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Tag: Oshodi

The Nation Charity Match; Editorial/Production department wins

As Vintage Press Limited, owners of The Nation Newspapers, is counting down to its 10th year anniversary, a charity match was played, between the Finance/admin department and the editorial/production unit on Saturday.

The match which was held at the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, ended in 2-1 victory in favour of the editorial department.

The contest witnessed a large turnout of staff and their families despite the heavy downpour.

The trophy was later presented to the editorial team captain by match officials and a representative of the company management team.

July 30, 2016
Man assaults girl in Oshodi

A man on Monday night assaulted a girl in Oshodi, Lagos.

Omowunmi was said to be playing with her friend on Mafoluku road, Oshodi when Orji appeared and asked her why she was boasting to beat him.

She told him that she was referring to her friend, Chindinma and not him.

Orji was said to have descended on her. Efforts by passersby to rescue her from him failed.

Her friend later assisted her to escape from the man.

On getting home, she reported the matter to her mother, who insisted that they go to the police.

On their way to Makinde Police Station, Omowunmi slumped and she was rushed to a nearby hospital.

She was injured on her mouth and cheeks.

Omowunmi told The Nation how it all happend.

She said: ‘’I was with my friend; as we were walking on the road, I was playing with her and told her I will beat her and we both laughed it off when the man approached me telling me I am threatening to beat him up. I quickly told him I was not referring to him but my friend and it is not a serious matter, we were just playing.

“The man ignored my explanation and said God will not hear my voice. I immediately forbade it and said God will hear my voice. He moved closer and started beating me. I cried for help; passersby tried to stop him but he kept saying he will kill me. Some of his friends also joined him in the assault. I was able to escape with the help of my friend and I was taken to my mother who suggested we report the matter to the police. I did not know how I got to the hospital but I remembered we were heading to the police station.’’

An eyewitness told The Nation that Orji was probably trying to prevent the girls from running into vehicles on the road where they were playing.

‘’I don’t know what actually transpired between them but I know the girls were playing and I believe Orji was asking them to stop playing on the road,’’ he said.

The victim’s mother said her daughter was assaulted for no just cause.

‘’I have spent up to N17,000 in hospital bills. We have been here since yesterday (Monday) night and she is going to be discharged today (yesterday). She was so weak on Monday, I thank God she is still alive. My daughter does not know that man, I don’t know why he decided to bully my daughter,’’ she said.

July 20, 2016
Lagos spends N115bn on capital projects in six months

…earmarks N20bn for health, education facilities’ upgrade

..Ambode renders account of stewardship

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said that his administration expended over N115.624billion to carry out capital projects between Janaury and June 2016.

The governor who spoke at the 2016 Second Quarter Town Hall held at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry local government also put the first half 2016 budget performance to 70 per cent.

He however said the performance was an improvement of the corresponding period of 2015 which stood at 63 per cent.

According to him, the capital and recurrent ratio at the first half of the year stood at 50:50, expressing optimism that it would improve in the second half of the year.

“He said: “Revenue recorded 73 percent performance for the half year 2016 despite the challenging economic environment. Your Government spent a total of N115.624bn on Capital projects during the half year 2016 leading to the Capital/Recurrent ratio of 50:50 with the plan to improve this ratio to 58:42 provided for in 2016 Appropriation Law in the remaining half of the year.”

The governor also said that his administration has concluded plans to massively revamp the health sector, disclosing that a total of N10bn has been earmarked to upgrade the health facilities across the State.

He said that modern equipment would be procured to facilitate treatment of patients in the state”s health facilities.

While highlighing some of his achievements in the last quarter, he restated his commitment to make life more comfortable, simpler and safer for the people.

He added that his administration would establish a Technical and Vocational School in Badagry before September 2016, as well as embark on upgrade of the infrastructure in all public schools starting from July.

According to him, “All our Primary and Secondary schools will be upgraded to create conducive learning environment for students and teachers. Another N10bn has been earmarked for this facelift of our Secondary and Primary schools across the State.”

He recalled the recruitment of a total of 1,300 teachers for Primary Schools, said in the next two weeks, the State Government will start recruiting another 1,000 teachers for Secondary Schools across the State.

