TheNewsGuru

Tag: Residents

  • Easter: Residents lament poor ATM services

    Easter: Residents lament poor ATM services

    Residents of Benin have decried poor services of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in the metropolis during festive periods.

    The respondents spoke in separate interviews with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Saturday.

    They described it as unfortunate that residents were made to go through stress to withdraw money from the machines during such period.

    They said most of the machines were not been dispensing cash since Friday night, a situation they noted resulted into long queues in the few ones dispensing.

    A resident, John Omoruyi, who said he was unable to get cash from the machines he visited on Friday night, regretted that the situation did not change as at Saturday morning.

    He said “it is annoying that the banks do not make contingency plans for periods such as this.”

    Another resident, Osadolor Ighodaro, said he got to the ATM at 6 a.m. and as at 10. a.m., he was still unable to get cash.

    According to him, he was at more than six ATMs of different banks but the same thing applies: not dispensing cash.

    “It is like a plan by all the banks to deprive customers of their money during holidays: this is because we experienced same situation during 2017 Christmas celebration.”

    Otabor Friday, also a resident, said he trekked from Cultural City at the city centre down to Dawnson junction at Akpakpava road in Benin just to make use of the machines.

    Friday said “I tell you, it was a futile effort as I couldn’t get any of the machines that was dispensing cash in the long stretch of Akpakpava road.

    “The only two machines dispensing cash were like market squares.”

    He said the situation was same at the ATMs along Airport Road and Sapele Road.

    Attempts to get response from security personnel attached to some of the banks proved abortive as they said they were not in position to respond to the challenges.

    One of the security officers attached to one of the new generation banks along Sapele Road, said the challenge would be addressed before the end of Saturday.

    He added that “I am sure that the people responsible for it will come and look into this problem before the end of today.

    “I can tell you that the rush for cash by customers is largely responsible for this problem, but it will be sorted out soon.”

     

  • Visit: Residents of Taraba, Benue, others won’t be hoodwinked by your ‘cosmetic sympathy’, Fayose tells Buhari

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said residents of troubled Taraba, Benue, Zamfara, Yobe and Rivers states won’t be hoodwinked by President Muhammadu Buhari’s belated visit.

    The governor emphasized that the president never deemed it fit to visit the states when it matters most.

    Fayose, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said it was the height of cruelty that the same President, who promised to lead from the front in the fight against Boko Haram, could not visit Dapchi, Yobe State where 110 school girls were abducted by the insurgents but went on merrymaking in Kano.

    “On January 9 and 12, this year, 88 victims of herdsmen attacks were given mass burial in Taraba State. Also on January 11, 2018, another 73 persons killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue State were buried in a mass grave in Makurdi, the state capital.

    “Meaning that in Taraba and Benue States alone, 161 Nigerians were given mass burial within three days! This never caught the attention of our President. Rather, it was a visit to Nasarawa, a neighboring State to Benue that was important to him.

    “To further demonstrate his lack of compassion for Nigerians, while the entire nation, especially parents of the 110 abducted school girls in Dapchi, Yobe State are still in anguish, President Buhari went to Kano last Saturday to attend a social function, thus sparking negative reactions from Nigerians.

    “Apparently, it was the negative reactions of Nigerians, especially on Social Media and the effects on the President’s reelection bid that necessitated his hurried visit to Taraba State today, and planned visits to Benue, Zamfara, Yobe and Rivers States.

    “I am sure the people of Taraba State won’t be hoodwinked by the President’s cosmetic sympathy, show of concern and crocodile tears, which he never bordered to shed when hundreds of indigenes of the State were being killed by suspected herdsmen,” the governor said.”

  • Gunmen invade Adamawa, attack residents

    Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have invaded Gwamba community in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed two villages in the community at on Tuesday morning and opened fire.

    Several houses are reported to have been set ablaze, while the residents fled in different directions.

    Details of the casualties are yet to be ascertained while security forces have been reportedly drafted to the area to contain the attack.

     

    Details later …

  • Herdsmen: ‘Defend yourselves against further attacks’ Ortom tells Benue residents

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has Tuesday charges residents in the state to defend themselves against further attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

    Ortom said this on a radio programme in the state on Tuesday.

    The governor noted that in spite of the presence of policemen in the state, killings were still going on in two local government areas.

    He flayed the statement credited to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, which blamed the anti-open grazing law for the New Year attacks, saying it encouraged the herdsmen to carry out more attacks on the state.

    He said, “I think the people should have the right to defend themselves and not to make themselves easy preys to be killed in their homes.

