The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogba

  • Security guard docked over car theft

    A 31-year old security guard, Emmaunel Eche, charged with conspiracy and stealing, was on Tuesday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Eche, who resides at Oke Ira area of Ogba, Lagos, was said to have stolen a car worth N650, 000, property of Mrs. Lucy Bissong, a resident of the estate where he works as a guard.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem, told the court that Eche conspired with others now at large to steal the car.

    Akeem said that the offences were committed on Feb. 20, 2017 at Anipupo Street, Oke Ira, Ogba, Lagos.

    According to him, Bissong parked the car outside her compound in the estate at about 6.30 p.m., but woke up next morning to discover that the car had been stolen.

    He said that Eche denied seeing anybody driving out Bissong’s car through the estate gate.

    The prosecutor told the court that Bissong consequently reported the case to the police and Eche was arrested as suspect in the alleged theft.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mr. T.O. Shomade, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N700, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

    Shomade ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two year’s tax payment to Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case till March 20.

     

  • Lagos By-Election: Residents resort to trekking over restrictions

    Residents of Iju-Ishaga, Ogba, Agege and Ifako/Ijaiye areas on Saturday resorted to trekking due to partial road restrictions resulting into heavy traffic over the ongoing Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency By-election in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was heavy traffic along Agege/Ogba and Fagba axes; shops were also closed and security men with patrol vans were seen in the areas.

    Some of the residents who spoke to NAN lamented low publicity as they were not aware of the by-election.

    Mr Seye Adeoti, a civil servant, said that due to heavy traffic he alighted from the bus and started trekking from Iyana-Orile in Agege to Ogba.

    Mrs Biola Abdul-Lateef, a trader at Fagba, said she was not aware of the by-election that it was the heavy traffic and the mass trekking of people on the road that suggested something was happening in the area.

    She said she was not allowed to open her shop because of the election as a polling unit was situated close to her shop.

    Also, Mr Celestine Okhiro, an apprentice said the restriction had made him trekked from Pen Cinema in Agege to Iju-Ishaga.

    NAN also reports that the six political parties’ contesting in the poll are: Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), African Democratic Party (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    The by-election resulted from the death of Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

    Adewale died in Abuja on July 20.

  • Dalung, Pinnick, Ogba grace Skoolimpics final

    It was an exciting final at the weekend when the curtain was finally drawn at the first edition of Heritage Bank – Lagos State Skoolimpics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    The Minister for Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, led some other top dignitaries to the final among which was the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, even though the  event was not a football competition.

    The Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, was not left out likewise former Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, Bukola Olopade.

    The fun was unlimited as the children were treated to the best of entertainment within and outside the main bowl.

    Apart from the normal finals in the boys and girls 100m and 400m, there were races involving staff of some of the branches of the bank while the entertainers presents were not left out of the race.

    Top comedians like Ali Baba, Omo Baba, and others raced against each other with Super Sports presenter, Mosez Praiz, deciding to run with his back adding to the fun already exhibited by others.

    Speaking during the final, the minister applauded the ingenuity of Heritage Bank for organising the event as he appealed to other corporate bodies to emulate the bank.

    “This is what we are talking about, this is the way to go in order to develop sports in the country,” he said.

    “Heritage Bank and their other partners have started it, let others join them to make sports great again in Nigeria.”

  • Ex-Afribank manager becomes Ogba monarch

    Ex-Afribank manager becomes Ogba monarch

    Prince Oluwole Adebisi Ishola Assad, a retired Principal Manager with the defunct Afribank Plc, is the new Ologba of Ogba Town.

    The oba-elect defeated seven other contenders last Sunday to succeed Oba Sanni Asade, who died in 2014.

    His victory coincided with his 61st birthday.

     A member of the royal family and popular television presenter cum actress, Mrs Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, who witnessed the ceremony held at the Asade Royal Palace, said the oba-elect was chosen after consultation with the oracle.

