The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Union to seek review of minimum wage in Lagos

    The Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council is set to hold a meeting with the state government to demand increase in the minimum wage for workers.

    This was made known by the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Chairman, Comrade Obafemi Oyenubi.

    He said the meeting was part of an agreement by the government and labour to review workers’ salaries every three years.

    The JNC chairman also said the increment was subject to review would be effected as soon as the state internally generated revenue increases, noting that this has improved tremendously.

    ‘’It is based on these facts that the union wrote the state government to demand for a meeting to discuss on the increment,” Comrade Oyenubi said, ading that the time of the meeting is ripe enough so that there would be no excuse by the government not to include the increment in next year’s budget.

    He said there should not be an excuse from the government to renege on the deal.

    The JNC chief said the welfare of workers is on top of the agenda on the council’s list.

    About 15 unions in the state make up the joint negotiating Council.

    Other issues to be raised at the meeting are the step to step increment, leave allowances, promotion, general welfare package of staff, training and retraining of staff and salaries’arrears.

     

  • Lagos goes digital

    Lagos goes digital

    •Lagos Judiciary attains another landmark that could expedite litigation and ease judges’ burden

    Lagos State has continued its laudable court reforms, which started during the Bola Tinubu era, of easing judges’ load and speeding up the judicial process. The latest continuation of this reform is digitalising the judicial process in such a way that you can sit in your office, and with the touch of the computer, file an action.

    For the computer-literate, this would go a long way to lessen the tedium of filing cases, as well as saving costs – transport costs, for instance – as well as lessening routine physical exertion in hitherto going through such court processes. It is indeed a thing of cheer and other states will do well to follow this laudable step.

    As part of the processes of reform, judges have not only been provided with i-Pads, the computer tablet, a batch of no less than 22 judges has also received training by a Lagos software provider on the new digital operational status.

    The training, tailored to deepen Chief Judge Ayotunde Phillips’ vision of expedited justice in the state, with the aid of information and computer technology (ICT), included robust case/document management system, monitoring and viewing cause lists on the computer. The document management system includes the National Judicial Council (NJC) monthly report form for judges, through which they can, online, prepare and file their monthly performance returns to the council.

    The software on which the batch of judges trained would also help to monitor their performances online, aside from judges themselves monitoring their performance weekly or monthly. Also, peer review would be easier, with judges online exchanging ideas. Aside from judges, the government also plans, as part of the reforms, appropriate training for court registrars to bring them in sync with the new dispensation.

    The stress on training and retraining, on the new digital dispensation, is welcome. Indeed, adequate training holds the key to its success. It is imperative therefore that the government sustains training for all cadres of judicial workers. It must be noted: computerisation is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end – and that golden end is speedy but accurate dispensation of justice.

    Resources may be scarce. But money spent to strengthen the judiciary is a patriotic investment to deepen democracy. A robust judiciary is vital to democracy. Democracy itself is vital to development, which itself engenders prosperity. So, the Lagos State government should continue along this progressive line.

    As other states are advised to follow the Lagos example, the federal authorities should not tarry in releasing funds meant for the judiciary, charged through the Consolidated Fund. Just as investment in gadgetry is important, investment in judges’ welfare is even more important. If everyone does his or her job well, Nigeria’s judiciary can only be better for it.

    But even as all these reforms are going on, the judges themselves must commit themselves anew to delivering justice without fear or favour. A just nation is a healthy nation. So, the judicial health of the country, where truth and justice prevail, is in the hands of its judges. Judges in the Lagos judiciary should take up that patriotic challenge.

    Still ICT, like a car, is a good and pleasant servant. But it could be a hideous master. That is why every step should be taken to protect systems integrity in the new dispensation. Every ICT system of necessity should guard against hacking. It would be tragic indeed to digitalise the judicial system, only for it to fall victim to hackers.

  • Community kicks as hit-and-run driver kills man in Lagos

    Community kicks as hit-and-run driver kills man in Lagos

    Residents of Gbagada have cried out to government for help after a man identified as Oguntimehin Oluwayemi B. was knocked down by a car Tuesday morning while attempting to cross the Mafowoku/Gbagada bus stop along Lagos/Ibadan express way.

    According to eye witness account, Oguntimehin “was still breathing after the accident and people came to rescue him off the express way but there was no vehicle that could convey him to the General Hospital at Gbagada.”

    He gave up the ghost 20 minutes later — sustaining multiple injuries.

    Kabiawu Babajide, Gen. Sec. of Council of Oworonsoki Youth Forum told The Nation that: “the ATM card in his pocket indicated his identity but we do not know where he resides. We called the emergency number 112 and 767 they promised that the emergency team will come to the scene but they do not arrive after 6 hours before we left the scene.”

