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Tag: Lagos State

  • #OccupyLekkiTollGate cannot hold – Lagos Govt

    #OccupyLekkiTollGate cannot hold – Lagos Govt

    The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to various opposing groups planning to embark on protests at the Lekki Toll Plaza on Saturday, advising them to shelve the plan.

    It is not an auspicious moment for such action, the State Government told the groups planning opposing rallies.

    The position of the State Government was made known at a joint press conference held at the Press Centre on Thursday by the Attorney General of Lagos, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu.

    The Government said it acknowledged the rights of the citizens to a lawful assembly and freedom to express their feelings as guaranteed by Section 39 and 40 of the Constitution, but it said the rights did not give any citizen the freedom to block highways and prevent other citizens from moving freely within the State.

    Onigbanjo said the Government would not allow any group to push the State, once again, to the edge of carnage, strongly advising those organising the “Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” and “Defend Lagos” protests to desist from the planned action.

    He said the State Government’s respect for the citizens’ rights to protest should not be seen as a licence to break the laws, warning that any individual or corporate organisation that incites an action leading to the destruction of public and private properties would be prosecuted and be made to pay damages.

    He said: “Attention of the State Government has been drawn to the planned protest scheduled for Saturday February 13, 2021 at the Lekki Toll Gate for and against the opening of the Admiralty Toll Gate. The State is aware of Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. However, such right does not permit the violation of the rights of other citizens in the State.

    “While the State recognises the importance of exercising the rights to peaceful protests, the same cannot extend to blockage of roads or actions preventing other members of the public from enjoying their fundamental rights to move freely within the State. Any individual or corporate body that incites or condones any act leading to the destruction of public and private properties shall be prosecuted under the extant laws and in addition to any penalty the court might pronounce. Such person or body will be liable to compensate for any damage, which may arise as a result of the action or inaction of such person or body.”

    The Attorney General also said the public health crisis occasioned by the spread of deadly variants of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) should discourage anyone attempting to assemble people for the planned protests, urging all groups to consider COVID-19 protocols that limit public gathering not to be more than 50 persons.

    Onigbanjo, therefore, directed the State’s Police Command to stop opposing groups from holding rallies in Lekki and any other parts of Lagos.

    Odumosu said the security intelligence gathered by the Police Command indicated the “Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” protest and planned counter rallies would degenerate into a breakdown of law and order, stressing that the police will not allow any group to carry out the action.

    The police chief said adequate arrangements on the deployment of security forces had been put in place to stop any violent protest, gathering and procession in any part of Lagos, stressing that the Police Command would rise in protection of law-abiding residents from any form of the violence.

    He said: “The Police Command has gathered credible intelligence that some hidden agents of destruction and shadow parties that orchestrated the last EndSARS violence have concluded plans to cause another mayhem in Lagos and spread the same to other parts of the country, tactically and spontaneously, like the recent violence.

    “Premised on the available intelligence and due threat analyses carried out on the planned protest, the Police Command perceives such proposed protest as a calculated attempt to cause pandemonium and massive destruction of lives and properties under whatever guide; such will not be allowed to hold in Lagos.”

    Odumosu appealed to the general public to advise their wards to ignore mobilisation for the protest and gathering in flouting the existing peace and security situation of the State. He said the police would resist the protest with necessary force, while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

    Omotoso said the steps taken by the State Government on the planned protest was not to take away the fundamental rights of the citizens, but to prevent re-enactment of the event that led to destruction of public and private assets last October.

    The Commissioner sued for peace, urging the organisers of the planned protests and rallies to allow the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry conclude its investigation on what transpired between the military and EndSARS protesters.

    “We believe this kind of tension and anxiety being brought forward by the planned protest will not allow the panel to do a thorough job. If the authorities allow the protest and counter rallies to go on, there would be a breakdown of order and Lagos is not ripe for such action. It is on this premise that the State Government is appealing to all parties to thread with caution. Both sides have the right to express their feelings, but the time is wrong,” Omotoso said.

