The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Victoria Island

  • Flood: Eko Disco restores electricity to Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has restored electricity to Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi which were flooded on July 8.

    EKEDC’s injection substations and equipment were submerged by the flood.

    The firm’s General Manager, Corporate Communications Unit, Mr Godwin Idomudia in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, praised customers for their patience and understanding during the blackout.

    He urged them to be safety conscious and avoid touching electrical appliances with wet hands.

    Idemudia also advised them to always call the attention of professionals to electrical fault in their households or areas of residence.

    “Residents should be careful not to touch our equipment and poles during flood.

    “Whenever you noticed that our poles are on the ground, the first thing you should do is to stay away and call the attention of nearest EKEDC station to it,’’ Idemudia said

  • Flood: Eko Disco announces power cut in Ikoyi, Victoria Island

    Flood: Eko Disco announces power cut in Ikoyi, Victoria Island

    The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Sunday announced that there would be power outage in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and its environs as the company’s injection substations and equipment submerged in the flood.

    Mr Godwin Idemudia, General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the company was having challenges in almost all its injection substations as a result of the flood from heavy rains on Saturday.

    According to Idemudia, some of EKEDC transformers in the areas have been submerged.

    The general manager said that the management of the company had directed that transmission be ‘deloaded’ in the affected areas for safety.

    He said that the injection substations affected by the flood included Lekki Transmission Station, Agungi , Lekki, Ademola and Anifowoshe.

    “Victoria Garden City, Water Front, Maroko and Oniru Injection Stations are completely out.

    “We need to look at the extent of the effect of the flood on our equipment.

    “However, we are presently working round the clock to restore supply to our esteemed customers,” he said.

    Idemudia appealed to the customers to show understanding over the inconvenience the outage had caused. (NAN)

  • Tinubu, Aisha Buhari, Ooni, others bag TELL awards

    Tinubu, Aisha Buhari, Ooni, others bag TELL awards

    The maiden edition of the Annual TELL Awards for Excellence will hold on June 17 at the Civic Center, Ozumba, Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    It is organised by TELL Communications Limited, publishers of TELL magazine.

    President and Chief Executive of TELL Communications Limited, Mr. Nosa Igiebor, said the selection and voting processes were opened to the public to ensure transparency, credibility and fairness.

    The Tell Man of the Year awards will go to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and His Royal Highness, Sarkin Kano, Emir Muhammad Sanusi 11.

    Tell Woman of the Year is the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.

    Governor of the Year is Cross River State Prof. Ben Ayade and Borno State Gov. Kashim Shettima.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the winner of the National Icon of Democracy award.

    Other winners are Air Peace Airline, as well as post-humous awards for the late Dele Giwa and the late Chief Gani Fawehimi (SAN), among others.

  • Eko Disco announces five-day power outage in Lagos

    Eko Disco announces five-day power outage in Lagos

    Electricity supply would be disrupted in many parts of Lagos this week as Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Monday announced five days power outage in the city.

    EKEDC spokesman, Godwin Idemudia, said in a statement that the outage would affect Ikoyi, Victoria Island and parts of Lagos Island from Wednesday to Sunday.

    Idemudia said that the outage was to enable maintenance crew from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) address technical and maintenance issues at Alagbon transmission station.

    “We want to inform our esteem customers that from Wednesday, May 24 to Sunday, May 28, there will be an outage within Ikoyi, Victoria Island and parts of Lagos Island.
    “This is to enable TCN maintenance crew resolve some technical issues within Alagbon transmission stations,’’ EKEDC said.
    The EKEDC spokesman said that the company highly regretted any inconveniences caused by the five-day outage.
    He promised that supply would be restored to the affected areas as soon as the maintenance was successfully completed.

  • Serial ‘cable thieves’ know fate Friday

    Serial ‘cable thieves’ know fate Friday

    A boat driver, Emeka Igwe, and a bus driver, Taiye Ajayi, will know their fate Friday after pleading guilty to stealing N500,000 cable wires from the Eko Atlantic project site, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Igwe, 25, and Ajayi, 28, of Maruwa Ghetto, Victoria Island, Lagos were arraigned Tuesday  by the police before Mr W. B. Balogun of an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos.

    They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing contrary to Sections 277 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015, according to Prosecuting Inspector Emby Ingobo.

    Ingobo said between 5:30am and 7:30am on April 15, the defendants and others at large were discovered by security guards on the project site digging up cutting the cables.

    They fled upon sighting the guards but the defendants were not fast enough and were apprehended and taken to the Victoria Island Police Division, Lagos.

    He added: “They are both serial cable thieves and have been arrested for the same offence before. The first defendant, Igwe, has been prosecuted and convicted by this court twice for stealing cables from Eko Atlantic project site.

    “On both occasions, he was sentenced to community service and after serving his sentence, went back to the same crime.”

