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  • OOUTH ADR embarks on indefinite strike over poor working condition

    Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, on Monday embarked upon an indefinite strike to protest the worsening conditions of service and the unwillingness of successive state government to address the situation.

    The doctors under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), OOUTH chapter, lamented that they have been overburdened with work load because of the “enormous and persistent decline in workforce,” saying they were now compelled  to resort to strike action to draw attention to their plights when several meetings with both previous and current state governments became a thing of no effect.

    Rising from its meeting in Sagamu, on Monday, the OOUTH’s ARD said the teaching hospital had witnessed grave reduction in its workforce, which culminated in the  loss of accreditation for full training of the resident doctors.

    Read Also: Abiodun approves recruitment of doctors for OOUTH

    ARD added that the reduction in workforce has also taken a serious toll on the health of few doctors still working in the teaching hospital.

    In a statement issued at the end of its meeting by  the chapter chairman and secretary of the Association: Dr. Osikoya Oludotun and Dr. Ajose Oluwafemi, ARD said its decision to embark on the industrial action became inevitable to force the state government to do the needful for the hospital.

    The resident doctors also  accused the state government of paying lip services to their plights and condition of the hospital, particularly the manpower shortage, stating that they were aware of the last administration’s caveat to the management not to exceed a certain wage bill, wondering why wages of resident doctors who had exited the system could not be freed for the employment of new doctors.

    They also claimed that the workload is so enormous that it had prevented them from adequately preparing for their postgraduate examinations.

  • Ogun begins recruitment of doctors, health workers

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved the immediate recruitment of resident doctors for the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH).

    This is in line with the interim recommendations submitted by the Administrative Panel he set up to look into the remote and immediate causes of the challenges facing the institution.

    Also to be recruited are nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and all other categories and cadres of healthcare professionals.

    Read Also: Abiodun expresses worry over scourge of depression

    Abiodun ordered that advertisement should be immediately rolled out in all departments where manpower shortage exists, adding that that recruitment should take immediate effect.

    In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin the nine-man committee chaired by Dr. Yemi Onabowale, the Chief Medical Director of Reddington Hospital, advised the government to recruit competent medical doctors to fill all the manpower shortage at the teaching hospital.

    The governor had frowned at the infrastructural and staff deficits facing the hospital during his visit in June. He had also promised to return the tertiary healthcare facility to its past glory.

    Inaugurating the committee, he had urged members to assess the operational modalities of the hospital and to suggest how to improve the standard in tandem with acceptable universal standard for medical training, research and tertiary health care services.

  • APP national chair arraigned for alleged forgery

    The National Chairman of the Action Alliance Party (APP), Kenneth Udeze, was on Monday arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo, Osun State, for alleged conspiracy and forgery.

    The accused was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, alteration and forgery.

    The police prosecutor from the Office of the Assistant Inspector-General, AIG Zone X1, Mr. James Famuyini, told the court that the accused conspired with others at large to forge documents of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and thereby committed an offence.

    The accused was also alleged to have altered the INEC document and presented same to the commission during the governorship primary election in Osun State last year.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Court remands AA Nat’l chairman, Udeze in prison

    Defence counsel Wemimo Animasahun urged the court to grant his client bail in self recognition, noting that he is a lawyer of 15 years at the bar.

    He prayed the court to grant the accused bail in the most liberal term, promising that he would not jump bail.

    The police prosecution opposed the bail for the accused person, saying he has been evading arrest for more than one year.

    Ruling, Magistrate Rofiyat Olayemi, who noted that the offences are bailable, said bail is a constitutional right of the accused.

    She granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Olayemi said one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below level 5 and must be resident in Osun State.

    She added that the second surety must be an indigene of Imo State where the accused hailed from and must live in Osun State.

    The judge adjourned the case till November 5.

  • Three rape suspects remanded

    Three students of the Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure, who allegedly raped a female student of the institution, on Monday appeared at a Magistrates’ Court in Akure.

