The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Land use charge: NBA Ikeja to welcome Buhari with protest

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, has restated its resolve to embark on another round of protest on March 29 over the reviewed Lagos Land Use Charge.

    The NBA Chairman, Mr Adeshina Ogunlana, said at a media briefing on Wednesday that in spite of the reduction of the rates and levies under the Land Use Charge the protest would go on as planned.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to arrive in Lagos tomorrow on a two-day state visit.

    Lagos State Government has declared tomorrow (March 29) as public holiday in honour of the president.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode had earlier reduced the levies by 50 per cent following a  protest  that greeted the Land Use Charge, but the reduction did not go down well with some stakeholders who insisted the LUC returns to status quo.

    A public hearing on the Lagos Land Use Charge organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly on March 27 had turned rowdy as Ogunlana led lawyers in a walk-out, insisting that the notice to submit their memorandum was too short.

    Ogunlana said: “The protest is far from being over as lawyers have declared their intention to embark on another round of streets protest tomorrow (March 29).”

    The NBA chairman said that the protest was a response to “failure” of the state government and State House of Assembly to meet their demands.

    He, however, warned some members of the public who, he said, were peddling negative rumours against the NBA to desist from it.

    NAN also reports that the NBA had on March 13 staged a protest tagged, ” Walk The Talk” to reject the 50 percent reduction of the levies.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society bodies and professionals had in solidarity joined the protest.

    Others are the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Joint Action Front (JAF) Medical Doctors Association the Human and Environmental Agenda (HEDA)

    The protest was meant to kick against the Land Use Charge Law 2018, excessive litigation cost, borehole tax and car registration tax.

    Ogunlana said : “The reduction is a sham and a calculated ploy to hoodwink the people of Lagos State.”

    He also said the NBA objected to the House of Assembly’s setting up of a committee to review the Land Use Charge 2018.

    “Come Thursday, March 29, the “Walk the Talk” protest must go on irrespective of the public holiday declared by the Lagos State Government in anticipation for the Presidential visit.”  (NAN)

  • Lagos declares tomorrow work-free day for Buhari’s visit

    The Lagos State Government yesterday declared Thursday as work free day in the state.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said it will enable Lagosians come out en masse to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a two-day visit.

    The statement urged residents to adhere to the security guidance earlier announced to make the visit as peaceful and orderly.

    Announcing traffic diversions and alternative routes ahead of the visit, Commissioner of Police Imohimi Edgal, at a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, said adequate preparations have been made to mitigate the impact of the road diversions on residents, while access would be given to any emergency situation.

    Edgal, who addressed the briefing alongside heads of security and emergency agencies in the state, said while in Lagos, the President would commission the new Ikeja Bus Terminal, attend a colloquium in honour of national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and as well as embark on tour of the Eko Atlantic City, among others.

    He said: “To ensure smooth, security-free visit of the President, we would need to do some diversions. Some certain roads will be closed at certain times; some diversions will be made but I want to use this opportunity to appeal for the support and understanding of Lagosians that this temporary road closures and diversions might cause a little inconvenience.”

    He listed the areas to be affected to include Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja, Agege Motor Road, a section of Eko Hotel Road in Victoria Island and Old Marina in Ikoyi axis.

    Buhari will inaugurate the world-class Ikeja Bus Terminal built by the Lagos State Government.

    The terminal, which is behind the Ikeja rail line and about 1km from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, will connect 22 routes and transport a projected 70,000 commuters daily.

    It is one of the 13 terminals being constructed across the state in the first phase of the project.

    The one in Alapere was inaugurated yesterday.

    The one at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has also been completed.

    Buses to service the Ikeja terminal will come from the over 5,000  acquired by the  government, which have started arriving in the country.

  • Police arraign transporter for alleged stealing

    The police on Monday arraigned a transporter, Timothy Oyinbe, 32, in  an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N100,000, belonging to a company, Chukwu bu Ikem Motors.

    The accused, who resides at No. 10, Ogota Road, Abakaliki in Ebonyi, is facing a two-count charge of disobedience to regulations and stealing.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi, told court that the accused committed the offences on March 17 at No. 169, Abeokuta Express Way, Iyana-Ipaja, near Lagos.

    Ajayi alleged that the accused disobeyed the rules and regulations of the company by taking the company’s bus beyond the booked destination and collected N100, 000 from passengers.

    Read Also: No information on Leah, say Police

    The offences contravened Sections 122 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News men report that Section 287 stipulates a seven-year imprisonment for offenders.

    The Magistrate, Mrs G.O. Anifowose, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    She said that the surety must be gainfully employed and should also have his address verified by the court.

    Anifowose adjourned the case until April 11 for mention.

    NAN

  • Lagos seeks end to building collapse

    The Lagos State government has stressed the need for material testing as a way to achieve the vision of zero-building collapse in the state.

    Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye said the vision must be concertedly and meticulously pursued by government and the building professionals with strict adherence to guiding rules, regulations and professional conduct.

    Ogunleye spoke during an inspection tour to the State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) at Ojodu.

