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Tag: Lagos

  • Fee hike: UNILAG unveils more measures to cushion effect

    Fee hike: UNILAG unveils more measures to cushion effect

    Authorities of University of Lagos say they are open to discussions and partnerships with various stakeholders, to boost efforts aimed at ameliorating the challenges of the institution.

    The university has also urged members of the community to remain calm and go about their legitimate activities as it remained resolute in ensuring utmost security of lives and properties on campus.

    These are contained in a statement by the institution’s Head, Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, issued to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

    The statement comes a day after protests rocked the university environs over increase in students’ fees, which led to the police intervening to restore normalcy.

    Alaga-Ibraheem said that members of the university community, just like all other bonafide students of the university, remain a top priority in the affairs of management.

    She said that the management would stop at nothing, to ensure that their welfare and interest are always protected.

    The spokesperson reiterated the commitment of the management in implementing measures aimed at ameliorating the challenges that students, parents/guardians may face due to the recent upward review of the institution’s obligatory fees.

    “We wish to enjoin members of the university community to remain calm and go about their legitimate activities, as the university management remains dedicated to ensuring security and safety of lives and properties on campus.

    “Similarly, we wish to reiterate the commitment of the university authorities to implement measures aimed at ameliorating the challenges that students and parents/guardians may face due to the recent review of the University’s obligatory fees.

    “These measures, which are constantly being reviewed and expanded, include payment by instalment. The fees payment system has been re-configured to allow an instalment payment option.

    “This instalment accommodates three times payment before the closure of the academic year.

    ”For further details on the breakdown and procedure for the instalment payment option, please click: https://unilag.edu.ng/?p=26015,” she said.

    Speaking further on other means deployed by the university management to reduce the burden on parents as regard the reviewed obligatory fees, she noted that the ‘Work-Study Programme’ of the institution had been revitalised.

    According her, the student work-study programme has been revitalised to accommodate increased remuneration, noting tat interested students can access the programme through the Dean, Student Affairs Division.

    “We have also now introduced scholarship opportunities. Students have the opportunity to access various scholarship opportunities including the UNILAG Scholars Award for exceptionally brilliant students, through the office of the Dean, Student Affairs Division.

    “Furthermore, we are also putting in place an initiative for assistance, for Indigent students.
    The university, with the support of its donor- partners, has expanded its assistance programme for eligible indigent students.

    “This programme includes the provision of funds, meal tickets and raw food items to indigent students. This will be accessible through the Dean, Student Affairs Division. There is also the ‘Triple A Project’.

    “Measures have been put in place for alumni and well-meaning Nigerians to adopt a student, under the Triple A, Adopt an Akokite project,” she explained.

    Alaga-Ibraheem, further listed the ‘Pay for Mentors Project’ as part of measures set aside to cushion the effect of the reviewed obligatory fees for the students.

    She explained that the university had deployed the Pay for Mentors Project for smart students, whereby exceptionally brilliant ones are selected as mentors for others, and would thereafter, get adequate remuneration.

    According to her, in furtherance to the measures adopted, the university has entered into partnership with the Lagos Bus Rapid Transport System, to facilitate ease of transportation.

    “The management of the institution has acquired approval from Lagos government for additional BRT dedicated route for persons who come from Berger Bus Stop axis of the state.

    “In addition, the university is in discussions to have other routes such as Oshodi and Iyana Ipaja included.

    “It is pertinent to emphasise that the university authorities are open to discussions and partnerships with various stakeholders, to boost efforts aimed at ameliorating the challenges of the institution.

    “Please note that there are different platforms through which UNILAG authorities engage with students, and other members of the university community, to hear them out, and collectively handle and address complaints within the shortest possible time.

    “Our students, who are currently on vacation, are particularly enjoined to continue to channel their grievances through the Dean, Student Affairs who is officially empowered to interact with students.

    “Please, be assured of the university’s dedication to uphold its mandate and cater to the welfare of its community,” Alaga-Ibraheem stated.

  • JUST IN: Fuel scarcity looms in Lagos, as marketers shut stations

    JUST IN: Fuel scarcity looms in Lagos, as marketers shut stations

    Fuel shortage may soon hit Lagos and its environs as marketers continue to shut filling stations against motorists and other product users.

    A report by Vanguard indicated that the closure of stations started gradually after NNPC Limited cut the volume of its imports to enable major and independent marketers to participate in importation following the deregulation of the market.

    According to the report, the situation became widespread because of the inability of the marketers to import, mainly due to difficulties associated with sourcing foreign exchange and instability in the domestic market.

