The Nation Newspaper

Tag: streets

  • Council prosecutes firm for ‘disposing human waste on streets’

    The Environmental Health Department, Aba South Local Government of Abia State, has arrested two workers of Junifon Nigeria Ltd, a public toilet/waste disposal operator in Aba, for allegedly channelling human waste into streets.

    A director in the department, Mrs. Onyinyechi Nwaigwe, told reporters the suspects had been arraigned at an Aba Magistrates’ Court.

    She alleged that the company, at 1/3, Asa Road, Aba, channelled faeces from a cesspit into the gutter.

    Nwaigwe said the waste flowed to York Street and Aba Town Hall in the council headquarters.

    She said an abatement order had been issued to the company to rebuild its cesspit and channel its waste properly or face prosecution.

    The director said the company was, last month, issued an abatement notice, adding that “this second abatement notice will be the last warning to the firm.

    “It will no longer be business as usual for the company and others.

    “This department has declared war on environmental pollution and will work to make Aba safe and healthy for residents.”

  • Elumelu Foundation has taken youths off streets, says Sultan

    Elumelu Foundation has taken youths off streets, says Sultan

    Sultan of Sokoto Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III has commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its contribution to entrepreneurship and job creation for young people in the North.

    The Sultan spoke during a visit by Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group and Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation.

    Elumelu was in Sokoto to give a speech to students and leaders during the National Dialogue Series at the Usman Danfodiyo University.

    The Sultan said through his Foundation, and entrepreneurship advocacy had created jobs and helped in creating security in the North by keeping youths off the streets.

    “We need more Tony Elumelus. We need more Aliko Dangotes,” he said, adding: “We continue to appreciate what you are doing for our youth because when you take these children off the streets, you provide the means for them to live a simple life. In that regard, we have a bit of security”.

    Tagged “Entrepreneurship: An Antidote to Nigerian Youth Unemployment”, the ensuing event, which was held at the university campus was hosted by Vice Chancellor Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, who commended Elumelu on his dedication to encouraging entrepreneurship among the youth.

    “We have been following your activities. Of recent, the activity that caught our eyes is the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme where you set aside $100million for the next 10 years to ensure that African youth, not only Nigerians but African youth develop Africa,” he said

    Elumelu appreciated the university for the opportunity to share his message of Africapitalism with the students. He charged the students to adopt the philosophy, noting that it would help them understand their place in transforming Africa.

    “To attain long term success, I want you to adopt Africapitalism as a guiding philosophy. I want you to develop a keen sense of awareness that Africa is in dire need of leaders both in the private and public sectors and your ideas can indeed transform the continent,” he said to the students.

    He challenged the students to take on entrepreneurship as a means of eradicating poverty and creating more jobs in the society.  “Only entrepreneurs can create the millions of jobs we need to power our economy out of poverty,” Elumelu said.

    He charged them to assume responsibility for developing the African continent, saying: “Nobody but us will develop Africa. Africa’s destiny lies in the hands of all of us, Africans,” he concluded.

  • Petty traders’ lot on Abuja streets

    Some petty traders who sell along the streets of Wuse zone 6 have narrated their ordeal in the hands of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

    Some of the traders in the Wuse area of the Abuja Municipal Area Council said they are still selling on the streets despite the authorities stance against it because they give AEPB officials on patrol a token of about N200 daily for them to be allowed to sell on their various spots.

    These traders, who sell roasted yam, roasted corn, fruits and suya at night, disclosed that this has been a daily practice by the task force officials.

    The case of a yam seller who lamented her ordeal in the hands of AEPB officials has been the situation of many traders along the streets for some time now.

    Speaking on the situation, the roasted yam seller who sells on the street during the day revealed that she gives the task force men about N200 twice daily for her to be allowed to sell, adding that she has to do so to keep her business going else the task force officials will seize her goods.

