The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Obafemi Martins donates hospital equipment, mobility aids

    Obafemi Martins donates hospital equipment, mobility aids

    Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC striker, Obafemi Martins, on Thursday donated hospital equipment and mobility aids worth millions of Naira to the Lagos State Government.

    Presenting the equipment to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja, Martins said that the gesture was part of the mission of his foundation –  Obafemi Martins Foundation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the equipment include 185 wheel chairs,100 baby cots,180 crutches, 60 hospital beds ,13 electronic wheelchairs and 400 pieces of white canes for the blind.

    “It is an honour for me to introduce something very dear to me which is my philanthropic foundation.

    “The mission of the foundation is to assist the less privileged,” Martins said.

    He expressed confidence that his contribution to the society would impact positively on lives.

    Responding, Ambode hailed Martins for the donation, describing it as a worthy, noble and selfless act which demonstrated the football star’s commitment to the country, especially Lagos State.

    “We believe strongly that sports can be a veritable tool to touch humanity, and Martins has just exemplified that.

    “You have shown yourself to be a true model on and off the pitch, and the state is proud to be associated with you,’’ Ambode said.

    The governor gave the assurance that the equipment would be used judiciously.

    He called on other well meaning individuals to emulate Martins by giving back to the society. (NAN)

  • SON seals warehouse for unwholesome products in Lagos

    SON seals warehouse for unwholesome products in Lagos

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sealed a warehouse and shops stocked with unfortified pasta, flour and sugar in different areas in Lagos.

    It also raided major markets in the state as part of its ongoing efforts to stem the tide of substandard products in the country.

    SON’s Director-General, Osita Aboloma, said the warehouse and shops contained products that were unwholesome and therefore, risky for human consumption.

    He said the products were brought into the country with no import documentation and registration numbers, adding that they could lead to dangerous health hazards for unsuspecting consumers, who buy them.

    Aboloma said the raid followed intelligence reports from sister security agencies and the cooperation of patriotic Nigerians, adding that the enforcement would continue as a way of ensuring that only goods that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) or other approved standards are sold in the country.

    “The seized products do not meet our standard specifications, a critical part of which is the regulation on fortification with Vitamin A. There were no documentations to show how they got into the country and evidence of being registered under our electronic product registration scheme. They are not supposed to be on our shelves,” Aboloma said.

    He said the sale of unfortified pasta, flour and sugar in the country is particularly worrisome, considering that there is a government policy on their fortification with Vitamin A as a way of preserving the sight of Nigerians. “Flour, pasta, vegetable oil and sugar are foods that Nigerians consume regularly and if they are not fortified with the necessary vitamins as provided in the relevant standards, the Nigerian consumers would be prone to such illnesses as blindness and other sight problems,”he said.

    Aboloma, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Market Surveillance, Suleiman Issa, added that the campaign to eradicate substandard imported sugar, flour and flour products in the country would continue, assuring Nigerians that wherever these products are found, they would be removed.

    “These products have not been registered with SON for traceability and quality verification. I will advise Nigerians to look out for the registration numbers of SON and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on imported food products before purchase.

    “Any uncertified, unregistered and smuggled product is very risky and most likely unwholesome for consumption. Any pack of these imported non-conforming flour-based products found in our markets would be removed and the owners held accountable until they take us to the source,” he said.

    Mr. Aboloma said SON’s effort to stamp out substandard products in the country required the collective efforts of Nigerians, urging market women not to patronise uncertified and unregistered brands. He advised importers and vendors to desist from selling flour-based products that can endanger people’s health.

    “This is just the beginning. We will continue the exercise, and that is why we are urging Nigerians to be wary of unfit imported products. We are aware that some of these products are smuggled in the dead of the night, using unofficial routes. We will continue to checkmate those behind their importation,”he said.

    According to him, SON would intensify its efforts at sensitising the Nigerian populace on the implication of patronage and consumption of uncertified and unregistered imported products, which have negative implications for local industries in addition to constituting health and economic risks.

    He said most of such products dumped in Nigeria cannot be sold in their countries of origin, but are shipped to Africa and smuggled in through unauthorised routes.

    The state co-ordinator, Lagos Office III, SON, Mrs. Ngozi Ekwueme, warned that the consumption of the products that lack Vitamin A fortification puts the average Nigerian, who patronises them the most, at a risk of blindness.

    Globus Supermarket Manager,  whose warehouse was sealed, said he did not know the implications of consuming the products.

