The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Website designer charged with locking up woman in office

    A 38-year-old website designer, Godswill Udofa, was on Monday docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly locking up a woman with her guests in an office.

    According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, the accused committed the offences on June 28 at Ilupeju, Lagos.

    He said that the accused conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by locking up Mrs Mfon Mtonise and her guests in her office during a meeting.

    “The accused, who claimed that the complainant owed him N100, 000 sneaked to where she was having a meeting with her guests and locked them up inside the office with padlocks.

    “When the complainant and her guests discovered that they had been locked up, they raised an alarm, shouting for help.

    “The accused refused to open the door, claiming that he must collect his money before he would open it.

    “After several hours, the Police arrived the scene, the accused was forced to open the door and he was taken to the station,’’ the prosecutor said.

    The offences contravened Section 168 and 308(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 308(1) prescribes a five-year jail term for intent to commit felony.

    Udofa, who resides at Ikorodu Road, Onipanu, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to the two- count charge of intent to commit felony and breach of the peace.

    The Magistrate, Mrs F.F George, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties, as part of the bail conditions.

    George ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned until July 10, for mention.

  • Lagos, constituent salute Gbajabiamila at 56

    The Lagos State Government yesterday described the Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as a courageous person with many great accomplishments.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode gave the description at a party organised by Surulere Local government and some groups under the platform of Surulere General Assembly to celebrate Gbajabiamila’s 56th birthday.

    Represented by the Director-General of the State Safety Commission, Hakeem Dickson, Ambode said the government and people of Lagos were proud of Gbajabiamila’s achievements and the values that his life represented.

    He said his achievements both in the House of Representatives and leader in Surulere were noteworthy.

    “Your life represents the values that we so much cherish.  So, on this joyous occasion, you deserve our respect, honour and goodwill.

    “The government and the good people of the state, salute you for your courage, discipline and candour and life of magnificent accomplishments. We join your admirers and well-wishers across the country to wish you a happy birthday,” he said.

    Surulere Local Government Chairman Tajudeen Ajide said the lawmaker had represented the area well in the National Assembly, and given a good account of himself.

    “Our leader has done a lot to make impact in Surulere through quality representation. We are proud of him and we think today, is a good day to celebrate his achievements,” he said.

    Ajide urged residents to support Gbajabiamila’s re-election bid to enable him attract more projects to the constituency.

    In his message to the gathering, Gbajabiamila said he was humbled by the show of love and support by the residents.

    He promised to continue do its best in the service of his constituency.

    “I am grateful for this honour and I will continue to do my best for Surulere,” he said.

  • Lagos demolishes shanties at abattoir

    Over 500 shanties and illegal structures within and outside the Oko-Oba Abattoir and Lairage Complex, at  Agege, Lagos,  were yesterday  demolished by the Lagos State Government. Agriculture Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Suara, described the demolition as part  of efforts to ensure adequate upgrading and transformation of the complex for improved operations.

    Suarau who was  reviewing the report of the demolition carried out by his ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the  State Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Department of State Security and Operation MESA, said  government owes it a duty to improve the hygienic condition of the complex and ensure best practices in the red meat value chain. “Rehabilitation of the facilities at the Oko-oba abattoir is to ensure that operations at the complex meets international standard,” Suarau stressed.

    He explained that completion of projects at the Oko-Oba abattoir complex will result in an upgraded abattoir equipped with a standard clinic to take care of people and other emergencies in the complex. He stated that apart from upgrade of facilities and infrastructure of abattoirs and slaughter slabs, the state government has also trained butchers and live cattle dealers drawn from various abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the state on current trends in abattoir management.

  • ‘Ambode, a special gift to Lagos’

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been described as a blessing from God to the people of Lagos state.  

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, said this while speaking with newsmen yesterday.  

    According to the Commissioner, God’s unwavering love for Lagos State has manifested in the leadership of Governor Ambode whose methodical approach to governance has brought about rapid development in the state.

    Describing him as a special gift to the state, AbdulLateef said the Governor has addressed the challenges his administration inherited when he assumed office three years ago, including traffic congestion, kidnapping, cultism and other crimes that were hitherto prevalent in the state. 

    Although he noted that the state is not a stranger to progressive leadership, especially since the defining era of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commissioner added that Ambode has raised the tempo of people-oriented governance with ongoing massive infrastructural projects dotting the landscape of the state.

