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Tag: Lagos

  • Soldiers rescue woman from committing suicide in Lagos

    Soldiers rescue woman from committing suicide in Lagos

    The 81 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) soldiers have prevented a suicide attempt by one Mrs Francesca Spark who plunged into the Lagos Lagoon around 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Marina Lagos.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Division’s spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, on Monday.

    Ayeni said Spark attempted to take her own life; but troops of 65 Battalion NA deployed at the Officers’ Mess sighted her and quickly used their military ingenuity to her rescue.

    “She was given first aid treatment and stabilised by the battalion medical team.

    “After stabilisation, we contacted the family and she was handed over to her husband, one Mr Ovie Spark, residing at Awoyaya Lagos,” he said.

    Ayeni said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division NA, Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Usman, commended the soldiers for being observant and for their ingenuity, courage and gallantry.

    “The GOC said he was pleased that soldiers brought their training in disaster management to bear in such a critical situation that might have claimed the life of a fellow citizen.

    Usman said such an operation is a military operation other than war, conducted during emergencies or natural disasters, which affirms that troops have been trained to support leading agencies during emergencies.

    “The GOC assured residents of the NA’s commitment to protect them and their property even during emergencies,” Ayeni said.

  • Lagos ends 50% transport discount, reverts to old price Monday

    Lagos ends 50% transport discount, reverts to old price Monday

    The 50% transport fare discount on all Lagos State Public Transport System which was introduced by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) will come to an end today Sunday, November 5th.

    Recall that the 50% transport fare discount was implemented in response to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive on August 2, 2023.

    This disclosure was made public through a statement issued by LAMATA on Saturday, November 4, 2023, and can be seen on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

    LAMATA in its notice announced that the temporary 50% fare reduction will end this Sunday, November 5, with transportation fares reverting to their pre-August 2 rates on Monday, November 6.

    The agency also advised Lagosians to take note of the change and to make the necessary preparations for the resumption of regular transport fare rates that were in place before the adjustment made in August.

     

  • Sanwo-Olu swears in new cabinet member, 2 permanent secretaries

    Sanwo-Olu swears in new cabinet member, 2 permanent secretaries

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Friday inaugurated a new member of the Executive Council and two Permanent Secretaries (PS).

    Speaking at the ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said the appointment of a new member of the State Executive Council was in a bid to expand the scope of administration in the state’s healthcare system.

    Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, a trained nurse and two-term member of Lagos State Health Service Commission, was sworn in as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health.

    Besides, the governor elevated two Directors in the State civil service to Permanent Secretaries.

    Mr Adewunmi Ogunsanya, a Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, was appointed Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office.

    Also, Mrs Iyabo Seriki-Bello, who was Director of Administration and Human Resources at Education District IV, is now the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

    He congratulated the appointees for their selection and urged them not to get carried away, as the expectations were high for them to justify their appointments.

    The governor said that given their wealth of experience and knowledge in governance, he was confident that the appointees would not disappoint his trust in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    ”I welcome Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunyemi to the State Executive Council, having been confirmed by the House of Assembly. She will be serving as Special Adviser on Health.

    ”The expectations are high, given the wealth of experience she is bringing to the table. I expect that you would immediately settle into your responsibilities, so that the government and the people of Lagos can harness your full potential, while you work to help actualise all of the programmes and activities in your portfolios.

    ”Having gone through extensive and rigorous screening, I congratulate the newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries.

    ”These are strategic and critical assignments that have been assigned to them, but my confidence lies in your pedigrees and years of experience in the service of the state. I believe you have what it takes to quickly settle in your roles and discharge your duties without further delay,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu urged the appointees to familiarise themselves with the administration’s development agenda, known as THEMES Plus, pointing out that the implementation of the programmes remained on track.

    He said that gender equality and youth inclusion were the cardinal focus of his government, as the appointment of women and young people to key positions was a testament to his commitment to inclusive governance.

