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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos council chiefs empower physically-challenged, artisans

    Lagos council chiefs empower physically-challenged, artisans

    For Medinat Azeez, a physically challenged mother, it was all smile Thursday last week when her name was mentioned as a beneficiary of a hair dryer and an electricity generating set at the community empower programme organised by Conference 57, the umbrella body of chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.

    The event which held at Teslim Balogun stadium saw scores of physically challenged persons, artisans and youth going home with empowerment tools that would help them start up their own business.

    Azeez, a hairdresser, who was assisted to the venue by her 18year old daughter, told The Nation that it meant a life changing experience for her and family.

    The visibly excited mother said she had depended solely on sporting activities before now to cater for the needs of her family adding that with the latest development the family can now have additional income that would help improve their status.

    Also Kazeem Waheed, another physically challenged person, a tailor who received tools for tailoring alongside a generator to power his shop described the gesture as very noble.

    He commended the chairmen for considering the physically challenged in their programme saying that it will go a long way to change their situation.

    Lagos State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Henry Ajomale who presented the tools to the beneficiaries said the problem of corruption in Nigeria will be a thing of the past when the party wrest power from the Peoples Democracy (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.

    Ajomale said the APC has decided to tackle the menace of corruption in the country and focus on three cardinal areas like; Women Development; Youth Development and Care for the disabled.

    According to him:”The issue of corruption must be eliminated by an APC government when the party gets into power. This is very important and key to our programmes when it comes to elections in 2015. When the APC takes over government from the PDP, these are the programmes that form part of our manifesto that would be tackled first.”

    Harping on the empowerment programme Ajomale said “we are distributing this because we want the average Nigerian to live comfortably. Every Nigerian is a stakeholder in government and we must see to it that everyone gets a chance to develop.

    “I want to specially thank the chairmen for this gesture. The equipment that they are giving you is for you to start up (your business). It’s a complete set with generator. If there was electricity, there would be no need for generators, but the federal government has failed to give us power.  I want to encourage all the beneficiaries of this laudable gesture to use these items effectively to better your lives and your future.”

    He warned people against selling the empowerment tools, urging them to use them to generate more income.

    In his address at the event, Chairman of the Conference 57 chairmen, Hon. Sulaimon Akeem  noted that poverty seems to have become a natural phenomenon in the country, adding that  it has persisted even though successive governments in Nigeria have made efforts to alleviate it.

    He said the conference embarked on the exercise due to the success of the first exercise which he said was carried out in August, 2014.

    According to him, the empowerment which saw residents of the state carting home items like sewing machines, battery charging machines, vulcanizing machines, generator sets, dryers, refrigerators and food stuffs, among others was the second phase.

    He said, “We followed up the materials given to those that benefited from it (the first phase), they actually used it for the purpose the items were meant for as seen in the development of their business that have brought about economic improvement.”

    Akeem noted that the program was in fulfillment of one of the promises made to alleviate poverty in Lagos and country.

    “You will agree with me, that sourcing for skilled labour from lesser developed countries around the world  shows that given the right support,  our people will help to develop human capital base , skills, resources and materials that can help to kick start small and medium scale business for the overall development of our society”, he said.

  • NMA appeals to Lagos over doctors’ emolument

    NMA appeals to Lagos over doctors’ emolument

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to Lagos State to pay the withheld emolument of its doctors.

    NMA Lagos chapter Chairman Dr. Tope Ojo, who made the appeal in Lagos, said it was worrisome that the government withheld the emolument of the doctors for August and September following July 1 nationwide strike by its national body.

    He said other states and the FCT had complied with the agreement, leading to the suspension of the 55-day-old strike to pave the way for peace and further negotiations.

    Ojo noted that only Lagos State was yet to comply with the agreements.

    “It could be recalled that the NMA, after a series of negotiations with the government, some of its demands were met.

    “The sack of resident doctors was reversed and all outstanding emoluments had been paid as agreed, which led to the suspension of its strike action,” Ojo said.

    “It is worrisome that till date, the Lagos State government has held on to the emoluments of its doctors for August and September.

    “Also, May 2012 salary is being withheld till date in spite of several appeals. This made the government the only state that has not complied with the general agreement, ‘’ he said.

    Besides, he said the strike action was not at the instance of the Lagos State employed doctors, but the parent body of the association.

    “We do not want have an impression that the state government harbours ill-feelings against its doctors.

    ‘’The Lagos State University Academic Staff Union of University (LASU ASUU), Lagos State Polytechnic Association of Union of Polytechnic (LASPOTECH ASUP) and judiciary workers did not suffer the same fate following the suspension of their recent industrial action,” he said.

