The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Tenant faces prepaid meter theft charge

    A 51-year-old, Ndubueze Nwogwu, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly damaging his landlord’s property and stealing a prepaid meter.

    The items were valued at N1, 075,000.

    He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge before Magistrate O. A. Aderibigbe.

    The magistrate granted him N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Aderibigbe said the sureties should be employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Prosecuting Inspector Mojirade Edeme said the defendant committed the offence on July 6 at his home.

    She alleged that the defendant stole a prepaid meter and damaged the roof, windows and floor tiles of his landlord, Mr. Rotimi Agoro.

    Read Also: Landlord blocks tenants’ entrance

    “The complainant gave the defendant a quit notice, but he refused to pack out. The complainant went to court and the court gave the defendant time to move out.

    “On the day the defendant was to pack out, he maliciously damaged the roof, windows and tiles, among others.

    “He also stole a prepaid meter with a bill on it,” the prosecutor told the court.

    Also on Tuesday, Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court remanded a 35-year-old man, following his arraignment for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl.

    Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, who did not take the defendant’s plea, ordered that he be remanded in Kirikiri Prison.

    Sule-Amzat ordered the police to send the case file to the DPP and adjourned the case till November 11.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Benson Emuerhi alleged that the defendant committed the offence on July 21.

    He said the case was reported at Bariga Police Division by the girl’s mother. It was consequently transferred to the Gender Section, Ikeja Police Command.

  • UTME screening: JAMB wants varsities to update portals

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB have called on universities and other tertiary institutions in the country to regularly download and update their record at any given time in other to remain up to speed with the list of applicants seeking admission into their institution as forwarded to them by the board.

    The Zonal Coordinator JAMB in Katsina state, Mr Mohammed kankia told the Nation exclusively during an interview in his office in Katsina, that constant refreshing of the portals will ensure that no candidate seeking admission is denied the opportunity due to negligence occasioned by the attitude of such an institution

    He said ’’several factors may necessitate change of institution by an applicant, including: choice of course of study, inability to meet up with the requisite admission cut off mark, pressure from parents particularly due to change of locations, etc’’

    ‘’we have made the process open and more simplified for them, and we have informed them first through Central Admission Processing Systems, CAPS, that on daily basis, they should download or refresh the lists and upload them on their portals, but this instruction seem to have been largely ignored’’
    ‘’I have dispatched letters three times now to the institutions in the state, and parents have been trooping to my office to ask questions but these institutions seem not to be complying with the directive’’

    Read Also; JAMB UTME: Lagos inmate scores 246, set for NOUN

    When asked what the board intends to do should the institutions fail to comply with the directive and the students denied the opportunity to participate in the ongoing UTME screening exercise, the JAMB boss urged such disenfranchised candidate to petition the board, promising that they would look into it

    He said ’’A candidate may even apply for a change of institution even as at 11pm assuming the portal is expected to close by 12 pm same day, If a candidate is willfully denied opportunity to access and register for the screening exercise he can petition the board’’

    ‘’JAMB gave them all that they requires, if they don’t want to go on admitting candidates they can inform us to block their portals, after all, we made registration exercise easier for them’’

    He further disclosed that the board’s primary mandate is to ensure equitable distribution of admission based on agreed guidelines and that the agency can enforce compliance by the institutions

  • Fed Govt begins repair of Seme road

    The Federal Government has started repairing the Agbara-Seme Border section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    The repair is being done by CGC Nigeria Ltd, which is reconstructing the road.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the work has reduced the gridlock on the Oko-Afo and Mowo axis of the road.

    The firm’s spokesman, Yunus Oloolu, said the work started on July 31 following the government’s directive.

    “From Magbon, the company will move down to Ajibade in Badagry; then, we will repair other potholes and ensure the road is passable.

    Read Also: Reps Member seeks House intervention as constituents petition poor road work

    “Nobody is happy with the hardship people go through daily on the road.