    Ingobo said the cables were the property of a firm on the site, ITB Construction Company.

    Following their plea of guilt, Magistrate Balogun remanded them in custody and adjourned till Friday for facts and sentencing.

     

  • EFCC recovers another cash haul of N250m

    EFCC recovers another cash haul of N250m

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday intercepted huge sums of money in various currencies totalling N250 million at the popular Balogun market in Lagos.

    This came barely three days after the commission recovered N449 million at an abandoned bureau de change in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed Monday’s incident in a statement, said the discovery followed a tip-off from a whistle blower.

    The intercepted monies, according to him, include 547,730 Euros, 21,090 Pounds and N5,648,500 .

    He said the total haul was about N250 million at the prevailing exchange rate at the parallel market.

    “The interception followed information that about N250 million cash was being moved somewhere in the market for conversion into foreign currencies by unnamed persons.

    “Operatives responded timely, met the money in Bureau de Change (BDC) office, but a large chunk of it had been converted into Euro and Pounds sterling.

    “The BDC operators found in possession of the monies claimed they were acting on behalf of their boss who sent the money to them from one of the Northern states in Nigeria,” Uwujaren said.

    He said two persons apprehended in the course of the raid were assisting the comission in its investigation.

  • I made my first millions in late 90’s – Ali Baba

    I made my first millions in late 90’s – Ali Baba

    The renowned comedian, Ali Baba, has said that he started making his millions as a stand-up comedian in the late 90’s when the profession was still in its infancy in the country.

    Ali Baba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that comedy business started paying off when people knew little about the profession.

    The comedian spoke against the backdrop of an award conferred on him by The Verdant Zeal Quantum Awards at the prestigious Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on March 22.

    “When I got my first endorsement and I was paid about N82,000, someone who saw me with the cheque asked what I do for a living and when I said I am a comedian he was baffled.

    “The person did not even have an idea that I had got an endorsement from Guinness Nigeria Plc that was worth about N1.2 million. We don’t need to shout over this.

    “The pay from show business is pronounced because some of the younger ones now flaunt their wealth unduly,’’ he said.

    Ali Baba added that he was now on another platform and not the regular one people used to see him on.

    “I still crack jokes but people won’t see me on the platform they are used to.

    “I will be 30 years on stage next year, so I have moved on from the platform people used to see me. I have to leave the platform for upcoming actors.

    “It is like a bank structure where there is a cashier attending to costumers, after 20 years you don’t expect to see that cashier still counting money behind the counter.

    “When I started, it was only Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), now we have many television stations and radio stations so the platform is bigger and wider,’’ the ace comedian said.

    Ali Baba told NAN that he was more into mentoring budding entertainers on the business side of showbiz.

    “The thing I do is that I teach by example, a lot of them have watched me perform; professionalism is key and talent is important.

    “It is important that you develop your talent, when talent becomes a service that is when people will require it. Nobody will buy a talent if it is not for service.

    “I teach other comedians to be humble, focused and think ahead. I expect that others should beat my strides.

    “My strides are like foundation for a lot of comedians to grow with but with recent technology, the platform is now wider and accommodating,’’ he said.

    Ali Baba said that the current lull in the show business should be a wakeup call for entertainers to be more creative with the profession.

    “As a comedian, you need a lot of information which is why we have a lull in the industry now, people don’t create jokes anymore, but are looking for people’s joke.

    “It is a wake up for emerging market and for comedians to improve on their act every time and read.

    “Once you have information you will grow, so, I teach a lot of them to seek for information which is the only way to sustain them in the profession,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Ali Baba, born Atunyota Alleluya Akorobomerere is a versatile entertainer, a stand-up comedian of great repute, radio show host, motivational speaker and actor.

  •  I may join politics – Cobhams Asuquo

     I may join politics – Cobhams Asuquo

    Renowned visually impaired songwriter and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, has given a hint that he may delve into politics in the not too distant future.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos the multi-talented entrepreneur said that he intended to pursue other passion in his life of which politics is one.

    Cobhams spoke against the backdrop of the maiden Quantum Awards Ceremony, where he was conferred with an award for his dedication to excellence at the prestigious Civic Centre, Victoria Island in Lagos.

    The Quantum Awards was organised under the auspices Verdan Zeal.

    NAN reports that Cobhams’ first shot into fame was in 2004 after he teamed up with Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, and he had since produced numerous award-winning songs.

    He had also produced for the likes of  Banky-W, Omawumi, Darey Art Alade, Timi Dakolo, Waje and others too numerous to mention.

    Cobhams also collaborated with Verdant Zeal on a number of iconic theme song project such as “Catch the Fever’’ which heralded the launch of DAARSAT.

    He was also responsible for the song “Rivers of Possibilities’’ theme song for the Rivers State Government.

