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  • Osinbajo to inaugurate projects in Lagos

    Osinbajo to inaugurate projects in Lagos

    •State APC welcomes Vice-President

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will inaugurate some projects undertaken by the Lagos State Government today on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The President, who had been slated to make a two-day official visit today and tomorrow, will no longer make the trip.

    As at yesterday, the route the President would have taken had been decorated with banners.

    The presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport was wearing a new look.

    The presidential visitwould have been the first since 2002, when President Olusegun Obasanjo visited.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu confirmed that the VP will stand in for the President.

    He said the President “has scheduling difficulties”.

    According to him, Osinbajo would inaugurate a few of the projects while the President will still visit the state after Ramadan.

    Some of the projects to be inaugurated include the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Rescue Unit in Cappa, Oshodi; the newly constructed Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo and the inauguration of security equipment and vehicles donated by the Ambode administration.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has said the two-day working visit will provide a platform for the party leadership and Lagosians to engage and interact with the President.

    A statement yesterday in Lagos by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said: “The historic visit will provide an opportunity for the President to get first class knowledge of the massive transformation going on in Lagos.

    “The President will inaugurate few projects, assess the Lagos security architecture, meet Corporate Lagos, and hopefully engage the efficient and dynamic Lagos civil service.

    “President Buhari will use the timely visit to the ‘land of aquatic splendor’ to explain the activities of the government in the last one year.

    “The President is expected to tell curious and anxious Lagosians what they may not know about the struggle to reclaim Nigeria and the man-made obstacles on the way of progress.”

  • Lagos to host food, beverage fair

    Imani Media International, the organisers of the Lagos International Food and Beverage Fair (LIFBF), has announced this year’s edition.

    The 5th edition of the fair will hold between June 2 and 5 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    A statement by the organizers reads: “The LIFBF is a four-day trade event designed to promote the food and beverage industry, establish business networks and close the gap between the producers and the final consumer while improving the economy. The annual event is geared to become  the ‘Largest Food and Beverage Fair in Africa.’

    “Strategically, the LIFBF is always scheduled to hold few days to the Ramadan season and it has run consistently for the last four years. This is the 5th edition and we are getting closer to our vision of becoming an international fair opening up for international participation.

    “Coincidentally, the shift of focus from an oil dependent economy to other sectors such as agriculture has brought in a lot of events into the industry. Hence our theme for this year is ‘Food Security’. In addition to that, for the first time in Nigeria, the Lagos State government established the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security.

  • Akiolu seeks ‘special status’ for Lagos

    The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 1, has urged the Federal Government to grant a ‘special status’ classification on Lagos State. He spoke on the sidelines while receiving members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) who paid him a courtesy call in his palace.

    According to the Oba, the challenge of providing infrastructure for a state such as Lagos is quite enormous notwithstanding the volume of its commercial activities. For instance, he said the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, which serves the Lagos ports, presents a genuine case for such privilege that the state deserves.

    Besides, he noted that with the discovery of oil in Badagry and its subsequent exploration, there will be a need for development of greater infrastructure along that axis to cushion the effect of the operational activities on the state.

    “Apapa Ports generate huge income for the country; but look at the road along that corridor. The government at the center should help the state in this area,” he said.

    Several Lagos residents share the royal father’s views. For instance, Tayo Oluwole, a civil servant, explained that with an estimated influx of 600, 000 people yearly trooping into the state, Oba Akiolu’s call, he reasoned, is valid.

  • Buhari calls off visit to Lagos

    President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his visit to Lagos scheduled to begin on Monday.
    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will now represent the President for the visit.

  • Lagos earns N8b from land transactions

    The Lagos State government yesterday said it generated N8, 114,191, 292.35 as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)  from land transactions between  May last year and March this year.

    The Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro who spoke at the ongoing ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, in commemoration of the first year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in office, said the feat was achieved through ingenuity.

    He said the Bureau was able to rake in the revenue through the ingenuity introduced by the present administration which has devised means of blocking leakages in the financial system of the bureau.

    According to Agoro, to actualise the vision and underscore its desire for a truly citizen-centred government, while considering the importance of land as a precious God-given resource, the bureau maximised the potentials of the state land resource and provided easy access to it for economic and social benefits of Lagos residents.

