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Tag: lagos

  • Another PDP stalwart defects to APC in Lagos

    Another PDP stalwart defects to APC in Lagos

     A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) stalwart in Agege area of Lagos, Mr Raheem Oyeniyi, on Tuesday defected to All Progressives Congress ( APC ), citing Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s sterling performance as reason.

    Oyeniyi gave notice of his defection in a letter to the APC ward chairman in Orile-Agege area on Tuesday.

     Oyeniyi was PDP House of Representatives candidate for Agege constituency in the 2015 general elections.

    In the letter titled “Letter of Intention to Return to All Progressives Congress’’, Oyeniyi said that he considered APC as a platform to actualise his dreams for the people.

    “I write to inform you of my intention to return to APC henceforth.

    “My intention to return is borne out of the belief that the APC today is by far more democratic inclined.

    “APC offers the forum of which I can actualise my desire and the aspirations of my people for a better Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Oyeniyi said he was a founding member of APC in 2013 but left the party due to internal wrangling and defected to PDP.

    “I have always been a progressive since the days of Alliance for Democracy ( AD ), Action Congress ( AC ) and Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN ).

    “I have contributed in no small measure to the progress of these parties and invariably of my constituency, financially, morally and otherwise.

    “I hope that you will use your good office in facilitating the necessary documentation to the effect,’’ Oyeniyi said.

    the defector copied the Chairmen of APC in Orile-Agege, Agege, Lagos, National Headquarters, and all stakeholders including Sen. Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the Party.

    Several PDP stalwarts, including seven out of eight Lagos State lawmakers elected under the platform of PDP in 2015, have defected to APC.

    NAN

  • Lagos plans hitch-free pilgrimage

    The Lagos State government said it has put in place necessary mechanisms to make the holy pilgrimage slated to hold later in the year a hitch-free exercise. Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe,  gave the assurance at the weekend during the Medical and Administrative Screening for intending pilgrims to Jerusalem at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa Ikeja.

    She said pilgrims that the government has improved its planning to make the journey comfortable through the provision of suitable accommodation, soul-lifting spiritual activities, among others.

    She assured that health officials will be available during the pilgrimage to attend to the medical needs of intending pilgrims.

    The screening, she said, was meant to sensitise intending pilgrims on the need for them to conduct themselves well while in the holy land and ensure that necessary documentations are done and submitted to the government.

    She said the government will not hesitate to disqualify individuals with ulterior motives from embarking on the journey.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Lagos disburses N711m to 287 retirees

    Lagos disburses N711m to 287 retirees

    The Lagos State Government has disbursed N711 million as pension payments for September.

    The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) in a statement by its Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mrs Basirat Lawal, yesterday said the N711 million was released to pay 287 retirees.

    The Commission said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, was represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr Akintola Oke, at the Retirement Bond Certificates Presentation on September 29.

    “The Agency in the month of September also released Insured death benefit cheques amounting to about N32 million to nine beneficiaries and next-of-Kin of deceased employees,’’ it stated.

    Ambode reiterated that Lagos State was committed to being up-to-date in Pension payments, and the administration advised the retirees not to live extravagantly.

    The statement quoted Ambode as saying that he has embarked on massive infrastructural development in the state that would, however, give great priority to those who have laboured and were now retired.

    “I understand the challenges facing the retirees and that the receipt of their pension dues will enable them face the future, as well as other goodies in the pipeline,’’ Ambode said.

    LASPEC Director-General Mrs Folashade Onanuga, in the statement also advised the pensioners to spend wisely.

    “If you are in the evening time of your life, make sure you rest well, and do not do anything that will aggravate your health status.

     

     

  • APC wins Lagos bye-election

    Mr  Noheem Adams, Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday defeated eight opponents to emerge winner of the Eti-Osa Constituency I bye-election in Lagos State.

    The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Oyeyemi Oyedola, made the declaration at the votes collation centre, Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

    Oyedola said that Adams polled 4,204 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Arubiewe Abogun of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 1,652 votes.

