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Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos govt to carry out demolition on Banana Island

    Lagos govt to carry out demolition on Banana Island

    The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin marking illegal buildings on Banana Island for demolition,  by Monday.

    Mr Gbolahan Oki, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), made the announcement at a stakeholders meeting on Banana Island, on Thursday.

    He said that the buildings were encroaching on prohibited areas, violating building codes and posing safety risks.

    Oki said: ” From Monday to Friday, next week, officials will come and mark the buildings; the following week, we will just give you two weeks to get your documents ready.

    “After that, I am going to pull everything down.”

    The general manager said that the decision followed  illegal constructions on Banana Island, particularly buildings under high-tension power lines and those too close to  shoreline.

    He said that the lives of Lagos residents were more important than the value of the property.

    Oki said  that LASBCA had taken a similar action in other areas such as Abule Egba, Iya Niba and Iyana Isheri, by removing buildings  under high-tension lines.

    The general manager said that buildings under high-tension lines or too close to shoreline violated established planning rules and regulations.

    Oki said: “The government’s regulations require buildings to be at least 150 metres from the shoreline, which was generously reduced to 100 metres.

    “Even with  the leniency, some developers have failed to comply.”

    Dr Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Planning Matters, emphasised that the state government, through the governor, was the sole authority on land matters within the state, as stipulated by the Land Use Act.

    He said that the state had a master plan for the area, adding that unauthorised sand filling and land reclamation had disrupted the organised development the state envisioned.

    He appealed to  the residents to co-operate with the state government, saying that the government was there to serve them and needed their cooperation to do so effectively.

    He said that the government had received complaints about illegal extensions in the area and had set up a committee headed by the Mr Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, to investigate.

    Mr Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State, said that the estate, which was once a source of pride and a premium property location, was losing its status due to negative environmental impacts.

    This, he said, was the reason the government intervened to restore order and prevent further degradation.

    He also confirmed that the governor directed his Special Adviser on e-GIS and Planning Matters and the Office of Urban Development to conduct an assessment of the situation.

    The Chairman, Banana Island Association, Mr Abidemi Sonaike, expressed  willingness  to co-operate with the government and other stakeholders to resolve issues on the estate.

    He expressed satisfaction at the government’s initiative in calling the meeting, saying it was a positive first step toward collaboration.

    Sonaike called for  joint efforts in finding lasting solutions.

  • Lagos govt hikes BRI scheme fare by 18%

    Lagos govt hikes BRI scheme fare by 18%

    The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has increased its entire Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) scheme fare by 18 per cent.

    The agency disclosed this on its official social media platform on Thursday.

    The statement read thus, “Please be informed that there will be an 18 per cent increase in the bus fare on all Bus Reform Initiative scheme.

    “The fare rise is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos.

    “The new fare will take effect from Monday. We seek your understanding and cooperation,” it said.

  • Lagos: Jandor opens up on 2027 governorship ambition

    Lagos: Jandor opens up on 2027 governorship ambition

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, says his political ambition in the 2027 electoral cycle is in God’s hands.

    Adediran, also known as Jandor, made this known in an interview with journalists on Sunday after attending a Thanksgiving Service at Trinity House Church in Lagos.

    He said he was in church to give thanks to God, exactly one year after the Supreme Court ruled on the 2023 Lagos gubernatorial election, won by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Adediran noted that after the ruling, he stepped away from media and election matters to focus on business. However, his team decided to hold a thanksgiving service.

    “Our team agreed that we cannot act as if God has not done anything for us. We had several victories during the electioneering process, and we must acknowledge them.

    “The first is the gift of life. We went through that process safely, and no one was harmed or lost their life. I agreed with the team, and that is why we are here today for thanksgiving,” he said.

    On speculations about his 2027 governorship ambition, Adediran said that while the future belongs to God, he is prepared to contest again.

    “Anyway, we have chosen this path, and we are not deviating from it.

    “I just need to emphasise that this is the path we have chosen. The difference is, we are not professional politicians.

    “We are professionals who found ourselves in politics, which is why we approach it differently. So, 2027 belongs to God,” he said.