    Ojo said NMA had met with the House of Assembly, the commissioner for Health and had written two letters to Governor Babatunde Fashola for a peaceful resolution, but to no avail.

  • Lagos police command gets new spokesperson

    Lagos police command gets new spokesperson

    •Braide transferred to Panti

    Lagos Police Command spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), has been redeployed to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    She has been replaced with DSP Kenneth Nwosu. The redeployment takes immediate effect.

    Braide assumed office on June 11, 2012 as the first female officer to head the Command’s public relations office.

    In a thank you letter to the media and the public, Braide begged those she might have offended to forgive her.

    She said: “I am using this medium to express my profound gratitude for the maximum support given to me by my friends in the media and Lagosians as a whole. You have been quite cooperative as you assisted me in making my job easier despite my short comings.

    “During the discharge of my duties here in Lagos State as the Police spokesperson, l may have had disagreements with some of you, I hereby use this medium to say “I am sorry”. Considering the complexity of my office and varied opinions, there was no way I wouldn’t have offended someone.

    “As the first female Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State Police Command, I expressed fears when I assumed office on June 11, 2012, but to my greatest surprise, I experienced the warmest reception and assistance from you all.

    “May I use this medium to thank AIG Umar Manko who accorded me the wonderful opportunity to serve Lagos State. I thank him for his understanding, assistance and fatherly advice during my tenure. My gratitude also goes to the new Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti for his understanding during my short stay with him. I also solicit that you accord my junior colleague DSP Kenneth Nwosu the same level of cooperation you gave to me”.

  • Lagos 2015: Igbos should vote APC

    Lagos 2015: Igbos should vote APC

    Prior to the victory of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 governorship election in Lagos state which produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many progressive Igbo people in Lagos had forged a common alliance under National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) with like minds of Yorubas and other Nigerians from the North and Southern parts of Nigeria to push for the return to democracy from military rule. Under the able leadership of Abraham Adesanya, the late Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), some of these Igbos which includes Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd) and Engr. Joe Igbokwe, to mention but a few, suffered deprivations in their quest to ensure that the military returned to their barracks.

    With the metamorphosis of AD into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressive Congress (APC) the political ruling class in Lagos continued carrying Igbos along together with their political and economic interests. It is instructive to note that before his inauguration in 1999, some prominent Igbo sons were part of the Think Tank set up by Tinubu to formulate policies for the Lagos State government. These include Professor Pat Okedinachi Utomi and Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    Under the leadership of Tinubu, an Igbo man Ben Akabueze a technocrat was appointed a Commissioner in Lagos State and has continued to serve till date. Another illustrious Igbo son Engr. Igbokwe was also appointed a General Manager of one of the government agencies. In honour of Rear Admiral Kanu, a Park in Alausa, the seat of government was named after him just like it was done for Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) in Ojota and Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti in Anthony. Several Igbo sons and daughters have continued to prosper in their businesses courtesy of the enabling environment created by the Lagos State government in the last 16 years.

    It may also be pointed out that leading Igbo groups in Lagos such as Aka Ikenga, the Pan Igbo Think Thank, Ndigbo Lagos, a Socio-Cultural organization and also the leading Igbo Socio-Cultural group Ohaneze Ndigbo have held strategic meetings with Tinubu and later Fashola over the years. These groups in recognition of the contributions of these governors to the protection and development of Igbo interests in Lagos have also honoured them on several occasions in the past.

    As the 2015 governorship elections approaches in Lagos State, one of the rival political parties to APC has gone into its bag of tricks and has come up with a plot to deceive Igbos into voting for it. It is tinkering with the idea of making an Igbo man a deputy governorship candidate of its party together with a few slots in commissionership and the state House of Assembly. This promise would have been good if not that it is only a gimmick to win elections in Lagos State and not borne out of a sincere love for Igbos. Why is it that in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 governorship elections in Lagos State, the party did not nominate an Igbo man as its deputy governorship candidate? Having lost its deposit in the last four general elections, this party is desperate to win at all cost.

    Further, Igbos should remember that the mere fact that a person is chosen as a candidate does not mean that his kinsmen would vote for him. In 1999, the ruling political mafia in Nigeria chose General Olusegun Obasanjo (Rtd) as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His kinsmen, the Yorubas instead voted for Chief Olu Falae, the presidential candidate of AD. Obasanjo was roundly defeated in the six Yoruba states including his home state of Ogun.

    Since Igbos have made appreciable in road into APC, it is better for them to remain there and negotiate their interest inside that party. The transformation of Lagos which started with Tinubu in 1999 and has continued with Fashola since 2007 has benefited all Lagosians without discrimination.

