The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Lagos fire: ‘We couldn’t save any of our goods’

    Lagos fire: ‘We couldn’t save any of our goods’

    Traders, who suffered losses in the fire that ravaged athree-storey shopping complex in Ereko, Lagos Island, are still bemoaning their fate – three days after the incident.

    The traders are planning how to return to business.

    It was learnt that the first, second and third floors are managed by Rembak Textiles, a fabrics company.

    The remains of some of the burnt goods littered the building.

    Some traders were yesterday trying to pick pieces of the destroyed items. The shops were locked. None of the traders including those not affected opened shop.

    Lagos State Ministry of Urban and Regional Planning has invited the caretaker, Kamorudeen Ajagbe-Balogun, for explanation.

    Ajagbe-Balogun said the ministry’s officials came to empathise with the victims and invited him for talks.

    “Although the owner is aware of the incident, after meeting with officials of Urban and Regional Planning Ministry, we shall know what next to do,” he said.

    The owner of Rembak Textiles, Hajia Tawakalitu Oshodi, said she and other occupiers of the building suffered “great loss.”

    According to her, the second and third floors are used as warehouses while the first floor is for shops.

    “We just offloaded one container of different textile materials last Saturday. We couldn’t save any of our goods from the warehouse. Even the little we saved from the shops are wet. We may end up selling it at a lesser price. As I speak, sales are so low. Everything is dull because all the new designs I purchased went with the fire. I thank God no life was lost and it happened at day time because other buildings would have been affected if it happened at night,” Hajia Oshodi said.

    The ever-busy complex looked desolate. Traders on the ground floor were still in shock.

    Oscar Osadebe, one of those on the ground floor, doesn’t know what the future holds for them, especially those not affected.

    “I have been selling cotton materials for over six years and I realised that when situations such as this happens, we don’t know what is next. Since Tuesday, we have not made sales,” Osadebe said.

    Another occupant, Yinka Twins who also trades in textile materials said: “I have been trading in this complex for over 10 years. I am confused. I don’t know if they will demolish the building because I have no place to go and if I should eventually get another place, it may not be a favoured spot. I plead with Officials of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to dispose the charred remains of the fire in front of our complex so we can start business again.”

  • Lagos donates camp to NYSC

    The Lagos State chapter of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has got piece  of land from the state government to build its permanent site.

    The NYSC Co-ordinator in Lagos, Mr Cyril Akhanemhe, spoke at a meeting of NYSC staff at the state said the site is in the Ikorodu, noting that Governor Babatunde Fashola promised to facilitate the speedy development of the site to ensure immediate operation.

    The governor was quoted to have assured the body that his remaining days in office would not slow the pace of development on the site.

    Ahanemhe, who was posted to Lagos last December, pledged to work closely with all necessary bodies to ensure the speedy completion of the camp. He urged for cooperation of all staff to achieve the aim.

  • Lagos graduates 11, 000 beneficiaries of skills acquisition

    To fewer than 11,176 persons have completed their six-month training in vocational and skills acquisition under the Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Poverty Eradication Programme.

    They participated in the third phase of the state’s expanded economic empowerment programme. Over 30,000 graduated in the first two exercises. The ceremony was held in Lekki and Apapa.

    Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the programme is aimed at reducing poverty through the training of youths, men, women and young graduates in entrepreneurial skills.

    The exercise, she said, is meant to make the trainees self employed rather than continue seeking white collar jobs.

    Mrs Orelope-Adefulire said the earlier beneficiaries were provided with tools of their vocations.

    She called on the organised private sector to partner with the state government in its efforts at alleviating poverty and reducing crime and menace of unemployment   through economic empowerment and entrepreneurial skills development.

    Orelope-Adefulire said the programme was designed in such a way that the poor electricity supply in the country would not be a barrier when they set up their businesses, saying: ‘’all the programmes are such that you don’t need electricity, shop, or so much capital to start. With little amount of capital, the beneficiaries can start off in the corner of their bedroom and start making money.”

    Wife of the Vice-presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Bolanle Osinbajo, hailed the state government for the initiative.

  • Lagos gets 12 new perm secs

    Twelve Permanent Secretaries were yesterday admitted into the Body of Permanent Secretaries of Lagos State to fill the available vacancies in the  Civil Service.

    The permanent secretaries, made of six men and six women are Adediran Joseph Ayodele; Adenekan Ayodeji Adebayo; Dipe Foluso Adebayo; Longe Jemilade Adegoriola Rotimi; Mrs. Ogunmola, Omobolanle Modinat; Mrs. Ogunnaike, Folasade Oluwatosin; Mrs. Oladimeji, Grace Ebunola; Mrs. Onabolu Folake Folashade; Salami Nurudeen Mabayoje; Sanuth Jafar Babatunde Adewole; Mrs. Soname Aderinsola Abosede and Mrs. Umar Abimbola Shukrat.