    “But now that we have the approval of the government, in the next two months, motorists plying the road will be happy,” Oloolu said.

    He said massive reconstruction and repair were ongoing around Agemowo.

    The spokesman said the company would soon complete construction of drainage network of 4.7 kilometres on the Agemowo-Mowo Road after the sand filling.

    “Our workers are working daily, including Saturdays and Sundays, hoping to complete the reconstruction at the agreed time,” he said.

  • Children get free care at health centres

    The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with a non-government organisation (NGO), BOSKOH Lagos Health Care Mission International (HMI), has begun a free medical intervention programme.

    The programme, which started on August 2, is aimed at combating organ impairment and life-threatening ailments in children aged 0-12.

    It will hold at seven Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs).

    Children with visual and hearing impairments and other life-threatening ailments, which can negatively impact their capacity to study, will be screened.

    The Medical Officer of Health, Akerele Primary Health Centre (PHC), Dr. Rahmat Odesesan, said the exercise would increase patronage of health care services at the PHCs.

    “This exercise is meant to create awareness for residents, because many of them are not aware of the services the PHCs offer.

    Read Also: ‘Lagos Govt released only 23 per cent of 2018 health budget’

    “We have the health personnel available to cater for their needs. So, people should take advantage of this free exercise to access health care at the facility.

    “Residents will be screened and anyone in need of medical attention will be treated.

    “Also, those who need referral will be referred to the designated general hospitals for treatment, which will also be taken care of by the government,” she said.

    Services offered at the programme, Odesesan said, included: eye screening and free glasses for those in need.

    Others, she said, were dental checks, free laboratory tests, test for tuberculosis and general check-up.

    “We are encouraging residents to take advantage of this programme, because it is free. It is an opportunity for people to know their status and get treatment,” the medical officer of health said.

    A beneficiary, Mrs. Abosede Awolesi, said the programme was well organised and the processes were smooth.

    “I came very early thinking the programme might take long, but I was impressed that the doctors attended to my children promptly,” Awolesi said.

    A student, Miss Arinola Amodu, urged the government to make health care accessible to people at the grassroots.

  • Barman charged with stabbing cook

    A 28-year-old barman, Emmanuel Okachi, was Tuesday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly  stabbing a cook with a broken bottle.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Matthew Akhaluode said the defendant committed the offence on July 28 at Ilupeju, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant assaulted his colleague and complainant, Mrs. Abigail Ede, by using a broken beer bottle to stab her on the shoulder.

    “The complainant and the defendant work in a hotel.

    Read Also: Man stabs friend to death over ram betting

    “There was a disagreement between them, during which the defendant broke a bottle on her head and stabbed her on the shoulder.

    “The complainant was taken to hospital, while the defendant was arrested,” he said.

    Magistrate O. A. Akokhia granted the defendant N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties should be employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on September 19.

  • Rotary Club restates commitment to service

    Rotarian Vipul Agrawal has been inducted as the 4th President of Rotary Club of Lagos Island at a ceremony held at Lagoon Conference Centre, Lagos. Rotarian Agrawal took over the leadership of the club from  Rotarian Rajkumar Gulati.

    President Agrawal said he was humbled by the trust and responsibility reposed in him by the club members, adding that he was humbled and excited by the vast opportunities to serve for the communities. “We will strive to do our best to make a difference in life for the less privileged in the communities we live in,” he added.

    Agrawal is a leading building industry professional and a senior member of the Lafarge Nigeria management team. His wife, Rotarian Poonam, is also an active member of RCLI with a passion for conserving the environment and habitat.

    The event was attended by the District Governor of Rotary District 9110, Rotarian Jide Akeredolu, and other members of the district leadership team, business and community leaders, industrialists and members of RCLI.