    He urged the Federal Government to do more enlightenment programmes to educate vendors and consumers.

  • Lagos set for MewSic Unleashed Concert

    Lagos set for MewSic Unleashed Concert

    The city of Lagos is about to witness something magical, as popular DJ Ojedokun Emmanuel Oluwafemi, aka Dj Mewsic Oluwafemi is about to stage his Mewsic Unleashed Concert in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The show, which comes up on November 11, has been the talk of town for weeks, with many residents of Ikorodu and its environs expressing their expectation from the event that will parade popular artistes like Sean Tizzle, Qdot, MzKiss, Seriki, PepeNazi, Oladips, Reminisce, Zlatan, Slimcase, CeeBoi. Jaywon, DestinyBoy, Baseone, Airboy, Que Peller, among others.

    MewSicUnleashed, according to DJ Mewsic, was set aside to host some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes, DJs and comedians on one stage.

    He said: “We are taking the show to Ikorodu, and we are excited about the expectations of the people. It has even challenged us to work harder on logistics and other arrangement so that the people can have a great time,” he said.

    DJ Mewsic, who started his career professionally in 2008 has toured many cities in Nigeria and other African countries playing at major events with other African artistes. He has also served as Brilla Fm official DJ, Olamide YBNL official DJ and Get Arena DJ too.

    With several awards to his credit, including 2013 Nigerian Broadcaster Merit Award Best In House DJ on radio, Dj Mewsic is well known all over for his Mix Naija Dancing, which he releases regularly in different volumes.

    Popular DJs expected to grace the event include: Dj Enimoney(YBNL), Dj Unbeatable(RainBow Fm), Dj Adex(Star Fm), Dj Spicey, Dj Hazan, Dj Real, Dj Instinct, Dj Rexxy and Dj Prince.

  • Fire guts Access bank’s ATM gallery

    Fire guts Access bank’s ATM gallery

    The Ikotun Lagos branch of Access Bank, on Tuesday was gutted by fire, destroying Automated Teller Machine (ATM) gallery.

    The fire, which was said to have started around 3:30pm, affected six ATM machines.

    It was gathered that the inferno was caused by heat that emanated from the battery powering the machines.

    Sources said it took efforts from officials of the Lagos State Fore Service to contain the outbreak.

    The bank confirmed the incident, adding that arrangements were being made for a forklift to pull down the gallery.

  • Lagos presents certificates to pilgrims

    Lagos presents certificates to pilgrims

    The Lagos State Government has appealed to the pilgrims to help change the society for better.

    Its Home Affairs Commissioners Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef tasked the pilgrims to play their roles in ensuring a safer community.

    This, he said, would entrench the kind of development many are yearning for.

    Dr AbdulLateef made this known during the presentation of certificates to the pilgrims at Old Secretariat Mosque, Ikeja GRA.

    According to him, the 2,233 pilgrims from state have gone through spiritual rebirth, hence they should influence the society in positive ways.

    He said: “I want you all to remember what you went through in Madinah, Makkah, Muna, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Jamrat and the Tawaf (circumambulation) in Masjid Haram. These rigorous exercises are enough for you to be agents of positive change. Our amiable Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode invested heavily in you by catering for your welfare and ensuring that you had successful hajj operations. The governor is not asking for anything in return for these gestures other than to be law abiding, forbid people from committing crimes, protecting government properties procured with your taxes and pray for the development of the state.

    “For me, I don’t think these are too much for us to do. We all witness how peaceful Makkah and Madinah are; can’t we achieve similar peaceful society here in Nigeria? We can! But we have to walk our talk with action, sincerity and high level of discipline. If we can abide by Saudi Arabia laws for close to 40 days spent over there, why can’t we replicate it in our country? Why can’t we obey our own laws? Let that change we want to see in our country starts with you as an individual. I pray Allah to make it easy for all of us,” the gathering shouted Amin!

    The Commissioner urged the pilgrims to refrain from sinful acts and continue to move closer to Allah through good deeds.

    The State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board (LSMPWB) Executive Secretary, Alhaji Muftau Okoya, reiterated the need for the pilgrims to be good ambassador in the society.

    Justifying the certificates presentation, Okoya stated that Lagos is exceptional in terms of hajj operation, adding “We set the pace for other states to follow. The certificate is evidence that pilgrims preform the spiritual exercise through LSMPWB.

