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  • I remain South-West PDP chairman, says Olafeso

    I remain South-West PDP chairman, says Olafeso

    A factional leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Eddy Olafeso, says he remains the authentic leader of the party in the South-West zone.

    Olafeso  on Wednesday in Akure that his group was re-affirmed as the PDP leaders in the zone during the last convention of the party in Abuja.

    Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, another factional leader of the party, had on Monday in Lagos claimed that he was the authentic chairman of the party in the South-West zone.

    Olafeso said: “It is very unfortunate and tendentious for someone to assume that carrying court papers around is enough to make him the leader of the party.

    “Even, if they have court papers to back their claims, the case is already at the Appeal Court.

    “They should wait till pronouncement of the court before jumping around that they are the leaders of the party in the zone.

    “Leadership is freely given by the people and endorsed by the party through all its processes.”

    He said that Makanjuola and his group were part of the challenges facing the party since 2011 “till when we won at the Supreme Court in July 12, 2017”.

    Olafeso noted that PDP had gone beyond unnecessary antagonism, saying that the party’s focus was to ensure victory at the polls in 2019.

    He expressed optimism that all the crises rocking the party would be resolved before its Dec. 9 National Convention.

    “Today, I can tell you categorically that South-West PDP under my watch has been able to stabilise the party in Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States.

    “We thank the leadership of the party for the opportunity given us to serve.

    “We will continue to do our best to ensure that our party will be positioned in a way that it can begin to win again,” he said.

    NAN

  • No crack in Lagos East APC, says Seriki

    No crack in Lagos East APC, says Seriki

    Lagos East All progressives Congress (APC) leader Alhaji Akanni Seriki-Bamu has said there is no crack in the senatorial chapter, urging members to be committed to the welfarist cause of the party.

    He urged party chieftains, followers and supporters to support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and reiterate their loyalty to the leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he described as a colossus and a oak tree offering protective shade to the progressive family.

    Seriki told reporters in Lagos that the insinuation of division in Lagos APC is a figment of imagination, assuring that the party is united behind Ambode, who has been endorsed for a second term.

    He however, lamented that some disgruntled elements may have embarked on a campaign of blackmail and calumny by peddling falsehood and inciting some leaders against one another for personal gain.

    To check their nefarious activities, Seriki said when spurious allegations are raised, leaders should try to verify the claims of the accusers before acting on the concocted lies.

    The party chieftain applauded the governor for living up to expectation, stressing that Lagosians have not voted for him in vain.

    Seriki added: “Ambode is a special gift of the Epe Division to Lagos State. Look at the work he is doing across the state. Look at the roads he has constructed, the bridges, the intervention in the transport sector. He is a very caring governor and a role model to his colleagues.”

    He urged the governor to intensify his efforts in delivering dividends of democracy in accordance to popular expectation.

    Seriki advised Ambode to also remember those party members and followers who laboured at the vineyard of politics to ensure his emergence as candidate at the primary.

    He added: “They deserve attention to give them a sense of reward and belonging and to prevent a feeling of “use and dump” syndrome.”

     

  • Lagos begins dualisation of Irede road; assures Oyingbo, Apapa residents

    Lagos begins dualisation of Irede road; assures Oyingbo, Apapa residents

    The Lagos State Government has begun  the reconstruction and dualisation of Irede Road in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state.

    Addressing residents at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Victory Christian Church, Irede Road,  Abule- Oshun, last week, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Abiola Anifowoshe, said the Irede Road dualisation and reconstruction project, being handled by  Fountain Construction Company (FCC), when completed would provide a “veritable and sustainable parallel route” to Lagos -Badagry Expressway and also serve as a link to Amuwo-Odofin and Oriade Local Council Development Area through old Ojo Road as well as Ojo Local Government Area through Dangote /Dansa/Tedi/Muwo and its environs.

    He also noted that the road, on completion, will improve road connectivity and standard of living in the area, as well as accommodating the expected increase in traffic volume, while eliminating traffic gridlocks, thereby reducing travel time. He noted that projects of this magnitude also impact positively on property value along its corridor.

    Anifowoshe told the gathering  that they had nothing to worry about over the project, especially as it concerns properties that may have to give way for the development. According to him, the state government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, would not demolish any property without engaging the stakeholders to get their consent and hear them out.

    “This is the reason why we are here today to assure you that the Lagos State Government would compensate all affected property owners. My appeal to you all is that all affected stakeholders should cooperate with the state government for the growth and development of this area. We brought planning to your door step and we are here to discuss with you and appeal to you. By God’s grace, I will be here at the commissiing of this project,” he said.