    According to Oyedola, Action Alliance had 10 votes, Alliance for Democracy, 128 votes; Better Nigeria’s Peoples Party, five;  Democratic Alliance, one  and Progressive Peoples Alliance  eight votes.

    He added that United Democratic Party polled two votes, while New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) secured five votes.

    Oyedola said that the total number of registered voters was 183,551,  accredited voters, 6,280; valid votes, 6,015 and rejected votes, 154, while the total votes cast was 6,169.

    He said that the percentage turnout of voters was 3.42 per cent.

    ”I, Prof. Oyeyemi Elijah Oyedola , hereby certify that I was the Returning Officer for the Eti-Osa Constituency 1 bye-election held on Sept. 30, 2017

    ”That the election was contested; that Mr Adams Noheem Babatunde of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected, ” he said at 10.10p.m.

    Some of the party representatives who spoke to NAN expressed mixed feelings.

    A PDP representative at the collation centre, Mr Adesina Aderemi, said that INEC did a good job of conducting a fair election, adding that it should keep it up.

    ”The security agencies should be commended because it was a violence-free election.

    ”However, the problems in the country made the people shun the election, ” he said.

    The winner, Adams, told NAN  at the centre that he was satisfaction with the process, and commended the residents for having  confidence in him.

    ” I did not know why my people love me so much; during the primary election, my victory was a landslide; the same thing is being witnessed here.

    ”I will make myself available to them as well as live up to my mandate, ” he pledged.

    Adams hailed his closest rival for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship, and promised to work with him to move the constituency forward.

    NAN reports that the bye-election resulted from  the death of Mr Kazeem Alimi, who represented the constituency at the State House of Assembly.

    Alimi died  on July 18.(NAN)

  • Let’s live in peace, Lagos, Ogun Speakers urge Nigerians

    Let’s live in peace, Lagos, Ogun Speakers urge Nigerians

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and his Ogun counterpart Suraj Adekunbi, have called on Nigerians to always live in peace with one another. Besides, they urged them to   continue to strive for the unity of the country despite the prevailing challenges. The speakers made the calls in their separate goodwill messages to celebrate the nation’s 57th independence anniversary.

    Obasa assured Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at both national and state levels is committed to the welfare and improvement in the standard of living of the people of the country. He said, “there is need for us not to relent in striving for the unity of this country. We’ve to share love among ourselves and be our brothers” keepers at all time. This is what’s called patriotism and what we need to sustain the continued growth and development of our dear country.

    “We should remain vigilant at all time and avoid taking laws into our hands. We should remain law abiding at all time and cooperate as well as support government at all levels in their efforts to bring about improvement in their standard of living and enhance their welfare. Our government at all levels is committed to putting in place measures and programmes that will enhance development and growth of the country,” he said.

    In his own message, Adekunbi hailed what he described as the resilient spirit of Nigerians and urged them to shun the activities of people who are bent on causing confusion in the country. The Ogun Speaker said it is only when Nigerians live in love that the country can surmount the current challenges posed by people he called ‘trouble makers.’

    “It is to the glory of God and the resilience of the good people of this country that we have been able to defeat the sinister intentions of some people and groups who are bent on causing confusion in the country. We must continue to love one another, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation. It is this love amongst us that has sustained this country and we must uphold it,” Adekunbi added.

     

  • House of Tara, others honoured at NiBC10

    CIUCI Consulting, a Strategy and Consumer Intelligence company is 10 years old.To mark occasion,the firm  last Tuesday, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos launched Nigeria Business Composite 10 (NiBC10).

    It was  to honour 10 businesses which CIUCI has worked with to achieve remarkable improvement at different stages.

    Notable among the honorees was House of Tara International, a popular household beauty brand in Nigeria.

    Other honorees were Bestman Games, Iya Foods, L’Avyanna, Everyday Supermarkets, DBH Solutions, Ugo Monye Official, Healthcare Leadership Academy, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria and Massey Street Children’s Hospital.

