The yearly Lagos International trade fair begins today. The venue is the Main Arena, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. With a total exhibition space of over 40,000m2, the fair will end on Sunday,November 16. It is organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry, with over 100,000 business visitors over a 10-day period.
Tag: lagos
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Lagos School of History: An exploratory discourse – 2
What the Ibadan School of History was largely interested in was establishing the fact that Africa had a past that was worthy of study. In other words, they were following European tradition of history for history’s sake. Most of those involved in the development of this school were not concerned with functionality or application of the study of the African past to solve present problems. It is, however, fair to suggest that exponents of the Ibadan school believed in the continuity of human experience from the past to the present and that the past certainly informs the present and that the present can only be totally understood by studying the past and that the present will have an impact on the future. It will be unfair to say that the Ibadan School of History was only interested in the study of history as an intellectual and academic exercise only and that it was not concerned, with the use of history in solving problems that may face society. However, the question of relevance was not a major question. Critics have also accused the Ibadan School of History for not having been concerned with social and economic analysis whereas its main concern was Islamic and Christian proselytisation and colonialism generally and political issues especially the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires. Publications ascribed to the “Ibadan School” include the following; K.O. Dike Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta 1830-1835 (Oxford, 1956), Akinjide Osuntokun Nigeria in the First World War (1979), B.O. Oloruntimehin The Segu Tuklor Empire (1972), Murray Last The Sokoto Caliphate (1977), T.G.O. Gbadamosi The Growth of Islam among the Yoruba 1841-1980 (1978), Fred I.A. Omu Press and Politics in Nigeria 1880-1937 (1978), Akitoye S. Adebanji Revolution and Power Politics in Yorubaland 1840-1893: Ibadan Expansion and the Rise of Ekitiparapo (1971), Tamuno Tekena N. The Evolution of the Nigerian State (1972), Omer-Cooper J.D. The Zulu Aftermath: A Nineteenth Century Revolution in Bantu Africa (1966), Freund Bill Capital and Labour in the Nigerian Tin Mines (1981), Ryder Alan F.C. Benin and Europeans 1485-1897 (1977), Cookey S.J. Sodienye Britain and the Congo Question 1855-1913 (1968), Adewoye Omoniyi The Judicial System in Southern Nigeria 1854-1954: Law and Justice in a Dependency (1977), Adeleye R.A. Power and Diplomacy in Northern Nigeria 1804-1906: The Sokoto Caliphate and its Enemies (1971), Yahya Dahiru Morocco in the Sixteenth Century (1981), Ajayi J.F.A. Christian Missions in Nigeria 1841-1891 (1965), Asiwaju A.I. Western Yorubaland under European Rule 1889-1945 (1976), J.A. Atanda The New Oyo Empire: Indirect Rule and Change in Western Nigeria 1894-1934 (1973), P.A. Igbafe Benin Under British Administration: The Impact of Colonial Rule on an African Kingdom (1978), A.E. Afigbo The Warrant Chiefs: Indirect Rule in Southeastern Nigeria 1891-1929 (1972), J.C. Anene The International Boundaries of Nigeria 1885-1960 (1970) and E.A. Ayandele Missionary Impact on Modern Nigeria 1842-1914 (1966).
The Ibadan School has been successful in its task of establishing the fact of African history and developing a body of literature to be used in historical pedagogy by teachers and providing literature for the reading public.
The intellectual erudition of the exponents of the Ibadan School was noticed at home and abroad and many of the older scholars found themselves in the editorial boards of many overseas based distinguished journals as well as in councils and academic bodies on education including at one time Professor J.F. Ade-Ajayi serving as Chairman of Council of the United Nations’ University in Tokyo, Japan. Apart from Kenneth Dike who became the first African Vice Chancellor of the University Of Ibadan, others like J.F. Ade-Ajayi, Emmanuel Ayandele, Tekena Tamuno, S.J. Cookey, Omoniyi Adewoye became vice chancellors of Lagos, Calabar, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Ibadan respectively. Others became federal ministers and state commissioners not necessarily in the areas related to the history in which they specialised. In other words, those who were appointed into political post did not bring any special knowledge arising from their research into the ministerial departments to which they were posted. The Department of History of the University of Ibadan became a victim of its own success. The Ibadan scholars did not replicate or reproduce themselves and the department became denuded as a result of a high profile appointments of the academic staff to the extent that at one time the history programme at the fountain head of the Ibadan School of History suffered de-accreditation in the hands of the National Universities Commission. This was the greatest tragedy that could happen to Ibadan which in the 1960s and 1970s was designated centre of excellence in African history. Although things have changed for the better in Ibadan but the lingering effect of what happened to the School is still apparent even till today to the extent that Ibadan School of History has become history and hardly does anyone talk about it today.
