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Tag: Lagos

  • [Photos] Vehicles, bags of rice destroyed as fire guts Customs warehouse in Lagos

    [Photos] Vehicles, bags of rice destroyed as fire guts Customs warehouse in Lagos

    A warehouse belonging to the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A was on Thursday gutted by fire in Lagos.

    The warehouse which was filled with seized vehicles and foreign parboiled rice was destroyed by the fire which occurred about noon.

    According to an eyewitness, the fire razed substantial part of the warehouse destroying six trucks, 15 cars/vans and a fully loaded truck with seized foreign parboiled rice.

    The eyewitness also disclosed that goods worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the inferno.

    But speaking to newsmen, the Deputy Head, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaki Musibau, said the fire started from a burst cylinder stored under one of the burnt vehicles.

    Details later…

  • Unilag VC set to re-brand, re-position the institution

    Unilag VC set to re-brand, re-position the institution

    Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (Unilag), says his projection for the institution in 2018 is to reposition and rebrand it.

    Ogundipe gave the position in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to him, the move is to further sustain and improve on the institution’s mandate of teaching, learning, research, and community development.

    “We intend to make the university to continuously live up to its name as the `University First Choice and the nation’s pride.

    “We will commence by rebranding the brand name unilag and then move on to raise friends before raising funds.

    “We are planning to bring together, friends of the university of Lagos to see what we have done so far in the past years, what we intend doing and where we want them to play or come in,’’ Ogundipe said.

    The vice-chancellor also said that there was going to be some structural changes in the university to further boost efforts in moving the institution to the next level.

    “We want the university to be greater than the best. As you may know, university of Lagos is a cosmopolitan and unique institution and we want people to know that it is still the best in the country research wise,’’ he said.

    He explained that the management of the university would be focusing more on research that would be relevant to the institution’s community in the New Year.

    According to him, management will also ensure that the university goes into innovation that will be readily useful to the country at large, as well as delve into and encourage incubation.

    “This is an area where we are going to develop our students to meet the national needs.

    “We will also in this 2018, go into entrepreneurship, where our students would be able to stand on their own,’’ Ogundipe said.

  • Lagos rakes in N50bn from December spending in creative sector

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday confirmed that its economy got a N50 billion boost in December through spending in the creative sector.

    This was revealed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde. The Commissioner explained that from various reports, statistics and analyses monitored over the last few days, additional spending of about N50billion in the creative entertainment sector was recorded within the last 25 days.

    He described this as reinforcing the profile of the state as the hub of entertainment and tourism and the economic capital of West Africa.

    He said the peak in entertainment activities and the huge influx of people on holiday visits impacted positively on the economy at a time that corporate sponsorship of the creative sector also recorded an appreciable growth.

    Ayorinde said reports monitoring the current trends show multi-billion naira spending in hotel accommodation across the state; alcohol and beverage consumption as well as culinary business; visits to resorts, parks, clubs and lounges, live theatre and cinemas; fees for musicians, their handlers and technical officials as well as ancillary businesses like fashion and clothing, kiddies’ games and toys, specialised taxis and private security guards that all contribute into the tourism and entertainment sectors.

    “What this cash-enabled December has shown is a massive growth in the creative economy sector in Lagos State.

    “The entire state is agog, hotels are fully booked from Victoria Island to Ikeja, Epe and Badagry. There is a renewed sense of fun among the citizens and visitors. The volume of entertainment content being created for the pleasure of the citizens and media is unprecedented right from the beginning of the month.

    “COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament at Eko Atlantic was a combination of football and musical performances. The Lagos Street Carnival was a demonstrable evidence of the government’s assurance that security and traffic management can now be taken for granted in the state when big shows happen. New cinemas are being launched and all are recording huge box office takings. Four of Africa’s biggest musicians – Olamide, Falz, Wizkid and Davido – have had the biggest concert productions in Africa in the past one week.

    “And we have now entered Day 5 of the 8-day, 5-centre One Lagos Fiesta that is featuring more than 700 artistes, if you add dancers, instrumentalists and participants at the Lagos Grows Talent component of the fiesta. This is an extra-ordinary entertainment value chain that is impacting on the pockets and well-being of the people. This is an economic reality that you can only get in Lagos State.”

    He said: “This Government has found a nexus between art and prosperity. Part of what we have done with care in the past two and half years is to develop and nurture the entertainment value chain that feeds the creative economy of the state. We are aware and happy that industries in the creative economy supported more than 500,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the past 30 months, cutting across music promotion, live entertainment, motion picture, digital media, live theatre and cinemas as well as fashion and culinary businesses.”

