos gets new customary court president, members

    Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, yesterday swore in four new Customary Court presidents and two members.

    They are Mr Ojora-Adejiyan Adeyinka, Mrs Ogunsanwo Adeola, Mr Sodimu Idowu, Mrs Keshinro Aramide. The members are Mrs Olaoye Oredola and Mr Shonowo Ayoola.

    Justice Oke urged them to do justice without fear or favour and to have the fear of God.

    She said: “As customary court judges and members, you must act with a high level of decorum and within the dictates of your conscience. The fundamental rights, freedoms and principles underpinning our Constitutional Democracy must guide you.”

    According to her, they must be above board, warning that the Judicial Service Commission would sanction erring members. Justice Oke said they must shun corruption.

    “Let it resound in your hearts at all times that as Customary Court Judges and members, you are to maintain a high standard of judicial conduct.

    “In addition to good morals, judicial etiquettes and high ideals of conduct, it is equally important that your knowledge of the native law and custom of the people must be exceptional.

    “It is now abundantly clear that a judge who is not fully aware of the law can ruin lives by interpreting the law wrongly and thereafter giving the wrong judgment.

    “It was in the light of this that the Commission conducted a thorough screening from which you emerged as the best candidates based on your track record, integrity, ability and qualifications, and were therefore appointed without any unwarranted interference, whether externally or otherwise,” she said.

    The CJ said customary court’s jurisdiction has been expanded. She urged them to enhance their knowledge of case management especial with their increased workload.

    She added: “The Lagos State Judicial Service Commission and I have the burning desire for the Customary Court of Lagos State to achieve distinction and we urge you to buy into this and assiduously work towards it”.

    Lagos State Judicial Service Commission Executive Secretary Mrs Olubukola Salami reminded the new appointees that their conduct and carriage would come under public scrutiny.

  • Our plan to decongest Apapa road, by truck owners

    Truck owners have unveiled their plan to decongest the port access roads at Apapa, Lagos.

    They said plans were at an advanced stage to ensure that the roads were not used as parking lot.

    Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) Chairman Remi Ogungbemi said a new regime requiring only trucks with letters to move to the ports was being put in place.

    According to him, truck drivers and owners will be undergoing training on how to get the call-up letters before going to the port.

    Any truck without such letter will be parked at the holding bays or garages to avoid congesting the roads, Ogungbemi said.

    He frowned on extortion of money from members at ports by security agents.

    Ogungbemi said members had been told not to bow to any form of intimidation by security agents operating on the port access roads.

    Ogungbemi said despite the denial by security agents, the unlawful payments were still going on under coercion.

    “Each truck is made to pay between N80,000 and N100,000 before entering the ports and this happens more at night. We are now urging all our members to stop the payment no matter the intimidation,” he said.

    He assured members that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was behind the body in this move. He sought members’ cooperation to guarantee success in stopping the unlawful payments, which, according to him, has increased the cost of doing business in the port.

    “We are aware some people do benefit from a state of confusion like what obtains on port roads. Such people will not want the confusion to stop, but we are determined to achieve success,” Ogunremi said.

     

  • Lagos releases 2019 calendar of art events

    Lagos State government has released the 2019 calendar of events for arts, culture and entertainment.

    The calendar which is on the state website and in print form contains more than 80 events that are either state sponsored or simply endorsed and supported by the Lagos State government.

    In a press statement issued on Sunday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Abosede Adelaja, the Calendar is “designed to frontload major state-sponsored and privately-driven arts, culture and entertainment events that will have positive impact on tourism promotion and the creative economy.

    The calendar also consists of different festivals like Eebi  Epe; Kayokayo; Agboremireke; Egungun; Ikorodu Oga and Zangbeto festival.

    On the calendar, the state intends to celebrate both the World Theatre Day on March 27th and World Dance Day in April while also listing the iRep Documentary Festival and the Eko Film Festival among its first quarter programming.

    “This novel idea of creating a calendar of events for state-sponsored and state-endorsed programmes commenced in 2018 to make event planning, tour bookings and business decisions easier for tour operators and the general public,” according to Adelaja; adding that last year’s calendar assisted the state in projecting many of its events with inherent benefits that made the state attractive to domestic tourists; business travellers and stop-over visitors.

    “The state has enjoyed a considerable increase in the consumption of its tourism products by improving access to tourism information and creating an events guide for the media and tour bloggers.”

    Although not exhaustive, the calendar, Adelaja explained, will be updated periodically online in order to accommodate more events whenever organisers bring such to the attention of government.

    Other major events listed in the calendar include Gidi Culture Festival, Lagos Water Regatta and Fanti Carnival and the Arise Fashion Show around the Easter Period. Also listed are the International Jazz Day celebration on April 30; the Lagos Comedy Festival on May 5 and the Lagos Film Fest scheduled to be hosted at the Eko Theatres in Epe, Badagry, Opebi and Igando. The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is listed to return to Lagos in June while the Lagos Festival of Plays and the Lagos Poetry Festival highlight the third quarter of the year. Others are the Lagos Fishing Festival (Oshoroko) in Ibeju-Lekki and West Africa’s leading tourism market fair, the Akwaaba Travel Market which will hold at Eko Convention Centre in September.