The Lagos School of History seems to have learnt some lessons from the Ibadan School. It did not deliberately set out to be different from the Ibadan School since in any case some of its leadership came from Ibadan and were initially those of its weakest link in the Ibadan School. But as time went on and because of its proximity to government, the academic staff of the University of Lagos, Department of History were individually and severally called upon to advise government on policies which government felt they had expertise and over time the academic staff in the University of Lagos’s Department of History began to see sense in applied history.
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Lagos school wins Rotary quiz
Omole Junior Grammar School, Ikeja, Lagos has emerged winner of the maiden Rotary Club of Omole Golden Quiz competition.
The school represented by JSS 3 pupils, Master Oluwole Moses and Miss Vivian Emefiele, beat their counterparts from Oke-Ira Junior Grammar School and Ajuwon Junior High School to clinch the coveted prize.
The competition, held at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos, was organised by the club to commemorate the World Polio Day.
The winners were presented with a trophy and a ticket to attend a leadership summit slated for next month in Apapa, Lagos.
President of the club, Chris Alabi spoke of the event.
He said: “Basically, today is World Rotary Polio Day and we have been celebrating the day for about 30 years now. We decided to organise the competition to create awareness and sensitise young people on how to prevent or curb the spread of the disease in our society. We believe that young people are change agents and they will definitely tell their parents about how to prevent the disease and government’s effort at encouraging immunisation of children.
“The winners will have the opportunity to participate in a leadership programme slated for November 29-December 6 at Sea School, Apapa,Lagos. However, next Saturday, we would embark on a walk at Idi Oro, Mushin, to further create awareness about polio. “
One of the winners, Moses said:“I feel great and elated that we won and for making our teachers proud. The impact of their teaching has not been in vain. However, I pass the message of hope to my mates and encourage them to tell their parents about embracing immunisation programme to curb polio.”
A Basic Science teacher, Mrs. Toyin Faboya, who led the winning team, also said: “I am very excited that we are not only tackling polio in our society, but eradicating it gradually. I want to thank members of the club for organising this event to educate young people on the devastating effect of polio and its prevention.”
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Lagos’ street lighting projects on theupbeat
Since the inception of his administration in 2007, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has deployed enough resources to ensure that the state tackled security challenges head on.
In the circumstances, the government established the State Security Trust Fund to which funds are donated by well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to enable government to procure equipment for security agencies in order to combat crimes.
The latest in government’s efforts towards enhancing the security situation in the nation’s commercial capital is the ongoing street lighting projects dotting the nook and cranny of the state.
In the last three years, the state government has installed street light on 410 kilometers of roads in the city.
Governor Fashola, who switched on the 11.8 kilometre stretch of public lighting covering Ikorodu Road to Iddo via Jibowu and Murtala Mohammed Way in Yaba, said it was another fulfilment of some of the promises made to the people during his electioneering campaigns.
He said: “The lighting, I believe, will help this place on a daily basis. At nights, it will make security better; it will also improve the night economy in this community.”
He further explained that apart from providing jobs for a total of 89 people made up of 56 technicians, 12 painters, 10 welders, eight engineers and three supervisors, the project has increased the amount of functioning public lighting within the state to 410 kilometres while it signifies government’s continued commitment to light up the city, which in turn, will reduce crimes.
Other major highways where public lighting project has been installed in the last three years include Gbagada Expressway, Carter Bridge, Iju Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Marina Road (Badagry) and Alhaji Masha (Surulere), among others.
He urged member of the various communities to protect the facilities in their areas, even as he appealed to motorists who ply the roads to obey the state’s traffic laws, especially by not driving against traffic. He also said by driving against traffic, they not only endanger their lives, but also those of other road users.
He also said the switching on ceremony marked the end of the construction work in the area, adding that it also marked the beginning of maintenance works to ensure that the roads are in good state.