     

     

  • Fire in Lagos

    Fire in Lagos

    Fire at Ereko Street, Idumota, Lagos on Monday
    Fire at Ereko Street, Idumota, Lagos on Monday
  • Ambode fit to rule Lagos, says group

    Ambode fit to rule Lagos, says group

    The Support Group for the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Akinwunmi Ambode  has said that the standard bearer has no health challanges. The group said Ambode is fit to rule.

    At a conference in Lagos, the Chairman of the Mobilisation Committee for the support group, Mr. Fola Tinubu said, the rumour  was being peddled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said  Ambode is hale and hearty, adding that the candidate has been moving across the state, seeking the mandate of the people.

    He said: “The information is being peddled by PDP, but I wish to state that our governorship candidate has been campaigning throughout Lagos, nothing to suggest that he has health challenges.”

    Tinubu said the support group, which comprised people who contested with the candidate at the primaries and other lovers of the candidate, will do everything possible to ensure that Ambode emerges as the governor.

    He added: “We believe more hands must be on deck to repel the forces of retrogression symbolised by the PDP, which seek to hoodwink Lagosians and lure them out of their comfort zones, to a future whose possibilities is today represented by the rudderless leadership provided at the federal level.

    “All Lagosians need to do is to ask themselves if they will like to be governed by a party that has failed to deliver on the most critical duty of the government which is security.

    “Ambode seeks to consolidate a Lagos safe for you and me. But, with the schizophrenic disinformation and misinformation of the PDP, with the hypocritical and false propaganda of the PDP, it is possible for the voters to take these achievements for granted and be short-changed.”

    Tinubu further said that the road show, which the support group will embark on, is meant to renew the call for a better Lagos under Ambode, who will consolidate the the gains of the present administration.

    He said that the APC government has done so much that it will be counter productive for those without deep knowledge of governance to start to experiment with Lagos. “What we are saying is that Lagos is too sophisticated for people without previous experience on public management. You cannot Learn with Lagos, you have to be tested and trusted to keep the centre of excellence going.”

    Tinubu stressed the need to consolidate the gains of the  administration, adding that Ambode was eminently qualified to occupy the position and move the state ahead.

     

  • Lagos ITTF World Tour: French club stops Toriola

    French Club, Argentan Bayard has refused to release Nigeria’s Segun Toriola for the forthcoming International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open, which serves off on March 10 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    The inability of the French elite club to allow Toriola travel to Nigeria for the championship was due to the crucial league encounter Roanne lntt on March.

    According to Toriola, the exit of one of the team’s top players may have put the pressure on him being the most experienced player in the team.

    “We had a Chinese player, who was playing for our team toward the end of last year but he was sacked because of poor performance, so that onus now rests on me to lift the team. On March 10 when the Lagos ITTF World Tour will kick off, we are to face Roanne lntt and we tried to appeal to our opponents to postpone the match but they refused our request. This has made it impossible for me to leave the team because I cannot play a match on March 10 and travel again to Lagos on March 11, it will be too stressful for me,” Toriola said.

    Toriola, who was recently appointed as the Chairman, Athletes’ Committee of the Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) said: “My club did not agree to release me because they believe so much in me and what I can deliver at the league. The tournament came at a time when I can’t leave my base.”

    Toriola, one of Africa’s, most decorated players, appealed to his fans to bear with him and understand his inability to attend the tour. “I know my fans will be expecting me in Lagos and would be disappointed knowing that I am not coming.

    “I appeal to them to please bear with me and understand that I would have loved to take part in the competition,’’ he said.

    The Olympian said he was confident his compatriots would perform well against the visitors.

    “I have told them to believe in themselves as this is the only way they can make it. I wish them the best at the tournament and promise to keep praying for them,’’ he said.

    Some of the countries taking part in the Lagos Open are Egypt, Portugal, Russia, Republic of Benin, Cameroun, Congo DRC, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the host, Nigeria.

  • Akintola Williams visits alma mater, 77 years after

    Akintola Williams visits alma mater, 77 years after

    Accounting doyen and alumnus of CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, Pa Akintola Williams, has visited his alma mater. He graduated from the school in 1938 when the school was still on Broad Street.

    Pa Williams, who chairs the Board of Trustees, Old Grammarian Society (OGS), was conducted on a tour of facilities of the school by the Principal, Venerable Tunde Oduwole, and other alumni.

