The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Coming of Lagos Mobile Courts

    SIR: As it is with other mega cities like New York, New Delhi Jakarta and so on, the population growth in Lagos brings with it challenges, ranging from environmental to transportation and provision of good road network among others. The sheer number of people that visit or reside in Lagos remains an African record and the pressure that this exerts on the environment and infrastructure in the state is quite alarming. The challenges of governing as well as providing basic infrastructure for these diverse people of varying backgrounds and cultural orientation is, indeed, quite intimidating.

    In Lagos, people break traffic, environmental and other laws that are meant to ensure peaceful co-existence with reckless abandon.  Traffic offenders are particularly notorious in Lagos. Despite the enactment of the traffic laws, some still behave as if the laws do not exist. There are designated bus stops and lay bys constructed all over the state by the government for picking  as well as disembarking of passengers, but some commercial bus drivers still pick and drop passengers as they please.

    It is because of this that the mobile courts were recently inaugurated by the state Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade. The introduction of the courts is one of the ways the state government planned to ensure preservation of civility in the society.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that there is an urgent need for restoration of sanity in terms of safety on our roads as well as safeguarding of the environment in Lagos. No doubt, the mobile courts will further enhance the performance of the officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) brigade.

    It is expected that all peace loving residents of the state would join hands with the State government by respecting and obeying the laws of the land. The mobile courts are put in place to ensure that sanity prevails in our society. A lawless society is a reproach.  Today, we are primarily where we are, as a nation, partly because of our utter disregard for lawful conducts. If, indeed, change has come, the time to turn a new leaf is now.

     

    • Biliks Bakare,

    Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Minister steps up bid to renovate Lagos National Stadium

    Minister steps up bid to renovate Lagos National Stadium

    Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has come out with a bold step to ensure that the decaying and dilapidated National Stadium, Lagos is not only renovated but ranked among the best in Africa and one of the best in the world.

    He explained this to sports reporters in a press briefing at his office during the presentation of how the new-look National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will look like by a firm that handled the project.

    Dalung who was speaking when a new template for the rehabilitation of the decayed Lagos sporting arena was presented in Abuja also maintained that no effort would be spared in ensuring that the country’s sports was returned to grassroots.

    According to the Sports Minister who equally asserted that plans are on by the federal government to implement sound youth developmental programmes enjoined various states to turn greater attention to youth as well as earmark more funds to sports development.

    “We are indeed looking outside the budget for the funding of this project because of the economic situation in the country. This government might not be able to fund the project.

    “We have opened discussion with investors on the possibility of their interest in it. We have a lot of people that have been showing interest in funding the project. So, I think funding is not going to be problem,” he said.

    He also boasted of recent sports development strides the National Sports Commission has recorded since he assumed office. The Minister said that time has passed when Nigerian sports depended on servicing sports adding that, “Some 20 to 30 years ago, our sporting attitude has changed from developing sports to servicing sports. What we have now is servicing sports architecture that only responds to needs by scouting for people whenever we have events.

    “Now we are going to have a complete paradigm shift from servicing sport to a developing sport. We are going to focus more on grassroots sports development and in doing this, the issue of inter-ministerial committee has been considered especially with ministry of Education where sport should be returned to school as it were in the 60’s.”

    An architectural company earlier on presented to the management of the ministry a structural design of how the National Stadium would look like when renovated.

  • Lagos warns against unbridled dredging

    Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development has warned dredgers against unauthorised and inimical mode of operation leading to irreparable damage to the environment. It said the impact of uncontrolled dredging has constituted huge crisis along the coastline and has therefore prompted stringent rules to check unwholesome operations.

    State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Eng. Adebowale Akinsanya, who spoke during a stakeholders meeting in Alausa, Ikeja at the weekend, said the government has concluded plans to halt the issuance of dredging licenses in certain areas of the state in order to ensure regeneration and re-assessment of such places. He lamented that unapproved extension of properties into the lagoon without appropriate consultation has led to adverse effects of flooding and erosion.

    He said: “Henceforth, an internet based information system will become operational soon, where all requirements for each category will be available and a two-step process will be adopted in getting approvals for operation in the state. First, all applicants will get approval from the Lagos State government and then go to National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for concurrent approval for all categories of permits. Temporary permits will no longer be entertained.”

    Speaking on the impact of current human activities and its effect, an environmentalist, Dr. Regina Folorunsho, blamed deterioration of natural habitat and the eco-system on activities such as sand mining, dredging, subsidence, negative land use, deforestation, dams including a host of others. She explained that while dams reduce the influx of sand into the state, dredging on the hand amounts to unevenness in the depth of the lagoon. She further condemned arbitrary creation of islands by individuals for commercial purposes, noting that it constricts the lagoon water flow.