He particularly appealed to communities, in which the projects are executed, including churches, schools, railway compound and others who pass through the roads to treat the infrastructure as a public asset, “it belongs to you”.
The General Manager of Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB), Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, that supervised the execution of the lighting projects, thanked Governor Fashola and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for their roles in bringing the project to a successful conclusion, adding that the lighting project has connected Ikorodu Road all the way to Iddo.
Some of the dignitaries present at the ceremony were Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofeek Tijani and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi.
Others were Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Iyabo Obasa and a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Emmanuel Olowo, among others.
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I’m not running for Lagos governor, says Opeifa
Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa has said he is not contesting for governor.
Last week, Opeifa’s supporters stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, to buy him the nomination form.
But, he objected, saying that the slot had been zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial District.
The commissioner urged his supporters to abide by the party’s dictate.
The former university teacher and right activist said the party was supreme, stressing that its wish should be respected in the spirit of party discipline.
Opeifa, who is the son of the Asiwaju of Aworiland in Lagos West, thanked his supporters, saying he could only discuss with them other political issues, which were unrelated to the governorship race.
The commissioner said: “My friends bought nomination forms for me. While appreciating this gesture, I am profoundly grateful for their holding me in high esteem.
“I humbly wish to categorically state that as a product of our collective struggle, I am in full agreement with the position of the party leadership and strongly believe in the supremacy of the party.
“I also wish to plead with friends and associates who I hold in high esteem to please bear with me and respect my personal opinion and position on this particular issue while I remain open to advice on other political issues.”
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Lagos seals 40 illegal drugs stores
•To combat menace of illegal drug store operators
No fewer than 39 illegal drugs stores in Alapere, Magodo and Ikosi-Isheri environs – all at Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area and Kosofe Local Government, have been sealed by men and officials of the Lagos State Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina broke the news at the weekend in Lagos.
She explained that government’s resolve to streamline the activities of operators in the drug sector was borne out of its zeal to stop the inherent dangers associated with the peddling of fake, substandard and expired drugs by unauthorised and unregistered drug and pharmaceutical outlets.
Said she: “In furtherance of the state government’s commitment to ridding the state of the menace of illegal drug store operators in the state, we cannot fold our arms and do nothing in respect of their excesses. That is why we will not relent in our drive to sanitise the drug distribution system in Lagos, hence the mandate of the Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods”.
The Special Adviser wondered why the people still chose to stay on the wrong side of the law, adding that the provisions of the law as stipulated by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act of 1992 and the Registration of Pharmaceutical Premises Regulation Law of 2005 outlines the requirements for the registration and renewal of pharmaceutical premises, culpability and punishment for offenders.
“The provision of the pharmaceutical laws stipulates that pharmaceutical premises cannot be located in motor parks and environment where commercial activities take place like market places, kiosks, road-side stores and containers and the law also frowns at pharmaceutical stores standing and growing very close together,”Adeshina noted.
She listed the sealed drug stores as including Viewland Pharmaceutical Ltd at No 5,Palace Street, Ogudu; Goodhealth Supermarket at No 13, Agboyi road, Ogudu; E. Emodobi Patent Medicine store at No 15, Old Olowora Street, Isheri; Max Supermarket and Medicine store at No 23, Agboyi road, Ogudu; Sadus Pharmacy at No 51, Olowora road, Ogudu; Festina Pharmacy Ltd at No 2, Ogun River road, Isheri; Celens Pharmacy at Isheri Market Plaza and Spacon Healthcare at No 19, Ogudu road.
Others are Tolex Pharmaceutical Ltd at No 44, Ikosi road, Ketu; Amexco Pharmacy at No 1, Ikosi road, Ketu; Igba Stores at No 11, Oluyombo Street, Ikosi; Mr Kelechi store at No 10 Odun Street, Ikosi; Ademola Ologunagba at No 31,Oluwalogbon Street, Ikosi; Benkeson Pharmaceutical at No 16, Anibaba street, Ikosi; Danest stores at No 17, Jimoh Balogun street Ikosi; Patent Medicine store at No 6, Dairo street,Ikosi and two unnamed stores at Nos 73,Oluyombo and 35, Jimoh Balogun streets.