    She said: “This is our tradition we saw at play today (Sunday).  I am very pleased to be part of the process which used our traditional way of choosing a monarch.  Everybody present saw how surprised the oba-elect was because he didn’t know that it was going to be him. The process was all done traditionally. People consulted the oracle in two places and the oracle spoke and chose the same person.

    “We don’t have to get too civilised and too foreign and forget our background. When people from abroad say they want to tell us about democracy, they don’t know what they are talking about. We have been democratic before anybody knew how to spell the word.”

    She praised other contenders for their spirit of sportsmanship, saying: “The other candidates were very civilised about the process. They might have been disappointed but there was no look of bitterness on their faces and they all congratulated him. I believe this is because they realised that the processes were transparent, traditional and devoid of any feeling that anybody had any special candidate.”

    The oba-elect said:  “I see it as an act of God. I feel highly honoured and the only thing I have to say is that I will not disappoint my people. We are lucky to have the kind of committee that handled the process. It is unprecedented in the history of Ogbaland. I didn’t see it as a do-or-die when I applied so I would have taken it in good faith if I hadn’t been chosen.”

  • Photo: Lagos light up project in progress

    Photo: Lagos light up project in progress

    Illuminated College road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated College road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.

     

    Illuminated College road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated College road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.

     

    Illuminated WEMPCO road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated WEMPCO road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated WEMPCO road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated WEMPCO road, Ogba with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.

     

    Illuminated Agidingbi road, Ikeja with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated Agidingbi road, Ikeja with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.

     

    Illuminated Agidingbi road, Ikeja with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
    Illuminated Agidingbi road, Ikeja with Street Lights courtesy of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Administration, on January 16, 2016.
  • Maurice Green for Ogba reception

    Maurice Green for Ogba reception

    .Amaju, Green, Ige on the cards

    The Organising Committee for the Sunday, July 26, Grand Reception for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria President, Dr (Chief) Solomon Ogba, has announced that the event will be graced by former world 100metres champion, American Maurice Green.

    A statement by the Scribe of the Edo Sports Media Practitioners Forum, Smarts Ebodaghe, also revealed that the NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is expected at the event, with the NFF Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Barr. Chris Green also invited. Respected Sportscaster of note Taiye Ige, has also been listed for the A-grade event that will hold at the Adna Hotel, 28, Ladipo Bateye Close, GRA, Ikeja.

    A member of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Edo FA, Frank Ilaboya, declared that in the coming days more dignitaries will be unveiled for the event that is expected to kick-start several others in honour of the sons and daughters of old Bendel State now Edo and Delta and Nigerian great sports achievers in general.

    Executives of the body have said that the event will assume a wider dimension in the coming days, as plans have reached advanced to also honour sons and daughters of the states and beyond who have made more than a passing contribution to sports development and growth in Nigeria.

  • 2014 IAAF Continental Cup: IAAF appoints Ogba, Onyali to chaperon African teams

    2014 IAAF Continental Cup: IAAF appoints Ogba, Onyali to chaperon African teams

    • As Okagbare, 16 others lead Nigerian contingent

    The  IAAF has appointed the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN) Solomon Ogba and Olympian, Mary Onyali to chaperon the African team in this year’s IAA Continental Cup slated for Marrakesh, Morocco from September 13 –14.

    Ogba told SportingLife that it was a welcome development to be chosen as the leader of the delegation of the African contingent.

    Meanwhile the four teams competing in the event will be Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The two-day competition will comprise a programme of 20 track and field events for men and women, giving a total of 40 events. Each team shall enter two athletes in each event, except for relays where one team will compete, with a maximum of one athlete from each country per event. No athlete shall be allowed to double in the 3000 m and 5000m.

