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  • NDLEA maintains presence at Kashamu’s home

    NDLEA maintains presence at Kashamu’s home

    • Protesters, agency barricade neighbourhood
    Despite an order of court directing them to vacate, officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday continued the siege on the Lekki, Lagos home of Senator-elect,  Prince Buruji Kashamu.
    Over 40 armed personnel including hooded men were sighted at different streets leading to Kashamu’s home located at Ladipo Omotesho Cole, by Marwa in Lekki Phase one, depriving residents and passersby their right of way. 
    The fierce looking personnel who turned back reporters despite being presented with identity cards, said they were following orders to restrict movement in and out of the busy street. 
    There was also an altercation between the officials and a man who claimed he was a resident in the neighbourhood. 
    The angry man was seen arguing with the personnel for refusing him to take the normal route to his apartment, despite pointing at his house, which was not far from the barricade.
    Meanwhile, scores of Kashumu’s loyalists barricaded the other end of the road, protesting what they term “the disregard for ruke of law by the enforcement agency”.
    Clad in black and chanting in solidarity for the Senator-elect, the crowd most of whom said they were from Ogun State, decried the continuous siege on Kashamu’s residence despite court ruling and judgment ordering the agency to vacate.
    Their protest further compounded the discomfort of residents and motorists as they completely grounded the only part of the road unmanned by NDLEA officials.
    Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “NDLEA respect the rule of law, Nigeria is not a Banana Republic; release Buruji Kashamu; vacate Kashamu’s house….”, some of the protesters said they were unhappy because the house arrest of the Senator-elect has negatively affected the well being of their families. 
    According to one Foluke Salami, who claimed she was a widow and coordinator of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Ijebu North, they usually received money, drugs and other food items from Kashamu every Thursday.
    She said she was greatly disappointed at the way the law enforcement agency was going about the whole issue, adding that they have not been able to gain access into his residence.
    “Today is Thursday and we are supposed to collect money for our children. Every Thursday we come from Ogun state to collect money from Kashamu. 
    “He takes care of widows and those living with HIV. Since 2005 when I knew my status as person living with HIV, Kashamu has been there for us. I am the coordinator of those living with HIV. He is accessible. He does not stop us from entering the house anytime we come but today, these people did not even allow us close to the house.
    “We are therefore using this medium to protest the continued seige of the NDLEA in his premises, after a court order barring them from staying,” she said.
    At the time The Nation visited (around 2pm), the protesters were threatening to continue their blockage of the other side of the route unless the NDLEA personnel leave their “man”.
    Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede who was sighted driving out, disclosed that the operatives denied him access into the premises.
    He told reporters that the over 12 officials stationed inside his client’s compound told him he could not be allowed in.
    He further disclosed that Kashamu’s relatives have also been denied access into the compound,  whereas, all those who live with him have been put in one room and closely watched.
    According to Oluyede, Kashamu has only had liquid since Saturday, May 23, and has not been allowed to see his doctor despite complains of heart palpitation and other health related issues.
    “We do not even know whether the masked men in my client’s bedroom are Nigerians or foreigners. We do not know who they are because they don’t even talk.
    “They record all my conversation with my client on video and audio. And they follow us around with their guns.
    “In the night, they would go on the roof. The family members are traumatised and are trying to adjust and live a semi normal life. All of them are sleeping in one room at night while the masked men watch over them.
    “The Police have been served but I don’t know why they have not intervened to enforce the order of court. The next step is that we are trying to reach the Inpsector-General of Police to find out why he has refused to intervene.
    “I heard him say he had not been served the order of the court. But we have his stamp of receipt that they have received it. The bailiff of the court and my chamber have served them. What then is stopping them?
    “What they (NDLEA) are doing is illegal. What the chairman of NDLEA is doing is illegal. NDLEA is a statutory office and he can’t refuse to obey the court. If he says he will not obey the order of the court, it is like saying he does not recognise the office of the NDLEA.
    “This is a criminal contempt of court. Why is the Police watching? If someone is saying that the order of the court is inconsequential such person should be arrested immediately. 
    “What about the DSS, are they not worried that this could lead to a coup de etat? It is the police that will enforce the court warrant of arrest, not the NDLEA. 
    “Extradition is not the business of the NDLEA but that of the court. If the court says vacate, it should be respected. The court said come to court with the warrant of arrest, only the Attorney-General came but the NDLEA did not. They drove the bailiff away thrice…
    “We are taking legal steps because we cannot carry arms and wage war against them. We do not have control of arms and cannot dislodge them. We are trying to put pressure on the IGP to enforce the court order,” said Oluyede.
  • Lagos SUBEB sensitises parents on placement test

    Lagos SUBEB sensitises parents on placement test

    The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has outlined the procedures for registerion and placement tests for Primary Six pupils transiting to JSS1 in public secondary schools.