    A marketer, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The reduction in NNPC Limited’s import, aimed at enabling the marketers to embark on importation and the marketers’ inability to import has created a vacuum that needs to be addressed.

    “The situation could have been very serious if many people were still buying the product.

    “But the shortage is currently mild because many automobile owners are not driving frequently or have completely abandoned driving because of the high cost of petrol currently going for between N568 per litre and N590.”

    Reacting, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Okoronkwo, said, “We are still loading.”

    However, it was doubtful if all the products lifted at the depots were delivered to the filling stations, as Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority officials were not visible to enforce compliance.

     

  • Sanwo-Olu assures on security as Lagos Blue Light Rail begins operations

    Sanwo-Olu assures on security as Lagos Blue Light Rail begins operations

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured users of the Blue Line light rail of maximum security while on board the system.

    Sanwo-Olu spoke as he joined the rail as its first passenger during its inaugural commercial operation, for the use of the masses in Lagos on Monday.

    He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for being the brain behind the achievement, by including the train in the master plan of the Lagos government.

    The government said it had come to reality for Lagos residents to enjoy.

    Speaking after a ride on the light rail, Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to the management of the Lagos State  Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) for ensuring that safety and security of the train was properly managed throughout the journey.

    He also commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police as well as all the security agencies in Lagos for ensuring safety of lives and properties of the passengers while boarding the train.

    He advised Lagos residents as well as students to obtain the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) Card and the Cowry Card, which had been integrated to board all the means of government transportation in Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu said that with the light rail, he, alongside other passengers, had been able to reach many places in Lagos and return in less than an hour.

    He said that the multi-modal transportation had been fully integrated in Lagos with the commencement of the blue light rail.

    The Senior Special Rail Design Engineer, LAMATA, Mr Abidemi Atobatele, said that all the terminals were covered by security men and Closed Circuit Television, assuring passengers of full security within the areas.

    He said that the train was electrified and pleaded with the residents not to cross over the rail area, but to make use of the pedestrian bridges.

    One of the passengers, Ahmed Farida, commended the Lagos State Government for completing the light rail project, saying it would ease  movement across Lagos.

    “With this train, there is no stress; we are able to move around. You can work with your time, and your mental health is intact now; gone are the days we complained of traffic and all of that.

    ” So, we went to about five places within an hour to and fro; I must commend the working governor for this great project,” she said.

    She urged Lagos residents to support government in maintaining the light rail project.

    Princess Mulikat Sanni, former, President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) urged Nigerians to ensure they maintain the light train project.

    Sanni said that the commencement of the rail would create more job opportunities and add value to the economy of the state.

    The Managing Director, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, had said ahead of the comnencement that with feasibility study, the train system would be conveying 175,000 passengers on daily basis.

    She said that though the commercial operations would have begun in the first quarter of 2023, it was delayed to ensure that all modalities were in place.

    ”As you know, the first phase of the blue line was commissioned, the infrastructure completion was commissioned by Mr President (Former President, Muhammadu Buhari) in December.

    ”At the time, we had said to you we would start operations in March. Unfortunately, we did not, by the end of the first quarter, then it was by the end of the second quarter. Unfortunately, we had hiccups with power delivery.

    ”We are here to say that we are completely ready in terms of all operational infrastructure. The reason that we have been delayed is due to the fact that our power provision was delayed,”  Akinajo had said.

    The LAMATA boss said that the train service, which would run from Mile 2 to Marina, would run 12 trips on daily basis for a period of two weeks, and the service would gradually increase.

    ” We will be working according to a timetable. That timetable will be available on LAMATA’s website, that timetable will also be available at every station.

    “When the train gets into any station, it will stop for no more than 90 seconds. So, you need to know, and this is it, for us to understand that it is a scheduled service,” she had said.

    She said that the Blue Line Rail service had five stations which comprise Marina, National Theatre, Orile-Iganmu, Alaba, and Mile 2.

  • [Watch] Lagos gov, Sanwo-Olu wears Crocs footwear at official event

    [Watch] Lagos gov, Sanwo-Olu wears Crocs footwear at official event

    Video footage has emerged showing the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on crocs footwear, at the official flag-off ceremony of distribution of food items for 500,000 vulnerable households in the state to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

    During the exercise at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, the governor said that the strategic goal of the programme was to reach vulnerable households in the state with staple food items, using two methodologies.

    According to TheNewsGuru.com, Sanwo-Olu was seen stepping on the podium wearing crocs footwear while addressing the audience.

    It had rained on that day, making the governor resort to wearing crocs footwear.

