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Tag: lagos

  • FG launch TraderMoni in three additional markets in Lagos

    Federal Government of Nigeria yesterday launched the special enterprise and empowerment programme otherwise known as TraderMoni in three additional markets in Lagos, namely Ketu, Bariga and Oshodi markets.

    FG also assured that the scheme would be extended to two million beneficiaries across the country by next month.

    The TraderMoni scheme, which is a collateral and interest-free loan for petty traders, had earlier been launched in some markets in Lagos, while three additional markets in the State – Ketu, Bariga and Oshodi were added to the scheme by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), accompanied by Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The trio, while inspecting implementation of the scheme, took time to interact with petty traders in the markets, assuring that government would continue to come up with innovative initiatives to benefit the critical mass of the population.  

    Giving details, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, said close to 800,000 petty traders had so far benefited from the scheme, adding that the programme had been structured for traders to borrow up to N50,000 and repay back seamlessly.

    “The TraderMoni scheme is part of the socio-investment programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the plan is to ensure that between September and December this year, two million petty traders receive the first payment of N10,000. Once they are able to return it within six months, they get additional N15,000 and when they return that, they get another N20,000 until they get as much as N50,000.

    “The whole idea is that the President wants to ensure that traders that are at the bottom of the ladder; people whose wares and businesses are just about N3000, N5000 and so on; people who normally don’t get any kind of financial assistance; people that the banks do not give any kind of credit because they have no collateral are not left out in what they are doing in our micro credit scheme.

    “This was what informed the TraderMoni Programme and today, it has gone to several states and the Vice President is in Lagos today to see what is happening in three additional markets. The VP is here to see what is happening and to interact with the traders, as well as to assure all Nigerians as a matter of fact that this is going to go round,” Akande said.

    He added that at the end of the first batch, the government would take it further to ensure that more traders benefit from the scheme.

     “In the first batch of the scheme, we will be doing two million traders and after that, we will even take it further. Between now and December, we would have given to two million petty traders. Already, we have close to 800,000 petty traders out of the two million. We have enumerated all the two million traders and so we know who they are and so it is a question of time,” he said.

  • Man who jumped into Lagos lagoon identified as FRCN staff

    The man who got drown after he reportedly jumped into the lagoon in Lagos on Friday has been identified as a staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    A staff of FRCN, who pleaded anonymity, said that the deceased was a driver attached to an Assistant Director in charge of Information Communication Technology unit of the corporation.

    The source said that the deceased was newly posted from the FRCN Training School located in Shogunle to the Broadcasting House in Ikoyi, Lagos

    The source, however, described him as a gentleman.

    Tunji Disu, Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), told NAN that his men got to the scene almost immediately and invited marine police and local divers who recovered the corpse from the lagoon.

    “The deceased parked the vehicle he was driving on the Third Mainland Bridge and told other occupants of the vehicle that he wanted to urinate

    Read Also: Man admits using bottle to tear another’s face

    “The occupants were shocked as he dived into the lagoon,” said RSS Commander, Disu, Assistant Commissioner of Police. RRS had earlier tweeted on its tweeter handle @rrslagos767: “A man has jumped into the Lagoon from 3rd Mainland Bridge.

    “RRS riders got to the scene almost immediately and radioed for assistance from the Marine Police, LASG rescue Boats & local divers who recovered the corpse.

    “The remains have been taken to Ebute Ero division.’’

    NAN recalls that on Oct. 3, 2018, a middle-aged man drowned after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge inwards Lagos Island.

  • Two jailed for cocaine, cannabis trafficking

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 27-year-old man, Nurudeen Olalekan, to two years imprisonment for trafficking 17.1 grammes of cocaine.

    The court also sentenced an unemployed man, Taiwo Musibau, to 18 months imprisonment for trafficking in 550 grammes of cannabis sativa.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned them for separate drug trafficking charges before Justice Saliu Saidu.

    Olalekan pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that he would not commit crime again.

    After his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered some exhibits, including the convict’s written statement.

    Justice Saidu found the accused guilty of the offence as charged and convicted him.

    In his sentence, the judge noted the negative effects of drug trafficking in the society and warned the convict to desist from crime.