    October to December will be the most intense period on the calendar with MUSON Festival; Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF); Felabration; Lagos Books & Arts Festival (LABAF) as well as the One Lagos Fiesta are listed.

  • Lagos urges auditors on accountability

    Lagos State Government has urged auditors in its civil service to ensure accountability and transparency in the discharge of their duties.

    Head of Service Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola said this at a retreat for auditors of local governments at Lekki, Lagos.

    The theme is ‘Role of auditors in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Muri-Okunola said the 17 goals of the SDGs is no doubt a blueprint that will ensure better governance.

    He the economic state of the country calls for diligence and a high sense of responsibility among the auditors, who are “expected to perform their roles with accountability and transparency.”

    Muri-Okunola said: “The roles of auditors cannot be overemphasised. As we are, as government, business owners, auditing is about expenditure and is key to what the government can achieve at every level. We need you to double your efforts.

    “At this point when public trust is bestowed on you, transparency and accountability will help government serve the people better.”

    Accountant-General for Local Governments in Lagos Mrs Adesumbo Abolarin called on the auditors to equip themselves with emerging skills in line with international best practices for better performance.

    Abolarin, who noted that the 17 SDGs points aimed at addressing global challenges are no mere task to achieve, said auditors at the grassroots have a vital role to play.

    “Problems start when basic amenities and opportunities of life are not available to human beings.

    These basic amenities are in most cases responsibility of the local governments. You may agree with me that auditors have a vital role,” she said.

    She urged auditors to have the interest of the society at heart in their discharge of duties, saying “unless the basic needs of humanity are met, the risk of more parts of the country degenerating into unrest is higher.”

     

  • Sanwo-Olu promises women prominent positions in cabinet if elected

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to ensure full empowerment and integration of women in the decision making positions of the state, if voted into power.

    Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Thursday in Lagos at an interactive session organised by the Office of the APC Women Leader in Lagos.

    The interactive session, which attracted women professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and opinion leaders across the state, had the theme ‘Enabling, Empowering and Promoting Women: Our Pact’.

    He said that without women participation in the public discourse or decision making process, it would be difficult for the state to achieve sustainable development.

    ”If we are voted into power, we will make sure that key ministries such as finance, economic and budget planning, even the Secretary to the state government are supervised by women.

    ”Women will also take up prominent positions in our cabinet to support and prompt us to deliver efficiently.

    ”I believe that women are trustworthy, capable and competent, and they can make positive impact for the benefit of all,” Sanwo-Olu said

    The candidate also promised to procure two Linear Accelerator machines to reduce the burden of cancer among women.

    He said that his government would promote entertainment and tourism by establishing a Film Village in the state.

    Read Also: Group rallies support for Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

    Also speaking, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, urged women to support and work together to ensure victory for the APC in the elections.

    Adebule said that the party would continue to give women all the necessary support to promote their cause.

    She urged women to show their voting strength in the forthcoming general election by voting for Sanwo-Olu so as to get their deserved recognition.

    ”Sanwo-Olu is a tested and trusted individual, he is a brand that is ready to promote the cause of women in the state,” she said.

    Earlier in her address, Ms Jumoke Okoya-Thomas,  APC Women Leader, said that the session would give the participants the opportunity to assess the APC candidate and scrutinise his programmes and policies.

    According to her, career women are important to the state as the drivers of the economic and social fabrics of the Southwest.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo chairs NEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting which will deliberate on the minimum wage request, among other issues, started around 11.26am when Osinbajo arrived the Council chamber.

    After rendition of the National anthem, opening prayer was offered by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

    Read Also: We’ve credible plans to get Nigerians out of poverty, Says Osinbajo

    Among state governors in attendance included Lagos, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Niger, Ekiti, Bauchi,

    Among the deputy governors in the hall included Nasarawa and Ogun.

    Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

    Others at the meeting included Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefuele.

  • Lagos pledges support to netball

    To grow netball across the country, the Lagos State government has pledged its support for the sports to be popularise in schools across the state.

    According to the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Kweku Tandoh, the state would encourage schools to embrace the sport which has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an Olympic sport.

    Speaking at the second edition of the West African Netball Clubs Festival, which was held at the weekend in Lagos, Tandoh however charged the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Federal Ministry of Sports to ensure that the sport is spread across the country.

    “I can remember that when I was in school, it was one of the favourite game for the ladies but for one reason or the other, it went down. I think what BNB club is doing now is to bring it back and from what we are seeing now, the talent is there, the interest is there. We will support them moving forward. Netball is a competitive game and I see no reason why we can’t develop the sport from the schools level,” he said.

    He added: “There still a lot of work to be done and I think for the promoter, what they need to do is to try and create more awareness for the sport, take it to grassroots levels and not just in Lagos state because if Lagos is the only state that is playing netball, it will never become a national sports. We still have a long way to go and I believe the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will be their biggest allies in terms of ensuring that this game is spread across the country.

    For the President of Bringing Netball Back Club, Bimbo Smith, there is need for the sport to be encouraged at grassroots levels.

