The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • ‘Copy Lagos’ public defence service’

    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington has recommended the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) as a model for other states seeking to provide free legal services to the indigent.

    He spoke last weekend at the Trial Advocacy Training for state counsel organised by the OPD in collaboration with US-based National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and Lawyers Without Borders.

    Symington, who was represented by the embassy’s Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Rosalyn Wiese, said he appreciated “the wonderful work being done at the OPD.”

    “It is exciting to witness this productive and mutually beneficial partnership between the U.S. and the Nigeria justice sectors,” he added.

    OPD Director Bukola Salami said the training had left “an indelible mark.”

    The programme featured three U.S. federal judges, Justices Ann Williams of the Court of Appeals, George Washington of the San Diego County Superior Court, California and Margo Brodie of New York District Court.

    The judges, with 18 lawyers from both countries, provided a four-day free training for 68 state counsel from the OPD and Ministry of Justice in, among others, the art of examination-in-chief and cross-examination.

  • 1m Lagos youths to learn programming

    By 2019, the Lagos State government e hopes to make programming commonplace among young people even from primary school level.

    It has put in place machinery to that effect through an initiative called “Code Lagos”, which was unveiled at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island last Friday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The project would train one million primary and secondary pupils – both from public and private schools – as well as tertiary students and others outside the school system to program such that they would be able to use technology to solve problems around them.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Oluranti Adebule, at the event, said Code Lagos would help the state harness the potential of its youth, which makes up 65 per cent of its population, in positioning Lagos as a tech smart city.

    “When it becomes fully operational, the Code Lagos programme, in the short term, will place Lagos State at the forefront of positioning students across the state to harness, create and leverage on local and global opportunities of the 21st century.  It is our expectation that the programme will also enhance the participants’ ability to create value as employees or job creators; meet the growing demand for technical skills; develop a workforce that speaks a universal digital language and are ready to take on and provide solutions to the myriad of socio-economic problems confronting the society,” he said.

    Special Adviser on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, under whose office, the project is being implemented, said 520,000 of the participants would be drawn from the primary and secondary school system, 400,000 from tertiary levels, and 100,000 among those outside the school system.

    He said those in the primary/secondary school system would be trained through coding clubs that would be set up in schools; tertiary students through online modules, and others using public digital libraries.

    “We want to make Lagos the technology frontier of Africa.  Each coding club will have two facilitators, 10 computers, inverter, projector and internet service.  We will set up classes that can do 40 students to run 2-4pm four times a week.  Tertiary level will have more students – between 100 and 200 with two to five facilitators per class.  Others will learn in public spaces.

    “We are looking at 500 coding clubs around Lagos.  Come January 2017, the Deputy Governor will launch the Coding Curriculum for Lagos.  We are going to focus on low income and girls’ only schools; and schools that have the facilities,” he said.

    Bank-Olemoh added that the project is expected to take off by April.

    Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof Ademola Abass, said with the initiative, Lagos is investing in its best resource.

    “We have seen major investments in the past one or two years more than in the last 16 years.  But the greatest investment a country can make is in its people and that is what Code Lagos is all about,” he said.

     

  • Lagos equips pupils to conquer challenges

    The permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Adesina Odeyemi has counseled its pupils to shun cultism, cyber crime, prostitution, rape, sexual and drug abuse, among other vices plaguing today’s youths.

    He gave the counsel while speaking to the public secondary school pupils at the Youth Leadership Conference held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa.

    Odeyemi said the theme, ‘Empowering youths to overcome societal challenges’ was apt given the prevalence of the social vices among youths and the need to help them overcome.

    “At this stage, you are very vulnerable to manipulation, which can thwart your bright future. That is the essence of this conference. To teach you the way you should go,” he said.

    He counseled the pupils to take their studies seriously, shun negative influence and report same to the right authorities. He added that as leaders of tomorrow and their actions or inactions would bring positive or negative change to the society and they would have to face the consequences.

    Principal Deputy Registrar, Admissions, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mrs Aderonke Asiwaju, a counsellor, advised the pupils to strive towards attaining excellence.

    She identified the rewards of attaining excellence to include: “feeling of accomplishment, applause, recognition, award, certification, good testimonial, good recommendations, good certificates, good jobs, among others.”

    Mrs Asiwaju added that to attain excellence, the pupils must desire to excel, be determined, be dedicated diligent, and set smart goals but shun peer pressure, poor academic performance, financial challenges, crime, poor time management, and shun distractions.

    She advised counselors to be kind to their pupils, so that they would not be afraid to approach them.

    She said: “Counselors don’t let your pupils be afraid of you. If you start carrying cane, they will be afraid and run away from you. You are supposed to draw them close, be the shoulder they can lean on and be there for them.”

    Other topics discussed at the conference include dignity in labour; say no to drug and sexual abuse; and etiquette, social values and culture.

    A pupil of Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Secondary School, Bariga, Lagos, Olamide Albert, said she learnt a lot from the conference.

    She said: “I have learnt to say no to drug abuse, cultism and sexual abuse. I now know that I can call 112 or 767 emergency lines when I have a problem. I am inspired to be excellent.”

  • Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

    Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

    A 35 -year- old man, Michael Atanda, who has been extorting money from four ladies with threat to expose their nude pictures on the social media has been arrested in Lagos.

    Atanda, a computer science National Diploma holder of a popular computer school based in Ikeja, was arrested on Thursday by the surveillance Team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command after about five days of baiting and monitoring.

    The Police in a press statement said the accused, ex – convict and father of three, had collected N121,000:00 from his four girlfriends with the threat but wanted the ladies to pay more or have their nude pictures leaked on social media.

    The suspect who bears Segun Bayo on facebook and a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile – Ife, reportedly said he usually adds several ladies on Facebook and after two weeks, he would start chatting with them.

    “The profile picture on my facebook account is that of a guy based in London, and so as part of my introductions to ladies, I tell them that, I am a Construction Engineer as well as that my parents and I are living in Europe” the suspect said.

    ” After sometime, I would lure them into sexual conversations during which, I persuaded them to send their nude pictures to me. They would send and I would send mine to them too.
    ” Before that I would pretend that I was seeking a serious relationship with them, and that very soon, I would be coming to Abuja on a business trip, during which I would see them.
    “I would again feign my seriousness by calling them with the aid of computer software that transforms my Nigerian line into an international line. Meanwhile, I would warn them that I was calling through a public phone booth.
    ” As soon as they have sent their nude pictures, I would come up with all manners of stories. And begin to extort and blackmail them. Through this means, I have collected over N121, 000:00 from my latest victims.
    ” I was jailed last year in a similar circumstance after fraudulently collected N700, 000:00 from a lady I met through a dating site. I was eventually bailed but the case is still pending in the court” he confessed .
    ” I have collected only 10,000:00 from Funmilola, Motunrayo, N6,000, Joy, N5,000 and Lizzy, N100,000:00” .
    Apart from Lizzy, who reported the incident but declined to press charges, three other suspects, who were discovered during investigations, acknowledged on phone calls they have been paying the suspect so that he doesn’t leak their nude photographs online.
    Though, investigators have reached out to more victims after checking the suspect’s facebook conversations with a number of ladies, all of them have reportedly refused to come forward, after confirming they were paying the suspect through his bank statement.
    Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Suprintendent Dolapo Badmos, said that the Police were carrying out a thorough investigation on the case to aid prosecution.
    The suspect has been transferred to SCID for further investigations.

  • ‘Your Excellency’ comes to Lagos

    A leading corporate brand will unveil  ‘Your Excellency’ in Lagos today.

    ‘Your Excellency’, a credential name of a leading beer brand, which will be launched at ‘Aso Rock’, a popular bar in Lagos, reinforces the brand’s commitment to its three-point agenda of respect, cultural preservation and enjoyment.

    Positioned for consumers in the Southwest, the launch is expected to open new vistas of interaction, bonding, and reinforce the brand’s long standing capability to create experiences that offer all-round satisfaction.

    It is also expected that Ibadan will come to a standstill when ‘Your Excellency’ visits on Sunday.

  • Lagos SUBEB chair wins award

    Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) Chairman, Mr Ganiyu Sopeyin has promised to sustain the performance that won him the “Best Performing Chairman in the Southwest” award presented by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

    The award was presented during the Inter-SUBEB Schools Debate Championship and National Final & Awards  in Minna, Niger State.  The Lagos team came third.

    Sopeyin said the award was possible because of the commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration to take basic education in the state to an enviable height as promised during the elections.

    “The quality of education in the state is improving with the provision of education facilities, teachers’ welfare and training, construction and rehabilitation of schools and employment of teaching staff as approved by the state government,” he said.

    Sopeyin promised that the government would continue to strengthen the cooperation between the state and other stakeholders in the education sector.

    Chairmen, SUBEBs of Kastina, Cross-Rivers, Taraba,  Anambra and Niger states, also won awards, while Team Imo and Anambra came first and second in the debate championship respectively.

  • Lagos releases eight rescued persons to family

    Eight out of about 28 persons found in chains in a white garment church in the Oke-Ira area of Ojodu, have been handed over to their family members.

    According to the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Hakeem Muri Okunola, the victims were rescued from a church which belonged to one Evangelist Emmanuel Adeyemi on August 20, 2016, following a call received from the Lagos Police Commissioner, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

    He said the adult among the victims who were found to be mentally challenged were taken to the Majidun Rehabilitation Centre in Ikorodu, while 13 teenagers among them are also being rehabilitated by the state government.

    Speaking during their release yesterday at the Lagos State Secretariat’s Staff Clinic auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, the ministry’s Commissioner, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf restated the state government’s zero tolerance for dehumanisation of persons living with disabilities.

    She called on residents to alert the ministry to cases of inhuman treatment of the physically challenged in the society.

    ‘’These are some of the persons rescued from the captive of a self-styled evangelist. They are now stable and mentally balanced and are being released to their families. We are not just releasing them to their family members, but we shall also monitor them through our human integration department to know their level of reintegration to the society.