    Pilgrims that collect our certificates are expected to have exemplary character, they must be up and doing and be identified as good Muslims. The essence of hajj is to educate all pilgrims that everyone is equal. The hajj exercise encourages love, brotherhood, establishing contacts and proves that everything in life is vanity.

    “The message we are passing is that once you travel to hajj with Lagos State, you must be a role model that will change the society. We don’t expect our pilgrims to return to their old ways of doing things because all their sins have been forgiven. They should follow Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. They should be seen as good Muslims in all ramifications both religiously and socially.”

  • Automotive policy biting harder on economy – LCCI

    Automotive policy biting harder on economy – LCCI

    The automotive policy is biting harder on the economy and must be urgently reviewed, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI ) said on Monday in Lagos.

    The Director-General of LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, who made the observation in an interview, said that the review was necessary for facilitated economic growth.

    Yusuf said that the policy, which raised tariff on imported cars from 20 per cent to 70 per cent, had put the cost of vehicles beyond the reach of many individuals and corporate bodies

    “There is the need to act quickly to reverse the unsavory situation,” he said.

    The automotive policy was introduced in 2013 as a strategy to reduce importation of vehicles and boost the capacity of domestic vehicle assembly plants.

    “The automobile sector was hit by the double shock of currency depreciation and a hike in tariff from 20 per cent to 70 per cent (in the case of new cars).

    “Whereas, there is very little that can be done about the currency depreciation, a great deal can be done about the policy, which is a creation of government,” Yusuf said.

    Yusuf said that years into the implementation of the policy, much progress had yet to been made.

    “The affordable vehicles promised at the inception of the policy are yet to be seen. The economy has suffered incalculable consequences and shocks as the cost of vehicles reached levels that are unprecedented in the history of the country.

    “Virtually all aspects of our economic and social lives have been adversely affected by the situation because over 90 per cent of the country’s freight and human movement are done by road, which implies heavy dependence on cars, commercial buses and trucks.

    “Manufacturers and other real sector investors suffer from sharp increases in haulage cost because of the high cost of trucks; school buses have become unaffordable by many institutions.

    “Many hospitals cannot afford new ambulances; many corporate organisations have drastically cut down on their fleet. Car ownership is now completely beyond the majority of the middle class,’’ he said.

    He said that the consequences of the policy on the economy and welfare of citizens were immeasurable.

    According to him, the cost of vehicles rose by between 100 per cent  and 400 per cent due to the policy.

    “ A new car of 1.8-litre engine capacity now costs as high as N18 million;  two-litre engine capacity costs N20 million and a 3-litre new Japanese car costs as high as N30 million.

    “A 30-seater bus costs about N45 million and an 18-seater bus costs N29 million.

    “Not many investors and citizens have the capacity to absorb these outrageous prices.

    “Even big corporate organisations are now buying used vehicles. This scenario is most inappropriate for an economy that is heavily dependent on road transportation,” he said.

    Yusuf added that the policy had caused loss of maritime business and increased smuggling due to high import duty and levy with a huge duty differential compared with those of neighbouring countries.

    He said that the policy also caused huge loss of Customs revenue due to reduction in vehicle importation.

    The director-general also said that the policy resulted in increased cost of transportation which affected all sectors of the economy.

    “Import duty on commercial vehicles and used cars should be reviewed downwards to 20 per cent.

    “Complete Knocked Down ( CKD ) and Semi Knocked Down ( SKD ) should all attract zero duty,” the LCCI boss advised.

    According to Yusuf, the government should grant further tax concession and waiver to assembly plants and retain incentives for machineries and tyre industries as contained in the policy.

    Yusuf said that similar incentives should be extended for local production of vehicle spare parts.

    He urged the government and its agencies to encourage patronage of locally assembled vehicles to boost growth of the industry.

    Yusuf said that review of the policy would restore jobs in the automobile industry and boost activities in the maritime sector.

    NAN

  • FG committed to developing creative industry – Lai Mohammed

    FG committed to developing creative industry – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government( FG ) says it is irrevocably committed to growing the creative industry in view of its importance to the economy.

    The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the statement while declaring open the African International Film Festival in Lagos on Sunday night.

    He said the government recognised the great potential of the industry to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and had been supporting the sector to realise its potential.

    Mohammed, who described the creative industry as the next oil, expressed delight that players in the industry had already placed the country on the global map with their great talents.

    He said the government was proud of Nollywood and its achievements, and was taking steps to propel the industry to greater heights.

    “The Nigerian government is proud of Nollywood and we are engaging stakeholders constantly to grow the sector.

