Community media operators in Lagos State are going back to school this week (7-9 July) to rethink their business for revitalisation and sustainability.
An initiative of the Communities and Communications Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the programme is being facilitated by The Journalism Clinic, which vision is “to raise the next generation of first-rate journalists in Nigeria.”
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor Kehinde Bamigbetan says: “It is our hope that, with this training, the community newspapers and magazines would become reference points to the communities. That’s not happening now.”
” We need for them to connect with the people; to help the people make informed decisions about their lives and living, about the authorities, and their environments. They should ‘affect the society in a progressive way.’ Done right, they should also become profitable.”
Secretary to the State Governor Tunji Bello, a journalist, is expected to declare the workshop open and deliver a goodwill message from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, whose mantra is “to leave no one behind.”
Workshop Co-ordinator and Founder, The Journalism Clinic Taiwo Obe, said that there will be sessions on impact news reporting, graphics design, media buying, digital marketing, business management, mobile journalism and consumer insights.
Resource persons include Niyi Obaremi, a quintessential newsman; Ogbenyi Egbe, a creative/art director up-to-date with computer graphics; Omomeda Ashofor, a seasoned media strategist and planner; Funke-Treasure Durodola, a broadcaster of distinction; Pelu Awofeso, a social media buff and award-winning travel journalist and author, and Akin Omorodion, an accountant well-heeled in business rehabilitation and insolvency and an array of financial management services.
Others are: Gani Kayode Balogun, Jr, a seasoned newspaper space sales and marketing specialist; Abiola Ayankunbi, a newspaper marketing expert and Kayode Awobadejo, a specialist in business development, production planning, marketing, and credit control in the media sector.
Tag: lagos
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Lagos community media owners set for revitalisation
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‘Ex boyfriend murdered my fiancée,’ businessman tells court
A businessman, Uchechukwu Orji, yesterday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, that his fiancée, simply called ‘Ijeoma’, was allegedly murdered by her ex boyfriend, Ifeanyi Christian.
Orji, who testified yesterday as the second prosecution witness in Christian’s trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, said Ijeoma, 26, was declared missing on January 12, 2013, but was found dead four days later.
Christian, an apprentice spare parts trader at ASPAMDA, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos is being prosecuted by the state for Ijeoma’s death.
Led in evidence by State Counsel, Mrs A. A. Saromi, Orji said he was formally engaged to the deceased, who was a food vendor, and that they had made plans to get married.
He said Ijeoma travelled to her home town in the east in December 2012, for the Christmas and New Year celebrations but visited him at his home in the Ojo area of Lagos, on her return on Friday, January 11, 2013.
The witness testified that while they were discussing in his room, the deceased’s phone kept ringing but she ignored it and when he asked her who it was, “she said the caller was just a friend.”
He said he insisted on knowing who it was and she eventually told him the caller was her ex boyfriend, Ifeanyi Christian, who was trying to renew their relationship.
She also told him, the witness added, that Christian wanted her to come over to his house, but that he forbade her.
Orji said he saw the deceased off to where she boarded a motorbike to her neighbourhood in Agboju, Ojo Local Government Area. He phoned her when she got to Alakija Bus Stop, near her home and also spoke to her elder sister, who she ran into at the bus stop.
The witness said the following day, a Saturday, he called her number from about 4pm till about 7pm but there was no response. He decided to give her some time because he thought she was probably attending to customers at her shop.
“At about 10pm, when I called her line again and didn’t get any response, I became very worried. I then called Ijeoma’s sister who told me that she was probably busy at work. The sister called me back to tell me that she had checked and couldn’t find her sister. We started searching for her that night and continued the search on Sunday morning to no avail,” he said.
Orji said the next day the deceased’s friend named Joy, told him she met Ijeoma the day before while the deceased was on her way to return a bottle of acid which the defendant kept in her possession. Joy also told him that the defendant worked at a shop at ASPAMDA at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo.