    The exam billed for July 11, this year, is conducted by the Lagos State Examination Board.

    Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, explained the importance of filling accurate information to parents and head teachers of private primary schools at a meeting  at the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Pavilion, Alausa.

    She emphasised the importance of allowing pupils register by themselves to ensure that their faces were captured during the exams.

    Mrs Daodu said pupils that did not register or fail would not be admitted into any public school in the state, regardless of the appeals.

    She warned private schools against hindering their pupils from registering, saying the act is illegal.

    “For private schools to hinder the children from writing the examination is wrong and against the law. In such situation, affected parents should text or contact SUBEB to penalise the school,” she said.

    The SUBEB chair said provision had been made for a re-sit exam for those who fail the first time. However, a second failure would mean repeating primary six.

    She said the exam would ensure the issuance of certificates to pupils upon graduation from primary school, urging parents to help their wards prepare.

    The board has also extended the registration deadline till June 5, to accommodate more entries.

    Mrs Daodu urged parents to be involved in the training and preparation of their wards for the examination, rather than leave it to teachers.

    Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, cautioned parents against neglecting their children’s health and nutritional requirements.

    She said: “Some parents don’t do enough for their children. It is your duty, primarily, as parents, to take care of your children, while government’s role is secondary. Don’t allow your child leave home hungry as this could disturb their academic development. Ensure they are well-fed.”

    The Commisioner also urged parents to continue to support the government by paying their taxes and obeying regulations.

  • Lagos inches towards cleanest city status

    Lagos inches towards cleanest city status

    Lagos State Governor, Baba-tunde Fashola has said that days when Lagos was dubbed the dirtiest city in the world were over; even as he called on the residents to generate more wastes to enable the government to recycle them for re-use.

    Noting that the period when the state was rated as one of the dirtiest cities has been in the trashcan of history, he expressed his happiness that the city has acquired a new reputation of being one the cleanest in the world.

    Governor Fashola spoke while inaugurating the first waste material recovery facility at Isheri/Igando Local Council Development Area.

    He said the current challenge in the state was how to generate more garbage to run the factory, adding that the first phase of the facility would recover solid waste materials, recycle them for re-use and conservation. With this, Governor Fashola said, Lagos has joined some countries that have the waste recovery facility.

    He said: ‘’Many countries of the world are recycling, the whole world is conserving. That is what we are signing on. We are joining the rest of the world by having this recovery facility to recycle our wastes and turn them into wealth.’’

    Governor Fashola said the expansion of the factory later in the year would usher in the next phase where even more garbage will be needed in order to produce heat for electricity generation.

    ‘’Lagos has moved from a state that could not manage refuse to a state that needs refuse,” he said, adding that the factory will service 130 compactor trucks a day when it begins operation in few months’ time.

    He assured that the establishment of the facility in the area would create employment for residents of Alimosho, Igando Housing Estate, the General Hospital and the School of Nursing. He added that the Chief Executive Officer of company had assured that the factory would start the next phase by December this year.

    This, the Governor said, implies that the residents of the area might enjoy regular electricity supply from next year.

    The governor revealed that the third phase of the project would consist of composting and production of fertiliser to maintain the lawns, parks and gardens and other green areas across the city, even as he noted that that the greening industry now employs over 100,000 people.

    Governor Fashola said: ‘’It is an industry that was not there eight years ago, just as the Association of Waste Managers wasn’t in existence 15years ago.

    So, we have opened new frontiers, creating new economies that were not there before.

    “But that is one of the benefits of the facility. Others include power generation; production of organic fertiliser and composting and development of renewable energy from solar panels not imported from China but made in Nigeria. This will enhance the environment.’’

    In his address, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello said the establish-ment of the waste recovery facility was a demonstration of the state government’s resolve to foster clean, healthy and sustainable environment for the well-being of the citizens.

    Bello, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Dr. Taofeek Folami, commended the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) and West African Energy for the laudable projects which he said would be a reference point in solid waste management in the country.