    Infact, I dare say that as a people given to mercantile pursuits, these two administrations which has boosted the economy of Lagos State by logical deduction has favoured the Igbos more than any other ethnic group doing business in Lagos. Therefore, it is in the enlightened self interest of the Igbos to vote for APC in 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

     

    • Aham Njoku,

    Lagos.

  • Synagogue: Lagos calls for DNA samples from victims’ family

    Synagogue: Lagos calls for DNA samples from victims’ family

    Lagos State Government has called on family members of victims of the collapsed six storey guest house of Synagogue of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun to submit samples that can aid forensic identification and DNA analysis of recovered bodies.
    State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, made the call on Friday, said the government has commenced the identification of recovered bodies from the collapsed building site
    He explained that the government considered it necessary to start forensic identification and DNA analysis of the recovered bodies in view of the need to identify each of them.
    Idris appealed to family members especially parents, children and siblings of Nationals who believe their relations could have been in the collapsed building to visit the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja from Friday 26th September, 2014 to submit samples that can aid the forensic identification and DNA analysis of recovered bodies.
    The Commissioner noted however that those eligible to give samples for the forensic identification and DNA analysis in order of preference include; parents, children and siblings of the deceased.

  • My plan for Lagos, by aspirant

    My plan for Lagos, by aspirant

    Lagos State  All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain Mr. Adekunle Disu has unfolded his agenda, saying that infrastructural develop-ment would be his priority, if elected in next year’s election.

    He spoke with reporters in Magodo, a Lagos suburb, shortly after he declared his ambition.

    Disu said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had laid a good foundation, which Governor  Babatunde Fashola had built upon in the last seven years. He promised to continue the work of development in the post-Fashola era.

    The politician said the strategic location of Lagos has brought it into the front burner, stressing that Fashola’s successor should be a man of high vision, integrity and uncommon dynamism .

    He added: “The next governor should be able to key into the dream and aspiration of the founding fathers. Therefore, if given the opportunity to serve the people, it will be unlimited development.”

    Disu promised to pursue the policy of human resource development  and provide a business friendly environment that will attract foreign and local investment.

    He stressed: “Since the APC is noted for service to humanity, he is ready to make Lagos a safe and secure environment with efficient and accountable service to its citizens, driven by public-private sector collaboration.

    “I am inspired by the vision of my motivator and our indefatigable   national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that we have an obligation to this and the next generation to leave them with a better Lagos State. This is a sacred duty we cannot afford to fail or falter.”

  • ‘I’ll reposition Lagos to realise its potentials’

    ‘I’ll reposition Lagos to realise its potentials’

    Akintoye Branco-Rhodes is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant in Lagos. In this interview with Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI, he speaks on his mission in politics and chances at the primaries. 

    Why do you want to serve as the governor?

    I am trying to free Lagos to release its potential and to reposition Lagos for its very great potentials in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. This is the reason why I’ve come forward to bring out the best of Lagos and Lagosians.

    If you are given the opportunity, what would you do differently from what Governor Fashola has been doing?

    The credentials that I have is that I am an energy expert and I know that Lagos State requires electricity for transformation; it requires patriotic service to the people. Lagos State requires clarity of vision and purpose. These are the things I would be bringing on the table.

    Why are you running under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?

    Even the best has to give way for others to push the frontiers forward. The APC has overstayed its welcome in Lagos. They’ve been here in the last 16 years and as you know, absolute power corrupts absolutely.  By their total dominance of the space for the 16 years, they have become anti-people in the kind of policies they’ve been implementing. That is why I feel very strongly that the PDP holds the potentials to dislodge the APC and reposition Lagos for the next phase of development.

    What are some of the anti-people policies you are talking about?

    Everybody that lives in Lagos is under one oppressive law or the other. One, multiple taxation; two, multiple levies; three, they’ve turned all agencies of government into revenue generators. It’s not bad, if they are just mere revenue generators, but they go to the extreme of taking this revenue from the people and that has left a sour taste in the mouth of the people. It is that yearning for freedom that I am bringing to the table.

    Lagos is not an oil-producing state yet and it derives much of its revenue from taxation. If you become governor and you do away with taxation, how would you get the money to run the state?

    Our plans are to enlarge the economy. If we enlarge the economy, there would be enough income tax to run the state; that’s where they failed. Their approach actually stifles the economy and when the economy is stifled, you will require force to bring in income. We are looking at enlarging the economy to empower more people to participate in the economy. Lagos is a megacity and has the mass of the people in place already. But what needs to be done is to increase the earning power of the people, to bring in the youths, which is a vibrant engine room of any economy. We also intend to reposition existing businesses in Lagos for expansion, to enable them participate in the general welfare of the state.