    Adediran said he remained committed to serving the people.

    “If we all say politics is dirty and step aside, we leave leadership in the hands of the unqualified. I believe we should not give up. We will give it another shot,” he said.

    The Lead Pastor of Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo, commended Adediran for choosing to give thanks to God.

    “He (Adediran) is seeking God, and he will find Him. God will also find him and love him in return.

    “Jandor is simply a Nigerian citizen who came to worship God, and I’m happy he has done so,” Ighodalo said.

    The cleric urged Nigerian politicians to fear God and love the people they serve.

    “Many of them do not, and that is why we have problems in Nigeria. If they fear God and love the people, they will do the right thing,” he said.

    Recall that Adediran finished third in the 2023 governorship election, behind the APC and Labour Party candidates.

  • FG announces traffic diversion on popular Lagos bridge over structural defects

    FG announces traffic diversion on popular Lagos bridge over structural defects

    The Federal Government has appealed to drivers, particularly those of articulated trucks, using the Iddo Bridge in Lagos State, to watch for diversion signs as height restriction barriers will soon be installed.

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha disclosed this on Saturday that these restrictions were necessary to facilitate repairs.

    She said: “I am using this medium to appeal to all the motoring public, especially the articulated trucks that have any business to do with the Iddo Bridge, coming from Apapa to Oyingbo, coming from Apapa to Carter Bridge, coming from Carter Bridge to ijora.

    “If you are coming from Oyingbo and you are going to Ijora, you will use this Iddo Bridge that we are talking about.

    “I am using this medium to appeal to drivers driving articulated trucks because they are the ones who are mostly affected by this announcement. That, very soon, in a couple of days, we are going to reinstall a barrier.

    “We installed the barriers before. Due to some issues, we uninstalled them, and then we are planning to reinstall them, but we want to make the advocacy to go round and give drivers the ample time to absorb it before we now install the barrier again.’’

    The controller of works added that trucks higher than three metres would be unable to cross the bridge once the height restriction barriers are in place.

    “So, we are appealing to drivers that once you approach these junctions, please slow down and look out for the diversion that is in place that will guide you to the next place that you can exit from and then continue your journey.

    “Or, watch out for the traffic personnel that have been deployed to manage traffic during these periods,’’ she said.

    Kesha said the bridge required repairs, and these restrictions were necessary to facilitate those repairs.

    She noted that the initial phase would target heavy vehicles, but eventually, even light vehicles would be affected.

    She added that the ultimate goal was to improve the bridge and provide better service to the public.

    The controller of works, therefore, emphasised the need for patience and cooperation during the repair process.

    Recall that the government imposed initial vehicular restrictions on the bridge on February 2nd.

    According to Kesha, a structural evaluation revealed defects in several spans of the 550-meter bridge.

    She stated that repairs to the three major defective spans would take approximately six months, as the process would involve breaking down and recasting them.

  • NNPP denies holding national convention in Lagos

    NNPP denies holding national convention in Lagos

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Thursday says the party never conducted any national convention  or inaugurate a new National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party in Lagos State.

    The party National Chairman, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, stated this during the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting with the NNPP National Assembly members led by Sen. Rufa’i Hanga at the party headquarters in Abuja.

    Ahmed said that the current NWC of the NNPP was constituted in the year 2022 under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    According to the chairman, there is only one NNPP under his leadership and one national headquarters located in Abuja known to law and the INEC.

    Ahmed added that the only logo of the NNPP known to law was the one with red, white colours with a book and academic cap in the middle, with the slogan “Education for All”.

    He said it was clearly against the law, and against common decency, for any group under the guise of any identity different from those enumerated above, to refer to itself as NNPP.

    “We want to use this medium to inform and confirm to the world that the NNPP does not operate from Apapa; we did not hold any convention this year in any hotel lobby in Lagos.

    “Visit the INEC website and confirm for yourselves that our party is never chaired by Dr Agbo Major.

    “Our NWC was inaugurated here in Abuja in April 2022 for a tenure of four years which ends in April 2026, and it is here in Abuja that our party is headquartered and operates from in accordance with the laws of the land,’’ he said.