    “We are resolved and committed to improve our ways of doing things, but more importantly, we pledge to infuse more transparency, accountability and integrity, individually and collectively, into land administration in the state.

    “We assure the business community and corporate Lagos that the ease of doing business in the state will be improved upon.

    “We are proud to inform you that our indefatigable and technology driven governor has approved the development of the Integrated Land Administration and Automation System which provides for a fully integrated end to end land administration platform for sustainable and automated land administration environment among others,” he said.

    Agoro who frowned at the menace of land grabbers, popularly called Omo-onile, said to fast-track the prosecution of any offender of the law relating to land grabbing, the state the judiciary has been fully equipped to deliver prompt judgment in accordance with the Section 52 and 53 of the criminal law of Lagos.

  • Lagos lights up 600 kms

    The Lagos State government has said about 600 kilometres network of roads and streets in 366 locations have been lit up under the ‘Light Up Lagos’ project in the last one year.

    Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Mr Olawale Oluwo, at the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, said the project had seen the lighting up of major areas, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Ikeja and environs, Berger to Iyana Oworo axis, Murtala Muhammed Airport Road and Oshodi, amongst others.

    Oluwo said the government planned to engage 54 firms to manage the streetlights.

    Most of the street lights, he said, are connected to the five Independent Power Plants (IPP) in the state.

    He said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had approved electrification of the 37 rural communities near Seme Border.

    Oluwo warned against destruction of streetlights’ pole and cables by the residents, saying whoever damages any street lights would bear the cost of re-fixing them.

    Following the discovery of crude oil in the state by the Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company, the commissioner said the government had established Ibile Oil and Gas to manage oil-related issues, assuring all that Lagos will be a bigger business hub with the development as more jobs would be created.

    Oluwo said: “What this means is that we have our own company that will not run like NNPC. Our own Ibile Oil and Gas will operate in upstream, midstream and downstream sector. It will not only be involved in exploration but is also going to probably build its own petrol station.

    “We must be able to give Lagos Energy security such that if anything happens outside or NNPC shuts down operation, we must be able to power Lagos on energy basis. That is what Ibile Oil and Gas Company of Lagos is all about. We are interested in the future such that we can put Lagos in the position of having its own bloc. That is for the federal government to determine.”

  • Petrol price strike flops in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos

    Petrol price strike flops in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos

    MANY workers yesterday shunned the strike called by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Ayuba Wabba to protest the increased price of petrol from N86.50 to N145. But there were rallies, which disrupted traffic in some cities.

    All was normal in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja – the seat of the government – and in Lagos – the nation’s financial and business engine-room. The oil city of Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, and many other state capitals were peaceful and busy.

    Rallies were held in many places, including Lagos and Abuja. They were addressed by Labour leaders and civil society organisations.

    Activities in government, public and private establishments were going on in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    At the State Secretariat, work went on. Earlier in the day, there was an attempt by an NLC group to lock up the place.

    Local Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Chika Onuegbu described the failed strike as a “tragedy” and “minus” for labour movement.

    Onuegbu said there was need for the two factions of the NLC to unite, stressing that the success of any labour movement depends on a single and common agenda.

    He said TUC withdrew from the planned strike because it found out that the action would be a fruitless effort without any benefit on the workers.

    The TUC chairman called on living founding fathers of the labour movement to intervene in the NLC crisis, cautioning the Federal Government not conclude that it has won the battle.

    Bank workers and customers in Lagos ignored the strike call as banks were opened. Government offices were also open.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report said security was beefed up at bank premises on Marina and the Lagos Central Business District (CBD) on Lagos Island.

    There were normal activities in Ojuelegba, Mushin and on Ikorodu Road as well as other parts of Lagos. Traffic  moved freely all over the metropolis.

    Major markets, such as the Computer Village, Katangowa, Mile 12, Ile-Epo and others were in full swing.

    Petrol stations were dispensing fuel across the metropolis at N145 per litre. There were no queues.

    At the Lagos State Government Secretariat, all was normal.

    The Ikeja City Mall, housing the popular retailer Shoprite and major business outfits, was throbbing with people. All public and private schools in the Lagos metropolis were running.

    Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) did not heed labour’s call for a strike.

    An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, popularly called the Freedom Park, but no one was seen entering the park for any protest, unlike in 2012 during the fuel protest when thousands of Lagosians thronged the park.

