The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lekki

  • Street kids’ happy hour

    Elroi Global Services Ltd, an oil and gas services company, has brought smiles to the faces of street children in Lekki, Lagos.

    The company at its end-of-the-year Christmas party hosted street children of Ikate and Jakande roundabout Lekki, Lagos.

    The firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Chinny Kennedy-Echetebu, said the programme was held to put a smile on the faces of the street kids by giving them the opportunity to share in the joy of the season.

    She said her company, as a principle, has a lot of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives targeted at disadvantaged persons.

    Mrs Keneddy-Echetebu said: “We endeavour to initiate sustainable projects to add some value, while we trying to be a voice for widows and children especially regarding their education, and health.

    “Every day, we see these children on the streets as we drive past and we are concerned; so the entire staff of Elroi voted that rather than have our office end of year party, we will party with the children and bring our world into their world and celebrate with them. This has been a most rewarding Christmas really and this what love means to us.”

    She added that her team engaged the kids to find out their most pressing needs.

    “It turned out that aside food, they wanted educational supplies like notebooks, pencils, biros and others; most of them attend school which was our primary concern. So we didn’t just bring food to them, we  created gift packs which contained educational supplies which was their hearts desire. Elroi Global Services also engages on other CSR/ Sustainability intitiatives which includes restoration of marketplaces, providing potable water to communities and lots more,” she revealed.

     

  • Group embarks on sanitation project

    An organisation has mobilised its members in clearing refuse on some streets and drainages in Eputu Town in Lekki Ajah Area..

    The group known as Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu… Touching Lives (BOS…TL), while cleaning some streets in the area, promised to sustain the gesture even with the coming in of the next administration.

    The Convener of the Organization, Sesan Awonoiki, in a chat with The Nation newspaper, pointed out the Group while supporting her candidate is at the same time pushing home some key values in the society as regard health, education and the environment.

    His words ‘We are here to mobilize the youth in the area on the need to keep their environment clean and for sanitation to be positive, while sanitation is a physical cleanliness, education is also important. If you don’t take your education seriously, then you can’t be a valuable citizen in the society”, said Awonoiki.

    Speaking on how much of the commitment the organization has seen in the candidacy of Babajide Sanwoolu in Keeping Lagos Clean if voted as the governor of Lagos State, Awonoiki said “From discussion and interaction with Sanwoolu, a clean environment is his top priority and
    he will do all he could to ensure a Cleaner Lagos”, he said.

    The team already kitted with the necessary personal equipment such as hand gloves, nose cover, waste bags, parkers, among others went round Oputu town cleaning areas that are dirty.

    The aim of the project in the words of one of the founding members of the organization, Mr. Gbenga Akintola is using a stone to kill two birds; “We want to support the candidacy of Sanwoolu as well imbibe the culture of proper waste disposal in this community”, he said. Even as the election is fast approaching, Akintola enjoined the youth in the area not to be used by any politician to perpetrate any devilish act.
    His words “There is no reason for people to fight each other. What we can do is put in our program for the people and if they are not happy with it and prefers the next candidate, fine there is no reason to fight”, he said.

    The only way that people can elect their candidate is to collect their PVC, “to both young and old, they should try and collect their PVC” said Akintola.

    The initiative according to one of the youth executives of the group, Ademola Olusola is a laudable one as Eputu residents have never encountered such experience in the past. “The initiative speaks much more volume about the All Progressive Congress (APC) and that the party is much more ready to make positive impact on the people”, said Olusola.

    The project Awonoiki said will also be replicated in the other two senatorial districts in the state.

  • Lagos 2019: Agbaje kicks off campaign with lofty promises

    The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State Jimi Agbaje on Saturday kick started his campaign with promises to deliver the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lite Rail and a minimum of a thousand megawatt electricity in four years.

    Agbaje also promised quality and affordable healthcare, good education, blue economy with functional water transportation as well as employment for the youths.

