The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Your time is up, Lagos ACN tells PDP

    Your time is up, Lagos ACN tells PDP

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State has dismissed the boast by officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party would capture, at least, 32 states in the 2015 election.

    ACN said the boast showed that “the PDP hierarchy is living way behind time and needs the awakening of a total defeat in 2015 to come to its senses”.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, ACN said: “Nigerians, who presently endure the torture of the PDP’s misrule, understand the lousy boast of the PDP to ‘capture’ more states with its woeful performance as a declaration of intent to continue stealing the mandate of Nigerians, as they have excelled in doing since 1999.

    “Nigerians understand PDP’s desperation to hang on to power by all means, even with its shameful performance that has left Nigeria desolate and Nigerians destitute. We perfectly understand this devillish obsession to ‘capture’, which holds a notorious party hostage. We warn the PDP and its riggers to get ready to face the full wrath of Nigerians in 2015, should they believe we have a borderless capacity to tolerate their noxious values.

    “We advise the PDP to pack its excess bags and baggage in readiness for a rustication in 2015. We wonder what chances exist for a party whose main mission is looting the commonwealth and leaving Nigerians pauperised, insecure, miserly and dejected.

    “PDP’s time is up and nothing not even the application of its weary rigging tactics will save it from the wrath of Nigerians in 2015.”

     

  • Habila’s Good bye, Lagos out soon

    A new book on Lagos by Helon Habila will soon be published. Though his first three books are novels, his most recent publication is a remembrance of things past all through his years in Lagos. The author tells it with a novelist’s eye for detail, starting with his very first visit as a teenager, his meeting with the very best and worst of literary Lagos, living through the Abacha dictatorship, early frustration in becoming an author, assistance from the most unlikely quarters and the timely Caine Prize in 2001.

    Tentatively entitled Goodbye, Lagos, the finished manuscript has been sent to his publishers in London, Granta. It was gathered that it would be published in Nigeria.

    His first novel, Waiting for an Angel, that won him the Caine Prize, was published in 2001. Measuring Time followed and then Oil on Water. All have been well received. Goodbye, Lagos has been described as a tour de force by those who read the manuscript. Habila is the first writer ever to benefit from Chinua Achebe Fellowship instituted in the late writer’s honour at Bard College, New York.

     

  • Court dissolves 21-year-old marriage over infidelity, threat to life

    An Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Tuesday dissolved a 21-year-old marriage between Ondeku Ibrahim and Hassanatu Ibrahim over infidelity and threat to life.

    The court President, Mr R. I. Adeyeri, said that all efforts to reconcile the couple had proved futile, as the petitioner insisted on divorce.

    “The court has no choice than to dissolve the union, in spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband.

    “Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” he said.

    Adeyeri ruled that the custody of the children, Nurudeen, 14, Ahmed, 10, should be referred to the family court within the Lagos Judicial Division, while Lateef, 21, and Mohammed,18, are old enough to decide where to live.

    The president also ordered the petitioner to pay N50, 000 for rehabilitation costs for the respondent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibrahim had filed a suit seeking for the dissolution of the marriage over wife’s infidelity and threat to his life.

    Ibrahim, 45, a school proprietor, told the court that his wife, Hassanatu, was having an affair outside their matrimonial home.

    “I caught my wife with a man locked inside her shop. I knocked, for her to open the shop, but she refused.

    “I called her phone, it rang but she quickly switched it off. After I waited for hours and they refused to open the door, I left,” the husband said.

    He also said that his wife was threatening his life, his members of staff, and the parents of his students.

    “She called my family in the village that she would kill me one day, that if she is unable to do it personally, she will send someone to do it for her.

    “She is also threatening the lives of members of my staff and the parents of my students with bottles, stones and cutlass.

    “She will stand at the gate, either with a cutlass or bottle, threatening to stab anyone who wanted to gain entrance into the school premises,” the estranged husband said.

    Ibrahim said he had lost 20 teachers because of her action, while parents kept withdrawing their children from the school.

    Responding, Hassanatu Ibrahim, 38, a hairdresser, said that the man her husband saw in her shop was a bricklayer that wanted to help her build her house.