    Babajide decried the incessant similar incidents “since 1979, Lagos/Ibadan express way has been the epicenter of massacre in the history of Lagos State road accident. This Federal road has claimed many lives of innocent citizen caught across in trying to cross this express way to the other side.

    “Most especially at Gbagada bus stop opposite Mobil Filling Station, times without numbers, we have witnessed similar occurences involving students, residents.”

    Oguntimeyin flayed governement neglect from saving the populace: “It is unfortunate that since 1979, the Federal government does not have any contingency plan to save the populace from this frequent tragedy that normally occurs at Mafowoku and Gbagada bus stop.”

    “We have written several letters to the Federal and State government to help construct pedestrian Bridge at Mafowoku and Gbagada bus stop in order to put an end to the massacre of innocent people caused by Vehicle accident.

    He re-iterated that the association has also solicited the attention of the Federal and Lagos State government towards the pedestrian bridge situated at Olopomeji area. This pedestrian bridge has deteriorated or dilapidated
    completely and it poses an imminent threat which could be disastrous.

  • Three crew members survived crash – NCAA

    Three crew members survived crash – NCAA

    … Feyi  Agagu responding to treatment

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said on Friday that three crew members of the ill-fated air craft that crashed in Lagos on Thursday were among the victims the survived the crash and are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in the state.

    They are – two cabin crew members and a flight engineer.

    The Head of Aero Medical Directorate of the NCAA, Dr. Theresa Bassey, who made this disclosure, also said the son of the late Ondo State governor, Feyi is doing well at the hospital.

    According to her, Feyi has started talking with friends and family members.

    Speaking at the crisis centre opened for victims of the crash at the NCAA Annex at the Lagos Airport, Dr. Bassey, said one of the female survivors had a successful surgery and is responding to treatment.

    She said two survivors are in the intensive care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) because of the intense burns and fracture.

    She said, “Seven of the survivors are doing well at the hospital. There are three crew members – two cabin crew members and a flight technician.

    “One of the crew members has undergone a surgery and she is doing well. Two other passengers that survived have been sent to the intensive care unit of LASUTH.

    “I can confirm to you that Feyi Agagu is alive and kicking. He is responding to treatment and has started talking to friends and family members.

    “The two survivors at the intensive care unit have severe burns and fracture. I cannot tell when they will be released, but they are doing well at the hospital.”

  • 11 things about Embraer 120 Brasilia

    11 things about Embraer 120 Brasilia

    Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia is a twin-turboprop commuter airliner. It is produced by Embraer of Brazil. This commuter airliner yesterday crashed in Lagos while conveying the remains of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, his son Feyi and 26 persons to Akure, Ondo State. It was reported to have crashed after two minutes of take-off.

    Below are 11 things you should know about Embraer 120 aircraft:
    – Amount varies between: 8,500,000 – 11,000,000 USD (2013)
    – Carrying Capacity: 30 passengers
    – Length:  65ft 7 1/2 in
    – Maximum speed: 608 km/h
    – Manufactured by Embraer in Brazil
    – First ever flight: 1983
    – The name given to the first set of airliner was: EMB-120 Araguaia
    – The name EMB-120 Araguaia was changed in 1979
    – Its current name since 1979 is: EMB-120 Brasillia
    – Also produced with EMB-120 Brasillia were: EMB-123-Tapajós,EMB-121
    Xingu,EMB-121
    -Since September 19, 1986, EMB-120 Brasilia has been involved in 16 accidents

  • A lift for Lagos Photo at gala night

    The second LagosPhoto Gala night organised by LagosPhoto Foundation has hosted sponsors, supporters, art patron, and friends of the foundation at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    It was put together to celebrate photography and also to raise funds for the LagosPhoto Foundation with an evening of art that included a candle light dinner, live auction conducted by Roger Woodbridge.

    With the theme, Observation no be crime, the event auctioned photographs that tell different stories about the situation of the Nigerian environment. Photographs were donated by leading Nigerian and international artists such as Kelechi Amadi-Obi, David de Jong, Christina de Middel, Medina Dugger, Delphine Fawundu, Alixandra Fazzina, Stanley Greene, Nick Hagen, Jane Hahn, Robin Hammond, Samuel James, Benedicte Kurzen, Joseph Penney, RijaSolo, Andrea Stultiens, and Hans Wilschut. The photographs represent a selection of images that were exhibited in previous LagosPhoto festivals.

    The evening had performances by Ebisan, Lolo and the Bogo Band, Wura Samba, Afrologic, and the Nimbus Band. Supporters include Segura Viudas, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Porsche, Universal. The annual LagosPhoto Gala is proudly sponsored by Eko Hotel & Suites, Etisalat, and UBS. Furniture, Lufthansa, IQ Booth, and X.O. Wine Stores Limited.

    LagosPhoto is embodied in the exploration of historical and contemporary issues, the sharing of cultural practices, and the promotion of social programs.

