THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE MAY 24, 2018
2019: PDP shops for governorship candidate in Lagos (NewTelegraph)
Leading opposition party in Lagos State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is currently shopping for a governorship candidate ahead of the 2019 elections in the state. Lagos is the only state which the PDP had not governed in the South-West since the Fourth Republic began in 1999. New Telegraph exclusively learnt that the party had set up a search party being led by the state chairman, Hon. Moshood Salvador, some notable members of the chapter’s Elders’ Council, zonal ex-Officio, among others, to produce a credible, widely acceptable and popular party man to fly its flag in the next gubernatorial poll. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, is expected to seek a second term on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Read more
Does Ikoyi registry have power to conduct marriages? (Punch)
There has been much debate about the judgment delivered on April 30, 2018 by Honourable Justice (Prof.) C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in respect of the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1760/16 – Egor Local Government Edo State & 3 ORS V. Hon. Minister of Interior & 2 Ors. The case borders on the power of the Ikoyi Marriage Registry and other federal marriage registries to contract and celebrate marriages. Following the judgment of the court, headlines such as, “Marriages conducted by Ikoyi Registry not legally binding, court rules”; “Court stops Ikoyi Registry from conducting marriages,” etc. have appeared in various quarters. Such headlines have caused a number of persons who had their marriages conducted at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry to fret about the legality of their marriage. Read more
LASAM, Stakeholders demand full release, implementation of Lagos Health Budget (ThisDay)
Following the high maternal, newborn mortality rates and other health issues common to Nigeria, the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Newborn Health (LASAM) and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector have called on the Lagos State government to release and implement in full health allocation in the 2018 state budget. Stating this during the Health Budget Financing Dialogue held in Lagos recently, and organised by LASAM, in collaboration with Save the Children International, Development Communications Network, MamaYe-Evidence for Action, among others, the stakeholders said with full release and implementation of budgeted funds, the poor healthcare indices in the country will gain attention. The stakeholders said the call became imperative as records show that despite the low budgeted allocation to health, only certain percentage of the health allocation is released. Read more
Medical Guild rejects appointment of Non Doctor in Lagos Health Commission (ThisDay)
The Medical Guild has rejected the appointment of a non-medically qualified person as the permanent secretary of the state Health Service Commission, saying it contravenes the Health Sector Reform Law 2006 setting up the commission. Stating this in a communiqué during the Ordinary General Meeting of the Guild in Lagos recently, it said it was also rejecting the Lagos State Government’s appointment of consultant pharmacist into the state Health Services, as well as other circulars regarding radiographers and medical laboratory scientists. The communiqué reads in part: “It is our position that the word ‘Consultant’ in a hospital, refers only to a specialist medical practitioner of high ranking who is an expert in his/her field. Read more
NDPHC inaugurates 2 injection substations in Lagos (Punch)
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company has inaugurated two injection substations in Lagos as part of efforts to boost power supply in the state. The substations are located in Amikanle and Abule Taylor areas of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos. The NDPHC, which owns 10 power plants built under the National Integrated Power Project scheme, described the construction of the substations as part of government’s intervention to improve electricity distribution. The Managing Director, NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, at the inauguration on Tuesday, said the substations had been handed over to Ikeja Electric, the distribution company covering the area. Read more
Lagos to begin embedded power project in July 2018 (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said that all is now set for the commencement of the much anticipated the Embedded Power Supply Project by July 2018. The Lagos State Embedded Power Programme, a brain child of the present administration is targeted towards generating 3,000 megawatts electricity for the State within the next three to five years. Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Olawale Oluwo who disclosed this at the ongoing annual Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, said the project when it takes off would commence the journey to deregulate Nigeria’s power sector from Lagos State and ultimately achieve energy security for the State. Read more
6,000 benefit from Lagos free Medical Mission (ThisDay)
No fewer than 6,072 residents of Ajeromi Local Government and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos have benefitted from a three day state sponsored free medical expedition programme tagged ‘The Eko Health Mission Programme’ which was held between Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th May, 2018, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris has said. Idris who made this known at a news briefing in Alausa, Ikeja recently, explained that residents of the areas benefitted from free health services including consultation and treatment for common ailments as well as screening for hypertension, diabetes, eye care and provision of eye glasses, dental care, family planning services, HIV counseling and testing amongst others. Read more
NASSI MSME Fair: Lagos reiterates support for small businesses (Vanguard)