    He spoke at Ultima Studio in Lekki where he officially presented his running mate Mrs. Haleemat Busari, a lawyer.

    According to him, the over 20 percent unemployment rate of Lagos was largely caused by lack of electricity, adding that the state needed 3,000 megawatts to drive small, medium and large scale industries.

    Agbaje who said he had continued his quest to govern Lagos despite failing twice, claimed he was in the race to serve.

    He alleged that money that would have been used to develop the state over the years had ended in private pockets, adding that his mandate was to liberate Lagos, enthrone democracy.

    He said: “Our youths are emigrating daily to Canada and United States in search for employment. Under my government, I promise that there will be jobs for the youths.

    “As governor I promise to provide a minimum of 1000 megawatts of power. I know that Lagos needs at least 3000 megawatts but I do not want to promise more and achieve less that is why I said I will ensure Lagos produces at least 1000 megawatts.

    “I will ensure that our people have quality healthcare that is funded through insurance. We will revive public education in the state so that even the children of the poor can have good education…”

    Read Also: Can Agbaje make it in 2019?

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command said it has deployed riders to monitor and arrest anyone seen vandalising campaign posters.

    The deployment, according to police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) followed complaints by Agbaje that his campaign boards were removed by unknown persons.

    The PDP candidate had alleged that his campaign boards that were placed along the Third Mainland Bridge which he saw on his saw to Unusual Praise were vandalised as of the time he was returning from the praise night.

    Upon the compliant, Oti said his boss Imohimi Edgal directed the Deputy Commissioner incharge of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti Yaba, to set up a monitoring team to daily monitor and arrest anybody seen vandalising or defacing campaign posters or boards.

    “In addition, the commissioner has directed that invitation letters be sent to chairmen of all political parties in the state, their flag bearers, the INEC and other stakeholders for a meeting scheduled to hold on Wednesday, December 5, at 11am, at Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Ikeja.

    “This is to further drive home the fact that there is no alternative to peace and the need for all political parties, their candidates and supporters to shun acts capable of breaching the public peace.

    “Constrained by limited manpower, there is no way the command could post policemen to cover all  campaign posters in the state but the much it can do, is to adopt the Aberdeen System in protecting campaign adverts and solicit the cooperation of all and sundry in ensuring the maintenance of law and order.”

     

  • Student breaks into Lekki house, steals N1.9m property

    An 18-year-old student, Goodness Amuzuo, who allegedly broke into a house and stole items worth N1.9 million, was on Thursday brought to trial at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Amuzuo, who resides at No. 26 Mutiu Olusun St., Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and burglary.

    The prosecutor, Police Insp. Philip Osijale, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 22 at 3.00 a.m. at Bablon Bafaj Avenue, off Oguntayo Estate, Ibeju-Lekki.

    He said the accused and others still at large, broke into the house of the complainant, Mr Kingsley Udeogu, and stole items worth N1.9 million.

    Osijale listed the stolen items as two Samsung phones worth N450, 000, a laptop valued at N700, 000, an android phone worth N600, 000 and two external drives worth N140, 000.

    The offences contravened Sections 287, 309 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In her ruling, the Magistrate, Miss M. F. Onamusi, granted the accused a bail of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and adjourned the case until Oct. 24.(NAN)

  • Lagos demolishes illegal nine-storey building in Lekki

    The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) said yesterday it had demolished a nine-storey building at Osapa London in Lekki area of Lagos for allegedly contravening building plan regulations.

    The General Manager of LASBCA, Mr. Olalekan Shodehinde, said the demolition was also because the building had no certified plan approval.

    Shodehinde said the building was detected in 2017, following which an investigation was launched.

    ”The building has nine floors, while the master plan of Osapa, the area it was situated, only allows for a maximum of four floors,’’ he said.

    Shodehinde said that the structural stability of the soil could not carry such a high-rise structure.

