The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Driver licence clamp down

    The announcement of a two- week clamp down on drivers without or with fake driver licence by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Lagos State is commendable. There are some issues I however want to pinpoint to prevent the clampdown from becoming another jamboree exercise in futility.

    The exercise should not be just a two – week exercise but continuous. The exercise should not be restricted to federal roads but all roads. The exercise should not be for drivers alone but should also cover riders of motorcycles and tricycles. A multi-sectoral and holistic approach should be employed to achieve significant results.

    While it is good to check whether drivers and riders are holding genuine licence, it is more important to ask if the drivers or riders actually earned the licence or they were awarded. As the National President of Driving School Association of Nigeria (DSAN), I can authoritatively say here that over 70 per cent of the current holders of driver licence in Nigeria did not undergo the requisite theory and practical training in accredited driving schools.  Most of them till this moment do not know the traffic signs not to talk of defensive driving techniques and deeper issues about driving. So many licensed killers are currently operating on Nigeria roads.

    Read Also: FRSC to begin clampdown on tricycles, motorcycles without number plates

    In the same vein, over 80 per cent of the holders of driver licence have not had any form of refresher training to upgrade their knowledge and skills about driving despite the dynamism in vehicle technology, health/energy level   and road traffic regulations. The updated version of the National Road Traffic Regulations was released in 2018. Based on my research, over 90 per cent of drivers and riders are not yet aware of these changes in the traffic regulations and traffic offences.

    While enforcing a clampdown on drivers without licence, the process for obtaining the driver licence should of necessity be looked into as well. Every month in Nigeria, thousands of untrained and half – baked drivers still get their driver licences with ease without any formal or informal training. The process of  obtaining driver licence today  is very porous and fraught with lots of compromise and corruption. This needs to be effectively addressed. If the FRSC and other traffic management agencies truly want to address the root cause of road accidents, it is very expedient they also address the other issues. I raised in this article to get the desired results.

  • Ariya Repete 2019: Winners emerge from Lagos regional

    Winners have emerged in the first regional knock-out of Ariya Repete 2019, which kicked off on June 12, with two simultaneous regional auditions held in Lagos.

    The auditions which held respectively at Stalad Hotels, Abule Egba, and Aso Rock Bar, Ikotun, at the regional knockout,  featured nine talents, with three competing in each category of Fuji, Juju, and Afro-pop.

    The regional knock-outs popularly known as selection parties featured some memorable performances.  The judges, which featured veteran afro-pop music producer – ID Cabassa, renowned OAP Adebayo Faleke as well as Juju legend, Champion Opio, faced the hard task of picking the regional qualifiers from a pool of impressive talents on display.

    At the Ikotun selection party, Abiodun Oloto, Adeniyi Temitope and Abraham Effiong qualified in the Fuji, juju, and Afro-pop categories respectively while in Abule Egba, Olayemi Kehinde, Akinlabi Johnson, and Olajide Olayiwola qualified from the Fuji, juju, and Afro-pop categories.

    Read Also: Auditions for ‘Ariya Repete’ kick off in Lagos

    Speaking after the showpiece in Ikotun, winner of the Juju category, Adeniyi Temitope, said: “I am so happy to have won today. When I entered the competition, I wasn’t sure I could make it past the audition stage but I believed in myself and I put out my best today. I am so thankful to Goldberg and I can’t wait to hit the stage at the quarter-final.”

    The Brand Manager, Goldberg Lager, Olufunmilayo Ogunbodede, thanked fans for the impressive turnout and support for the competition and showered praise on the contestants.

    “We thank our loyal consumers for coming out and supporting this competition,” Ogunbodede said.

    “Our consumers truly are the best and the performances by the contestants were quite memorable. We intend to continue to up the ante and deliver even more excellent nights like these as the competition progresses.”

  • Lagos to integrate sexual education in curriculum

    The Lagos State Government will integrate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the curriculum of Non-Formal Vocational Training Schools.

    This, the government said, is to improve the lives of young persons and contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal target by 2030.

    According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr Bola Balogun, sexuality is an important aspect of human life and the integration of CSE into the curriculum is germane to the wellbeing of human being, adding that it will aid a life-saving Sexual Reproductive Health Right (SRHR) for young people.