    What makes you think that the electorate would vote for the PDP this time?

    The PDP has not governed Lagos because, as you know, there is a time for everything under heaven.That is why we believe we would accomplish that goal this time around in 2015.

    What previous experience do you have that qualifies you to govern Lagos?

    I’ve been in politics for the last 23 years. I’ve always stood for the people in my entire political sojourn. I’ve been in business for the last 30 years and during that time, I’ve seen the tremendous potential of Lagos. I have proposed several solutions to Lagos State Government, but they were rejected. We must stamp out corruption. We must build a state that would cater for everybody, from the young to the old.

    There is this perception that the PDP at the centre has neglected Lagos.  What is your own take on it?

    What I know is that we would bring the Transformation Agenda of the President to every Lagosian.

    Do you think it’s a good policy?

    The Transformation Agenda…

    No, trying to discriminate against states that are not governed by the PDP?

    I don’t think there’s been a disconnect between the Presidency and the Lagos State; if there is, I don’t think it is deliberate because I believe the interest of the Presidency is the success of every state in the country. I don’t see any move to negate the state because it is not a PDP state.

    Is the PDP going to consider zoning and religion in picking a candidate for the Lagos governorship election in 2015?

    Well, I don’t know about zoning or religion. I think they are just going to consider the best candidate for the job.

    To what extent do you think stomach infrastructure is going to affect the governorship election in Lagos in 2015?

    It’s sad and very sad that lives of Nigerians meaning well for a better life would be reduced to temporary stomach needs. That is a very sad commentary and a reflection of the state of affairs in Nigeria. I believe that we should have gone beyond stomach infrastructure, by talking about a Nigeria where everybody has a sense of belonging; where patriotic leadership is meted out to the ordinary Nigerian citizens and where the aspirations of the ordinary Nigerians is captured in good governance. I think when we build a democracy where Nigerians can connect with the issues, then we would have built a democracy of our dreams.

    To what extent do you think the PDP is going to use the federal might or the resources available to it from the centre to prosecute the governorship election in Lagos?

    We are working very hard to make it an issue-based contest. We are presenting the issues, we are presenting our score cards and we are saying mark us based on what we say and what we do for the improvement of the lot of the people.

  • Farewell to a Lagos socialite

    Farewell to a Lagos socialite

    The funeral of a Lagos socialite, Alhaji Raimi Atanda Balogun, the father of the former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly cum ex-chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, has been held at the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Secretariat, report TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO and IBRAHIM ADAM

    Lagosians woke up on Friday, September 12, to find shops of meat sellers empty. Those who were not aware of the announcements by the Lagos State Butchers Association, declaring the day as a free day, were disappointed as they could not buy meat.

    Asking what was amiss? Some traders replied: “Today is the funeral of former Treasurer and ex-Board of Trustee member of the Lagos State Butchers Association, Alhaji Raimi Atanda Balogun. The butchers association declared today work free to enable its members attend the funeral.”

    True to their words, the expansive open field inside the Oshodi Isolo Local Government Secretariat was agog as thousands of meat sellers converged.

    Led by their chairman and patron, Alhaji Bamidele Kazeem and Alhaji Sulaiman Afuwape, they joined the deceased’s family members, friends and associates in the fidau of Balogun.

    The late Balogun, a Lagos socialite and father of the former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly cum ex-chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, died on June 7 at 84.

    A philanthropist and successful businessman,  he was also one of the founding fathers of Oshodi where he breathed his last.

    He was a one-time major supplier of fresh meat to some reputable hotels in Lagos, such as the Federal Palace Hotel, Ikoyi Hotel (now Southern Sun Hotel), Lagos Airport Hotels and Eko Hotel (now Eko Hotel and Suites).

    The atmosphere at the ceremony was carnival-like. There was heavy human and vehicular traffic on the roads leading to the council secretariat.

    Guests arrived in twos and threes. Many dressed in mixed purple and lemon Aso Ebi. The women used purple headgears with ipele, while the men wore lemon-gold caps.

    The ambience was conducive as guests sat under the giant canopies with white chairs arranged around the tables with blue and green overlays, and flower vases in the middle.

    Khalifa Abdul Azeez Abdullah and Alhaji Adul Rahman Alariya, both decked in gold and cream lace, anchored the event.

    Abdullah gave the opening prayer and recited some verses of the Quran. Several portions were recited before the sermon.

    Imam Muhammad Saheed Olusan in his sermon made reference to Quran 7 vs 135. He described the deceased as a man who lived his life as a Muslim.