    He said that the state government had given approval or order for the building to be pulled down.

    Shodehinde added that the exercise was being carried out to curb the incidence of incessant building collapse in the state.

    He said that the state government would not fold its arms and allow loss of lives and destruction of property.

    Shodehinde said that several notices had been served on the owner of the structure, and he allegedly failed to comply with the order.

    “Though, the building does not have approval plan, what we are talking about goes beyond approval plan; because if the developer applied for approval of nine floors in the area, it would not be granted.

    “When LABSCA discovered the building in 2017, a Stop Order Notice was served. In October of the same year when it was at its fifth floors, the agency sealed it.

    “After a few months, the agency visited the site to observe that the building had been constructed up to the ninth floor.

    “Again, a 14 day ultimatum notice was served to the developers to remove the structure at their own cost, which they failed to comply with it.”

    Shodehinde explained that once an illegal building had been demolished by the government, the owner would be given 90 days to pay the demolition cost, failure of which government would confiscate the land.

  • Ambode approves recruitment of 2200 teachers

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday approved the recruitment of additional 1200 teachers for the Junior and Senior Secondary schools in the State.

    The Governor, at the last quarterly Town Hall meeting at Ibeju Lekki, had promised that his administration would employ more teachers into public schools to meet up with the manpower required to cover all public schools in the State.

    Confirming the development, Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Idiat Adebule said the 1200 teachers was an addition to the 1000 teachers which the Governor had approved for recruitment into Primary Schools in the State.

    Read Also: Ambode asks Corps members to report security risks

    Adebule, who superintends over the Ministry of Education, said guidelines for application would be released soon in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

    The development, she added, would further aid teaching and learning in the public schools which according to her, has been attracting more enrollment in the last three years as a result of the improved infrastructure and welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff.

    She said the improved facilities and staff motivation was evident in the high performance rate of the students of the State in local and international competitions.

  •  Midnight Crew, Frank Edwards, Ada Ehi set for TAPE concert tonight

    TONIGHT, the city of excellence Lagos and indeed Africa, will stand still as another edition of The African Praise Experience (TAPE), annual concert holds amid glitz and glory tonight  at the magnificent Rock Cathedral of the House on The Rock church Lekki, Lagos.

    The event which is a prelude for the record breaking and annual mega concert, brings wave making singer Ada Ehi, the ‘Only You’ church praise anthem to perform for the first time alongside hosts of gospel music ministers such as dynamic Midnight Crew, ageless Sammie Okposo, Frank Edward among others.

    The buzz of the concert that attracts different church faithful’s and fans of the gospel singers had set the social media on course as some of the best gospel singers in Nigeria and Africa at large are set to lead worshippers to the throne of Grace and bring God’s intervention on our land for healing.

    Read also: Musician advises artistes on positive use of talents

    Similarly, other singers include the sonorous Lara George, Igbo praise exponent, Chioma Jesus, Tim Godfrey and the Extreme Crew and others.

    The Midnight Crew which has continued to set the pace as the most creative and enduring group in the land – both secular and gospel genre, on account of their staying power for sixteen adventurous and glorious years this November. The group made up of Patricia Uwaje-King, Mike Abdul, Odunayo Ojo-Onasanya and Gbenga Oyebola has been on the cutting edge of the gospel music industry.

  • Court forfeits N325.4m land linked with Diezani

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government a parcel of land in Lekki, Lagos State, linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Justice Babs Kuewumi made the order following an ex parte application by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr. Anslem Ozioko.

    Joined as defendants in the ex parte applications were Diezani, one Mr. Donald Amamgbo and a firm, Mez Group LLC.

    The land, valued at N325.4m, is designated as Plot 13, Block II, Oniru Chieftaincy Private Family Estate.

    Ozioko told the judge that the land was suspected to be acquired with proceeds of crime.

