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Tag: Lagos

  • Army confirm arrest of fleeing Boko Haram member in Lagos

     

    …Urges Nigerians to be vigilante

    Following the present onslaught against members of the Boko Haram sect by the military in the Sambisa forest, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said a suspected fleeing Boko Haram member was arrested last Thursday in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State by soldiers.

    The army chief said this on Monday during his visit to the troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno State, to mark the reopening of the Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak Road.

    Buratai had on Sunday joined the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, to reopen the Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga and Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak roads which had been closed since 2013 due to Boko Haram activities.

    Buratai stressed that the troops would not rest on their oars until other fleeing terrorists from the North-East geopolitical zone were apprehended.

    Addressing the troops, Buratai said: “I urge you not to relent until all the terrorists, who had fought Nigeria since 2009, are arrested. We must maintain the momentum of the operation. We must pursue the terrorists wherever they are. We must never allow them to regroup.

    “For instance, a Boko Haram member was arrested in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Thursday. Despite the takeover of the terrorists’ Camp Zero in the Sambisa Forest, we have no time to waste. The seven-year fight against the Boko Haram terrorists was quite sober, and a number of officers lost their lives in the war. I pray for the repose of their souls. We vow to fight the remnants’ of the terrorists.”

    To further boost the morale of the troops, President Muhammadu Buhari sent in congratulatory messages assuring the troops of the Federal Government’s support.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the troops as they clear the remnants of the fleeing terrorists.

    The minister also called for increased vigilance among Nigerians, noting that the Boko Haram escapees were seeking to integrate themselves into the society.

    “We urge Nigerians to keep our gallant and victorious troops in their prayers, and to also imbibe the mantra of ‘if you see something, say something’ as a way of ensuring that no escaped terrorist is able to wreak havoc in their communities. It is also important to know that now that they have been dispossessed of their fortress, the Boko Haram escapees will intensify their cowardly attacks on vulnerable targets if only to maintain an illusion of terror. But there should be no panic because the worst is over,’’ Mohammed said.

     

  • Recession: Beer parlour operators in Lagos lament poor patronage

    A trip to some beer parlours in Lagos, has revealed that their operators recorded poor patronage this yuletide, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    NAN observes that the number of people, who usually relaxed and socialise at some bars and joints in the evenings, has reduced drastically at yuletide.

    Mrs Chioma Nwanze, a beer parlour owner, lamented the fall in the number of customers this festive period due to the parlous state of the economy.

    “Many of us are no longer making it because there is no money in town, yet the prices of beer from brewers keep on increasing.

    “Soon, many of us may have to return to our villages because of poor records of sales in Lagos.

    “Sustaining our families is becoming a herculean task. There are rents and school fees to pay, in addition to feeding,” she said.
    Another pub operator, Mrs Chiamaka Chukwuma, said that not many people were coming out to booze these days.

    “A few of them, who come out now go for the cheapest brands of beer; take just one or two bottles and leave.

    “Some people even buy on credit with the promise to pay at month’s end; when they are to pay, some of them start to dodge to evade payment”.

    Chukwuma added that in the past, he continued to sell till about 12 midnight at festive period but not anymore.

    Some others who usually visit joints after work, also told NAN that the purpose of doing so was to relax and get relieved of tension.
    According to Mr Okon Edem, a businessman, drinking at the end of the day’s work with his friends makes him comfortable.

    “I do not take more than two bottles of Guinness to relax. Alcohol is very good for the body but it is getting costlier.

    “I am thinking of the next line of action, maybe to quit drinking but I do not think I can do that.

    “Again, we discuss politics to catch up with the happenings in the country, so that we get the update of issues,” he said.

    Olabisi Adebayo, a civil servant, told NAN that with this economic recession, he had to take at least one bottle of beer to make him sleep.

    According to Ben Okechukwu, a businessman, drinking beer is part of a man’s life and for men to hang out with friends, they must drink beer.
    “I cannot befriend a guy, who does not drink because I can’t be drinking beer and the person will be drinking soft drink.

    “Men patronise beer parlours to also socialise, take girlfriends or their wives out but not these days; I sit alone to drink, there is no money to throw about,” he said.

  • Ambode hails tax payers, says Lagos generated N287bn IGR in 2016

    Ambode hails tax payers, says Lagos generated N287bn IGR in 2016

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has hailed tax payers in the State for performing their civic obligations faithfully, saying the State recorded more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2016 than what was recorded in 2015 despite economic recession in the country.

    As of December 16, 2016 the State had raked in N287bn IGR for the year under review as against N268.2bn generated in 2015.

    Speaking at a special evening of music and camaraderie held at the Lagos House, on Sunday in Ikeja, to usher in the Yuletide season, Governor Ambode said the taxes paid by the people had been judiciously utilised to upgrade infrastructures and provide various services, just as he said Lagosians deserved to be appreciated for cooperating with government in that regard.

    Speaking on the significance of the event which featured performances by array of evergreen musicians and was attended by top political leaders, captains of industries, media executives, professionals in various fields, members of the diplomatic corps, among others, Governor Ambode said the State Government was greatly appreciative of the contributions of the people to the growth of the State in the year under review, adding that the event was principally to appreciate them.