    According to the outgone President of the club, “RCLI is one of the youngest Rotary Clubs in Nigeria, but with an impressive list of achievements.  Since its first year of inception, it has had the largest number of lady members in Africa. Its service projects have focused on five key areas of  Vision 2020, including free cataract eye surgeries for the needy in both Lagos and Kano in association with Geeta Ashram, Lekki.

    “We have had blood donation camps, almost two camps every month, to encourage the habit of blood donation and provide a much deficient medical resource that saves lives.  With 1,200 pints collected in 2018-19, the highest voluntary blood collection by any social service organisation in Nigeria at RCLI, we are helping to create a large pool of regular donors so that a good level of reserve can be kept in the Blood Bank. Frequent camps are helping to replenish fresh blood in the Blood Bank. This is the No. 1 Club for lood donation.

    “On schools rehabilitation, we have adopted two schools in Lagos Island in an under privileged area: Teslim Elias Model Primary and Union Baptist schools. We fully refurbished their toilet block and plan to continue with other schools. We have created community projects that provide food, beverages, clothing and footwear to the needy, indigent and particularly at Leprosy hospices. Polio eradication programme – donation of refrigerators for keeping polio vaccines safe and donation of footwear for aid workers. Sensitising the communities, volunteers, youngsters and students for eradication of Polio is bringing Nigeria close to getting declared Polio Free by WHO.

    “We have also created sanitation and hygiene outreach projects including health education and distribution of sanitary napkins for girls at schools and building toilets in schools, with vocational training and artificial limb replacement initiatives with leading partners.

    The district team and Rotary members wished the team well in their efforts to do more among the communities and among the needy in Lagos, and across Nigeria.

    The District Governor of Rotary district 9110 Rotarian JideAkeredolu, who witnessed the event, commended the smooth handling of baton from one President to another. He said “that is the beauty of power transfer in Rotary club,” however, that the work of the past president is not done yet . He cited the case of past presidents in other clubs not supporting their new president. “But in Rotary, there is nothing like that. We have a triangular leadership whereby the past president Rotarian Rajkumar Gulati, the new President Rotarian Vipul Agrawal and the next President for year 2020-21 Mr. Sanjay Srivastava, will have to work together.”

    He urged the new President that he should think outside the box as he takes over because in a year from now, he would have to come out to reel out the projects that he would have accomplished. He mentioned some of the core prejocts of the District, which he hopes that the club lend to, project which bother on cervical cancer and other health challenges.

    The new president thanked  the club members for their support. He said that the focus of the club remains to enhance humanity.

    The night was not all about speeches alone as there was the cutting of the cake, which came with much fun and laughter, as well as the introduction of new members, and raffle draws. There was also the caring for the environment and fashion  show, with members and children wearing stuffs that have been recycled on the runway!

  • Indecent advert: Tekno arrested, granted bail on health grounds

    Music star Augustine Kelechi alias Tekno was Tuesday arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command for breaching public decency with an outdoor advertising displaying semi-nude women.

    He was quizzed for several hours at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba before being granted administrative bail on health grounds.

    Tekno came under fire last week after a mobile advertisement displayed scantily dressed girls dancing seductively in a transparent glass box on a truck while he sprayed money on them along the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

    Although the singer issued a public apology explaining that it was not an advert but a scene in a video he was currently shooting, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) suspended the advertising firm, Pro-Vision Media Systems Limited whose van was used.

    Read Also: I’ve been spending money on hospital bills, Tekno reveals

    According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) SCIID, Mrs. Yetunde Longe, investigation was ongoing into the matter and the singer was granted bail because of his health.

    She said: “Yes, we invited him for questioning but we did not detain him because of his health. He was advised to report to the police whenever he was needed. Investigation is still ongoing.”

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the two girls were also arrested.

    “He is presently undergoing questioning at the SCIID Panti. Public indecency was against the Criminal Code and if found culpable after investigation, all those responsible will be charged to court,” said Elkana.