    The representative of the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Shomide Lateef, explained that the road, on completion, would span 2.20km, while the Right of Way is 26.2meter. He revealed that the project which was awarded on February 2, 2017 would be delivered in February next year. A representative of the project contractor, FCC,  Mr. Adeola Agboola, solicited the support of the community to ensure that the project is completed without any hitch.

    The Oba-Elect of Irede, Oba Sheriff Bello, thanked Ambode and his team for deeming it fit to bring development to their door step especially in Irede Road, which according to him had been in dilapidated state for decades. He assured the contractors of full cooperation from his community and appealed for speedy completion of the road.

    In a related development, Anifowoshe, in another meeting with residents and stakeholders of Oyingbo and Apapa Road, assured them of adequate compensation on the proposed demolition of their structures so as to give way to the Bus Terminus construction at Oyingbo. The commissioner, at a meeting with stakeholders from the affected area in his office on Tuesday, explained that “for a modern city to come up, there is need to change the face of the state,  hence the plan of the state government is to allow some structures give way to allow the modern terminus as being proposed by the Ambode-led administration to take shape.”

    He was emphatic that the state government would compensate all affected as long as there are evidences and proof that the identified structures belong to the person laying such claims. He consequently admonished all affected property owners to bring any proof of ownership to his office. However, those without such evidence, Anifowoshe said, should take  photographs of their property and bring it to his office for verification.

    He added that affected property owners with building permit, survey plan, land conveyance or receipt collected from the family that sold the property would be adequately compensated.  “As long as you have the photograph of your structure and it is proven to be yours, government would compensate you,” he assured.

    The Project Manager, Mr. Femi Fayombo, enumerated the scope of the project to include a rail and  bus terminus at Oyingbo interchange point,  whereby a passenger can decide to take BRT bus to the terminal and join a train from the same point to Alagbado or Agege as the case may be.

    One of the stakeholders, Mrs Alaba Ogunlaja, made a passionate appeal that in as much as they are ready to cooperate with government on their planned upgrade and development, they should ensure adequate compensation is given to the stakeholders without unnecessary delay or outright failure, adding that government should ensure adequate monitoring of the marked buildings so that all unscrupulous people would not take the advantage of demolishing people’s properties.

  • Badoo killings: Police arrest 2 in Lagos

    Badoo killings: Police arrest 2 in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said it had arrested two persons in connection with the killing of three family members in a church premises.

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Imohimi Edgal, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen, said that the incident happened at Temu village in Ikosi Ejirin Local Council Development Area of the state.

    Although, Edgal said two persons were killed, some residents told newsmen that a mother and her two children were killed in the incident.

    The Lagos police boss said: “It is a clear case of murder. The landlady has been arrested and an okada rider has been arrested.

    “One of the victims watched television throughout the night with one of the suspects in our custody.” It has nothing to do with ritual killing as speculated. Edgal said that investigation had commenced into the killings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, learnt from residents of the community that a woman and her two children were killed by suspected “badoo” cultists at about 2am on Monday.

    NAN learnt that the hoodlums scaled through the fence and killed Iyabo (mother), David (4) and Rachael (8) with stones while sleeping, a trade mark of the badoo group.

    A resident, Mr Adeshina Idowu, said that the death of the family took the community by surprise.

    “ The family just moved into the community six months ago; we were surprised when somebody came to me that Mama David is dead.

    “When we got to the scene, the assailants had killed the woman and her two children who were with her in the apartment.

    “How they entered into the victims’ compound without the guard knowing about it is a mystery to us,” he said.

    Another resident, who simply gave his name as Tajudeen, said residents immediately reported the incident at Agbowa Police Division.

    “ Initially we thought it was armed robbery case.

    “But when we entered into their apartment and saw stone used by the assailants, then we knew that it is the hand work of Badoo cultists,” he said

    NAN further learnt that policemen from Agbowa Police Division had evacuated the corpses to the mortuary.

    Read Also: Police confirm release of kidnapped FETHA CMD

  • Court to resume hearing of FG’s $406.8m suit against companies

    Court to resume hearing of FG’s $406.8m suit against companies

    A Federal High Court in Lagos will on Jan. 23, 2018, resume hearing of a $406.8 million  suit instituted by the Federal Government against Shell Western Supply & Trading Ltd, over crude oil shipment.

    The suit numbered FHC/L/CS/336/16 was filed by Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), counsel to the Federal Government.

    It has as defendants: Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. and its subsidiary, Shell Western Supply & Trading Ltd.