    He said, “You wonder what it is that we are doing? We said it is an evening with the Governor but the truth is I just set this up to appreciate all of you and to say a big thank you. Yes, people have been saying that Lagos is working but Lagos is only working because of the people who are seated here.

    “The tax payers are the ones giving us the little energy that we have and even when they say Nigeria is in recession, but somehow Lagos has been able to do it and it is because people are paying their taxes.

    “The truth is that the people have been carrying out their civic obligations and somehow we have been returning those obligations with the services that we have provided and you found out that this year; we have actually made more IGR than last year under a recession.

  • LUTH doctors confirm custody of baby with two heads

    The management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idiaraba, Lagos, yesterday confirmed that a set of twins born with two heads and one body were in their custody.

    A report published in Vanguard states that top management of the hospital is working on how to achieve optimum health for them.

    It could be recalled that the said baby was delivered at a private hospital in Ogudu area of Lagos, with two heads, a neck, chest, two legs and two hands, a condition medical experts described as rare and known as Parapagus.

    Parapagus is a rare form of partial twinning where there are two heads and two necks side by side on one torso.

    Earlier, the Public Relation Officer of the hospital, Mr Kelechi Otuneme had confirmed that the baby was in their custody but declined further comment on the matter.

    A Consultant Paediatric Physician, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with Vanguard, explained that although, he was yet to be briefed on the baby, “the baby is supposed to be an identical twin but in the course of formation were divided up to their head while the remaining part were co-joined.

    On whether it would be necessary to fly them abroad, the consultant paediatric said doing that would amount to a waste of resources.

    His words, “It is not all co-joined twins that can be separated once they share vital organs such as the heart, the liver and intestines.”

    According to medical doctors at Med-In Specialist Hospital, Osogbo Street in Ogudu area of Lagos who took the delivery said the baby was born around 6:30PM on Tuesday through an elective caesarean section.

  • See why some ladies prefer fairly used pants, bras to new ones

    See why some ladies prefer fairly used pants, bras to new ones

    Some ladies in Lagos said they prefer buying fairly used pants and brassieres because they were durable and could get good bargain from market.

    They told reporters in separate interviews on Friday in Lagos that their preference for fairly used pants and bras was due to the fact that such products were genuine and last longer than new ones.

    Mrs Ann Adedeji, who was at Ikotun Central Market in Lagos, said that apart from durability, most of the fairly used pants and bras had trendy designs and were colourful.

    She said “I get more colourful bras and pants that are most times not available in boutiques and at the same time I get value for my money as they are durable.

    “You can only get unique bra designs here because the Ikotun Central Market is the main place for fairly used underwears.”

    Mrs Victoria Adejo, who was also at the market, it was after she suffered an embarrassing experience with a new bra that she decided to make do with fairly used ones.

    She said the hook of the bra she was wearing came-off while she was in a meeting in the office and was left in uncomfortable position all through the meeting.

    “Since that incident, I stopped buying panties and bras from boutiques,’’she said.

    Mrs Oluchi Onwuka, who sells used panties in Ikotun Market, said she never regretted venturing into the business.

    She said “it is a profitable business and I am growing in it.

    “I have boutique owners who come to buy in bulk; they wash and package them and resell at exorbitant rates and I am aware.”

    Miss Damilola Madu, who also deals in fairly used panties and bras, also says
    the underwears are durable and cheaper than new ones.

    Madu added that used bras held the breast firmly and the elasticity was retained for a very long time, unlike new ones.

    “Used undies are cheaper and last longer than new ones; that is the reason people come for it,” she said.

    However, a dermatologist, Dr Ayoola Adeyemi, warned against the use of fairly used bras and pants, saying it could cause bacterial infections.

    The doctor noted that since the health status of the initial user could not be verified, it would be advisable for individuals to desist from such acts.

    She added that “some bacterial infections could occur when we use fairly used panties because the health history of the initial user was not known.

    “Skin rashes, eczema, syphilis and other bacterial infections may occur,” she said.

  • LASG to roll out “Lake Rice’’ at N13,000 on Dec. 15

    LASG to roll out “Lake Rice’’ at N13,000 on Dec. 15

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it was ready to roll out Lake Rice on Dec. 15 to Lagosians at N13,000 per 50 kg towards the Yuletide celebrations.

    Mr Sanni Okanlawan, Special Adviser on Food Security to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode, made the disclosure in Lagos during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) National Agriculture Stakeholders Summit.

    Okanlawan said that sales of the rice would be made at all the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to ensure proper distribution.

    “Lake Rice is the acronym of both Lagos and Kebbi States joint product which will be out to the public on Dec. 15 at the rate of N13,000 per 50kg bag as it is already subsidised by the government.

    “To make it more available, the rice will be sold at the 57 LGAs and LCDAs for easy accessibility and to guard against unwanted persons diverting the product.