    Cobhmas added that apart from his current calling as a musician, he would also focus on other ventures that would be worth his while.

    “There are other things I want to do which is government and politics or real estate. Hopefully, I will be a politician one day.

    “I want to join politics because I feel that people of integrity needs to step into the political arena and occupy the position of leadership and help to make intelligent decision.

    “We need to move this country forward and to do that successfully, we need men of honour to steer the political ship of the country.

    “We cannot afford to be laid back and watch things deteriorating without rising to the challenge,” he said.

    Asuquo said that he was well aware that music made him to be what he is today and that he had reaped bountifully from the proceeds.

    “I am happy that music is working for me and also opening doors for me.

    “I don’t have any favourite in my multi-tasking activities, I only express myself in various forms and I enjoy doing that.

    “Either I write music or being a producer or director, I have only one goal and that is good music. I just release an album now which I want everybody to enjoy.

    “I am also excited about my marriage, it teaches me a lot of things like love, goodness and patience,” he said.

    NAN reports that other awardees of the Quantum night includes Tade Ogidan, a television screenwriter, Kehinde Tijani, a printing and publishing mogul and Frank Oshodi, a fashion entrepreneur.

     

  • Supervisor ‘steals’ N23m from Federal Palace Hotel

    …Hides cash in his shoes

    A hotel supervisor, Paul Mogaji, who allegedly stole N23million from Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, was Wednesday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Mogaji, 46, was arraigned by the Victoria Island Police Division before Mrs A. F. Botoku on a one-count charge marked B/11/2017 bordering on stealing.

    The defendant, a resident ‎of No. 23, Onitire Street, Itire, Surulere, was a supervisor in the hotel’s finance department.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Francisca Job told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence sometime between January 2013 and November 2016, at the hotel.

    She alleged that Mogaji, who was in charge of the hotel’s casino, stole the money, property of the hotel, in several tranches.

    Responding to a question from Magistrate Botoku, Job said: “The defendant stole the money bit by bit. He took the cash out of the hotel by hiding them in his shoes.”

    The alleged offence, according to the prosecutor, is punishable under Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    Mogaji pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Magistrate Botoku granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, who must show evidence of three years’ tax payment.

    She adjourned the case till March 27.

  • Rain causes flooding, gridlock in Ikoyi, Victoria Island

    Some parts of Lagos were flooded yesterday following an early morning rain.
    It also caused heavy traffic in the metropolis.
    Areas flooded were Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island, as well as Ikoyi and Victoria Island in Eti Osa Local Government Area.
    Some residents of Idumagbo Avenue on Lagos Island said the flood was caused by the blockage of the major canal in the neighbourhood and its overflow.
    A resident, Mr Yinka Shittu, said the road works in the area also contributed to the flooding.
    “You can see that there is ongoing reconstruction work on this road which has not been completed. Also, construction works where the drainage canal meets the road have yet to be completed. Traders and some of us living in this area have tried to open up the drainage systems but the water has been stagnant,’’ he said.
    A watch repairer, Alhaji Malik Yaro, said some residents dumped refuse in the drains.
    “I am, therefore, not surprised that the floodwater here today was knee deep. People dump refuse of all sorts — empty containers, takeaway plates and papers — in the drainage system. I am assuring you that if the situation continues this way, nobody will like to pass through this place whenever it rains heavily like this again and the floodwater may enter people’s homes and shops,’’ he said.
    A trader, Mr Chudi Ibeazu, said the road works were not moving fast enough.
    “Since November 2016, the slabs where the canal joined the main road had been opened and we have not seen any serious work to show that they want to open up the drainage system for water to flow.
    “You can see from the pattern of flooding; on the left side, coming from Adeniji, the water is still moving but on the right side, the water is not moving at all.
    “My wish is for the government to take a cue from the effect which this rainfall had on the area and speed up construction works in the area.
    “We clear the drainage system at the point where the canal joins the road every other day and especially on Thursdays, but the problem is that the water in the canal does not flow,’’ he said.
    The rain which began around 7:30 am, ended around 9:50 in Somolu on the Mainland.
    A resident, Mrs Oyindamola Adedapo, said the rain brought relief from the heat.
    Another resident, Damola Oriyomi, said the rain was refreshing, adding that it is a sign that the area will be cool.
    “Heat and mosquitoes have been a regular challenge to me every night because it has hindered me from sleeping well. I have been longing for rain since the beginning of the year and I thank God it rained. Am sure I will now be able to sleep better every night.”
    Commissioner for the Environment Dr Babatunde Adejare said the government would not relent in its efforts to stem flooding in the metropolis.
    He urged the public to change their disposal habits and refrain from turning canals and drains into refuse dumpsites.
    Such behavioural change, the commissioner said, was necessary because sudden rain, like that one, could cause flooding.