    The suit, which was billed for continuation of hearing, was stalled following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    Consequently, the continuation of hearing will resume on Jan. 23, 2018.

    Similarly, two sister cases before the same court involving the Federal Government and Agip as well as the Federal Government and Chevron, which were earlier slated for hearing on Nov.20 , were also adjourned until  Jan. 23, 2018.

    In the suit against Shell Western Supply, the plaintiff, ,Federal Government, is claiming the sum of $406.8 million from the defendants, which represent the shortfall of money paid into the Federal Government’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The money was said to be for crude oil lifted in 2013 and 2014.

    In a supporting affidavit, the Federal Government had accused the Anglo-Dutch company of not declaring or under-declaring crude oil shipments during the period.

    It said that this was discovered following forensic analysis of bills of laden and shipping documents, adding that Shell cheated Nigeria of the revenue.

    According to the affidavit, the consortium of experts tracked the global movements of the country’s hydro-carbons, including crude oil and gas.

    They identified the companies engaged in the practices that led to missing revenues from crude oil and gas export sales to different parts of the world.

    They also revealed discrepancies in the export records from Nigeria with the import records at U.S. ports.

    Plaintiff averred that the undeclared shipments between January 2013 and December 2014 brought the total value of the entire shortfall to $406.75 million.

    The defendants were said to have failed to respond to a Federal Government’s letter through its legal representative, seeking clarifications as to the discrepancies.

    The Federal Government is, therefore, seeking a court order to compel the two companies to pay $406.8 million, being the total value of the missing revenue and interest at 21 per cent per annum.

    In addition, the government is also asking Shell to pay general exemplary damages in the sum of $406.75 million as well as the cost of the legal action.

    The Federal Government had also sued Chevron, Total and Agip, in similar circumstances.

    The Federal Government is asking for a total of $12.7 billion over alleged non-declaration of 57 million barrels of crude shipped to the U.S. between 2011 and 2014.

    The oil companies are among 15 oil majors targeted by the government for the recovery of $17 billion in deprived revenue.

    NAN

  • Lagos APC leaders preach unity

    The apex body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East met last Friday at Ikorodu under the leadership of Otunba Bushura Alebiosu (Bush) to discuss “issues as they relate to the progress of the senatorial district, its residents and the fortunes of the APC within the district.’’

    The group condoled with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the death of his son, Jide.

    A statement by the Secretary, Joko Pelumi, said the group discussed issues pertaining to “the unity of the senatorial district, and progress of the party”.

    The statement said the apex body commiserated with Asiwaju Tinubu and prayed for his family.

    It hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his “exemplary performance”.

    The apex body said it called the meeting to foster unity among all groups in the party in Lagos East, in line with the desire of Asiwaju Tinubu to have all sub-groups collapsed into one body to present a strong, united and formidable party in the district.

    The statement added: “The leadership of the apex group acknowledges the exemplary performance of Governor Ambode and his unparalleled drive towards urban and rural regeneration of all parts of our state through the developmental projects he is undertaking.”

  • Lagos to pilgrims: be good ambassadors

    The Lagos State government has advised Christians embarking on holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome to shun vices and be good ambassadors of the state and the country.

    Its Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board urged the pilgrims to desist from acts that are capable of tarnishing the image of the state as well as the country.

    Speaking during the 2017 Dedication Service for the intending pilgrims at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Toyin Awoseyi Awoseyi urged the pilgrims to pray for peace and unity in the country.

    She prayed for the safe return of the intending pilgrims and advised them to embark on the journey with the intention to achieve a spiritual rebirth by focusing on the spiritual aspect of the  exercise.

    The Permanent Secretary added that the only way the intending pilgrims could have powerful and life changing testimonies after the pilgrimage is by making adequate preparations before embarking on the journey, stressing that holy pilgrimage started from the day the decision to embark on the journey was conceived.

    The Acting Presiding Chaplain of the Chapel, Very Reverend Ayo Olu Oyadotun in his sermon urged the intending pilgrims to be sincere as they embark on the journey so that they could have genuine encounter with God.

  • Stakeholders meet to improve economic situations in Apapa

    THE Apapa stakeholders, Lagos, will be meeting November 21 and 22 to deliberate on scourge of atrocious traffic situation affecting every sphere of life in the local government and find a lasting solution to the problem which  is currently crippling the economic activities in the community that plays host to the largest ports in Africa.

    The meeting tagged ‘The 1st Apapa economic summit’ is billed to hold at Rockview Hotel, Apapa.