“On Monday, I went straight to the place where she directed me and I met an elderly man, who told me to check Ifeanyi in the shop, but Ifeanyi wasn’t there. So, I went back to the man, and he gave me a seat and asked me to wait for Ifeanyi. He said the defendant was his apprentice and asked me if there was a problem and I said yes, there was a murder case,” the witness stated.
Orji said when the defendant showed up at the market and was questioned about the deceased, he fled but was arrested by security officials at the complex and taken to FESTAC Police Station. He added that defendant later told them that Ijeoma was dead.
Justice Taiwo adjourned the case till October 24, for continuation of trial and possible cross examination by defence counsel, Mr. T. A. Jiakpona.
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Lagos spends N6.6b on security agencies
Lagos State has spent over N6.6 billion to equip security agencies in the last six months, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Samuel BabatundeAdejare, has said.
He said the state government made security a priority to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and as well encourage local and foreign investors to continue to do their busineses within the state,
“The administration boosted the Police with equipment worth N4.8billion last December, with more added recently by President Muhammadu Buhari. In other words, the state has, in all, spent over N6.6billion to equip security agencies in the past six months,” he said
The Commissioner spoke on the sideline of the “Business Luncheon for Managing Directors/CEOs” organised by the Ikeja branch of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos, at the weekend.
With Manufacturing in a depressed economy: The way forward as its theme, the forum ex-rayed the challenges facing manufacturers particularly under the current foreign exchange (forex) crisis with a view to proffering solutions.
Adejare, who was Special Guest of Honour at the luncheon, said with the huge investment in security, the Police now have more attack helicopters, patrol vehicles, power bikes, gunboat armoured personnel carriers (APC), and bullet proof vests.
He also said an aggressive inter-modal infrastructure provision in the transport sector has seen the injection of 434 new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles in the Ikorodu corridor as well as the re-launch of the Blue Rail Project.
According to him, an ambitious water transport scheme is in the pipeline, while the health sector is also receiving attention, with the state approving a-N49billion Medical Park in Ikoyi. He said in addition, about 114 local government roads are currently being delivered.
The Commissioner assured that with the state’s huge investment on security, infrastructure, power, transport and related needs of the manufacturing sector, “our government will continue to put in place policies that will make the state the premier investment destination in Nigeria.”
According to him, the state already accounts for over 60 per cent of the industrial and commercial activities in Nigeria, which makes it a major hub and headquarters of key national and international businesses and professional organisations.
Adejare however, said regular dialogue between the state government and manufacturers was imperative in order to sustain the administration’s economic reforms and innovative policies aimed at making Lagos an investment destination of choice.
The Commissioner pointed out that such regular dialogue or synergy between the state government and private sector operators would lead to improvement in production capacity, rise in domestic and cottage industries, and more funding access to industries.
He listed other benefits that would flow from such synergy as stimulation of new ideas, greater use of home-made inputs and products, improvement in standardisation of products, and boost in export products.
Adejare also canvassed a more robust relationship between the government and MAN. “Some of our expectations from MAN include the need for manufacturers to strictly abide with the state laws on environment, sanitation and pollution; improve on occupational safety and health laws of their employees; continue the payment of statutory taxes and levies,” he stated.
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GOC: we arrest Boko Haram suspects in Lagos daily
•Army probes alleged coup plot
The Nigerian Army yesterday said suspected Boko Haram insurgents are daily arrested in Lagos and Ogun states.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Gen. Isidore Edet stated this during an interdenominational church service at Saint Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ikeja Cantonment, to mark the Army Day celebration.
He said the army is investigating an alleged coup against the government, warning soldiers to be mindful of the things they say and do.
“That is why we are asking soldiers to be on the alert. We have reasons to be on the alert more than before when we fought Boko Haram fiercely.