    He revealed that the MRF when fully operational “is expected to provide support to the manufacturing sector through the provision of waste off-takers such as plastics papers and metals, among others. This will lead to reduction in cost of production and generation of employment to our teeming youths’’.

    On his part, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya said the completion of the MRF was a dream come true. He thanked Governor Fashola for his support at all the stages of the project. He also appreciated the co-operation of the host community that willingly offered their lands for the project.

    While giving a brief on the project, the Chief Executive Officer West Africa Energy Group, Mr. Paul O’ Calleaghen said the site of the facility used to be a burrow pit where piles of waste were dumped.

    O’ Calleaghen said: ‘’It is the mission of West Africa Energy and the Lagos State government that by 2020, the state will attain zero-waste status that will make Lagos the truly beautiful city that it is.’’

    Mr. O’ Calleaghen further said the facility, when fully operational, would process waste for more than 130 PSP trucks per day, adding that the staff strength rose from 120 to 350 personnel of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

    Earlier in his message, the Group Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Ladi Balogun said it was a great pride for the bank to be involved in the realisation of the project, saying the improvement of environment was a prerequisite for business to thrive and one of the reasons that informed the bank’s decision to support the project. He assured that FCMB ‘’is ready to support projects of this nature.’’

    The traditional ruler of Igando, the Onigando of Igando, Oba Tijani Gbadamosi pleaded with government to give priority attention to members of his community for employment.

  • Court orders NDLEA to vacate Kashamu’s residence

    Court orders NDLEA to vacate Kashamu’s residence

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to vacate the residence of Senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu.

    The order was made in a bench ruling delivered by Justice Ibrahim Buba, in a contempt proceedings filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke and Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade.

    Justice Buba also directed the police to ensure that all the orders are obeyed by the respondents, while reinstating the need for Giade to appear before him on June 4.

    Kashamu through his lawyers, Alex Izinyon (SAN) and Ajibola Oluyede had approached the court following the siege on his home since May 23, by officials of the NDLEA.

    Although the applicant had filed a Motion Ex-parte, the court on Monday refused to entertain it and directed that the respondents be put on notice to appear before it on Tuesday.

    While the AGF was represented by Anne Akwiwu at the resumed hearing, the NDLEA Chairman failed to appear in court.

    When the matter was called up, Akwiwu prayed the court for an adjournment to enable them reply to the originating motion on notice for committal filed against the AGF.

    She stated that they were present put of respect for the court, noting that they were not ready because they were yet to regularise their standing.

    Her prayer for adjournment prompted Izinyon to make an oral application seeking four orders in line with the urgency of the matter.

    Izinyon urged the court to grant an order asking the over 50 personnel of the NDLEA who have laid siege on Kashamu’s residence since May 23, to leave the place forthwith.

    He prayed for an order that any application for arrest warrant against Kashamu must be brought before Justice Buba, since he is in charge of the case.

    Kashamu’s lawyer also prayed for an order allowing them to publish the court’s ruling in the newspaper as a notice to NDLEA Chairman, since the Court’s Bailiff could not effect personal service on Giade.

     

  • Lagos tackles flooding

    Lagos tackles flooding

    The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has intensified its dredging of primary channels and desilting of secondary collector drains  to reduce flooding.

    Speaking during an inspection of  some maintenance and cleaning jobs, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services of the ministry,  Ayodeji Adenekan, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done, urging contractors to ensure the  completion of the jobs before the rainy season peak period approaches.

    The work consists of dredging of primary channels, such as the Badagry Channel, Ibiye Channel, LUTH Channel, System 1, Iju-Ajuwon, Gbolagas, Gedegede, Ikota Channels, Ibeju -Lekki, Kemberi/Afromedia, Ojo Channel, Mercy Eneli, Jalupon, Ijeododo, Alimosho, among others to contain flooding in the state.

    Adenekan explained that the ministry had, earlier, devised a three-way approach to aid its deflooding programme for the year.

    This consists of the Pre-Rain Programme from January-April; Mid-Rain Programme from May-August, and the Post Rain Programme from August-December. He said while the state has continued to dredge the primary channels, over 100 secondary desilting are ongoing to ensure that the state is flood free.

    Adenekan listed some of the areas undergoing desilting  as Moshalshi/Egbeda, Okunola, Governor Road, Isheri/Igando, Orelope, Egbeda-Akowonjo, and Sasha Collector Drains in Alimosho areas.