    According to her, the coastal geosyncline along the entire Lagos coastal areas is composed of young sediments still undergoing the natural processes of dewatering and compaction. Such processes result in subsidence and ultimate lowering of the already low-lying coastal topography.

  • Lagos introduces e-planning permit processing

    To improve service delivery, the Lagos State Government has introduced an online planning permit processing system in the state.

    According to the Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD), Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola, from the comfort of an applicant’s home or office, the e-planning permit system will enable citizens apply online and enjoy accelerated service towards the granting of planning permits for development within the State from the comfort of their Offices and Homes.

    This, he said, is part of the e-Governance and improved service delivery promised by the present administration in the state.

    Anifowoshe enjoined contractors, developers and home owners to visit the electronic planning permit website on www.lagosepp.com to interact with the planning permit system which he described as secured and users friendly.

    In a statement signed, the Director, Public Affairs, MPPUD, Mr. Ajao Murtair, said the online permit system allows users to upload design drawings and other requirements, pay stipulated fees through internet banking or other online payment platforms using credit/debit cards, schedule site inspections and obtain up-to-date status information through e-notifications.

    The system is also expected to enhance the integrity and security of planning document; improve record keeping; archiving of permitting decisions; tracking of transactions and also improve better communication and feedback.

  • Jonathan’s ex-aide Kuku loses bid to stop arrest

    Jonathan’s ex-aide Kuku loses bid to stop arrest

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday dismissed an application by a Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, from arresting him.

    Kuku had urged the court to restrain anti-corruption agencies from arresting and prosecuting him over allegations of corruption.

    But, Justice Okon Abang held that the application lacked merit.

    “This application lacks merit and is hereby dismissed. I so hold,” said the judge.

    Justice Abang refused Kuku’s prayer to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting and probing him.

    The judge, however, said should Kuku be arrested, he should not be detained beyond 48 hours.

    Justice Abang said detaining Kuku beyond 48 hours would be in contravention of Section 35(4)(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

    According to the judge, ‎EFCC has a statutory obligation to investigate Kuku over alleged financial impropriety.

    The court also held that the anti-graft agency has the right to arrest Kuku if he refuses to honour invitation.

    The judge disagreed with the submission that any move to invite Kuku was politically motivated.

    After assuming jurisdiction in the case, Justice Abang held: ‎”It is in my humble view that the invitation sent to the applicant is lawful and constitutional.

    “The court cannot stop a statutory institution from performing it constitutional duty.”

    The court, however, restrained the respondents from arresting the applicant unlawfully, noting that his arrest must follow due process.

    Kuku sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the DSS and the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    He alleged there was “a plot by the respondents to concoct, fabricate or falsify evidence in order to provide a basis for the arrest, detention, persecution and/or prosecution of the applicant (Kuku) for political reasons…”

    According to him, it was “in furtherance of the unconscionable use of the otherwise laudable war against corruption to repress the political opposition constituted by the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the applicant.”

    Kuku sought a declaration that any such invitation, arrest, harassment or prosecution on the basis of allegations of corruption in respect of his tenure as Chairman of the Amnesty Programme between 2011 and 2015 is a breach of his right to fair hearing and freedom of movement.

    Similarly, he sought an order prohibiting the respondents from arresting or prosecuting him on the basis of the allegations.

    The Auditor-General of the Federation had raised questions over alleged mismanagement of funds in reports of audit monitoring and evaluation of the amnesty programme.

    Kuku’s lawyer Mr Ajibola Oluyede said the respondents were about to abuse the criminal process by seeking to arrest his client.

    “There is an illegal and unjustifiable intigation of the criminal process against the applicant in a manner that infringes upon his fundamental rights enshrined in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution,” he said.

    But the AGF’s and IGP’s counsel, Mr Tijani Gazali, urged the court to dismiss Kuku’s application.

    He said Kuku was only invited to clear allegations of corruption against him, adding that there was no plot to violate his rights.

    “We only invited him to ensure his right to fair hearing. It was only an invitation. Instead, he has run to the court to be conferred with immunity so as not to be investigated. He was invited so as to tell his own side of the story,” Gazali said.

  • Lagos, Delta, Osun, Niger get N160bn from pension fund for infrastructure

    A total of N160 billion out of the N5.1 trillion pension fund has been invested in four States Bonds towards infrastructure development as at September 2015.

    The States include Lagos, Delta, Osun and Niger State.

    This was made known in a report made available to The Nation by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    According to the report, these four States are able to benefit from the pension fund because they have implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    The report stated that pension assets totaling N160 billion was invested in State Bonds towards infrastructure development.