    He said additional responsibility of regulating and certifying the practices of privately-owned testing laboratories added to the mandates of the LSMTL should spur the agency to live above board.

    He said: “This agency is one of the core agencies of the ministry and its role is vital. The incidences of building collapse send a negative signal to government and this explains why the government has been doing everything within its ability to reduce the incidences to barest minimum if not totally eradicate it.

    “Having inspected the various facilities here, I am convinced that if we do the right thing, this agency would perform its role diligently and effectively. We cannot afford to be lackadaisical; we must reach our peak to drive the built sector forward and ensure zero tolerance to building collapse.”

    LSMTL Acting General Manager Olalekan Ajani promised that the officials of the agency will continue to discharge their duties diligently and with integrity, noting that the recruitment of additional professionals – engineers, geologists and builders – are good impetus for the manpower capacity of the agency.

    “We are working on capacity building, this we do through retraining of our staff by organising trainings and conferences regularly so that we can key into the vision of the state government. We reiterate the need for our staff to demonstrate diligence, honesty, loyalty and integrity in the discharge of their duties”.

     

  • Blackout looms in Lagos over TCN sub-station shutdown

    There will be a total blackout in Itire and its environs of Lagos as the Management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has proposed a four-hour power outage due to routine maintenance.

    The maintenance which would necessitate the power outage is expected to be carried out on equipment at the Itire 132KV Transmission Sub-Station in Lagos on March 27.

    Mrs Ndidi Mbah, General Manager (Public Affairs) of TCN, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

    According to the statement, the scheduled maintenance is necessary for the sub-station to maintain effective supply of electricity to the areas concerned.

    It explained that the proposed maintenance would disrupt 34 megawatts of electricity supply to customers around Ago, Okota, Ilasamaja, Ijesha, Itire and their environs.

    “The planned outage will enable TCN engineers from the Akangba sub-regional office in Surulere to carry out routine maintenance work on all the equipment at its Itire Transmission Sub-Station.

    “The maintenance will also cover a 132KV insulated indoor switchyard for improved electricity supply to customers in the above-mentioned areas.

    “TCN, therefore, appeals to customers that take supply from distribution load centres covering the areas mentioned above, to bear with it for four hours on Tuesday, March 27.

    “The management of TCN apologises for the inconveniences that may result from the temporary disruption of supply to customers within the affected areas.

    “TCN promises to continue upgrading and maintaining its equipment to serve Nigerians better, in line with the Federal Government’s strategy on incremental power supply to the people.’’

  • Lagos commences free fashion training for 50 youths

    47 ladies and three young men have been enrolled in the maiden Sustainable Enterprise Development Programme training fully sponsored by Lagos State Government.

    The six-month training on fashion designing and garment-making is in conjunction with the Betty Okuboyejo Foundation.

    Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment is in charge of the enterprise training conceived to empower youths become job and wealth creators.

    At the formal kick-off of the training in Ikeja last week, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said the training was to foster economic empowerment of youths without relying on paid jobs.

    She said the Lagos State Government is bankrolling the training with tuition, lunch and transportation covered because of firm commitment to youth empowerment and their economic well-being.

    According to her, the trainees will be offered a loan of N250, 000 as well as relevant tools through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

    The loan, she explained, has a 5 percent interest with three-month moratorium to enable the trainees create jobs and values upon graduation.

    She added government is also working on launching a “virtual market for artisans to address the challenges of access to market, adequate finance and deficiency in skills hitherto faced in the sector.”

    When established, she explained the virtual market will serve as platform for interactions among artisans, end user/customers and relevant stakeholders.

    He told the trainees the government was also planning a garment production hub where garment-making companies will site their factories for exportation.

    The trainer, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, assured the trainees will be exposed to a world-class programme covering book-keeping, customer relations, comportment and technicality of garment-making as well as fashion.

    Ogunlesi, who is the founder of Ruff N Tumble, praised the Lagos State Government for supporting the initiative.

    She told the trainees to take maximum advantage of the training, saying “the future is in your hands. Lagos has given you the platform. There is nothing you cannot achieve or do.”

     

  • Lagos to commence execution of 270 community projects

    The government of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is set to commence execution of 270 community projects in the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas across the state.

    This was disclosed in a keynote address delivered by the Special Adviser on Communities and Communications, Hon. Akeem Sulaimon, who represented the governor at a stakeholders meeting with members of Community Development Associations in the state which took place at Ikeja.

    The projects which cut across the CDAs in all the local councils include: drainages and culvert, roads, public toilets, water boreholes, community halls, electrification, channelisation of canals etc.

    The governor said two projects were selected each from the list of projects submitted to the ministry of local government and community affairs by the 57 local councils in the state and 100 of the projects were disclosed at the event “while the process continues”.

     

    The projects, Ambode said, is apart from the 114 inner roads projects already inaugurated and another 181 inner roads currently undergoing construction and rehabilitation.

    The gesture, he said, is in line with his administration’s approach of an all-inclusive government and using communities as springboard for social and economic development.

