TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos State

  • BREAKING: Massive protest hits LASU; VC, students locked out

    BREAKING: Massive protest hits LASU; VC, students locked out

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) on Monday locked out the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Olanrewaju Fagboun in protest.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that both unions that also locked out students of the institution are protesting against the non implementation of their salaries increment as promised by the Lagos State government.

    All attempts by the VC to dialogue with members of the unions were not successful as they insist that no one will be allowed into the university premises until their demands are met by the State Government.

    The protesters blocked the main entrance of the university. The free flow of vehicular movement was hindered by the protesting members who gathered as early as 7:00 am and prevented both students and lecturers from gaining entrance into the institution.

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu two weeks earlier announced that tertiary institutions in the State would be reopened today, September 14, 2020 after been shut for six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • BREAKING: Passengers express reservations as unions ground Arik Air operations in Lagos

    BREAKING: Passengers express reservations as unions ground Arik Air operations in Lagos

    Arik Air operations have been grounded by Aviation unions over alleged failure to pay staff salaries since April after placing 90 per cent of the workforce on compulsory leave and other anti-labour practices.

    The unions included the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).

    A correspondent who monitored the situation in Lagos reports that all Arik Air operations were shut down including airlines as passengers expressed reservations.

    Mr Innocent Atasie, Chairman, ATSSSAN, Arik Air Branch told NAN that the workers resolved to shut down Arik operations nationwide when all efforts made to resolve the problem failed.

    Atasie said that the unions were miffed that there had been no payment of staff salaries since April after placing 90 per cent of the workforce on compulsory leave.

    The unions said the strike would continue indefinitely, until their demands were met by the management of Arik Air.

    Their demands included- payment of outstanding salaries arrears, signing of Conditions of Service, remittance of Pension, Tax, and statutory deductions to the appropriate authorities and to resolve other anti-labour issues.

    Others were payment of salary arrears of seven months, with a commitment to pay salaries as at when due, henceforth.

    Atasie said that the unions also wanted the immediate review of all employee remunerations which had remained stagnant since the inception of Arik Air, over ten years ago.

    He said that the unions decided to shut down all operations nationwide when all efforts by the unions were aborted.

    Recall that on Sept. 13, the management of Arik Air asked for the intervention of the Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, over the planned industrial action by unions scheduled to commence on Sept 14.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Arik, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, made the appeal in a letter to the minister entitled, “Re-Unions in Arik Air threaten to down tools.

    NAN visit to local terminals in Lagos, indicated that stranded Arik Air passengers expressed disappointment over the airlines shut down workout informing the passengers.

    A passenger, Mr Julius Anifowoshe, told NAN that ” l was shocked when l came to the airport at about 6.30a.m., to board and found out that the airline workers are on strike without due notification.

    “Am forced to buy another ticket from another airline to meet up with my appointment in Abuja.

    “Government should sanction Arik Air for not reaching out through text messages or e-mail to customers on the planned strike.

    “Am going to seek refund of my money whenever am back to Lagos. Arik Air took customers for granted,” he said.

    Another passenger, Mrs Beatrice Ikechukwu expressed disappointment over sudden shut down of the operations without due notice to passengers.

    Ikechukwu said ” l have to source for money to buy another ticket for what l did not planned for.

    “Arik Air operational system is porous, nobody came to address passengers on what was happening. This is really pathetic and disheartening,” she said.

    However, Mr Adebanji Ola, the Communications Manager of Arik Air said that the management has scheduled a meeting with the unions on Sept. 15 to resolve all matters.

  • LASG announces phased resumption for public, private schools

    LASG announces phased resumption for public, private schools

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday announced plans for both public and private schools resumption after the lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said in a statement that both public and private schools were to reopen for a new 2020/2021 academic session.

    ”We also wish to congratulate SS3 students who have successfully completed their WASSCE exams and urge them to stay safe even as they await their results,” Adefisayo said.

    She said that for the public schools, the ministry would be adopting a phased approach to opening the schools.

    According to her, this phased approach to opening will enable public schools meet COVID-19 social distance rules and safety protocols.

    ”This will help us watch the behaviour of the pandemic as we gradually open up our schools.

    ”The present JS3 and SS2 students in public schools in the state are to resume classes from Monday, 21st of September, 2020.

    ”The resumption will permit the present JS3 students who are already in an exit class to revise and get adequately prepared for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the Lagos State Examination Board.

    “It is scheduled between Tuesday, 6th and Monday, 12th of October, 2020. The resumption will also afford the present SS2 students an opportunity to prepare effectively for their transition to SS3,” she said.