‘’Almost on a daily basis, we arrest Boko Haram members in Lagos. They have seen that the war is being won so they are running. The army in conjunction with other security agencies arrest them almost daily.
‘’Initially, they deny when we ask them questions, but when we profile them, they start revealing where they fought, how they killed soldiers, how they detonated bombs in post office, Maiduguri, and so on.
‘’By this, we do what we need to do by sending them to the higher authorities to do what the laws and the constitution of Nigeria says it will do with them. So, you must be on the alert and watch out for strangers who may stroll into the barracks. Ask them questions and report such persons to security agents to know the person’s mission.”
‘’Many of our colleagues have died in this war against Boko Haram. Some of them, we have seen their graves and some we did not see. So, we have every reason for those that are still alive to thank God for giving us victory against Boko Haram.
‘’So many others are amputated, some are even using crutches because they fought against Boko Haram so that we would have one country. About a year ago, we were the object of public ridicule, those of us in uniforms, if we talk, the public will say go and fight Boko haram and stop making noise.
‘’But we thank today that the Almighty God, who trained our hands for war, has taken the shame away. And now, the Nigerian people are proud of us again as their soldiers, saying we are in the front line.”
Sounding a strong warning to officers and soldiers on the alleged coup, Edet said: “Within the military where there are rumours of coup, whether they are perceived or real; soldiers should be careful in the company they keep and the things they say. “Army is investigating the coup rumour. Even during military rule army investigated to know the veracity of coup rumour.
“Be watchful of the people that come to our barracks and enter our mess. Be careful what they say because when people want to plan such things, they come into our barracks and incite soldiers.
“Be careful of such people and report them. Do not allow yourself to be in their company because you may be in the wrong place.
“Even in your telephone conversations you should be careful. Whatever you say on air is being monitored and being collated. We expect a 100 percent loyalty. Avoid the company of people who come with misguided utterances against the government.”
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Military intensifies patrol across Lagos
The military yesterday began intensified patrol of Computer Village, Ikeja and other strategic areas in Lagos.
This may not be unconnected with militants threat to bomb some areas of the state before or during the Sallah break. It was learnt that armed soldiers were drafted from 9 Brigade to Computer Village following the statement of the Department of State Service (DSS) that some people have been arrested over the plot to bomb the place.
Men of the Operation MESA and the anti-terrorism squad were seen patrolling other parts of the state.
The Nation gathered that operatives of the Operation AWATSE have also been directed to intensify their surveillance of Ikorodu, Arepo as well as Shagamu to prevent hoodlums from wreaking havoc.
Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni summoned an emergency meeting following intelligence report of an attempt to bomb Lagos. The outcome of the meeting which was allegedly attended by military chiefs in the state necessitated the increased security presence.
When contacted, the Brigade’s spokesperson Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi said the soldiers were simply carrying out routine patrol.
“It is not that they have taken over Computer Village or any area. We have just intensified patrol across the state and computer village is under our area of responsibility and so, we cannot allow anything happen there,” he said.
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Investment for Green Card seminar holds in Lagos , Abuja
Do you have $500,000 that you will like to invest in the United States of America?
A seminar will hold in Lagos and Abuja to educate Nigerians on how to invest their money and get Green Card and other benefits.
A statement by the organisers reads: “With the aim of providing the best choices of livelihood to residents in Nigeria who seek for laudable opportunities to enact a formidable transformation in their future, American company, EB-5, has decided to bring the EB-5 Investment for Green Card programme to Lagos and Abuja.
“The free workshop is targeting high network Investors willing to diversify their portfolio by investing the sum of 500,000 dollars in the markets of the USA, which includes real estate, hotels, farming and other great investment areas.
“Apart from the fact that it gives you directional purpose in a land full of immeasurable opportunities, your decision to make this investment gives you laudable benefits, of which the most alluring is that you get to receive Green Cards/Citizenship for yourself and all members of your household.