The Lagos State government has restated its commitment to supporting operators of small businesses in the state. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode gave the commitment in a key-note address at the opening ceremony of the Second National Association of Small Scale Industrialists – Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (2nd NASSI MSME Fair) hosted by NASSI Lagos State Chapter, in Alausa, Lagos, with the theme, “MSMEs As Catalyst to Nigeria’s Export Promotion Agenda”. Ambode who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Commerce, Industries and Co-operative, Mr. Abisoye Olalekan Akodu, noted that his administration has started implementing intervention programmes aimed at enhancing the productivity of small business owners and make their products more globally competitive. Read more
Showgear holds make Music Lagos (ThisDay)
An entertainment promotion outfit, Showgear, and its organising partners have announced that Lagos will be joining the global celebration of music in the month of June for a third consecutive year under the umbrella of Make Music Lagos (MML). Make Music Lagos is the Lagos edition of Make Music Day, a festival of free live music hosted in more than 120 countries all over the world to commemorate World Music Day under the guidance of the US-based Make Music Alliance. Since its launch, the Make Music Lagos festival has had two editions. The first in 2016 delivered three concerts with performances by Bez, Cobhams Asuquo, Tosin Martins, Olufunmi, Wura Samba, Johnny Drille, Pita, Wole Oni and Lagos Mainland Choir. In 2017, there was the introduction of three landmark music initiatives (Mass Appeal, Learn to Play & Street Studio), and an increase in the number of concert venues to 12. Notable performers at this edition were: King Sunny Ade, Daddy Showkey, Adewale Ayuba, Omawumi, Bez, Sound Sultan, Morayo Music and Folabi Nuel. Read more
‘Reintroduce moral instruction in schools’ (Punch)
A cleric, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese-Olagunju, has called on the government to reintroduce moral instruction as a subject in the country’s educational curriculum. Adetoyese-Olagunju, a senior pastor at Praise Arena, Lekki, Lagos, urged the government to set up programmes that would celebrate honesty and patriotism among the youths. He spoke at the 2018 couple’s dinner organised by the church at the Victoria-Garden City, Lagos. The programme, tagged ‘Stronger Bond, Greater Joy,’ brought together families and Christian faithful, and featured teachings, counselling and prayers for homes. The senior pastor noted that although the country boasted many educated people in leadership positions, statistics showed that corruption had yet to abate. Read more
Doctors, pharmacists disagree on consultancy cadre approval for health workers (Guardian)
There appears to be no end in sight to the recent imbroglio between doctors and pharmacists in Nigeria.Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos branch have condemned the doctors’ that is the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) position on the recent Lagos State government circular on consultant pharmacist cadre and demands by striking health workers on relativity of salaries. Health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) have been on industrial action since April 18, 2018 following inability of the Federal Government to meet their demands, which include approval of consultancy cadre for other health personnel besides medical doctors and making their salaries relative to that of the physicians. Read more
We expect NWC’s intervention in Lagos APC crisis – Oki (NewTelegraph)
What is your take on the state of the of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State looking at the outcome of last Saturday’s state congress of the party?
There is no doubt that there are frictions and crisis in our party. Most of our people are not satisfied with the state of the party prior to Saturday. Our commitment has always been that there is the need for reconciliation. Several attempts have been made for reconciliation, but it was met with stiff resistance. This is partly because those who are making efforts to reconcile are actually part of the problem. In going forward, our immediate task is to ensure that all members of the party are genuinely reconciled. Our mission is to reconcile all the members of the party. Read more
Lagos gets 8 more vehicle inspection centres (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday inaugurated eight computerised inspection centres across the metropolis as part of measures to ascertain road worthy vehicles. The centres are in Oko-Oba; Ayobo-Ipaja; Oko-Afo; Badagry; PWD; Gbagada; Agric-Isawo and Epe. They join the centres at Ojodu and Odogunyan-Ikorodu which were commissioned in April last year. With the centres, the government will eradicate physical inspection of vehicles. Road worthiness certificate would be issued after the inspection of vehicles at any of the centres. Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson said 10 more centres would be opened before the end of the year. Read more
Interswitch partners Slum2School to build STEM Lab in Makoko (Guardian)
Integrated digital payment company, Interswitch Limited, has partnered with Slum2School Africa, a volunteer-driven community development organisation to build a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and innovation laboratory at the Anglican Primary School, Makoko in Lagos state. The initiative, which was borne out of the company’s goal to promote science education in Africa, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, also seeks to build skills and talents based around STEM. The laboratory was equipped with laptops; books and other learning materials to enable pupils in slum communities have access to technology education. Read more
‘Artisans need more training for safety’ (Punch)
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for more training of artisans in the country to enhance their skills and improve their knowledge. He spoke on Tuesday during the training of 52 artisans on new technology in the automobile industry. The beneficiaries were selected from registered mechanic villages in the Surulere Federal Constituency, Lagos. Gbajabiamila said transport was one of the most important sectors of the economy because it was essential to the movement of people and goods. “Mechanics are an integral part of our lives. With the evolution of modern technology, artisans should continuously go through training like other formal occupation. This will empower them to be more digital and also enhance safety,” he added. Read more