    The commissioner said that the scheduled dates and venues for Entrance Examination into Lagos State Model Colleges would soon be announced by the State Examination Board.

    Adefisayo assured parents that announcements for opening of the other classes would occur as soon as the state government was certain of their safety.

    She said that in the meantime, the unopened classes in public schools would continue their lessons on the various distance learning platforms (Online platform, radio, television and WhatsApp).

    She added that the next phase for physical resumption would be announced in due course.

    Adefisayo said that private primary and secondary schools in the state were permitted to resume from Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.

    She said that the state government strongly encouraged school owners to put safety first and open in phases similar to the plans for public schools.

    According to her, phased opening also includes strategies for staggered resumption in the mornings, classes on alternate days during the week and teaching through various distance learning methods.

    ”Schools must also comply with safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the state government through the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA).

    ”The office of education quality assurance will continue to monitor and evaluate schools’ preparedness.

    ”Please note that pre-primary classes and schools in both public and private schools will remain closed until further announcements are made.

    ”The state government wishes to remind schools that the pandemic is still with us and we must in all situations, make the safety of our children, teachers, parents and our community as a whole, our first priority,” she said.

  • FG, Lagos to address infrastructural decline in Festac Town

    FG, Lagos to address infrastructural decline in Festac Town

    The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have resolved to address the degeneration of infrastructure in Festac Town – a federal housing estate situated in Amuwo-Odofin area of the state.

    The resolution followed a meeting held on Wednesday between Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Sen Gbenga Ashafa, at Lagos House, Ikeja.

    Sanwo-Olu said the state government took land administration and property development as critical.

    He said that his administration’s urban renewal project was being implemented with the objective of opening up remote communities for healthy living and investment drive.

    The governor described the development crisis in Festac Town as ”unpleasant”, saying that the population growth and influx of people led to the degeneration of the neighbourhood.

    He also said that the failure of oversight on activities of property developers in Festac Town distorted the original master plan of the area.

    ”Festac Town as it is today is not what it looked like from 1970s to 1990s, given the degeneration of infrastructure and the unpleasant development observed in the community.

    ”The original master plan did not consider population growth, which reflected in the calibre of allottees that got the property then.

    ”As a result of lack of monitoring and enforcement, people took advantage of this weakness to build indiscriminately on every available space.

    ”I think we can still correct this irregularity and regenerate the entire area for healthy living and business, now that the Federal Housing Authority is headed by a highly knowledgeable indigene of Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He said that once the federal government was ready, Lagos state would cooperate fully and work through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on agreed plan.

    The governor said that the government was ready to give waiver on statutory issues that might aid the progress of the move.

    According to him, Lagos is not the owner of the estate, but has a sense of duty to prevent the depreciation of the asset on that corridor.

    Sanwo-Olu also said that the state government would collaborate with FHA in the area of technology transfer.

    He said this would raise the capability of creating electronic solution that would further ease allocation of property, land administration and approval of survey plan.

    The governor said that the state would be willing to work with the federal housing agency on estate property development in the Lagos East and West senatorial districts.

    Sanwo-Olu praised President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister for Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for the choice of Sen. Ashafa as the head of the federal housing agency.

    He noted that Ashafa’s tenure as Executive Secretary on Land Matters in Lagos boosted the value of land and property in the state.

    ”We want you to succeed in this new assignment you have taken up, because we believe that you have vast knowledge in land administration matters.

    ”Development is critical to us in Lagos, and we will be willing to cooperate with you for more development.

    “We are convinced that your tenure will bring about solution to challenges the nation faces in land administration,” he said.

    Ashafa led top officials of FHA – a department in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing – on a courtesy visit to the governor.

    FHA’s Executive Director for Business Development, Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin, was among those on the team.

    The FHA team presented four partnership requests to the Lagos government, which include knowledge sharing and technology transfer, cooperation on infrastructure delivery and quick resolution of development crisis in Festac Town.

    Ashafa, a former Senator representing Lagos East, said that FHA was ready to resolve all lingering crises delaying the re-modelling and regeneration of Festac Town.

    He expressed confidence that the mid-way approach adopted by the agency would yield positive outcome for both governments and residents of the estate.

    Ashafa described his meeting with the governor as ”productive and fruitful”, adding that the discussion be taken further.

    ”All the four issues we presented were taken in by the governor positively.

    “With some of the relevant cabinet members in attendance at the meeting, we will be engaging in further discussions on how to go about our plan for urban regeneration in Lagos,” he said.

