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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos convicts 53 offenders for contravening building regulations

    The Lagos State Special Offences Court at Gbolade, Oshodi, has convicted 53 persons, who contravened the building regulations.

    The offenders were convicted after the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) prosecuted them for contravening Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010.

    According to LASBCA’s General Manager, Mr Lekan Shodeinde, the agency has issued 83 summonses against the offenders of the law in different parts of the state.

    “The court has duly convicted 53, while others are still pending in court,” he said in a statement yesterday in Lagos.

    Shodeinde said the offenders were being prosecuted for different contraventions and other related offences, as stipulated in the building law.

    He said their offences included erection of structure without a planning permit, contrary to Section 27 (1) of the Law and punishable under Section 75 (1) of the same law.

    Other offences include breaking of government seals or removal of any mark placed on a contravening structure by or with order of the agency, punishable under Section 75 (2) of the Law.

    He said failure to insure a building as required by the law for which the offenders were prosecuted was contrary to Section 75 (3) of the Law.

    The general manager said the prosecuted offenders had been convicted accordingly with an option of fine at the discretion of the court.

    He said there were also maximum fines for the recalcitrant defaulters for breaking of government seal.

    Shodeinde added that LASBCA had been working within the ambit of the law with the monitoring team for a better and well planned city.

    He said they worked with developers and builders to ensure compliance with the approval granted and also monitored the safety of the structure being developed.

    “We are more concerned about the safety of the people, making sure that where they live is safe and secured,” Shodeinde said.

    He reaffirmed government’s zero tolerance for building collapse and the need to build right.

    Shodeinde appealed to Lagos residents to obtain their building plan permit before the construction of any structure and comply with state laws regarding the approval given.

    He urged building owners to seize the opportunity to regularise and perfect their building documentations, to avoid any embarrassment from law enforcement officers.

    Shodeinde said officials of the newly reformed LASBCA aimed at working together with the people “for their own safety and for a safer and well-planned smart-city”.

  • Lagos urges parents, guardians on better parenting

    Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Mr. Agboola Dabiri has urged parents and guardians to develop good parenting skills.

    He said this would save the world from ills.

    The commissioner, represented by the Special Adviser on Social Development, Mrs. Joyce Onafowokan, spoke yesterday at a one-day town hall meeting on “Better Parenting Plus”, with parents, guardians, school administrators and caregivers.

    The event was held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

    He said parenting is an important aspect of societal growth and development, which has been taken for granted over the years, “as it takes more than just money and love in raising a child properly.”

    Dabiri added that most parents and guardians saw parenting as a natural occurrence and just lived by the day, bringing the children up to the best of their knowledge and ability, thereby abusing and causing permanent emotional damages on them.

    He said: “It is important to note that most forms of societal decadence begin from the values instilled in the children from home, which is a primary function of parenting.

    “There is no perfect parents and each child is unique in his or her own way, but understanding who your child is will help in building them into an independent and emotionally- stable adult, equipped with life skills to face real life challenges.”

    The commissioner said the ministry had just concluded a three-day workshop on “Better Parenting Plus”, using the newly revised curriculum comprising 20 modules and additional session on “Early Childhood Development and Parenting Adolescent” for 25 participants, who would take the message back to their local governments and communities.

    The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said: “Better Parenting Plus” is aimed at positive behavioural change towards parenting styles.

    He added that performing parental roles does not have to do with only biological relationship, but with anyone coming in contact with a child.

    “It takes the whole community to raise a child and we should try as much as possible to be our brother’s keeper, notice and do something when any child needs to be given extra care or protection.”

    Muri-Okunola enjoined the participants to pass the message learnt to families, friends, teachers and others in order to help attain better parenting styles in the society.

     

     

     

  • Government urged to include sign language in school curriculum

    September 23 is a historical day as it is the first ever International Day of Sign Languages celebration under the cross-cutting theme of “with sign language, everybody is included”.

    The celebration which is part of the International Week of the Deaf was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 19,2017.

    The UN General Assembly decided to commemorate this day as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realisation of the human rights of people who are deaf.

    In commemorating this day, Jewel Ibeabuchi joined Wesley Schools for the hearing impaired children with special needs in celebrating.

    Wesley school is a state owned institution located in Surulere, Lagos which aims at providing education to hearing impaired children, creating awareness about their special needs, creating an enabling environment for their total development and also to empower them for the full realisation of their potentials.

    Inside the buildings of 30 Ajao road Surulere Lagos, were kids looking as bright and beautiful as ever.