    “I will reiterate a few of the initiatives we have pursued to grow the sector.

    “We are pursuing single digit interest loans towards infrastructural development in the sector.

    “We are supporting about 100 community cinemas evenly spread across the country.

    “We are almost closing on a world class pre and post production facility using existing infrastructure.

    “We want to ensure that such world class facility is located in each geo-political zone to boost movie productions and other contents.

    “Finally, in the area of digital television, we are ensuring that set-up boxes are enabled to allow customers in about 30 million homes to access and buy our movies for the development of the sector,” he said.

    Mohammed said the African International Film Festival had contributed to the growth of the sector on the continent by allowing Africans to tell their own stories.

    He said the festival had helped practitioners to showcase their talents and also helped in the area of capacity in the sector.

    Alhaji Lai Mohammed said he and the government identified with the festival in view of its potential to take the movie industry to greater heights.

    Sen. Godswill Akpabio was among prominent personalities present at the opening.

    Also, a galaxy of local and international movie stars as well as technical experts and showbiz personalities witnessed the opening.

    Earlier, the minister, at a programme organised by the Copyright Society of Nigeria ( COSON ) tagged “COSON in the Church,’’ said the government was committed to protecting intellectual property in the creative industry.

    Mohammed said piracy was a threat to the development of the industry and that government was taking steps to end the menace.

    He said that the government had set up a task force to check the activities of people who pirated creative works and the step was yielding results.

    “The task force has made a few arrests including the Kingpin of Piracy in Alabama and he is currently facing prosecution.

    “We will continue to do more and ensure we deal with the problem,’’ he said.

    The minister commended COSON for its efforts at ensuring that artists were paid what was due to them by those who used their works.

    Mohammed said this would ensure that the beneficiaries did not labour in vain but reap from their talents.

    He said the government would continue to support COSON in its cause to uplift the creative industry, and was was doing its best to attract the much needed investments in the sector.

    The President of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, said the essence of the programme was to pray for peace in Nigeria and for the country to reach its potential.

    Okoroji said Nigeria had everything to be great, saying that with prayers and doing the right thing, the country would attain greatness.

    According to him, the creative sector is a major part of the country’s life and will continue to support the country in achieving greatness.

    Prayers were offered for the progress of the country at the programme, while gospel artistes took turns to entertain guests.

    NAN

  • Ambode, Ooni, Pasuma set for Asa carnival in Lagos

    Ambode, Ooni, Pasuma set for Asa carnival in Lagos

    The much hyped Asa Carnival scheduled to hold in the Ikorodu area of Lagos has been described as one of the results of Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s call on the private sector and well meaning individuals to come forward and help in the development of the state’s many tourism potentials. The acting Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Honourable Adebimpe Akinsola, said this while speaking about the forthcoming carnival.

    Akinsola, who said the Lagos State government is ever ready to partner with organisations, groups and individuals to further harness the tourism opportunities in the state, applauded the initiative of the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade and his team, which gave birth to the resuscitation of the Asa festival in Ikorodu division.

    Meanwhile, organizers of the event has confirmed the attendance of Governor Ambode, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwuyi, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, and a host of other dignitaries, at the carnival, which will hold next Saturday at the Ebute-Ikorodu Ferry Terminal.

    Speaking on preparation for the event, Hon. Agunbiade said the carnival promises to be a great event and assures the people of Lagos state of maximum security at the various venues. According to him, the purpose of the event is to showcase the Asa masquerade as another cultural heritage of the people of Lagos state worthy of promoting as a tourism earner.

    “All is now set for the Asa carnival. We look forward to the presence of Governor Ambode, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwuyi, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, and Fuji musician, Pasuma, at the event alongside numerous other dignitaries and celebrities. We assure the people of Lagos state of maximum security at the various venues on Saturday, 4th of November 2017,” he said.

  • Fela: ‘Statue without head an insult to the family’

    Fela: ‘Statue without head an insult to the family’

    Follow @memorinken

    Lagos state governor Akinwunmi Ambode  recently unveiled a statue in honour of Late Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

    Professor TAIWO OGUNADE, in this interview with MOSES EMORINKEN, expressed his opinion concerning Fela’s statue and the representation (or misrepresentation) of the legend and what he stood for.

    Do you think it was expedient to erect a statue in honour of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti?

    Yes it is important but not to be represented as a blind man without a head.

    I was a choreography teacher for Fela’s dancers when he resided at Agege Motor road.