“While the foreign investors get the income from their investments, their children also get to attend American schools like residents and be eligible for scholarships and grants like American citizens. The business person will also be eligible to build business credit and get loans from America at ridiculous rates over time.
“EB-5 Investment for Green Card seminar would be holding in Lagos on Thursday 7th July, at Oriental Hotel and Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, 14th July, for the Abuja seminar.
“The facilitators that feature Jessica Carrello, Director of EB-5 Relations from Chicago, as the keynote speaker, will go over the details of this program in the way that opens your mind more to the opportunity that awaits you. Dr Ope Banwo, would also be explaining the legal issues and how to navigate the programme successfully. To participate, visit www.greencardseminars.com.”
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40 Beninese arrested with PVCs in Lagos
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has said it nabbed 40 Beninese in Lagos who were in possession of the country’s Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC).
This is just as the service disclosed that 380 Nigerians were deported for immigration and other offences in May.
Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, Musa Maza stated this on Wednesday during a visit of Chinese Youths Association (CYA) to his office in Alausa.
Maza who said the arrest was made in May at Seme Border, Badagry, added that the suspects resided in different areas of the state.
According to him, the suspects have been handed over to the Beninnese security forces for further investigation and prosecution.
“The eagle-eyed immigration officers were able to apprehend 40 ECOWAS nationals who were mainly Beninese and in possession of the Nigerian PVCs. These cards were seized from them.
Of the 380 Nigerians deported, Maza said 311 were repatriated through regular scheduled flights, when 69 were boarded on special flights.
“From the sea port, 1,171 foreign nationals arrived on our shores between 5 and 11 May, while 941 foreigners departed from Nigeria to their countries.
“From the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, we recorded some deportees; 380 Nigerians were deported for immigration and other offences from various countries in the month of May. 311 of them were deported on regular scheduled flights, while 69 were deported aboard a special flight.
“Normal arrival, a total of 97,133 passengers arrived during this period. They consist of 72,699 Nigerians and 24,434 other nationals. A breakdown of the arrivals showed that 14,043 visitors came into the country last month while 4,787 residents came back through the MMIA.
“The departed people were 77,090 passengers. While 57,979 of them were Nigerians, 19,111 were other nationals.
“Then, on the reports from our border patrols, a total of 91 irregular immigrants were refused entry into the country in the month of May, while 60 Nigerians who were in possession of valid travelling documents were refused departures,” he stated.
On the visit of the Chinese youths, Maza said it was to boost the business relationship between both nations.
He said: “The essence of this visit is to give recognition and to appreciate each other’s contributions towards ensuring a free flow of business activities. We all know that the government of the day is serious about encouraging investments from abroad. Investors are being wooed to come over here to do business with us in order to improve the economy of this country.
“And it is in line with this principle that the NIS, Zone A, have continually demonstrated her resolve to assist genuine investors that come into our country to do business. We have actually been very friendly with the Chinese. We have created very conducive atmosphere for their businesses to flourish.
“I want to quickly add that we do this without compromising the extant laws and regulations of the NIS. In effect, we constantly and solidly emphasis on the need for maximum compliance, and to the best of our knowledge in our interactions with them, the Chinese have been very compliant, and that is why we identify with them.
In his remark, President, CYA , Isaac Zeng, said the Chinese were satisfied with the reception of Nigerians towards them and their businesses.
He said: “Any Nigerian who wants to do business in China should get the certificates and bring the FDI. I have been in Nigeria since 2003. We are supporting Nigeria in all its policies.”
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Lagos to relocate Olusosun, other dumpsites
The Lagos State Government plans to relocate dumpsites in the city.
The Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota and Solos dumpsite will be shut by the end of the year, to pave way for a new waste management regime from January 1, next year.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, broke the news last Tuesday during the monthly media parley in his Alausa, Ikeja office.
According to Adejare, the new waste management regime will be “holistic and cover every aspect of waste management.”
