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Tag: Victoria Island

  • Kanu laments disrespect for court injunction on property

    Former Nigeria Super Eagles Captian, Nwakwo Kanu, on Monday said he was embittered by the illegal takeover of one of his properties, “Hardly Apartment’’, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, which was under litigation.

    Kanu told the News Agency of Nigeria in his Kanu Heart Foundation Office, Ikeja, that such trespass was against the court’s injunction.

    NAN reports that the said property, Hardly Apartment, is a subject of litigation and has been under temporary possession of AMCON since 2015 over alleged indebtedness.
    Kanu, fondly call “Papilo’’, said that he had been in the dark about the possession of the hotel until he went there to see for himself the latest development.

    “I have chosen to obey the court ruling on the property because the court has yet to award it to anyone, but I kept on receiving reports that work is ongoing on the property.

    “I decided to see the development on the property today myself, and I found out it is true. I cannot imagine a property that has a competent court order being trespassed.

    “We need to obey the court ruling on the property. There will be a court sitting this month, but to my surprise it has been taken over before the court ruling.

    “It really hurts me to see that a property under litigation and that an injunction of a court could be disregarded with work ongoing there. I am a law abiding citizen and I think people should respect that,’’ he said.

    Kanu said he had paid his due to the country as a patriotic citizen right from his teen, while promising to do more under a right atmosphere.

    “I want to say that people are looking up to us. The country wants us to come and invest in Nigeria which we have done, but this should not be the result we are getting.

    “I so much believe in Nigeria right from my tender age when I represented the country at the age of 17 and I have remained patriotic winning several honours for the country.

    “I also believe that having properties like this will create jobs for the people who are looking up to us but such investment is what some want to take away illegally and forcefully.

    Read Also: Buhari, ministers hold emergency FEC meeting

    “As a patriotic citizen, our investment should be better protected than being taken over illegally,’’ he said.

    Kanu said that proceeds from the property was one of the sources of his funding the Kanu Heart Foundation Project, but added that he had been left to rue his loss.

    “It is because of my belief in Nigeria that I put on the property and in the face of provocation; I have remained committed to my foundation.

    “Kanu Heart Foundation sources for funds and the property is one of the major financiers of the project. Since 2015, I have been sourcing for funds to carry on the project.

    “Kanu Heart Foundation has been able to sponsor about 514 patients, while about 200 are on the waiting list. I have no habit of asking from people for funds without me supplying the larger percentage.

    “The foundation wants to help more people but the funds are been hampered; so, I want those concerned to obey the law,’’ he said.

    He also appealed to the government to intervene in the matter not for himself but for the many heart patients that have yet to benefit from the treatment offered by the foundation.

  • JCI Victoria Island launches IpledgeNigeria

    The Victoria Island chapter of Junior Chamber International ( JCI ) has launched IpledgeNigeria campaign, an initiative to re-awaken the consciousness of Nigerians to be more committed to nation-building.

    The campaign launched on January 1st 2019, will sensitise Nigerians on various activities that will make them to be more positively responsible to the cause of a greater Nigeria.

    JCI chapter President, Olamipo Adeola explained the intention of the campaign is to ignite love, passion and responsibility every citizen of Nigeria should be exhibiting.

    “I know Nigeria is not where we all want it to be but it’s our Nigeria and we must consciously get involved, else nothing would change,” she charged.

    She believes that Nigerians all over the world should join the movement and hold the government accountable.

    She reaffirmed the responsibilities and involvement of youths in affairs of the state and politics were very crucial to national development.

    “We would be advocating for active youths participation in government at various levels,” she said.

    She added “IpledgeNigeria” campaign is taking off strategically at this time the nation is preparing for general elections.

    “Citizens will be voting to elect their leaders into various offices and Nigerians must be aware, that with our PVCs, we are responsible for the candidate we elect and how our nation would be for the next four years.

    “Citizens will be sensitised on their duties before, during and after the election, as we will be advocating for zero tolerance against violence, vote buying or selling and any act that may hinder a free and fair election.

    Adeola noted stakeholders, both in private and public sectors, celebrities, entertainers, passionate citizens will be encouraged and engaged to endorse the initiative and also propagate the agenda of the programme.

  • Four, Five-star hotel bookings peaked during Black Friday – Jumia MD

    Jumia’s hotel & flight marketplace has announced that booking for four and five-star hotels peaked during the just concluded Black Friday which ran between November 2nd and November 30th, 2018.