    See video below:

     

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  • Keyamo suspends Nigeria air project, Airport concessioning deals

    Keyamo suspends Nigeria air project, Airport concessioning deals

    Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has suspended the Nigeria Air project, the concession project and other contracts stressing that he owes it to the government and Nigerians to give an honest assessment.

    The minister said the concession and national carrier will be suspended until he briefs the President.

    Keyamo also said that Muritala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, will be shut down from October 1, 2023, for total maintenance work at the airport.

    The minister therefore directed all international airlines to vacate the MMIA, from October 1, 2023.

    The Nigeria Air project and the concessioning of the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports have courted so much controversies, hence experts in the aviation sector have called for their suspension, saying they have no benefit to the sector.

    On the relocation of foreign airlines to the new Lagos terminal, Keyamo noted that the reason the new Lagos terminal had been underutilized was because it could not take wide-bodied aircraft, saying the airlines would be using the terminal while government procures big busses to convey passengers.

    He also stated that the old international terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos would be shut down by October 1, 2023 for renovation even as he said all private hangars like Dominion Hangar, EAN Hangar and others would be relocated to pave way for expansion of the new terminal.

     

  • BREAKING: Lagos Blue Line Rail set to commence operations, Sanwo-Olu to become first passenger [Video]

    BREAKING: Lagos Blue Line Rail set to commence operations, Sanwo-Olu to become first passenger [Video]

    The Lagos State Government has announced that the Blue Line Rail will start commercial operations on Monday, September 4th 2023. The Blue Line Rail will move from Marina to Mile 2.

    Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to be the first passenger at exactly 9am at the Marina Station.

    From Tuesday, Partial passenger Operations will start from 6:30am to 10am. (Morning peak) the afternoon Peak, from 4pm to 9:30pm. This Operations will start with 12 trips for 2 weeks which will be ramped up to 76 trips per day.

    See video below:

     

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  • Lagdo Dam: Lagos fully prepared for flooding – LASEMA

    Lagdo Dam: Lagos fully prepared for flooding – LASEMA

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says it is prepared for the flood opening as  Cameroun is set to open the flood gates of Lagdo Dam on the Benue River.

    The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr  Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Monday,  said the agency was fully prepared for the flood opening.

    “In line with the paradigm shift from response to effective and efficient disaster management ,preparedness and prevention, the state  has carried out holistic measures.

    “This holistic measures include the sensitisation and advocacy in historically affected areas and empowerment of local emergency management committees.

    “This also includes strengthening of the early warning systems and clearing of drainage and gutters at the state and local government area  levels.

    “We remain at high alert with improved infrastructure to manage any imminent challenges,” he said.

    He, however, appealed to residents to remain calm.

    Recalled that there had been alert over a possible flood along the River Benue basin in a few days.

    The alert was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a letter dated Aug. 21,  and signed by Umar Salisu, the ministry’s Director of African Affairs.

  • Lagos directs schools to resume 2023/2024 academic year on September 4

    Lagos directs schools to resume 2023/2024 academic year on September 4

    In compliance with the year 2023/2024 Harmonised academic school calendar as approved by the Lagos State Ministry of Basic Education, the Lagos state government has directed all schools below the tertiary level to resume on Monday, September 4, 2023.

    She urged all schools to ensure strict compliance with the resumption date for the delivery of quality and sustainable education in the state.

    She also enjoined proprietors and school administrators to ensure strict compliance with the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, stressing that there must be full compliance with all safety protocols on school premises for a safe learning environment, as the state government remains committed to the delivery of quality education.

    Seriki-Ayeni also informed the general public, especially school management and parents, to download the school academic calendar via: www.oeqalagos.com.

  • We reserve rights to expose screening report on 17 rejected nominees – Lagos speaker

    We reserve rights to expose screening report on 17 rejected nominees – Lagos speaker

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, says the assembly reserves the right to expose screening reports of the committee on the 17 rejected commissioner-nominees.

    Obasa disclosed this at  plenary on Monday, warning those planning protests and sponsoring media articles to desist, saying the house would not be threatened over the issue.

    The assembly on Wednesday at plenary,  rejected 17 commissioner nominees, including former commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and former commissioner for information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

    The lawmakers did not give reasons for the rejection.

    Recalled that the lawmakers, however, confirmed 22 other commissioner nominees of the governor.

    The exercise, which was done through a voice vote, was sequel to the screening of the nominees at the assembly’s Committee of the Whole at plenary.

    Obasa, who presided over it, said the exercise followed a rigorous and detailed screening of the nominees by an ad-hoc committee led by the Chief Whip, Mr Fatai Mojeed.