    However, hoodlums were in the morning reported to have blocked the ever-busy Ikorodu Road, but the situation was quickly put under check.

    The National Union of Airport Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Senior Services Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), threatened to shut down the Lagos Airport today, should the government fail to reverse the increase in petrol price.

    They blocked major roads leading into the Lagos Airport, occasioning traffic gridlock on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

    They seized the road early in the day, depriving limousine cab operators from taking passengers and airport workers to the airport.

    Domestic carriers, including DANA Air, Arik, Aero, First Nation and Med-View operated skeletal services.

    Most of them cancelled or re-scheduled flights because of low passenger turnout.

    Most of the aviation agencies, including Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), opened their offices.

    The Joint Action Front (JAF), led by Comrade Abiodun Aremu, staged a protest on the streets of Ikeja.

    FCT workers declined to go on strike.

    However, NLC President Wabba led out some members on a street protest which began from the Labour House to the Federal secretariat and terminated at the popular Berger Roundabout in the heart of the city.

    Offices, banks and markets opened. There was heavy security presence around the city. Roads were, as usual busy.

    The procession is to continue today, according to the NLC.

    Policemen deployed to maintain the peace around the city were friendly and did not interfere with the procession. The labour leaders also refrained from harassing workers who turned out for work.

    Addressing the protesters, Wabba pledged the commitment of the Congress to good governance and transparency in government business for the overall good of the people.

    Wabba said the NLC would continue to fight against anti-people policies. “Therefore, Labour and particularly the NLC, has said consistently that if policies are right, we will support it. But if policies are anti-people, we will continue to resist it. That is why we are here today to resist this policy of the increase in fuel pump price.

    “We must not allow market forces to drive the pump price of this very essential product in our country as continuous importation of fuel will be used to enslave Nigerians, the naira will be devaluated and prices will keep going up and there will be no end to it.”

    Wabba said the congress will continue to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against corruption and good governance, adding the congress recognised the inherent corruption in the system, which, is responsible for the refineries not functioning.

    He said the refineries could be turned around because Nigerian refineries are among the newest in the world. “We have refineries that have stayed up to 110 years and, with regular maintenance, refineries can be fixed and production capacity can also be upgraded for local consumption.”

    National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers General Secretary Comrade Isa Aremu said the increase of petrol price by about 70 per cent was outrageous, adding: “You also increased the tariff of electricity with almost 50 per cent and there is no light. This is just too much for the common man as a lot of people are suffering.

    The Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LACSCO), Dr Dipo Fashina, said the increase of the price of fuel pump to N145 was arbitrary, unjust and against all rules of good governance.

    Fashina said the increase was a subversion of the 1999 Constitution.

  • ‘PDP can’t defeat APC in Lagos council poll’

    ‘PDP can’t defeat APC in Lagos council poll’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Jide Oni is 60 this week. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the Buhari and Ambode administrations, the threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to capture Lagos during the council elections and other partisan issues.

    What is your assessment of Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode in the last one year?

    I must commend his efforts. he is making sure that every nook and cranny of the state benefit from his government. Look at the street lightening project. In the history of Lagos State, no government has decided to do 114 roads at the same time. The rural areas are benefiting from the infrastructural development. He has mobilised the contractors to the sites. Roads that need rehabilitation are being rehabilitated. He is now creating direct and indirect employment for the youths. Many of his programmes are designed to ensure self-reliance so that people can be employers of labour, instead of relying on government. I give him kudos for these achievements.

    In retrospect, why was the All Progressives Congress (APC) unable to win the parliamentary elections in Oshodi/Isolo Constituency, which is your base, in the last election?

    I won’t apportion blame to anybody. There was leadership tussle. There was a high concentration of our eastern brothers in three of our local governments in Lagos State. They were meeting underground without our knowledge. Some of them are even members of our party. They have been meeting to vote for their kith and kin. There was also crisis over the nomination of candidates for the election.

    What can be done to avert the same scenario during the local government elections?