    Read Also:‘Diezani loot’: Court remands Shagari, four others in police custody

    Justice Kuewumi also directed the anti-graft agency to publish the temporary forfeiture order in a national daily to put interested parties on notice.

    He adjourned till July 14, for anyone interested in the property to appear before him to show cause why the land should not be permanently forfeited.

    The EFCC is seeking an order of the court to appoint “a competent person(s) or firm to manage the assets/property named and described in the schedule to this application.”

    An EFCC investigator, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said the anti-graft agency stumbled on the documents of the land sometime in 2016 while executing a search on the office of Amamgbo, an ally of the ex-petroleum minister.

    Bawa said the anti-graft agency also recovered from Amamgbo’s office an undated report titled, “Highly Confidential Attorney Work Product August Report,” among others.

    He added: “The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.

    “During the course of his interview, Mr. Donald Chidi Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in holding titles of her properties and that all the properties belong to her.”

  • Clearing agent docked for absconding with customer’s N2.6m

    A 51-year-old clearing agent, Hyginus Onwujialiru, was on Monday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly defrauding a customer of  N2.6million.

    Onwujialiru, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Peter Nwangwu, told the court that the accused committed the offences between March 9 and April 6 at No. 14 Jasper Ike St., Lekki, Lagos.

    He said the accused defrauded the complainant, Mr Obed Aika, as he failed to clear the four cars he was paid to clear from Apapa Ports.

    “The money was paid into the accused account by the complainant to clear the cars.

    “He absconded with the money until he was apprehended by the police,’’ he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 stipulates a15-year imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences, while Section 287 provides a seven-year jail term for stealing.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Y.O. Aje-Afunwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N600, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Aje-Afunwa adjourned the case until July 4 for mention.

  • ‘Virile production process will boost SME’s output’

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), have said the Nigerian Manufacturing Equipment (NME)  Expo and manufacturing Partnership for African Development (mPAD)  provides a veritable platform for SMEs to learn new production processes in order to boost their production output, reduce costs, improve product quality and diversify into new product lines.

    Disclosing this at the 2018 edition of the NME Expo and mPAD holding at Landmark Centre, Lekki,  tagged “Enhancing Nigeria’s Manufacturing Competitiveness in the Global Space’’, the president of MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs said the infusion of the NIRAM Expo into the NME Expo is to afford several companies and countries who have registered as exhibitors as well as visitors to the expo an opportunity of exposure to the entire manufacturing value chain, which include machinery, equipment, raw materials, financial support and professional consultancy.

    “The primary objective of NIRAM Expo is to create a platform where stakeholders in the raw materials value chain come together to synergize, showcase and trade-in available resources and raw materials with the users of same, which is mainly the manufacturing sector. This way, we intend to bridge the information gaps as well as encourage increased sourcing/procurement of locally available raw materials by manufacturing industries.  To this end, we can proudly say that the incorporation of the NIRAM Expo is the most exciting thing that has happened to the Industrial sector in Nigeria” he said.

    He said in order not to reverse the gains made in the manufacturing sector over these years, Nigeria should not succumb to the pressure by the European Union for Nigeria to sign the EU-ECOWAS Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in the current form.

    “Also, the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) should be done cautiously as it may have the unintended consequence of opening up our economy to foreign products, through the back door and exposing our relatively disadvantaged productive sectors to unmanageable pressure. There is the need for proper and adequate consultations with critical stakeholders to mitigate this imminent onslaught ahead the of the implementation phase” he stated.

    The event manager, Clarion Event West Africa, Mr. Joseph Oru, said their goal with the annual NME expo collocated with the Nigeria raw material expo is to build a sustainable international platform for organisations to secure bulk orders from buyers. “Manufacturing activities plays a significant impact on the economy of any nation, and the objective of this expo is to support manufacturing industry through new technologies, financing and networking. The concentration of visitors from targeted sector ensures that everyone you meet at the exhibition will be a useful connection for business,” he said.