     

  • JTF launch Operation Jagunlabi to counter pipeline vandalism in Lagos creeks

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the Nigeria Navy, Air Force and Army, on Thursday, launched ‘Operation Jagunlabi ’, to fight pipeline vandals around the creeks in Lagos.
    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Slyvanus Abbah, who flagged off the operation in Majidun, Ikorodu, told journalists that it was aimed at combating the menace of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
    The new operation, which is an offshoot of the ongoing Operation AWATSE (an Hausa word for scatter), is to further solidify the gains of the joint task force.
    ”Operation AWATSE has been an on-going operation, and if you are in Lagos, I think this is the most peaceful festive period you have ever had in Lagos.
    “We have been working tirelessly. Before now, you know the criminals have been carrying out their nefarious act at the high sea; which is sea robbery,” he said.
    Abbah said that the components of Operation Awatse would partner Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta to tackle the influx of vandals and militants to Lagos waters from neighboring creeks.
    He said that the partnership with Operation Delta Safe would see the military raid the creeks and backwaters of the Niger Delta region to arrest the rampaging militants.
    “Although Lagos by itself is a peaceful place, the criminals come from elsewhere.
    “For instance, the last attack that happened on Lagos waters: we have arrested so many of them and all of them are not from Lagos.
    “The five of them that are in our custody are not from Lagos but have their accomplice in Lagos who gives them information. We are working on this to get rid of all those things,” Abbah said.
    He said the military was not resting on its oars in tackling the menace.
    “This period, you know nobody came around to kidnap, and we have to commend the soldiers because they are working very hard to ensure everything is fine peacefully,” the officer said.
    On Operation Jagunlabi, Abbah said it was an ongoing and continuous exercise.
    “Our presence here today is just to meet and interact with the soldiers.
    “We want them to share their problems and we will also address them.
    “Before now, you know Majidun was a no go area, but as you can see, everybody is feeling happy and operating freely.
    “This is why we want to make all those non-penetrable areas to be safe now for everyone to carry out their businesses,” he said.
    Talking about the military’s strategy, Abbah said that it would not be revealed, so that the enemies would not restrategise and strike.
    “This is a military exercise and the essence of this is to make sure we operate peacefully.
    “So, Operation Jagunlabi is a show of force to tell those boys (the militants) wherever they are, we are here for them.
    “This is a joint operation and you cannot do it alone, so that is why we need air support from the air force.
    “Therefore, it’s a joint operation between the army, navy and Air Force and even elements of the police, Department of State Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” he said.
    The operation is also aimed at battling vandalism and crude oil theft in Lagos creeks and backwaters.
    Abbah was joined by the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, AVM Ibrahim Yahaya; the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke and the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Rear Adm. Maurice Eno.
    The maritime operation kicked off from Majidun creek, with patrol of Ebute waterside, Ibeshe ferry jetty and then Oworonsoki jetty, before heading back to the base.
    The ground forces also took off from Majidun and went through the Ikorodu garage roundabout, Ibeshe junction, Ibeshe Ilaje, Imota, Ishawo before returning to the naval outpost.
    Abbah said that the joint patrol by the three arms of the military would pull resources and manpower together to tackle the menace.
    Harping on the importance of intelligence gathering, Abbah who addressed the troops before the operation began, said they were to mix up with civilians in order to get information from them

  • Lagos establishes six new primary schools

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it had approved the establishment of six new public primary schools under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, who announced this in a statement, said the development was in line with the new government policy on education.

    The new schools are Community Primary School, Ibasa, and Community Primary School, Ajewanwa, both in Ojo Local Government Education Authority (LGEA)

    Also established are Oladele Aĺaka Primary School, Ejigbo, Oshodi-Isolo LGEA and Iju Ajuwon Primary School, Ifako-Ijaiye LGEA.

    The remaining are Osho Sholu Primary School, Ewu Oloye, Erunwen, Ikorodu LGEA and Correctional Home for Boys, Oregun, Ikeja LGEA.

    Sopeyin said the policy was to make qualitative and quantitative education available to the teeming children population of school age in the state.

    He also said that the Akinwunmi Ambode administration had bridged the gap between public and private primary in the state.

    Sopeyin said that public primary schools were now better than their private counterparts, stressing that the standard in public schools had improved tremendously given the improved academic performance of the pupils.

    He further said that the state government had decided to pay attention to all children, irrespective of origin, adding that desks, chairs and other educational facilities had been approved for procurement.

    Sopeyin added that with the new schools, the total number of government primary schools in the state was now 1,016.

  • Yuletide: Lagos govt donates trailer-loads of Lake Rice to Security Agencies

    In the spirit of the yuletide season, the Lagos State Government on Saturday donated trailer-loads of Lake Rice each to the Armed Forces, the police and other security agencies in the State.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the latest donation to security agencies was part of the token to appreciate law enforcement agents for their commitment and sacrifice to ensure security of lives and property in the State.

    The State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had, while launching the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem on December 20, 2017, equally donated N25million to the Nigerian Legion as well as trailer-load of Lake Rice to aid the welfare of the families of fallen heroes.