    In Apapa, desilting is also ongoing in NNS Quora, AP Tide Gate Channel (Rectangular/Trapezoidal), Wharf Road/Texaco, Child Avenue, Azare Creek Collector, and Kofo-Abayomi.

    Similarly, in Eti-Osa, cleaning  is ongoing at LSDPC Flats, Adeola Odeku, Kofo Abayomi, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Akin Adesola, Eko Court, among others.

    Work is also ongoing on the drains in Ibeju-Lekki, Ikeja- Adekunle Fajuyi, Ikeja Bus-stop, Agidingbi, and Ajao Road.

    In Mushin, there are Agege Motor Road, Ladipo-Apapa Expressway, Bishop-Fashoro -LUTH Drains etc, experiencing cleaning works, while rural areas like Ibeju-Lekki, Shomolu, etc are not left out of the deflooding exercise, including Oduyebo, Odongunyan, Ishawo, Ireshe, all in Ikorodu local government, are being attended to.

    Adenekan, however, urged residents to avoid dumping of waste into drains as well as desist from patronising cart pushers, who dump the waste collected into canals,  which leads to flooding.

    “The peculiarity of Lagos being a lowline state, notwithstanding, the Lagos State Government will continue to embark on works that will ensure that the incidence of flooding is reduced to the barest minimum in the state,” Adenekan assured.

     

  • CJ, Olanipekun support Lagos Law Week

    CJ, Olanipekun support Lagos Law Week

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has assured the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch of her full support in hosting a successful Law Week for its members. The annual high-profile event is scheduled for June 24 to 26 at the MUSON Centre and City Hall, Lagos.

    Former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has also pledged to support the chapter in ensuring that the Law Week is a huge success, even as he made an immediate cheque donation to cushion teething logistical challenges usually encountered in hosting such event while promising to do more.

    Justice Atilade made the pledge while receiving a high-powered joint delegation of NBA Lagos Executive Committee and the Law Week Committee members in her chambers at Ikeja. The State Chief Judge promised that the judiciary would play an active role in the three-day programme, adding: “We look forward to the Law Week. I assure you of our participation as usual, especially at the Law Dinner. We would make sure judges attend.”

    Justice Atilade, who received the delegation alongside Justice Abdulfattah Lawal, Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare (Chief Registrar) and Magistrate Demi Ajayi (DCR, Legal) among other senior officers of the State judiciary, also promised the delegation that the judiciary would take active part in the Bar/Bench Forum to be held during the Law Week.

    NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka who led the delegation had while speaking earlier, informed the Justice Atilade that the theme for this year’s Law Week is “The Future of the Legal  Profession: Protection from Exploitation.”

  • Good practice series launched in Lagos

    •Books to be distributed free

    The Lagos State government has launched a series of publications on good practices under the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

    The nine-book series called the “Lagos State Good Practice Series” cover areas where the government found innovative solutions to problems.

    The titles include: Boosting the Energy of Lagos: The story of the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB); Imota Asphalt Plant; Opening up the Lagos Waterway: The story of Lagos State Waterway Authority (LASWA); and Protecting Lagos, Saving the Nation: The Ebola Story.

    Others are: The Lagos State BRT: Getting the People of Lagos on the move; The Lagos Eko Secondary Education Project (2009-2013); Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Lagos State; Maternal and Child Care Centres; Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Greening of Lagos (2007-2014).

    Presenting the books at the Eko FM Auditorium yesterday, the governor said they were inspired by enquiries from other states and countries seeking to learn how Lagos solved some of its problems.

    “It was either one country in West Africa or one state in Nigeria that wanted us to help them with how we managed our refuse; they wanted to know how we managed the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or wanted to share something that we had done,” he said.

    He explained that the series detailed the experiences of the government and are not accounts of perfection because they also contain mistakes that were made.

    Fashola said: “Note that we have not chosen (the title) best practice; we have not chosen excellent practice because really and truly what is the best is always relative in time and circumstances.

    “We do not by this series suggest that we are the best.  But for me, knowledge sharing consistently improves our capacity to do things better.

    “And that is why you may have heard that even nations who clearly are ahead are still looking to see what we are doing.

    “This is about putting together a body of our experiences.  And because we are human beings, it contains errors, mistakes that we have made.  Those mistakes become very valuable for the next generation.”