    She narrated her ordeal as on one occasion she helplessly watched as the AEPB men took her goods away because she had no money to give them. She revealed that on a day when there are many task force officials sitting in the patrol van they will all be required to pay N2000 each adding that there is a particular group that does not accept money rather they confiscate their goods “some of them no dey collect money, when we see those ones they come we go just run and we go come back when them pass finish”.

    The suya sellers who set out to do business at the early hours of the evening into the night have not had much luck as well, as the task force men are sure to pay them a visit upon closure from their patrol.

    Speaking on how they convey the money to the officials, a suya seller disclosed that upon seeing the AEPB van one of the sellers will go round to collect the usual money, after which it will be submitted to the task force officials.

    These traders however said that they have no choice but to keep complying with these officials as far as after the settlement they are allowed to sell on their various spots.

    All efforts to speak to officials of the AEPB were futile as none was willing to talk.

  • ‘No sale of charcoal, firewood on Borno streets’

    The Borno State government has banned sale of charcoal and firewood on major streets to prevent pollution.

    Commissioner for Justice Kakashehu Lawan stated this in a statement to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

    Lawan said sellers were expected to relocate to a new market on Damboa Road.

    “Sale of charcoal and firewood along major streets is hereby banned. Those engaged in the business should relocate to the Charcoal and Firewood market along Damboa Road in Maiduguri.

    “Government action is based on the fact that the sale of these items on our streets has become a source of pollution, as well as constitute health hazard to the public,” Lawan said.

    He said the traders have two weeks to either relocate or face prosecution.

    The commissioner hinted that government planned to demolish illegal structures and shanties in markets across the state.

    “All illegal markets are hereby banned and owners advised to relocate to recognised markets like Bolori, Abbaganaram, Gamboru among others.

    “They have two weeks to relocate as such structures will be demolished in the next two weeks,” Lawan said.

    He explained that government action was based on the fact that such places were used as hideouts for criminals.

    “Such places not only deface the environment but often serve as hideouts for criminals and their activities,” he said.

  • Lagos to light up streets, schools

    Lagos to light up streets, schools

    The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will light up all the streets in Lagos and 172 schools in the rural areas, the Commissioner, Mr. Olawale Oluwo has said.

    Oluwo, who spoke during the unveiling of light up Lagos campaign and the commissioning of some projects in Ikeja said the campaign is imperative to educate the public on the purpose of light up Lagos project and its importance to the people, adding that a community in Badagry was lit up after having black out for 16 years.

    Oluwo said: “We are taking street lights to all the streets in Lagos and not just the major highways, but also the third Mainland Bridge, and Ikorodu roads. Light up Lagos initiative is the idea of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who used it in his campaign. The Light up Lagos project is not just about street lighting but we also intend to light up all healthcare centres both at the local and metropolitan levels, and water corporations in Lagos so that people can have light 24 hours, as well as public schools and most importantly their libraries, staff quarters, among others.”

    The Commissioner said the United Kingdom deployed solar panels to 172 schools in Lagos rural areas, and trained people to make sure the deployed solar equipment is readily available.

    He said Lagos State as a government do not generate, transmit, distribute or supply the gas to power generation companies, but the investors who bought the power assets following the privatisation programme of the Federal Government are to make it happen. Lagos state Government has the responsibility to ensure that while the private sector people are setting out, the government must be with them as a partner to ensure that there are no bottlenecks.

    He said lots of enforcements need to be put in place to avoid the issue of bypassing meters and power theft. Those are the areas the government is concerned about, he added.

    Light up Lagos concept is divided into six, power advisory committee, independent power supply at Lekki, Berger, Alausa, among others.  Lagos State is moving away from providing to itself, institutions to working with stake holders to make sure they transmit power to the people.

    The street lighting project aims at putting all the street lights into operation, adding that sometimes management of the street light project is difficult because other agencies such as Lagos State Electricity Board, Lagos State Ministry of works, New Town Development Authority, Local Governments have stakes. Even at the federal level, we have Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, some Senators and House of Representatives members have powered street lights as part of their social responsibility, he added.

  • Lagos APC warns against brigandage on streets

    Lagos APC warns against brigandage on streets

    The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress yesterday condemned what it called the syndicated demonstration being sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country.