    He explained that Major and his expelled group parading themselves as NNPP leaders had been suspended and expelled from the party.

    Ahmed said that immediately after the 2023 general elections, some members of the NNPP who openly played anti-party activities were subjected to proper disciplinary procedures and were found wanting.

    He said that those members were duly sanctioned, but instead of exploring the party internal mechanisms to address their grievances, they decided to release themselves as willing tools to distract the party.

    He added that the expelled members had been going from one court to the other, “and swiftly losing one case after another, including courts in Abuja, Ekiti, Port Harcourt, Awka, Kano, and Katsina.

    “In November 2024, they took themselves to Court in Abia State, in the name of NNPP.

    “Meanwhile, an Abuja Federal High Court as far back as April 2024 had ruled that, as expelled former members of the Party, they should stop parading themselves as NNPP members or leaders in any shape or form.

    “The Federal High Court judgment of April 18, 2024, declared them as impostors, having been expelled by the party, and as such can neither sue in the name of the party nor against the party,’’ he said.

    Ahmed expressed concerns that Major and his group could defile the above court judgments and orders claiming to be holding an unauthorised “national convention’’ for the party.

    “For the purpose of clarity, on Jan. 16, 2025, the High Court of FCT, gave an order restraining them and their privies, proxies and whosoever from carrying out any official duty or activity for or on behalf of NNPP.

    “The said orders were served on them, they have briefed their lawyers, they have appeared before the courts and filed their processes.

    “Yet with brazen disregard to the orders of the court, the same group have gone ahead to hold this unlawful meeting and have purported to have elected members of a kangaroo National Working Committee.

    “We are in court today Feb. 7, 2025, and INEC has filed their process denying knowledge and existence of the so-called convention in Apapa and the purported election,’’ he said.

  • I won’t disappoint – New Lagos Speaker assures

    I won’t disappoint – New Lagos Speaker assures

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, on Friday thanked her colleagues for their consistent support since she took charge of the House ,promising not to disappoint them.

    Meranda gave the assurance when a delegation from  WOMANIFESTO,a rights group,  paid her a courtesy visit at the Assembly complex on Friday.

    WOMANIFESTO,a group advocating women’s rights, has over 30 women activists as members.

    Recall that Meranda became the speaker on Jan. 13,  following the impeachment of the immediate past speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa by the House over alleged misconduct ,among other allegations.

    Meranda (APC-Apapa 1) said  it was an honour  being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the House,promising to discharge her duties diligently.

    She said: “I sincerely appreciate my colleagues for their belief in me and their support over the past few weeks. As I have always said, I have promised myself not to disappoint them.

    “There is a saying that if you empower a woman, you empower a nation. I believe my colleagues made the right decision in electing me to lead them.

    “I want this delegation to help me appreciate them because in this 10th Assembly, we are only four women among 36 men. For them to have entrusted me with this leadership role, I am truly grateful.”

    The speaker, a three-term lawmaker, emphasised the significance of women’s empowerment, and urged the group to partner the Assembly on women empowerment.

    The speaker also thanked the delegation for the show of love and support, saying this was not just about her, but about their gender as a whole.

    Meranda urged the delegation to stay in touch ,saying that whatever ideas they had to improve the lives of Nigerians—especially women and the girl child—would be  welcomed.

    Earlier, the WOMANIFESTO’s Convener, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the group was at the Assembly to congratulate her, following her  historic emergence as the first female speaker.

    Akiyode-Afolabi urged the speaker not let down the womenfolk and the state.

    She said the group was ready to collaborate with the Assembly in advancing policies that would  benefit Nigerian women and girls.

    Also speaking, Ganiyu Sanni, the lawmaker representing Kosofe 1, commended the WOMANIFESTO delegation and urged them to support Meranda’s leadership.

    Sanni said the Assembly upholds high standards and those standards would be maintained, especially now that they had  “a woman with strong character and vast experience” leading them.

    He said Meranda was well-prepared for the task ahead, but she needed  support.

  • Fake number plates, security threat – FRSC

    Fake number plates, security threat – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Command,  has described fake number plate as a security threat that must be addressed.