  • PDP announces candidate for Lagos-East bye-election

    PDP announces candidate for Lagos-East bye-election

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi as its candidate for the Lagos-East senatorial bye-election scheduled for Oct. 31.

    The Secretary of the PDP Electoral Committee, Mr Abiante Awaj-Imombak made the announcement on Saturday in Lagos, while announcing the results of the party’s primaries.

    Accreditation and voting by delegates from wards in the five local government areas of Somolu, Kosofe, Ibeju- Lekki, Ikorodu and Epe started at about 1.30 p.m.

    Declaring the results, Awaj-Imombak said that 638 delegates were accredited with a total number of 624 votes cast, while 14 votes were voided.

    He said that Gbadamosi scored 529 votes to emerge the winner in the election, while Saidat Odofin Fafowora, got 59 votes to come second.

    “The other two aspirants were Babatunde Olanrewaju and Yetunde Oyefusi scored 21 votes and seven votes to place third and fourth, respectively,” he said.

    Awaj-Imombak said that Mr Ademola Alebiosu had earlier emerged as the party’s flagbearer for Kosofe Constituency II state House of Assembly by-election.

    He said the election was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission and other agencies.

    The Lagos East senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Sen. Adebayo Osinowo on June 15 this year.

  • Sanwo-Olu suspends director for imposing levy on Netflix, others

    Sanwo-Olu suspends director for imposing levy on Netflix, others

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele Balogun, for imposing a five per cent tax on digital platforms including Netflix and Iroko TV.

     

    Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, said this in a statement on Friday night titled, ‘Lagos State Has No 5% Levy on Audio and Visual Contents of Physical and Digital Platforms’

     

     

     

    Omotosho, who is the Spokesman for the state government, said Balogun acted without authorization and was therefore suspended.

     

    The statement read in part, “There is no levy on audio and visual contents of all physical and digital platforms in Lagos State. The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Bamidele Balogun, is said to have announced a five per cent levy.

     

    “The government hereby dissociates itself from the said announcement in the media. The Executive Secretary, who was not authorized to make such an announcement, has been suspended, pending an administrative enquiry.”

     

    He noted that the Sanwo-Olu administration is not oblivious to the fact that the industry has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and empathizes with this and other sectors of the economy.

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the Federal High Court had barred the LSFVCB from levying film and video producers.

     

    Justice Chuka Obiozor of a Federal High Court had in a judgment in June 2020 stated that the LSFVCB could not be collecting taxes at the same time as the National Film and Video Censors Board as it amounted to double taxation.

     

     

  • BREAKING: Lagos Health Commisioner, Akin Abayomi contracts COVID-19

    BREAKING: Lagos Health Commisioner, Akin Abayomi contracts COVID-19

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has tested positive for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement he signed on Monday in Lagos.

    “Subsequent to close contact with persons feeling unwell and testing positive for the COVID-19 infection, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has tested positive for the virus.

    “Prof. Abayomi became aware of his status following the required testing protocol of contact tracing procedures.

    “However, he is doing well with no symptoms.

    “Adhering to the protocol of the home-based strategy in Lagos State, the Commissioner will be isolated in his home for the next 14 days,” Omotoso said.

    He added that Abayomi would continue to discharge his duties both as the Deputy Incident Commander of the Incident Command System for COVID-19 and most especially, as the State Commissioner for Health.

    “Our prayers are with him and his family during his period of isolation,” Omotoso said.

  • Lagos bubbles back to life as hotels, restaurants, bars, cinemas get green light to resume operations

    Lagos bubbles back to life as hotels, restaurants, bars, cinemas get green light to resume operations

    The Lagos State Government has listed some modalities, set of protocols and guidelines that must now be put in place and implemented by hospitality and tourism establishments for re-opening of business activities in the State.

    In a statement issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf over the weekend, the protocols and guidelines are meant to ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff in all the facilities involved.

    According to her, “The new rules affect all Accommodation Establishments such as Hotels, Motels, Apartments, Suites, Inns, Guest Houses etc; Tourism Enterprises like Event Centres/Entertainment Places, and Food Establishments, like Restaurants, Eateries, Fast Food, Lounge and Bars, and Cinemas”.

    The Commissioner explained that the Ministry arrived at the set of protocols for the practitioners after due consultations with relevant stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector and in recognition of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

    While noting that, apart from the general safety protocols which include the compulsory use of face masks, regular hand washing, use of sanitisers, maintenance of social distancing, temperature check, encouragement of cashless transactions, disinfection of premises and buildings among others, Akinbile-Yussuf stated that owners of hospitality establishments are now required to offer 50% of their space capacity to guests for now in order to maintain physical distancing, in addition to the separation of dining tables.

