The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • MABEL OBOH HONOURED IN AJEGUNLE

    MABEL OBOH HONOURED IN AJEGUNLE

    FOR her contribution to the discovery and grooming of talents in Ajegunle, Lagos frontline actress, talk show host and movie director, Mabel Oboh has been honoured by the organizers of the Ajegunle to the World Concert, which recently held at the Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lagos.

    Expressing her gratitude to the organisers, Oboh said that she never knew that the little help she gave would earn her a place in the history of the evolution of Ajegunle music.

    The actress is known to have aided her brother, John Oboh a.k.a Mighty Mouse, to set up the first ever musical studio in the ghetto called, Jahoha Studios, where the likes of Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Baba Fyro, Marvellous Benji among other great stars were groomed.

    “I never knew it would come to this. When I gave that financial support to my brother for me, it was a forgotten story. Believing in my brother and his dream, I felt that something was going to come out of it. But now that they have recognized my contribution, I am really honoured,” said Mabel, who recently announced her decision to return acting.

    On how the Jahoha Studios was established, Mabel disclosed that in 1991, her brother, Mighty Mouse, approached her for financial assistance, saying he had a dream about AJ music.

    Narrating further, she said; “It was not that I had that kind of money at that time, but I went out of my way to buy the equipment for him to set up the studio. That gave birth to AJ Music.”

    Mabel, who studied Criminology at Bucks New University Buckinghamshire, hit the limelight in the 80s, producing one of the popular sitcoms, Victims, which ran on NTA for years. She also featured in Adiela Onyedibia’s adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

  • Man in court for stabbing neighbour

    Man in court for stabbing neighbour

    Olusegun Coker,36,-who allegedly assaulted his neigbour ,Moshood Ogun, by stabbing him with a broken bottle, was on Friday charged in a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
    ‎
    Coker, who resides at Block 15, Rabiatu Thompson St., Surulere, Lagos, is facing a charge of assault.‎

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 8 at Block 15, Rabiatu Thompson St., Surulere, Lagos.

    Osayande said the accused stabbed Ogun several times on both hands and caused him harm based on a misunderstanding they had.
    ‎

    “It took some neighbours to stop him and the matter was reported to the police,’’ she said.

    She said the offences contravened Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 172 stipulates a three-year jail for offenders.
    ‎

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr Aro Lambo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He said the surety should be a civil servant from grade level 12 and above who should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    Lambo adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention.

  • Man in court over fraud

    Man in court over fraud

    The police on Friday arraigned a 25-year-old man, Adura Garba in a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State over alleged N300,000 fraud.

    Garba, whose address was not provided, was facing a three-count charge of obtaining money on conspiracy, false pretext and stealing.‎

    ‎The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that Garba collected the money from Faidat Alao on false pretext to treat her of an ailment.

    He said that the defendant and others now at large committed the offences on Sept.15 at about 11 a.m. at Orile Iganmu, Lagos.‎

    According to her, the defendant obtained N300,000 from Alao on the pretext of treating her of an
    ailment which you did not.

    She added that Garba also stole Alao’s two phones, valued at N17,000.‎

    ‎The offences contravened sections 287(1), 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised)., the prosecutor noted.

    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and the Magistrate, Mr Aro Lambo, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with one surety in like sum.‎

    Lambo said the surety must be a property owner and should provide evidence of tax payments and address verified as he adjourned hearing in the case until Oct. 17.

  • Lawyer faces N2m fraud charge

    Lawyer faces N2m fraud charge

    A self-proclaimed lawyer, Segun Harrison, who allegedly converted N2million belonging to his client to his personal use, was Thursday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Harrison, 53, of Isheri-Osun, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and misrepresentation before Mr B. I. Bakare.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby told the court that Harrison committed the alleged offences sometime in July 2015, at Power Line Road off Ajiboye St, Orile-Agege, Lagos.

    He said the defendant falsely represented himself as a lawyer and defrauded the complainant, Mrs Omolola Dawodu.

    “Harrison fraudulently sold a two-bedroom bungalow valued at N5 million, belonging to the complainant and converted N2 million to his personal use without the consent of the complainant.

    “The said bungalow was situated at Power Line Road off Ajiboye St, Orile-Agege, Lagos,” Emby said.

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 287 (7) and 380 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Harrison pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Bakare, granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The sureties must be gainfully employed, be resident in Lagos State, and have their addresses verified.

    The case continues on October 5.

  • Court remands man who bolted with N1.7m

    Court remands man who bolted with N1.7m

    A 25-year-old trader, Samuel Owoeye, who allegedly obtained N1.7 million loan from a man on the pretext of repaying it at due date, on Thursday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court , Lagos.

    Owoeye, a resident of Apapa area of Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining under false pretences to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused committed the offences on Jan. 14 at Mogaji Street, Olodi-Apapa in Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N1.7 million from the complainant, Omosegbon Oluwole, on the pretext of returning the money after five months.