    The Managing Director of Jumia’s hotel & flight marketplace, Omolara Adagunodo made this announcement during a press conference held at Krispy Kreme, Victoria Island, Lagos, to review the outgoing year and to disclose the plans for 2019.

    “We recorded over 50% increase in 4 & 5-star booking during Black Friday because we crashed the prices by almost 80% and overall booking grew by 20% year on year compared to black Friday 2017″, Adagunodo said.

    Speaking on the performance of flight for the year under review, Adagunodo said: “There was a 300% growth in flight business because we innovated and partnered with the likes of Amadeus, Kiwi.com and Air Peace among others. I must also mention that we have the Best Available Rates as we hit 61% in BAR for 2018.”

    For corporate booking, the managing director said: “We established a robust corporate team fully dedicated to our corporate clientele and I can tell you that corporate bookings and transactions increased by 50%. Despite this, it has not stopped us from pushing retail sales.”

    Looking forward to the upcoming year, Adagundo disclosed the marketplace is planning to work on value-added services to drive value for the growing clientele, seal key partnerships to drive online and offline sales and offer a full bouquet of travel solutions to include cruises, visas, concierge and ground transport.

  • Nigerian Navy hosts Prince of Wales in Lagos

    The Nigerian Navy hosted the Prince of Wales in Lagos on Wednesday in continuation of his three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that the Prince of Wales, who arrived the Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island at 1:46 p.m., was received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas.

    After being ceremonially received by the Naval chief, The Prince of Wales was taken on a tour around Lagos waters on the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) EKULU.

    The prince was piped on-board by the Commanding Officer NNS EKULU, Commander Andrew Zidon.

    Speaking with journalists after the departure of the prince, Ibas said that the visit was an encouragement for the navy.

    “The Nigerian Navy is an offshoot of the Royal Navy and he is also here to see by himself the progress being made with the cooperative support the royal navy has been giving Nigeria,” he said.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Buhari promised to study report, says Minister

    NAN reports that Prince Charles and his entourage had earlier arrived Lagos aboard a B737 aircraft with registration number CS-TFY, which landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 12.08 p.m.

    He was received by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Idiat Adebule, officials of the United Kingdom Consulate and security chiefs.

    The prince’s three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria is also to mark the 75th Anniversary of the British Council in Nigeria.

    Charles had arrived Nigeria on Tuesday alongside his wife, Camilla and were received by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.

    The prince also met with notable traditional rulers as part of efforts to build peace in the Middle Belt and other parts of the country.

  • Eko Disco explains outage in Victoria Island

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC)  says the electricity outage in Victoria Island was caused by a breaker problem at Alagbon Transmission Substation in Lagos.

    Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, in a statement on Monday in Lagos, said the problem had put Ademola Injection substation out of power supply since morning.

    “As we speak 50 per cent of our customers in Victoria Island including Eko Hotel and Suites are in darkness,’’ the general said.

    Idemudia said that the engineers from the company were working hard to ensure the breaker was replaced.

    He, however, assured the affected customers that power supply would be restored any moment the engineers were through with the repair.

    The general manager also apologised for the inconvenience that the outage would have caused customers within the area. (NAN)

  • Lawyer bought new knives to kill spouse – Police

    Arrest woman for alleged murder of South African lover

    Fresh information from the police on Monday indicated that lawyer, Udemeh Otike-Odibe might have premeditated the murder of her husband, Sym Otike-Odibe.

    Mrs. Otike-Odibe had on Thursday morning stabbed her estranged husband, also a lawyer to death and sliced off his genitals at their Diamond Estate, Ogombo, Sangotedo residence.

    The woman, who had been in police custody since then, attempted to kill herself but was rescued by neighbours and rushed to a nearby hospital,.

    According to police investigation, the woman had bought new kitchen  knives and also procured a United Kingdom (UK) visa to flee the country after killing him.

    Giving update on the case, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said the suspect had planned to kill her husband over alleged infidelity.

    Edgal said the weapon used for the murder had been recovered by detectives from the homicide section, adding that the suspect had admitted to committing the crime.

    Edgal said: “The suspect has since owned up to the crime. On the day of the unfortunate incident, the suspect, after stabbing her husband several times on the stomach and seeing that his intestines had spilled out, placed a call to her mother.

    “She called her mother, who was in the village to complain that her husband was sleeping around with other women. This makes the crime a premeditated murder.