    He said: The network of roads in the state has remarkably improved under the current administration, with construction of inner city roads and those of the highways with lay-bys and bus-stops, the face of traffic flow and management has been redefined. “Travel time within the state has reduced. You will certainly see the improvement while driving on Lagos roads. I am sure driving and living in the state would be more interesting and enjoyable by the time several ongoing urban-renewal projects are completed. Flyovers are springing up on highways to prevent residents from losing their lives while crossing the highways. Lay-bys are being constructed on major roads to also prevent indiscriminate parking by motorists, a practice which used to contribute to the traffic gridlock.

    “Nothing less than modern 1000 bus-stops will soon be completed to ease traffic flow. The lay-bys and slip roads are constructed with installation of wire mesh fencing to bring out orderliness on our highways like never before. And of course the icing on the cake is the sustained Light-Up Lagos, which has been able to perform multi-functions on our roads and metropolis. It enables motorists to see clearly at night; it has also chased criminals and other night marauders away from the black spots in addition to beautifying our city. We can now feel the beauty of having our streetlights illuminate the nooks and crannies of Lagos at night. What about the gains accruable through the night economy in the areas with streetlights? Gradually, Lagos is becoming a smart city of our dream.”     

    The Commissioner, however, added that what is being witnessed in the state is just a tip of the iceberg, insisting that the future promises to be better and more rewarding for Lagosians.

    “More massive capital projects will be completed before the end of the year. While others are busy playing politics of bitterness, Governor Ambode remains committed to fulfilling all his electoral promises because he believes all residents, regardless of their tribe, religion, age and sex, would be positively impacted if government truly works for the people. This is what the governor means by running an all-inclusive government. Under Ambode, Lagosians don’t have to know somebody in government before they feel the impact of the administration. That is the new Lagos, a dream that is fast becoming a reality,” he said.

     

  • Lagos Govt. seals fuel station over pollution

    The Lagos State Government says it has sealed Total Filling Station in Akoka area over alleged pollution of water sources.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, said in a statement on Friday that the filling station’s underground tank reportedly had leakage which polluted water sources in the community.

    He said that the intervention of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) prompted the filling station to correct the leakage and stopfurther pollution of the environment.

    ”Going forward, we have directed that an Environmental Forensic Audit be carried out immediately to determine the exact source and extent of the pollution,” he said.

    Durosinmi-Etti directed immediate closure of the filling station pending the outcome of the environmental forensic audit.

    He said that government would not hesitate to take any meaningful measure to protect the health and well being of the citizenry.

    The commissioner called for the decommissioning of boreholes installed by Total as palliative for the affected residents.

    He urged management of the Total Filling Station to liaise with the Lagos Water Corporation for the supply of pipe-borne water to the affected residents, while further findings on the pollution were ongoing.

    Durosinmi-Etti said that LASEPA had been mandated to monitor and ensure the implementation of the directives given to the fuel station. (NAN)

  • US deports 34 Nigerians

    No fewer than 34 Nigerians were on Wednesday deported from the United States of America for allegedly committing offences in the country.

    The deportees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMlA), Lagos at about 2.30 p.m.

    The deportees, comprising 32 males and two females, were brought back in a chartered Omni Air International aircraft with Registration Number W342AX.

    Spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, confirmed the development to our reporter.

    Alabi said, “at about 14.30 hours (2.30 p.m.), we received 34 Nigerians who were brought back from the United States. They were made up of 32 males and two females. ”

    He said the 25 of the deportees were alleged to have committed criminal offences, with one involved in narcotics while others were alleged to have committed immigration-related offences.

    Read Also: 20 Kenyans, others deported from United States

    Alabi said the deportees were received by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.

    Also on ground to receive them were officials of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    He said that the deportees were profiled by the relevant authorities and allowed to depart to their various destinations.

  • Lagos CP redeploys Anti-Cultism Squad

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, on Monday redeployed the officer and men in charge of the Anti-Cultism Squad over alleged unprofessional conducts and corruption.

    The police spokesman in Lagos Command, CSP Chike Oti, said in a statement in Lagos that the move was to reposition and reinvigorate the command’s Anti-Cultism Squad.

    According to him, reorganisation of the squad was necessitated by the unprofessional conducts of its personnel and corruption in the unit.

    He said that the unit was very crucial in the fight against cultists and cultism in the state.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, has redeployed the Officer-in-Charge of the Squad, SP Godwin Agbegbe, while CSP Akaninyene Etuk has been posted to take over from him.

    Read Also: One killed in Lagos cult clash

    “Similarly, all members of the squad were relieved of their duty posts and have been directed to report to the Lagos State Police Headquarters for debriefing.