    Receiving her award, CEO of Tara International, Tara Fela Durotoye, expressed delight that the company which she founded a couple of years back is getting the recognition it deserves.

    Chukwuka Monye, the CEO of CIUCI, said the NIBC 10 was a selection of 10 successful Nigerian Enterprises which  have exhibited high potentials for growth and have over the years maintained a brilliant track record.

    CIUCI Consulting recently won the Stevies Award for Middle East and Africa Category for its contribution to social and economic impact in Nigeria through human capital development and several special interventions. It also won the Stevies Award for Middle East and Africa Category for its innovative solutions for clients.

     

     

     

  • ‘Customs generates 75% revenue in Kaduna’

    ‘Customs generates 75% revenue in Kaduna’

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Zone B, Kaduna, has generated over 75 per cent of its revenue target for 2017, outgoing coordinator of the zone, Assistant Controller of Customs, Aminu Dahiru, has said.

    Dahiru said in an interview shortly handing over to the new zonal coordinator, that the command had a revenue target of N24 billion for the year.

    He attributed the success to the commitment of customs personnel in the zone, and expressed confidence that the zone would surpass its revenue target by the end of the year.

    “As tradition demands, I am not supposed to blow my trumpet, but the truth of the matter is that we have done well in the area of revenue generation.

    “I may not be able to give the exact figure right away, but from our calculation what we have achieved so far is almost 75 per cent in the first, second and third quarters.

    “So definitely meeting the balance may not be a problem, more so, we are expecting more revenue from the Kaduna international airport when Ethiopian airline begins cargo operation.”

    On smuggling, Dahiru said the zone had fought it to a standstill, and had made several interceptions and seizures especially of illicit drugs and other contraband.

    He put the total value of the seizures made during the year at over N1.4 billion, adding that 1,500 different items including vehicles and rice were confiscated.

    The customs official commended communities in the zone for their support to customs personnel, which had facilitated effective patrols and protection of the land borders from smugglers.

    “We have taken sensitive security measures in all identified illegal routes used by smugglers and it will be a continue process,” he added.

    Dahiru commended customs personnel in the zone for their support and sacrifice and urged them to extend the same level of cooperation to his successor.

    Reports that Dahiru has been moved to Lagos to take charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A.

    NAN

  • IPAC urges parties to shun violence

    IPAC urges parties to shun violence

    The Lagos State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council ( IPAC ), has urged political parties to steer clear of violence during and after the Eti -Osa Constituency 1 election on Saturday.

    The council’s state Public Relations Officer ( PRO ), Mallam Shakirideen Olofin, gave this advice in an interview on Friday in Lagos.

    Reports that the election is to fill the vacant seat, following the death of the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Kazeem Alimi on July 18.

    He urged all the participating parties to conduct their supporters peacefully so as to ensure the successful conduct of the poll.

    Olofin explained that in any election, there would be winners and losers, and therefore, urged political parties to approach the exercise with the spirit of sportsmanship.

    “IPAC enjoins all participating parties to comport themselves properly before, during and after the bye election”.

    Olofin said that the state had been noted for peace and urged all stakeholders to ensure that the bye-election was a reflection of that notion.

    He said the deployment of a new Commissioner of Police, Mr Edgar Imohimi and a new Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ), Mr Sam Oulmekun, to the state was timely.

    Olofin said that IPAC welcomed both men while the state was looking up to them for the peaceful and fair conduct of the poll.

    The PRO also urged residents of Eti-Osa with Permanent Voter Card ( PVC ) to come out en-masse and vote for candidates of their choice during the election.

    He said that IPAC would render any required support for the successful conduct of the poll.

    NAN

  • Revocation of Lagos Trade Fair Complex concession

    SIR: The once burgeoning   has been in the news lately for the wrong reasons. It is apt to address the dog whistle campaigns that have emerged in the wake of the recent revocation of the concession of LITFC granted to Aulic Nigeria Limited by the Federal Government.