    “The state government has put in place a committee that will ensure that Lagosians have the best Christmas celebration, that is why we are offering the wholesome and well packaged rice,’’ Okanlawan said.

    The special adviser also said that the state had established a Department of Agribusiness, an Agriculture Trust Fund and Commodity Exchange Market to be set up soon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government’s efforts were in alignment with the Federal Government’s diversification drive from a mono-economy to agriculture.

  • Lagos releases N941m to 228 pensioners in November

    The Lagos State Pension Commission said it paid 228 retirees a total of N941m in November.

    The pensioners, the commission added, were from the state civil service, local governments, and State Universal Basic Education Board, teaching service and pensions office and other parastatals of government.

    “This administration has from August, 2015 to date paid a total of N21.9bn as accrued pension rights to 5,027 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme,” it stated.

    The Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, said the retirees needed to take good care of their health by going for comprehensive check-ups, desist from frivolous spending and advised them not to enter into risky ventures.

    She advised the retirees not to desire quick gains as fraudsters would tempt them with offers aimed to defraud them of their benefits.

    Onanuga explained that only Programmed Withdrawal benefit option was tenable presently, pending the time, that life insurance companies open operational account jointly with a Pension Fund Custodian to secure the funds for the provider of annuity services.

    According to her, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is interested in the welfare of the employees both in and out of office, which is why salary and pension issues are given priority.

    The pensioners expressed gratitude for the timely payment, while also stressing that such gesture should not be stopped midway.

     

  • APC in early lead in Lagos National Assembly by-election

     

    Indications emerged Saturday that the All Progressives Congress APC, candidate in the Ifako–Ijaiye House of Representatives by-election, Mr. Akinwunmi Olaitan, was leading other contenders in the exercise.

    The Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Babatope Akinyele, so far is trailing behind the APC candidate.

    Early results as of press time showed that in ward A, APC polled 475 votes while PDP polled 166. In Ward B, APC polled 540 and the PDP got 135.

    In ward C, APC polled 841 while PDP polled 195.

    Other results are still being collated.

    Despite early deployment of materials and personnel for the by-elections by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC the election however recorded a low turn-out as a large number of voters stayed away from the 687 polling units in the constituency.

    The election was held to get a replacement for the late House of Representatives member representing the constituency, Dr. Elijah Adewale, who died on July 20, 2016.

  • Lagos to launch Rent-To-Own Housing Scheme December 8

    …Says Scheme Targets Low Income Earners, Artisans

    In an effort to cushion the effects of economic recession in the country, the Lagos State Government on Thursday said it has concluded plans to start allocation of houses under the newly introduced rent-to-own policy.

    The State’s Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, who disclosed this at a press conference ahead of the launch of the schemes at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, said the Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing Policies of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is aimed at making housing more readily affordable and accessible for Lagosians.

    According to him, the schemes listed for the programme include Sir Michael Otedola Estate, Odoragunshin-Epe; CHOIS City, Agbowa; Alhaji Adetoun Mustapha Estate, Ojokoro and Oba Adeboruwa Estate, Igbogbo-Ikorodu, adding that it will be launched simultaneously on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

    Lawal said accessing housing units in the state has been largely on cash and carry basis which ends up excluding majority of the citizenry until when recently the Mortgage Scheme was introduced.

    “Even though the Mortgage Scheme was able to accommodate more people on the home ownership ladder, a large number can still not afford to become home owners as they are unable to meet the requirement of 30 per cent equity contribution which the mortgage scheme demands”, he said.

    He said Government has always been challenged by the arduous task of providing affordable and decent accommodation for the people of the state in view of its ever growing population which reflected in the various
    housing schemes developed by different administrations over the years.

    He emphasized that shelter is one of the basic needs of man, saying that is why governments all over the world accord top priority to the provision of housing for their citizens.

    Lawal said inadequate housing is responsible for so many health and social ills in the society, adding that, “The Rent-to-own policy targets the low and medium income earners in both the formal and informal sectors. Under
    this arrangement, individuals are required to pay 5 per cent of the value of the housing unit as commitment fee and the balance is spread over 10 years. The programme allows the tenant to live on the property while paying
    towards ownership as a fixed rent within the period of ten years.

    “The Lagos state rental housing policy is to further ensure housing accessibility and affordability in Lagos state. The rent for the rental housing will be collected on a monthly basis. The tenants are however required to pay one month deposit.”

    On the criteria for interested applicants, Lawal said they must be primarily resident in Lagos State and will be required to submit a copy of their Lagos State Residents Registration (LASSRA) Card and must be a first time home buyer, which must be 21 years old and above.

    He also said that applicants must be tax compliant and provide the proof of tax payment and must have capacity to pay the 5 per cent commitment fee.

    He explained that the rent to be paid will be determined by the prevailing rent in each of the locations while mode of payment will be direct debit by the employer/banker to ensure easy collection, just as he stressed that the rented accommodation is not transferable.

    This scheme is targeted at the working class and people with regular source of income who may not want to participate in the rent-to-own or mortgage program. “Government intends to earmark 20 per cent of the available housing units in each of the dedicated rent-to-own estates for rental housing.”