Dr Adeshina noted that the affected shops were sealed for offences ranging from sales of drugs without licence from the regulatory authority; failure to relocate from a market area and adherence to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and market place as stipulated by the law; and sales of counterfeit and fake drugs amongst others.
The Special Adviser advised anybody interested in selling medicine to liaise with the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit of the Ministry of Health, the legitimate authorizing body for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors License (PPMVL), located on the ground floor of Block 8, Old Secretariat, in Ikeja, just as she urged those interested in importation, distribution and sales of drugs to get their premises licensed by the appropriate authority, the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN).
The raid was conducted in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Federal Taskforce, National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmaceutical Inspectors Committee (PIC), and Officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force from the state command.
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2015 governorship ticket: Confusion in South-West
In the South-West states of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, there is confusion over governorship tickets, reports Dare Odufowokan
Oyo Governorship aspirants sit on edge
The Oyo State chapter of the PDP is obviously going into the 2015 general election in shreds. Since it lost the governorship position to the APC in 2011, chieftains and leaders of the party have been at loggerheads with one another, resulting in the party losing many of its foot-soldiers and mobilisers across the state to the ruling party.
First was a battle for the control of the party that saw chieftains holding two parallel congresses that produced two executive committees for the party in the state. What followed was an array of unending litigations, some of which are still ongoing.
A recent intervention by the national leadership brought some respite in the leadership tussle as all factions were charged with working to ensure the victory of the party in the forthcoming election after which the issues of party leadership will be addressed appropriately.
In line with the resolution, the party has been holding series of meetings with all its members, both the aggrieved and the perceived ‘aggressors’, especially on the issue of picking the right candidate enough to confront Governor Isiaka Ajimobi who is definitely coming out to seek re-election in 2015 on the platform of the APC.
But the quest of many of the chieftains to pick the governorship ticket of the party merely heightened the tension in the party. This is because while some of the chieftains are angling for the party to choose its flag-bearer through consensus, others want all the aspirants to be allowed to slug it out at a party primary.
As of the last count, the number of the aspirants interested in flying the flag of the party in 2015 was said to be nine, namely immediate past governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Professor Soji Adejumo, Mr. Femi Babalola, Mr. Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, Mr. Isaac Owolabi, and Dr. Gbolarumi Adetunji.
But at the time of filing this report, only about five of them are said to have purchased the nomination form to vie for the ticket. Akala, Makinde, Adedoja and Folarin are said to be amongst those who picked their forms before the expiration of the deadline last Thursday.
But trouble is far from over within the party even with the reduction in the number of those vying for its ticket. This is because the remaining aspirants and some leaders of the party are currently up in arms against an alleged attempt by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, to foist former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, on the party as its candidate.
Mrs. Jonathan was said to have dropped the hint of her intention during a recent parley with the Oyo PDP stakeholders when she made a request that Ladoja should be accommodated in the party ahead of the 2015 governorship election.
Ladoja, a former member of the PDP and now the national leader of the Accord Party, who is nursing a governorship ambition, was present at the villa meeting where Patience made the request. Notable PDP leaders at the meeting, according to sources, were Alao-Akala, Akinjide, Folarin, and Chief Yekini Adeojo.
Speaking on the development, Alao-Akala said it was true that the meeting with the First Lady was held, but he said nobody was asked to step down for Ladoja. The former governor said the First Lady merely asked them to “accommodate” Ladoja in the PDP.
“Yes, it is true that the First Lady met us. But she didn’t ask me to step down. She said we should accommodate Ladoja in our party and we said it would be difficult to do so because he is not a member of the PDP. That was what happened,” Akala said.
As the aspirants await the next line of action from the leadership of their party in the days to come, the fear that somebody may be imposed on them is very uppermost in their thoughts.
This, sources claim, has led to a serious reduction in the political activities of nearly all the camps of the various aspirants. “We hear that Ladoja is still discussing with people in the presidency. Some people are selling him to the leadership of the party as the only man that can defeat APC. This is worrisome to us as members of the PDP.”
And within the ruling APC, sources say all is also not rosy. While nobody has come out to pick the party’s nomination form to challenge Governor Ajimobi, talks about a case before an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, are rife as the party prepare for the 2015 governorship election.
The matter which was commenced on February 25th this year is a motion to stop the All Progressives Congress, APC, from conducting its membership registration in the state.