    Primary four students of Wesley schools of hearing impaired children reading what was on the board

    It was discovered that the teachers and pupils of the school were not aware of the significance of the day.

    One of the instructors in the school, Mrs Nzeh Mabel said “Although this International day is not known to us, we however set aside December 3 which is the World disability day to celebrate these beautiful kids here.

    “We gather the disabled people and give them the opportunities to showcase their talents and gifts.”

    According to her, allowing them showcase their talents is done in order to let the society know that there is ability in every disability and also to make the disabled feel special, needed and involved in the society.

    Pointing out some challenges experienced by the deaf, Mabel stated that the community at large find it difficult understanding them.

    According to her, sign language is very important and every Nigerian should know it.

    “sign language is an international language that every Nigerians should know in order to break the barrier of isolation and misunderstanding which leads to aggressive acts.”

    “As the international day of sign language has been introduced, the government should train people even in banks and include it as a subject in school curriculum.

    “ Inclusion and equal participation in society require sign languages to be accessible, respected and supported, all of which are subsequently required to achieve any of the sustainable development goals and objectives established by United Nations.” Mabel stated

  • Rivers displaces Lagos as top investment destination

    RIVERS State dislodged Lagos State as the number one foreign investment destination in Nigeria in the first half of 2018,according to an investment profile report by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). Rivers received 35% of the $45.74 billion invested in 42 projects in nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the period, the NIPC said. It was followed by Bayelsa and Lagos states with 26% each.

    The sectoral analysis of the investment profile shows that mining and quarrying accounted for 61% of the total investment and manufacturing 28%. Other sectors are transportation and storage, five per cent; real estate, three per cent; and the remaining sectors accounting for three per cent.

    The report also showed that the investments were from investors in 11 countries, with French companies accounting for 35% of the value, closely followed by Nigerian companies at 31%. The report said the UK’s investment stood at 20%; Luxembourg seven percent and the remaining eight percent were from the other countries. “The top 10 announcements accounted for 43.1 billion dollars, representing 94 per cent of the value of the announcements,” the report read.

    The NIPC however said the report was based only on investment announcements cited in NIPC’s newsletters from January to June 2018 and might not contain exhaustive information on all investment announcements in Nigeria during the period. “Nevertheless, the report gives a sense of investors’ interest in the Nigerian economy in the first half of 2018,” it said. “NIPC did not independently verify the authenticity of the investment announcements but is working on tracking the announcements as they progress to actual investments.”

  • Two feared dead in cults’ clash

    Two persons were feared dead in a cults’ clash in Alapere, Lagos on Wednesday.

    One of them, Sylvester Chikwendu, 32, was stabbed to death. The other was killed in an exchange with the police. Details about the feuding cult groups and what led to the skirmish were sketchy. The late Chikwendu belonged to a rival cult.

    Residents ran for their lives as the fighting raged.

    It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Owode Onirin, Chief Superintendent (CSP) Bernard Ediagbonya, on learning about the incident, mobilised his men to the area.

    The officers blocked the road, forcing the cultists to open fire on police vehicle.

    One of them fell in the ensuing exchange.

    Others fled with injuries, abandoning their Toyota Camry saloon car.

    A pump action rifle, one locally-made revolver pistol, a locally-made single barrel pistol, five live 9mm calibre ammunition, three live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two cutlasses, charms and clothes were found in the car which carried no number-plate.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), in a statement yesterday said the hoodlums were intercepted by officers around 8:30pm.

    Oti said: “Following a tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Owode Onirin, Ikorodu, changed the game for the terror gang, who about 6:40pm, at Demuren Street, Alapere, stabbed Sylvester Chikwendu, 32, suspected to be a rival cult member, to death.

    “Following the information, the DPO mobilised a crack team to Thomas bus stop, Owode. He told his men to narrow the road and gave them a description of the gang’s operational car.

    “When the gang approached the police zone, they became desperate and opened fire on the operatives in their effort to evade arrest, attracting response from the team.

    “However, in the ensuing battle, one of them died from the bullet injuries he sustained. Others escaped with gunshot wounds. They abandoned items, which have been recovered. They include operational vehicle, a Toyota Camry saloon car without a number-plate, one pump action rifle, one locally made revolver pistol, one locally made single barrel pistol, five live 9mm calibre ammunition, three live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two cutlasses, charms (juju) and assorted clothes.

    “We appeal to health care professionals, including native doctors and other caregivers to be on the lookout for patients with gunshot wounds and inform the police within two hours of commencement of treatment, in line with the Compulsory Treatment of Victims of Gunshot Act.”