    Speaking on the summit, the Executive Chairman, Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Owolabi Elijah Adele, said: “Apapa, which is regarded as the gateway to the nation’s economy, is now in a state of despondency as a result of the scourge of atrocious traffic situation affecting every sphere of life in our local government area.

    According to him,  “This situation has crippled the economy of Apapa, thus the need for the local government to take frontal step in tackling these issues, which gave birth to this economic summit conceived by the Apapa local government and our partners, the Apapa Development Initiative (ADI), where all major players, experts and professionals will not only unravel the mysteries surrounding the traffic problem, but will also examine how economic life can return to Apapa and how our people can optimize the economic potential of having the two largest Ports in Africa in our domain through concrete workable and implementable solutions.”

    Adele is worried that companies are relocating and residents are selling their property for peanuts, workers go through a hectic time getting to work and when going back home. Living or working in Apapa is no longer something to be desired.

    “This problem which has devastating effect even on the revenue of the local government is caused by bad roads, lack of capacity of the ports to manage its cargo throughput. Thus, a facility which has about 2.5 million metric tonnes capacity now has to manage over 70 million metric tonnes which you will agree with me will lead to system collapse which is what we are experiencing now.

    “The absence of loading bays for trucks and tankers by oil depots and ports for these trucks who come to do business in their facilities, uncordinated and uncontrolled traffic country mechanism of the ports and tank farms are all the reasons for the traffic problem,”Adele said.

    Speaking on the summit, the Executive Secretary/ CEO, Apapa  Development Initiative, Mr. Mike Egbayelo, said the summit is aimed at creating a synergy between the government and private sector in Apapa to foster economic and community development.

    “It is aimed at bringing to the fore the economic potentials of Apapa as the gateway  to the nation’s economy and also addressing our traffic and environmental problems by bringing experts, seasoned professionals  and stakeholders to discuss the situation and come up with workable solutions, “ Egbayelo said.

    He said the summit would create opportunities for the  people in the local government to improve their economic lives.

    Expected at the occasion are: The Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Bolanle Ambode. The Managing directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bank of Industry (BOI) and that of Flour Mills will also be speaking at the summit.

  • Lagos plans 12-hour street carnival

    A 12-hour street carnival will hold on Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos on December 3, ahead of Christmas, the Lagos State Government said yesterday.

    Special Adviser to the governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, told reporters that the  carnival will boost economy of the state.

    She said the Lagos Street Party metamorphosed into the carnival which would take place on the whole stretch of Oba Akran Road from noon till midnight.

    She assured that arrangements were in place to ensure security and traffic control.

    Akinsola said alternative routes would be provided to motorists.

    Over 700 revellers, she said, are expected to attend the carnival in colourful costumes, design and animation in a controlled procession.

    According to her, there is provision for virtually all categories of people from kids, adults and the aged.

    She said the carnival would be used to showcase the abundant indigenous culture, food and lifestyle of Lagos.

    Besides entertainment and fun making, Mrs Akinsola said the carnival would offer upcoming artistes and tradesmen the opportunity to exhibit their skills and market their products.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Steve Ayorinde, said it would also allow Lagosians to unwind, relax and allow small scale entrepreneurs to make brisk businesses.

    Ayorinde said it would as well showcase the diversity of Lagos culture.

    He said the event would also showcase veteran and new artistes in the music industry and comedians

  • Assembly to continue agitation for special status for Lagos

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has assured Lagos residents that the Assembly will continue to agitate for a special status for the state.

    He also said the Assembly will make amendments that will be beneficial to the state in the current amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

    Obasa addressed reporters yesterday at the opening of a four-day retreat on the budget process and an overview of the 1999 constitutional amendment organised by the Assembly for its lawmakers and workers at the Park Inn in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The speaker expressed optimism that the agitation will pull through.

    He said: “I am sure the agitation for a special status would be achieved because we deserve it. It is not just for political reasons or any other thing but because of the status of Lagos in this country and in West Africa.

    “I am sure the current administration will see reasons behind this demand and agree with us that we deserve what we are asking for.”

    Obasa said other areas of amendment the Assembly was working on which, are crucial to the state, apart from special status and devolution of powers to states, include “motor plate numbers, issuance of licence, waterways and so many other areas that are crucial to us. These are sources of revenue for Lagos state”.

    The speaker assured Lagosians that the Assembly will next year continue to improve their standard of living through legislation, resolutions and cooperation with the executive “so as to raise the bar in Lagos state”.

    He said the retreat was meant to create a better understanding of the budget process among the lawmakers and workers, especially as the governor will soon present the 2018 budget to the Assembly.