    “I locked both of us inside my shop because I wanted to give him money to start the building and I do not want anyone to know about the house,” she said.

    She described her husband as an ingrate and that she brought her husband from the village, and got him his first job, and that they both established the school 10 years ago.

    The wife said that their agreement then was to share the profit together.

    Hassanatu said that her husband refused to abide by the agreement, as he did not want her to know anything about the school.

    She said that her husband had evicted her from their matrimonial home.

    “My husband rewarded me by throwing my property out six months ago, and also stole my N385, 000.

    “That was why I used to go to the school to harass them, so that he could give me my money,’’ she said.

  • Lagos denies ‘plan’ to seize fire victims’ land

    Lagos denies ‘plan’ to seize fire victims’ land

    Victims of the Jankara Market fire in Lagos have accused agents of the state government of attempts to seize their land.

    They spoke on Wednesday before the Panel of Enquiry sitting on Lagos Island.

    A fire occurred in the market last December when fireworks stored in a building at No. 45, Ojo-Giwa Street, exploded.

    Some of the victims alleged that the Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) were trying to frustrate the panel.

    But LASURA General Manager Kehinde Benedict denied attempts to seize the victims’ land.

    He said the state was only proposing to redesign the area to comply with the original plan.

    Benedict said: “We are not forcing them to release their land to us. We want to plan with them to improve their economic base and improve the aesthetics of the area.”

    The victims alleged that the agencies met with them after the tribunal was inaugurated.

    Their lawyer, Olawale Ajiya, tendered copies of letters from the agencies to attend meetings at the Old Secretariat, Ikeja.

    The letters, dated March 12 and March 27, directed the victims to come to the meeting with photocopies of documents of the affected property.

    In their testimonies, some of the victims alleged that the agencies urged them to give their land to the government.

    Ajiya said: “When a tribunal set up by the state government and headed by a retired judge is presiding over a matter and the matter has not been concluded, why should government officials representing various ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, be meeting with the victims in a private place and threatening them to part with their land? It is a serious matter.

    “This is an insult to the tribunal. What the state agencies are doing is to prejudice the outcome of the tribunal. They are also wasting the state’s resources.

    “If the government does not need the tribunal, why ask the victims to appear before it? We have minutes of the meetings where our clients were told to submit their land. The agency said the land owners would not be allowed to rebuild their land individually and would have to go through a recommended developer.”

    Ajiya urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to investigate the matter and assure the victims that they would not be dispossessed or restricted in the use of their land.

    Benedict said no land would be seized.

    Speaking with The Nation, he said: “The state government is not asking them to forfeit their property. If you go to the site, you will see that each plot is on a small piece of land.

    “I have photocopies of the Daily Times of 1961, where it was reported that the colonial master then in charge of Lagos Colony wanted to redesign the place. The government acquired the entire area for redevelopment as early as 1951.

    “Nobody wants a disaster to happen, but since it has happened, this is an opportunity for us to plan with the owners and give them back nothing less than their original number of square metres.

    “We have held consultative meetings with them. Why continue to build on what we wanted to do away with since 1951? We are not acquiring anything and are not forcing them to release their land to us.

    “Now that the place is burnt, nobody is occupying it. This is an opportunity to survey the area and demolish the burnt buildings, which have been tested and found to be structurally defective. We do not want any building to collapse on anybody.

    “The government and each family will decide on what to build there. This is an opportunity to build commercial ventures, redesign the area, improve roads and put facilities in place. It is a win-win situation.”

    Fashola inaugurated the tribunal on February 18 to find out the immediate and remote causes of the fire and recommend how to avoid a recurrence.

    The panel is headed by Justice Sunday Ishola (rtd.). A Chief State Counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Fagbayi, is the secretary.

    Members include a Special Adviser in the Lagos State Office of Infrastructure and Asset Management, Mr. Olokunola Wasiu and Founding Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP) Mr. Richard Ahonaruogho.