    The suspects, Adeboboye Damilola, Blessing Michael and Eyitayo Charles were arraigned by the police following their alleged involvement in the rape of the victim from the Environmental Health Technician department.

    The accused, who allegedly committed the crime last month at “Barristers Lodge,” Olofinlade Layout, Oda Road, Akure were arraigned on an eight-count charge, which borders on armed robbery, rape, cultism and illegal possession of firearms.

    Read Also: Suspected hoodlums rape 16-yr-old girl to death

    The suspects were also alleged to have before the incident, raped a student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and attempted to forcefully have carnal knowledge of another woman, Miss Oladele Damilola.

    Besides, the defendants were alleged to have robbed Israel Segun and Adedayo Foluso of their money, phones and laptops at gunpoint.

    Police prosecutor Mr. Abdulateef Suleiman, who sought the remand of the accused in prison custody, was countered by counsel to the second defendant as well as counsel to the first and third defendants, Messrs. Banjo Ayelakin and Olutoye Adeyanju, as they argued that they were served with the application a few hours before the court proceeding.

    They prayed the court to adjourn the case to enable them study the application properly.

    Ruling, Magistrate Mrs. Victoria Bob-Manuel admitted the prayer of the counsel and ordered the remand of the accused in police custody.

    She adjourned the case till September 5.

  • One feared killed, others injured as groups clash on Lagos Island

    One person was on Sunday feared killed and others injured after hoodlums clashed on Lagos Island.

    The crisis, which was said to have disrupted the annual Egungun festival, was allegedly caused by rancour within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    It was gathered that warring factions of the NURTW got street gangs from Oke-Arin, Sura, Apongbon and Agarawu/Idumagbo to attack their opponents, forcing people to run for safety.

    The Nation gathered that there had been tension on Lagos Island since Friday night, with  violent attempts by the factions quelled by security operatives.

    It was learnt that another violence erupted on Sunday at Apongbon, leaving a man identified as Junior dead and at least two others injured.

    Not satisfied, the gangs were said to have continued the fight yesterday evening, forcing people to flee their shops and houses.

    A source said the violence continued on Monday evening at Oke-Arin, forcing traders and workers to flee.

    “There was crisis along Simpson, by Sura. It was between Okesuna and Patey boys. People ran in different directions.

    Read Also: Six killed as suspected cultists clash in Ikorodu

    “The Egungun festival started today, but there has been tension in the area since last weekend. This festival will last several weeks and only God knows how we will survive the violence.

    “Before this Oke-Arin fight this evening (yesterday), there were attempts to attack the Agarawu/Idumagbo group early in the morning, but security operatives prevented it.

    “But they continued at Apongbon and killed one Junior. They injured at least two people

    “Those responsible for this fight are the Idumota and Oke-Arin boys and they are led by factional members of the NURTW,” the source added.

    But the police denied that death was recorded in the attacks, insisting that they had no such record.

    Spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said he was only aware of the two who sustained injuries during Sunday’s clash, adding that the victims were taken to hospital.

    “The information I have is that there were issues there last weekend and two people sustained injuries. We do not have record of death and the police did not see any corpse.

    “The clash is connected to the NURTW issue. The street gangs have links with the union and warring factions are using them.

    “Three suspects were arrested. There is increased patrol in the area. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS), task force and other operatives have been patrolling the area.

    “The area commander said there was no clash today. People might have been running as a result of panic. They had issues on Saturday and Sunday, but the area is peaceful today (Monday) because patrols have been intensified.

    “The patrol is still ongoing. We are working on some names. There are names given among those that participated in the clash. Our men are working on them and picking them up.”

  • Task force kills terrorists

    The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said on Monday that several Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists were killed last Saturday and their weapons destroyed in parts of Borno, Chad and Niger Republic.

    It disclosed this in a statement by its spokesman Col. Timothy Antigha.

    The task force said the equipment destroyed included weapons, ammunition and logistics at Tumbum Rego, adding that plans by the terrorists to detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Layi Koura in Nguigmi, Niger Republic, were foiled.