    ”We are counting on your ingenuity, innovative minds, commitment and purposeful leadership in your respective areas of responsibility.

    ”You must ensure that good governance is the minimum you deliver,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, who presented the appointees to the governor, described the new Permanent Secretaries as experienced officers, who shared the vision of the administration.

    Giving a note of assurance on behalf of the appointees, Ogunyemi thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them.

    ”We promise to be diligent in discharging our responsibilities, in line with the oath of office and THEMES Plus agenda,” she said.

  • Navy halts theft of petrol at NNPCL’s vandalised pipeline in Lagos

    Navy halts theft of petrol at NNPCL’s vandalised pipeline in Lagos

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has discovered and halted the siphoning of petrol from one of NNPCL’s pipelines at Atlas Cove, Lagos.

    Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga said this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Sub.-Lt. Happiness Collins on Thursday.

    He said the activities of the fuel thieves were halted on Wednesday.

    Oguntuga said the navy halted the theft in collaboration with troops of “Operation AWATSE’’.

    “The thieves connected hoses and suction pumps to vandalised parts of the pipeline to steal petrol.

    “After halting their activities, the NNPCL was alerted and repairs on the vandalised parts of the pipeline have gone underway.

    “Efforts are on-going to detect and rectify other potential vulnerabilities along the pipeline to ensure a comprehensive approach to deter future illegal activities,’’ he said.

    Oguntuga noted that activities of economic saboteurs posed significant threat to petroleum products availability and to the nation’s economic well-being.

  • Allow us live in cattle market – Northern Community begs Otti

    Allow us live in cattle market – Northern Community begs Otti

    The Northern Community in Umuchieze Cattle Market in Umunneochi Local government Area of Abia has appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to allow them to reside inside the market.

    The traders, who are predominantly dealers in cattle, made the appeal at a news briefing in the market on Wednesday.

    They also reacted to the government’s claim that it discovered a large number of decomposed and headless bodies as well as “countless skeletons” in the market located at Lokpanta in Umuchieze.

    The governor announced the weird discovery during his Sunday’s parley with newsmen.

    Otti, who had expressed concern over the state of insecurity at the Umuennochi/Isuikweato axis, said that the market had become a den of criminals and kidnappers.

    He had insisted that the government was going ahead with its plan to make the market non-residential.

    He therefore ordered the traders to live with the natives in the neighbouring communities.

    Reacting to the order, the Spokesman for the community, Buba Abdullahi, expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s position.

    Abdullahi debunked the government’s claim that the market was littred with decomposed corpses and skeletons and that the market harboured criminals.

    He also blamed the media for their failure to investigate the allegation before publishing.

    He described the government’s allegation as an alibi to execute its premeditated plot to chase them away from the land they had occupied since 2005.

    He further alleged that part of the plot was the recent demolition of houses in the market.

    Abdullahi put their population at 15,000, saying that they occupied about 80 hectares of the land that was donated to them by Orji Kalu-led government.

    According to him, if the government would fence the market, demolish our houses and ask us to go and live in the neighbouring villages, it means it has automatically chased us away from Abia.

    He said: “We northerners are peace-loving and very accommodating.

    “This is the reason there are many southerners in the North doing their businesses without harassment and threats of eviction.

    “It is unjust, unfair and ungodly for anyone to prevent any Nigerian from staying in any part they so desired in Nigeria.

    “There is a general misconception that the northern community is harbouring criminals, but all the brothels, rooms, beer parlours, night clubs and lodging accommodation recently demolished belong to the natives.”

    Abdullahi said that it would be a “tactical mistake for us to relocate to communities in Umuchieze,” considering the prevailing high rate of crime in the atea.

    He said that some of them were also victims of the heavy crimes and criminalities taking place around the area.

    He expressed their readiness to collaborate with the state government toward finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in the area.