The motion ex-parte was brought to the court by Adebayo Shittu, a governorship candidate of the defunct CPC in the 2011 election.
Mr. Shittu alleged that the APC had contravened its constitution and guidelines by engaging in activities that could jeopardise his aspiration and that of other members of the party. He told the court that he was interested in contesting the 2015 governorship election on the platform of the APC in Oyo State. Mr. Shittu said his interest would not be adequately protected unless he was represented and involved in the entire process as a member of the State Harmonising Committee.
The respondents in the suit include Governor Ajimobi, Akin Oke, Interim Chairman of APC in the state and Razak Folorunsho, the former Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in Oyo State. Also joined was the Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Suleiman Oyaremi, in the state.
Although the registration was successfully done, followed by a state congress, observers of the politics of the state say the fact that the case is yet to be expended with remains a source of worry to Ajimobi’s men.
As serious politicians, they don’t want to leave anything to chance. I think it would be safe to ensure such loose ends are taken care of before the election day,” a national officer of the party said.
Ogun: Leading parties battle crises
The rank of governorship aspirants in Ogun State on the platform of the PDP increased as former deputy governor to Chief Olusegun Osoba in the aborted Third Republic, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form in Abuja. Ogunleye joined Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Mr. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka and Hon. Dimeji Bankole who had earlier picked the PDP nomination form.
But this was just as a new wave of crisis broke out in the troubled party as a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, granted permission to its state executives to serve contempt proceedings against Bankole, a former House of Representatives Speaker.
Apart from Bankole, others mentioned as alleged contemnors in the committal proceedings filed last week are the PDP, former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, and a former member of the House of Representatives from the state, Dave Salako.
The contempt suit was filed by the Adebayo Dayo-led executive of the PDP in Ogun State. In the committal proceedings, it was alleged that the contemnors (Bankole, Daniel and Salako) have been indulging in series of activities to remove the Dayo-led executive, despite two separate judgments of the Federal High Court affirming the legality of the executive.
Trouble started again in the party, following allegations by the state Chairman, Bayo Dayo, that just as Ondo State PDP executive was recently dissolved, the alleged Bankole and Daniel have also been making frantic moves to ensure that the Ogun PDP executive is equally dissolved, with the aim of handling the party structure in the state to their surrogates.
He alleged that because Bankole was nursing the ambition to become Ogun State governor, he is not comfortable with the present PDP executives in the state, and had been attempting to ensure that the present executives are sacked by the National Integration Committee of the PDP.
The applicants further alleged that Daniel and Salako were also not comfortable with the current executive of the party in the state as the Dayo-led executive was perceived to be working against their political interest.
The development, coming barely two weeks after the Ogun PDP held a unity rally meant to announce to the whole world that peace has finally returned to the embattled party, has left many in doubt of the seriousness and readiness of the PDP to win the 2015 governorship election.
Lagos: Uncertainty reigns supreme
Contrary to expectation that the PDP gubernatorial primaries will be a crowded race in Lagos State, about five aspirants have so far shown seriousness in the race for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state by picking their nomination forms.
Information gathered at the state secretariat of the party revealed that Adegbola Dominic, a medical practitioner, Jimi Agbaje, a renowned pharmacist, and former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, are three of the aspirants still in the race.
But the age-long crisis rocking the party has worsened, following the severe rift between its two main gubernatorial contenders. The development has once again seen chieftains and members breaking into two factions behind either of the two contestants.
Things got out of control after one of the aspirants, Obanikoro, described another strong contender, Agbaje, as a mole of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Lagos hairstylists experience bliss
ALMOST 1,000 hairstylists and leading hair product merchants converged on the prestigious Banquet Event Centre, Lateef Jakande Road, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, 14th October, 2014, to usher into Nigeria’s hair beauty market a range of hair products- Bliss Hair.
According to the Trade Fair Complex Branch Manager, Bliss Hair, Mrs. Clara Ofoegbu, who introduced the product, the Bliss Hair brand is a range of human hair weaving, virgin hair and lace closure already popular in the global hair market, especially in China, France, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.
In his own speech, the Managing Director, Bliss Hair, Mr. Stone Jiang, said, “We are famous for our Gold Virgin Hair, Gold Remy Hair, and our Brazilian Neon, which is the most affordable human hair weave-on in the history of Brazilian hair reign with the finest texture and long lasting quality.