    It however showed that not all States have adopted the CPS.

    It read: “11 States and the FCT have commenced implementation while 11 States have enacted pension laws on CPS but are yet to commence implementation in the period under review.

    “Three States have enacted Laws, which need to be reviewed as they vary substantially from the provisions of the pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 while 12 States are at the bill stage.

    “Aside from the four states that benefitted from the fund in the period under review, other States that have implemented the CPS are Ogun, Jigawa, Zamfara, Rivers, Kaduna, Anambra, Enugu and FCT.

    “States that have enacted pension laws but are yet to commence implementation are Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Ondo, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto, Oyo, and Taraba while those who have enacted laws but need to be reviewed are Adamawa, Bayelsa and Kano”, the report stated.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of Premium Pension Limited, Aliyu Dikko adviced State Governors to comply with the CPS in other to access it for infrastructure.

    He noted that it is in their own interest to comply because once they comply, a lot of opportunities are opened to them.

  • Murder trial: Court renews union leader’s arrest warrant

    Murder trial: Court renews union leader’s arrest warrant

    Justice Adedayo Akintoye of a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere Monday renewed a bench warrant for the arrest of the Lagos State chairman of Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association (TODA), Aiyenogun Babatunde, following his failure to appear in court to answer to a charge of murder.

    Babatunde is being prosecuted by Lagos State for allegedly killing one Yusuf Ademola, but he has failed to appear for his arraignment.

    The defendant is accused of stabbing Ademola to death on June 4, 2014, at about noon at the Boundary area of Ajegunle.

    Justice Akintoye made the order on October 13, 2015, pursuant to an application by state counsel, Mr. Tunde Sunmonu, in order to prevent Babatunde from moving outside the jurisdiction of the court.

    Monday, Sunmonu informed the court that Babatunde was still at large and there was reason to believe that he had procured another passport.

    “The defendant may be trying to obtain a visa to flee the country,” Sunmonu said.

    He added that the order of the court commanding the defendant to appear in court yesterday had been disobeyed.

    The defendant’s counsel Mr. Lukman Imam disputed the claim that his client was trying to abscond.

    In response to a query from Justice Akintoye as to why his client had refused to show up in court, Imam said: “I asked the defendant to be in court but being a human being, I don’t know why he’s not here. My client is on Bench Warrant already; we’re not afraid of trial.

    He then asked the court to rescind the arrest warrant against his client.

    Imam applied to withdraw his earlier application and substitute it with another one asking the court to set aside the bench warrant against his client.

    Ruling, Justice Akintoye said the Bench Warrant subsists. She added: “The defendant is on a Bench Warrant. I cannot rescind the warrant unless I see him first. Advise your client to appear in court.”

    She granted the defendant’s prayer and adjourned till March 23.

  • Panic as cultists go on rampage in Lagos community

    Panic as cultists go on rampage in Lagos community

    Residents of Mayaki Street in Oworonshoki, Lagos were gripped by fear after suspected cultists went on rampage.

    The hoodlums who left several persons injured, vandalised several shops and vehicles also looted wares and money belonging to private citizens.

    It was gathered that the palace of the Oworonshoki monarch was pelted with stones and bottles, while its occupants were threatened with guns.

    Trouble was said to have started at about 8pm on Sunday, after a young man identified as Monsuru, 25, was killed by a rival cult group around Atanda Alonge Street.

    Meanwhile, five persons, including two suspected to have murdered Monsuru have been arrested and currently being interrogated by police operatives.

    It was learnt that the deceased was murdered during a Valentine’s Day party held in the neighbourhood.

    His death prompted his cult members to regroup at about 11pm and stormed about four streets in the area, chasing people with bottles, cutlasses and guns.

    They were said to have engaged the rival group in a free for all, with unconfirmed claims that two more persons died.

    The clash did not stop in the dead of the night, as the hoodlums, it was learnt regrouped again before 7am, causing residents and shop owners to flee for safety.

    It was gathered that it took the intervention of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the Area H Command, as well as the police station located along Atanda Alonge to restore peace.

    About 10 police patrol vehicles including an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was said to have been deployed to the area.

    As at the time The Nation visited, the usually busy area seemed deserted such that even the sand dredgers, who usually thronged the lagoon, were not in sight.

    Most of the shops in the neighbourhood were locked and the very few who dared to open, still looked frightened.

    A taxi driver who gave his name as Momoh, told The Nation that he was called by his wife to return home because “area don scatter.

    “I did not return home yesterday. I slept at the park and so, I was surprised this morning when my wife called me to come back that area don scatter.
    “She told me the guys were just attacking anyone they see. That they took the corpse of Monsuru on a procession to the Oba’s palace returned it to their area before they started fighting. They even threw bottles and stones inside the palace.