  • Afro Nation festival organizers cancels Lagos show, gives reasons

    Afro Nation festival organizers cancels Lagos show, gives reasons

    Afronation the largest Afrobeats festival in the world initially scheduled to hold in Lagos has been put off by organizers of the event.

    Afro Nation is a yearly event celebrating Africans in the diaspora and is widely regarded as one of the biggest concerts globally.

    The Afro Nation festival made its debut in Portugal four years ago and it has since held in different countries across continents.

    Recall that the organisers had in September, announced December 19 and 20 as the date for its first-ever concert in Nigeria.

    The concert had been scheduled to hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos State.

    But in a statement by Smade, co-founder of Afro Nation, the organisers announced the cancellation of the festival.

    The statement read partly, “Unfortunately, the Afro Nation Nigeria festival in Lagos will now not be taking place. As event organisers, we hold ourselves to extremely high standards and it has become clear to us that it is currently not possible to deliver a show that is of the quality that Nigeria deserves in December 2023.

    “We have put on incredible shows in Portugal, Ghana, Puerto Rico. Miami and Detroit but Nigeria holds a special place in our hearts, so we are heartbroken not to be able to celebrate with you this year.

    “Please know, we are 188% committed to creating an Afro Nation show in Lagos that we can all be proud of.

    “To those who have purchased tickets, We will refund all tickets including booking fees. Ticket buyers do not need to do anything but will receive an email with information outlining the refund process.”

  • Lagos reopens Alaba International, Trade Fair Markets

    Lagos reopens Alaba International, Trade Fair Markets

    Government shut the markets earlier because of improper waste management and other environmental infractions.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the markets were reopened after the environmental issues had been addressed.

    Wahab dismissed claims in some quarters that political motives were behind the closure of the markets and stressed that the step was taken to ensure clean and healthy environment around business facilities.

    “I state emphatically that the closure of those markets had no ethnic or political motives as it was done to ensure cleanliness and environmental sustainability for the good of all residents.

    “The decision to reopen the markets followed rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards.

    “These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of the people,’’ Wahab said.

    He reiterated the significance of maintaining harmonious balance between commerce and environmental health.

    He said the enforcement would be continuous as government would not hesitate to seal any market or corporate facility found wanting.

    Commenting on the reopening of the markets, Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said it worked with market officials to ensure the attainment of environmental standards.

    He said it was important for markets to operate in a manner that was economically viable and environmentally responsible.

    “We have standards that each market in the state has to comply with to make our business environment clean and healthy for buyers and sellers.

    “These include proper waste management, zero tolerance for open burning of waste and zero tolerance for dumping of wastes in the drainage channels.

    “Others are engagement of market policing personnel to monitor market sanitation, observance of distance from road setbacks, medians and market surroundings to avoid indiscriminate dumping.

    “We must also ensure eradication of street trading and trading on road medians and shoulders, which obstruct free flow of traffic.

    “Tariffs must also be fully paid as any violation of the stated regulations would attract penalties and possible subsequent closure of offending markets,’’ he said

    Gbadegesin urged users and business owners to show commitment to environmental sustainability through proper waste disposal and adherence to environmental laws to prevent market closures.

     

  • NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound cocaine, meth at Lagos Airport

    NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound cocaine, meth at Lagos Airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives attached to courier companies in Lagos State have intercepted consignments of cocaine and methamphetamine.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the consignments were been transported to Europe and Saudi Arabia.

    Babafemi explained that the NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations(DOGI) attached to courier companies intercepted the consignment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    He said that the operatives intercepted 1kg methamphetamine concealed in containers of body cream going to New Zealand on Sunday, Oct. 15.

    He added that the officers also intercepted another consignment of 2.5kgs Cocaine and phenacetin hidden in walls of a carton heading to Saudi Arabia.

    “Two more seizures: 112grams of Dimethyl Sulfone and 583grams of Cocaine and phenacetin were made at another courier company in Lagos on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

    “While the Dimethyl Sulfone was concealed in the hollow of a motor driving shaft going to New Zealand, the consignment of Cocaine and phenacetin was packed into a bottle of body cream heading to Saudi Arabia,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Commands across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse(WADA) with sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others.

