The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Lagos restates commitment to tourism

    Lagos State Governor  AkinwunmiAmbode has restated his commitment to enhancing the economic fortunes of the  state by deepening tourism infrastructure development and providing world-class tourism assets across the state.

    He said: “Collaborating with private sector organisations on tourism-related programmes is borne out of this administration’s genuine commitment to engage and give interested business organisations  access to the untapped tourism potential of the state”.

    He spoke at the Lagos Day at Akwaaba Africa Travel Market held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    This is the first time, according to the governor, that the state will support the hosting of the African Travel Market on a prominent scale since its inception in 2004.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture Mr. Steve Ayorinde,  explained: “Our decision to collaborate with the organisers of this event was borne out of the present administration’s genuine commitment to engage the private sector in the growth and development of the tourism sector of the state and give interested organisations access  to the untapped tourism potentials of the state.”

    Ambode reminded the audience that “at the inception of this administration, we did not mince words regarding our commitment to drive development through tourism and invest in sectors that will grow our economy’s capacity as a result of our mission to build greater Lagos State”.

    The governor justified the administration’s effort on the strategic development of infrastructure and the provision of tourism attractions across the state. He said: “We are conscious of the fact that provisions of infrastructure and security of the polity for our stakeholders are fundamental ingredients for tourism development.’’

    He added: “Over the last three years the state government has invested heavily in key infrastructure projects like new network of roads, provisions of monuments, improvement of our beaches, building of the five standard theaters, museums , etc.

    ‘’One of the ongoing key projects, which we deliberately decided to undertake given its strategic importance to tourism promotion, is the Airport road. It is planned to be a world class road infrastructure that will be a delight to visitors to the state and Nigeria.’’

    The governor continued: “The Lagos State Government will continue to encourage and promote private sector’s investment towards tourism promotion. We recognise Lagos, as a destination of choice that is blessed with natural and rich cultural heritage. For this reason. We will continue to deepen partnerships with all stakeholders in the state’s tourism space to ensure our competitiveness as a vibrant tourism destination.”

    The Akwaaba Travel Market organised by Mr Nkechi Uko is a major marketing platform where airlines, travel agents, hotels, tourism boards, both foreign and local, media and general travelling public in Africa meet to rub minds, and share views on development.

    The Lagos Day also provided the government an opportunity to share information on the state’s potential tourism investment opportunities. Papers were presented by the state’s team on ‘’Epe, the emerging get-away haven, Badagry, the essence is more than a whisper’’ and a peep into the state tourism master plan was provided by Messrs Enrst and Young.

    Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters did a presentation on Eko theatre, public art, installations and the partnership that works, while the audience equally had an insight into the Eko Park Project and the shape of things to come on the ongoing Onikan tourism hub.

    Mr. FolaAdeyemi Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Other dignitaries at the well-attended event includes OtunbaSegunRunsewe, Director General National Council for Arts and culture, notable movie artistes from Ghana and Nigeria including Mr. Van Vicker, Joke Silver, KunleAfolayan and host of others

  • Rappers must be versatile, says M.I

    Mr Jude Abaga, popularly known as `M.I.’ has advised other rappers to be more versatile so as to remain relevant in the society and not be overtaken by the hip-hop revolution across the world.

    M.I told our reporters in Lagos that rappers need to create music that would be suitable to the audience and still maintain their originality.

    “Rappers need to be hard working because one of the issues confronting the genre is that rappers do not do researches that can make them and their works stand out among their contemporaries.

    “We must understand our audience because they evolve with each passing time.  We must learn to always come up with something that will be pleasing to their ears.

    Read Also: M.I’s hilarious birthday message to Audu Maikori

    “Musicians, especially, rappers in Nigeria must be flexible and show versatility in their outputs so as to maintain relevance because engaging in rap-music in this part of the world is tough, “he said.

    He said that rappers would be able to address all the issues he had listed above by involving in research findings and getting field backs from their fans on what they wanted to listen to.

