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Tag: lagos

  • Police arraign teenager for sexually abusing seven year-old girl

    The police on Thursday, arraigned a 15-year-old teenager,  who allegedly sexually abused a seven-year-old girl in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, who lives at  No. Obanta St., GRA, Apapa, Lagos, is being charged with sexual abuse.

    The prosecutor, Insp Raphael Donny told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 26 at 4 p. m. at No. 4 Obanta St., GRA, Apapa, Lagos.

    Donny alleged that the accused lured the girl into a garage outside their compound and abused her.

    Read Also: Police arraign businessman for raping a minor

    The offence, he said is contrary to the provisions of  Section 28 of Child Rights Law of Lagos State 2015, (Revised)

    He pleaded not guilty of the charges.

    Chief Magistrate B. O. Osunsemi, in her ruling, admitted to the accused, to bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Osunsemi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.

    She adjourned the case until Dec. 19 for hearing.

  • Lagos vows to retain position as economic hub

    Lagos State will continue with its laudable programmes in order to retain its position as the country’s industrialisation hub, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He spoke during the 2018 Africa Industrialisation Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives.

    Represented by Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, Ambode said the projects embarked upon by the government were designed to create an enabling environment for industrialisation and sustain the state’s status as a prime investment destination.

    The task before the government, he said, was to encourage private sector participation through the implementation of policies and practices beneficial to the productive sectors of the economy.

    REad also: Policy on open defecation, urination coming in Lagos

    Ambode assured Lagosians of an open door policy aimed at harnessing productive potential, using the private sector as a vehicle of economic growth.

    The government, he said, was not oblivious of the challenges confronting entrepreneurs, stressing that it would engage the private sector to develop appropriate and sustainable solutions.

    A faculty member at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Salaudeen Jubril, said promoting regional value chains would accelerate regional, international trade and investment flows, increase competitiveness and facilitate industrialisation of many economies.

  • FG targets 30% in renewable energy mix by 2030 — Fashola

    In a bid to diversify its energy sources and optimise other assets for power production, Nigeria is targeting 30 per cent of its energy needs from renewable by 2030

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, made the assertion in a keynote address at the 2018 pre-conference workshop of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos on Monday.

    Fashola said that the current component of grid power consists mainly of gas-fired power (85%) and hydropower (15%), there was the need to produce an energy mix that targets a 30 per cent component of renewable energy out of the gross energy produced by 2030.

    “Let me be clear and unequivocal by saying upfront that our commitment as a nation and government to pursue renewable and low carbon energy at low cost is clear, firm and unshaking.

    “But this is not all. It is a commitment driven by necessity, contract and policy,” he said.

    The minister said that government had also matched its intent with actions such as signing 14 solar power purchase agreement (PPAs) with 14 developers with the potential to deliver over 1,000 MW of solar power.

    “In addition to the necessity to diversify our energy sources from gas and provide some energy security, we are also driven to pursue renewable energy by contract,” he said.

    He said that Africa must intensify efforts at improving transmission grid for renewable energy to be effectively developed on the continent.

    Fashola said that Nigeria as a committed member of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS, has adopted several international treaties and policies which promote the use of renewable energy.

    This, he said, was in line with the national vision to provide incremental power, and then steady and uninterrupted power.

    The minister said that the Federal Government recently approved an integrated energy mix targets under Electricity Vision 30:30:30 which targets generation of 30 GW in 2030, with 30 per cent from renewable energy sources.

    “Africa has trillions of standard cubic feet of natural gas reserves, billions of barrels of crude oil reserves and billions of tonnes of coal,” he said

    Read Also: Nine varsities to get solar plant, says Fashola

    The minister said that government had completed arrangements to concession six hydro dams to private operators under build, operate and transfer (BOT) scheme.

    He said the step was aimed at energising educational institutions and markets in the country.

    Fashola said: “These are government-led initiatives based on the rural electrification plan approved by the president in 2016 to provide access to power for rural dwellers and vulnerable members of our society.

