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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos donates to less privileged homes

    As part of activities marking this year’s Community Day celebration, the Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development has donated relief materials to three less privileged homes in the state.

    Officials of the ministry led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Babatunde Hunpe,  visited the homes including  Compassionate Orphanage Home, Alimosho; Children Correctional Centre for Junior Boys Yaba and Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Ikorodu.

    Among the materials distributed to the wards include food items, generating sets, freezers, foodstuff among others.

    Hunpe, charged the children to be of good behavior and urged the orphanage do more to give hope to the children and mould them to better citizens of the state.

    He also advised them to be good ambassador of the state so that the state government would be willing to do more for them.

    He commended the proprietor of the school for his efforts in bringing up the children and promised that the state government would look into his request of funding and other issues raised by him.

    “What we are giving you is a token to show appreciation for what you have been doing for the children. This donation is being carried out in the three senatorial districts of the state, he added.”

    The proprietor of the home, Dr. Gabriel Oyediji had earlier requested for funding of orphanages in the state by the state government, construction of good road as well as provision of transformer for the community where the orphanage is located.

    He disclosed the orphanage had 50 children, whose ages ranged from three months to 16 years, adding that over 100 children had been adopted through the orphanage in the last nine years it was set up.

    At the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities Owutu, Ikorodu , Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Olatunde Agoro, encouraged  the children in the spirit of the celebration.

    There was also presentation of gift items like gas cooker, cylinders, vegetable oil, indomie, rechargeable lantern, among others were presented at the centre.

     

  • Lagos experiences theatre

    As parts of efforts to keep the practice of theatre alive, Wazobia Theatre House with ASAP, a capacity building company, unveiled a theatre collection in Lagos.

    The collection, which is titled: Theatre on the Mainland Series, would serve residents of Lagos Mainland with interesting theatre performances.

    According to the project’s Team Coordinator, Mr Olabanji Olawale, it is set up to create awareness for theatre on the Mainland, adding that residents of Lagos mainland do not need to visit theatre houses on the Lagos Island before experiencing quality theatre shows. The initiative, he said, does not have any particular audience in mind but it plans to reach out to majority of people around the mainland.

    He said: “Theatre is a re-emerging industry and so, need more people investing in theatre productions so as to reclaim the glory it had in the past. Aside from being a business, Theatre on the Mainland series uses the platform to develop people regarding youth development, capacity building and creating job opportunities.

    “Someone told me after seeing one of the dramas that ‘it is better than watching a movie. Like in the last three to four months, coordinators of the projects would have paid about 40 youths. People keep saying that there is no work but the theatre industry can employ so many youths.”

    According to Olabanji, the production holds its monthly production every last Sunday at YABATECH’s Vginis Main Hall. The shows, which, he said, this has been on for five months now, included: Osaka the Porter, written and directed by Jude Ikenna Okpala and produced by Olawale Olabanji; The Engagement written by Prof Femi Osofisan, directed by Jude Ikenna Okpala and produced by Olawale Olabanji; Lottery Ticket, written by Prof Ahmed Yerima; Prison Chronicles, written by Wole Oguntokun and Alego (The guest), written by Jude Ikenna Okpala.

     

     

  • Lagos to enforce eight-hour limit for drivers

    Lagos to enforce eight-hour limit for drivers

    Lagos State Government has hinged its decision to implement the provisions of the 2012 Road Traffic Law (RTL) on the restrictions of operations of commercial drivers to eight hours daily on the need to preserve the health and safety of drivers and other road users.

    According to Section 44 Subsection 1a, b and c of the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012, drivers are not supposed to work more than a cumulative eight hours per day for them not to be fatigued while driving.

    Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said by maintaining the eight hours cumulative working hours per day as stipulated in the Law, drivers, their passengers and other road users would be guaranteed safety through defensive driving as they would be alert to take control of situations on the road while on wheels.