    It accused the ruling party of plotting to disrupt the general elections because it has become obvious to it that the polls cannot be manipulated.

    In a statement by its spokesman Joe Igbokwe, the party described the wave of protests by out-lawed militia groups – the Movement for the Actualisation of Soverign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) – as desperate efforts to scuttle the electoral process.

    The statement reads: “The syndicated protests by MASSOB and OPC are desperate efforts by a dying government to create confusion and trouble so as to sabotage the election when it had become obvious to the PDP that it had lost the support of Nigerians in the coming election and warns that more of such purchased mercenary protests are in the offing as we inch close to the critical 2015 election.

    “It is instructive that the purchased campaigners are destroying campaign posters and bill boards of the APC in their mercenary traits and said this tells so much of the mission they are sponsored to do.

    “We in the APC say that Nigerians must see in what is happening today the consuming desperation of Jonathan and PDP to pull down the Nigerian house when it has become obvious that they have lost the support of the people.

    “No one should be surprised at what is happening today because it reflects the last acts of a dying junta desperate to use every means to remain in power.

    “It is obvious that Jonathan and PDP have given up hence the open and bizarre sponsorship, bribery and inducement to militia groups through generous dollar-bribes and contract bazaars, for the purpose of creating enormous crisis and confusion in a bid to scuttle the coming elections.

    “We see the present actions of OPC as spurred by the multi-billion naira contracts that was recently given to their leaders by a desperate Jonathan as bribery to secure such hatchet jobs they are doing at present.

    “Nigerians note that the action of the hired mercenaries like OPC on the streets of Lagos, where they are visiting destruction on APC campaign materials, is an act of war, as the intended purpose is to provoke monumental crisis that will stop the election through widespread violence that may lead to war.

    “The PDP is desperate to plunge the country into such war that will make both Rwanda and Burundi a child’s play considering the mix of the country’s population. We see the desperation of the PDP to remain in power when it is obvious that Nigerians don’t want it, as a clear and present danger and we alert the world to hold the PDP responsible for any breach of security in Nigeria today.

    “We note that in their frustration and desperation, the PDP has resorted to the use of the word – ‘MUST’ in their public statements, as in the needless refrain that “Jonathan Must Continue In Office”, a statement that betrays the fear and hopelessness that has hit PDP and its clients such as OPC and MASSOB.

    “That tells of a party that has no hope that its corrupt license would be renewed. We see the present disoriented and rootless campaigns the PDP and its purchased allies like MASSOB and OPC are now mounting against the Prof Attahiru Jega – led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) and the PVCs are the deliberate antics of veteran electoral criminals to remain in power and nothing more.”

    Igbokwe hailed Nigerians for not falling for the traps being set by the anti-democratic forces.

    He said: “We are happy that Nigerians are not buying their spurious antics.

    “Lagos APC is worried that the police and other security agencies are turning blind eyes to the sponsored brigandage which the PDP is unleashing on the country’s space and are not doing anything about it.

    “We are worried that the syndicated brigandage of the PDP a few days to a critical election is not eliciting actions from the security agencies and while we urge our members and supporters to remain calm so as to ensure we do not play into the hands of these desperate desperados that want to scuttle an election just because they have seen they are about being thrown into the dustbin of history by Nigerians.”

     

     

  • ‘We have talents wasting on the streets’

    ‘We have talents wasting on the streets’

    Ukalina Opuwari is a dance director at the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria. The Mass Communication graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, also won the Maltina Dance All Competition in 2008. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about the highpoints in her career, the challenges and prospects

    WHAT is your duty as dance director at the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN)?

    My duty as a dance director is to co-ordinate every dance activity that happens in SPAN. I also make sure we have trained teachers handling classes, good choreographers to handle our performances, to ensure that people are constantly training and becoming better so they can also train others. It is also to organise the dancers and make sure the department runs smoothly.

    What are some of the achievements recorded?