The Nation gathered that the effort is part of the ministry’s master plan to re-engineer waste management in the state.
Adejare said the state has declared a “final zero tolerance” for violations of environmental laws especially those infringing on the right of way- either of the roads, walkways, rail lines and drainage channels. The government, the commissioner said, would demolish all illegal structures and attachments outside designated markets to ensure free flow of storm water and avert flooding.
With its ever-rising population, Lagos, he said, could not afford to compromise safety by allowing obstructions of access to markets, rail lines, roads and drainages. To do otherwise would amount to allowing flood water to stagnate and cause malaria and other diseases, the commissioner said.
He warned that it would no longer be business as usual for street traders who obstruct traffic, commit heinous crimes and endanger public safety, adding that street trading does not befit the hard-earned reputation of the state. He regrets that street traders and hawkers, Adejare said had been degrading the environment, parks and gardens, as well as encouraging crimes and causing traffic gridlocks.
“Our state is a centre of excellence and we shall not allow a few unscrupulous groups or persons that indiscriminately dump refuse on our roads and blocks our drainages to go without stiff sanctions. Their habits portend dire consequences for our health, traffic, safety and security of our people,” he said, adding that the buyers and sellers would face the same sanctions.
The government the commissioner said, was aware that people must make a living, but this should not be at the expense of the lives of others.
He said fines, seizure of goods, non-custodian penalties community service involving washing of public toilets, cutting of grass, sweeping of roads, cleaning of drains and carting away of refuse to dump sites were some of the proposed.
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Mayhem in Lagos as truck kills hawker
ALL hell was let loose in Maryland, Lagos, yesterday when a hawker was crushed by a truck.
His colleagues went wild, destroying about 47 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses belonging to Primero Transport Service Ltd and several others owned by LAGBUS Asset Management.
The debris of the buses filled the road from Maryland to Obanikoro.
Eyewitnesses said the eyeglasses hawker was trying to evade arrest by Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials when he ran into the truck’s path.
The accident, which happened around 1.15pm, caused a traffic gridlock, which stretched from the Maryland Independence Tunnel to Fadeyi.
An eyewitness said: “KAI officials pursued the guy who tried to run away with his wares, but he was hit by a truck which was on high speed.
But another witness said the hawker ran into a Honda vehicle and was crushed.
He said: “What I saw was a Honda vehicle which was on high speed. It hit the guy when he was running towards the other side of the road and he died immediately while his intestine came out. Immediately the vehicle owner realised he had killed someone, he parked and stepped out to sympathise with the guy’s fellow hawkers but he was later asked to leave as many people reasoned it was not his fault but KAI’s who pursued him to death.”
A mob barricaded both sides of the road, hindering motorists’ movement.
The mob, The Nation learnt, chased away the first and second batches of policemen that arrived on the scene.
To escape from the mob, some drivers were said to have abandoned their buses and fled. Others manoeuvred their way out of the mayhem.
Some hawkers told The Nation: “Those KAI officials are wicked people. Can you imagine how cruel they are? The innocent man had already obeyed them by running away to avoid being punished but they kept chasing him till he was killed by a car. Immediately they saw that the car had knocked him down, they drove off speedily. We are all human beings and we are not happy with the situation. We need to let the government know that we can’t take the injustice. Therefore, venting our anger on the buses is the best way to let them know what they have done is bad. The poor man is gone but we will make sure all the buses that would ply this road today must pay for his death.”
A driver with Primero Transport Service Ltd, Mr Adedeji Adeosun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN): “I was in traffic for about 20 minutes at Maryland. Then I saw some people running from Maryland and I opened the door to see what was happening. I heard shouts from people that we should come down, so, I immediately removed my uniform. I saw about 100 of the hoodlums otherwise called ‘area boys’ coming with stones and so I ran away.
“All the passengers on board my bus also came down and ran for dear life. I was hit by a big stone”.