    The Lagos State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, said this during the launch of an operation to combat the menace of fake number plates, on Thursday, in Lagos.

    “Today’s operation is specifically targeted at fake number plate. Overtime, we discovered that some of the security challenges happening in the country cannot be traced due to the fact that the source is not known.

    “You can imagine a situation where there is a hiccup and you pick a number of a particular vehicle, thinking you have the registration number, only to check the data base and you cannot locate the particular vehicle.

    “This is a security threat to the country and we say no to some of these things,” he said.

    Hamzat noted that some of the acts of indiscipline on the road were caused by these fake number plates.

    “It is either the perpetrators of these will stop it or they will have it rough with us because there is no going back on this patrol.

    “This is a directive from the Corps Marshal and we are ready to follow that directive to the latter,” he said.

    He added that they would partner with more states to tackle the menace.

    He said that FRSC officials could easily identify fake ones as there are properties on the number plate which could be used to identify which one was fake or genuine.

    “You can see from some of these number plates, the inscriptions written on them, presidency even the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), these are all fake because we cannot trace them.

    “Someone printed these, these are things we must definitely and collectively fight against.

    “On the one written NANS number, this can be used to perpetrate evil and it will become a form of threat to these students, and we should work together as one body to rid this country of these menace,” he said.

    He said that the patrol would be a continuous exercise calling on those with fake number plates to desist from the act because it would no longer be business as usual.

    Hamzat said the vehicles that their number plates had been seized would be impounded and prosecuted appropriately in the court of law.

    Before the officers embarked on the exercise, they were urged by the sector commander to be vigilant and be safety conscious.

    “Safety comes first before any other thing. If you observe a target, there should be a pre-stop, raise your flag, the middle will engage and if they want to escape, the last field will hold. The bike should be on takeoff position. Do not cluster, be vigilant and do the necessary arrest,” he said.

  • Police nab Lagos hotel CEO for alleged sodomy

    Police nab Lagos hotel CEO for alleged sodomy

    The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos State on Wednesday paraded a hotelier, simply identified as Macdonald, following his detention over allegations of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a male minor.

    The Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), CSP Umma Ayuba, paraded the suspect before newsmen at the Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.

    Ayuba said that the suspect, who was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Leuven Empire Hotel and Suites, Ejigbo, Lagos, allegedly committed an act against the order of nature.

    According to her, the development follows a petition dated Jan. 23, submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, by the father of the 16-year-old victim.

    “The petition alleged that the suspect engaged in unlawful sexual acts with the minor.

    “Upon receipt of the petition, Fayoade assigned CSP. Bangajiya Uba to conduct a discreet investigation into the matter.

    “The victim, initially fearful of speaking out due to threats allegedly made by the suspect, confided in his mother.

    “He recounted that the suspect warned him that disclosing the incident would result in him losing his sanity, ” Ayuba said.

    The ZPRO said that having been reassured by his mother, the victim detailed how the suspect had sexual intercourse with him.

    “The victim narrated how the suspect had taken him from the hotel in his vehicle to his residence at No. 4B, Oshoba Street, Akowonjo-Egbeda, Lagos, where he was forcefully subjected to unlawful sexual acts.

    “Following the incident, the suspect allegedly provided the victim with a bottle of Lucozade Boost and N5000 cash.

    “Upon this revelation, the victim’s parents reported the matter to the Isheri-Osun Police Division, ” Ayuba said.

    The image maker said that investigations were initiated but rather than cooperating with law enforcement, the suspect refused to honour police invitations and instead attempted to manipulate the process.

    “Seeing that the accused was seeking to evade justice, the victim’s father escalated the matter to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, where the hotelier was subsequently apprehended.

    “To ascertain the veracity of the claims, the victim underwent medical examination at Mirabel Medical Centre, ” She said.

    Ayuba said that a close friend of the victim, who was present at the hotel on the day of the incident, also corroborated the allegations.

    “This friend confirmed that the suspect had been engaging in unlawful acts with the victim and had also attempted a similar act with him, which he resisted.