    He appealed to the communities to guide jealously the projects in their communities from vandals and miscreants “as development is a collective responsibility”.

    The Special Assistant to Ambode on Community Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri, took time to explain the land use charge to residents and gave two toll-free lines that they can call if they have any complaint or need further clarification on any issue, particularly the land use charge apart from lodging complaints in the government website. The numbers are: 08177777782 & 08093929329.

    Also, the Coalition of Lagos Entrepreneurs and Professionals (CLEP) have declared their support for Gov Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term.

    The group officially made their declaration and endorsement in at a meeting recently. The coordinator of CLEP, Niyi Ahmed Ojikutu in his speech explained that CLEP is a coalition of CEO’s, Entrepreneurial Groups, Innovators, and Professionals, with well over one million members cut across formal and informal sector.

    He said, the group after a careful observation of the activities going on in Lagos State has decided to endorse the governor for a second term.

     

  • Man docked for ‘unlawful use of Lagos Taxi’

    A 75-year-old man, Babatunde Aremu, who allegedly used the Lagos State Taxi trademark illegally, was on Wednesday brought before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court.

    Aremu is standing trial before Mrs. A. M. Davies on a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful use of trademark, and false representation.

    According to prosecuting police officer, Sgt. Rueben Solomon, the offences contravened Sections 168(1)(d), 380(1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and punishable under same.

    Rueben told the court that Aremu conspired and committed the alleged offences with accomplices who are at large, between 2014 and 2018.

    READ ALSO: Court declines jurisdiction in taxi operators’ suit

    He said they conducted themselves “in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by falsely and unlawfully making use of the trademark of the Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators (Yellow Taxi).”

    According to the prosecutor, they also “falsely represented themselves to be Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators (Yellow Taxi).”

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Magistrate Davis granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She remanded the defendant in prison pending the perfection of the bail terms.

    The case continues on March 27.

  • Lagos partners police on training

    Lagos State is committed to building the capacity of policemen to fight crime, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem has said.

    He spoke when Yetunde Longe, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, led a team of senior officers to visit him in Ikeja.

    Kazeem urged them not to hesitate to seek his support and the collaboration of his ministry in the fight against crime.

    He expressed his appreciation to the team for the visit and used the opportunity to explain in detail areas of training which the Ministry of Justice is sponsoring to build Police capacity. According to him, they include forensic,  crime investigation and criminal prosecution processes.

    The Attorney-General promised to continue to work with the Police as worthy partners to ensure a crime free state and facilitate speedy justice delivery for residents.

    Longe, on behalf of her team, thanked Kazeem for the cordial relationship between the ministry and her department.

    She pledged to enhance the areas of cooperation with a view to ensuring the efficient discharge of their mandate.

    Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey assured Longe and her team of the ministry’s support in dealing timely with matters that will be brought to her office by the Police, particularly those needing DPP’s advice.

    The visiting team included officer in charge of Legal section, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Effiong Asuguo; officer in charge of Homicide section, CSP  Rasaq Oseni and Superintendent of Police (SP) Taiwo Kasumu.

  • My body no be wood or stone; Sex-starved wife tells court

    Barely five years of nuptial bliss, a 35 -year-old businesswoman, Mrs Bilikisu Azeez, on Monday approached an Igando Customary Court in a Lagos suburb to dissolve her sexless marriage.

    “Please dissolve this union so that I can move on with my life, my body is not wood or stone,” the sex-starved wife opened up in court.

    She told the court that her husband, Olusesi Azeez, starved her of sex for more than two years, a development which, she said, had affected her health.
    “My husband has been starving me of sex since he married his youngest wife, he has turned me to an abandoned property.
    “I have been falling sick in and out of hospital, during my last visit to the hospital, I was told that it was because I have had sex for long that is why I experience frequent sickness.”
    She also accused her husband of not caring for her and the only child of the marriage, saying “my husband does not take care of me, I feed and clothe myself.
    “He refused to enroll our only child, who is over four years old in school and has failed to pay his medical bills; I always run to my mother for the hospital bill.”
    Bilikisu, who also accused her husband of battery, said he had beaten her publicly which resulted in her fainting.
    According to her, the trouble started when her husband brought in the third wife.
    She continued: “There was joy, love and peace in the house until he came with another wife, who has been fighting me also.”
    Olusesi, in his response to the allegations, accepted that he starved the woman of sex.
    “She once denied me of sex and since then I abandoned her.
    “Yes, I starved her of sex, it is tit for tat because there was a day I entered her room to sleep with her and she left the bed to sleep on the floor.
    “I made an attempt eight times to sleep with her, but she refused. So since that day, I just put her aside after all she is not the only wife I have,” he told the court.
    The 45-year-old building contractor, however, agreed to the dissolution of the marriage, asking the court to grant his wife’s request.
    “I am no longer interested in the marriage.”
    The court’s President, Mr Akin Akinniyi, after listening to the estranged couple, advised them to explore a possible reconciliation of the crisis.
    He adjourned the case until April 12 for judgment