    If you go to any system of justice in Nigeria, you will see the statue of a lady holding the sword in one hand and a weighing scale on the other. This symbolises the justice system in Nigeria. On the flip side, we call Fela a liberation artist, yet he does even have a head or even a “clinched” fist.

    His head is not in the statue; therefore, it could be anybody’s head. Majority of today’s generation do not even know Fela, not to talk of associating a face or head with him. Imagine a person born ten years ago or even those yet unborn. Will they be able to relate the statue to Fela? Definitely NOT! This is because of the headless feature of the statue.

    Therefore, it is a waste of money and resources by Ambode and his advisers.

    How can an artist erect a statue without head and call it Fela? That is an insult to his family.

    We hear that his family members seem to be fine with the statue. What is your take on this?

    Even if the family don’t complain about it, it was obvious that they were stunned at the sight. Everyone was wondering probably a head would descend from the sky.

    Don’t you think the artist would have a valid explanation and philosophy behind the headless statue?

    Well, I do not know. The governor said it is a liberation statue of Fela. However, a liberator will always have a clinched fist ready to fight. When he was alive, he always had what is called yabis time.

    It was a time for him to talk about a lot of things, and get divergent replies. Can someone without a head “yabis” anybody? It is impossible! The signature of the yabis is missing in the statue due to its heedlessness.

    It is obvious that the governor and his team were not well advised, or they do not know; I am sure the governor or his advisers never met Fela in their lifetime.

    READ ALSO : Fela’s:  Liberation: A deserved honour

    What do you think the governor and his team should do to remedy the anomaly?

    First, the statue needs to be destroyed. It can’t be left as it is.

    Also, Fela never wore clothes almost 19 hours a day. When you see him playing with his band, he does not wear clothes. Yes, he wears some fanciful dresses sometimes, but he hardly wears clothes. He normally would have only his pants on.

    They therefore, must remedy these by putting a head, a clinched first and nakedness at some point. By nakedness, we know he doesn’t go to stage without his pant. They could use a trouser for him; the important thing is that his chest region is made bare.

    What do you think about the statue of Obafemi Awolowo in Lagos?

    That also is a waste of money. Awolowo was not as fat as the statue portrayed. Also, the statue had him with a running boot. Awo never wore a boot as far as I know.

    I know him well enough because my primary school (Igbagbo Aladura School) in Ibadan was about 50 metres away from his house.

    What is your take on the statue of Jacob Zuma erected by the Imo state governor?

    I think Rochas Okorocha is misdirecting himself. People like Zuma should not be honoured.

    You don’t honour Jagundas (thieves). He is facing corruption serious charges in his country…such a one should not be given a space in our land, not to talk of honouring him with a statue.

    What would be your advice to young artists?

    This is a country that has a healthy pool of the old and young. The old is called “old school” while the young “new school”; therefore, if you want to do anything that belongs to the old, it is important that you seek the advice of the “old school”.

    Fela belonged to the old school, therefore, let the Ambode stop wasting state funds and seek the advice of people from the old school for projects that pertains to the old school. There are old artists who can guide the “new school” artist to do the old school things.

  • Monkeypox hit Abuja as FG confirms six fresh cases

    Monkeypox hit Abuja as FG confirms six fresh cases

    The Federal Government has confirmed six new cases of the MonekyPox virus in the country, with one case recorded in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, made this known in a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director of Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Heath.

    Akinola said apart from the one recorded in Abuja, two cases were confirmed each in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom while Enugu State had one case.

    Ehanire also said investigations were ongoing to see if any of the new cases has a link with the Bayelsa cluster, where the outbreak started.

    He further called for calm among members of the public, adding that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is working with all affected states to ensure case finding and adequate management.

    He added that as frightening as the manifestation of the ailment might seem, no fatality has been recorded to date. As of Oct. 25, a total of 94 suspected cases have been reported from 11 states, (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Rivers and Abuja).

    He said patients of the newly confirmed cases were already being managed by public health authorities and have been receiving appropriate clinical care.

    He said Ministry, through NCDC, was in close contact with all State Epidemiology Teams, and the health facilities providing clinical care to both suspected and confirmed cases.

    He added that State Commissioners of Health have been advised to place all health care facilities and Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on alert, to ensure early case detection, reporting and effective treatment.

    Read also: Monkey Pox victim commits suicide in Bayelsa hospital

    The minister said a National-level Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by the NCDC with support from our development partners, was coordinating outbreak investigation and response across affected states.

    He added the EOC included the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as experts from partner agencies.