    “We proposed to use six small hydro-dams that had been abandoned for decades, Federal Government owned universities and some markets as anchors.

    “Apart from the universities, where government is directly funding the intervention, the markets are being privately funded.

    “There are currently 15 markets under contemplation with Ariaria, Sabon Gari and Sura markets in Aba, Kano and Lagos respectively as flagships.”

    Fashola said that government was planning to concession six hydro dams to private operators to build, operate, and transfer.

    “Our thinking is simple. While the whole value chain and power privatization gradually evolves, it is possible to create oases of success by showing to our children that they can have reliable power while in school.

    “If that is a reason to get children to school and keep them there, certainly, no good business can oppose this.

    “Indeed, it seems to me sensible to expect that the future of today’s business and even government rests solely on the quality of education that the current generations of students get.

    “As for the markets, the 37,000 shops in Ariaria, about 13,000 in Sabon Gari, and about 1,000 in Sura represent SMEs, where the majority of our people earn a living,’’ he said.

    Dr Andrew Ejayeriese, the President of NAPE, said that Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa and the 22nd globally, adding that it was projected that the economy could rise through the world ranking to top 10 in 2050 with a projected GDP of 46.4 trillion dollars.

    Ejayeriese said that to achieve that, however, diversification of the economy from over-dependence on crude oil was required.

    According to him, though fossil fuels currently dominate the power sector, their share of the energy generation market is expected to decline to 57 per cent by 2035.

    “With the rapid growth of renewable energy which accounts for 4 per cent of energy demand today (excluding large-0scale hydroelectricity).

    “By 2030, that could grow to about 14 per cent which is an exceptional rate of growth for the energy industry,” he said.

    He said that the pre-conference workshop was a forum where energy professionals, associates researchers, producers, suppliers, policy markers, financial experts, investors, consumers and others stakeholders discussed the contemporary challenges and available opportunities related to the increasing national and international demand for energy.

    The three-day NAPE international conference and exhibition which began on Tuesday witnessed about 1,500 participants.

    NAN

  • Acupuncture safest treatment for diabetes — Fasehun

    A Chinese-trained Acupuncturist, Dr Frederick Fasehun, has called on the managements of University Teaching Hospitals across the country to invite experts to train some of their doctors on Acupuncture.

    Fasehun made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to him, Acupuncture is a new and safest treatment for diabetes.

    Wikipedia defines Acupuncture as a form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine.

    It is used in the treatment of various physical and mental conditions.

    Fasehun said: “I will advise government and the managements of teaching hospitals in Nigeria to train and encourage Doctors in Acupuncture.

    “Acupuncture is not popular in the treatment of diabetes. That is the reason government should encourage more doctors to go into it.

    “Americans in the United States are crazy about acupuncture and are making good incomes from it; as a matter of fact, the most popular doctors in the US are acupuncturists.

    “It does not matter whether the doctor is already trained in Western medicine; Doctors should also offer themselves to be trained in acupuncture,’’ Fasehun said.

    He urged people suffering from diabetes to treat their conditions with acupuncture because it had not been identified with any adverse effect.

    Read Also : Buhari and Fasehun’s Numbing Irrationality

    Fasehun expressed the hope that the few he trained upon his return from China would not, because of the low patronage, discontinue the practice.

    He explained that the needles used for the treatment were, however, expensive, urging government to provide and make available such needles for young doctors who would want to be trained in the field, to work with.

    The acupuncturist said also that using acupuncture as a treatment for diabetes was better and safer and could cause very minimal damage to the human body.

    He said: “Drug treatments of diabetes have been long standing and we no longer discover much improvement in the treatment of diabetes with them.

    “The dangers of drug treatments for diabetes include reaction to drugs (adverse reactions) such as leaving some patients with heart failure, as well as rashes that may become prominent.