    To enhance the state’s capacity to make use of its own experience, the governor said the government has strengthened the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, to train civil servants.

    He said it was his dream that the centre would enlist the services of retired senior civil servants for training and ultimately evolve into a school of governance for Nigeria.

    Fashola said the books would be distributed free to schools and libraries but that those seeking extra copies could purchase them from the Lagos State Printing Corporation.

    Also yesterday, the Governor inaugurated the Festo Authorised Certified Training (FACT) Centre for Industrial Automation at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, which he hoped would be a foundation that would provide training for “Made in Nigeria” goods to thrive.

  • We want Lagos National Stadium back-Stakeholders

    We want Lagos National Stadium back-Stakeholders

    Some former athletes have expressed misgivings over the rot at the National Stadium, Lagos.

    The land on which the stadium was built, according to accounts, was a former Railways sports ground. The stadium with an initial 55,000 capacity was built in 1972 in time to host the second All Africa Games in 1973.

    It was a multi-purpose sporting facility as it had an eight-lane tartan track, indoor sports hall, swimming pool and outdoor courts including hockey, handball and basketball.

    The stadium hosted several international competitions including the Africa Games in ‘73, the Africa Cup of Nations, 1980, the 1999 World Youth Championships – U-20 and the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The stadium was arguably, one of the best in the continent then as it was referred to as “pride of the nation’’.

    However, lately the facility is a shadow of its former self, as virtually all the sporting facilities in the complex are dilapidated. Some of the sports great athletes that won laurels while representing the country in major international events, expressed concerns at the parlous state of the stadium.

    Lately, it had been occasionally used for religious gatherings and was at one time taken over by area boys and squatters.

    However, in 2009, the National Sports Commission (NSC) made concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.

    Some of the top athletes in separate interviews told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the stadium needed to be given urgent rehabilitation.

    Segun Odegbami, a former skipper of Green Eagles said the current state of the structure was a reflection of the present state of the country. “It is a shame to the country.

    “I played on that pitch and scored important goals. It gave me joy. I was happy playing on it. The feeling alone gives me goose pimples any time I recall my playing days on that pitch.

    “I felt elated to play not just because I was a footballer but because I was playing on home soil where the crowd cheered.

    “I cannot imagine the opposite way we see of it today. It is in a mess, a pitiable situation; it is a shame on the reflection of the country,’’ he said.

    Odegbami, fondly called “Mathematical’’ won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the national team and most of it on that pitch.

    He was in the victorious team to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, an event that was staged at the National Stadium, Lagos.

    “We can only hope for the right change, the change to restore the stadium back to its glorious days as we enter into a new dispensation,“ he said.

    Christian Chukwu, skipper of the Eagles to the 1980 Nations Cup victorious team, said he was not pleased with state of the stadium.

    The former Super Eagles’ coach lamented that it was time to refurbish the facility, one of the national symbols from total ruins.

    “I am never a happy man anytime I see the extent of the dilapidation of the structures that has been yearning for rehabilitation. It takes me back in time when I recall my playing days on the facility.

    “A stadium we believe brings us good luck each time we play on it. Each time I come out of the tunnel and see the fans chanting my name and those of my teammates, it gives me confidence to go all out.

    “I believe I played my best football on that pitch. I am pleading with the Federal Government to give it the deserved attention and restore it to its place of glory to help the growth of sports in the country’’ Chukwu said.

    Adokiye Amiesimaka, another member of the victorious squad said: “The stadium is living in its shadows. I never thought it would come to this; the place is just a scary place to come to.

    “I remember in my time, it was a glorious place to be. I shared many victories on that pitch, notably in 1980, when we won the Nations Cup.

    “I am pleading to the NSC to intercede on the matter,’’ he said.

    Babatunde Obisanya, former Africa table tennis champion and winner of the maiden Asoju-Oba Cup table tennis championship, said it was unfortunate seeing the stadium lying fallow without operating to its full capacity.

    “In my time, there was order and sanity. We made use of the Indoor Sports Hall, where I played.

    “It was a place where we were proud of. Above all, it was a thing of joy for many of us that won laurels for the country. I pray that the new government will see a way to turn around the present situation.”

    Obisie Nwankpa, a former professional light welterweight boxing champion in 70s, 80s and 90s, said the stadium, which was meant for sports development had been turned into a drinking joint and shopping centre.

    “I am not happy to see the state at which the stadium is, I feel sad anytime I look at this wonderful structure where I won medals for the country.