  • Glamour, glitz at Lagos Heritage Festival

    Glamour, glitz at Lagos Heritage Festival

    Culture. Tradition. Glamour. You name it. All were on display. The huge crowd had a swell time watching the cultural displays. The groups came from various parts of Lagos State. They gathered to mark the fourth edition of the Heritage eritage Week.

    Cultural activities were held in different parts of the state, climaxing with a Boat Regatta and colourful carnival at the Tafawa Balewa Square(TBS) last Monday.

    By 8am, different groups in beautiful costumes paraded routes on Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi dancing to beats from a live mobile band.

    The groups include Campos, Lafiaji, Epetedo, Oko Faji, Olowogbowo, Locomotion, Obalende, Isale-Eko, Woro Group, Mushin, Ikeja, Ebute Metta, Alagomeji, Sango-Ago Egba, Araromi Fanty, Odi-Olowo, Sports City, Surulere, Kilo, Ilasamaja, Agege and Epe. They were made up of youths.

    Pupils from some public schools also participated in the children category, thrilling the large spectators to various dance steps.

    A large music band strategically located at the centre of the stage, provided the background music as the carnival contingents’ paraded and danced round the square before a team of selected judges and fun seekers that rated their performance.

    Governor Fashola in his short remark said the annual carnival is getting bigger and better, adding that a collaborative effort of the private sector is needed to keep it running.

    Fashola said the event has significant economic impact on the lives of the citizens as all the costumes used were locally produced by the students of the state skill acquisition centre.

    The governor said hotels are filled up and businesses recording higher sales, stressing that the tradition of the carnival means a lot to residents.

    He said the state has achieved a global calendar that now makes it the choice destination for tourists during Easter.

    “Our hotels are full and our streets are busy and happy. I can say we have proceeded from a very clear vision, the mission is on course, the dream is in the making and Lagos is prospering,” he said.

    He thanked the leaders of the various groups for agreeing to have one carnival, adding that ‘four years ago when the Lagos Carnival was about to start, there were so many small groups, but the government decided to have one big carnival on a unique date at a unique time in a unique place.’

    “It is the sustenance of a tradition that dates back over 100 years. It is a handing over, a torch passing moment of a strong cultural heritage of our grand and great grand parents to us and now to you. I hope that one day, one of you here will also pass on the torch”, he said.

    Fashola said the carnival is also helping to re-connect bridges. “This carnival also helps us to connect our brothers and sisters in some of their roots in South America and especially Brazil where there have been a large Brazilian participation in this year’s carnival”, he explained.

    He hinted that the state wants to have a blast of a carnival with very strong Brazilian content later on next year preparatory to the World Cup in Brazil and the Olympics in 2016.

    According to him, the Lagos carnival has helped to spread the roots of Lagos across Africa as some tourists from Zimbabwe are also attending the 2013 carnival first to understudy what is being done in Lagos as the strongest carnival on the African continent and also demonstrate the African spirit by donating a gift and a prize to the Lagos carnival Beauty Queen which includes an all expense paid trip to Zimbabwe.

    He also said there is a strong economy that is in the making as all the costumes used at the carnival were made in Lagos by young men and women, boys and girls, adding that it is a wholly home grown local economy that can get bigger.

    Mrs Aduke Gomez, the chairman of the junior carnival, described the event as a fantastic opportunity for the youths to get involved in the social economic development of the state.

    “We have schools from all over the six divisions of the state. We have over 30 schools as far as Epe and Badagry. We believe they are all here to share in the heritage of Lagos State.

    Carnival is not new in the country, because we have being doing it since 1860 and it is an opportunity to share our heritage with Lagosians and the world.

    On the economic impacts, she said: “I think you can see the great economic opportunities around the carnival venue. All the costumes were made here in the Lagos State school acquisition centres. I think this year is more fantastic compared to that of last year.

    “The costumes I am wearing symbolises such a joyful exposition of colours,” she added.

    Prominent among those, who witnessed the colourful displays were the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, former Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State, members of the State Executive Council, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and several tourists from within and outside the country, including a delegation from Zimbabwe among other countries.

     

  • ‘No plan to extend Lagos council tenure’

    ‘No plan to extend Lagos council tenure’

    THE Lagos State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr Taiwo Kolawole has said that the House has no plan to extend the tenure of local government chairmen.