    Meanwhile Commonwealth gold medallist, Blessing Okagbare (100m and 4x100m), alongside sixteen others which include: Dominique Duncan (200m and 4x100m),  Folashade Abugan (400m and 4x400m), Amaka Ogoegbunam (400m hurdles) have been chosen after their scintillating performance at the 2014 African Championships which was held in Marrakesh, Morocco.   Other Nigerian athletes whose performances earned them a spot in the Continental Cup are : Gloria Asumnu (4x100m), Patience Okon George (4x400m), Ada Benjamin (4x400m) Ese Brume (Long jump) and  Chinwe Okoro (Shot put and Discus).

    Mark Elliot Jelks (100m, 4x100m) will lead the country’s male athletes in this year’s edition.

    Others are: Tyron Akins (110m hurdles), Cuevas Amaechi Morton (400m hurdles), Ogho-Oghene Egwero (4x100m), Mozavous Edward (4x100m), Obinna Metu (4×100), Tosin Oluwa Oke (triple jump) and Mozia Stephen Ogochucwu (discus).

    Other participants in this year’s continental were eligible to participate through their rankings on IAAF calendar and the 2014 European Championships which was held in Zurich.

  • Ogba to flag off Okpekpe Race

    Ogba to flag off Okpekpe Race

    President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Evangelist Solomon Ogba, will flag off the 2nd Okpekpe 10km road race tomorrow in Okpekpe, Edo state.

    Disclosing this in Auchi yesterday, the race’s technical manager, Yusuf Ali said Ogba is a fitting choice because of his position as the leader of the athletics family in Nigeria and a lover of sports.

    “There was no hesitation over the choice of chief Ogba,” said Ali who assured all arrangements for a very successfull event have been concluded.

    “We have some of the best personel on ground to oversee the race and ensure everything complies with the standard set by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF),” further said Ali who revealed the names of some of the officials.

    “We have one of Nigeria’s most accomplished coaches and former Nigeria middle and long distance runner,Tony Osheku in our team. He is the Route manager while the only statistician recognised by the ATFS (Association of Track and Field Statistician) in Nigeria, Samuel Fatunla will be the Finish manager while retired Colonel Jaiye Abidoye who was in Nigeria’s Olympic team in 1972 in Munich will be the Start manager.”

     Ali is also confident a new course record will be set on Saturday. Last year Kenya’s Moses Masai ran 29 minutes, 39 seconds to set the course record enroute his victory.

    “I am confident we can get a sub 28:50 seconds run tomorrow in the men’s race to better Massai’s record,” he said.

    Kenya’s Wilson Kiprono Too’s ‘s 27minutes, 39 seconds is the fastest time in the world so far this year while another Kenyan, Leonard Patrick Komon holds the world record at 26 minutes,  44 seconds.

  • Gas emission

    Gas emission

    •Sterner measures have to be taken against firms constituting environmental nuisance

    THE Ogba Junior Grammar School, Lagos’ noxious gas emission has come and gone but its reverberations linger. It cannot be otherwise in a situation where a principal and about 22 students became unconscious as a result of it. The incident was traced to the slipshod discharge of toxic chemical into the drain near the school by a photo laboratory located within the Ogba Shopping Arcade, Ijaiye Road. The arcade shares a fence with the school.

    The venomous gas reportedly engulfed the school, leaving the victims gasping for breath. The school was thrown into pandemonium as students and teachers that saw their colleagues fainting scampered to far safe distances from the school premises. They reportedly returned when the offensive smell of the lethal substance had subsided, to join emergency officials that came later to take the victims to hospitals.

    Mr. Razaq Fadipe, Director in the Lagos State Fire Service reportedly confirmed that his men”…spotted the laboratory where the smell was coming from and the place has been cordoned off. Investigations are still on.” Equally, the matter has reportedly been lodged at the Ogba Police Station while the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), has taken up the case.

    Indeed, we are aware that LASEPA has visited the laboratory and even closed it down, albeit temporarily, threatening that if the place was discovered to be run illegally, its top shots would be prosecuted. This is good, at least as an interim measure. But, the issues at stake are beyond this. LASEPA’s monitoring and enforcement unit has to do more. More than ever before, it should develop a rapid response to cases of environmental abuses, especially by companies.