    According to Ayorinde, “The latest gesture by the State Government to security agencies for the festive celebration is a continuation of the token to appreciate them by the State Government for their efforts at maintaining law and order in the State.

    “Lagos is indeed blessed with dedicated security personnel and despite all that have been done in the past and is still being done to assist security agencies, such as provision of critical logistics, allowances, insurance benefits, among others, the onus is on government to continue to utilize every opportunity to appreciate and motivate them to continue to put in their very best.

    “Security, being one of the tripod upon which the administration of His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is built, will continue to be given top priority to ensure safety of lives and property, as well as to grow the economy of the State,” the Commissioner said.

    There are 600 full bags of rice in each of the trucks donated to the security agencies.

  • Lagos State is blessed with some of the most talented artistes- Steve Ayorinde

    Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde has declared that Lagos State is blessed with some of the most talented stars in the world.

     

    The Commissioner made this known during a tweetchat anchored by TheNetng. When asked to express his thoughts concerning the constant comparison between Davido and Wizkid, he noted that there is no basis for comparison.

     

    “That question should not arise, the almighty has blessed Lagos state in particular and Nigeria in general with some of the most talented artists in the world like Olamide, David and Wizkid who happen to be front-line artistes. Their fans are happy with their content and artistry. Lagos state is proud to have them as ambassadors to the limitless creative offerings at the centre of excellence. They need our support to climb higher in their nascent but remarkable careers. They will go far!” Ayorinde said.

     

    Lagos Govt. moves against tax defaultersChristmas Eve to New Year’s Eve,

     

  • JAMB accredits 72 centres for 2018 UTME in Lagos

    JAMB accredits 72 centres for 2018 UTME in Lagos

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accredited 72 centres in Lagos State for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The State Coordinator of JAMB, Mr Sunday Aladegbaye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that 63 centres were accredited for the examination in 2017.

    He said the increase indicated that more candidates were likely to participate in 2018 Computer Based UTME.

    “”Preparations are in top gear for the examination in the state.

    “”We have accredited 72 centres that have met our requirements for the conduct of the mock and the main examination in 2018.

    “”But this figure can increase,’’ Aladegbaye said.

    He warned mischief makers to desist from setting up strange centres for registration to defraud innocent Nigerians.

    “”Experience has shown that some group of persons would create a strange website in the name of JAMB and be registering candidates to defraud them.

    ““This is misleading just as it is criminal.

    “”We also wish to reach out to candidates to go to only approved centres for their registrations.

    “”We (JAMB) will not be accountable for anything that happens to them.’’

    The JAMB official said that the board would prosecute any person or group of persons caught operating any illegal or unaccredited registration centre for its examinations.

    He said the board was prosecuting a fraudster in court for allegedly registering candidates for the 2017 UTME.

    “”He operated the centre at a place very close to our Lagos office on Ojora way in Lagos.

    ““When he was caught, he did not show any remorse for his action.

    ““We will continue with the case until justice is achieved to serve as a deterrent to others.

    ““We are a credible organisation and feel strongly that things should be done the right way and with due process.

    “”It is only logical that any person or persons willing to do business with JAMB, go through the right channel in order not to cause Nigerians pains,’’ he said.

     

    NAN

  • Yuletide: FAAN assures air travellers of safety, comfort

    Yuletide: FAAN assures air travellers of safety, comfort

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured air travelers and other airport users that her network of airports across the country were fully prepared for the usual surge in passenger traffic that is the norm during the yuletide.

    FAAN gave the assurance in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, on Monday in Lagos.

    Yakubu noted that security had been beefed up at all airports, especially the major international gateways in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

    According to her, this is to ensure that passengers and airport users make use of airport facilities, without any security threat.

    She said: “At our premier airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, a multi-storey car park was recently inaugurated to ease ground facilitation.

    “The VIP lounge has also been renovated to enhance passenger comfort, the carousels are working optimally, amidst other facilities upgrade currently ongoing.

    “The stories are similar at all other airports, as the authority has put in place facilities, procedures and systems to ensure maximum comfort, safety and security of airport users during this season and beyond.”

    Yakubu, however, advised passengers to get to the airports early to conclude all check-in procedures in good time, in order to avoid the experience of missing their flights.

    “This is important because of the heavy passenger traffic that is usually the experience around this time and the ongoing construction work by the Lagos State Government on Airport Road, Lagos,’’ she added.

    NAN

  • Fans crown Thiery Henry as ‘Igwe of Football’ in Lagos

    Football legend, Thiery Henry was on Sunday crowned the ‘Igwe of football’ at an event in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Henry arrived Nigeria for the ‘Watch a Match with Thierry Henry’ event.

    He was dressed in the traditional Igbo attire, with the chieftaincy cap.

    See photos below: