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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos bags pension award 

    Lagos bags pension award 

    Lagos State government has been  honoured  with a pension award for demonstrating commitment to its pensioners and full implementation of the Pension Reform Act of 2004.

    The awardee, Managing Director, Peter Adedeji Peninscope Professional Warranty Limited  while presenting the award at the Public Lecture, Award and Luncheon of 6th Edition, Peniscope Magazine, with theme: Government Policies as it Affects Various Investment Options of Pension and Insurance Fund, said the state choice was  based on investigation and feedback from state pensioners.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode while receiving the award titled, Award For Excellence on Pension Matters re-stated the continuing and irrevocable commitment of his present administration to the welfare of pensioners, the dutiful discharge of pension obligations, and the regular reform and retooling of the government’s pension systems from time to time and as the exigencies of the times may demand.

    The governor who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments, Training And Pensions, Akintola Benson, noted that the theme of the event was wide enough to encompass  the intersections between government policies and the level of returns on the investment of pension and insurance funds.

    He said: “I wish to briefly reiterate the convictions that ought to be deeply appreciated and kept in view by all the stakeholders in the pension administration system. These convictions relate to the holistic and multiplier benefits that a properly managed and administered pension system has to offer all stakeholders.

    The Lagos State Government thus demonstrated its virtuous moral compass such that, under the administration the current Governor’s administration in particular, the State Government has faithfully honoured its obligations under the Law.

     

     

    The vehicle for demonstrating this commitment has been the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) which was established as a corporate entity to regulate, supervise and ensure the effective administration of pension matters in the Lagos State Public Service.

    “The passage of the law itself was in response to the new model and standards of pension administration formulated under the federal Pension Reform Act 2004. Without an iota of doubt, LASPEC has performed brilliantly in discharging the trust entrusted to its care. Furthermore, and as you well know, the Lagos State Government has been consistently winning the National Pension Commission’s award for the Best Pensions Compliant State in the Federation.”

    He stressed that they aim to maintain this rating by continuing and improving on the timely payment of all pensions and other applicable benefits to our retiring workers upon disengagement from service.

     

  • Two siblings die in Lagos fire

    Two siblings die in Lagos fire

    A two-month-old baby and his two-year-old brother, Kenneth were Monday night killed after fire razed their makeshift home at Ifako in Lagos.

    The incident occurred around 10:30pm, at 31, Shosanya Street, off Sholuyi Bus Stop, Gbagada.

    It was gathered that the children’s mother left a lit candle and stepped out to buy something when fire gutted the shanty.

    Sources said the children might have suffocated to death because the outbreak was not severe.

    The one-roomed structure was said to have served as the family’s bedroom and kitchen.

    According to a neighbour, no one could tell if the fire was caused by candlelight or the family’s stove since the woman usually cooked inside the room.

    “This fire started around 10pm. We do not know what caused it but the woman was not at home. She went out and left the children inside.

    By the time she got back, the room was on fire and the kids had choked,” said the neighbour.

    Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Fire Service said the bodies were recovered and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Ifako.

    The service acknowledged that the children were left unattended by their mother, urging parents to imbibe safety consciousness.

    Read Also: Harmattan: Kuje fire department warns residents against bush burning

  • Woman docked for injuring girl

    Woman docked for injuring girl

    A 40-year-old woman, Motunrayo Adadi, who allegedly inflicted injury on the head of a 13-year-old girl, Deborah Matthew, on Tuesday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.‎
    ‎
    Adadi, a resident of 15b, Lati Erelu Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of unlawful treatment, human trafficking and assault.‎

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offences at No. 15b, Lati Erelu Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, at about 6.30 a.m. on November 11.‎
    ‎
    Osayande said the accused assaulted the 13-year-old girl and inflicted injury on her head.‎

    She said that Adadi did engage in human trafficking by using Deborah as house help and treating her indecently. ‎‎

    Read also: Man docked for allegedly defiling two sisters

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 245, 135 and 276 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The chief magistrate said the addresses of the sureties must be verified, and adjourned the case until December 15 for mention.

    NAN

  • Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    Arik Air on Tuesday announced that it was resuming flight operations on the Abuja-Calabar and Abuja-Uyo routes from December 15.

    Its Communications Manager, Mr Ola Adebanji, disclosed this in Lagos in a statement.

    Adebanji said the airline was increasing its capacity ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations to enable customers celebrate the season with their families and friends.

    He said: “The capacity increase which will boost our key domestic routes, especially in the South East and South-South zones, takes effect from December 15 to run through January 14, 2018.

    “The main highlights of the new schedule are the resumption of Abuja to Calabar and Abuja to Uyo routes which were suspended earlier in the year.

    Read also: Arik air resumes Abuja-Accra flights July 17, says CEO

    “Arik Air will be flying daily from Abuja to Uyo and five times a week from Abuja to Calabar.

    “Similarly, the airline has increased its frequencies between Lagos to Calabar, Lagos to Uyo, Lagos to Enugu, Lagos to Owerri, Abuja to Enugu to daily flights.

    “It will operate the Lagos to Asaba route five times weekly during the period.”

    According to him, customers that want to fly Arik Air on the Lagos-Port Harcourt route now have an early morning ( 7 a.m. ) departure from Port Harcourt and late evening ( 5 p.m. ) flight from Lagos.

    Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu,  said the airline came up with the new schedules because of its love for its intending passengers.

    He said that Arik Air was aware that many Nigerians would like to seize the opportunity it offered to celebrate the Yuletide with their loved ones across the country.

    “As a caring airline, we have put measures in place to fly customers to their respective destinations during this festive season,” he said.

    NAN

  • Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

    Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

    Ahead of Christmas celebration, prices of tomatoes, pepper and onions have reduced by about 45 per cent in Lagos.

    Price checks at Mile 12, Whitesand, Iddo and Oko Oba markets in Lagos on Monday, revealed that the drop in prices was due to bumper harvest of agricultural produce.

    Report said a basket of tomatoes, which previously sold for N15, 000 now goes for N8, 000 while red pepper (tatashe) now cost N8000 compared to its previous price of N14, 000 a basket.

    A basket of chilli pepper (rodo) also reduced from N18, 000 to N10, 000 and a jute bag of onions, which previously cost N30, 000, now goes for N20, 000.

    A 25-litre of vegetable oil, which previously sold for N11, 500, now cost N10, 700, palm oil decreased from N11, 000 to N10, 300, while a measure of garri now cost N400.

    However, the price of a 50 kilogramme bag of rice ranged between N13, 500 to N17, 000, depending on the brand while a measure of beans cost N1,500.

    Mr Femi Odusanya, spokesman for Mile 12 Market Traders Association, attributed the price drop to the ongoing harvest season for most of the produce.

    Read also: FG has no intention to increase fuel pump price

    “Over 20 per cent of the annual four million metric tonnes of tomatoes produced in the country is supplied to Mile 12 Market annually and redistributed to over 400 markets in Lagos and Ogun State and six ECOWAS countries.

    “About 200, 000 metric tonnes of the 800,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes annually supplied to Mile 12 Market get wasted due to postharvest losses.

    “Presently, the supply of the produce is more than the demand because farmers commenced harvest in December and there would be surplus in the market till April when the harvest season would end.

    “That is why we have been advocating for increased investment in tomato processing plant to mop up the excess and reduce waste, create jobs and increase contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Odusanya said.

    He urged the three tiers of government to create an enabling environment toward attracting more investors to tomato processing in the country.

    NAN

  • Ambode presents N1.046trn budget for 2018

    Ambode presents N1.046trn budget for 2018

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented the Year 2018 Budget proposal of N1.046 trillion to the  State House of Assembly.

    Christened  “Budget of Progress and Development”, Governor Ambode said the 2018 budget would be used to consolidate on the achievements recorded in infrastructure, education, transportation/traffic management, security and health sectors.

    According to him, the Budget would also focus on mandatory capacity building for civil servants, all teachers in public secondary/primary schools, officers in the health service sector and women & youth empowerment alongside Medium and Small/Micro Size Entrepreneurs (MSMSE’s).

    Explaining the key components of the budget, Governor Ambode said capital expenditure would gulp N699.082billion while N347.039billion would be dedicated to recurrent expenditure, representing a Capital/Recurrent ratio of 67 percent to 33 percent and a 28.67 percent increase over Y2017 budget.

    The Governor said that despite the modest achievements recorded in 2017, there was still much work ahead, assuring that Government would not relent in its efforts to give Lagosians the best by way of continuous and efficient service delivery.

    “Lagos has always been a trailblazer and we must consolidate on the economic gains made so far by initiating people-friendly programmes and projects that will attract more economic improvement in Y2018.

    “It is our resolve in Y2018 to strive and complete all on-going projects in order to meet their specified completion period and embark on new strategic projects. We intend to improve on our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the face of the dwindling accruable revenue allocation from the Federal Government, sustain our vision on wealth creation and poverty alleviation,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor also listed key projects captured in the 2018 Budget to include the Agege Pen Cinema flyover; alternative routes through Oke-Ira in Eti-Osa to Epe-Lekki Expressway; the 8km regional road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) with Freedom Road in Lekki Phase I; completion of the on-going reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport Road into a 10-lane road and the BRT Lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba.

    On infrastructural renewal, Governor Ambode said his administration remains committed to sustaining the tempo of continuous construction, rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of network of roads across the State including those within the boundary areas of Lagos and Ogun States and that the bus reform initiative would be consolidated with the introduction of high and medium capacity buses, construction and completion of bus depots at Oshodi, Anthony, Yaba and many others.

    He also said the movement of Mile 12 market to Imota had reached an advanced stage and would be completed in good time to pave way for relocation next year.

    The 181 Local Government Roads will be commenced as contractors will be mobilized immediately, as well as continuous gridlock resolution, junction improvement, construction of more laybys and advancement of signalization that will improve traffic congestion especially along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

    Ambode said the Government would construct an ICT Focus Incubator Centre in Yaba, commence the development of Imota and Igbonla Light Industrial Park as well as the provision of additional small scale industrial estate at Shala, while the State Employment Trust Fund will disburse more funds to Lagosians to support business and stimulate the economy.

    Governor Ambode also assured that his administration will vigorously pursue its planned direct intervention in the power value chain towards generating 3,000MW Embedded Power Programme within a three-year plan to achieving 24/7 power supply for the State, stressing that the challenge of inadequate power supply must be resolved for the economy to perform optimally.

    He said within the 2018 fiscal year, the Government would continue to rekindle its efforts in the area of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture as well as embark on some major projects that would ensure that the State emerges as the hub for tourism, sports and entertainment.

    He listed some of the projects to include completion of the five new Art Theatres; establish a Heritage Centre at the former Federal Presidential State House recently handed over to the State Government; build a world class museum between the former Presidential Lodge and the State House, Marina; fast-track construction of the proposed four new stadia in Igbogbo, Epe, Badagry and Ajeromi Ifelodun (Ajegunle) and complete the on-going Epe and Badagry Marina projects.

    While acknowledging the cooperation and support received from Lagosians, members of the Business Community, Professional Bodies, Non-governmental Organizations and the State Civil Servants in years past, the Governor noted that the modest achievements by his administration within a short period couldn’t have been possible without residents who have been paying their taxes willingly and faithfully.

    Giving a sectoral breakdown at a press briefing in Alausa, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade said General Public Services got N171,623bn, representing 16.41 percent; Public Order and Safety, N46.612bn, representing 4.46; Economic Affairs, N473,866bn, 45.30 percent; Environmental Protection, N54,582bn, representing 5.22percent while Housing and Community Amenities got N59,904bn, representing 5.73 percent.

    Ashade also told journalists that Health sector got N92.676billion, representing 8.86percent; Recreation, Culture and Religion got N12.511billion, representing 1.20 percent; Education got N126.302billion representing 12.07percent, while Social Protection got N8.042billion representing 0.77percent.

    The event was well attended by dignitaries in the State including members of the State Executive Council led by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, former Speakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly from Lagos State, former Deputy Governors of the State, party chieftains, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.

  • Butcher allegedly waylays truck driver, steals N170,000

    Butcher allegedly waylays truck driver, steals N170,000

    A 30-year-old butcher, Saheed Ibrahim, on Monday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly waylaying a truck driver on Lagos Carter Bridge and dispossessing him of N170,000.