    M.I who is also the head of Chocolate City Record Label, said that most recording labels had their various challenges and shortcomings.“Most labels, if not all, have their various shortcomings in fulfilling their obligations to the artistes that signed them on,’’ he said.

    He appealed to artistes, especially the up-and-coming ones, to always learn to be patient with recording labels.

    “Artistes must know that there will always be ups-and- down in their relationships with their labels, and both parties must work together to put things right.

    “Many artistes want to be successful at once but they must realise that there are different strokes for different folks.

    “So, we must learn how to wait for the right time,” he said.

    He urged the media to focus more on the positives and spread love.

    He said that negative news items would always attract more audience but they would always do more damage for the society.

     

    NAN

     

  • Sofy fetes women in Lagos

    Penultimate Sunday was indeed an electrifying day as Sofy Sanitary Pad Ltd treated women to an amazing afternoon of fun at the 5th edition of the Hangoutwithtee event.

    Women from various backgrounds around Lagos were brought together to Panda Events Hall, Sabo, Lagos, for an afternoon of deep insight, talks, networking, exhibitions, games, dance competitions, giveaways and other exciting activities.

    The highly engaging, interactive and exciting afternoon provided a platform for the women to learn, network and play.

    The event, which was themed ‘No Be Today’ and anchored by On Air Personality, Ugochi and seasoned and trained broadcaster, Loular, featured two speakers and three performers, ranging from a female drummer to a spoken word artist, a musician, amongst others.

    Speakers included vibrant and dogged founder of The Job Mag Centre, Maureen Iyasele, and creative writer/public speaker, Tobi Martins Odukoya, while there were performances by Nigeria’s ‘number one’ female drummer, Topsticks, spoken word artist, Kemi Ladipo, and upcoming musician, Angel.

    It was indeed a day filled with inspiration and passion.

  • ‘Evans shot me, pretended to be a doctor’

    A prosecution witness, Chief James Uduji, on Friday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that suspected ‘billionaire’ kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, shot him during his kidnap and afterwards pretended to be a doctor.

    Uduji told Justice Adedayo Akintoye that Evans was the driver of the Lexus 470 SUV which he and three other members of his gang used during the operation.

    The witness testified at the commencement of the prosecution’s case against Evans and his co-defendants; Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

    The four were arraigned on June 26 following the dismissal of Evans’ objection to a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    The defendants and others at large allegedly committed the offences on September 7, 2015, at Seventh Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

    The allegedly conspired and kidnapped Uduji, obtained a ransom of $1.2 million dollars and shot him on the shoulder while trying to kill him.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Evans is also facing another charge of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder, before the same judge.

    In this charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

    Led in Examination-in-Chief by prosecution counsel Adebayo Haroun, Uduji narrated yesterday how he was kidnapped on September 7, 2015, by four armed men on his way home from his factory at Agbara in Ogun State.

    He said the incident took place very close to his house at 7th Avenue area of Festac Town, Lagos.
    Uduji said the alleged kidnappers drove a Lexus 470 SUV and fired several gun shots during the kidnap operation.

    The witness said he was surprised to see the men shooting towards his vehicle, adding that he thought they were the police.

    Uduji said: “I was inside my Hilux van with my two drivers when the men came and pulled me out of my vehicle and dragged me inside their own vehicle.

    “I was not blindfolded at this point, so I saw the men clearly and the man at the steering wheel with a gun was Evans; he is the only one I can recognise among the four,” Uduji said.

    The witness testified that it was when he was dragged out of his vehicle, that he noticed that he was stained with blood.

    “I then realised I had sustained a bullet wounds,” he explained.

    Uduji said the kidnappers called a doctor on phone who treated his bullet wound at their destination.

    The witness said he was given two tetanus injections for seven days, adding that Evans was the so called doctor who treated him.

    He said that he stayed for 45 days in captivity and a ransom of 1.2 million dollars was paid before he was released by the alleged kidnappers.

    Uduji told the court that the ransom was paid in three instalments by his brothers, adding that he was released eight days after the ransom was paid.