    At its meeting of August 22 and 23, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, revoked the concession of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC) to Aulic Nigeria Limited and ordered the secretariat of Bureau of Public Enterprises to commence another privatisation exercise that will lead to the emergence of another concessionaire.  Professor Nick Ezeh, the promoter and chairman of Aulic Nigeria Limited has raised concerns and pushed misleading information over the revocation in the media.

    The Federal Government had to intervene because it could not afford to allow a key national asset to deteriorate in the manner that it has since Aulic Group took over as concessionaire.

    The NCP approved the concession of LITFC in 2007 to Aulic (the concessionaire). The concession of the 322 hectares of land in LITFC was given at a lease fee of N40 billion to be paid over 30 years. The Agreement was signed with Aulic Nigeria Limited on June 29, 2007. Aulic Nigeria Limited paid an entry fee of N200 million in 2008 and the sum of N12, 731,000.00 for the moveable assets. Since then, the company has not paid any additional fees to government, even though it took over the complex nine years ago.

    It is true that the entire complex could not be handed over to Aulic Group owing to resistance by the Traders’ Associations that had subsisting leases and the fact that Parcel B was not available for practical handover.

    However, the NCP, in January 2013, took some major decisions to address the concession challenges, including a facility audit of the assets and tenants at the complex as a prelude to excising the contentious portions of the concession areas occupied by the Traders’ Associations, places of religious worships and Parcel B. The key part of the NCP intervention was that the concession contract was to be renegotiated for a new lease fee to reflect the new area.

    Despite participating in the process that gave rise to the NCP’s decisions, Aulic Nigeria Limited immediately stalled the implementation of the decisions via a petition to the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and filing of a lawsuit.

    In revoking the concession, the NCP noted that the concessionaire had no standard management team in place and therefore, its corporate governance standard was very weak. Council lamented that Aulic Nigeria Ltd had made the implementation of the former’s decisions impossible while making money from illegal leases without any effort to pay the annual lease fees to the federal government since it took over the complex in 2007. It is apt to point out that the concessionaire is currently indebted to the federal government to the tune of N6, 542,172,000.

    It must be noted that the Bureau of Public Enterprises, which serves as the secretariat of NCP, has handled concessions at Nigerian ports and most of the port concessionaries are doing very well and are paying their lease fees. Why is that of LITFC different?

     

    • Sisaa Agboh,

    Bureau of Public Enterprises, Abuja.

  • 500,000 expected at Lagos International Trade Fair

    500,000 expected at Lagos International Trade Fair

    The 2017 edition of Lagos International Trade Fair is expected to attract foreign investment, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Vice President and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, has said.

    The fair, with the theme: “Promoting industriali-sation from economic recovery and sustainable growth”, Oyetayo said, is expected to attract over 200,000 exhibitors from 200 countries, including about 500,000 visitors.

    He said the theme was germane, given the economic realities that require the support of stakeholders for the recovery and sustainability of the economy.

    He asked the Federal Government to ensure an enabling environment for industries and commerce to thrive.

    Oyetayo said a new feature of this year’s fair was the provision of a platform for the industrial and service sectors to interact with players in the economy.

    Others are the planned business-to-business meeting, secondary school essay competition and the Lagos creative industry. Oyetayo said the organisers targeted  creative industry sector because of its capacity to impact positively on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    On the business clinics, he said,  banks and investment houses have been encouraged to take advantage of the business clinic to create an interactive session with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    He said this would enlighten operators on the growing trend in technology in the delivery of quality service to customers.

    He said they went far to ensure that locally-manufactured products were given the pride of place and not to be subsumed by international exhibitors.

    On security, he said, they were working with the anti-bomb, riot and kidnap squad in addition to providing 24-hour security with CCTVs.

    He said his office had accepted offers from the European Union, Japan, China, South Korea, North America and Turkey.

    Others are South Africa, Ghana, and the Republic of Benin.

    This year’s fair is billed to hold in November.