Speaking on his plans for Youth and Sports for the quarter, the governor said government would embark on upgrade of sports facilities and would also support and promote age-grade competitions and sponsor outstanding athletes to national and international training and competitions.

Ambode also disclosed that his administration would pay greater attention to the issues concerning the elderly especially by establishing three Elderly Care Centres across the State.

He said: “We will sponsor bills to the House of Assembly which will make specific provisions for the elderly in our society and create a framework for care for the aged. Our priority is to commence the provision of Three Elderly Care centres across the Three Senatorial Zones and further urge the private sector for support and collaboration thereafter.”

The Governor said as a follow up to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit in Cappa, Oshodi, an outpost unit would be situated between Ojo and Badagry in this quarter with two other outposts in Fadeyi and Lekki.

Governor Ambode, who spent hours interacting with various groups such as Corporate organizations, religious leaders, youths/physically challenged, market men and women, Non-Governmental Organizations and the political leaders, disclosed his greater plans to revive the tourism potentials of Badagry, saying the long term plan includes the establishment of University of Hospitality.

The event was well attended by traditional rulers, including Oba Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi I, members of the State Executive Council, Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Solomon, stakeholders, among others.

July 12, 2016
Task force arrests 40 at Oshodi

Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences has arrested 40 miscreants and hoodlums at Oshodi.

A statement by the agency’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Adebayo Taofiq, said the suspects comprised 39 men and one woman.

He said the Commissioner of Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has directed the task force chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), to arraign the suspects before the Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Court at Ogba, Lagos.

Egbeyemi said Owoseni has directed regular raiding of black spots in the state particularly at Oshodi.

A suspect, who identified himself as Tajudeen Adeboye (mechanic) allegedly, told the task force that he was invited to Lagos by a friend, Jelili.

According to the task force, “he said it was when he got to Oshodi that Jelili and his other gang members lured him into joining them to be picking pockets of innocent members of the public.

“He said in a day he and his gang make at least N10,000 to N20,000 on the average, saying it depends on what they found inside any bag or purse they snatched or telephone.

“He, however, said all telephone and other properties snatched like necklace, wrist watches, etc were sold at cheap prices to their customers who come to them every night”, he said.

July 11, 2016
Babaloja: I sold my houses in US to build Oshodi market

How was the popular Cairo Market now Abibatu Mogaji Shopping Complex in Oshodi, Lagos built?

Contrary to belief in certain quarters, it was not built by government, but by an individual.

The Babaloja of Oshodi, Alhaji Abdul Rasak Kolawole Sanni, has told The Nation how he sold his three houses in the United States (US) to build the market.

Popularly called Provida, Sanni said he also used his two houses in the country to obtain loan from FirstBank Plc to start the project.

He said negative comments by some people abroad about Oshodi made him to develop the market.

Sanni said: “Anytime I travel to London, Malaysia and other parts of the world and I see how beautiful the cities are, I have always vowed to ensure I am part of the development in Oshodi. Usually when I travel abroad and I introduce myself to my fellow Nigerians there that I am from Oshodi, I don’t like the expression I get from them. Their belief is that Oshodi is home for touts and hoodlums. And I wonder and tell myself how do I correct that perception.”

He thanked the late Iyaloja of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, former Governor Babatunde Fashola and former Oshodi Local Government Chairman Afeez Ipesa-Balogun for the opportunity to turn the market into a modern complex.

The market leader hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s desire to turn Oshodi into a model city.

According to him, the regeneration of Oshodi into a world class Central Business District (CBD) will put the city among the comity of developed communities in the world.

The project will feature multi-story bus terminals, pedestrian bridges, shopping malls, CCTVs, among others.

Imploring Ambode not to be distracted by remarks about the project, he said he faced similar situation while working on the market.

He said: “After Alhaja Mogaji gave me the go ahead on the project, I went back to the drawing board and designed what the market will look like. I went back to the US to sell three of my houses and then real estate was booming. I used two of my houses here in Nigeria to get a loan from FirstBank and started the project. When I started the project, some people went to the government to say all sorts of things, which made the government to lock it up for a month, but it was re opened. They were surprised that I am the only one doing the project. After it was opened, about nine commissioners came to inspect the project and I took them round. Later on, former Governor Fashola came to the site. He was surprised and was also happy. He said thank you for supporting my government, and I said your Excellency, thank you for giving me the opportunity…

“That was how I started. The saboteurs came they poured chemicals on the construction and two buildings collapsed out of 11 buildings and the place was locked up for like five months. After that happened, they did the material test and I was give 61 percent. I was later allowed to finish the construction.”