    “It might also cause one to develop eye problems like blindness, as well as serious damages to the liver, kidney, skin, among others.’’

    He urged government to create awareness on the new treatment of diabetes for people to become aware of it.

    Fasehun also advised government to invest in the health sector, to prevent Nigerian professional doctors from stagnating, instead of travelling abroad to look for greener pastures.

    NAN

  • Artisan charged with stealing recharge cards of all networks

    A 22-year-old artisan, Opeyemi Shomuyiwa, on Monday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, over alleged theft of a hand bag containing two phones and N85,000 recharge cards of various networks.

    Shomuyiwa, a resident of Shogbamu Street, Bariga, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    Police Prosecutor Lucky Ihiehie told the court that the accused stole a woman’s handbag containing the recharge cards, a Samsung phone valued at N 27,000 and an LG phone worth N45, 000.

    He said that the handbag also contained N15,000.

    Ihiehie submitted that the theft occurred on Nov. 8 at 6.05p.m. at 19, Church Street, Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos.

    He said the handbag belonged to one Mrs Ajagbe Ayodele who reported the case at the Ifako Police Station, Lagos.

    “On that day, the complainant was in her shop when the accused and one other, still at large, came pretending to buy bottles of water.

    Read Also: Police arraign fake tailor for allegedly swindling woman of N50,000

    “Suddenly, one of them grabbed the complainant’s daughter – Abigail – and hit her on the face and snatched the bag she was holding which contains the said items.

    “He then ran to catch up with the other who was on a waiting motorcycle but luck ran against them when a commercial driver, who had been watching them, knocked down their motorcycle as they were trying to escape.

    “The accused, who was the motorcycle rider, was apprehended while the other, who snatched the bag containing the said valuables, made away with them”, Ihiehie told the court.

    He noted that the offences contravened Section 287 (5) (A) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Section 287 stipulates a seven-year jail term for stealing, while Section 411 provides for two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje admitted the accused to N50, 000 bail and two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the case until Dec. 11 for mention.

  • I want divorce, I am battered, housewife tells court

    A housewife, Mrs Taiwo Simon, on Monday prayed an Ikorodu Customary Court in Lagos to end her five-year-old marriage over alleged battery and threat to life by her husband, Jude.

     

    “My lord, there is no more love in our marriage. I want divorce. He constantly beats me; his beating caused me an eye defect.

     

    “He sleeps outside sometimes; when I ask him, he tells me I am not in a position to ask. If I persist, he beats me.

     

    “I want the court to dissolve our marriage, I don’t care if our only son is with him. I can’t endure him any longer,’’ Taiwo, 30, pleaded.

    Read Also: Woman demands justice over slain husband, daughter

    Taiwo also alleged that Jude was irresponsible and had yet to pay her bride price.

     

    However, 40-year-old Jude denied the allegations but consented to the divorce.

     

    He said that there was distrust between them on the eve of their wedding ceremony, and that it crept into their marriage.

     

    The President of the court, Mr Otun Olayiwola, adjourned the case until Dec. 6 for possible reconciliation.

  • Lagos has become gateway for investments, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said the state had become a viable gateway for honest and genuine business men and women to invest and make good returns on their investments.

    The governor spoke at the weekend at the closing session of this year’s national convention of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship (FGBMF) Nigeria at Police College, Ikeja, the state capital.

    Ambode said Lagos State has many opportunities and an enabling environment for good beuiness men and women as well as visitors to tap from.

    He said: “Our state has been a gateway to prosperity for many, and many more still come here in pursuit of their dreams.

    “We continue to pray that as more people come to our state in search of genuine, honest businesses, our God will crown their efforts with successes and they will reap bountiful harvests from their labour.”

    The governor, who said he was thrilled by the theme of convention: An Open Door, noted that it conformed with the mantra that Lagos is open for greater business for good, responsible, ethical, honest and genuine business people.