    For me, I would say that the achievements will be in two parts. First, I would say that the department has trained numerous teachers, choreographers, performers and dancers who are outstanding in their fields and have featured in reality shows and won competitions. These include events in and outside the country.  We have also developed communities dance-wise and are constantly a source of inspiration to the youths! We have empowered youths to be able to stand on their own and to understand what it means to be a professional and if you go down in history for the last ten years, you will discover that most of the big names in the dance industry came out of SPAN.

    The other aspects of achievement are personal! I have evolved from just being a performer to an educator and much more. I have been opportune to travel to many places and have met international stars in the dance industry, especially in Latin and Ballroom.

    Tell us about some of the projects that you have participated in  

    There are many, but I will name a few. I won Maltina Dance All 2008 and I was an instructor for about three seasons and in the past two seasons I was the regional judge. I was the choreographer for Miss Queen Nigeria 2014. I played a major character in Love is the Musical Season 1-4. I have played a major character in Amstel Malta Showtime “THE RUSH” and also in “REALVOLUTION” during the re-launch of the Legend drink.

    I was also the regional judge for Hip Hop World International and also a judge in International Dance Organisation competition. I performed alongside Osas Ighodaro during the opening of the AMVCA 2015 and currently the presenter for DANCE AND LEARN, a dance show on Cool TV.

    What are some of the challenges encountered?

    In the dance industry, the major challenge is financial support and acceptance. Right now, we are accepted as part of the entertainment industry but not totally, as we are not appreciated as we should be. Also, the educative part is still suffering as we are yet to attain that excellence needed in the business. Many factors are not helping matters which are first and foremost the absence of good facilities. Unfortunately, this is not good enough, with the way our nation is, the survival of many talents is minimal.

    How do you cope with some of these challenges?

    I honestly am determined like some others not to be put down by these challenges. Our passion is our strength and daily I work harder so that the next generation can achieve much more and be better. They can have more access and be able to understand that this is serious business.

    Let’s talk about your antecedents; why you chose your career line as well as the first job that you did?

    Since I realised I had the gift naturally and it made me happy, I pushed to become a performer extraordinaire and to also pass the knowledge to the young ones. I never saw myself doing a white collar job but in the performing arts. So, it chose me. Yes, I have passion for presenting as well as I like to talk and be in front of the camera and dish out my wildest thoughts. I worked in a radio station for a while in Port Harcourt but I wanted to dance, so I threw everything into my dance career.

    Let’s talk about some of the memorable moments in your career and life

    The first memorable moment for me was when I won Maltina Dance All Season 2 with my family. The second experience for me was when I got certified as the first lady teacher in Nigeria in Latin and Ballroom and being part of SPAN. Finally, my proposal in Las Vegas, which is still ongoing.

    Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

    My greatest influence will be my background, my family, Ice Nweke, Sarah Boulos, Diane Jarmolow, all the staff and students in SPAN. Most especially kids… I love kids and they sure influence the way I do things.

    How would you describe the efforts put in by government in the music and entertainment industry in Nigeria?

    They are trying but they need to do more. The music industry grew without much help from the government and the same for the dance; which is trying to find its feet. We need more facilities and training to match up with what is out there. We have raw talents roaming the streets without financial support. Only a few have been able to push through and they are still fighting to survive. There is no insurance whatsoever, so people are taking risks daily physically, financially and mentally; this is why some parents don’t allow their kids to go into it because they feel there is no future in it. The government has to come on board by supporting institutions that work hard to gather these talents and give them hope and to also build what will cater for our needs; to give scholarship to exceptional citizens in this field so there will be continuity and hope for the future.

    How would you compare what you are doing with other colleagues in the other parts of the world?

    I would say we are exceptionally powerful and gifted. We are so passionate yet undisciplined. They work harder at what they can do and perfect it daily; we get distracted with many things and at the end we don’t even get to our maximum. We are creative but lack the support to bring that to pass.

    What changes would you like to see in the next five years?