    The witness was cross-examined by all the defendants’ counsel, Mr Olarewaju Ajanaku who represented Evans, Mr Ogedi Ogu who represented the second defenant and Mr Emmanuel Ochai for the fourth defendant.

    Ajanaku observed that the specific date when Uduji was released from the kidnappers was not mentioned in the statement he made at the police station.

    He also stated that the date which the witness told the court that he made the statement at the police station was different from the date contained in the statement.

    Read Also: Judge angry over delay in Evans’ trial

    According to the charge, the defendants also allegedly fired shots at Mr Donatus Nwoye which hit him on the hand.
    The court heard that they also shot Jereome Okezie, Uduji’s driver, on the hand and head.

    At the conclusion of Uduji’s testimony, the prosecution called Jerome Okezie, as its second witness.
    Okezie testified that he sustained bullet wounds from the kidnappers’ gun shots, adding that he pretended to be dead after he was shot.

    He said he was taken to the hospital by some people after the kidnappers took his boss away.

    The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 230 (a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Justice Akintoye adjourned further proceedings till September 17.

  • Lagos takes drug abuse campaign to schools

    Lagos State Government has commenced a train-the-trainer campaign against drug abuse at Onikan Youth Centre, Onikan.

    Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Agboola Dabiri said the government was poised to exploring every means available to dissuade the youth of from indulging in the practice.

    The decision to take the campaign to schools, he said, was informed by the determination of government to leave no stone unturned in curbing the spread of abuse of drugs.

    “We realised that we cannot allow our young ones get endangered by drugs, alcohol and tobacco smoking because they constitute the country’s greatest assets. This is the reason we are taking the campaign to the grassroots especially the school children who are the future of the nation,” Dabiri said.

    He appealed to Lagosians to support the government in the campaign to curb drug abuse.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola said the workshop is set to equip school counsellors, social workers and other volunteers involved in educational advancement with needed information about the menace.

    “This training will provide the concerned stakeholders with necessary knowledge and tools needed in sensitising school children against the unwholesome practice.”

  • Lagos to issue over 7,000 permits

    The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) plans to issue over 7,000 building approval plans to homeowners before the end of the year.

    Its General Manager (GM), Olufunmilayo Osifuye, made this known yesterday at a sensitisation in Ebute-Metta and Oyingbo.

    Osifuye said about 6,000 permits had been issued from the beginning of the year till date.

    The sensitisation, he said, was aimed at informing every owner/developer whose property is not covered by a planning permit to regularise the property with the agency.

    According to him, LASPPPA, in conjunction with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has embarked on the Joint Post Construction Audit of all structures in the state.

    The audit, Osifuye said, would ascertain the structural stability and legitimacy of the buildings.

    He said the essence of the exercise was to match-up structural stability and legitimacy of building with necessary infrastructure development.

    This, the GM said, would help to achieve a sustainable and well-planned environment so as to stem building collapse.

    A total of 150 buildings without an approval plan were identified during the exercise. They were served planning permit and post-construction notices, he said.

    “It is not until a building collapses before provision will be made for remedies, preventive measures and solutions.

    The rate of building collapse has reduced to a great extent, but the agency will not relent until a zero per cent building collapse is achieved in Lagos State,” the general manager said.

    Osifuye said that the audit/sensitisation had covered the Ikeja, Opebi-Allen, Yaba, Ojodu-Berger areas of Lagos metropolis.

  • Lagos seeks end to human trafficking, prostitution

    Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has sensitised residents of Epe, Lagos Island, Ikeja, Ikorodu and Badagry local government areas to dangers of prostitution, human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. OMOLARA AKINTOYE reports.

    The world over, there are people who are forced to work for little or no pay. They are controlled by threats, debt, and violence. The trend has several terminologies, but means the same thing: modern slavery.

    Slavery is illegal everywhere, but it continues to thrive because so many people don’t understand it, or do not want to think about it, even as some do not know how to change or end it.

    Many well-meaning individuals are peeved by this modern day slavery because the practice presents all forms of olden day forms of slavery such as dehumanisation of victims. As a result, several groups, individuals, government and non-governmental organisations have engaged in crusades on how to put an end to this horrid development.