    “He further presented recorded telephone conversations, chat histories, and video evidence filmed by the victim within the suspect’s residence using the suspect’s own phone.

    “Initially, the suspect denied knowing the victim. However, when confronted with evidence, he admitted to taking him to his residence.

    “The suspect allegedly threatened the victim with psychological harm should he reveal the incident, and since making his confession, the victim has exhibited signs of mental distress,” She said.

    The ZPRO said that investigations also uncovered unprofessional conduct by the initial Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who removed a key witness’ statement from the case file before transferring it to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters.

    “The IPO has since been detained and is undergoing disciplinary procedures.
    Contrary to certain media reports, the medical report from Mirabel Medical Centre remains authentic and has not been tampered with in anyway, ” she said.

    According to her, the victim is currently receiving medical care, and upon completion of investigations, the suspect will be formally charged in court.

    She said that the suspect also lured five other teenagers to his hotel, where he sodomised them and warned the boys that they would die if they revealed the incident to anyone.

    Ayuba said that AIG Fayoade urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, closely monitor their children’s activities, and provide guidance to protect them from harmful influences.

  • Bolt drivers plan mass protest in Lagos

    Bolt drivers plan mass protest in Lagos

    The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Council, has opposed the recent 50 per cent price slash imposed by Bolt, a ride-hailing company, on its drivers.

    Mr Steven Iwindoye, the Lagos State Public Relations Officer of AUATON expressed members’ displeasures in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

    “This drastic reduction in earnings has severe negative impacts on all AUATON members, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

    “The constant price slashes and unfair treatment of drivers by ride-hailing companies like Bolt, Uber, Indrive, and Rida have led to a breaking point. The only solution is for drivers to come together and take a stand,” Iwindoye said.

    He said that the union would have no option than to embark on a state protest if the recent reduction was allowed to stay by bolt.

    “We call on all drivers, regardless of union affiliation, to participate in the upcoming protest. We cannot afford to have drivers undermining the effort by continuing to work and accepting the unfair conditions.

    “The protest’s success relies on the unity and solidarity of all drivers,” he said.

    According to him, unfortunately, some drivers have been a significant obstacle to progress in the industry.

    He said that some drivers had been hesitant to take a stand while others actively worked against the interests of their fellow drivers.

    Iwindoye added: “This protest is an opportunity for drivers to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal.

    “While we await the announcement of the protest date, drivers can take action by expressing their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.

    “Writing to Bolt and registering our displeasure with the 50 per cent price slash is a crucial step.

    “This will demonstrate our collective dissatisfaction and prepare the ground for the upcoming protest,” he said.

    He called on all members to stand together and use their collective power to bring about change.

    According to him, this may require drivers to take bold action and assert their rights to create a better future for themselves and the entire ride-hailing industry.

    “We urge all AUATON members and drivers to unite and demand fair treatment from ride-hailing companies. Together, we can bring about the change we deserve,” the spokesman said.

  • 7 injured in Lagos-Badagry Expressway auto crash

    7 injured in Lagos-Badagry Expressway auto crash

    Seven persons sustained varying degrees of injury on Friday night in an accident involving a V-wagon commercial bus and a Toyota Camry car on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    The Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Mr William Manga, confirmed the incident in an interview in Badagry.

    Manga said that the accident occurred at about 11.10p.m at Sawmill Bus Stop, Ibereko area of the expressway.

    “Our personnel were alerted about the accident at about 11.15p.m and got to the scene at 11:22p.m, seven minutes after they were alerted. The accident involved two vehicles,” he said.

    He explained that a V-wagon commercial bus with registration number AGL 867 YA coming from Badagry lost control while making a u-turn leading to a head on collision with a Toyota Camry car bus with number plate KRD 232 HD coming from Mile 2.

    “24 persons were involved in the accident with four men and three women sustained varying degrees of injury,” he said.

    The FRSC commander added that the injured persons were taken to Care General Hospital in Badagry for treatment. Manga said that the accident was due to dangerous driving.

    He said the two vehicles involved in the accident had been taken to Mowo Police Station in Badagry. Manga advised drivers to avoid speeding, overloading and always adhere to traffic rules and regulations.