  • Sanwo-Olu to convert ICG campaign offices to consultative centres

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled plan to convert the four Independent Campaign Groups (ICG) offices to consultative offices as a way of getting his government and policies closer to the people in the three senatorial districts.

    This, he added, will enable citizens to submit any of their policy input and demands that would help in achieving the developmental agenda of his administration.

    Sanwo-Olu’s Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Mr. Peter Ajayi, who went to inspect the various offices in the state over the weekend, made this known.

    Ajayi stated that the essence of the visitation was to assess the state of things in the campaign offices, saying that the governor is keen in making his policies to have people’s input.

    He added that the decision to turn the campaign offices to consultative centres was to galvanise input from the general public into the policy process of his government.

    Read Also:  Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet: Lagos Assembly C’ttee screens 18 nominees

    “These centres will serve as offices where Lagosians can come to submit letters of policy demand and also meet to deliberate issues of public importance. In this wise, the citizens would have a sense of belonging in the government and also get to know what the government is really doing in ensuring the greatest happiness in the greatest number of people”, said Ajayi

    He added that the offices would as well complement the efforts of local government chairmen in the area of grassroots relations and management, saying that governance is all about the people and the promotion of their welfare.

    “The purpose of this visitation is to see and get first-hand information on what is needed to renovate and the necessary things to be done to ensure that the consultative centres are conducive for operation. We shall provide security, employ cleaners, administrative assistants and secretaries in all the 4 centres,” said Ajayi

  • Suspected cultist ‘hacks man to death’

    An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded Dele Oyelesi, following his arraignment for allegedly hacking a man to death.

    He would be in Ikoyi Prison pending advice by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Chief Magistrate A. O. Komolafe, who did not take Oyelesi’s plea, adjourned till September 26.

    Read Also: Police arrest 32 suspected cultists, recover arms in Lagos

    Prosecuting Inspector Kehinde Omisakin said the defendant committed the offence last September 5 at Aralamo Street junction, Oworonshoki, Lagos.

    She alleged that the defendant, a suspected Eiye Confraternity member, hacked Babatunde Kuboye, 28, to death with a machete.

  • Four charged with stealing N1.75m

    Four men have been arraigned before two Magistrates’ Courts in Lagos for an alleged N1.758,000 theft.

    Two were arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 17 prepaid meters worth N850,000.

    They are Ogunsola Caleb, 51, and Ovie Clifford, 40.

    Two traders, Sikiru Oladunmoye, 43, and Isah Mohammed, 40, appeared separately, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 600 bags of cement worth N838,000 and an LED streetlight valued at N70,000.

    They all pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gbemileke Agoi said Caleb and Clifford committed the offence on July 20, at Odogunyan, Ikorodu.

    He alleged that the duo stole the prepaid meters, belonging to Hellbon Ltd, a contractor with the Ikeja Electric (IE).

    Magistrate A. R. Onilogbo granted the defendants N200,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She adjourned till August 29.

    Read Also: Police arraign two for stealing 17 prepaid metres

    Prosecuting Inspector Emmanuel Ajayi told Magistrate O. O. Fagbohun of the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court that Oladunjoye committed the offence last November 12 in Ikeja.

    He alleged that the defendant obtained the cement belonging to Mr. Olawale Lasisi and refused to remit the proceeds.

    Ajayi said the complainant’s efforts to get his money failed.

    Magistrate Fagbohun granted the defendant N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on August 14.

    Fagbohun, who also heard Mohammed’s case, granted him N50,000 bail, with one surety in the like sum.

    He said the surety must be employed.

    The prosecutor, Ajayi, said the defendant committed the offence on July 15 at Magodo.

    He alleged that the defendant sneaked into Magodo Estate with a ladder at 2am and removed the LED light.

    Ajayi alleged that the defendant, who confessed to the crime, took the police to the place where he kept the stolen items.

    He said a solar light, a battery box and one tyre were found.

    The case continues on August 14.