    Balogun said adolescents and young people are the most vulnerable in society.

    Read Also: Groups push for sex education curriculum in schools

    “There is a need to protect them from any form of violence, abuse, exploitation and most especially harmful health consequences of poor sexual and reproductive health decision or choices,” she said.

    She added that conservative social norms contribute to the lack of knowledge and awareness of puberty, sexuality, and basic human rights among the youth.

    The government, she said, would ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services to include family planning, information and education and the integration of reproductive health into strategies and programmes of the state.

    “The integration of sexuality education will greatly reduce risk and burden of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortion, sexual abuse/violence as well as contracting HIV/AIDs amongst the young people while ensuring they reach their maximum potential,” she added.

  • Avoid fake lifestyle, musician advises colleagues

    A hip-hop artiste, Anthony Ugodu, a.k.a “Tony Fresh’’ has advised his colleagues to invest on things that would benefit them in future, by doing away with fake lifestyle.

    The artiste, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, noted that some musicians live in mansions, cruise in expensive cars and travel abroad, only to start begging for survival in the long run.

    “Artistes have to live a normal life instead of lavishing their money on irrelevant things that are not beneficial, and showing off on social media what they have or did not have’’.

    He advised his colleagues against wasteful living, to enable them to stay relevant.

    “It is a pity that some artistes who hit it big in the past are now living in poverty, due to poor management of financial resources.”

    The musician, however, advised budding musicians, to devise genuine means of income, to sustain themselves.

    According to him, extravagant living among musicians and some celebrities in the movie industry is giving some enthusiasts of the sector reasons to worry.

    Read Also: Businessman docked for allegedly defrauding Senator of N33m

    “We have seen some known names and faces in the entertainment industry beg for funds when they are sick, after a successful career; it is a sad development.

    “Again, a lot of incentives are provided by a label when contracts are signed like houses, cars and some cash, for a particular period, as agreed in the contract.

    “Many have attained celebrity status in the industry; they become brand ambassadors of different products and organisations. But when the money starts coming in, the exotic lifestyle creeps in,’’ the musician said.

    Tony Fresh attributed the depression and sickness among former big artistes in the country to extravagant living.

    “The depression among celebrities in the entertainment industry is a long term effect of living a fake life. It is the repercussion of deceptive life,’’ he alleged.

  • Two men remanded for ‘abducting three children’

    An Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded in prison custody two men – Charles Amakanyadioha and Raphel Amaechi – for allegedly kidnapping three children.

    Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo gave the order after hearing a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping preferred against them by the State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba.

    Amakanyadioha and Amaechi, both 52, pleaded not guilty.

    Following a police request, Mrs Adedayo remanded the defendants and adjourned further proceedings till June 25.

    Read Also: 920 suspects arrested for kidnapping, murder, others in four weeks, says IG

    Earlier, prosecuting Inspector Chinalu Uwadione told the court that the defendants committed the offences at about 1:40 p.m on June 14 at Gboke Street, Ijagemo in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Uwadione said the defendants kidnapped three children aged two, four and six years.

    They are children of Mr Timothy Adeposi and Mrs Rashidat Oyedotun.

    The offences, the prosecutor added, contravened sections 2 and 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Laws of Lagos State, 2017.

  • Lagos prepared for recapitalisation, says DG

    The Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, has said the state is not worried over recaptalisation by insurance companies.

    According to her, the agreement between the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to move about N500 billion annuity funds from the custody of insurance companies to Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) has protected the funds against any insurance companies that may be unable to meet the new capital requirement by NAICOM.

    She spoke on the sideline of the 16th Retirement Benefit Documentation Seminar for employees in Lagos.

    Speaking on the recapitalisation in the insurance industry, she said the state was not worried whether or not an insurance company offering annuity and holding funds will meet the new capital requirement of N18 billion, from N3 billion as composite insurance companies.

    According to her,  a meeting was held with chief executive officers of companies providing annuity cover for the state’s retirees.

    She listed FBN Insurance, ARM Life, AIICO Insurance, LASACO Assurance, Leadway Assurance, Custodian Insurance and African Alliance Insurance Plc as firms the state met with.

