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Tag: Lagos

  • Imoyo burial rites begin today, January 17

    Imoyo burial rites begin today, January 17

    The burial rites of Mr Abdul Kolawole Imoyo service of songs will be held today, January 17, 2024 by 5 pm at Harbour Point Event Center, 4 Wilmot Point Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The event according to the family, offers an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and well-wishers to come together in remembrance and support for the grieving family during this solemn occasion.

    TheNewsGuru.com earlier reported that the Funeral Service is set to follow on January 18, 2024, at 5 pm, at the RCCG Olive Tree Parish on Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The service aims to provide a formal and spiritual farewell to the departed, bringing together those who wish to pay their final respects.

    Omoyo was a newspaper editor in Lagos before joining Access Bank in 2014 as a corporate communications manager for the frontline financial services group.

     

     

  • Police arrest 7 high ranking cultists in Lagos

    Police arrest 7 high ranking cultists in Lagos

    The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, said that seven high-ranking cultists have been arrested in Ikorodu area of the state in the last five days.

    Fayoade confirmed the arrest during his interaction with the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) at the state’s command headquarters on Thursday.

    He said three were arrested on Tuesday, while four were arrested on Thursday at different parts of Ikorodu in Lagos.

    The commissioner said that cultism, traffic robbery and kidnapping were some major crimes he was going to tackle headlong.

    Fayoade, who solicited the support of CRAN members, stressed that media practitioners were part of his “eyes and ears” in getting feedback and other information.

    He said he was also partnering with the judiciary with a view to ensure arrested criminals were kept away for a long time.

    The police boss said he would be transparent in his operations, stressing that no officer would be covered up for any wrongdoing.

    According to Fayoade, he will always ensure that his officers and men carry out their duties professionally, requesting members of the public to give him information on any unprofessional conduct from them.

    He called on all Divisional Police Officers to ensure they made their stations conducive for all to make report/complaint when necessary.

    On commercial motorcyclists, he said there would be strict enforcement than before, stressing that some of them were part of the security challenges in the State.

    The police boss warned his men and officers against involvement in land issues, as it was a civil matter, noting, however, that those that want to cause trouble through land matter will be dealt with.

    The President of CRAN, Mr Olalekan Olabulor, assured the CP of the association’s support, as long as information would always be available for members to work with.

  • “Nothing is working in my life” – Lagos female banker in a suicide note before killing herself

    “Nothing is working in my life” – Lagos female banker in a suicide note before killing herself

    A female marketing employee of a commercial bank located in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has committed suicide over hardship in the country.

    The deceased, Amarachi Ugochukwu, 32, allegedly drank a liquid substance believed to be an insecticide.

    The incident was said to have occurred on Monday within the bank’s premises.

    It was learnt that at about 1pm, Ugochukwu locked herself up in the restroom, where she took the poisonous substance, unknown to her colleagues.

    Other members of staff had started looking for her when the phone she left on her table kept ringing and she was not around to pick the calls.

    In the suicide note, the lady blamed hard economy for her decision to end her life, saying nothing was working well for her.

    “Nothing is working in my life. My figures are low. My brain is clogged up. The economy is getting harder. My decisions are wrong. My mind is messed up. The future doesn’t seem bright at all. I see extreme hardship. I can’t bear the pain anymore,” she wrote in the suicide note.

    The deceased apologised to her parents and other members of her family in the suicide note.

    “I’m sorry mum, I’m sorry dad, I’m sorry Nene, Okwe, Toto, Nazor, Chuchu, Ifunanya,” she added.

    She concluded by writing, “Dear Lord, have mercy on me!”

     

     

  • Traditional ruler foresees prosperous 2024, optimistic in Nigeria’s economic turnaround

    Traditional ruler foresees prosperous 2024, optimistic in Nigeria’s economic turnaround

    Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, in Epe Division, Lagos State, has projected Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation in 2024 under President Bola Tinubu.

    Ogunsanwo in an interview in Epe on Wednesday, expressed gratitude for the dawn of 2024 and acknowledged the collective efforts of leaders working towards a renewed hope.

    Ogunsanwo assured Nigerians that positive transformations would soon manifest for the populace.

    He urged Nigerians to remain patient and resilient as well as place their hope in divine intervention for Nigeria’s impending developmental turnaround.