    “She had even procured a UK visa and was supposed to travel out two days after the incident. She bought new kitchen knives, which she used to commit the crime. The weapon has been recovered.”

    Similarly, a 26-year-old woman, Gift Mike has been arrested for allegedly killing her South African lover, Daniel Grant, 50, in a Lagos hotel.

    The incident occurred on May 5, at Emerald Cove Hotel, Victoria Island.

    According to Edgal, the South African was killed and made to look like he committed suicide.

    He said the hotel manager; Ismaila Abu had reported at Maroko Police Station that a guest was found hanging on the ceiling of his room, which prompted policemen to the sent to the scene.

    Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased had checked into the hotel with the lady, adding that they later went out for some drinks before retiring to the room together.

    Edgal said: “The next day, the manager of the hotel reported at Maroko Police station that the South African was found dead hanging from the ceiling.

    “The Manager said that Gift had called Piyush Pirasata, an Indian who is the deceased’s friend and told him that she woke up in the middle of the night to find her boyfriend dead.”

    “On arrival at the scene, the team of detectives found out that the death of the South African might have been stagemanaged. On the spot investigation showed that though the deceased was found to be hanging from the ceiling, his legs were still on the floor, raising suspicions. The belt he was supposed to have committed suicide with was still tied round his neck.”

  • Ambode to Buhari: Lagos truly deserves a special status

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday evening urged President Muhammadu Buhari to seriously consider the possibility of granting Lagos a Special Status to enable it sustain its position as the driver of the nation’s economic growth.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at a State Dinner in honour of President Buhari at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, as part of activities to commemorate his two-day official visit to the State, expressed concerns that 26 years after the Federal Capital was relocated from Lagos to Abuja, the State has been left to strive for development without much Federal support.

    The Governor said that despite the strategic position the State plays in the nation’s economy, there was still much untapped potentials and opportunities for economic, social and cultural growth in the State, which he said his administration was doing its best to explore by strategically focusing on improving the ease of doing business, entertainment, sports and tourism.

    He, however, said that for these potentials to be realised, the State requires Federal Support, adding that several attempts by some eminent personalities to push for a Special Status for Lagos as well as a bill seeking to accord the State same was turned down by the Senate.

    “Mr. President, it has become glaring that Lagos State cannot achieve this alone. Mr. President, 26 years after the Federal Capital was relocated from Lagos to Abuja, the State has been left without much Federal support.

    “Your Excellency, despite all these, Lagos State needs more and Lagosians deserve more. Eminent Nigerians have called on the Federal Government to grant our State a Special Status. I recall that a bill seeking to accord it a Special Status has been rejected three times in the Senate. Lagos deserves a Special Status if we want the State to continue to serve as the major driver of the nation’s economy,” Governor Ambode said.

    Thanking President Buhari for magnanimously yielding the State’s request to reconstruct the Oshodi International Airport Road into a 10-lane world-class road and transform the Presidential Lodge Marina into a monument and cultural legacy, Governor Ambode also seized the occasion to request the President to cede the ownership and management of the National Stadium, Surulere and the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu to the State Government to enable it revive them for the benefit of all.

    “Mr. President your word has been your bond as far as your promises to Lagos State are concerned. You approved the reconstruction of the Oshodi to Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road into a 10-lane world-class road that will be ready by the end of this year. You gladly released for our kind use, your Presidential Lodge in Marina because you believe in our vision to transform the lodge into a monument and cultural legacy as part of the Onikan-Marina cultural and architectural regeneration.

    “In addition, as part of our drive to use entertainment and sports to drive tourism and economic growth, we again ask of Your Excellency to consider ceding the ownership and management of the National Stadium Surulere and the National Arts Theatre Iganmu to Lagos State. These two edifices have been left to decay and our government is in the best position to revive these assets and make them viable again for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    “This is not too much to ask but we are reassured that our President is a listening father who understands the yearnings of Lagosians. We are confident that he would listen and respond positively to the demands of about one-eighth of the nation’s population resident in Lagos,” Governor Ambode said.

    Speaking on Friday after conducting President Buhari round the Eko Atlantic City (EAC) which is a multi-billion dollar project expected to accommodate over 150,000 people who would reside there and another 250,000 who would work and commute within the city on a daily basis, Governor Ambode said the project was a practical example of how the private sector could partner with government to boost the economy.

    He recalled that the project, which was conceived and initiated during the tenure of former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a brilliant engineering display which had saved the whole of Victoria Island from ocean surge and other threats.