    According to him, there is no such bill before the House. He explained that what is before the House is a bill to consolidate all the existing laws on local government administration in the state.

    He however, conceded that the bill contains a clause on the tenure extension of elected officials at the local government. He also disclosed that the bill has just passed the second reading.

    Kolawole expressed disappointment over the attempt by some highly placed individuals in the society to pre-empt the outcome of the delibration by the House.

    Referring specifically to the reaction and comments of rights lawyer Femi Falana, who threatened to sue the House and state governor, should the bill become law, Kolawole said Falana could go to court, since it is part of what makes democracy interesting.

    He said: “Mr. Falana is not supposed to warn us. Lawmaking is not his duty. He is a social crusader and rights activist. There’s nothing new in challenging our laws. We have not categorically said we are extending the tenure of council chairmen in the state. He cannot read the mind of the House. So, he is wrong, even though I do not want to join issues with anyone on this.”

    He pointed out that the House is made up of 40 members whose opinions count on every issue relating to the policies of the state adding that, if those clamouring for extension are in the majority, there is nothing anybody can do about it.

    Kolawole added: “Falana has the ample opportunity to go to court and challenge that. It is still a lawmaking process, but he must not pre-empt us. That is wrong and unfortunate for our democracy.”

    Falana, had condemned the proposed extension from three years to a six-year term for council chairmen and councillors, threatening to sue the House and the state governor, if the proposal, as contained in a bill seeking to consolidate all laws on Local Government Administration scales through and becomes law.

    The activist lawyer had warned that, “if the dangerous bill is passed by the House and signed into law by Governor Raji Fashola, we shall not hesitate to challenge its legal validity in court without any further notice.”

    Falana argued that the three-year tenure of chairmen and councillors fixed by the Lagos State LG Law, 2001 cannot be elongated by any amendment whatsoever, adding: “It is pertinent to remind the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly that their predecessors unanimously kicked against the tenure elongation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo through a fraudulent constitutional amendment.”

     

  • Terrorism: Lagos community tightens security

    The traditional ruler of Ayoobo Town in Alimosho Local government Area of Lagos State, Oba Arole Idowu Kadunmise, has called on house owners in his domain to be vigilant and mindful of the activities of their tenants.

    He said they will henceforth be held responsible if any of their tenants is caught indulging in terror acts.

    The paramount ruler gave this warning when the Oba-in-Council hosted the CDC/CDA, concerned citizens, stakeholders, Hausa community and religious leaders on security in the community at the weekend.

    Kadunmise said Governor Babatunde Fashola has called all traditional rulers in the state to a meeting where the threat of Boko Haram was discussed.

    He started that Fashola advised them to go back to their various domains and instruct their subjects on the need to pay serious attention to strangers, especially those from the northern parts in their midst.

    This, the Alayobo of Ayoobo land, said is based on security reports indicating members of the sect are planning to strike in Lagos.

    The monarch disclosed that the Oba-in-Council had already taken some steps to improve security in the community.

    He called on religious leaders, especially imams to thoroughly check worshippers in the midst and upgrade security.

     

  • Golden Eaglets return home Sunday

    Golden Eaglets return home Sunday

    The U-17 national team, Golden Eaglets will on Sunday arrive in Lagos after a three weeks training tour to Doha, Qatar.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the team’s spokesperson, Morakinyo Abodunrin on Saturday in Abuja.

    The team of 30 players and officials, the statement said would depart for Lagos aboard Qatar Airways.

    “The Golden Eaglets are due back in Nigeria on Sunday after undergoing a training tour of the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, Qatar.

    “A team of 30 players and officials including the Director, Technical of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Mr Emmanuel Ikpeme will depart for Lagos aboard Qatar Airways and will arrive Lagos about midday,’’ the statement said.

    It added that the team would depart for Morroco later in the week to participate in the U-17 African Youth Championship (AYC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Golden Eaglets are preparing for the 2013 edition of the AYC billed for Morocco from April 13 to April 27.