  • No Lagos Governor has surpassed Jakande’s feats – PDP

    No Lagos Governor has surpassed Jakande’s feats – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State says no governor has surpassed or come near the achievements of late Lateef Jakande as first civilian governor of the state.

    The PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Gani Taofik, disclosed this, while reacting to the death of Jakande on Thursday in Lagos.

    “What a very wrong time for such a man to die! We still need him very greatly, especially in this democracy.

    “He was the kind of person that should be on ground to really guide all leaders in the country, not only in Lagos State.

    “All his achievements in Lagos have never been met or surpassed. Unfortunately, in Lagos State, we have not had any governor whose performance was near Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s performance.

    “So, the challenge is only for those who are either serving now or who will be serving to try to see how to surpass Lateef Jakande’s feats,” Gani told NAN in an interview.

    The spokesman said Jakande was selfless in service, and many became educated today because of his free education.

    According to him, Jakande’s legacies are unparalleled, hence, Feb. 11 must be a public holiday for his honour annually.

    “All politicians must pray to be like LKJ (Lateef Kayode Jakande) for them to enjoy peace after service. Alhaji Lateef Jakande was not materialistic or ambitious, which made him to achieve all he achieved.

    “The problem we have now is ambition without vision. Most political office holders get to the office with the mind of going higher to the next position. We will so miss him.

    “He must be immortalised greatly for the unborn children beyond naming a school after him. Jakande made Lagos State what is it today. He lived well,” Gani said.

    He prayed God to repose his soul and grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jakande died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 91.

    Jakande, a former journalist, was Lagos State governor from 1979 to 1983, and later served as Minister of Works under the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha.

    His administration as Lagos State governor left a legacy of massive infrastructure development during his four-year stint, especially through numerous housing estates built across state as well as his sterling investment in education.

  • Everything to know about Lateef Jakande

    Everything to know about Lateef Jakande

    Tributes have been pouring in for the former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who died at 91 on Thursday in Lagos.

    Fondly called Baba Kekere, Jakande was the governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983 on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    He later became Minister of Works during the Sani Abacha military regime between 1993 and 1998.

    Jakande, who was also a veteran journalist, was born in Epetedo Area of Lagos State on July 23, 1923, to parents from Omun-Aran in Kwara.

    He studied at Lagos Public School at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt from 1934 to 1943.

    He also studied at Kings College, Lagos in 1943 and then went to Ilesha Grammar School in 1945 where he edited a Literary Paper called the ‘Quarterly Mirror’.

    Baba Kekere is known for his visionary leadership and for bringing development to Lagos State during his tenure between Oct. 1, 1979, and Dec. 31, 1983.

    He keyed into the five cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria, founded by a former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Jakande first worked with the Daily Service and then in 1953, joined the Nigerian Tribune where he rose to become the Editor-in-Chief.

    He left Tribune in 1975 and established John West Publications on whose platform he published The Lagos News.

    Jakande was the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

    On the political scene, Jakande ran for election as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 1979 on the UPN platform and defeated Adeniran Ogusanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria.

    Under his administration, Lagos state was open and full of developmental strides, especially in the education and housing sectors.

    He built primary and secondary schools and provided free education.

    Baba Kekere established the Lagos State University and constructed over 30,000 Housing Units in Lagos State especially in the low-cost category.

    Some of the housing units include low-cost estates in Abesan, Abule Nla, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Badagry, Dolphin, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Ikorodu, Ipaja, Iponri, Oke-Afa, and Surulere among others.

    In the Health sector, Jakande made an impact by building about 20 health centres. He also completed the construction of the General Hospitals in Gbagada and Ikorodu, thereby improving on the health sector in the state.

    Baba Kekere also encouraged the development of traditional medicine and its application for the treatment of patients when his government established the Traditional Medicine Board.

    This initiative helped to make people have wider choice on the type of medical services to decide on and seek.