    “This project has actually saved the whole of Victoria Island and is standing on over 750 square kilometres bigger than Victoria Island itself when it is eventually completed. This is just an example of what the private sector can really do to the Nigerian economy and that is why we have made it possible that Mr President should take a practical tour of how we can really move the Nigerian economy when we partner with the private sector,” Governor Ambode said.

    Responding, President Buhari commended the initiators of the EAC, saying he was extremely impressed with the potentials of the project, which according to him, would create jobs and boost Nigeria’s economy.

    “I have just gone round to see the Eko Atlantic City. I’m impressed with the potentiality of this project and the amount of jobs and positive effect which this project is capable of having on the economy.

    “I’m really grateful for those who agreed to invest so much in our country to get a secured area for operations capable of handling big businesses and investments throughout Africa,” the President said.

    Read Also: Buhari hails Ambode for developing Lagos

     

     

  • Segun Oniru moves into real estate

    Segun Oniru moves into real estate

    AFTER reluctantly waving goodbye to the seductive maiden of political appointments, Lagos big boy, Prince Segun Oniru, has wasted no time falling in love again. While politics once consumed his passion while he held sway as the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, he is now in blossoming romance with real estate business.

    The first son of the Oniru of Iruland, Victoria Island, Lagos, Oba Idowu Oniru, has been amassing a portfolio of choice properties since he left office at the expiration of former Babatunde Fashola’s tenure as Lagos State governor. Like his other businesses that flourished even when bosom friends said nay, Segun’s venture into real estate has seen him smiling to the bank.

    The first in line to the throne of Iruland, Segun is not planning to step into the royal shoes with an empty bank account. His Faaji Restaurant & Wine Bar on Fichley Road, London continues to bring in the bucks, not to mention Timeless, his popular hotel which remains a veritable money spinner.

  • My agenda for Rotary Club of Lagos, by Ajumogobia

    My agenda for Rotary Club of Lagos, by Ajumogobia

    THE Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos  on July 7 saw a sea of eminent heads swarming it  to felicitate with Rotarian Soboma Ajumogobia, a management consultant as he assumed the mantle of leadership of the  club.

    Ajumogobia was installed as the 51st President of the Rotary Club of Lagos. He succeeded Gladys Modupe Sasore, a lawyer and immediate past president of the club.

    The event was chaired by foremost banker and former chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Fola Adeola.

    Adeola said: “The name, Ajumogobia, is not yours. You are holding it in trust and you must do everything possible to protect that name just as you have to protect the presidency of Rotary Club of Lagos.”

    The keynote speaker, Prof. Francis Ojogwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the beauty of being a Rotarian is knowing that riches and affluence do not give satisfaction.

    As Ajumogobia assumes leadership of the Club for the next twelve months, many are convinced that he is more than capable of continuing to make the club a reference for other Rotary clubs in the country.

  • LAGOS STANDS STILL FOR GLO LAFFTA FEST

    IT was was a time of fun as telecomounnications giant, Globacom, stormed Victoria Island, Lagos with its Glo Laffta Fest.

    The event which held at Eko Hotels and Suites drew established comedians from across Nigeria and Uganda.

    Also in attendance were up-and-coming comedians.

    Among the audience were distinguished  guests including the Mister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde. Globacom ambassadors such as Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Adekola Odunlade and songster, Omawumi Megbele, also made celebrity appearances.

    The event was the Lagos leg of Glo Laffta Fest 27-city tour and billed to end in October.

    The show started with DJ XGee dishing out danceable tunes followed by acts from up-and-coming comedians such as Kemex, MC Medical, Koye from Rock City and the duet act named British Pastors, who thrilled the audience with funny jokes.

    This was followed by performances from eight A-list stand-up comedians, Princewill, Frank D Don, Bash d Cash, Arinze Baba, Dan D’Humorous, I go Dye, Gordons and Salvador from Uganda.

    Arinze Baba was a delight with his rhythmic music comedy. And a high point of his performance was when he narrated how Igbo musicians had turned Senator Dino Melayé’s Yoruba song, “Ajekun iya ni o je” which went viral on the internet, into Igbo highlife music, even though they did not understand the meaning of the song. He elicited more laughter and thrill when he performed the song in Igbo, with the support of the Disc Jockey.

    Other cities that will host the show in the weeks ahead include, Makurdi, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Festac, Ajah, Suleja, Ibadan, Kano, Port Harcourt,  Lokoja, and Anyigba.