    “She also said that they were shooting gins and were destroying properties belonging to innocent people. They vandalised more than five shops on this line alone and carted away all the drinks and money they saw.

    “On Mayaki Street, I heard they also vandalised many buses, cars and shops too. Many were just running for their lives. I am certain they are cult boys. We have not had this kind of fight in this area for close to five years now.

    “I heard two other people died but I do not know how true that is. But I also know that about five people sustained injuries. Some on their heads, I do not know their names,” he said.

    A police source who spoke in confidence told The Nation that the two suspected murderers were nabbed by the Division, while the three other suspects who participated in the fracas were arrested by RRS and Area Command operatives.

    He stated that the suspected murders have already confessed to the crime and were given useful information that will aid police investigation at the division.

    According to the source, only one person died in the fracas, while about three others sustained injuries on the head and shoulder.

    When contacted, the state command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, an SP, said only three persons have been arrested.

    She said the identities of the suspects won’t be made public yet.

  • ’Why I stole pant, soap from shopping mall’

    A 28-year-old man Sunday Oboh on Monday told a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere that he stole a pair of briefs and several bars of medicated soap from a shopping mall in Lekki to take care of his wife and their newborn son.

    Oboh, from Delta State, was employed as a contract security guard and posted to a high end shopping mall, SPAR, in Lekki.

    He was making his way out of the store’s premises at about 9:18pm on February 10, when he was discovered to be in possession of several bars of soap.

    He couldn’t give a reasonable explanation for the items to the other guards on duty and, when a body search was carried out, it was found that the very pant Oboh was putting on that night was also stolen from the store.

    Oboh was handed over to the police who arraigned him on Monday before Magistrate O. H. Olagbade (Miss) on a one count charge of stealing.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Ishola Samuel informed the court that Oboh stole six bars of Dettol soap, several bars of Tetmosol soap, and a white pant valued at N1,650. All of the items were valued at N2,460.

    He added that the offence was contrary to Section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendant elected for summary trial and pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him in English.

    He begged for forgiveness and told the court that it was lack of money to take care of his family that pushed him to steal.

    “I am a contract security guard and I have not been paid for three months,” Oboh said.

    “My wife just gave birth and I have no money to provide for her and our baby. So, I stole those things to take care of them.”

    He agreed to pay for the goods and this was done in open court.

    A representative of Oboh’s security firm, who were complainants in the matter, informed the court that they would abide by whatever the court decided.

    Magistrate Olagbade noted that although Oboh’s financial and family situation was no excuse before the law, he had already suffered for four days in detention before being arraigned.

    She also noted that complainant and prosecution were not averse to a speedy resolution of the matter.

    “As the defendant has paid for the goods and the prosecution asks that the case be struck out, I hereby discharge the defendant,” Miss Olagbade said.

  • BrandPhase empowers students in Lagos

    BrandPhase empowers students in Lagos

    Mr. Emorinken Moses, a leadership/career development expert has charged the students of Okota Senior Grammar School, Okota, Lagos, on the fierce urgency of taking positive actions towards the fulfillment of their dreams, and also the need to build a healthy concept of self instead of being labeled and interpreted by their backgrounds or current socio-economic taxonomy.

    Emorinken, who spoke on the theme: “The future is now, dare to dream,” at a mentoring programme organised by BrandPhase Empowerment Initiative (a Non-Governmental Organisation) for the students from classes – SS1 to SS3; especially the SS3 students who are presently preparing for their Senior School Leaving Certificate examination which is to hold soon, emphasized that all men dream but not equally; some understand the need to wake up and take actions, thereby fulfilling their dreams while the rather indolent majority take their dreams and aspirations with flippancy.

    He identified three kinds of people in the world – the first set are those who make things happen, the second are those who watch things happening, while the third set are those who do not know what is happening.

    He added that even if we have to contend with our current background or were born into an impoverished inter-generational socio-economic class, we owe it to ourselves and to God to make the best of our lives by rising beyond our seemingly genuine excuses for failure. You need God and some intrinsic values like humility, persistence, and determination to be able to thrive in this time and peculiar clime.

    The Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs. Bolanle Gbemile said the students should do a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threat) of themselves and find creative ways to solve their problems. She said “there is a way you can meaningfully approach your problems so that they can be defeated”.

    One of the students at the programme, Daniel Moses said:” Even though I hate to read, I have been inspired to imbibe a reading culture. I now know that nobody can stop me on my way to greatness except myself”. Another student, AinaBunmi said:” henceforth, I will embrace humility towards learning. I am usually angry whenever I am being advised. But today, I drop that attitude and embrace positive change.”