    He also established 23 local government councils, which were later disbanded by the military.

    In the transportation sector, Jakande started the Metro Line project to facilitate mass transit in the state. However, the project never sees the light of the day, following the military take-over of the government in 1983.

    To tackle transportation problem coming up in the state, Jakande government was responsible for the introduction of Odd/Even Traffic System and established the first State Traffic Management Authority (Road Marshals) under the headship of Chief S. O. Ige a distinguished Lagos Lawyer).

    His administration also enhanced Water Transportation by establishing the State Ferry Services Corporation.

    Some other laudable achievements attributable to late Jakande also include the establishment of Asphalt Plant for the Department of Public Works as well as Electricity Board for Rural Electrification.

    The Lateef Jakande government also built the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, the Lagos State Television and the Lagos Radio among others.

    The tenure was halted when the military took over in 1983, headed by Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon.

    Jakande was without airs and had no interest in public coffers and this exhibited when he refused to move into the comforts of the governor’s official residence.

    He lived in his private residence located at Ilupeju and commuted to work in his private car.

    Jakande also ensured that members of his household attended state-owned schools and accessed healthcare from state-run hospitals.

  • BREAKING: Chaos in Lagos State as rival NURTW groups clash [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Chaos in Lagos State as rival NURTW groups clash [VIDEO]

    Rival groups of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Thursday clashed in Obalende area of Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the clash led to panic in the area as motorists, passengers and passersby scampered for safety.

    Gunshots were fired and Lagosians have been advised to avoid the area until there is relative calm.

    Sources say the clash started at 8am and lasted till past 9am when security operatives intervened and brought the situation under control.

    Though there has been no reported casualty from the clash, some injuries have been reported while scores of properties have reportedly been destroyed.

    Commuters at the time of the clash were stranded and had to scamper to their safety while passersby were advised to take other routes. Workers and residents of the community also fear the clash may escalate.

    https://twitter.com/DE_COMMUNICATOR/status/1359771235744423944?s=19

     

  • BREAKING: Fuel laden tanker explodes in Lagos; casualties unknown [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Fuel laden tanker explodes in Lagos; casualties unknown [VIDEO]

    A tanker, fully loaded with fuel, on Thursday morning exploded at Toyota bus stop along the ever busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos State.

    Men of the fire service are battling to put out the resultant fire at the time of filing this report as casualties are yet to be ascertained.

    According to eyewitnesses who spoke with TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), the fuel tanker somersaulted before bursting into flames.

    Officials have cordoned off the road and motorists coming from Mile 2 are being diverted through the service lane to continue their journey inward Oshodi while motorists coming from Oshodi are made to go through the International Airport.

    WATCH VIDEOS BELOW:

    Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the ugly incident that caused panic among commuters plying the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, confirmed the incident.

    He said the incident occurred at about 9.15a.m., at Toyota Bus Stop, close to the Oshodi-Airport Road junction and directly in front of the Lagos State Fire Service Station located in the area.

    He said the tanker was fully loaded with 44,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) when the incident occurred.

    “The tanker crashed on the side with another trailer on the motion. The trailer was fully loaded with iron rods.

    ”It is believed that the two vehicles were trying to outsmart each other before the incident happened,” Farinloye said.

    According to him, officials of the fire service have successfully separated the tanker body from the head and are making efforts to put out the inferno.

    Farinloye disclosed that no casualty had been confirmed yet from the incident.

  • Balogun market shifts resumption

    Balogun market shifts resumption

    The Caretaker Management Committee of Balogun market, Lagos Trade Fair Complex, has shifted its resumption, earlier scheduled for Jan. 4, to Jan. 11, for security reasons, the Secretary of the committee, Mr Leonard Ogbonnia has said.

    Ogbonnia said in a statement on Sunday, in Lagos, that it would be risky to reopen the market, earlier closed on Dec. 24 for the Christmas holidays, on the stated date because of the security situation in the market.