The decision to build the market, he said, pitched him against some politicians in Oshodi.

He said: “Some politicians and people in Oshodi don’t like me. They believe I am the one who brought the Lagos State Government to come and interfere in the affairs of Oshodi. As far as I am concerned, those are the people who only came to suck from the milk and success of Oshodi, they don’t want the success of this great market. And it’s because all the racket money they were making couldn’t be achieved again. All the area boys are not happy. They believe I brought in the government who demolished so many places where they make money from. They were making the money yet they are not putting it toward the success of the place.

“In the process, the then Babaloja died at the age of 100. Everybody was fighting to become the Babaloja. The late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji called me and also told others that there is this son of mine who did a good work in Oshodi, I want him to become the Babaloja of Oshodi and the rest is now history.”

July 4, 2016
Residents laud Ambode over Oshodi-Apapa highway repairs

A cross section of Lagos State residents on Wednesday lauded the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for keeping to his promise of repairing the failed portions of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, saying that the development has transformed the economic landscape of the axis.

Governor Ambode, had about five weeks ago, made an unscheduled inspection of the road while returning from a function, where he expressed dissatisfaction at the deplorable state of some portions of the road.

A visibly worried Governor Ambode had alighted from his convoy to inspect the bad portions of the road between Berlett and Ilasa, and Cele Bus stop inward Oshodi.

Governor Ambode not only directed the officials of the Ministry of Works to immediately move to site, but also ordered that an immediate palliative measure be put in place to alleviate the sufferings of motorists who have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road through various means.

The Governor had specifically stressed that he could not afford to ignore the road due to its strategic importance to the economy of the State.

A total of 4klm was repaired on the long stretch of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway between Berlett, Ilasa and Cele Bus stops inward Oshodi. The blocked drain which caused the damage to the road was repaired while work is currently ongoing on the service lane of the road.

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, a trader who deals in office equipment in the area, Mr. Akeem Abolarinwa said the repair of the road in less than five weeks was a miracle, and it only confirmed the genuine intention of Governor Ambode to transform the State.

He said: “We are very happy with the repair of this road. This road has been in a very deplorable state for long and we have been enduring untold hardship as a result of the sad development.

“I remember very well just about five weeks ago when Governor Ambode passed through this area and saw the deplorable state of the road. He came down from his vehicle and inspected it and promised us that work would start on it. Here we are today enjoying the good road. Our businesses have witnessed a quantum boost since the completion of the repair work and I just want to pray that God will continue to grant Governor Ambode wisdom and strength to lead the State,” Abolarinwa said.

Another trader in the area, Alhaji Sani Wasiu, who sells home and office furniture, commended Governor Ambode for keeping his words just within three days after inspecting the road.

He said: “This is a good development. In fact, I don’t know how to appreciate the Governor. He made a promise and fulfilled it. This road was repaired in less than five weeks and this has never happened before and it is a big surprise to every one of us in this area.

“When the Governor said repair work would commence on the road immediately, we thought it was a joke and just after three days that he visited the road, we saw a massive mobilization of Julius Berger to the road and they commenced work immediately.

“Everything has changed since the repair of the road. Even security has improved in this area and we now have more people coming to patronize us. I just want to give kudos to him,” Wasiu said.

On her part, a resident of the area, Mrs Ronke Onaopepo said the quality of work done on the road within a few weeks was commendable and an eloquent confirmation of the fact that the Governor is passionate about the development of the State.

She said: “We have had instances of containerized trucks falling off the road and causing traffic gridlock for hours due to the deplorable state of the road. But now, that is a thing of the past and our story has changed for the better, all thanks to a compassionate Governor in charge of Lagos State.”

June 22, 2016
Oshodi’ll never be same again, says Ambode

•‘Transformation project to cost $70m’

NURTW boss urges members to be calm

Chairman Lagos State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede has urged commercial drivers to remain calm over the government’s plan to change buses’ and taxis’ colours from yellow to blue

The change is expected to take off in January 2017.