    The truth is that not all companies want to obey the rules, some will only do when prodded. This is why LASEPA needs a comprehensive list of all registered entities in the state. Unregistered ones should be made to register and punished if they failed to. With this, it would be easier for it to know companies that have no regard for industrial safety.

    However, beyond LASEPA is the critical issue of physical planning and urban development. Obviously, the ministry saddled with this task is not performing below expectations, but it has to do more regarding separation between industrial and residential areas, including the location of markets and garages. The laudable ongoing urban renewal in the state should ensure that fabricating industries and fuel stations, among others, in residential areas with their attendant consequences on the health of the people are relocated, at least over time.

    Perhaps the starting point should be the relocation of the Ogba laboratory and other irritant entities sited in places where they constitute serious threats to lives and property. Of course we are not oblivious that such matters may prove somewhat delicate, especially in a democratic era with all manner of considerations. But then, what has to be done in the general interest cannot be shied away from.

    The state government has taken far-reaching decisions on even more delicate matters and Lagos is the better for it today. The good news in the Ogba incident is that no life was lost, but it would be sad if something similar or worse happens in the future. And this is almost predictable if the last case is not well handled.

     

  • Gas emission

    Gas emission

    THE Ogba Junior Grammar School, Lagos’ noxious gas emission has come and gone but its reverberations linger; it cannot be otherwise in a situation where a principal and about 22 students became unconscious as a result of it. The incident was traced to the slipshod discharge of toxic waste chemical into the drain near the school by a photo laboratory located within the Ogba Shopping Arcade, Ijaiye Road. The arcade shares a fence with the school.

    The venomous gas reportedly engulfed the school, leaving the victims gasping for breath. The school was thrown into pandemonium as students and teachers that saw their colleagues fainting scampered to far safe distances from the school premises. They reportedly returned when the offensive smell of the lethal substance had subsided, to join emergency officials that came later to take the victims to hospitals.

    Mr. Razaq Fadipe, Director in the Lagos State Fire Service reportedly confirmed that his men”…spotted the laboratory where the smell was coming from and the place has been cordoned off. Investigations are still on.” Equally, the matter has reportedly been lodged at the Ogba Police Station while the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), has taken up the case.

    Indeed, we are aware that LASEPA has visited the laboratory and even closed it down, albeit temporarily, threatening that if the place was discovered to be run illegally, its top shots would be prosecuted. This is good, at least as an interim measure. But, the issues at stake are beyond this. LASEPA’s monitoring and enforcement unit has to do more. More than ever before, it should develop a rapid response to cases of environmental abuses, especially by companies.

    The truth is that not all companies want to obey the rules of the game; some will only do when prodded. This is why LASEPA needs a comprehensive list of all registered entities in the state. Unregistered ones should be made to register and punished if they failed to. With this, it would be easier for it to know such companies that have no regard for industrial safety.

    However, beyond LASEPA is the critical issue of physical planning and urban development. Obviously, the ministry saddled with this task is not performing below expectations, at least within the limits of its finances, but it has to do more regarding separation between industrial and residential areas, including the location of markets and garages. The laudable ongoing urban renewal in the state should ensure that fabricating industries and fuel stations, among others, in residential areas with their attendant consequences on the health of the people are relocated, at least over time.

    Perhaps the starting point should be the relocation of the Ogba laboratory and other irritant entities sited in places where they constitute serious threats to lives and property. Of course we are not oblivious that such matters may prove somewhat delicate, especially in a democratic era with all manner of considerations. But then, what has to be done in the general interest cannot be shied away from.

    The present government in the state has taken far-reaching decisions on even more delicate matters and the state is the better for it today. The good news in the Ogba incident is that no life was lost, but it would be sad if something similar or worse happens in the future. And this is almost predictable if the last case is not well handled.