The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oregun

  • Lagos begins reconstruction of Oregun theatre 

    Lagos begins reconstruction of Oregun theatre 

    The Lagos state government has commenced the reconstruction of the Oregun Theatre, reaffirming its commitment to fostering youth development and boosting the creative industry through strategic investments in tourism and entertainment infrastructure. 

    Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka emphasised the government’s dedication to creating accessible creative spaces for young innovators. 

    She noted that the state’s youth demographic accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of the population, necessitating projects that cater to their unconventional thinking and artistic potential. 

    “We have seen that the creative industry is where our youths are currently centred. This project, which will house a theatre, cinema, and other amenities, will provide a multi-functional creative hub for the Ikeja community and alleviate congestion in nearby commercial hubs, particularly during festive seasons,” 

    Benson-Awoyinka highlighted past challenges, including the vandalism of the previous structure during the EndSARS protests in October 2020, and assured the public that the new theatre would be an upgrade from its predecessor. 

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    She further pledged that the Oregun Theatre would be completed before the end of the current administration.

    In addition to the Oregun project, the commissioner disclosed that the state government plans to replicate similar theatres in Ikorodu, complementing existing facilities in Epe, Badagry, and Igando. 

    Expressing appreciation for the project, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Wale Musa, represented by Deputy Director, Babatunde Yakub, acknowledged the significance of the reconstruction effort. 

    “It is quite funny that when the place got burnt, we thought we wouldn’t get something like that again, but what we are having now is even adding value to what was destroyed,” he remarked.

  • Court remands man for sexually assaulting ten-year-old girl

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on Friday ordered that a 45-year-old man, Celestine Onwusonye, who allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old girl be remanded in prison.

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

    Sule-Amzat ordered the police to send the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    He adjourned the case until June 3.

    The defendant, who resides in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos, is facing a charge of  unlawful sexual assault .

    Read Also: Lagos-Ibadan rail’ll ready in June – Amaechi

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Asp. Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 19, at 11 p.m. No 2/3 Kudirat Abiola way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Emuerhi alleged that the defendant sexually assaulted the girl.

    He said the case was reported to the police at Isokoko Police Division by the girl’s mother.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    NAN

  • Technician charged with stealing

    A technician, Yemi Akinlaja, 54, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into an office and stealing electrical fittings and apparatus worth N100, 000.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada alleged that Akinlaja broke into Mr Bello Akeem ’s office at 43, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Lagos, on February 12.

    He said the defendant gained access through the aluminum door and stole electrical fittings and apparatus valued at N100, 000.

    “When the guard saw Akinlaja running away, he alerted others.

    “They pursued the defendant and he was apprehended,” Eruada said.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate M. I. Dan-Oni granted him N50, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    Dan-Oni ordered that the surety must be employed, show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have his address verified.

    The case was adjourned till March 18.

  • Orphanage owner nabbed over missing child in Lagos

    Proprietress of God’s Own Orphanage located along Siluko Road in Bénin City, Mrs. Kehinde Blessing Imariagbe, has been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command over the discovery of a missing child in her orphanage.

    The child identified as Elo Ogidi was reportedly stolen from the Christ Embassy church in Oregun, Lagos State on Sunday, July 8, 2018.

    It was gathered that she was discovered at the orphanage in Edo through the help of a prophetess.

    Speaking to newsmen when she was paraded, Mrs. Imarhiagbe rained curses on the man that brought Elo to her.

    Imarhiagbe stated that the man claimed to be father to Elo which was why she did not report the matter to relevant authorities.

    She gave the name of the man that brought Elo as Patrick Chukwuma.

    According to her, “I have been calling Chukwuma since last week but his numbers could not be reached.

    “It was my mistake not to report to the matter because I felt since it was her father that brought her. We only report cases if the child could not be traced to anybody.

    “If it as an abandon child, we go to the police. The girl looked like the man that brought her which was why I believed.”

    Edo Police Commissioner, Babtunde Kokumo, said the stolen child was brought to the orphanage under questionable circumstances.

    He said the matter would soon be charged to court after investigation has been concluded.

  • Day of joy for Demola Olota

    Day of joy for Demola Olota

    IT was double celebrations on Sunday, December 15 for organist and performing artiste, Demola Olota, as he marked 20 years on stage and presented his latest work titled Iwo.

    The event, which held at Yard 158, Oregun, Ikeja, saw families, friends and associates in an attendance to share in his joy.

    In line with the festive season, Olota and his 21-year-old ‘Clique Band’ gave a special Christmas performance. They serenaded the atmospheres with songs like O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem and While Sheperds Watched Their Flocks, among others.

    The Band’s performance on the evening was simply electrifying and mind-blowing. However, it was not a surprise to many who know Olota for his choice of classical expression above commercial exuberance.

    As part of special lineup of performances for the evening, Pupils of Blooming Lights Montessori School owned by Olufunmilola Ibironke Olota also thrilled the guests with their choreography. Also, Pastor Kunle Omo Alaafin Orun, put up a superlative performance to the admiration of the audience.

    The 14- tracker album, Iwo, was later unveiled to a loud ovation as enthusiastic guests requested for copies so they could enjoy the other songs in the album, apart from Iwo and the Christmas bonus, which the celebrant had crooned to their delight.

    The grand finale of the event was the fusion of old and new members of De Clique Band and the orchestration by Demole Olota.

    The Band later returned with songs like Climbing Every Mountain by Richard Rodgers; We Are The World by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson; Hallelujah Chorus, by G.F Handel and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Traditional British, By Bob Krosgstad.

    Speaking on the success of the event, Olota noted that it took about four weeks of rehearsal to put it together. “My foundation is classical music. It has its own audience. I also play gigs. I play at weddings, but this is the real me. And to put up this sort of classical performance, it definitely takes weeks of rehearsals.”