    “The theme of this convention further strengthens this thinking. It seems to me that we have been building a Lagos which will be an open door to success, an open door to prosperity and an open door for all who believe and fear God to experience His love, mercy and favour.

    “Before a door can open, proper foundation must have been laid. Our state remains a good example of where doors can open for members of this great fellowship,” he said.

    Ambode attributed the successes of the state to the fact that the government recognises the role of God in its progress and growth.

    The governor, who noted that Lagos had grown in all ramifications, expressed confidence that the fortunes of the state would continue to soar with the grace of God.

    He added: “The successes recorded in our state are a result of God’s divine mercy and provision for our state.

    “As we gather here today, I urge you all to join us in praying for Lagos State and, collectively, our nation and all its citizens, all our business men and professionals, all our youth and women, that we may continue to enjoy the favour and protection of God always.”

    The National President of the fellowship, Mr. Ifeanyi Odedo said posterity would forever be kind to Ambode for putting in place numerous projects to empower the people, especially to tackle poverty.

    He said: “The policy thrust of the state government might not be seen physically, especially the one that has to do with poverty alleviation, such that we have to do with economic growth that has been sustainable through this massive infrastructural development and renewal that is the thrust of Lagos State under this administration.”

  • 50 Abuja pupils tour Lagos

    About 50 secondary school pupils from Abuja have undertaken a cultural tour of Lagos to explore its artistic peculiarities.

    The Abuja International Community School pupils visited Kalakuta Museum, Nike Arts Gallery, Terrakulture Arts Gallery, Freedom Park, Takwa Bay Beach, Eleko Beach and Tafawa Balewa Square.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the three-days tour showed Lagos as an art and culture tourism destination.

    One of the pupils, Melose Dumnoi, said the tour was adventurous, with the visit to the Kalakuta Museum where the life and achievements of the late legendary musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, were explained.

    “We were taken to Fela’s bedroom. It is quite fascinating and interesting how history is preserved.

    “We can’t forget the design of the Terrakulture Arts Gallery and the beautiful art pieces. There are other interesting aspects of the tour. I wish to be back soon,” she said.

    Another pupil, Rabia Hashim, said the visit to Nike Arts Gallery taught her in-depth interpretation of art works, which she never knew before.

    “I was made to understand in-depth analysis and interpretation of art works, differentiate modern and contemporary arts. My knowledge has been enriched.

    “I feel so challenged and want to be more creative now. In fact, Lagos is a place to be,” she said.

    The pupils’ coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Ugoji, who heads the Art Department, said the pupils were brought to Lagos to explore arts and culture peculiar to the state.

    She said they had to come all the way because Lagos had more art galleries and tourists sites compared with Abuja.

    “We came to Lagos because there are many private art galleries here, unlike in Abuja where there is only one art gallery owned by the government.

  • Lagos set for Asa festival 2018

    Organisers have described this year’s edition of annual Asa Festival tagged Asa-Ere Osupa 2018, as one that will project the dynamic culture and hospitality of the people of Lagos State in general and Ikorodu division in particular, and linger in the memory of residents and visitors, for a long time to come. The event is one of the Lagos State government approved annual cultural events.

    Speaking at a press conference to update the public about the event scheduled to take place on Saturdaay December 8, at the Ikorodu Town hall in Ikorodu, the chairman of the publicity       subcommittee for the festival, Comrade Olalekan Murisiku, stated that the event, which was first held last year, has been rebranded and repackaged to further project the uniqueness of the Asa masquerade to the world.

    He described the event as part of the commitment of the State Government to use entertainment as a springboard to drive development and market the state’s potentials to domestic and foreign investors who will contribute meaningfully towards making Lagos a smart city. He said the Majority Leader of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, who initiated the festival, is still very much committed to making it a world class annual event.

    According to him, “Besides entertainment and fun-making, the carnival will offer upcoming artists and tradesmen opportunities to exhibit their skills and market their products which fit into the agenda of the organizers. The Ikorodu Rennaisance Project (IREP) as well as Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, who initiated the festival, are still unrelenting in their determination to sell Asa to the world as a tourists attraction.”