    The traditional ruler expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, asserting that by the end of the second quarter of 2024, the nation would begin to enjoy the fruits of the administration’s efforts.

    He particularly emphasized the significant boost in the energy and power sector, citing developments in oil and gas, including the revival of Port Harcourt Refinery and the budding activities at the Dangote refinery.

    The traditional ruler urged  Nigerians to exercise patience, emphasizing a hopeful future under the current administration.

    “I want to urge Nigerians to be patient with this government. There will be light at the end of the tunnel,” he prayed

     

  • 2 in police net in Lagos for beating man to death

    2 in police net in Lagos for beating man to death

    Police in Lagos State arrested two men on Thursday for allegedly beating a man to death over an allegation of car door theft, police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Sunday.

    Hundeyin said that the arrest was made after the widow of the deceased, reported the case at Iponri Police Division.

    He said the woman reported on Thursday that while she was at home, she received a call that some people were beating her husband.

    “In her report, she said they were beating her husband because he allegedly stole two doors of a car.

    “She reported that on getting to the scene, she saw her husband in a pool of his blood and the assailants took him away in a tricycle.

    “She further said that she heard later that her husband died on their way to the hospital and his corpse was abandoned in the tricycle,’’ Hundeyin said.

    He added that the Divisional Police Officer at Iponri mobilised detectives, who arrested the two suspects and recovered the lifeless body of the victim.

    Those arrested were a 33-year-old man and a 34-year-old man.

    “The corpse has been deposited at Mainland General Hospital mortuary, Yaba, for autopsy just as investigation has gone underway, Hundeyin said.

  • Pay attention to your health, Lagos traditional ruler urges residents

    Pay attention to your health, Lagos traditional ruler urges residents

    A traditional ruler in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, on Friday advised residents to always pay attention to their health in order to avoid issues.

    Shotobi gave the advice during a medical outreach at his palace in Ikorodu, on Friday.

    The medical outreach was organised in conjunction with Global Institute For Healthcare Advancement (GIHCA) , an NGO ,and Lagos Health District 2.

    Shotobi said that residents should not be careless with the their health.

    He urged them to follow the instructions and advice of medical professionals on how best they could manage their health.

    “It is of great joy to see our son, who owns GIHCA, came back from abroad to give back to the community, because the government can not do it alone.

    “People should careful with their health, they should listen to professional advice and ensure they make their health a priority,” Shotobi said.

    Dr Adeyemi Gafari, Coordinator of GIHCA said the idea behind the outreach was to give back to the community, which gave him so much.

    Gafar, who is a fellow of Indiana University School of Medicine , United States of America, commended the traditional ruler and the Lagos State Health District 2 for their support.

    “The idea is about giving back to the community where I grew up, I am highly encouraged with the turnout and the support given to me.

    “I just want all the beneficiaries to take good care of their health and monitor what they eat to avoid different kind of diseases,” he said.

    Earlier, Dr Ramat Adesesan, Head, Lagos Health District 2, urged the beneficiaries to follow advice given to them by medical professionals and ensure they take drugs as prescribed.

    Adesesan also urged the public to take their health very seriously by engaging in exercise and watching what they eat to avoid common diseases like hypertension and diabetes

    Noodles and some other items were distributed to beneficiaries while N10,000 was given to those offered refferal letters to continue with their treatment elsewhere.

    Those who attended were screened for blood sugar and blood pressure

    On the sidelines of the medical outreach , Shotobi offered free JAMB forms to 120 students and urged them to read and prepare very well to score good marks.

    Shotobi urged them to take advantage of the free forms and and make their parents proud by scoring high marks.

    Also speaking, lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mr Babajimi Benson, encouraged the beneficiaries to study hard.

    He described education as a leveller ,saying it is what bridges the gap between the rich and the poor.

     

  • INEC publishes notice of Surulere bye-election in Lagos

    INEC publishes notice of Surulere bye-election in Lagos

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has published the notice of the Surulere Federal Constituency I bye-election as required by law.

    Mrs Adenike Oriowo, INEC Public Affairs Officer in Lagos State, told NAN on Friday that the notice was pasted on Thursday at the commission’s headquarters in Sabo-Yaba for public viewing.

    “The notice has also been posted at the commission’s Surulere Local Government Area Office.

    “Section 28 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that this should be done not later than 14 days before the election,” Oriowo added.