    “Air interdictions conducted by MNJTF and national Air Task Forces successfully attacked and killed several fighters and knocked out equipment last Saturday, as they prepared to launch an offensive on troops’ location.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno

    “Battle damage assessment has indicated that the air interdiction had a devastating impact, as pockets of ISWAP build up and logistics hidden under trees in Tumbum Rego have been ruined.

    “ISWAP assets in Mallam Zuberu and Alagarno were also targeted and neutralised. Similarly, IEDs planted by ISWAP operatives in Layi Koura area of Nguigmi in Niger Republic were discovered and defused by troops.

    “In the past couple of weeks, ISWAP suicide bombers have struck at Kaiga-Kindjiria, a rural community in the Republic of Chad, as well as Gubio in Borno State in an effort to revamp its dream of establishing a caliphate in parts of northern Nigeria and other areas of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “This blow by the MNJTF will further plunge the leadership and followership of ISWAP into more despair,” said Antigha.

  • Workers arraigned for ‘stealing’ employer’s N2m

    Two employees of a laboratory company, Clina-Lancet Nigeria Ltd, Ikechukwu Duru and Oluwole Olalekan, were on Sunday arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly stealing N2million from their employer.

    Duru, 33, of 1, Onasanya Mogaji Close, Agboyi, Ketu, Lagos and Olalekan, 33, of 36, Agbole Street, Sunrise Lagoon, Ijeshatedo, Lagos are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against them by the police before Magistrate Mrs. Are Temitope Bimbola.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby alleged that the defendants committed the offence on July 17.

    He said the incident occurred at 3A, Babatunde Jose Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Read Also: Nanny ‘steals’ employer’s foreign currency

    Emby alleged that the defendants collected N2million on behalf of their employer and converted the company’s money to their use.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Bimbola granted them N500,000 bail each, with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must be a relation, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addressed verified.

    The case continues on September 27.

  • Court remands three for alleged robbery

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday remanded three men at the Kirikiri Prisons for alleged robbery and assault.

    The accused, Taye Onafowokan, 23, Ayomide Ayobami, 22 and Leke Adebanjo, 20, whose addresses were not provided, are being charged with attempted robbery, assault and armed robbery.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada said the accused committed the offences on April 10, at Ikosi, Ketu bus stop, Lagos.

    He alleged that Onafowokan, Ayobami and Adebanjo, armed with guns, robbed Ndubuisi Aguiyi of a Sunny phone valued at N15, 000.

    Read Also: Suspects arrested for ‘one-chance robbery’

    Eruada alleged that the accused also collected a Nokia phone valued at N8,500, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, power bank valued at N4,500 and a bag valued at N4,200 from Aguyi.

    The prosecutor added that the three men had assaulted Stanley Aghanwa and robbed him of an Itel phone valued at N23,000 and N24,500 cash.

    He said the offences contravened sections 298, 173 and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Chief Magistrate Mrs. M. I. Dan-Oni remanded the accused in prison and ordered that the case file be sent to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    She adjourned the case till September 30.

  • Two arraigned for ‘threatening to kill’

    Two men, Ismail Sanni, 35, and Goriola Junaid, 39, were on Monday arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly threatening to kill the Chairman of Ferry Side, Ejalonibu, Ebute-Ero car park, Alhaji Mutairu Oke.

    They were also alleged to have maliciously damaged his properties valued at N2million.

    The defendants, of no fixed address, are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, stealing, threatening to kill and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace before Magistrate Mrs. M. A. Agbaje.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Tope Adegsie told the court that the duo and others at large committed the offences on August 30.

    He said the incident occurred at about 5pm, at Ferry Side, Ejalonibu, Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island.

    Read Also: Lawyer, two others arraigned for allegedly defrauding woman

    Adegsie alleged that the defendants damaged the office apartment of the complainant valued at N2million.

    “The defendants stole N500,000 from the complainant’s three bank accounts through the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards. They also stole his tax clearance, voter’s card and driving licence.