    “So any lawful means you can adopt to defend yourself, just go ahead in Benue State. We are not going to wait for the Inspector-General of Police to do it.”

    The governor however commiserated with the families of the policemen killed in the attacks.

    “It is unfortunate, the people are dying and the Inspector-General of Police is playing politics with the issue. The man should resign because he has failed woefully. He doesn’t have the capacity.

    “There are many good police officers who can take over that job and perform creditably by turning around the security architecture of this country, making things work and protecting lives and property. That man has no business being the IGP,” Ortom lamented.

    Meanwhile, the governor has lifted the curfew imposed on Gboko town.

    Ortom had last Wednesday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the town following the killing of seven travellers.

    Ortom announced the lifting of the curfew at a meeting he held with the leaders of the Benue Motorcycle Association and heads of security agencies at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

    He condemned the killing of the travellers and maintained that the victims were not Fulani people as reported

     

  • I won’t leave uncompleted projects behind – Fayose assures Ekiti residents

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has vowed not to leave any uncompleted projects behind by the time his tenure expires on October 15.

    Addressing the people of the state in a broadcast to mark the New Year on Monday, Fayose said he is working assiduously to complete the projects and inaugurate them for public use.

    Thanking the people of the state for their support since the commencement of his second tenure in office, the governor promised to embark on a thank-you tour to all parts of the state later in the year before he leaves office.

    He also promised to clear all the arrears of salaries and allowances owed civil servants before the expiry of his tenure.

    Fayose promised to ensure the continuity of the Urban Renewal progamme of his administration to give the state a face of modernity.

    He said: “I have opened up the horizon of Ekiti State from a rustic countryside to an emerging urban centre in the provisions of infrastructure notably in road construction, public buildings and socio -economic transformation generally.

    “During my first tenure in office, I started the dualization of the Ado-Ekiti major motor ways. My government, during this second term, has been able to extend the dualization of roads to most of our local government headquarters.

    “The icing on the cake is the construction of the multibillion Naira 1.3km Ado-Ekiti overhead carriage which now links Fajuyi park, flying over the Okesa market to the Ojumose road axial.

    “I am also happy to remark that the public building projects which we started during my first tenure in places like the Government House, the State Secretariat and the Trade Fair Arena, to mention but a few, have continued with a new Governor’s office, a befitting complex for the judiciary and a new residential apartment for the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    “My Government will complete these projects including the ultra-modern market in Ado-Ekiti.”

    On workers’ entitlements, he said: “In the New Year, we shall continue in that same style and redouble our efforts as I do not want to leave Ekiti Government House as debtor of salaries.

    “I am not also unmindful of the yearnings and aspirations of our people in other areas of government responsibilities but we can only do one thing at a time.

    “The insufficiency of today will turn out to be abundance of tomorrow if we can improve on our efforts and dedication.

    “Let us keep hope alive and continue to support government in all its endeavours.”

    Fayose also expressed gratitude to the opposition for putting government on its toes, saying the constitution guarantees freedom of expression.

  • Yuletide: Lagos Police boss assures residents of safety, warns against extravagant spending

    The Lagos State Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the festive seasons.

    Edgal in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mr Chike Godwin Oti, particularly urged residents to be vigilant and celebrate moderately during the festive period, just as he restated that additional batches of arms police officers would be deployed in all volatile areas in the State to ensure safety.

    He also warned that the command would not tolerate lawlessness or any act that may conflict with peaceful conduct that the State is known for.

    Oti said, “The CP commends the support from the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as the cooperation that the police has been receiving so far from other security agencies including the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

    “The CP also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation that the command has been receiving from both the State Government and corporate and religious institutions especially during the organisation of major outdoor functions like The Experience concert and the Lagos Street Carnival which successes underscored the capacity of security, traffic management and emergency rescue operative machinery in the State and the commendable model of social and religious tolerance in the State. “

    While assuring of maximum security during the One Lagos Fiesta and other events slated throughout December across the State, Edgal said it was important for the people to be vigilant, celebrate moderately and pass on useful tips to security agencies.

    He also said that all emergency numbers would be fully operational and solicited the cooperation of the citizens in ensuring a safe and crime-free December in Lagos State.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Ambode restates commitment to residents’ welfare

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says the welfare and well-being of residents, irrespective of their location within the state, remains the utmost concern of his administration.

    Ambode said this on Saturday at the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

    He assured the residents that this would be without prejudice to their ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.