    Ibrahim, who resides at No. 3, Ogbayo St., Sangotedo Lekki, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The accused pleaded innocence of the offences.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, told the court that accused and three of his accomplices, who are presently at large, committed the offences on Nov. 28, at about 8:00pm.

    Osijiale said that the accused and his team waylaid a truck driver, Mohammed Bukankwato, on Carter Bridge, Idumota, Lagos Island, when his truck broke down.

    Read also: Man gets N50,000 bail for N8000 theft

    He said that the accused and his accomplices forcefully collected the sum of N170,000 from the driver.

    “The truck driver was coming from Mile 12 and heading to Ijora when his truck broke down on the bridge.

    “The accused and his gang accosted him and threatened to throw him in the Lagoon if he did not give them all he had.

    “They collected the sum of N170,000 from him and ran away.

    “The complainant went to the nearest police station to report, fortunately the accused was apprehended and efforts are still underway to arrest the three others at large,” he said.

    Osijiale said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment, while Section 411 carries two years imprisonment for offenders.

    The Magistrate, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until Jan. 3, for mention.

    NAN

  • Lagos govt restates support for investors

    The Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to support investments by creating an environment that will always be conducive for businesses to strive.

    The Special Adviser in the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof Ademola Abass, said the state the government was poised to take business support to the doorsteps of investments across the state.

    Abass spoke when he visited the office of Mercedes Benz Nigeria to express government’s appreciation to the company for its commitment and confidence in Lagos State, despite the prevalent hazy business climate in the country.

    The special adviser hailed the company for its vote of confidence in Lagos State to locate its business.

    He assured the company that the state government established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment to serve as a one-stop shop for investment matters in the state.

  • Investors, private sector back Lagos tourism initiatives

    •As sponsors queue up for One Lagos Fiesta

    The drive by the Lagos State Government to create a private sector driven tourism economy has earned the full confidence of multinational companies, notable entrepreneurs’ business owners and managers alike across the State.

    This was the general consensus at a stakeholders review meeting held with sponsors of the Lagos Street Carnival and the forthcoming end of year eight days One Lagos Fiesta programme to be held across the five divisions of the State.

    According to a statement by Mr. Fola Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Street Carnival was organised by Heat Limited in conjunction with the Ministry as a private sector driven programme of the State.

    He said sponsors and investors are already lining up for the One Lagos Fiesta including, Guaranty Trust Bank, GLOBACOM, Nigeria Breweries Ltd, Pepsi Nigerian Plc, Access Bank, Dangote Nig. Plc, Multi choice, JMG Generators, Eko Atlantic City, Eko Hotels, South Energy X, among others.

    Adeyemi said aside the fact that the carnival was a private driven initiative and only backed with institutional support by the State Government, the private sector equally provided funds and support to ensure the success of the programme.

    He said the quantum of tourism events in the State has taken an upward leap since 2015 with the emergence of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Administration and the state policy of project T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sport for Excellence.

    He recalled that expansion of the former Lagos Countdown event into One Lagos Fiesta, a multi-location event with simultaneous concerts across the five administrative divisions of the state and the huge success recorded, till date has further proven to the private sector that Governor Ambode’s statement that the creative industry hold the key to a booming economy in Lagos was fast becoming a reality.

  • Pilgrimage: Lagos receives another award

    The Christian Conscience Group of Nigeria has presented award to the Lagos State Government for its performance at the just concluded Christian pilgrimage.

    The group’s chairman, Chief Enoch Ajiboso, said the award was for effective service delivery during the exercise.

    According to him, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode provided an enabling environment for effective service delivery in the organisation of Holy Pilgrimages, which was also noticed by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

    “The governor has distinguished himself as a as an inspirational and transformational leader, which is visible in the infrastructural developments, tourisms, job creation and economic empowerment,” he said.

    Receiving the Award, Home Affairs Commissioner, Dr Abdul-Hakeem AbdulLateef thanked all the Christian associations in Nigeria for the honour.

    The high regards the Governor has for the spiritual sector of the state, he said, was yielding expected dividend with the inauguration of religious council in the state last week.

    The government, he said, will continue to partner with religious organisations to maintain peace and security in the state.