    ‘’The case of the evangelist who held them captive in his church is being handled by the Lagos State Police Command. The state government would not fold its arms and allow unscrupulous elements to perpetrate inhuman treatment against people in the society. I therefore want to ask for the cooperation of members of the public to alert us to cases like this in their neighbourhoods.’’

  • Ambode to turn Lagos Presidential Lodge to Heritage Centre

    Ambode to turn Lagos Presidential Lodge to Heritage Centre

    •Governor hails Buhari for handover

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the hand over of the Marina Presidential Lodge to the state.

    The President’s gesture followed a request by Ambode to have the lodge released to the state in its bid to transform the Marina-Onikan axis into a world-class art and tourism hub.

    The approval was communicated in a letter by Buhari’s Chief of Staff Abba Kyari.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, the governor thanked the President for his magnanimity.

    The statement said with the approval, Ambode had unveiled plans to turn the lodge to The Heritage Centre for Leadership, which will be redesigned and equipped as a research and tourist arena.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I wish to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his kind hand over of the Presidential Lodge in Marina.

    “This, in my opinion, demonstrates the President’s special interest in Lagos State, which is in line with the promise he made in Lagos during the election campaign that the interest of Lagosians will always be paramount in his heart.

    “The Lagos State House in Marina, which is next door to the Presidential Lodge, is also being prepared for a transformation to The Lagos History Centre, as a mark of honour to, and celebration of all former governors, as well as for the benefit of humankind.

    “These two buildings will be nurtured as world-class monuments by the Lagos State government to complement the larger plan that aims to transform the Marina-Onikan axis into a multi-sectorial culture zone.

    “The plan for the Marina-Onikan culture zone includes a skywalk to connect Marina to Freedom Park on Broad Street.

    “The axis would also accommodate a Tourist Welcome Centre, comprising a multi-layer car park, mall, Lagos Aquarium Centre and other tourist facilities.”

  • LCCI seeks permanent site for Lagos trade fairs

    LCCI seeks permanent site for Lagos trade fairs

    •Minister: we ’re building economy resistant to shocks

    Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Director- General Mr. Muda Yusuf has canvassed the support of the Federal Government for a permanent site for expositions and trade fairs in Lagos.

    He spoke yesterday at the ongoing International Trade Fair holding in Lagos at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

    He lamented that the LCCI could not hold frequent trade and exhibitions, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), urging the government to support a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to boost trade.

    Some years ago, the government built a conventional trade fair complex in Lagos along the Lagos/Badagry expressway, but because of poor management of the infrastructure, the place was concessioned out.

    The government has been urged by stakeholders to revert the sales, but successive administrations failed to do the right thing.

    In a move to counter the purported neglect by the government, the LCCI approached Lagos State to assist in constructing a befitting edifice for trade fairs.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was a special guest at the 30th edition of the fair with the theme, “Positioning the Nigerian economy for diversification and sustainable growth”, said the state is partnering with LCCI on its advocacy for the enthronement of policy consistency through alignment of fiscal and monetary policies .

    He said this would address the myriad of bottlenecks impeding industrialisation, trade and investment.

    Ambode assured the business community of his commitment to improving the business environment and making it more attractive to investors.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, pledged his readiness to continue to improve on the business climate, attract more local and foreign investments into the state, create job opportunities and increase productive capacity until Lagos achieve its dream of becoming Africa’s model megacity by 2025

    The National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (NACCIMA), Dr. Bassey Edem, asked government to remove the challenges affecting economic expansion.

    He hailed the Federal Government on efforts at rejuvenating the economy through the different policies, programmes and activities.

    LCCI President Mrs. Nike Akande said the theme of the 2016 fair was chosen to underscore the critical importance of economic diversification and the creation of an enabling environment to attract new investments and grow existing ones.

    Minister of Commerce, Trade & Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah said government was committed to providing an enabling environment for the private sector.

    He said government was learning from Singaporean model, which though is a small country, but has become a hub globally for businesses.

    He said the agenda of government was to achieve inclusive growth and a robust economy that weathers shocks and resilient to volatility.

    Chairman, LCCI Trade Promotions Mr. Shola Oyetayo pledged the security of visitors to the fair.

  • Rail conveys 2,330 cattle to Lagos

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)  transported 2,330 cattle from the North to Lagos between September and last month, its Lagos District Manager,  Jerry Oche said.

    Oche made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

    He said the corporation transported 450 cattle from Guzau in Zamfara and 1, 880 cattle from Nguru, Yobe to Lagos between September 1 and October 28.

    He said the newly introduced cattle coaches of the rail system had helped to reduce the influx of trailers laden with cows and other goods into Lagos, adding that the development would also help to protect the highways.

    “This new development will reduce pressure on the country’s highways; more than 2,000 cattle were moved from the north to the west without any hitch.

    “The removal of trailers from the highways has also helped to prevent accidents; we hope to collaborate with more stakeholders in cattle business and freight operators to protect our roads.

    “Railway is best way to move cattle; it is also the safest and cheapest mode of transportation for both passengers and goods,’’ he said.

    According to Oche, NRC is committed to improving services to bring back the glory of the railway system.

    He commended the Federal Government for its commitment to restoring the corporation’s freight services.