    Our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has invited some leaders to talk to them to harness their resources and energy together so that they can put heads together. If we put our eggs in one basket, there is no way they can defeat us. I assure you, the APC will win all the local governments. But, the right thing must be done at the right time. The leadership of the party is working in this direction. Those who hold forte in their local governments know themselves and the people there. Somebody will just go and tell a lie to produce a candidate who cannot win. I don’t want to mention names. We know those who can win in Ejigbo. We know those who can win in Isolo. We know those who can win Ishodi. If you allow these people to contest and share the remaining positions to other people, the election is as good as won.

    Are you saying there was tension between imposition and the clamour for the primary?

    I won’t say yes or no. We need to allow the leadership of the party in these various local governments and local government development areas to determine who is a better candidate. Either a direct or indirect primary must be arranged so that the best candidate can emerge. That is very important.

    How are the people of your base, Osodi/Isolo, mow warming up for the council election?

    We have been having various meetings. A lot of meeting is going on, which is excluding the original leaders and members of the party, who are the real mobilisers when election comes. They sideline them. If this happens, we are still going to get the same result. So they should allow the right people who know what to do, who have been mobilising for elections and who have been handling elections in the local governments and getting good results to handle the process in their local governments.

    Have you reported this scenario to the party leadership?

    Of course. But, since the time-table has not been released, I don’t want to heat up the polity. I don’t want to raise an alarm when it is not necessary.

    Could you shed light on how you parted ways with the late Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele?

    We did not part ways. Till he died, he was still my friend. We just had a minor disagreement. It was about principle. They wanted to do something’ I did not agree. I said we should follow the leader that has been good to us. But, I don’t want to talk about that now because he is late. he is not here to defend himself. So, we were friends till he died.

    What are those things the APC government should put in place to consolidate its hold on the state?

    The past administration at the centre has done a lot of damage to the economy. A lot of people do not know anything about the spheres of influence of the federal, state and local governments. If anything happens, they believe the nearest government is the solution to their problem. If there is no electricity, the people of Isolo and Oke-Afa will complain that they don’t know what the local government is doing. We need to educate our people on the limitations of each level of government. In Lagos, when the government proposed a power project, the Federal Government did not approve it. If they are now blaming Lagos State government for lack of power, it is ignorance on the part of some people.

    The present government is trying its best. It may be painful at the initial stage like this. But, if they can allow the government to continue with its reforms, we will be happy for it at the end of the day.

    Some eminent Lagosians are alleging that the APC government is marginalising indigenes. What is your reaction?

    Who is an indigene? If an Igbo can be a Mayor in the United States, England, what are we saying? The law says anybody who has lived in a particular area can contest elections. The constitution is there. It is not a new constitution. The clause has been there for over 50 years. Why are people now saying they are marginalised? Some people were born and dread here over 50 years ago. They are members of Lagos State. They have been contributing to the socio-economic and political development of the state. They are entitled to be elected and appointed as states in the constitution. We have been living together as a family. Some people did not believe in Ambode. Some people believed in him. If these people have knowledge, experience and capacity and they are giving appointment, what is wrong about that? The indigenes and the non-indigenes have good rapport. We should maintain it. There will be no crisis. We are brothers and sisters. We are one family. We should remain so.

    The PDP is threatening to displace the APC in Lagos in 2015…

    It is a simple arithmetic. I will use the example of a car. When you buy a car, it takes eight hours to get to Abuja. The engine is knocked, the tyre bursts, the gear is not good and you say you want to get to Abuja within two and half hours, don’t you know that is day dreaming? When the PDP was a full party, it could not defeat the APC in Lagos. Now that it has been punctured; no loose money, armsgate. You get three red cards in a match, you are down. What can you do with eight players? So, the PDP cannot get power in Lagos State? Who are their leaders? Who are the youths that will mobilise for them. There is no looted money for them again. Where are they going to get money to buy votes like they did in the last election? The PDP not a threat to the APC. But, the APC should also do everything that is necessary to retain Lagos.

    People are complaining of hardship under the Buhari administration. Does that not suggest that their expectation has not been met?

    The last Jonathan administration has crippled Nigeria. The house was about to collapse. For it not to collapse on people’s head, it must be demolished. before you pack all the rubbles and build another house, it takes time; at least, six months. On May 29, President Buhari will tell the nation how much he has recovered from looters. That will be five percent of what they have stolen. You can imagine how much they have stolen in the country, which we are paying for now. But, only few enlightened people can understand what causes the present problems. Some people cause problems for 16 years and we are looking for a solution within one year. It will take another one and two years.