    “The defendants stabbed Monsuru Fasasi, a car park attendant to the complainant, on his right hand, back and inflicted a deep cut on his body,” he alleged.

    The prosecutor said the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by threatening to kill the complainant.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Agbaje granted them N200,000 bail each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

    The case was adjourned till October 9.

  • Lagos to proffer solution to overpopulation

    The Lagos State government is to proffer 21st century solutions to overpopulation.

    According to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), the state resources cannot meet the needs of the increasing population.

    Onigbanjo, who stated this at the Lagos State Showcase session of the 59th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association at the Eko Hotel and Suites, said Lagos was the fifth largest economy in Africa and the most populated in Nigeria.

    He added that Lagos is the preferred destination on the continent as  89 people migrate into the state every hour.

    The Attorney-General noted that the Lagos  Showcase session was aimed at proffering solutions to the population needs of the state that cut across the six sectors – THEMES which includes Transport, Health, Education and Environment, among others. which is the policy direction of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in Lagos State

    The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said Lagos government had put in place a sustainable development plan to secure the state’s future.

    Bello said the plans would attract investment, create employment, ease traffic congestion and  set the state on a path of prosperity.

    While stating the challenges of the environment sector as a result of the huge population of the state, he noted that bad drainage system remains the major cause for flooding, saying  there is need for citizens to engage in regular cleaning of their drainages.

    He said the state would be investing in waste conversion as from next year to make the environment a better place to live in.

    He added that waste products used at home should be well sorted in homes before recycling by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in the state, noting that this will ease their work and also ensure a healthy environment for Lagosians.

    “There will be commencement of waste sorting using model estates in the state and this will lead to waste conversion, waste buyback and minimisation at landfill”, he said.

    According to him, the state has put in place a five-year plan that would lead to the closing down of Olusosun waste dump.

    Government, he explained, is already discussing with Ogun State Government for a new dump site, adding that the Agege and Abule Egba sites have already been closed.

    “We need to get waste management right to reduce it’s effect on our drainages. Rain is expected in three weeks and we need to ensure that all drainages are clean up to reduce flooding,” he said.

    He pointed out that presently Lagos generates 10metric tons of waste daily and that this is a big problem for the state given its large population and for the fact that most part of the state is below sea level.

    Responding to questions from lawyers, Bello said government would be engaging religious leaders on how to reduce noise pollution, adding that after the discussion, sanctions would be imposed on  religious houses that disturb the peace of their neighbours.

    Bello further advised that climate change education should be inculcated into the education sector from the primary to tertiary level.

    Likewise, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Federid Abimbola, noted that challenges faced in the transportation sector affects the economic development of the state and the activities of the people.

    According to him, the government would be deploring technology to free traffic in the state.

    “Bad roads, Traffic gridlock, over crowded rail transport, unorganised commercial bus park and indiscriminate parking are the major challenges faced in the transportation sector,”  he said.

    The Commissioner, however, informed that  strategies are in place to address the challenges of the transportation in Lagos State.

    “ The initiative will see to the completion of the Blue and Red line for Mass transport movement of the citizens, reducing traffic congestion by fixing potholes, by establishing corps of traffic marshal and the deployment of technology to enhance Traffic management and enforcement,” he  added.

    While applauding the proposed initiative of the  Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration on Traffic and Transportation, Mr. Abimbola pointed that it would  help reduce delays and improve the time spent commuting within the state.

    He said government would also introduce a single ticket for all forms of transportation in the state, notably road, water, and rail transportation.

    He said priority would be given to up-coming BRT services along Oshodi Abule Egba which he said would be completed within record time

    Contributing, the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Olalere Odusote, an engineer, said government is looking at increasing power generation to care for industries and the people of the state.

    He said government would be boosting power generation by 1320 megawatts and set up a distribution company for the people of the state.

    Furthermore, the government would also electricfy the city and schools thereby reducing the crime rate in the city.

    The ShowCase at the NBA conference featured over 15 members of the State Executive Council and the event was attended by a large number of conference delegates.