    According to the governor, the annual celebration signifies the triumph of faith and the assurance that the Almighty Allah will always open ways for those who have absolute trust in His grace.

    Ambode also urged Muslims to sustain their good acts and behaviour beyond the celebration.

    “In this celebration, there is a great lesson for all of us especially as we strive to achieve the Lagos of our collective dream.

    ” We must remain hopeful and keep faith in the absolute power of Allah to turn our aspirations into reality.

    “It is, however, very important for all of us to play our own part as Prophet Ibrahim did,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Alhaji Muslim Folami said that the event was being celebrated in 20 local government areas of the state in accordance with the vision of an inclusive government.

     

  • Cut 1 tree, plant 5, Lagos Commissioner warns residents

    The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare, on Friday, warned residents of the state that anyone caught felling a tree without permission would be made to plant five, among other penalties.

    Adejare said this at the annual tree planting campaign held at the 9 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

    TheNews reports that the Campaign theme for the year is “Think Green, Plant Trees, Live Green.’’

    The exercise was organised by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK).

    Adejare, represented by the Head, Public Affairs Unit, LASPARK, Mrs Tejumade Olufemi, reiterated that it was an offence to cut trees without permission in the state.

    He said that quite a number of persons had been arrested for cutting trees without permission, and the offenders had equally been asked to replant trees as their punishment.

    “What we do, first and foremost, is to write letter of warnings to the offender, and if they continue in the act, then they will be arrested and taken to mobile courts.

    “Another one is that when you fell one tree, you plant five and we see to it that the trees are nurtured to life,’’ he said.

    Adejare, however, said that residents could seek permission from LASPARK if they had any reason to fell a tree.

    The commissioner said there was an ongoing sensitisation exercise to let people know the advantages of planting trees.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said at the event that the government was embarking on a tree planting campaign as part of its efforts to sustain healthy living for residents.

    The governor, represented by the Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Elias Attu, said: “As at today, over six million trees have been planted state wide.

    “To mark this year’s tree planting day, we are adding another 500, 000 trees which will be planted simultaneously in 78 locations across the state.

    “Trees are essential to human existence as they provide food, shelter, remedy for ill health and source of energy and also help to control storm water runoffs, noise pollution and prevent desert encroachment.”

    Ambode noted that planting of trees would not only be an option, but a strategy that must be embraced by all.

    “I have directed that Parks and Gardens Unit be resuscitated in all the 20 Local Government Areas and the 37 Local Council Development Areas to complement LASPARK.

    “In addition, 570 newly trained youths have been empowered to jump-start the greening programme at the local government level,” he said.

    Ambode called on private developers in the state to support the campaign by desisting from massive deforestation in the name of site clearance for infrastructural development.

    NAN reports that three trees were planted at the 9 Brigade Headquarters as part of the programme.

     

     

    NAN

  • SPECIAL REPORT: Days after heavy downpour, residents of Ibeju-Lekki still trapped in their homes [photos/videos]

    By Olaotan Falade

    While many residents are beginning to heave a sigh of relief of the heavy rain which fell continuously for the better part of last week, the case is opposite for residents of Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

    A visit by TheNewsGuru.com team to the area shows a firsthand devastating effect of the heavy downpour on residents and their properties.

    One of the visible signs of the aftermath effects of the heavy downpour that greeted the once busy Kolapo and Awoyaya roads in Ibeju-Lekki where TheNewsGuru.com team visited are vehicles that are almost submerged in the ground, roads that have been washed away and long deserted roads which are still completely covered with water.

    Commercial activities are at a halt and children cannot afford to go to school since the floods have taken over their learning abode. The few that managed to display their wares for sale were seen sleeping or taking on other forms of activities other than selling and buying. TheNewsGuru.com also learnt that several people have abandoned their homes never to return until things get better.

    On sighting TheNewsGuru.com team, the people were relieved as they hope their voices and deplorable situations will finally get to the appropriate authorities for urgent remedial actions.

     

     

     

     

    Speaking with TheNewsGuru.com team in Yoruba Language, a resident who identified herself as Lasisi Idowu, said the area has never been this ravaged by flood. She called on the government to come to their aid before the floods finally sweep away what is left of their lives and properties.

    In her words: “The flood is so bad this year. Even our rooms are not spared. We no longer have a place to lay our heads. Governor Ambode and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should come to our aid in Ibeju-Lekki. This suffering is too much and unbearable. Government should not wait till this flood drowns us all before fixing our bad roads and drainage system”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the residents have tried putting up a temporary measure to reduce the effect of the flood by making drainages but this has not in any way produced any tangible result because of the incessant heavy downpour.