Funke Gina, a 300-level student of UNILAG, who is also a hairstylist, won two cash prizes for being an outstanding customer. She won a prize for wearing Bliss hair product to the event, as well as being one of the winners of the hair beauty contest – customer category.
Mercy Macaulay, a beauty model and career dancer, won the cash prize in the dancing competition, alongside three other hairstylists.
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MoboFree marketplace opens office in Lagos
A social market place in Africa, MoboFree.com, is set to launch its local presence in Lagos, Nigeria as registered members in the country grow significantly.
With over three million registered users, including 2.2 million in Nigeria and a strong footprint in Zimbabwe, Uganda and Ghana, MoboFree.com is among the largest and most successful mobile social and trusted classifieds platforms in Africa. MoboFree combines a social network and board of classifieds to create a platform where buyers and sellers can meet, place their ads, negotiate and make transactions safely and totally for free.
The MoboFree technological platform makes buying and selling online easy for any user with any device, not only for PCs and smartphones but also for old phones with small screens (so called “feature” phones).
Cristobal Alonso, Co-founder and Chairman of the board of MoboFree, says “We are excited to be able to provide on-ground support to our growing customer base in Nigeria and and to create locally adapted & customised opportunities that will deliver and exceed desired returns.”
A few months ago the, firm reported that Nigerians are selling unused items worth $526 million on MoboFree.com and shared expectations that the total volume of items for sale in its marketplace will likely reach $1.5 billion by 2015. In view of this potential, establishing a local presence in Lagos is a natural next step in order to ensure more effective operations and achieve our targets.
MoboFree is a leading African social marketplace allowing people to buy, sell and swap products and services with other trusted people. MoboFree.com combines a social network and classifieds board into one integrated online platform and makes buying and selling online more fun, personal and safe.
Over 3.3 million users are registered on MoboFree and together, they generate on average around 60 million page impressions monthly. More than two million registered users are from Nigeria.
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I’ll promote good governance, says Lagos Speaker
•Ikuforiji declares governorship ambition
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said his vision for the state was to consolidate and promote the legacy of good governance that Lagos is known for.
Ikuforiji spoke yesterday at the official declaration of his governorship ambition at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 Ikeja, Lagos.
At the event were member of the House of Representatives from Epe, Lanre Odubote, members of the House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader, Kolawole Taiwo and Dayo Adeyeye, among others.
The Speaker said the time has come to re-articulate the vision of the founding fathers of Lagos, and “re-energise the people of this great city”.
“My dear people of Lagos, I believe that the time has come for us to consolidate the gains of good governance … and take Lagos even further.
“I intend to build on the achievements of Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola to make Lagos a truly global city.”
Ikuforiji said if he emerges the party candidate and governor, Lagos would become a global city that all will be proud of.
He said: “I will work hard to make Lagos the African Alpha City, one that will link the African economy to the world economy. Lagos will constitute the heartbeat of the continent in the 21st Century.
“I believe that our state has all it takes to seize this role. I am convinced that we can make it happen for Lagos under my leadership.
“I will ensure that even to the most politically aloof resident, politics will be attractive and no longer perceived as a dirty game characterised by nepotism.
“My government will combine the populist approach of Lateef Jakande, the financial ingenuity of Tinubu and the vigour of Fashola for Lagos.
“I am in this race to make a difference; my conscience tells me this is the best time to do the will of God for Lagos. I am well placed to lead this new phase in the history of Lagos.
“I have the training, the required experience- the vision, the leadership qualities as shown in the last nine years as Speaker.
“I have suffered all sorts of attempts at distractions. I have triumphed over trumped-up charges, and even survived an assassination attempt. But through it all, I have remained committed to the ideals of Lagos.”
He promised to bring about major turn around in major sectors of the economy through a 10-point cardinal programme, which connects all critical areas and provides a synergy between these sectors.
Ikuforiji highlighted areas such as education, health, energy, agriculture, tourism, transportation etc.
“Within the first 18 months of my government, our hospitals will be upgraded to world class standard. Our schools will be restored to their former glory and I will not rest until the State University is one of the top 500 universities in the world.”
His wife, Mayowa, said he has a good vision for the state. “I am sure that Adeyemi, my husband, will deliver because he wants to do for you in other sectors what he did for education by ensuring increased allocation.