     

  • Residents petition IGP over land feud

    Residents of the Millennium Citi Centre Estate in Gbagada, Lagos have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the activities of the IGP X-Squad.

    They alleged that the squad, in connivance with some land grabbers, had been arresting and harassing staff and residents of the estate.

    In the September 18 petition signed by Olatokunbo Phillips, a lawyer, the residents appealed to the IG to order the release of a security man, Mr. William Iyke, and a barber, Mr. Julius Babasola, who were arrested on September 13.

    The squad’s operatives led by Aminu Sokoto and Sunday Daramola – both Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), were said to have arrested the men following a petition by a family.

    The petitioners alleged that the late Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu family had, in the past invaded the estate (formerly Oke Alo Estate) with armed men and forcefully taken over undeveloped properties, which are subjects of litigation.

    “You may recall, sir, that our clients had written to your office with a view to sensitising the police about their precarious positions as landlords who duly purchased properties from three different families namely Delfino Anthonio Da Miranda, Ashamu and Odutola/Alase, all of who claim ownership vide contrasting documents purportedly issued by various government institutions who are feuding over the ownership of the land”, the petition stated.

    “Despite the fact that the properties within the estate are fully sold out for full consideration, the families are still embroiled in legal tussles at various courts in Lagos in which they sued the property owners within the estate”, the petition claimed.

    “We, therefore, implore you sir, to refrain your men from being engaged in acts of self-help or aiding any of the feuding families in forcefully taking over people’s land in the estate without a court order or judgement”, they said.

    The residents appealed to the IG to stop any of the families from further entering into the estate to forcefully take over landed properties, pending the determination of the actions in court.

     

  • Train crushes policeman, another in Lagos

    A police Inspector, Philip Kolo and a commercial motorcyclist were on Wednesday morning crushed to death by locomotive train.

    Kolo, said to be attached to the defunct Inspector-General of Police (IG) Special Tactical Squad (STS)  and his motorcyclist friend were killed on the spot while crossing the rail line at Public Works Department (PWD) bus stop along Oshodi Ikeja Expressway.

    The Inspector, it was gathered, was in Lagos for investigation activities and was heading to the State Police Command from Agege for a meeting with parties to a case.

    It was learnt that the debris of the motorcycle was seen at Shogunle, where the train dropped it.

    According to a witness, the motorcycle wheel was close to the train’s magnet and dragged the victims towards the train, adding that they were shredded.

    Read Also: ‘Train crushes 52 cattle to death in Kaduna’

    Another witness said the train hooted from a distance and people around warned the motorcyclist to wait at a distance for it to pass before crossing, which he objected.

    Even his bag he came with from Abuja was seen at the command.

    Command’s spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) confirmed the incident, adding that the Police Railway Command had commenced investigation.

    Oti said the Inspector was currently serving with the IGP Monitoring Unit Striking Team.

     

  • Lagos: I’m back in the governorship race – Jimi Agbaje

    Mr Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday ended speculations about his re-run bid, saying he was back in the race.

    Agbaje made the confirmation via a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “It is true that initially I did not want to re-contest, but I had so many people urging me to run.

    “I bought and submitted my nomination form shortly before it closed. I will be part of the PDP Lagos governorship primaries, billed for Friday, Sept 28th, “ he said.

    Agbaje said that he was confident he would win the elections in Lagos, if he picked the PDP guber ticket to run.

    On the upcoming primaries, Agbaje said he was confident that the leadership would create a level playing ground for all the aspirants, as has been the norm of the party.

    “Our primaries have always been open, fair and free for all.

    “This is what we are known for, and that is the way I expect it to be,” he said.

    Read Also: ‘How we reconciled Gov. Gaidam, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim’

    Agbaje, who also contested for the National Chairmanship of the PDP in 2017, won by Uche Secondus, said that the recent defections from the party in the state would not affect him if he picked the ticket.

    “It is the people of Lagos State that will decide. The issues in the party will not impart negatively on votes.

    “Most Nigerians now vote for individuals rather than party,” he said.

    NAN reports that Agbaje, popularly known as JK, was born March 2, 1957 in Lagos State to late Chief Julius Kosebinu (Banker) and Mrs. Margaret Olabisi (teacher).

    A Pharmacist, Agbaje is the second born and first male child of five children (two female and two male siblings) including Segun Agbaje, the CEO of Guarantee Trust Bank.