    Babafemi said this include WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Ogborhill Secondary School, Aba, Abia and Nana Aisha Memorial Islamiyya Secondary School, Buba-Shongo, Gombe State.

    “WADA sensitisation lecture at Awe High School, Awe, same at Smiles and Surprises Academy, Onna, Akwa Ibom; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Sango High School, Ijoko, Ogun state.

    “While Zone C Command of NDLEA along with Kwara state command also had WADA sensitisation town hall meeting with principals of secondary schools from five local government areas of the state,” he said.

  • BREAKING: FG to shut Third Mainland Bridge

    BREAKING: FG to shut Third Mainland Bridge

    The Federal Government on Thursday announced closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos starting from midnight of Saturday, Oct. 21 to midnight of Sunday Oct. 22 to carry out repairs.

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, in a statement, said the government was ready to begin comprehensive rehabilitation works on the bridge starting with repairs of the critical portions.

    Kesha said the federal government wished to inform the motoring public that it was currently working on plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of Third Mainland Bridge.

    “However, in order to alleviate the pains currently being experienced on the bridge, the Ministry would be carrying out palliative works on the most critically failed sections along the Adeniji bound carriageway on Sunday, Oct. 22 preparatory to the comprehensive repair works,” she said.

    She advised motorists to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed for seamless movement.

    “However, motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes where possible during the period of the palliative works as the Adeniji bound of the bridge will be closed to traffic from Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, 22nd 12.00 midnight,” she said.

  • [See affected communities] Lagos orders residents of downstream Ogun River to relocate

    [See affected communities] Lagos orders residents of downstream Ogun River to relocate

    The Lagos State Government has advised all residents of the state living in the Ogun River banks to relocate immediately and move to the upper land for safety.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The statement said the relocation notice became expedient following the incidence of flooding already being experienced in the neighbourhood of Ajegunle, Kara.

    It noted that the directive was also sequel to the alert issued by the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority on the operation of Oyan Dam for flood in September and October.

    The statement listed the affected catchment areas to include, Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah and the Lagos Lagoon boundaries.

    It noted that the latest alert which emanated from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources was a follow up to a public statement issued by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority on Monday.

    The Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority statement showed rainfall and average water released monthly for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 till mid-October and warned of possible inundation by flooding.

    “The available data showed that comparatively for the year 2021, total rainfall was 969mm while for 2022, it was 1,140mm when compared with the first 10 months of this year; rainfall amounted to 1,410.1mm which was a significant rise.

    “In addition, for the amount of water spilled by the River Basin Authority for the whole of 2021, it amounted to 1,140 million cubic meters (mcm), while for 2022, the amount of water spilled was slightly higher at 1,475.6 mcm.

    “For the 10 months of 2023, a very significant 2,274 has been released with 532.2 mcm and 348.7mcm released in September and October respectfully,” the statement said.

    It explained that the statistical table released by the River Basin Authority showed that the amount of rainfall recorded from January to October 2023 (1,410.0mm) indicated that most of the rainfall in the area had fallen.

    “Likewise, the volume of water released from January to October 15, 2023 is more than the average synthesized Annual Flow volume of 1770mcm against a Gross Storage of 27+90mcm,” it said.

    The statement said the utmost concern of the government was the safety of lives and properties of residents, hence the urgent call for relocation by those affected.

    It added that the alert became necessary because of much water being expected in October 2023 in addition to the downpours usually associated with the months of September and December each year.

    “This is along Ogun River Basin and other related predictions and warning from Nigeria Metrological Services, Nigeria Hydrological Services, National Emergency Management Agency and other related agencies,” the statement said.

    The statement, however, appealed to all residents across the state to be wary of the fact that Lagos is a coastal city that is bound to experience flash flood.