    I would like to see dance institutions in every state and performing art centres. I want dance to be a profession on its own and to see more trained dancers, teachers and choreographers. I want people who are gifted to be able to channel it in the right direction and for Nigerian dance styles to be exported and known worldwide. I want to see people appreciated for their contribution and hard work; for the kids to take dance as part of their subjects.  Above all, I want to see a community of dancers and the fact that they are respected.

    Who are some of the people that you admire?

    There are so many people who have impacted on my life that I admire. First of all, my mum, my sisters, Pastor Nonso Ubajekwe, Sarah Boulos, Ice Nweke, Olufunmi Olajoyegbe, Bright Gain, Buddy Agedah, Lovette Otegbola, Lilian Yeri, Penny Mohammed, Diane Jarmolow, Bunmi Olunloyo, Joanna Leunis, Isabella Lewandowski and Catherina Galas.

  • PZ Cussons’ campaign hits streets

    PZ Cussons’ campaign hits streets

    The management of PZ Cussons has begun a regional consumer engagement campaign of Canoe detergent brand, tagged: “Alive with Colour Campaign”.

    It is meant to promote the uniqueness of the brand and demonstrate how it washes clothing clean, while preserving the colours.

    The Head of Fabric Care, PZ Cussons Africa, Roy C. Ekekwe, speaking at the weekend at the activation of the product at the Ikeja Mall, Lagos, said the purpose of the brand was to enable consumers live a colourful life.

    “The brand is there to resolve the tension our consumers deal with each time they wash and clean their coloured fabrics.”

    The Brand Manager, Canoe Detergent, Gloria Jacobs, said: “Colours are at the heart of what Canoe stands for.”

    She said the brand enjoyed quality advantage over other brands in the market, being the only Nigerian colour care detergent formulated to clean and care for coloured clothes. “Its mild formulation, with soap flakes and Aloe Vera tipping, make this possible. Canoe detergent has enjoyed patronage from consumers.”

    On the regional campaign in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan, she noted that the essence was to create awareness for the brand and bring its message closer to the people.

  • Insecurity: Plateau shuts major streets

    Insecurity: Plateau shuts major streets

    The last time the terrorists struck in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on May 20, they chose a crowded part of Murtala Muhammed Way. Over 100 people died in the twin blasts, many more injured.  A large number of people were either buying or selling on one of the city’s four major business streets at the time of the explosions. That is why the state government and the security authorities have closed the major streets to trading. The affected routes are Murtala Muhammed Way, Ahmadu Bello way, Rwang Pam Street and Tafawa Balewa Street, which are usually busy round the clock.

    The terrorists set off two bombs on Murtala Mohammed Way targeting the crowd. The explosions brought down most of the shops along the street.

    Why was there such a huge crowd there in the first place? It is one of the major streets near the sprawling site of the burnt ultra-modern Terminus Market. Since the market was not rebuilt, former shop owners and others found business space anywhere they could, provided it was near the famous market site. The traders’ crowd began to spread to nearby streets, Murtala Mohammed Way being one of them. Old Bukuru Park and Bauchi Road also host the influx.

    As a result, security agencies had to cordon off the affected streets for weeks. Following the closure of business activities on Murtala Muhammed Way, traders who survived the blasts relocated their business to the next street, Ahmadu Bello Way. In a few weeks there was another heavy concentration of people at Ahmadu Bello Way, triggering concern that in the event of another attack on that street, there could be more casualties.

    The threat of a suicide attack led to a temporary closure of some of the adjoining streets by security agencies when it was rumoured that some Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs may have been planted there. The military operations lasted almost a whole day. Affected streets include Murtala Mohammed Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, Beach Road, Bank Road, Yantaya Junction, ECWA Good News Road, Old Bukuru Junction, Terminus Junction, Rwang Pam Street, Kashim Ibrahim Junction by Ahmadu Bello Way, Ahmadu Bello Way (including Hamaz and Unity Bank Junction), Murtala Mohammed Way (University of Jos old campus), and Beach Road by Zenith Bank.