    The tour included the Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija Boys Hostel, an ultra modern facility donated by Mr and Mrs Modupe Alakija on September 18, 2012. Pa Williams said he was glad to be in the school and promised to make donations towards ensuring the school remains the best. He implored other alumni to do likewise.

    The Principal described Williams’ visit as timely, exciting and historic.

    “He attended the school when it was still on broad street in Lagos but that he come back here is particularly a great lesson that whatever we have to do, there must be the spirit of endurance, the spirit to follow up and remain dogged and committed to dreams and that it is not over until It is over”, he said.

    Ven Oduwole also thanked God for those that have impacted the school in one way or the other, particularly Mr and Mrs Alakija.  He said through the five-star hostel they endowed, the boys have learnt about the spirit of excellence and giving the best.

    “Each student has its own reading table and chair, compartment for wardrobe, book shelf, a chair, reading desk and the bed. The hostel has a reading room, laundry, kitchen, gym, television room and games room among other critical facilities that boys of their age would need,” he said.

    The Chairman, Board of Governors, Justice Olayinka Faji, said the school appreciates the role Pa Williams has played over the years in the school’s development.

    He said the school, with the help of OGS, and the sacrificial involvement of the Proprietor-Bishops has made tremendous progress since it was handed over by the state government in 2001.

    Former OGS president Ambassador Dapo Fafowora also spoke on the need to generate funds towards the welfare of workers and the school.

    OGS president, Toyin Abayomi Akin-Johnson, also spoke on the society’s contributions to the school.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Champion The Match enlivens Heineken House in Lagos

    Champion The Match enlivens Heineken House in Lagos

    To give consumers a long-lasting experience during this year’s Heineken UEFA Champions League, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB Plc) on Tuesday kick-started its full match day multimedia experience tagged Champion The Match.

    According to the Corporate Affairs Adviser, NB Plc, Kufre Ekanem, the crucial stage of the tournament has prompted the company to tantalise the fans with the ‘Champion The Match’ campaign in order for the fans to have a truly memorable match night for themselves and friends.

    “As you may be aware, this year is the ninth consecutive year of Heineken’s sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League. Since the beginning of this sponsorship, Heineken has always sought ways of making every match season more exciting and enjoyable for football fans. This UEFA Champions League season would not be an exception to the rule. As season enters the crucial knockout phase, Heineken is kicking off a new campaign, “Champion The Match”, encouraging fans to create a truly memorable match night for themselves and their friends. Heineken is saying, don’t just watch the match, champion it!” he said.

    He added that among the 220 locations hosting Heineken globally, Lagos has been chosen among the nine cities that will host this memorable experience this year.

    “This year, Heineken has expanded into a full match day multimedia experience. #ChampionTheMatch is now a Twitter-based entertainment platform that stretches from pre-game build up, through the match action itself and follows through to the post-match debate. So Nigerians can join a global community of fans to enjoy an enriched experience, wherever they may be,” Ekanem added.

  • Akinwumi returned unopposed as Lagos FA chairman

    Akinwumi returned unopposed as Lagos FA chairman

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) First Vice-President Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi was Tuesday returned unopposed at the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) elections held in Epe, Lagos, under the supervision of NFF board member Barrister Chris Green.

    Akinwunmi alongside newly elected president of the Nigerian Referees Association Tade Azeez were both returned unopposed as Chairman and Vice-chairman respectively.

    Also making a return to the Exco of the State FA is the immediate past vice-chairman of Lagos SWAN Mr. Wale Joseph, Mojeed Adegbindin and Olatunde Green.

    Chairman of Lagos DFA Ifalade Oyekan also won a seat on the Exco of the LSFA, Oyekan was also elected unopposed from his zone.

    The high point of the day however was the election of candidates from the Lagos west zone into the LSFA Exco. Four candidates had successfully scaled through the screening test and the three candidates with the highest number of votes were to be elected into the LSFA Exco.

    The four candidates from the Lagos west zone were:

    1. Liameed Gafaar

    2. Dotun Coker

    3. Prince Adeagbo

    4. Moses Adebanjo.

    Dotun Coker got 12 of the 39 votes available followed by Moses Adebanjo with 10 votes, Liameed Gafaar with 9 votes and Prince Adeagbo with 5 votes.

    So the trio of Dotun Coker, Liameed Gafaar, and Moses Adebanjo joined all the other Newly elected board members to take the oat of office administered by lawyer under the watchful eyes of the NFF representative Barrister Chris Green.

    Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony the Chairman of the LSFA promised to improve on whatever achievements Eko Football had made in the past thanking the delegates for placing their trust in him and his team.