    “Everyone of you should make use of your present position to serve Allah. The deceased spent his entire life as a Muslim; that is why we are here, today. Be up and doing wherever you find yourself,” he said.

    The cleric enjoined the children of the deceased to emulate their dad’s legacies.

    “Alhaji Raimi Atanda Balogun has left a lot of responsibilities for you all; it is now left to you to measure up,” he said.

    Chief Imam of Awwalu Central Mosque, Sheikh AbdulWasiu AbdulAzeez Adepoju, in his goodwill message, said all should remember their last days. He said every human will account for his deeds on the Day of Judgement.

    Special prayers were offered for the deceased, his family members and relatives before the gathering adjourned for Jumat Service.

    On reconvening, each of the children of the deceased had a tent.

    King of Fuji Music Alhaji Wasiu Anifowoshe popularly called K1 De Ultimate entertained the gathering.

    According to Ipesa-Balogun, his father’s death created a vacuum which would be difficult to fill.

    He prayed Allah to grant him paradise.

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, described the late Alhaji Balogun as a successful businessman and religious, too.

    Akinderu-Fatai, chairman, House Committee on Legislative Compliance, said the deceased’s way of life is a lesson to mankind.

    Among the personalities at the ceremony include wife of Olofa of Offa Olori Mistura Gbadamosi; Prince Elusanmi Eludoyin; Iyaloja-General of Lagos Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure.

  • Facilities at Lagos Hajj terminal intact, says FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN),  has assured that facilities at the Hajj camp and Cargo terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos  are in good condition to facilitate this year’s pilgrims  airlift to Saudi Arabia.

    The assurance came after the inspection of facilities for pilgrims at the Hajj camp and cargo terminal by FAAN management.

    FAAN’s Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Onyekwere Nnaekpe, said information that the facilities are untidy with capacity to cause an epidemic  is capable of creating fear in the minds of pilgrims, whose worries could be heightened by the scare of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    He said there was nothing deplorable about the facilities at the hajj and cargo terminal of the Lagos Airport.

    The FAAN spokesman in a statement added that relevant agencies such as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) responsible for the airlift and welfare of pilgrims, could not have turned a blind eye to the facilities if they were below standard.

    ‘’The Authority wishes to state that it is untrue that ‘the toilet facilities (at the terminal) have been left unclean over the weeks without lights at night’. There is no doubt that the 39 toilet facilities provided at the terminal could be overstretched when used by an average of 500 pilgrims per flight for about two weeks, but it was uncharitable to say that these toilet facilities were not cleaned throughout this period.

    “Relevant government agencies responsible for the airlift and welfare of pilgrims such as National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) could not have turned a blind eye to such a dangerous situation.

    “We believe that officials of NAHCON, who work in collaboration with FAAN are in a better position to make such complaints of “impending epidemic” and not a supposed intending pilgrim, who claimed “that the dirty nature of the toilet facilities could lead to an epidemic in the area.”

    He stressed that “some of the pilgrims had approached the terminal authority about the deplorable condition of the facilities without positive response”.

    He continued: ‘’We question the veracity of this claim because individual pilgrims can only approach ‘the terminal authority’ with such complaints through officials of NAHCOM or other relevant agencies, who have unfettered access to officials of FAAN, some of whom are specially posted during Hajj operations to facilitate efficient service delivery, including a clean, secure and safe environment at the Hajj Terminal, during this period.

    ‘’FAAN wishes to assure all intending pilgrims and the general public that the Authority has put necessary machinery in place to ensure that all Hajj Terminals across the country, not just at MMA, Lagos, are safe, secure and in good hygienic condition to effectively handle Hajj operations. We, therefore, consider any talk of impending outbreak of epidemic at any of our Hajj terminals as not only misleading, but malicious.’’

  • Jumia introduces express delivery in Lagos

    Jumia, Nigeria’s Largest Online retailer with operations covering every part of the country, has introduced express delivery to customers in Lagos.

    The service is to give customers the best shopping experience and convenience with Online Shopping. In recent times, Jumia has expanded to create new categories with more assortments available for customers to shop from.

    The exclusive delivery expansion offered as express delivery gives all Jumia customers in Lagos the opportunity to receive their order the same day they place the order. The same day delivery is not being offered by any other retailer in Nigeria.

    Its Managing Director, Nicolas Martin said: ‘‘This level of convenience is what we aim to provide for our customers. We always make sure we are giving our customer the best of online retail experience with our service delivery. Express delivery is a game changer for Ecommerce operations in Nigeria.”

    Jumia customers in Lagos can enjoy same delivery on most of the items listed on Jumia’s website, if they place their order before 1pm during the day.