After a meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday, Agbede said NURTW would smooth implementation of the directive.

He said: “We are on top of the situation, and I want to use this opportunity to assure our members that everything is being done to make the exercise a problem-free one. We are talking with the government on how to execute the programme and protect the interest of drivers.

“We had a very meaningful discussion with the governor and l am very sure that the interest of our members will be taken care of.”

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday spoke of the new Oshodi of his dream, saying once the area is transformed, it will never be the same again.

Oshodi, he said, would host a world class facility that will make the inhabitants live better.

Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House in Ikeja during a meeting with key stakeholders on the proposed Oshodi interchange, said when the project is completed, Lagosians would be treated to the best of facilities compared to any other in the world.

The meeting, a follow up to an earlier forum organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development to sensitise stakeholders on the project, was attended by National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and community leaders and market associations.

Pleading with the stakeholders to support the project billed to start on Wednesday, Ambode said the interests of market men and women and transporters have been taken care of, as they would make more money than before.

He said: “I am so happy that we are working together on this project. What we are doing today is what we have been planning for long and our plan is to transform some notorious areas in the state to places like Victoria Island. Oshodi is known for all kinds of notorious activities and we want to totally do away with that belief and the best way to go about it is to give the people a world class facility and make them to live better.

“We want the people in Oshodi to be identified with good and not bad things all the time and that was what made us to decide that the kind of development going on in Victoria Island, Lekki and other places should take place in Oshodi as well. I mean, I find it very disturbing that our children in Oshodi would have to travel to Lekki or Ikeja to have access to good shopping mall. So, what we have decided is to regenerate Oshodi.

“Now, if we say there are 13 bus parks all scattered in Oshodi, can we put these bus parks in the same place? You know it is not possible for me to bring the drivers or the buses to Oshodi. It would still be the people who are currently operating there. But the plan is that those who are operating there now, we can make life more comfortable for them and they would still be the ones operating the buses.

“The issue is that when we transform the terminals, what kind of buses should fit into the new look and that is why we are engaging all the stakeholders, especially the transport people. We can take away all these yellow buses and put these other buses but you will be the operators, and all we are only doing is to provide you with world class terminals that you would even be asking is this happening in my lifetime. So, instead of scattering ourselves all over, let all of us be in one very well organised and secured place,” Ambode said.

According to him, the new Oshodi will have about 800 modern buses which would run 24/7, conveying passengers in a more comfortable arrangement.

He said the interchange would accommodate world class containerised shopping mall with recreation and entertainment facilities.

“I plead for your tolerance because eventually this whole thing is coming back to you but we must have achieved so much. You see, Oshodi is the entrance point from the international Airport and it creates the image of where we want to go and once we are able to create that image, nobody will ever remember Oshodi in their head for anything bad. The only thing that would be left is for us to ensure that the road from Oshodi to the international airport meets international standard and by that, we would have regenerated that part of Lagos for good,” the governor said.

Responding, Lagos State NURTW Chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede hailed Ambode for the initiative, promising his members support to make the project a reality.

A market leader, Mr Lateef Tajudeen, thanked Ambode for the concretised Brown Street in Oshodi, pleading that traders should be carried along in the allocation of the shops in the planned mall.

Mr Biodun Otunola, Managing Director of Planet Projects Limited, the government’s partner on the project, said the firm would deliver on schedule.

He said the project would gulp about $70 million, adding that some financial institutions have expressed interest in it.

May 25, 2016
Photos: Proposed interchange: Gov meets Oshodi transport leaders

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello and Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule during a meeting with Transport Union Leaders, Oshodi Market Men & Women on the construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), in a warm handshake with Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Council, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede (2nd right) while a Trustee member of NURTW, Lagos Council, Comrade Paul Oginni during a meeting with Transport Union Leaders, Oshodi Market Men & Women on the construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), in a group photograph with Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Council, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede (5th left), Iyaloja General, Oshodi, Alhaja Taiwo Arowojobe and other stakeholders during a meeting with Transport Union Leaders, Oshodi Market Men & Women on the construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with Iyaloja General, Oshodi, Alhaja Taiwo Arowojobe while Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right, behind) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofi Elegushi (2nd right, behind), watch during a meeting with Transport Union Leaders, Oshodi Market Men & Women on the construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja

The Architectural design of the construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange.