    “The CP warns that the same treatment awaits any other unit in the command that is working at cross purposes with the fundamental objectives of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

    Oti added that all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Head of Departments were enjoined to increase supervision of their men in order to ensure non-violation of the police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

    He also urged members of the public with useful information about the activities of cultists in any part of the state to reach CSP Etuk on 08034448617.

    It will be recalled that Edgal had on Sept. 3, 2017, sacked, Adejobi Akinade, the Officer in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism Unit of the command over alleged corruption.

    Reports confirmed that the police chief, after removing Adejobi, separated Kidnapping unit from Cultism and posted senior officers as heads of the two units for better service delivery.

    NAN

  • One killed in Lagos cult clash

    A deadly clash by two rival cult groups has resulted to the death of an unidentified man at Alapere in Ketu, near Lagos.

    The incident took place at Modupe Street, off Kazeem Street in Alapere late on June 17.

    A resident of the area, who claimed to have witnessed the fight told our reporters that the cultists came from a nearby street, describing the area as a hotbed of cultist activities.

    The Alapere cult war has been on for more than three years, resulting to the death of no fewer than eight people within the period.

    The source, who pleaded not to be identified, named the rival cults as members of Eiye and Aye confraternity.

    “These cultists are always at war with each other, shooting guns at night all the time.

    Read Also: Lagos workers to get gratuity three months after retirement

    “Kazeem, Aminu and Akampson Streets near the transformer at Alapere are notorious for cult activities,” the source said.

    The spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, Mr Chike Oti, confirmed the development, saying that the dead man was stabbed to death.

    Oti said that the identity of the dead man was not yet known.

    He said, however, that the body had been removed by policemen from the Alapere Division and deposited at a mortuary.

    The spokesman said that no arrest had been made on the development.

    NAN

  • Russia 2018: Fans want Super Eagles to rise above defeat

    Football fans in Lagos have urged the Super Eagles to rise above the 0-2 defeat to Croatia in their opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    They told our reporters on Monday in Lagos that though the loss was a tough one to bear but that they should not allow it to weigh them down.

    They said that ever since the World Cup started, thousands of fans had been trooping in to support their teams at the Eagles Club, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere Lagos.

    Kunle Arowolo said that the Eagles needed to be sharper in the attack, adding that all other departments were okay, but that the attack led by Odion Ighalo was not effective enough.

    “The team played well but did not do well at the attack, but it is not time to apportion blames to anybody but for the attack led by Ighalo to raise their game.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Nigerians react to Super Eagles lost against Croatia

    “We must approach our next game against Iceland with all manner of consciousness and get all three points or the alternative could be devastating,’’ Arowolo said.

    Another fan, Stanley Okwonkwo said that that Super Eagles needed to be business minded up front as the last game showed their weakness in the midfield and attack.

    “It was a great game but the better team won at the end, we have to support our team regardless of the loss because it is important for them to believe in themselves.

    “I am hopeful that their performance in the next game against Iceland would be better, so let us support them to do well,’’ Okwonkwo said.
    Steve Bamijoko, on his part, said that the team needed to work harder in their two remaining matches which were crucial to their progress to round of 16.

    “It is obvious that there are no pushovers in the World Cup; everybody is good enough if you strive hard and play as a team.

    “A clear example is Mexico handing a 1-0 defeat to Germany, the defending champions, in their opening match and Switzerland holding five times champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw.

    “No team should see themselves as small, so the Super Eagles in their coming matches should have the clear chance to progress to the next round,’’ Bamijoko said.

    Abayomi Abidakun, Senior Brand Manager, Star Lager Beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc., said that supporting Super Eagles to excel was very crucial at this point as he was confident they would bounce back.

    He urged football fans not to feel bad about the result and that no matter what, we must get behind the team and hopefully the right results would come their way.

    “Getting things right sometimes doesn’t come easy, Super Eagles went into the match with the hope of getting the right result for them but it did not come that way.

    “We have to move on as Eagles face Iceland on June 22 which is very crucial to their success at the World Cup.

    “The Super Eagles Dome by Nigerian Breweries is our way of supporting the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they represent our nation in Russia and also creating an atmosphere of fun.

    “With one voice, we can cheer on with `One United’ voice.

    “As a brand, we are proud of this opportunity, given to Star Lager beer, to create an atmosphere where passionate fans can come and support the Super Eagles,’’ Abidakun said.