     

  • NNPC, SNEPCo celebrate musical talents in Lagos

    The choir of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Secondary School, Ikeja – Lagos has won the just concluded 14th edition of the all Lagos secondary schools choral competition, sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

    With a brilliant rendition of Sally Albrecht’s Friends on Our Left, and William Barnes’ Linden Lea, the school’s mixed choir cruised home to victory, earning them individual prizes and musical instruments for their school. Halifield Secondary School, Maryland, came second, while Holy Child College, Obalende, emerged third.

    Special guest of honour at the event and wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, praised the NNPC/SNEPCo initiative, noting that beyond the competition was the opportunity to groom songsters who combine their musical talent with education.

    In 14 years since the programme began, many young talents have been discovered, raised and nurtured to stardom. The first lady, represented by Mrs. Jumoke Adeyemi, said: “I urge all of you children to invest your time wisely in useful and productive engagements like music.”

    The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Dafe Sejebor, restated the commitment of the agency to the support of “initiatives that will positively impact the lives of Nigerians.” Represented by Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, the NAPIMS boss noted that music had the potential to help students in the development of their brain and raising their state of consciousness, among other benefits.

    In his remarks, Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Government Relations Manager, Alan Udi, said SNEPCo was committed to preserving the dying culture of traditional folksongs, and the moral lessons that they teach. “SNEPCo views music as a crucial community builder. We are therefore committed to engaging and empowering our young people, giving them the opportunity to develop their talents in all areas.”

  • 10,289 take Lagos model colleges exams

    10,289 take Lagos model colleges exams

    With candidates showing increasing interest in the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, the Lagos State government has promised to improve ICT facilities in its education sector.

    Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Adesina Odeyemi, reiterated government’s commitment to ICT development while monitoring the screening test for primary six pupils seeking admission into Lagos State model colleges last Saturday.

    Fifty-four out of 10,289 candidates registered for the CBT mode of the examination – 37 more than last year.  They took the examination at the Computer Centre of the Lagos State Examinations Board in Iyana Ipaja in two batches because of its limited capacity.

    Odeyemi, who started his monitoring from the board, said the government would expand the board’s ICT facilities so that it can accommodate more candidates next year. He also said the Ministry of Science and Technology was already working on equipping schools with computers and solar panels for alternative power supply.

    He said: “We just started last year and throughout the federation, Lagos State is the first.  Last year we had 17 candidates, and this year we have 54.  We have intention of expanding the facility.  The Ministry of Science and Technology is working at it.  By next year, when we expect to have more candidates taking the examination, the facility would be improved.”

    Odeyemi also visited Government Junior College, Agege and Vetland Junior Secondary School, Ifako Ijaiye, some of the 28 centres where majority of the candidates sat for the examination using the Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) mode in company of the Director, LSEB, Mr Olufemi Hassan.  Save for registration hitches that resulted in a few candidates not having the customised Optimal Marker Recognition (OMR) sheets, and the fielding of underage pupils, the examination went smoothly.

    At the Vetland Junior Secondary School Centre, more than the number of candidates  that registered for the examination turned up.  Though there were only 468 names registered on the board, 477 candidates sat for the examination.  However, those whose names were not on the list were allowed to write.

    Mrs Mariam Yakubu, mother of Alimot, one of the affected candidates, said she registered her daughter appropriately but was surprised her name was not on the list.

    “I saw her exact examination number on the list but another person’s name and passport photograph was on it.  I registered her properly.  She is not the first child I have that would write the examination for this school.  Her senior brother is here,” she said.

    Odeyemi said the board would investigate what went wrong and act accordingly.

    “Some of the candidates don’t have OMR so we put them in a class and allowed them to write the examination. After this, we will investigate.  If the error is from their end, we will let them know; if it is ours, we will take correction,” he said.

    LSEB Director, Mr Hassan, also said the board would investigate reports that underage pupils took the examination meant for primary six pupils.  He took phone calls from an officer posted to another centre who reported that a primary three pupil was registered at his centre.  Hassan told the officer to allow the pupil take the examination and investigate afterwards.

    Explaining the reason for it, he said: “The psychology of that child matters to us. We won’t just stop the child from taking the examination.  That was why I told the officer to set the script aside so we investigate,” he said.