    Kokoye claimed that the accused invested the money in his business and refused to pay back the money to the complainant when dur.

    The prosecutor said the accused just kept giving flimsy excuses for his failure to defray the loan.

    “When the complainant got tired of Owoeye’s excuses, he reported the case  to the police and the accused was arrested.”

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, in his ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Further hearing in the case was fixed for Oct.30.

  • U.S. Consulate seeks pact with FUTA

    The Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate, Lagos Darcy Zotter, has asked students of  the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) to take advantage of exchange and research programmes sponsored by the U.S. government.

    Zotter, who was at the institution, said the consulate seeks a stronger relationship with FUTA, given the institution’s pedigree in research and related activities, which culminated in the award of 2017/2018 Fulbright Senior Research Scholarship to Dr Folasade Olajuyigbe of the Department of Biochemistry.

    She encouraged workers and students of the university to participate in the Mandela Washington Fellowship, saying it would give opportunity to students and middle level academic and non-academic staff to broaden their horizon and tap into cutting edge fellowship that would advance their careers.

    Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Joseph Fuwape, praised the  Consulate for supporting academic advancement and research-related efforts of the University.

    FUTA, according to Fuwape, established working relationships with some key universities and institutions, which among them is the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), where some students recently visited to complete their studies in fulfilment of the collaboration between both institutions.  He said the students were the fifth batch to enjoy from the collaboration.

    He said FUTA will continue to welcome collaborations in areas of core competence, adding that the partnership with the consulate will be a win-win situation for both parties.

    Fuwape also praised Dr Olajuyigbe for contributing to improving the University’s global rating and encouraged others to learn from her.

     

  • Lagos opens Williams Street to decongest traffic in Marina axis

    The Lagos State Government has re-opened Williams Street, beside Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Lagos Island, to ease traffic flow between Broad Street and Marina, and enhance security of life and property.

    Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Central Business District (CBD), Mr. Agboola Dabiri, stated this while supervising the removal of barricades and shanties erected on the road over 10 years ago.

    Dabiri said the government received complaints from residents and commuters about the inconveniences and security threats the continued closure of the road had posed to them.

    He explained that the CBN closed the road, which serves as a link between Broad Street and Marina, over 10 years ago, during extension work on its building by Julius Berger PLC. It failed to reopen it to traffic  after completion of the work.

    According to Dabiri, the closed street became an escape route for robbers and posed a security threat to residents and business operators in the area.

    “We receive complaints everyday on robbery incidents and the inconveniences the closed road had constituted. Opening of the road will ease traffic flow in the axis. Similar opening of roads was done at Idumota Flyover Bridge, constructed in 1978 and used only for seven months, before it was closed and taken over by miscreants and street urchins.

    “The road which is helping to decongest traffic along that axis was recently renovated and opened up by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode,” the Special Adviser said.

    Dabiri said there had been situations whereby fire fighters and the police were prevented from getting to emergency scenes on time due to locked street gates and barricades as well as instances where taking patients with emergency medical conditions to hospital were equally frustrated.

    Dabiri condemned the locking of gates at several places on the CBD. He said such practices cause much inconveniences to residents who have to walk round to get to the main road.

    Some gates, he added, were deliberately locked or barricaded to prevent others from using the roads, thereby aggravating traffic situations especially in areas where such roads are meant to serve as thoroughfares or alternative link routes.

  • Lagos International Airport gets certification

    Lagos International Airport gets certification

    Nigeria’s premier gateway, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday became the first airport in the country to be certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    The development makes the airport the first to be certified, out of the 22 airports managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The certificate was formally presented to the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, by the Director- General of the NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, at a ceremony at the NCAA’s headquarters in Lagos.

    In his speech, Usman said the certificate was valid for a period of three years, noting that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the certification was sustained.

    He said the current drive toward certification of Nigerian airports was significant not only as a requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Nigerian civil aviation regulations but even more importantly as one of the critical safety targets of the Federal Government.

    The director-general said that the declaration which was made in July 2012 mandated all African countries to certify their international airports.

    He described the certification as an enabler for the attainment of a regional hub, which Nigeria desired for Lagos and Abuja.

    “Aerodrome certification can be defined as a process by which a state can demonstrate that airports in its territory meet regulatory safety requirements on a continuing basis.

    “It is providing uniform conditions for safe and efficient operation of aircraft from all other states as required by Article 15 of the Chicago Convention.

    “Aerodrome certification is therefore, an ICAO strategy for the standardisation and harmonisation of airport services, facilities and procedures as well as ensuring uniformity in safety of critical aerodrome elements, irrespective of the differences in ownership and management of such aerodromes.”

    Usman said the objective of the certification was to assist states to effectively implement the critical elements of a safety oversight system in accordance with Annex 14 Vol. 1and other relevant ICAO specifications.