    Recall that the committee, led by Mr Anslem Dunu, was inaugurated to manage the affairs of the multi-billion-Naira market for three months; pending an election that would usher in new executives.

    Ogbonnia noted that reopening the complex, as earlier scheduled, may endanger the lives and property of members, and hence the shift in dates.

    “Regrettably, I wish to inform us that the security reports reaching the office of the caretaker committee on daily basis is threatening, alarming and unpalatable to the original plans to reopen on Jan. 4, 2021.

    “Obviously, non-opening of other neighbouring markets within the trade fair complex until Jan. 11, will equally add to security porosity of our own complex, if opened.

    “The committee having weighed all options, merits and demerits, therefore, came to a decision to reopen the market on Jan. 11, to enable it address the lurking dangers.

    “We passionately regret all inconveniences this change may cause some individuals and humbly appeal to such individuals to also consider the importance of taking preventive security measures,” he said.

    He said that the committee wished to reassure the market community of its readiness to serve, and make the place better for business to thrive.

  • FG to open Third Mainland Bridge to traffic ahead of schedule

    FG to open Third Mainland Bridge to traffic ahead of schedule

    The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mr Olukayode Popoola has said the total shutdown of the Third Mainland Bridge would be lifted at midnight 24 hours ahead of schedule.

    Popoola made this known on Sunday in Lagos, saying the total shutdown of the bridge had to be lifted because the contractor was able to fasttrack the delicate task they needed to execute.

    He told NAN that the initially scheduled 72 hours time frame was achieved within 48 hours, hence the reopening to traffic 24 hours ahead of schedule.

    “We have completed the casting of the three number expansion joints on Third Mainland bridge.

    “Therefore, the bridge shall be opened at 12:00 midnight Sunday 27th December. and no longer Monday 28th December. That is 48 hours and no more 72 hours,” Popoola said.

    The controller had on Tuesday, Dec. 22 announced a 72 hours total shutdown of the bridge with effect from midnight on Saturday to midnight Tuesday.

    The shutdown was to stop vibrations caused by movement of vehicles for contractors to cast concrete on additional three expansion joints in the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge.

    The Third Mainland Bridge which was going through a series of repairs, had to be partially shut on July 24 for another round of rehabilitation works.

    The repair that was expected to last six months was extended by one month due to the recent #EndSARS protests in Lagos, thereby extending the completion date from January 2021 to February.

    The construction was initially divided into two phases of three months on each carriageway, starting with the Oworonsoki bound carriageway whose completion dragged to four months.

    Traffic was partially diverted on a stretch of 3.5km where construction is ongoing between Adeniji Adeniji Ramp and Ebute Meta, while different time belts were allotted for traffic diversions on the bridge.

    The 11.8km bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.

    The bridge starts from Oworonshoki, which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.

    Constructed in 1990, the bridge was adjudged as the longest in Africa until 1996 when the Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt was completed.

  • Lagos PDP suspends Doherty, appoints acting chairman

    Lagos PDP suspends Doherty, appoints acting chairman

    The Lagos State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday, suspended Mr Adedeji Doherty as its chairman.

    The suspension followed a vote of no confidence passed on Doherty over alleged anti-party activities among other allegations.

    The state party executive, led by the Secretary, Mr Muiz Shodipe, at a news conference alleged that the chairman was guilty of financial mismanagement and polarisation of the party.

    Shodipe alleged that Doherty, not caring about the party’s image in the media, always makes pronouncements that were never discussed at any party forum.

    The secretary said that the party elders had brought Doherty on board as unifying factor but that he had been acting to the contrary.

    According to him, the chairman has been demanding loyalty to himself or declaring members as “persona non grata” if they are unwilling.

    “The chairman lacks transparency in management and accountability of the party finances and administration.

    “Since assumption of office as the state chairman in the past one year, Doherty has failed to, at least, convene just one state assembly meeting.