    The festival, which will hold this month, will feature activities such as exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa.

    LagosPhoto aims to establish a community for contemporary photography which will unite local and international artists through images that encapsulate individual experiences and identities from across all of Africa.

    Last year, the first yearly LagosPhoto fundraiser featured an evening of arts and musical entertainment. It also had a live auction, which witnessed a record breaking sale for photography in Nigeria.

  • Lagos goes on-line

    The Lagos State Judiciary has achieved another first. It has blazed the trail in implementing an electronic case management system with e-payment in Nigeria.

    The launch of the Judiciary Information System (JIS) took place in Lagos last week at a summit organised as part of the activities marking the state’s 2013/2014 legal year.

    The epoch-making occasion, held at the Lagos City Hall, was attended by Justice George Oguntade (rtd); a former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ade Alabi; the Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, the Head Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade and other judges and lawyers.

    Since June 14, last year, when she took the oath of office as the 14th Chief judge, ,Justice Phillips has not hidden her desire to change the face of the judiciary through information technology (IT).

    Upon assumption of office, she set up a committee headed by Justice Hakeem Olatunde Oshodi to work with the consultant, First High Tower Info Tech Limited.

    The need to ease the strenuous case management workflow and ensure the transparency of the judiciary, leveraging on IT, gave rise to the system, she said.

    With the launch of the JIS, the state has stepped into the 21st century and can rub shoulders with others.

    The benefits of the JIS are enormous.  It is expected to assist the personnel of the judiciary and counsels. Case management will be a lot easier for counsels as they can file cases and make payments via a secured web portal with a credit, debit card or direct bank payment from the comfort of their chambers.

    According to the Chief Executive Officer of First High Tower Info Tech, Mr Sanni Eniola, a counsel who has registered on the portal can keep track of their cases from anywhere via the internet.

    He said JIS will increase the revenue of the state judiciary, pointing out that since the system charges automatically, incoming revenue are better accounted for.

    Aside that manpower is efficiently used, case management is streamlined, resulting in a higher number of cases being processed yearly.

    He said the JIS also has the advantage of a standardised workflow that would be used in the state Judiciary divisions, adding that the system would ensure economy.

    Besides, the JIS has the advantage of e-filing, online research and report.

    Eniola said all a lawyer wanting to use the portal needs to do is to simply enter the website of the Judiciary and fill a user registration form, create and  register a username and password and send an e-mail.  Once registered, a counsel can  file his case from anywhere, upload documents and make payments using his or her debit or credit card which must have also been registered on the system from the first time it was used.

    The unique thing about the JIS is that it has been configured to accommodate activities of counsels for defence, plaintiffs and judges.

    Eniola said, for instance, that judgment could be accessed by a registered user as it is been delivered because the system is functioning realtime online. In addition, he said various security questions have also been listed to accommodate the various suits a counsel might want to file in the court such as criminal, civil, commercial, and land matters, among others.

    He said data fed into the system are secured and cannot be tampered with.This, according to him, was because they are encrypted as soon as they are fed in.

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, who spoke through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, while addressing judges and lawyers at the Lagos Central Mosque, called on stakeholders to embrace JIS to avoid delays in the administration of justice.

    “Everybody must be involved if the administration of justice must not be delayed. They should comply with new court rules and ensure adherence to e-filing and the digitalisation of the judicial system,” he said.

    Justice Oguntade, who congratulated the state judiciary on setting the pace in e-filing, urged relevant stakeholders in adjudication of justice to ensure that cases are speedily dispensed with with the new JIS.

    Also, Ipaye called for speedy dispensation with the JIS.

    Ipaye, who said he was looking forward to seeing when civil actions  would be dispensed within the shortest time, however, called for cooperation of judges and lawyers to ensure that the system works.

    Ipaye, who was represented by the state’s Solicitor-General Lawal Pedro (SAN), expressed hope that the JIS would usher in a new dawn in the administration of justice in Lagos.

    According to him,  Lagos brazed the trail as an  ICT-compliance state  by introducing e-filing as done in other jurisdictions, notwithstanding power outages bedeviling the country.

    Earlier, Justice Atilade said the e-filing system being  introduced in  Lagos was an indication that the state  judiciary, which has  the highest number of IT-complaint judges in the country, remains  in  the  forefront.

    The week-long activities of the new legal year also saw the Chief Judge visiting the prisons in state. A total of 248  awaiting trials were released from Kirikiri and Ikoyi Prisons.

     

  • Lagos equips pupils for CBT

    Lagos equips pupils for CBT

    The Lagos State government has selected 10 public secondary schools to pilot a training to prepare public pupils for Computer Based Tests (CBT).

    The Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye told principals and vice-principals that the plan is in line with the decision of public examining bodies like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to migrate to online examinations.