    The venue showcased High-tech, multi-media technology, giving a 360 degree experience where fans rallied support for the Eagles as they faced Croatia in their first match in Russia.

    Football supporters also experienced a `beer village’, where fans were treated to refreshing premium lager beer all through the night.

    One of the main attractions of the Super Eagles Dome was the exquisite Star Lager tunnel, which featured a LED screen that takes fans down memory lane of historic Super Eagles moments.

    Nigeria face Iceland on June 22 who had forced a 1-1 draw against two times world champions, Argentina in their opening match.

     

    NAN

  • And it Rained in Lagos (At the Mercy of National Contradictions)

    There was always something mystical and metaphysical about June 12, 1993.  It makes one to shudder at the fate that awaits those who conspire against the immanent destiny of this potentially greatest conglomeration of Black people. Twenty five years ago, no remarkable rainfall was recorded in any part of the country. But as soon as President Buhari made historic restitution last Tuesday, a rumbling deluge which reminds one of the wailing of a hysterical woman fell on Lagos.

    In the end, it came against the run of play. A week after praising to the high heavens the principal military muscle behind the annulment of the freest and fairest election in the history of the country, President Mohammadu Buhari suddenly discovered the will and visionary resolve to honour the winner and more significantly to apologize to the nation for that epic infraction of the national will by his old constituency. By so doing, the ramrod general has managed to cauterize—if not completely heal— an open and festering sore of the nation.

    This is one of those supreme moments of history roiling with intriguing ironies, when nobility of purpose trumps personal limitations and national contradictions to gift a traumatized nation the possibility of a new beginning. In a momentary lapse of dialectical rigour, an otherwise heroic and feisty Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka pleaded with General Buhari to stop confusing the nation. But how is this possible? The confusion and contradictions will and must continue while we are appalled and we applaud in equal measure.

    As somebody famously stated, we may all have to thank contradictions. To the extent that contradictions are a dynamic expression of the push and shove of contending and conflicting forces in a multi-ethnic nation, they can only be engaged and cannot be avoided. Contradictions are not necessarily evil or amoral, even though they appear to be. Nations and people must learn to profit from contradictions even as they rock and tug at their very fabric.

    The June 12 1993 electoral debacle was a product of a national contradiction between the military state and the nation: whether a dominant and authoritarian military caste can also assume electoral overlordship and veto power over the people, and whether the Nigerian Army is superior to the army of revolting Nigerians. With the retreat of the army to the barracks in 1999 and the Buhari Declaration of June 12, 2018, the contradiction has been resolved in favour of the Nigerian people. So, nations move forward but in a rather unpredictable manner.

    In the end, perhaps nothing can beat the description of the annulment by the federal authorities as a product of elite conspiracy and collusion. The irony of it all is that the recognition of MKO Abiola is itself another instance of elite conspiracy and collusion, but this time around in the right historic direction. With the coalition that brought him to power fast unspooling and with his electoral fortunes taking a severe dip in critical constituencies, General Buhari needed a masterstroke.

    But one man’s lucky dip is another man’s unlucky decline. The Buhari Declaration marks the final implosion of the Obasanjo Settlement of 1998. Nothing can revive a dead donkey. The principal actors are in disarray. Those who put Obasanjo in power twice are about to remove him from pedestal. With his back to the wall, the crusty old warrior is unlikely to go down without a major uproar.

    Yet General Obasanjo had all the time in the world and the personal authority to lay the ghost of the unjust annulment. But his fear of the northern power establishment and what appears to be an animus for Abiola led to the gravest political error of his remarkable career. Without batting an eyelid, the same establishment has reversed him and put him on the slab for political skinning.

    Sweet indeed are the uses of adversity. What we are witnessing is the struggle for the entrenchment of a new hegemonic power bloc. Without the collapse of the Obasanjo Settlement, this would have been unthinkable, and without the ascendancy of the coalition that brought in General Buhari, this would have been impossible.

    If there is anything constant in this contradictory churning of events, it is the need to be strategically broadminded enough to profit from the negative side-effects of historical developments. Let this serve as a travel advisory to those playing a dangerous game with cold-blooded power mongers as well as isolationist power neophytes without a coherent strategy.

    Although annulment from military direction appears to have had its day, certain conditions which predispose a nation to oligarchic power seizures and annulment by other means still subsist, particularly the overconcentration of power at the centre and its harsh unitarist worldview. This is not the time to take the eyes off the ball. As it has been said of chess, the conventionality of the game is the very reason for the oddity of the knight’s move. And it rained in Nigeria.