    She said: “NAICOM recently said General Insurance Business and Composite insurance companies must recapitalise to over N18 billion. The recapitalisation of these companies will not affect annuity pension fund asset. For us at LASPEC, we have always been very careful in our administration of the state retirees fund. This is why we ensured that most of the insurance companies we have are composite.

    “We had a meeting with all CEOs of the companies involved few days ago where we talked to one another and understood the situation. We wanted to know what effort that they are making to ensure that they are fully recapitalised. Fortunately for us, majority of the companies have the muscle to pull through. Yes, we have some that have some challenges but we are not too worried because the funds are not with them.

    “The circular by PenCom and NAICOM which directed that annuity funds be domiciled with the custodians is a very good thing for us. So the funds are not with the insurance companies,” she said.

    PenCom had stated that it became necessary to compel the companies to transfer annuity funds in the kitty of insurance companies to PFCs due to the unethical and sometimes illegal dealings of insurers with the annuity funds of their customers.

    It claimed that some insurance operators were allowing retirees to use their annuity funds as collateral for loans, which it said negated the pension law.

    As such, it explained that keeping all pension funds in the custody of the PFCs as specified by law would prevent unethical practices.

     

  • Businessman laments deportation of business partners

    A United Kingdom-based businessman, Mr. Monday Ohuimuwen, has said that many of his business partners coming to Nigeria for genuine businesses have been deported because of what he termed misleading guidelines on the entry Visa on arrival programme posted on the Nigeria Immigration Portal.

    Monday said the Norwegians and British nationals he invited based on the information contained in the Nigeria Immigration Portal, regarding Entry Visa on Arrival Programme were deported on arrival at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

    Speaking to reporters in Bénin-City, Monday, who is engaged in distributive business said the Immigration authorities were supposed to allow in invited business partners who had followed the guidelines.

    Monday said they were deported under very flimsy excuses that they ought to have gotten approval in their home country before traveling to Nigeria.

    He said: “The said approval was not contained in the guidelines posted on the portal of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    “Besides frustrating industrialists and their foreign partners, the activities of the immigration authorities is creating integrity problem for Nigerian businessman in Nigeria.

    “I want the authorities concerned to review the said guidelines and update same, so as not to continue to frustrate genuine businessmen and women who relied on the guidelines, only to be misled at the end of the day.”

    Monday commended Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II for introducing and facilitating the Private Property Protection (PPP) headed by Solomon Arase in the state.

  • More bakers trained in modern bakery practices by bakery initiatives group

    Bakery Initiatives Group (BIG), a Dutch bakery consulting firm, in her resolve to impart modern bakery practices and techniques to a large number of bakers in Nigeria, so as to help them run bakeries profitably, held another series of trainings for bakers in Yaba, Lagos.

    The two weeks’ series of trainings which had over 50 participants benefiting included a “train the trainers” program conducted by a co-founder and expert baker of more than 35 years’ experience in bakery and milling technology, Mr. Jacob Molenaar ended on June 24, 2019.

    At the “train the trainers” program, Mr. Molenaar told participants that the essence of the program is not only to increase the theoretical and practical knowledge of participants in the bakery and confectionary industry but also equip them to be able to transfer such knowledge to others thereby creating a large pool of knowledgeable people in Nigeria.

    Mr. Ephraim Mbanaso, the Country Representative and Chief Executive Officer of Bakery Initiatives Nigeria, said that the series of trainings are aimed at addressing one vital area of need Bakery Initiatives identified while interacting with bakery operators in Nigeria over the years which is dearth of professional bakers.

    He also informed participants that the idea behind the training is centered on skill acquisition for all categories of human resources needed for the effective and efficient running of bakery businesses.

    The training program saw the participants trained on various aspects of bakery, such as, technology and practice of baking of bread, cakes and pastries with special emphasis on recipes, effects of basic ingredients, cost calculations among others.

    The company put the program together to train and re-train bakers in Nigeria with a view to equipping them with the requisite knowledge to succeed in bakery business.

    With support funding from BMZ/develoPPP.de BIG used the program to acquaint participants with the necessary baking skills and other necessary knowledge needed to run bakeries profitably, while also exposing them to international best practices and emerging trends in the bakery industry.