    She said, “For now, there will be no buffet serving arrangement. All guests (over 18 years old) must be made to sign a COVID-19 form at the reception that has the name, address and phone number of guests for easy contact tracing purpose”.

    For owners of Food Establishments such as Restaurants, Eateries, Fast Food, Lounge and bar among others, she said Restaurants and Eateries are mandated to indicate two metres spacing on the floor to guide their customers in physical distancing, adding that Fast Food outlets and Eateries are also to maintain take-away services for now.

    On the modalities for tourism enterprises such as Event Centres/Entertainment Places, the Commissioner directed that they must hold a valid licence from Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture prior to holding an event, in addition to an Event Safety Clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission before such event is held.

    “Occupancy at any event, for now, must not exceed 50% maximum capacity of the hall with a maximum duration of three hours for all social events. Event Centres sitting arrangement must also comply with the two metres physical spacing. All tables must be set at least five meters apart in order to maintain a safe distance and free movements”, Akinbile-Yusuf stated.

    She warned against violation of the stated conditions by event centre owners and party planners, stressing that the penalty for the infraction will attract a sum of One Million Naira.

    While maintaining that owners of cinemas are to follow all guidelines stipulated for the hospitality sector and event centres as it relates to 50 percent capacity, two metres spacing and the signing of COVID-19 forms by customers above 18 years, the Commissioner stressed that the operation of all cinemas within the State must not exceed the hours stipulated by the government to ensure compliance with the 10 p.m to 4 a.m curfew directive.

  • Jubilation as deposed Emir Sanusi, wives return to northern Nigeria

    Jubilation as deposed Emir Sanusi, wives return to northern Nigeria

    The deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II on Sunday departed Lagos State with his wives to Kaduna State amidst wild jubilation in what is his first visit to northern Nigeria after he was dethroned five months ago.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the deposed Emir departed Lagos with his aides and arrived in Kaduna, where he was received and welcomed by the State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai with a large number of followers.

    Sanusi told El-Rufai that he is grateful to have in him a friend he can always count on. He thanked the Governor for standing by him and assured that he will do his best as Vice Chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) and Chancellor of the Kaduna State University (KASU).

    Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai, welcoming Sanusi, thanked him for making Kaduna the first place he is visiting since relocating to Lagos in March.

    Recall that Sanusi was sacked as Emir of Kano by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on 9 March 2020. He had ascended the throne on 8 June 2014, following the death of his grand-uncle Ado Bayero.

    After his removal, Aminu Ado Bayero was named the 15th Emir of Kano from the Fulani Sullubawa clan. He ascended the throne on 9 March 2020, following the deposition of his nephew Muhammad Sanusi II.

    A close aide of Sanusi, Dr Suleiman Shinkafi said the former emir would be in Kaduna for a week to receive visitors who had wanted to come to see him.

    “Since his dethronement, many people have indicated their intentions to visit him in Lagos. But the monarch decided to relief them from the stress of travelling as far as Lagos,” he stressed.

    Shinkafi also said the monarch will visit Sokoto to greet the Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad before moving to Azare, Katagum where his late grandfather, Muhammad Sanusi l stayed when he was deposed by late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

    Sanusi, who arrived the Air Force base around 10.40 am, alighted from a private plane and was immediately followed by his wives.

    Some traditional title holders from Kano and Kaduna were at the Air Force base to welcome him.

    Immediately the monarch entered his waiting cream coloured Rolls Royce, he was conveyed to Government House where he met with the Governor.

    Sanusi’s last time in Kaduna was during the 60th birthday celebration of Governor El-Rufai.

  • BREAKING: Lagos records 404 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

    BREAKING: Lagos records 404 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

    Lagos State has recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases with 404 in the last 24 hours, increasing the state’s infection figures to 17,764.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made the disclosure on Sunday in its COVID-19 Situation Report for Aug. 22.

    According to NCDC, Lagos has 404 new cases out of the 601 confirmed cases reported in the last 24 hours from 21 states.

    The health agency also disclosed that 684 patients who were treated and had fully recovered, were discharged, making the number of COVID-19 patients discharged in the state at 15,209.

    It, however, announced one COVID-19 related death in the state, increasing the state’s COVID-19 mortality to 202.

    Lagos remains the epicentre of COVID-19 cases with 17,764 of the total 51,905 cases in the country.

    Also, data by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Africa Region, shows that there are 1,167,848 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the continent

    WHO said that there over 888,000 recoveries and 27,322 deaths.