    He believed that, since drivers are engaged in gainful employment and are contributing to the economy of the state, their condition of service should be of interest to government such that they will not subjected to harsh conditions that would affect their health and, by implication, put their passengers and other road users at risk.

    He said the provision of the law on working hours was not different from what obtains in both the formal public and private sectors, where working hours do not exceed eight hours at a stretch with a provision for a break in order to refresh.

    “Drivers, like others, contributing to the nation’s economy are entitled to enough rest to make them function well,” he said.

    He, therefore, urged members of the various transport unions in the state, who are yet to comply with the registration of their commercial vehicles, drivers and bus conductors to do so immediately, adding that owners of buses should visit any Vehicle Inspection Office nearest to them while the Drivers and Conductors should go the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) located in the five (5) divisions of the state.

  • Wedding that shook Lagos

    Wedding that shook Lagos

    •Uncle Sam’s son marries in style

    Eyituoyo, son of Vanguard Publisher Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, and his lovebird, Oladepe, daughter of a lawyer, Mrs Jumoke Funmi-Adeshina, walked down the aisle last Saturday at the Yaba Baptist Church in Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

    It had all the trappings of a society wedding. A well appointed venue; couple from rich background and influential guests, Yaba in Lagos Mainland virtually stood still for the fairstyle wedding of Eyituoyo, son of Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, and his beau, Oladepe, daughter of a lawyer, Mrs Jumoke Funmi-Adeshina, last Saturday.

    Security operatives battled from morning till noon to control traffic within Yaba.

    Many sought alternative parking space, leaving the adjoining streets and roads jampacked. As news of the wedding spread, residents trooped out of their houses, watching.

    Some of them followed the A-list personalities into the Yaba Baptist Church. At the entrance were photographers, taking shots of guests as they arrive for the wedding.

    The church’s circular auditorium was a wonder to behold.

    It could be mistaken for an ultra-modern cinema. The chairs were well arranged; the programme with a silver cover was placed on guests’ seats, the leading priests sat in the middle of the church facing the crowd; the choir was on the left side. Some family members of the celebrators sat on the right of the upper side of the church behind a bevy of beautiful women dressed in the same attire and handsome looking men, smiling to the cameras.

    On the front row facing the priests were parents of the celebrators. With them were President Goodluck Jonathan’s representative and some governors.

    Behind them were political stalwarts, captains of industry, business tycoons and some elderstatemen.

    Some traditional rulers were there too.

    It was before this throng that Eyituoyo and Oladepe vowed to be “one forever”. They were declared man and wife by the Minister-in-Charge, Revd Gabriel Adebayo.

    This was followed with special prayers for the couple, scripture reading and special song by the choir.

    Shortly after, Very Revd Yinka Omololu; the retired Provost of the Cathedral Church of Christ, mounted the podium for the sermon. He told the couple to love each other “till death do them part”.

    “You must renew that love everyday and complement each other; remember God is love… always consult each other before taking a decision,” he said.

    He enjoined the guests to imbibe the lesson of the lengthy sermon to strengthen their own marriages.

    Turning to Eyituoyo, the cleric said: “As you rise, make sure your wife rises with you; you must move together. It is till death do us (you) part.”

    After the soul-inspiring message, the marriage certificate was signed before the Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Mainland Diocese (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Adebayo Akinde, presented it to the couple.

    Thanksgiving and offering followed.

    After the service, guests headed to The Haven Events Centre, GRA, Ikeja for the reception.

    Chief Tunde Savage said the opening prayer. There was a minute silence for the bride’s father, the late Mr Olufunmilade Adesina.

    Dr Ebi Omatsola, who chaired the occasion, described the bride’s family as “my family because we are good friends.”

    The marriage, he said, was blessed from the first day.

    Omatsola supervised the cutting of the cake. The couple fed each other with a piece of cake and then took to the dance floor. Anne Chinwere picked the bouquet which was thrown by the bride.

    The couple and their parents mounted the dance floor and were joined by the guests.