    The 10 schools are: Agidingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja; Oregun Senior High School, Ikeja; Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School, Maryland; Ebute Elefun Senior High School, Lagos; Araromi/IIogbo Senior Secondary School; State Senior High School, Oyewole, Agege; Aguda Senior Grammar School, Aguda; Oke-Afa Senior Secondary School, Isolo; and St Joseph Senior Secondary School, Mushin.

    She said two teachers in each of the 10 schools will be trained on the CBT adding that the provision of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities in public schools in the state would be continued to ensure that all public schools are covered.

    Unveiling plans for the training at a meeting held at the Lagos State Digital Village with Permanent Secretaries, Tutor-Generals/PS, Principals, and Education District officials, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Nike Animashaun, said the training scheduled to begin at the start of the new session this week, will be carried out by IT firm, J.K.K.

    She said after the training, the pupils will take a Mock examination next February that will be used as a yard stick to determine its effectiveness impact on the pupils.

    Mrs Animashaun said that so far 120 ICT laboratories have been established in 614 public schools in Lagos State with more still coming.

     

  • Lagos gives N95m bursary to students

    Lagos gives N95m bursary to students

    The Lagos State government fulfilled its promise to support tertiary level students from the state with bursaries last Wednesday, disbursing N95,463,718.12 to 1,245 students from three institutions.

    The students from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, the Nigerian Law School and Maritime Academy, Oron got between N50,000 and N200,000 through the Lagos State Scholarship Board.

    Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed; Chairman, House Committee on Education, Waheed Alawiye-King; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olusoga and other top government functionaries were present at the Government College Agege School Hall to disburse the bursaries to the students.

    With the presentation of I.D. Cards as evidence of their studentship, the students were given Verve ATM cards loaded with the amounts which they could access once activated.

    In her speech, Mrs Orelope-Adefulire said the bursary was to help especially LASU students of 2011/2012 set cope with the recent school fees increment.

    “On the part of the Lagos State government, we have sustained regular and timely payment of bursary and scholarship awards to indigenes of the state. The bursary awards for this particular set ranges from N50,000 to N80,000 to cushion the effect of the increase in tuition. Not only that, His Excellency also approved N200,000 bursary values for Law School and Maritime Academy Students,” she said.

    Also speaking, Otunba Olukoga said with the recognition that quality education is capital intensive the present administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola has provided regular financial support to students through bursaries and scholarships.

    “I can boldly confirm to you that since inception of the present administration in the state, indigenes have greatly enjoyed the magnanimous gesture and humane disposition of His Excellency through constant payment of bursary and scholarship awards,” he said.

    Secretary of the Scholarship Board, Mrs Yetunde Jegede, said LASU students studying science-related courses got N80,000; Social Sciences, N60,000; and Arts, N50,000.

    However, many students, especially those from LASU said they expected more than the government paid given the amount they spent as fees.

    Adedolapo Bamgbose, a 200 Level Philosophy student said they expected that the bursary would almost cover their fees, which was N250,000 when they were admitted last year, and N155,000 in the current session.

    “I believe the state government said they have tried their best but compared with what we paid in 100-Level this N50,000 is not enough. I believe the money should have been close to what we spent so that our parents do not have to struggle so much to look for the balance,” he said.

    Though also expecting more, Oluwakemi Aree, a 200-Level Computer Science student who got N60,000, said she would use the money to meet pressing needs in school and save towards her fees next session. “It is okay for us to cushion the effect of the school fees.

    The governor is trying but I was expecting more than this – like N100,000. I will use it for books and save towards the next fees,” she said.

    Oluwakemi, however, appealed the government to improve facilities at the university.

    “Though fees have been increased, we cannot see the effect because we don’t have enough classrooms. For instance if 300-Level students are having lectures, we have to wait until they finish before we have our classes,” she said.

    On his part, Afolabi Euba, a student of the Nigerian Law School, thanked the government for the bursary and praised the scholarship board for making the process stress-free for students.

    “It is a very generous system that has been set up by Fashola. The system is run very well. The whole process of applying for scholarship and bursary has been made very simple and the board has been very supportive to awardees,” he said.

  • Lagos trains civil servants

    Lagos trains civil servants

    The Lagos State government is training civil servants on public procurement.

    At the opening of a three-day training held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) in Magodo, Lagos, the General Manager of the State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Akin Onimole, said it would equip officers with the regulations and guidelines to implement the procurement law.

    He said: “So far, the agency has converted about 240 officers into the procurement cadre. The objective of this training is to deepen the knowledge of the officers on real life experience in public procurement by sharing case studies and practical exercise with them.”

    Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Finance, Mrs Adefumilayo Tejuosho, said the lawmakers would ensure the implementation of the Procurement Law.

    She urged participants to take the training seriously, saying that it would enhance their efficiency and dedication to their duties.