    During their stay in Doha, the Golden Eaglets won its two friendly matches by beating Aspire’s Under 18 team 7-1 and recorded a 1-0 win over former Asian Champions, Al Sadd Sports Club complete with former Spanish star, Raul Gonzalez.

    The statement quoted the team’s head coach, Mr Manu Garba as commending the NFA for the opportunity given to the team.

    “The tour of Doha is delightful and successful and now the team is battle-ready for the continental cadet competition.

    “We are so grateful to the NFA for organising this training tour for us, coming here has given us the opportunity to prepare well for the forthcoming competition.

    “We are focused on our objective to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in UAE as African champions and we want to come back to Aspire to prepare for the World Cup.

  • Tribunal on Lagos explosion set to sit

    The Tribunal of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to look into the December 26, 2012 fire and explosion that rocked Ojo-Giwa and Okoya areas of Lagos Island and destroyed property and houses worth several millions of naira, will begin sitting on April 8.

    Justice Sunday Oladokun Ishola (rtd) who chairs the tribunal, disclosed yesterday at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal held at the Council Chambers of the Lagos City Hall, said it has three months to complete its assignment and submit its report to the government.

    The state governor, Babatunde Fashola, had, as part of his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property in the state, inaugurated the three-member tribunal on February 18.

    Other members of the tribunal are: Engineer Olokunola Olatunde Wasiu, a Special Adviser in the Office of Infrastructure and Asset Management of Lagos State; Mr. Richard Ahonaruogho, founding secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP), and Mrs. Olubunmi Fagbayi, Chief State Counsel (DLD) and Secretary to the tribunal.

    Justice Ishola said the sittings will be by public hearing that will hold between 10am and 4pm daily between Mondays to Thursdays, and in rare cases, on Fridays, when situations demand.

    According to him, the panel is to investigate the recent explosion and fire outbreak in the state.

    The tribunal, he said, will later advise government on whether it is legal for knockouts to be kept, sold or used in residential areas.

    Justice Ishola stated that the panel has the power to summon any witness that it considered fit and in position to shed light on happenings that led to the explosion.

    He urged witnesses to tender original copies of their documents which will immediately be returned to owners after perusal.

    Ishola also allayed their fear that anything could happen to witnesses who comes out to give testimonies.

    He assured that witnesses are protected by the law, adding that it is only those who give false information that has cause to fear.

    He said that the tribunal is to inquire into the remote and immediate causes of the fire incident which occurred when fireworks allegedly stored in a building at 45, Ojo-Giwa Street, Idumota, Lagos, exploded, causing fire outbreak and destroying lives and property of residents and traders at the Jankara Market.

  • ‘Lagos committed to teachers’ welfare’

    ‘Lagos committed to teachers’ welfare’

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ifako-Ijaiye 2 Constituency, Ipoola Omisore, has assured teachers of the state government’s commitment to their welfare at all times.

    Omisore, who is the Chairman, Committee on Special Duties and House Services, gave this assurance at the seventh annual merit award of the Lagos State Education District 1, held at the Government Senior College Hall in Agege.

    Assuring that there is hope for Lagos State teachers, the lawmaker said Governor Babatunde Fashola is more interested in teachers’ progress.

    “We know that teachers are very important to our society and they are entitled to better life. Teachers in Lagos State are entitled to 13th month salary and they should not beg for it, but we all know that Lagos has a lot of challenges confronting it.

    “But I am assuring you that when I get back to the House, this issue of 13th month salary will be addressed. By the grace of God, if it comes in next year’s budget, we as lawmakers will support it,” he assured.

    Responding after he was presented with the award of Philanthropist and Lover of Education by the district, Omisore said: “I feel fulfilled. I never knew people were watching me when I became dedicated to the course of education in my constituency, Lagos and Nigeria at large.

    “Over the period of time, I have been running and sponsoring free WAEC lectures ensuring that students in my constituency pass vital subjects in their WAEC and in the last four years, their results have continued to get better.

    “So calling me today to come and receive an award is so special to me because in Nigeria of today, there are many phony awards, but this is real and I am very glad.”