    The NCAA boss said it was also to signify to aircraft operators and other organisations operating at the aerodrome that at the time of certification, the aerodrome met the specifications regarding its facilities and operations.

    He stressed that the NCAA was committed to the certification of all Nigerian international airports in line with its regulations, ICAO safety and recommended practices as well as the Africa-Indian Ocean Regional Safety Targets.

    “In furtherance of the above objective, the certification of Abuja airport is in the final stage, while strategic measures have been put in place by the NCAA and FAAN to ensure the certification of Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kaduna international airports by July 2018,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Odonowo, Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards of NCAA, said the certification, which was done in five phases, was of immense benefit to aviation stakeholders and the travelling public.

    “The expected benefits of aerodrome certification include enhancement in the provision of safety critical aerodrome facilities, services, procedures and personnel.

    “It also includes enhancement in collaborative decision making amongst airport stakeholders, especially between the aerodrome operator and the NCAA.

    “It will as well foster enhancement in safety and efficiency of flight operations as a result of improved facilities and services.”

    He said further that the certification would facilitate the development of regional hubs through improved capacity, safety and efficiency and attract inflow of capital investments into airport development and management.

    Also speaking, Dunoma said he was delighted that the certification of the Lagos airport which took two and a half years had finally been achieved.

    He stressed that focus was now on getting certification for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and other airports in the country.

    “We are going to make sure that this certification is sustained. We have come up with a sustainability programme which was accepted with a few corrections.

    “I want to thank the technical personnel of FAAN and the NCAA as well as ICAO Western and Central Africa for making this certification possible.”

  • Lagos opens first DNA forensic lab

    •Offers free legal service for Int’l Day of Peace

    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, has said the Lagos State Government has completed the construction of the first ever high-powered DNA Forensic Laboratory in Nigeria.

    Kazeem spoke at the weekend in Ikeja at the kick-off of activities to mark the 2017 United Nations (UN) International Day of Peace.

    Last year, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode approved the construction of the laboratory as part of the criminal justice sector reforms designed to solve crime through technology.

    The state government also intended to fulfil an unmet need for DNA profiling which is a unique forensic technique used all over the world.

    Kazeem said skeletal work had already commenced in the lab known as the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre (LSDFC), and that it would be formally commissioned in the coming weeks.

    Kazeem, who was represented at the briefing by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Funlola Odunlami, explained that the lab was part of efforts geared toward enhancing peace in the state.

    “The DNA forensic centre just opened this month. We are yet to commission it but it has been opened and it is a DNA crime forensic lab and at the same time, it is going to deal with other DNA matters like paternity issue. What we are doing now is skeletal work which we started this month,” Kazeem said.

    He recalled that since 2007, the state, through the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), an agency under the Ministry of Justice, had collaborated with the United Nations Information Office to mark the International Day of Peace.

    Kazeem said: “The importance which the state government attaches to peaceful conduct of businesses, hospitality, tourism among others informed the establishment of agencies that will attend to matters relating to land grabbers, Special Task Force, donation of police vehicles for security, introduction of DNA forensic laboratory to archive blood samples of criminals, among other laudable initiatives.”

    He revealed that the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) will provide free legal services and mediation today and tomorrow to celebrate the International Day of Peace which is marked worldwide every September 21.

    The free legal advice and mediation would be rendered to residents of the Ikorodu Road axis and Ibeju-Lekki.

    This year’s event tagged “Together for peace: Respect, safety and dignity for all,” will be rounded off on September 21, with the 18th Stakeholders’ Conference and Book Launch at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa.

    CMC Director, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said the centre has been adopting a consultative approach in resolving all the issues brought before it such that all parties involved feel satisfied with the resolution of the centre.

  • PTAD to verify 21,295 pensioners in Lagos

    PTAD to verify 21,295 pensioners in Lagos

    The verification of eligible civil service pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in Lagos State will begin today and end on September 29, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), has said.

    A statement from PTAD’s management in Abuja yesterday indicates that verification of the pensioners in Lagos will be the second phase of the exercise in the Southwest zone.

    It said PTAD had conducted similar verification of pensioners in Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states in August.

    PTAD said the Lagos verification was a continuation of similar exercises in four zones  involving 64,825 pensioners.

    It said that pensioners, who were hitherto not pay rolled for years were now verified and paid with arrears.

    According to the statement, 21,295 pensioners are expected to be verified in five centres in Lagos.

    The centres, according to PTAD include, Alausa, Yaba, Ketu, Amuwo Odofin and Agege.

    PTAD said the process of verification of the pensioners would consist of four distinct steps of biodata, capturing and provision of other relevant documents.

    It said that the entire process was to suitably place the pensioners in the payroll and database for payment of their monthly pension.

    It further revealed that sick pensioners would be covered in their locations, adding that a total of 108 PTAD staff were being deployed for the exercise.

    It also indicated that the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor would supervise the exercise.