    At the event were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Governors of Lagos, Edo, Rivers, and Ogun states, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Adams Oshiomhole; Rotimi Amaechi and Ibikunle Amosun; Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona; All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; ThisDay Publisher, Mr Nduka Obaigbena; Chairman, Honeywell Group Oba Otudeko; Mr Jim Ovia; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, his Ogun State counterparts Aremo Olusegun Osoba and wife Derin and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Gen Ike Nwachukwu; Chairman, Eleganza Group of Companies, Alhaji Rasak Okoya and wife Sade; Chief Nike Akande; Mrs Kuforiji Olubi; Princess Adesola Areago-Elegbede; former Oceanic Bank chief Mrs Cecilia Ibru; Maiden Ibru; former Punch Nigeria Limited Chairman Chief Ajibola Ogunsola; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu; Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Prof Johnson Clark; Chief Kofi Edonmi Kartey; Chief Brown Mene; Dagburewe of Idowa Oba Yinusa Adekola; Akija of Ikija of Ijebu Oba Kayode Alakija; Oliworo of Iworo Oba Adebisi Onafuwa; Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye Oba AbdurRasaq Adenugba; Alakan of Aiyepe-Ijebu Oba Musibau Dawudu Oseni; Oba Kolapo Ibiyemi; Oba Abimbola Akinyele; Mrs. Tobi Odunaya; Chief Obafemi Olopade; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Prof Ralph Akinfeleye; Oloris Oladunni and Adedolapo Sijuwade; Henry Odukomaiya; The Nation Editorial Board Chairman, Sam Omatseye; Chief Fassy Yusuf; Chief John Oduyemi; Mr Nosa Igiebor; Punch Nigeria Limited Managing Director Mr Demola Osinubi; Mr Marvel Akpoyibo; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu; Niteshift Guv’nor Ken Caleb Olumese; Chief Ominimini Obi; Chief Godwin Ogbeto; Chike Ogeah; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Information, Mr Akeem Bello; Edo State Commissioner for Information Mr Louis Odion; The Nation columnist Mr Mohammed Haruna; Prof Pat Utomi; Mr John Sebanjo; Chief Phillip Asiodu; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Mr Femi Adesina; advert guru Biodun Shobanjo; Tunde Oladele among others.

  • Lagos awards contract for rail project extension to Marina

    Lagos awards contract for rail project extension to Marina

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has awarded the contract for the extension of the Blue line lite rail project from the National Theatre to Marina to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

    At a forum organised by the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents (LAGOCO) at the State Secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos Metropolitan Transport Management Authority (LAMATA) Managing Director Dr. Dayo Mobereola said yesterday that though the project is expensive, it would facilitate easy movement from Mile 2 to Marina.

    The forum was part of activities marking the 2013 Press Week.

    On LAMATA’s 10th anniversary, Mobereola said the agency would continue to evolve improved means of transportation.

    He said: “The people of Lagos are gradually abandoning Danfo and Molue buses for BRT. We have reduced waiting time at bus stops, the travel time within the metropolis and transport fare by 40 per cent, compared to the service rendered by yellow buses.”

    He said the agency had developed a 20-year transportation development plan covering bus, rail and ferry service and provision of good roads for the BRT system.

    Mobereola said the introduction of the electronic ticketing system was part of the plan, adding that the Lagos Connect Card would soon be introduced for the boarding of BRT, Lite Rail and Ferry.

    On the maintenance of BRT buses, Mobereola said the agency was aware of the challenges, adding that efforts were ongoing to train and retrain operators to serve the public better.

    He said 50 buses would soon be introduced to replace old ones.

    Mobereola said: “We have tried, but we have not solved all the challenges confronting transportation in Lagos. However, we have developed a 20-year development programme. We believe Lagos needs seven rail lines and we are in the process of starting the Red Line lite rail project that will run from Alagbado in Ogun State to Marina, Lagos.