    “The convict is hereby sentenced to a term of two years imprisonment which will begin to run from the date of his arrest,” he said

    The court also ordered the drug exhibits to be disposed of by the prosecution if there is no appeal.

    The convict allegedly committed the offence on April 28.

    The prosecutor said that the convict was arrested at Bonny way motor park in Oyingbo, Ebute Meta, Lagos, with quantities of the restricted narcotics, weighing 17.1 grammes.

    Read Also: Court convicts runaway doctor of cocaine trafficking

    The offence contravened the Sections 11 (a) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation 2004.

    NDLEA charged Musibau, 40, on a count charge of drug trafficking, to which he pleaded guilty.

    Justice Saidu found the accused guilty of the offence as charged and convicted him.

    He sentenced Musibau to a term of one and half year’s imprisonment, beginning from the date of his arrest.

    The prosecution had told the court that the convict was arrested on April 6 at Ipaja Road in Agege, near Lagos with 550 grammes of cannabis.

    According to the NDLEA, Indian hemp is a restricted narcotic, similar to cocaine and heroin, which are all restricted by the provisions of the law.

    The offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    Before his sentence, the convict pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy.

  • Surveyor in court over alleged N8.2m fraud

    A 32-year-old surveyor, Oluwadamilare Mustapha, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly defrauding a man of N8.2million.

    Mustapha, who resides at No. 46, Kokorabu St., Ikorodu, Lagos State, was charged with obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Victor Eruada, told the court that Mustapha committed the alleged offences between January and June , 2014, in Ikorodu.

    He alleged that Mustapha obtained N8.2 million from the complainant, Mr Ajibade Adesanya, on the pretext of assisting him to acquire 23 plots of land at Ijede, Ikorodu.

    “Mustapha collected N8.2 million from the complainant on the pretext of selling the land to him, which he never did,” the prosecutor said.

    Eruada said that when the complainant demanded for refund, Mustapha failed to refund the money.

    Read Also: Man in court over alleged house breaking, stealing

    The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Mustapha denied committing the offences.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 314 prescribes 15 years jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.

    The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted Mustapha bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until November 20 for mention.

  • Lagos to inaugurate ferry terminal

    Lagos State Government is set to inaugurate an ultra-modern ferry terminal and an access road in Ilaje-Bariga.

    The government, in a statement yesterday by Works and Infrastructure Commissioner Mr. Ade Akinsanya, said the terminal and the road were part of the initiatives of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration to scale up the integrated transportation initiative of the government aimed at ensuring connectivity within the state.

    According to him, the access road and the terminal would be inaugurated by the government by the middle of next month.

    Giving details, Akinsanya said: “The terminal situated at the end of the upgraded Ilaje Road, which provides access to the terminal from Akoka Road, abuts the lagoon front facing the Third Mainland Bridge.

    “The state-of-the-art terminal sitting on a reclaimed land area of over 2000 square meter, has a parking facility that will accommodate no fewer than 150 cars and ample space for park and ride buses for those that will want to park their cars to get to their destinations through the terminal by ferry.”

    He added that ferry services would be provided from the terminal to connect other existing terminals such as Ipakodo and Badore in Ikorodu axis, Badore in Ajah axis, recently inaugurated Five Cowrie Creek Terminal in Falomo, Marina Terminal, among others.

    The commissioner said the Ilaje terminal, in addition to a well lit surrounding, had been designed with other complementary facilities such as ticketing office, passengers seating area, restaurant, mini mart, shops, toilets, seat-out area for relaxation, boat yard as well as security watch towers.

    On the road, he said the newly upgraded 1.1km Ilaje Road with carriageway and width of eight meters, is equipped with a bicycle lane, street lights as well as covered side drains, which serves as walk way.

    “Transportation in Lagos is predominantly road-based and it is pertinent to state that the administration of Governor Ambode has made efforts to reduce the pressure on the roads with the aim of promoting an integrated transportation system.

    “In this quest, the administration is taking advantage of the vast waterways that Lagos is endowed with by embarking on waterfront infrastructure projects, including dredging of predetermined viable waterways routes to provide alternative and reduce the travel time of road users,” Akinsanya said.