    The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis, codenamed ‘Operation Safe Haven’ which led the military operation on these streets, said, “While the STF will not relent on its part to ensure that peace is achieved and this phase passes quickly, it relies on the provision of prompt information to ensure that no group of terrorists will cause harm to the populace.”

    Though the security agencies refused to disclose their findings in the military operation, it was learnt that a number of high-capacity explosives were evacuated from the streets during the exercise.

    But as soon as the military operations were over the traders returned to the streets for business. This has compelled the security agencies in collaboration with the state government to contemplate applying force to decongest the city centre. The state police command had earlier issued a quit notice to all traders around the Terminus Market. This was followed by an announcement by the state government that a task force was about to start evacuating traders from the troubled zone.

    State Commissioner for Information, Olivia Dazyem at a media briefing, said, “The general public will recall that in the aftermath of the last bomb blast in Jos and other security challenges, the Plateau State government came up with some measures aimed at ensuring safety and promoting peace and security within the Jos city centre. These include the ban on street trading, operation of illegal motor parks and indiscriminate parking of vehicles along major streets in the city centre.

    “Also government had earlier placed a ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles within the greater Jos Master Plan Areas.

    “In order for all stakeholders to appreciate the gravity of our security challenges, government and security chiefs met with leaders of traders Association and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on the 25th of June 2014. At the meeting, it was resolved that the streets within Jos city center should be cleared of illegal traders, hawkers and motor parks and indiscriminate parking of vehicles be stopped to avoid a repeat of the collateral damages to lives and properties that accompanied the 20th May 2014 twin bomb blasts.

    “Based on this resolution, a task force was on the same day inaugurated by the state commissioner of police to enforce the ban.

    “Since then, security chiefs have been monitoring closely the security situation in the state as there have been threats of security breach. The strengthening of the task force has become urgent and necessary.

    “It is based on this that the Plateau State police command has put the general public on notice that the task force is set to swing into action immediately. For example, operators of illegal motor parks, illegal traders, and motorists engaged in illegal parking around Terminus areas down to Plateau Riders, Ahmadu Bello Way, Tafawa Balewa, ECWA Good News, Old Bukuru Park, Murtala Muhammed Way, Rwang Pam Street, and Gangeri road are strongly advised to comply.

    “Shop owners along the mentioned areas and other motorists are also advised to find alternative areas to park their vehicles.

    “I also wish to inform occupants of the JMDB shopping complex along Murtala Muhammed Way that experts from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have declared the facilities unsafe. This is due to the impact of the 29th May bomb blasts. Those renting shops at the complex are advised to contact JMDB and the Ministry of Commerce for further directives. For the avoidance of doubt, alternative shops are available at the Kwararafa New Market and the Kabong Satellite Market.

    “I wish to say here that all these measures are in no way punitive aimed at ensuring public safety, sanity, economic prosperity and the general well being of all people.

    “Therefore, I wish to solicit the support, cooperation and understanding of all to make Jos the hub of business and an example of plateau state being the undisputed home of peace and tourism.

    With this development, the famous Jos business streets are gone for fear of Boko Haram. But the affected traders are not pleased with the enforcement of the ban. Chinedu Onu who owns a shop at the affected streets said, “In as much as we don’t want suicide bombers to seek the opportunity of heavy traffic of people and strike, we don’t also want government to close this market because everybody in the city prefers to shop here; people are not used to the alternative market where they are forcing us to go”

    Most of the women who sell vegetables along the streets are not happy either. They said their family depends on the little gain they make from their petty trade.

    Esther Marcus said, “Instead of driving us from the street, they are supposed to provide security for us, if we leave here we will never have space in the new markets, government is just punishing us”

    It was tough for motorists as the task force moved out to enforce the ban, almost all the streets within the city centre were cordoned off to keep traders away. Motorists were left with few roads to ply and the traffic gridlock was another terrible experience for citizens.had earlier issued a quit notice to all traders around the Terminus Market. This was followed by an announcement by the state government that a task force was about to start evacuating traders from the troubled zone.