    Lagos State government has shown serious commitment to eradicating prostitution/human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

    Of late, the government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, sensitised residents of Epe, Lagos Island, Ikeja, Ikorodu and Badagry local government areas to the dangers of prostitution/human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

    The sensitisation campaign, according to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Lola Akande, was designed to create awareness among the populace on prostitution and human trafficking in Lagos; and how the state has employed various measures to eliminate the ugly trend.

    Akande, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Adesola Onipede, highlighted some of the measures put in place in order to curtail human trafficking. Some of these measures, she said, included sensitisation of the general public through conferences and seminars, empowerment and vocational trainings for women to alleviate poverty which she identified as one of the root causes of human trafficking.

    “In this regard, Lagos State government, through the ministry, organised several vocational skills acquisition trainings for residents of the state, especially women. So, over 50,000 people have been trained and they have graduated from our 17 functional centres located in different parts of the state since inception”, Akande said.

    She said the government is focusing on women because they are vulnerable to the vices which, according to her, must be stopped through provision of sustainable sources of income and livelihood for women.

    The Commissioner, who stated that the ministry has been embarking on series of campaigns on different societal vices in recent time, noted that the need to create awareness among Lagosians on prostitution and human trafficking cannot be over-emphasised.

    Akande maintained that it is important to address the demand-driven factors and to alter the overall market incentive of high profit and low risk that traffickers currently exploit in order to solve the problem of human trafficking.

    She further stated that although factors such as low community awareness, ineffective laws, little or no investigation by law enforcement agents and paucity of resources for victim recovery services had, overtime, aided the boom of the ugly practice.

    Akande assured women that the government will continue to do its best in fighting the trend until the state is rid of this unpleasant phenomenon which not only undermines the security of the state but also of the nation at large.

    The commissioner also recalled that in January this year, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in commemoration of the International Day of Alleviation of Poverty, empowered 150 women across the state with tools such as grinders, sewing machines and hair dryers for economic self-reliance.

    According to the commissioner, all the empowerment initiatives as well as the establishment of N25 billion Empowerment Trust Fund (ETF) under the present administration are indicators that the Lagos State government is very concerned about issues affecting the welfare of its citizens and would do everything possible to ensure that the people enjoy good and secure life.

    On her part, the Zonal Director, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Lagos chapter, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe said it has so far rescued over 12,000 Nigerians from being trafficked and convicted 389 human traffickers since inception.

    Akomolafe, who spoke on “Causes/Effects of Human Trafficking and Society”, highlighted some of the causes of human trafficking. She said they include greed, laziness and ignorance, among others. She noted that the agency was now more committed and determined to prosecute anyone involved in human trafficking.

    According to Akomolafe, NAPTIP condemns people using under-aged children as house helps, pointing out that anyone caught in the act will be prosecuted.

    Giving a general overview of smuggling of migrants, causes, consequences and facilities available to migrants, the Zonal Director, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, (NCFRMI), Mrs. Ngozi Ukegbu said smuggling should be addressed by weakening the demand for  foreign workers.

    “In addition to enforcement, it is necessary to work with employers, including  households, to encourage them to use legal labour migration channels. This should be in accordance with needs in destination countries, notably in sectors that have become structurally in need of undocumented migrants. More efficient return migration policies can also reduce benefits to clients of smugglers” Ukegbu said.

    The ministry also staged a road show in Ikeja and its environs to further sensitise the people to the hideous practice in Pidgin English, English and Yoruba languages.

    Research has shown that organised crime rings exploit between 700,000 and four million new victims of human trafficking each year. There is also evidence of trafficking in women and children within Nigeria.  Apart from human trafficking, the women are also subjected to inhuman treatments such as prostitution against their will. Experts maintain that prostitution in Nigeria is largely caused by socio-economic factors.

  • Lagos to host 2nd Nigeria Beer Festival

    Lagos State is set to excite fun- loving Lagosians by hosting the second Nigeria Beer Festival from September 25 to October 1.