    Some of the participants bared their minds after completing the five-day intensive training program which ran in batches over two weeks.

    On her experience during the training, Fibian Ehizibolo who participated in the “train the trainers” program said, “I was thrilled not only by the exposure to the new insights about baking various products but how different ingredients can be utilized to achieve a desired effect in the finished products among many other benefits”

    The training program which is a continuation of Bakery Initiatives Group’s intervention in Nigeria began last year and so far, more than 120 bakers have benefited from the trainings.

  • Full text: Ambode’s farewell message

    My fellow Lagosians.

    With a heart full of gratitude, I address you today for the last time as your governor. It has been an honour and a privilege of a lifetime to serve you for the last four years.

    It has been a remarkable journey which has had a lasting impact on my life and I want to thank all Lagosians for the experience of these last four years.

    As in the beginning when we visited every single corner of this state, listening to you and asking for your votes, I have felt the power of your support, your collective energy and the endless goodwill that has propelled us to achieve many things.

    For this administration, policies, programmes and projects aimed at lifting more of our people out of poverty and making every part of the State safe, accessible and economically viable were always the priority; the driving force behind all our decisions and plans.

    A few of our policies might have been unpopular but these were decisions taken with the best interest of our State in mind. With the benefit of hindsight, maybe we could have done some things differently but our intention was always clear, for the good of Lagos.

    Even in those tough times, your constructive feedback and patience helped us surmount the challenges and enabled us grow stronger.

    As a little boy growing up in Lagos, all I wanted was to be an accountant. This State gave me that and so much more. Our State is a land of opportunities, a home for everyone and a place where dreams come true. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that we remain a centre of opportunities and growth for everyone; a place where people can achieve their dreams and aspirations.

    From being just a commercial centre, our State has now become a prime destination for tourism, sports, entertainment and culture. And the future is even brighter with more exciting prospects and possibilities. In the near future, with God on our side, Lagos will take its rightful place in the comity of major city-States of the world.

    Fellow Lagosians, it has been a remarkable journey. One in which we have pushed boundaries and moved our State to another level. A journey in which we have transformed many aspects of our State and set the ball rolling in other sectors. But there is still a lot more to be done.

    But it is a job not for only the government; it is a responsibility for us all. In Lagos everyone counts and we all have a part to play.

    By tomorrow, there will be a change of guard in our State. I will be stepping down and a new Governor will be sworn in. We will have a new Governor and a new administration with the same objective; achieving a better Lagos.

    Those who have had the privilege of serving our dear State in different capacities especially as Governors owe their successes to your prayers, understanding and support. The same courtesy and cooperation that you gave to my predecessors from the first elected Governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande to our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to my humble self, I urge you to extend same to the next administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and ensure that he succeeds. It is in our best interest to do so.

    I am immensely grateful to the three arms of Government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary for their immense support throughout the tenure of our administration.

    Read Also:  Ambode hands over to Sanwo-Olu

    I also reserve special thanks for the leadership, elders and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, the Local Government Councils and community leaders, all our Security agencies, civil society groups and our religious leaders.

    I also owe a debt of gratitude to the President, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo (SAN) for their support in the last four years.

    To my wife, Bolanle and the children, who have had to endure many days and nights without me; I thank you for your love and steadfastness. You will continue to be my pillar of strength.

    To all Lagosians; for your love, compassion, cooperation and support, I am eternally grateful. My love always.

    God bless you.

    God bless Lagos State, and

    God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Itesiwaju ipinle eko lo je wa logun!

    His Excellency

    Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

    Governor of Lagos State

    27 MAY, 2019.

  • Breaking: Ambode hands over to Sanwo-Olu

    Outgoing Governor of  Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday handed over to the incoming governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,  in Alausa Lagos.

    Outgoing Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (right) presenting his handover note to the incoming governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday

     

    Sanwo-Olu made this known via his Twitter account.

    He wrote, “Thank you H.E @AkinwunmiAmbode for your kind words today as you officially handed over your stewardship of our great state, Lagos. Life is a succession of moments and today we are at the right place and moment to build #ForAGreaterLagos. #SanwoOluInauguration”