    “The assembly meeting comprised of all strata of the party at all levels, most importantly the state working committee and the state executive members,’’ Shodipe said.

    He alleged that the chairman often polarises the state working committee by not involving those members, who strongly disagreed with his leadership style, in the affairs of the party.

    “The chairman engages in series of anti-parties activities.

    “He hobnobs with the opposition party regularly and jettisons all strategies aimed at winning the last Lagos East Senatorial by-election,’’ Shodipe said.

    The party’s scribe also alleged that Doherty, contrary to the constitution of the PDP on financial transparency, failed to operate a bank account for the party.

    “Rather, he used a personal bank account for party affairs.

    “It is very clear that Mr Adedeji Doherty no longer enjoys the confidence of the members.

    “We, therefore, recommend him for immediate suspension from all activities of the party in Lagos.’’

    But Doherty, in a text message to NAN, described his the suspension as “false news”.

    The embattled chairman refused to comment further on the development.

    Party members at the congress, before the press briefing, had through a voice vote, appointed Mr Waliu Hassan, the Deputy Chairman of the party as the acting chairman.

    Also, the congress passed a vote of confidence on Shodipe; Mr Gani Taofeeq, State Publicity Secretary and Mr Nurudeen Adewale, State Ex-Officio.

    Other PDP State Executive members at the briefing included Chief Taiwo Kuye, PDP South-West Caretaker Member; Alhaji Segun Sowole, the PDP Vice Chairman, Lagos Central and Mr Tejumade Muyideen, PDP Legal Adviser.

  • BREAKING: Gov Sanwo-Olu tests positive for COVID-19

    BREAKING: Gov Sanwo-Olu tests positive for COVID-19

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been infected with the dreaded Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Professor Akin Abayomi, the State’s Commissioner for Health made this known in a statement on Saturday.

    According to the statement, Governor Sanwo-Olu is presently suffering only mild symptoms and fatigue typical of a mild case of COVID.

    Sanwo-Olu was said to have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19.

    A PCR test performed yesterday on the 11th of December confirmed that he has indeed been infected with the virus.

    The statement reads: “Mr. Governor is receiving treatment and is being closely monitored at home by the very experienced State COVID-19 clinical team from IDH Yaba.

    “Mr. Sanwo-Olu is doing well on treatment and rest and we are confident that he will recover quickly and clear the virus.

    “We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all residents and visitors should strictly adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, mask-wearing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary or large gatherings.

    “The festive season is likely to create the opportunity for the virus to spread if we are not compliant with the regulations established by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for inbound travellers and the festive season celebrations.

    “All inbound travellers must be COVID-19 negative by PCR before they board a flight to Nigeria and must self-isolate on arrival and undergo a pre-booked test on Day Seven of arrival in Nigeria.

    “Lagosians should keep celebrations to a minimum and be observant and responsible in their interactions.

    “The significant gains achieved to date in containing COVID-19 in Lagos, which has allowed us to carefully reopen the economy, must not be reversed.

    “No one is immune to this virus and it is certainly still circulating in the community.

    “Please join me in praying and wishing the Incident Commander of the Lagos State COVID-19 response, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a speedy recovery so he can return to normal duties as soon as possible.

    “I will be keeping the public informed regularly of Mr. Governor’s recovery and wellbeing”.

  • BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu goes into self-isolation as COVID-19 scare hits Lagos Govt House

    BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu goes into self-isolation as COVID-19 scare hits Lagos Govt House

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will go into self-isolation immediately, after one of his close aides tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (10th of December).

    Professor Akin Abayomi, the State’s Commissioner for Health made this known in a statement on Friday, saying the Governor and other members of his team will be tested by the Lagos State biobank today but will remain in isolation until the results of the tests are available.

    “We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all Lagosians should adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary gatherings,” the statement reads in part.

    This is not the first time Governor Sanwo-Olu would be having the COVID-19 test. He has had at least three since May when he announced that 10 of his aides had tested positive for the virus.