May 24, 2016
Ambode concludes plans for N22.4 billion Oshodi regeneration project

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has concluded plans to commenced construction on the regeneration and development of Oshodi into a world class transport interchange at a cost of over N22.4 billion ($70 million).

The governor who unveiled the plan at a stakeholders meeting held at Ikeja House yesterday said the interchange will be constructed into three world class terminal that will curb haphazard and indiscriminate parking and picking up of passengers by road sides by commercial bus drivers.

Governor Ambode described Oshodi as the busiest transport interchange in West Africa, with over 5,600 buses spread over 13 different motor parks loading daily, adding that the present situation in that corridor does fit into the dream of a growing mega city.

He stated that Oshodi has over 200,000 passengers boarding per day, about one million pedestrians and that 76% of the area is dedicated to transport and related activities, lamenting that the result of this was chaos, illegal markets, high human and vehicular traffic, environmental and sanitation issues and in recent times serious security challenges.

According to him,“we have a solution to the Oshodi menace. The Oshodi Interchange you see today will be replaced by an iconic, world class transportation and commercial hub. That is in keeping with the vision of this government to transform the key city centres of the State to reflect the mega city status of Lagos.

“Many of you would have been aware of the recent demolition of illegal structures and markets in this area. This was not to oppress or deny anybody their livelihood but to start the process of regenerating and recreating Oshodi. Our effort to redevelop Oshodi is aimed at improving the physical structure, security and more importantly creating the 24-hour economy which we promised.

He said the proposed redevelopment of Oshodi axis will consolidate all the 13 City and Interstate parks into 3 multi-storey bus park & terminals situated on 4 floors.

“The first terminal would be constructed at the Mosafejo Market axis and would be for Inter-state transportation, while the second terminal would be erected at the former Owonifari Market, and the third terminal to be built adjacent to NAFDAC and would be for Intra-city transport activities.

He said these terminals would have standard facilities, including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands; drivers lounge, parking areas, rest rooms, among others, adding that the development would include accessible walkways and pedestrian bridges/sky-walks to link all the three terminals.

“The development will introduce bus lanes, lay-bys, green parks to soften the environment, proper waste management, fencing and a dedicated security team for Oshodi. When we complete this project, we would have completely rebranded and remodeled Oshodi from a decadent situation to an iconic state. The crime rate in this area will be drastically reduced, if not eliminated.

“In addition, a shopping mall covering over two hectares will be situated in the old Mosafejo settlement. This mall will comprise recreation, entertainment; the new Oshodi bus terminal will be delivered with a Public-Private Partnership, PPP arrangement. This model allows the effective allocation of tasks and risks in the development of the interchange and also ensures that finance can be easily obtained for the project,” he explained.

He said the regeneration of the Oshodi interchange would definitely redefine the economic outlook of the area, as government’s goal was to make every nook and cranny of Lagos economically viable.

Mr. Abiodun Otuola, Managing Director, Translink Capital Development Limited, the developer of the project disclosed that the commencement date for the project would be June 1, 2016 and that the project would be completed within 13 months, adding that the cost of the project is $70 million.

May 24, 2016
Oshodi Transport Interchange project begins next month

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said the transformation of Oshodi into a world class business district through urban regeneration will begin next month.

He said at a stakeholders’ forum on Oshodi Transport Interchange in Lagos that the project would last for 18 months.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Ade Akinsanya, said the project would reflect the mega status of Lagos by improving physical structure, security and creating a 24-hour economy.

He said residents and stakeholders would derive immense benefits from the project.

Ambode said the project was premised on a three-pronged approach including urban renewal, environmental regeneration and transportation and security.

In her presentation, Special Adviser to the governor on Urban Development Mrs Yetunde Onabule said the 13 city, and inter-state motor parks in Oshodi would be consolidated into three bus terminals.

Mrs Onabule said the first terminal would be at the former Mosafejo market axis, the second at the former Owonifari market and the third, adjacent to NAFDAC office in Oshodi.

The terminals, she said, would be equipped with state of the art facilities, including skywalk to connect the terminals with adequate security apparatus.

Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Tajudeen Agbede, hailed the government for the laudable project and pledged his members’ support.

May 19, 2016