    She said that INEC had commenced implementation of activities and timetable for the elections.

    The spokesperson added that INEC’s preparations were on top gear to ensure strict adherence to relevant laws and guidelines for the poll.

    According to her, the commission will not fail to deliver a credible bye-election in the constituency.

    Recall that INEC has fixed Feb. 3, 2024 for the conduct of re-run and by-elections in nine states, including Surulere Federal Constituency in Lagos State.

    According to the time-table for the poll, conduct of party primary elections including resolution of disputes that may arise from the primary elections has been fixed to hold between Jan. 5 and Jan. 9.

    The public campaigns by political parties will commence on Jan. 18 and end on Feb. 1.

    The Surulere seat became vacant due to the resignation of the former occupant, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, who after winning, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as his Chief of Staff.

  • Lagos ranks top in disability laws Implementation

    Lagos ranks top in disability laws Implementation

    The Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has ranked Lagos State top in the implementation of accessibility to infrastructure and other services for the benefits of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in accordance with the National Disabilities Act.

    Mr Damian Ivom, the CCD Senior Programme Officer said this in at the unveiling of the survey report on Monday in Abuja.

    The survey was conducted from October to November to assess the level of implementation of the National Disability Act and UNIDIS criteria by State Government.

    The survey was also carried out in Abia and Yobe to ascertain the level of disability inclusion in the plans, policies and programmes of the governments.

    Ivom said that the survey was supported by the MacArthur Foundation with aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the disability act in the country.

    “A checklist field visit and tools were used to assess the disability-Inclusive compliance rates of states government buildings and Lagos state leads in implementation.

    “We realised that there is need to ascertain the levels of inclusion accorded to PWDs in the process of governance by the government at all levels, especially by the states that have domesticated the Disability Act.

    “This is why CCD with the support of MacArthur Foundation undertook the development of a standardized scorecard tool aimed to accurately and uniformly measure the levels of inclusion provided for PWDs across the country.

    “And the survey report notably shows that Lagos state leads in implementing both the UN Inclusion Strategy Scorecard (UNIDIS) criteria and the 2018 National Disability Act, while Abia state recorded the least implementation,” he said.

    Ivom said that a “Kobocollect” research tool was adopted and used by the field researchers in the three states with utmost supervision to get a qualitative result.

    He also said that a draft standardized scorecard tool was revised and deployed for the survey to simplify the process using a four dimension respondents assessment tool.

    This he said included the open-ended questionnaire on the implementation of the National Disability Act in terms of access to infrastructure and other services, assessment on the implementation of the UNIDIS Criteria and observatory checklist field visits.

    The groups programme officer said that Lagos had exceeded the requirements of UNIDIS criteria and had adhered to majority of the checklist requirements.

    According to him, Lagos state has demonstrated higher implementation of accessibility to infrastructure and services as well as improved security for PWDs in the state.

    “Lagos state has exceeded the requirements of UNDIS criteria ranged from 51.11 to 73.33 per cent with regards to state consultation and engagement with Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

    “In Yobe state, it is yet to exceed the requirements of UNIDIS, only 2.04 per cent of our survey showed that the government meet the requirements under the indicators of leadership and capacity development of government staff.

    “However, the state has approached the UNIDIS requirements under the core area of inclusiveness and programming.

    “Whereas, in Abia, the survey shows that it is has approached the UNIDIS requirements on leaderships and communication, but was below the criteria for disability inclusion, and consultations,” he said.

    Ivom said that compared to Abia and Yobe states, Lagos ranked top, however there was still room for advancement in inclusivity in all three states to meet international standard of inclusivity.

    He called for the revision of the 2018 National Disability Act to align with the UNIDIS criteria to ensure comprehensive and uniformed implementation of the Act.

    He also called for advocacy partnerships and engagements by the governments with OPDs for trainings and retraining of stakeholders across sectors of government at all levels.

    Ivom also called for the setting-up of timelines and constitution of taskforce for the monitoring of implementation of the provisions of the disability act.

    He urged the federal government to enforce penalties outlined in the disability act immediately after the moratorium period of compliance to the provisions of the law.

  • Lagos State government clears air on demolition of POWA complex

    Lagos State government clears air on demolition of POWA complex

    Lagos State Government has said it has no hand on the ongoing demolition at Computer Village in Ikeja.