    “We believe Lagos still needs nine BRT routes and we are talking with the state government to ensure commercial centres are established on the Mainland to reduce the number of people travelling to Lagos Island daily.”

  • Lagos pays 3, 884 retirees N21.3b under CPS

    Lagos pays 3, 884 retirees N21.3b under CPS

    The Lagos State Government has remitted a total of N21.3 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 3,884 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    It has presented Retirement Bond Certificates to 395 retirees worth N2.4 billion.

    The Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr Adekunle Hussain made this known while speaking during the presentation of Retirement Bond Certificates to the ninth batch of retirees in Lagos.

    He noted that part of the ninth batch of retirees numbering 185 were paid the sum of N943 million in September this year.

    He said: “Part of this ninth batch of retirees numbering 185, were paid the N943.1 million in September this year. We are gathered here to witness the presentation of Retirement Bond Certificates being the total accrued rights of N2.4 billion only to another set of 395 retirees.

    “These particular sets of 395 retirees form the second tranche of the ninth batch of our retirement bond presentation, thus bringing the total number of the ninth batch beneficiaries to 580 retirees.Therefore, with today’s presentation, the Lagos State Government has so far in the history of the CPS remitted a total of N21. 3b illion into the Retirement Savings Account of 3,884 retirees”.

    Hussain also said this was made possible through the commitment and support of the present administration in the state, which ensures that funds are made available for monthly remittances as well as the commitment of the board, management and staff members of the commission, who worked towards this success.

    He added that earlier, the state had paid total accrued rights of N18.9 billion of 3, 489 retirees, which include the N943 million being the first tranche of the nineth batch earlier paid to 185 retirees during a mini bond presentation in September.

    Clarifying issues on actual number of the state employees registered under the CPS, he said, the state had registered 135,000 employees.

    He stressed that the state remained steadfast in its commitment to sustaining full implementation of the pension scheme even beyond the administration and that solid and well-defined structures had been put in place to ensure that the statutory five per cent contribution that goes into the Redemption Fund Account created for redeeming the retirement bonds, is sustained.

    The LASPEC boss said the state also maintained a Pension Sinking Fund Account, which is funded monthly to ensure that funds were available to meet unforeseen pension liabilities that might arise in situations where more than those projected to leave the service voluntarily decide to do so.

    He urged the retirees to assess the situation before choosing either the programme withdrawal provided by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) or the annuity provided by the insurance firms.

  • Two prophetesses charged with stealing

    Two women, who claimed to be prophetesses, were on Thursday arraigned before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of N600, 000.
    Ifeoma Ogbonna, 43, and Uchechi Nwosu, 40, allegedly collected the money, promising to use their divine powers to make the businesswoman, Mrs Jane Chukwu, rich and make her business proper.
    The duo, who live at the Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos, are facing a three-count charge of stealing, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.
    The Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, told the court that the accused approached Chukwu, asking her to bring N500,000 and her gold necklace worth N100, 000 to enable them to pray for her to become rich.
    “The accused, who lured the businesswoman to a reclusive area at Coker Bridge, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, promised her that they would pray for her and neutralise all external forces working against her progress.
    “The accused said they would use the money to buy some spiritual oils and other ingredients for the prayers, to liberate her from the external forces working against her progress.
    “The businesswoman, who could not see any changes as promised by the prophetesses, reported the matter to the police,’’ he said.
    Inedu said the offences were committed on June 25, at Coker Bridge area of Orile-Iganmu, Lagos.
    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 285, 312 (1), (a) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law stipulates 15 years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretenses.
    Both accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
    The Senior Magistrate, Mr Adeyemi Amos, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
    He said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
    Amos fixed further hearing in the case for Nov. 13
  • Breaking: Associated Plane crash DNA results released

    Breaking: Associated Plane crash DNA results released

    The Department of Pathology and Forensic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja is ready with the results, documentation and tagging of the victims of the crashed aircraft conveying the remains of the former governor, Ondo, late Agagu.
    The total number involved in the incident was 16 but 12 needed DNA and it had been done overseas and results ready.