Another driver, Mr Michael Onabolu, said: “I saw people running and shouting that I should come down from the bus. And all of a sudden, I saw some guys surrounding the buses and asking my passengers and I to come down. Before I knew it, one of them hit the bus with a big stone and I could not move because of the traffic. I was wounded on my hands and my thighs with stones’’.
He said the passenger beside him was also hit by a stone, adding that all the passengers were moved to other buses to continue their journey.
A commuter, Mr Elijah Omotayo, said the mob attacked their driver for not opening the doors.
Omotayo, a student, told NAN: “They started throwing stones and one of the stones hit my head”.
Primero Ltd Managing Director Mr Fola Tinubu, expressed displeasure over the incident, saying: “We don’t know what happened, whatever it is; it is something that has to do with the government or the police. But does that give aggrieved people the right to destroy private property”.
He added: “People are saying that there are no jobs in Nigeria; we have created over 2,000 jobs in the last six months. Is this the reward we will get for it? We need to start asking ourselves serious questions in this country. They have destroyed over 14 of our buses now. I don’t even know how many they have destroyed now. For what, what did we do? I am angry. I don’t even know where to begin because there is no justification for destroying private property; our service is for the masses. Do you know how many people will be stranded today if we don’t go out to pick them up? How are they going to get home? We do this for the masses. Is this the reward that we will get? This is madness.”
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Communications Director Mr Kola Ojelabi told The Nation last night that about 47 BRT buses were destroyed.
This, he said, was more than 10 per cent of the numbers of buses on that route.
A combined team of soldiers and policemen restored law and order before traffic started moving again.
They used tyres and big stones to shield the body to ensure free flow of traffic.
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Activities of local, foreign investors crucial for economic growth- Ambode
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said that the activities of both local and foreign investors in the State are key indicators that would trigger economic growth and enhance the emerging opportunities in the socio-economic landscape of the state.
The Governor who spoke at the City Hall, Lagos, venue of the 2016 Stakeholders Forum organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD) also commended the enthusiasm of investors and entrepreneurs alike to put their money in worthwhile investments in the State.
He added that the present administration is also providing more opportunities to investors and entrepreneurs in the emerging economic profile of the Lagos Mega City in the various sectors of real estate development, marine transportation, commercial and business activities.
“Our administration is focused on providing more opportunities to investors and entrepreneurs in the emerging economic profile of Lagos Mega City in the various sectors of real estate development, marine transportation, commercial and business activities to create job opportunities and generate wealth for investors in a conducive and secure environment,” he said.
Governor Ambode, who was represented at the Forum by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, said the focus of his administration since inception has been to put in place necessary structures that would sustain a 24/7 economy in the “New Lagos”, adding that despite the global economic challenges, “we have ensured that the business districts functioned effectively to move the wheel of economic growth in the Lagos Mega City”.
He assured that in the months to come, the district will witness tremendous transformation with the completion of the Blue Line rail system and the ongoing reconstruction of the Marina axis.
The Governor said the gathering was about ways to identify the gaps in the operation of the district and what can be done individually and collectively to uplift the status of the CBD to global standards.
“It is also about maximizing the investment opportunities in this axis through government policies, incentives and direct intervention in terms of infrastructure provision and upgrade towards actualizing the vision of the present administration of making “Lagos safer, cleaner and more prosperous”, he said.
He urged the stakeholders to share experiences, ideas and evolve new strategies that will enhance the effectiveness of the Central Business District administration and management for the benefit of all.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on CBD, Mr Agboola Dabiri, reiterated the readiness of the Government to return the lost glory of Lagos Island by bringing back corporate organizations and private companies to the District just as it was in the eighties.
He added that the State Government has committed enormous resources in rebranding, painting, beautification and general upliftment of the axis to ensure it is conducive for businesses to thrive.
The event which also featured panel discussions was graced by many important personalities including members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, Body of Permanent Secretaries and members of the Organised Private Sector.