    He said besides the new road and ferry terminal in Ilaje, a new transportation and tourism hub is being proposed at Oworonshoki by the foot of Third Mainland Bridge, which is a stone throw from the Ilaje Terminal.

  • Lagos, Uber provide lifeline for SMEs, start-ups

    The Lagos State government and ride hailing giant, Uber at the weekend in Lagos, unveiled a strategic partnership designed to create business and economic opportunities for individuals and provide support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

    The state, through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), is partnering the firm in a programme tagged: UBERPITCH, an initiative that would create opportunities for  entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, learn from highly successful business leaders and potentially get capital to effectively run their business.

    Speaking on the partnership with reporters, Uber General Manager for West Africa, Lola Kassim, said it was in line with Uber’s clear commitment to Africa with the goal of continually creating business and economic opportunities for all.

    She said: “The UBERPITCH campaign sees us supporting entrepreneurs by creating a platform for them to pitch ideas, leverage on relevant advice from business mentors, and potentially receive capital from the LSETF to run their businesses. Our partnership with the LSETF indicates that we are focused on ensuring that these entrepreneurs build viable and successful businesses.”

    The Executive Secretary/CEO, LSETF, Akintunde Oyebode, said the mandate of the Fund is job creation by supporting entrepreneurship and employability, adding that it is a shared vision with Uber.

  • No sensible politician can ignore entertainers – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reassured stakeholders in the entertainment industry of the Federal Government’s commitment to support them to enhance national growth and development.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance at an event organised for entertainers and tagged “An Evening with the Vice President” in Lagos .

    Hundreds of entertainers including actors, comedians and musicians, among others, were among creative artistes present at the event.

    Osinbajo said: “No sensible politician can ignore entertainers; if you do, you do so at your own risk. Entertainers also cannot ignore politicians; it is impossible. If you do, you do so at your own peril.”

    He noted that some entertainers were already in politics and urged others to participate, in order to make a difference.

    The Vice President said he had met frequently with entertainers with a view to developing policies around the industry for economic growth.

    He said that the government decided to create Technology and Creativity Advisory Council to see how the government could move the industry forward through proper policies.

    Osinbajo said that one of the policies raised was how to address the issue of piracy.

    Read Also: Osinbajo visits New Afrika Shrine

    “Already, there is a lot going on. Your industry has to respond to what is going on. This industry is important and crucial to our economy.

    “We must set up the environment that will make it happen. No environment is completely ready; whatever it is that we have at the moment, we have to make the maximum use of it to grow this industry.

    “Your support is actually important. What we need to do is to sit together and solve the problem. The country is what it is today because some people stole the treasure.”

    According to him, if the government ignores the industry, it does that at its own risk.

    NAN

  • Gloria Anozie-Young, Diabuah, others light up MUSON Festival

    Patrick Diabuah and Gloria Anozie-Young will join other actors to light up the stage at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, to commemorate the ongoing 22nd edition of MUSON Festival 2018 on Saturday, October 27.

    The feature drama for this year Such Is Life, written by Professor Femi Osofisan and directed by Kenneth Uphopho, is a hilarious comedy with all the characteristics of a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

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    The protagonist Prof Juokwu (Patrick Diabuah) has made a scientific discovery, which enables his quick getaways to his numerous escapades. This ‘Midnight Blackout,’ as he calls it, will eventually get him into trouble with his wife Obioma (Gloria Young) as well as Mr. Akubundu (Kanayo Okani). Other actors include Omololu Shodiya, Friday Francis and Bunmi Sogade.

    Uphopho explained Such Is Life was chosen for MUSON Festival 2018, saying, “Such is life is the choice for Muson Festival 2018 because of the theme and sub-themes projected in the play which resonates with the direction of the festival. It’s dynamic choice of language and style displayed by well-rounded characters is also a testament of the writer’s proficiency. It was originally titled Midnight Blackout after the obvious plot of the play.”

    Although a hilarious comedy, Uphopho Such Is Life also contains doses of grave political implication for the country, adding, “Such is life checks everything on the list in terms of performance, message, plot, drama, intrigue and being funny. It is a serious play but there’s humour intertwined in the seriousness of the situation in the play.