    Yusuf Ali, a 1990 Commonwealth Games long jump gold medalist, said it was sad to know that the track was now in tatters.

    “I ran for the country and set an African record on that track. I ran for the love of the sport, the stadium was a place to be. It is a shame to see that it’s all gone and nobody even cares about it.’’

    Christopher Ohaegbu, a former Head of Protocol, NSC also said that the stadium was a lively place, where all athletes came together to share common vision of success in sports.

    Elias Gora, a former Secretary-General of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) said: “There are three main steps to take to help rebuild the stadium.

    “The government should partner with the private sector to help manage and maintain the stadium.

    “They should also organise internal and foreign training programmes for the stadium managers to help them update their knowledge on stadium management,’’ he said.

  • Spirit of Lagos contest saves school’s furniture

    Spirit of Lagos contest saves school’s furniture

    For its ingenuity, resourcefulness and creativity in solving problems of damaged school furniture, a team from the Government College, Ketu, Epe won the Spirit of Lagos School Challenge last Thursday.

    Members of the team wowed the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and the panel of judges, not only because of their well-implemented project, but because of their lucid presentation – beating five other teams at the event held at the Governor’s hall, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.

    In response to the challenge to solve a problem in their environment, they came up with a plan to repair broken down school furniture by themselves.  They built a workshop, sewed overalls, raised funds, created awareness and bought tools used to do the work.  At the end of the 26-day project, they repaired over 251 pieces of classroom and teacher furniture, saved the school over N360,000.00 for repairs (at N700 per piece), and the Lagos State government over N1,805,000 that it would have cost to construct new ones (at N5,000 per pair).

    In the course of the project, they faced many challenges including having to rebuild their workshop after it was destroyed by a rainstorm, and injury to one of the team members while doing repairs.  They were also mocked by fellow pupils and teachers who derogatorily called them “Anjonu Eko”, which when translated means Lagos demons.

    However, they came out strong, resourcefully finding ways to combat their challenges.  To address the mockery, they conducted an awareness campaign to get the support of the school community and change their attitude to how they handle school property.  The campaign was anchored on such slogans as Save our Treasure (SOT) and Do it Yourself (DIY).  They also succeeded in getting the school principal to purchase cooking gas for use in the kitchen to end the practice of using broken down furniture as firewood.

    The team from Community Senior Grammar School, Gberigbe, representing Education District Three, came second in the challenge for its Wipe out Dirt campaign in their school.  They did a good job of building a colourful dump site and baskets that separates dirt into categories (biodegradable, nylon, paper and plastic) and carrying out an awareness campaign.

    Representatives of Education District I, Ifesowapo/Aboru Senior Secondary School, Agege, emerged the third place winner with their waste to wealth project.  They devised means to convert waste plastic bottles and sachets to various useful products such as tiles, asphalt for road construction, and the like.

    In her address, the Deputy Governor praised the pupils for “demonstrating capacity and responsibility.  She urged them to cultivate a love for Lagos State and contribute to its growth as the most important city in Nigeria.

    “I want you to leave this hall with a love for Lagos.  Change must start now.  When you are at the bus stop you have to queue.  You should not be late to school – that is the Spirit of Lagos,” she said.

    Counsel to the Lagos State governor, Mrs Oyikan Badejo-Ogunsanya, praised the pupils for their efforts, which she said was impressive.

    “I want to thank you for lifting the Spirit of Lagos high; coming up with innovations that would better your lives as students,” she said.

    The Spirit of Lagos Project Director, Olaniyi Omotoso, also praised the various schools for their excellent performance and described them all as winners for proposing laudable projects.

    Other schools in the finale were: Agidingbi Grammar School, Agidingbi (District VI), Ajara Senior and Junior Secondary in Badagry (District V), and Ideal Girls’ Junior & Senior High School/Obele Community Junior & Senior High School, Surulere (District IV).

  • Lagos okays N39.6m bursary for law, maritime students

    The Lagos State Government through the state’s scholarship board has approved the payment of bursary to its indigenes studying in Nigerian Law School and Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

    A statement signed by the Director, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs Omauton Yetunde Jegede, directed all concerned beneficiaries to visit the board’s office for documentation in order to collect their bursary.

    A total of 192 indigenes of the state studying in Nigerian Law School and six in Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom State will be given N200,000 each, which comes to about N39,600,000.