    Another resident who also doubles as a pastor narrated his ugly ordeal. The pastor explained that they were mid-way in a service last Sunday when the rain started. He said the service was brought to an abrupt end to enable members run home and save what is left of their properties. He said the flood was so huge that it swept away most of the instruments used in the church including the pulpit.

    “We were in the service when the rain started. The whole place has been flooded before then but we were still able to maneuver our way. However, things took a different shape on this fateful day as waters began flowing in our direction with high currents. We had to end the service for members to rush home and take care of their properties. The flood carted away our pulpit, drums, and other church items. The government should come to our aid. We can’t continue this way. We have been praying since then for the rain to stop and we thank God it did. We don’t know what might happen to us if another rain of this magnitude falls. You can see that most of our household materials are still kept outside to dry,” the pastor said emphatically.

    A further visit by TheNewsGuru.com team to Awoyaya Community also in Ibeju-Lekki again revealed how hard the people are trying to cope with the flood.

    While the community is basking well in commercial activities, the entire junction leading to the community is however flooded and motorists on the express road and those inbound the community had a hectic time navigating their ways through.

    Residents also expressed their displeasure and appealed to the government to remember them in its developmental strides.

    “If you people (referring to the TheNewsGuru.com team) had come last Friday, you won’t find a space to place your legs. It was really bad. People learnt to swim by force and transportation cost automatically skyrocketed. The pains we experienced are beyond words and we appeal to the government to help us because nobody knows when this rain will strike again,” a resident told TheNewsGuru.com.

    The Baale of the community, Chief Isiaka Taofeeq who gladly welcomed TheNewsGuru.com team to his palace said the heavy downpour affected the community more than it could have affected the island and mainland axis of Lagos. He said residents couldn’t move for days. He appealed to Governor Ambode to remember the community which he said also contributes meaningfully to the development of Lagos.

    “You need to see how this place was last week. We have never been this affected by flood. Vehicular activities were suspended as there was no clear way to navigate through. People remained indoors for the better part of the week. We know our amiable governor is trying but we are also part of Lagos and he needs to remember Ibeju-Lekki. The suffering is too much and we don’t know what will happen if there is another downpour. He (Ambode) should please join hands with our local government authority to fix our roads to cushion the effect of this flood.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Federal Government on Wednesday warned state and local government authorities to to sensitize residents in their territory of more heavy downpour and the consequential flood that is likely to come with it.

    However, there may be succor coming the way of Ibeju-Lekki and indeed other parts of the state affected by the downpour as the State Assembly (LAHA) summoned the Commissioner of Environment, Mr Babatunde Adejare, to appear before it on Tuesday to proffer long lasting solutions to the flood.

    TheNewsGuru.com also reports that the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday approved a N1.5bn bailout fund to some 15 states (Lagos inclusive) of the federation affected by the flood.

     

     

  • Baddo: Police order compulsory use of Identification cards by residents in Ikorodu

    Baddo: Police order compulsory use of Identification cards by residents in Ikorodu

    Following the incessant attacks on innocent people by the dreaded cult group, popularly called Badoo, the Nigeria Police has ordered residents in the area to always carry a valid form of identification.

    The order was contained in a statement issued by the command to address the porous security structure that has led to the brutal ritualistic murder of several families in the area.

    To further check the menace, the police recently collaborated with the Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, a move which has led to the arrest of over 100 suspects.

    In a statement on Monday signed by the Lagos Police spokesperson, Olarinde Famous-Cole, the police emphasised that this became necessary because of the series of police operations in the area.

    “The Lagos State Police Command would like to inform members of the public especially residents in Ikorodu and environs, that from henceforth everybody moving around that part of the state, residents, students or workers should always have on them a valid form of identification,” the statement reads.

    “This has become important and necessary because of the series of police operations lined up in the area by the Lagos State police command led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations.”

    Mr. Famous-Come added that the police command was deeply concerned about the criminal activities in the area which was not only unlawful but also affecting the integrity of the state.

    “The planned police operations demand residents to carry on them a valid form of identification which will be verified, in order not to be restricted or face apprehension as adequate security arrangements have been put in place for the safety of every Nigerian throughout the state by the police and other security agencies’

    Mr. Famous -Cole declared that the order takes immediate effect, stating that the command would not allow criminals to operate.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports some innocent people were recently lynched by angry mob who mistook them for members of the dreaded gang.