    Reacting on Monday, Obasa said it was unfortunate that whenever the house refused to be a ‘rubber stamp’ to a governor’s request, then it would be interpreted by the public that the lawmakers were fighting the governor.

    “If anybody wishes to know the reasons for the decision, they should approach the house.

    “However, we will not be forced to spill our observations, and we reserve the rights to expose the report of the screening.

    “We are not going to be threatened by the civil society organisations who wish to protest.

    “It is their right. He who lives in a  glasshouse do not throw stones,” he said.

    The speaker said the assembly would continue to work together with the executive because there was no reason to fight.

    He, however, noted that the assembly had the constitutional rights to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the nominees of the governor.

  • NDLEA raids drug warehouse in Lagos, recovers N4.8billion worth of opioids

    NDLEA raids drug warehouse in Lagos, recovers N4.8billion worth of opioids

    Multi-billion naira worth of illicit drugs were again seized at a warehouse tucked in the midst of popular International Trade Fair Complex, Alaba, Ojo area of Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Saturday 19th August.
    Recovered from the warehouse owned by a wanted billionaire drug baron, include: 1.4 million (1,400,000) pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 826kgs; 3.2 million (3,200,000) pills of codeine with gross weight of 3,360kgs; and 2,841 cartons of codeine syrup containing 284,100 bottles with 28,410 litres of the psychoactive substance, with a combined street value of Four Billion Eight Hundred and Twenty Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,820,500,000) only. During the operation that lasted hours, a suspect, Paulinus Ojukwu, who is Chief Security Officer to the wanted drug baron who parades as automobile spare parts dealer, was arrested and now assisting ongoing investigation.
    The latest drug warehouse bust is coming on the heels of the arrest of a drug baroness, Faith Ebele Nwankwo who was nabbed on Wednesday 9th August with Two Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand (2,750,000) pills of tramaking, a brand of tramadol 225mg and 250mg recovered from her residence at House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, Festac area of Lagos and a warehouse located at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on Friday 18th August intercepted Twenty Million US Dollar notes ($20 million) suspected to be counterfeit during a stop and search operation along Abaji – Lokoja road, within the Federal Capital Territory. The suspected fake money was recovered from a bus coming from Lagos to Abuja, while the 53-year-old driver of the vehicle, Onyebuchi Nlededin was arrested. The previous day, Thursday 17th August, Jude Ndubuisi, 52, was arrested with 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Kabusa village, FCT.
    The suspect was initially arrested with 20.75kg cannabis on 7th July 2022 and was on court bail following his ongoing prosecution when he was nabbed for yet another drug crime. Another raid of two notorious drug joints within the FCT: Dei Dei and Tora-Bora Hills led to the recovery of 82.8kg skunk, 1.8kg rohypnol and 1.2kg diazepam on Wednesday 16th August.
    In Osun, NDLEA operatives in the early hours of Saturday 19th August destroyed clusters of cannabis farms measuring about 3.49000 hectares (over 7.5 tons) at Mopatedo in Ifedayo local government area of the State. Two suspects: Sunday Otogbo, 40, and Peter Andel Makra, 35, were arrested inside the cannabis farms. Additional 30kg cannabis weeds and 16.9kg of cannabis seeds were also recovered from the farms.
    At least, three suspects: Ndubuisi Okorie, 44; Ebilima Emmanuel, 38, and Okechukwu Anthony Smart, 40, were arrested in connection with the seizure of 168kg cannabis consignment from them when their vehicle was intercepted along Owerri-Onitsha expressway, Imo state on Saturday 19th August. Another shipment of controlled drugs containing 6,000 capsules of tramadol, 1,200 tablets of swinol, 155 bottles of codeine syrup and 20 tabs of Molly was equally seized on the same road on Sunday 13th August while a follow-up operation in Oyigbo area of Port Harcourt, Rivers state led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Remigius Ogechukwu, 33.
    While a teenager, Boniface Odinakachukwu, 19, was apprehended with 99.4kg skunk at Isikwe Road, Achi in Oji-River LGA, Enugu state on Friday 18th August, a wanted teenage bandit, Aliyu Mohammed Altine, 19, was arrested by NDLEA operatives along Illela- Sokoto road with some wraps of skunk on Thursday 17th August. The suspect who is on the wanted list of the police has since been transferred to the police in Sokoto state for further investigation.
    While expressing his satisfaction with the professional conduct of the officers and men involved in the Lagos, FCT, Sokoto, Osun, Imo and Enugu operations as well as the results of the raids, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged operatives of the Lagos command to ensure that the fleeing baron is smoked out from his hiding to face charges. He urged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the heat on drug cartels.