  • Netherlands to back entrepreneurs

    The  Deputy Ambassador, Netherlands Embassy, Lagos, Mr. Michel Deelen, has said his  country  is  ready  to support  Nigeria  to build  the capacities  of  start-ups.

    Speaking in Lagos, Deelen said his country had created an environment for start-ups to strive, having undertaken reforms to improve the investment climate and enhance policy clarity, consistency and predictability.

    Deelen said the Embassy was a broker between Nigeria and the Netherlands, and that it was more concerned with trade and industry as well as connection to markets.

    He said though Netherlands is a small country, with a population of 17 million, it has managed to develop a functional agric start-up ecosystem that has created jobs for its citizens.

    One programme the Embassy is supporting to achieve this is Food Connection Challenge (FCC), a business incubation initiative focused on solving post-harvest losses.

    FCC, supported by Netherland Government, has selected 17 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Republic of Benin and Nigeria to participate in the programme.

    In all, the FCC received 88 applications from Benin and 228 from Nigeria, with an independent jury selecting those SMEs they considered the most promising and the best fit for the programme.

    In Nigeria, 14 farms have been selected. The group engages in activities ranging from developing mobile solar-powered storage boxes to the processing of spices.

    The juries of the FCC Benin and Nigeria consisted of representatives of African Business Angel Network (ABAN), African Innovation Foundation, PUM, KIT, Aid Trade, NABC, the Dutch embassies in both countries, and other experts in the field of agribusiness and innovation in Africa.

    According to Deelen, FCC will take place throughout the year. In July, participants received a three – day business training. This month, the selected SMEs will be exposed to a day innovation session to improve business cases.

    Participants work on their ideas through (remote) coaching throughout this month and October.  According to Deelen, participants will receive pitch training in December. There will be a grand finale, where participants will present their ideas and winners will be selected.

    The winner of the challenge, according to him, will get EUR20, 000 ($23,000) in matching seed funding to implement his post-harvest solution.

    FCC is organised by BoP Inc and Crosswise Works for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of Agriculture.

     

  • Lagos: Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat challenge good for democracy, says APC chair

    •Salvador heads Assembly aspirants secrening panel

    THE excitement triggered by the emergence of two challengers to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket is good for internal democracy, party Chairman Tunde Balogun said yesterday.

    He spoke at the ACME Road, Lagos secretariat of the party during the inauguration of a seven-member panel to screen aspirants into the State House of Assembly ahead of the primary scheduled for October 4.

    Balogun said that the emergence of two former Commissioners – Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu (Establishment & Training) and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (Works & Infrastructure) reflected the beauty of democracy.

    Assuring that the governorship candidate would be determined by party members at the primary, Balogun described the APC as a truly democratic party which had redefined governance in the state.

    He named Moshood Salvador as chairman of the panel to screen the aspirants.

    About 230 aspirants jostling for the state’s 40 assembly seats are to be screened by the committee.

    Salvador was, until recently, chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He defected with members of the state executive to the APC.

    Other members of the screening panel are: former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; former House of Representatives member Wale Oshun; a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC), Dr. Yomi Finih and Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris.

    He told reporters after the closed-door inauguration that the setting up of the committee was in preparation for the state assembly primary.

    The committee, which, according to him, swings into action today, will conclude its job on Friday. It is to ensure that aspirants met the requirements to contest in the primary.

    Each of the members of the committee will chair a sub-committee with members to respond to the high number of aspirants.

    He said: “We have a large number of people who are to be screened to contest in the state House of Assembly primary.

    “We have 40 seats in the state and over 230 aspirants are to be screened.

    “This is a large number, and that is why each member of the committee is chairing a sub-committee to rise up to the challenge.

    “We are prepared for this enormous job, and and we are even expecting members from the national secretariat to do the work,” he said.

    He assured that the committee would carry out its responsibility without let or hindrance.

    On the inclusion of Salvador in the committee, Balogun said it reflected the party’s promise that all defectors would be treated equally like the others.

    The chairman said the APC would not renege on its promise to ensure new members were fully integrated.

    The ranks of APC in Lagos State swelled yesterday as the former Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare was received into its fold from the PDP.

    Other defectors were the National Chairman of the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), Mr Dare Falade and the Lagos State Chairman of Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Mr Tajudeen Yinus and their supporters.

    Welcoming the defectors, Balogun said he was excited that progressives who left APC were coming back to the ruling party.

    Adiukwu-Bakare assured the leadership of APC that she would work tirelessly to ensure the party has a good outing during the 2019 general elections.