    The yearly event is being organised in collaboration with beer brewers in the country and their counterparts across the globe to create maximum excitement during the week-long fiesta. It will climax with the Independence Day Mega Concert to commemorate Nigeria’s independence.

    The   festival, which promises to propagate responsible drinking among drinking-age (18 and above) consumers, will hold at Waterfront Bar Beach grounds, Eko Atlantic   to give it a carnival atmosphere.

    Analysts agree that Nigeria beer industry is growing with the recent investment of over 250 million US dollars by International Breweries Plc, a member of ABInBev. This huge investment is seen as capable of launching the company as a serious contender which will likely control a larger chunk of the market share in the future.

    The company, which could not participate in the festival last year, is, however, set for a big outing this year. Other companies that participated last year include Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc,Campari and other entertainment providers.

    Organisers of the Nigeria Beer Festival, On and One Events (001) Limited said Lagos State government, which is passionate about tourism, will provide massive institutional support, particularly security, emergency response and related logistics.

    According to the organisers, part of the build-up to this year’s event will include a Beer Colloquium to find the nexus between the beverage, culture and entertainment.

    General Manager of 001Akinola Oluwaleimu will see Nigeria enrol into the league of Beer festivals around the world and boost the country’s tourism opportunities.

    “Nigeria Beer Festival will be a carnival week of entertainment, sales and marketing and a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country and beyond with economic value for the brands and the economy at large,” he assured.

    He added that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is expected to close the festival during the Independence Day Mega Concert that will parade an array of A-list Nigerian artistes,cultural spectacle and a display of an eye-popping firework.

  • Lagos warns car wash operators

    The Lagos State Government has served final contravention notices on some car wash operators on WEMPCO and Akilo roads in Ogba for violating the planning and standard operational guidelines.

    Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA) Acting General Manager Olanrenwaju Kazeem said the notice were a warning to others whose activities were threatening the environmen.

    “The state government will continue to sanction car wash operators whose facilities violate the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010 through notices on contravention, stop work order and seal,” he said.

    Failure to adhere to guidelines and laws, he said, would lead to the sealing off of the operators’ businesses within seven days.

    Kazeem lamented the rate at which car wash businesses were springing up in the state.  According to him, if the practice is not standardised, it would affect the government’s urban regeneration plans.

  • Lagos to unveil tourism master plan

    Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, has disclosed that Lagos State will unveil its Tourism Master plan later this month.

    He said it is a way to give legal backings to all its efforts in developing the tourism sector and make the state the preferred destination for business, leisure and entertainment.

    Ayorinde spoke at the opening of 14th edition of Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair in Lagos on Sunday. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, Ayorinde noted that tourism had become a major source of revenue and employment in many countries.

    He said: ‘’We have also been engaging and partnering the private sector in promoting Lagos as a prime destination with the private sector. We have actually supported private organisations in the entertainment and tourism sector, and in some cases engaged in partnership with them in organising social events to promote movement of people into the state. We consider it essential to deploy resources to support these social events, in spite of constrains in available resources, so that they would become more competitive and sustainable.”

    He noted that the state would leverage the unique opportunities provided by the expo to reach out to major tourism stakeholders on the continent and market Lagos as a choice and must-visit destination in Africa and the world.

    The commissioner commended the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market Mr. IkechiUko, for his foresight and resilience in sustaining the travel and tourism expo, which was endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

    National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Director-General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who declared the event open, said Akwaaba had emerged as the biggest travel and tourism fair in West Africa, attracting participation of stakeholders from all over the world.

    “Indeed, the annual travel and tourism fair has become a veritable platform for stakeholders in the industry to meet, network and exchange ideas on global best practices within the sector.

    “Each edition of the fair comes with fresh and highly innovative components that give the fair its unique and spectacular effects,” Runsewe said.

    He said that during the event, NCAC would be offering free skill acquisition training on bead making, soap making, fabric painting among others, adding that the participants would also be issued certificates.  Uko expressed his appreciation to the people that made the event a successful one, noting that the idea of the fair was to bring the world to Africa.’’