  • Lagos, UI and the hijab controversy

    WHEN the management of the University of Ibadan International School shut down their college over the decision by some parents in the school to compel Muslim students to wear hijab, they gave two reasons for their prompt response. One was that the forceful parents bypassed due process that enjoined them to peacefully persuade the system, particularly the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA), to accommodate their demands. That was apparently not done. Second was that the forceful parents simply embarked on self-help by disruptively going to the school with hijabs and distributing the extras to willing Muslim students. To avoid further disruptions, the school was shut. And after a meeting of the relevant bodies in the school, a decision was taken to stick to prevailing dress code. Apart from the dissenters, those who took the decision comprised both Christian and Muslim parents who expressed their desire to avoid any religious undertones and overtones in a private school they reminded everyone must be kept away from religious politics.

    The hijab controversy is fairly widespread, with sadly the formerly pacesetting and liberal Southwest becoming today the main theatre of heated discord. Lagos State, anxious to avoid anything suggestive of religion under any guise in public schools, had for years resisted the campaign by some Muslim parents to enforce the wearing of hijab. The activist parents, also careful to avoid self-help, took the matter to court where they received favourable judgements in both the High Court and Court of Appeal. The matter is before the Supreme Court. But before the apex court could rule, the state jumped the gun and authorised the wearing of what they described as smart hijab. In some qualified ways, it is victory for the parents and a loss for government.

    A few things are wrong with the approach adopted by the affected parents over the UI school crisis. First, whether Nigerians believe or not, their country is susceptible to ethnic and religious suspicions and violence. More and more states are falling under the spell of religious intolerance, with a distinct possibility that the problem could one day spiral out of control into a conflagration. Given the destructive role religious suspicion and intolerance have played in some parts of Nigeria and other parts of the world in the past one or two decades, many had thought that Nigerian parents would sensibly come together to find the best ways of insulating their country from any form of religious upheaval. Whether in the Middle East or some states in Nigeria’s North, whole communities have become perennially disposed to religious violence and even segregation. Nobody who has witnessed religious violence in Nigeria or Lebanon can wish for a replay at his backdoor. But, sadly, some Nigerians, not to say many parents, do not seem to think that conscious and extra steps should be taken to foster harmony among Nigeria’s impressionable young.

    Secondly,  as the UI case has shown, where on earth did Nigerians learn to force their way on others when they lose an argument? Unlike public schools, parents can easily take the option of withdrawing their children from private schools whose dress codes war against their preferences, whether social, cultural or religious. The aforesaid parents should have taken that option at the UI school. In the alternative, they should have intensified their lobby to get the school to amend their dress code. Failing that, they had an obligation to comply with extant school rules. Or what kind of lessons would cantankerous parents be teaching their children: to flout any rule or regulation they don’t agree with, impose themselves on the collective simply because they think they are right or justified?

    The UI International School can stick to its guns for reasons that are uncontroversial. Lagos State is unfortunately helpless. After yielding in what they think is a little matter, there is no telling where this fateful step will take them. Next port of call may be the primary schools, and after that, only God knows where else. The Southwest, where these dress codes controversies are raging, used to be the bastion of liberalism in Nigeria, with some states boasting same-faith elected leaders in Government Houses. That reputation is all but in tatters, no thanks to those who insist on instituting differentiation among the region’s young children. It is doubtful whether paradise can be regained. Given the contemporary history of the world and the evils that convulse it, it is shocking that no lessons have been learnt, and no desire to build a secular and modern society untrammelled by intolerance and bigotry. Curses are like chickens, they will come home to roost sometime in the future. When they do, as they will inevitably, this generation of Nigerians should be held culpable for failing to see the future, and for more atrociously failing to recognise that it is not everything that is lawful that is expedient.