    The Nation gathered that family and relations of the deceased can come forward to claim the remains of their loved ones that were involved in the mishap “as from now”, said an official who prefer anonymity.

  • Lagos to get quality assurance office

    Lagos to get quality assurance office

    The monitoring of Lagos schools is expected to receive a boost soon as the state government has approved the establishment of an education quality assurance office.

    Disclosing this at a three-day retreat for Education Secretaries (ES) in Lekki, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said the office would monitor quality in both public and private schools.

    “Lagos State has since been in the forefront in the implementation of the Quality Assurance Policy, as the Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has approved the establishment of the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance. The office will be responsible for strengthening government’s control and regulation of schools below tertiary level. It will be responsible for standardisation, monitoring and evaluation of both private and public schools,” she said.

    The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo urged the education secretaries to be familiar with the quality assurance tools to enhance education service deliveries in public primary schools under their care.

    Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, Chairman Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), organisers of the event, said the training was to equip the ES with requisite knowledge and skills to reposition the Local Government Education Authories (LGEAs).

    “Let me remind you that the board’s transformation policy is on-going. We cannot afford to allow our LGEAs remain stagnant. The workforce and the entire personnel therein must update their knowledge and sharpen their skills if they want to remain relevant in the scheme of things. In other words, the board and the LGEAs must not operate at cross purposes, rather they should work in tandem,” she said.

    In a keynote address titled: Total Quality Assurance in the Implementation of the National Policy on Basic Education, Dr Foluso Okebukola, represented by Dr Solomon Makinde, said quality assurance needs to move from mere compliance with rules and regulations to deliberate supervision that would result in better management of schools.

    The ES were exposed to training in areas of structure and communication, human resources development, planning and project management, and enhancement of political party credibility.

    Praising the training, Mr Olalekan Majiyagbe, ES, Agege LGEA, said it would empower them to implement government policies.

    “You cannot give what you don’t have. This workshop is highly essential for the intellectual development and human capacity building of managers at our level,” he said.

     

  • Lagos International Swimming Classics kicks off

    Lagos International Swimming Classics kicks off

    The much-awaited Lagos International Swimming Classics will kick off tomorrow at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    Three African countries – Ghana, Senegal and Benin are expected to be part of the four-day N5.8million prize money tournament while top national swimmers will also participate in the tournament.

    According to the Championship Coordinator, Babatunde Fatai-Williams, national record holders such as Samson Opuakpo of Delta, Yellow Yeiyah of the Nigeria Police as well as Rachael Tonjor and Faith Edorodion would be part of the open category.

    “The heat event will hold in the morning each day while the final will be in the evening. The schools’ category is a time event, which means winners in each event will be determined by the time. We hope to have a full house as Ghana and Senegal will also be hoping to give our athletes a tough time,” he said.

    Chairman of the Main Organising Committtee (MOC), Wahid Oshodi, said all is set for the commencement of the tournament as the venue is now wearing a new look while the latest timing machine will be used for the tournament. We are hopeful that new talents will be unearthed while our stars will showcase their skills at the competition. It promises to be exciting as top swimmers from the region and beyond are going to be aiming for the top prize.

    He, however, emphasised that the tourney is aimed at exposing athletes to international standard and also to attract top athletes to the tournament.

    “We are hoping for a good tournament and for us, this is one of the ways to help our athletes. Having concluded some sporting events lined up for the Lagos Sports Classics, we are hoping that the swimming classics will also be more competitive and colourful,” he said.

    Over 300 swimmers are expected to jostle for honours at the championship. The tournament has been sanctioned by the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) and it hopes to attract the best swimmers in the continent.

    Meanwhile, Nigerian swimmers who are going to participate in the classics category (open) were mostly selected based on their performance at the recent 5h Chief of the Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship held last month in Oghara, Delta State, along with a few wild card entries from some states that did not participate in the championship.