    The Bringing Netball Back Club of Lagos hosted the Rising Stars Netball Club of Accra, Ghana in a double header match as part of the efforts to popularize the sport among girls in schools.

    According to the President of the Netball Federation of Ghana, Emmanuel Nikoi said the championship was an opportunity to expose the players of the Ghanaian national team.

  • Kanu laments disrespect for court injunction on property

    Former Nigeria Super Eagles Captian, Nwakwo Kanu, on Monday said he was embittered by the illegal takeover of one of his properties, “Hardly Apartment’’, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, which was under litigation.

    Kanu told the News Agency of Nigeria in his Kanu Heart Foundation Office, Ikeja, that such trespass was against the court’s injunction.

    NAN reports that the said property, Hardly Apartment, is a subject of litigation and has been under temporary possession of AMCON since 2015 over alleged indebtedness.
    Kanu, fondly call “Papilo’’, said that he had been in the dark about the possession of the hotel until he went there to see for himself the latest development.

    “I have chosen to obey the court ruling on the property because the court has yet to award it to anyone, but I kept on receiving reports that work is ongoing on the property.

    “I decided to see the development on the property today myself, and I found out it is true. I cannot imagine a property that has a competent court order being trespassed.

    “We need to obey the court ruling on the property. There will be a court sitting this month, but to my surprise it has been taken over before the court ruling.

    “It really hurts me to see that a property under litigation and that an injunction of a court could be disregarded with work ongoing there. I am a law abiding citizen and I think people should respect that,’’ he said.

    Kanu said he had paid his due to the country as a patriotic citizen right from his teen, while promising to do more under a right atmosphere.

    “I want to say that people are looking up to us. The country wants us to come and invest in Nigeria which we have done, but this should not be the result we are getting.

    “I so much believe in Nigeria right from my tender age when I represented the country at the age of 17 and I have remained patriotic winning several honours for the country.

    “I also believe that having properties like this will create jobs for the people who are looking up to us but such investment is what some want to take away illegally and forcefully.

    Read Also: Buhari, ministers hold emergency FEC meeting

    “As a patriotic citizen, our investment should be better protected than being taken over illegally,’’ he said.

    Kanu said that proceeds from the property was one of the sources of his funding the Kanu Heart Foundation Project, but added that he had been left to rue his loss.

    “It is because of my belief in Nigeria that I put on the property and in the face of provocation; I have remained committed to my foundation.

    “Kanu Heart Foundation sources for funds and the property is one of the major financiers of the project. Since 2015, I have been sourcing for funds to carry on the project.

    “Kanu Heart Foundation has been able to sponsor about 514 patients, while about 200 are on the waiting list. I have no habit of asking from people for funds without me supplying the larger percentage.

    “The foundation wants to help more people but the funds are been hampered; so, I want those concerned to obey the law,’’ he said.

    He also appealed to the government to intervene in the matter not for himself but for the many heart patients that have yet to benefit from the treatment offered by the foundation.

  • Atiku accuses Buhari, APC of using state resources, apparatuses for campaign

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state resources as apparatuses for electioneering campaign.

    Describing the action as a violation of the nation’s electoral laws, Atiku said Buhari and the APC have been acting contrary to claims by the President that he would not use state resources for election.

    In a statement Thursday by his media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, the PDP presidential candidate called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction President Buhari and the APC for violating the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    The statement said, “Recall that the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu had in December of last year warned incumbent office holders against using state resources or apparatuses for their campaigns, or deploying same against their opponents.

    “Prof. Yakubu, who issued the warning at a lecture titled “Political corruption and other emerging issues for the 2019 elections” in Abuja, noted that the commission has the power to monitor campaign financing and sources of funds according to the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    “However, in negation of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, the Buhari administration and the APC has taken to the illegal deployment of state resources to its advantage for the election.

    Read Also: Atiku blames APC for joblessness, insecurity

    “We wish to remind President Buhari and the APC that the use of state videos released by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is illegal under the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    “The media is awash with advertisements with the hashtag #PMBDIDIT and signed by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and referencing so-called achievements of the APC administration in the states of Abia, Kwara, Lagos, Ebonyi, Delta and Kano, among others”.

    These, Atiku said, were without doubt, 2019 presidential campaign materials produced by the Ministry of Information and Culture using state resources and apparatuses to benefit President Buhari.

    “This appalling conduct, which is clearly in violation of Section 100 of the Electoral Act, is even more shocking when it is recalled that the state resources being used to the illegal advantage of President Buhari are being drawn from agencies which for over three years, prior to this election, failed to perform their duties to the benefit of Nigerian citizens. The Ministry of Information and Culture must stop this illegality immediately.

    “We demand that INEC issues an immediate cease and desist order to both the Ministry of Information and Culture and to the broadcast channels running it.

    “We also insist that INEC register the media spend behind it as part of the APC’s total N1 billion campaign spend limit.

    “Fortunately, INEC is alert to this danger and itself warned the ruling party to refrain from such conduct. Now that the party has clearly flouted the law in negation of the electoral umpire’s warning, we urge that INEC sanctions them accordingly”.

  • Photos: Ongoing repairs of Lagos rail tracks