    The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said this in a statement in Lagos.

    According to him, the structure was owned by the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), which ordered its demolition.

    He said those “circulating the fake news that Lagos State Government is demolishing Computer Village are opportunistic ethnic chauvinists who will always relish in vacuous propaganda that can fuel their fiendish mission; they will always fail in dividing Lagosians.”

    “In my further enquiry, I was informed that the Computer Village has not been demolished.

    ” Investigation as at December 31, 2023 however shows that the computer village is intact, though the demolition affected the parcel of land belonging to the Police Officers’ Wives Association adjacent to the computer village.

    ” Human Rights activist and a Seniour Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana quoted the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, as saying the demolition and planned reconstruction of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex, Ikeja, Lagos, was in good faith and for the interest of all concerned.

    “However, I met some of the victims who claimed that they had secured a court injunction against the demolition. I have asked them to furnish me with a copy of the order of injunction,” he said

    He however said that, “it is pertinent to point out that the demolition of markets and other properties is ongoing in the FCT, Lagos state, and other states in the Federation due to some anti- people’s urban renewal programmes.

    “The war against markets started in Lagos in 2017. Having intervened on behalf of many of the victims, I can say, with concrete proof, that it is not an ethnic agenda. It is a war against the people as markets with a large population of other ethnic groups are being demolished.”

     

  • We’ll pass N2.246trn Lagos budget before Jan. 1 – Obasa

    We’ll pass N2.246trn Lagos budget before Jan. 1 – Obasa

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa has pledged speedy passage of the 2024 budget of Renewed Hope of N2.246 trillion before Jan. 1.

    Obasa made this pledge in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Mr Eromosele Ebhomele in Lagos on Saturday.

    The speaker made this known during an official visit by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the ongoing three-day budget retreat for Lagos lawmakers and legislative workers in Abuja.

    The retreat is titled: ”Sustainability of Ongoing Reforms in Lagos State: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges”.

    Recall that Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday,  presented the Lagos state  2024 Budget of Renewed Hope of N2.246 trillion to the state House of assembly.

    The budget comprised a  total revenue of N1.848 trillion and deficit financing of N398.28 billion.

    Obasa said the essence of the retreat for the lawmakers was to ensure that the budget was passed before Jan. 1, 2024.

    “We are working on the 2024 budget and that is why we are here. I want to assure you that we will do our best to return the approved budget to you as soon as possible.

    “It is going to be a New Year present to you and the people of Lagos,” the speaker said.

    Describing the governor as a  leader, brother and performer, Obasa noted that Sanwo-Olu had always supported the assembly in carrying out its legislative functions.

    Obasa thanked the governor for harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislative in the state.

    “We also thank you for not being like other governors who seal up the assembly complex or who remove roofs of assembly buildings.

    “That is why Lagos is great and the Lagos assembly is above the common standards of excellence,” he said.

    Addressing the lawmakers, Sanwo-Olu described them as the best among their counterparts in other state assemblies.

    The governor further praised the lawmakers for lifting the bar of legislative excellence in the country.

    According to him, this is the best and finest and it is worthy of emulation. I want to thank you and say this is, indeed, how we should always organise ourselves, keep up raising the bar.

    Sanwo-Olu thanked the speaker, members, the assembly commission and staff of the house for always putting Lagos first before other considerations.

    “You see, what Lagos state is doing shows that we are leading the way for other states to copy. We show the way in legislative, executive and judiciary affairs.

    “This is an avenue for you to bond, interact, appreciate one another and effectively do the job that the people of Lagos have asked us to do.

    “There is the talk around town that we have a big budget but I also tell them it is because we are big people in the state.

    “I appreciate the fact that you have huge responsibility and I pray to God Almighty to give you the ability and courage to do the work dispassionately.

    “Whatever the outcome is, you can rest assured that the governor will stand by it and work with you,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu said there was no animosity between the speaker and himself, saying that they were two different sides of the same coin.

    The governor added that they were brothers and friends and God would lead them to a level where they could take Lagos to an irreversible state.

    Sanwo-Olu said President Bola Tinubu was watching them because he had no other state that he could call his own.

    According to him, though, he is the President of Nigeria but he has his roots in Lagos. Our success is his success and Nigeria’s success.

    He said if they got it right, the whole nation would be on their way to getting it right.

    NAN