    “However, what many people don’t know and what is not covered in the marketing publications for Such is Life is that it is a satire on the government devised through the family institution. It covers political, social, ethnic and economic factors prevalent in the society today. There is a thorough dissecting of the different economic programmes the government has introduced which in turn has been potentially ‘unfavourable’ to the masses. The play also takes a cursory look at infidelity and adultery as they affect the society at large in the grand scheme of things.”

    For Uphopho also, the impact of the yearly MUSON Festival drama “goes beyond just creating a sustainable platform for drama to be ‘seen,’ especially by music enthusiasts and arts lovers. It also celebrates writers and their contributions to the arts in general.”  Such is Life is produced by Brenda Uphopho for PAWSTUDIOS.

     

  • Lagos sets up team for traffic flow

    Lagos State Government has established a special team to ensure traffic compliance and address disobedience of traffic rules.

    Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) AIG Chris Olakpe (retd), who spoke yesterday after a tour of traffic prone areas, in company of top hierarchy of the agency, including the General Manager, Mr. Olawale Musa, said the development was part of efforts to tackle gridlock.

    The team, according to him, comprised the Police, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and men from military formations, to maintain physical presence and ensure compliance at traffic troubled spots.

    He hoped the officers would bring their experience and professionalism to bear and complement the efforts of officials on ground.

    Olakpe said their duty was to ensure efficiency in traffic control and enforcement of traffic laws.

    He said LASTMA would prosecute motorists who flouted traffic laws and assured residents that the agency remained committed to ensuring efficient traffic control.

    The LASTMA boss said no stone would be left unturned in the management of traffic and enforcement of traffic laws.

    “A radical problem requires a radical solution. Therefore, I want to state clearly that any motorist caught violating the law will face the full wrath of the law. Let me take this opportunity to appeal to the public to ensure orderliness on the roads,” he said.

    According to him, owners of articulated vehicles impounded at Apapa earlier this week for obstruction and 36 vehicle owners apprehended for driving against the traffic will soon be arraigned.

    Olakpe enjoined traffic officers to be more dedicated and work within the ambit of the law, saying it had become imperative, especially now that repair and rehabilitation of roads were in top gear.

     

  • NYSC: Only two corps members involved in accident

    – 2,573 swear oath

    The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Prince Mohammed Momoh, has said only two corps members were involved in the ghastly motor accident that happened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in which nine people were killed.

    In an interview at the Swearing In of 2,573 2018 Batch C Stream 1 corps members at the NYSC Camp in Iyana Ipaja, Momoh said the two corps members arrived camp safely but with injuries and had been sent to the Orile-Agege General Hospital for comprehensive check up.

    He described as fake the news that 13 corps members had died in the accident on their way to camp.

    “We had only two prospective corps members coming to Lagos that were involved and we thank God they didn’t die; they were injured.

    Initially when we called the Road Safety both Lagos and Ogun State, we were told no prospective corps members were involved. We were particularly more concerned with the deceased at first but we were told none.

    “Later in the day two corps members came to camp – one with an injured hand. We gave him speedy registration. Immediately I took him to the clinic for first assessment because we have a consultant from LUTH with us. We redressed his wound and we immediately evacuated him to Orile-Agege General Hospital for a very comprehensive health check. And he was cleared.

    Read Also: NYSC: Educationist seeks end to age barrier

    “The second one had a head injury. Except for some throbbing headache, nothing was wrong with him. But we didn’t want to take chances. He presented himself on Wednesday. We sent him to Orile-Agege for CT-SCAN this morning.

    ” The health and safety of corps members is on top of my Director-General’s priority. Because we know what it is to train a child to a graduate and that is why we will continue to do our best during the cause of the national service,” he said.

    Addressing the corps members, Momoh urged them to settle down to the regimented camp life and be willing to learn.

    “Discipline and good time management should be your watchword throughout the period of the orientation course. The three-week orientation programme is characterised by para-military drills, leadership training, etc. These training have been designed to impact on you virtues of leadership, social skills, and emotional intelligence needed for a successful service year,” he said.

    In his speech, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-house mental Relations, Oluseyi Oladejo, counseled the corps members to pay attention to the skills acquisition programme of the scheme as well as work had to make impact as many before them had done.

    The chief Judge of Lagos, represented by Justice B.A. Oke Lawal led the corps members to take the NYSC oath.