102.3 Max FM ranked No.1 music station in Lagos (Guardian)
102.3 Max FM has now rated the No.1 music station in Lagos with over 1.6 million listeners every day. Figures just released from the official industry-wide All Media & Products Survey (AMPS) show that 102.3 MAX FM increased its audience share from 14% in March to 26% in April (+85%). The station increased its number of daily listeners from 846,024 in March to 1,607,782 in April, an increase of 761,758 listeners, or a staggering 90% increase month on month. The Max Breakfast show with Debbie and Mark, from 5 am to 10 am, is now on course to attract one million listeners per day, as the April AMPS research records 930,289 listeners per day (17% share). Read more
Makoko residents protest invasion (Nation)
Some residents of Ori-Oke Alala in Makoko, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, yesterday stormed the state secretariat at Ikeja, over the May 10 invasion of their community by the police and task force on land grabbers. The protesters demanded that all those involved in the invasion in which four persons died be brought to justice. They carried placards, with inscriptions deploring the invasion. Led by the General Secretary, Ilaje National Alliance Movement, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, the protesters urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the incident. Read more
Police arrest 73-year-old for raping, impregnating girl, 14 • nab woman for abducting kid in market (Punch)
The police in Lagos have arrested a 73-year-old man, Fola Olowoigbo, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old and impregnating her. The suspect was said to be a neighbour of the victim’s mother who lived on Fella Ahmed Street, Agric, Ikorodu, Lagos State. The police said the septuagenarian took advantage of the girl on the pretext of sending her on errands. The bubble reportedly burst when the victim’s mother observed that she was pregnant and after pestering her, she said Olowoigbo was responsible for the pregnancy. Read more
Dad sucked my breasts, raped me for 4 years –Teenager (NewTelegraph)
An 18-year-old girl, who is a victim of sexual abuse, yesterday told an Ikeja Special Offence and Domestic Violence Court, Lagos, that her father, Folorunso Oluwaseun (52), had sexual intercourse with her for four years in order to enhance her private parts. Testifying before Justice Sybil Nwaka, the victim (name withheld) said that the sexual abuse began when she was 12 while she was living with him at their Ikorodu residence in Lagos. While being led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Babajide Boye, she said: “I was staying with my father with my four other siblings (two boys and two girls) in a room apartment. My father called me and said that my breasts were not as big as those of my mates and that he would help me suck them with his mouth so that they can get bigger. “I was in JSS 3 when he started. He asked me to sleep with him on the bed and he began to suck my breasts. Read more
Mother blames Lagos hospital for son’s illness (Punch)
A woman, Ms. Victoria Abimbola, has accused the management of the Ikorodu General Hospital of causing her son’s cerebral palsy condition, saying careless handling of her delivery and subsequent overdose of a drug damaged her child, Daniel. Abimbola said efforts to get assistance from the state government to remedy the damage had been ignored, adding that she had been frustrated. The 42-year-old woman told our correspondent that she went into labour at the hospital around 9pm on January 12, 2010, when the incident happened. Read more
Man seeking business boom defrauded of N4.7m by herbalists (Punch)
Five suspected herbalists have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly swindling a businessman out of N4.7m. The suspects – Idowu Olofin, 32; Korede Akomolafe, 30; Temitope Oluyemi, 43; Wale Onifade, 36; and Seun Fabusola, 28 – allegedly collected the sum from the unidentified complainant on the pretext of solving his spiritual problem and making his business boom. PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects allegedly hypnotised the victim, took him to a beach and collected the money from him. They were said to have committed the crime on May 3 around 9.30am at Alpha Beach, Ajah. Read more
Omeruo, Stephen Eze shine in Eagles training (Guardian)
Chelsea defender, Kenneth Omeruo and Lokomotiv Plovdiv star, Stephen Eze shone like million stars at Super Eagles training yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Coach Genrot Rohr divided the team into two, with Team A putting on orange bibs on top of the green sleeveless tops. It had Oghenekaro Etebo, Junior Lokosa, Tyronne Ebuehi, Ola Aina, Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong.Team B with just the green sleeveless tops had Alex Iwobi, Stephen Eze, Eddy Onazi, Elderson Echiejile, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidozie Awaziem. Both teams went against each other in a six-a-side game using ‘monkey posts.’About 22 minutes later, both teams went into a match of seven-a-side with the goalkeepers joining in the session, and goalposts being used this time. About one quarter of the training pitch was used for the game. Read more
Nominations Open for 2018 Nigerian Sports Award (ThisDay)
Nominations are now open for the 2018 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award as entries from the general public for the various categories start on May 23 and runs till October 7, 2018. Speaking at a press conference to herald the commencement of activities for the 2018 edition, the Chairman of the award panel who is also the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, explained that 2018 edition of the award promises to be more exciting especially with the performances of Nigerian athletes in their various sports from 2017 till date and even as the country prepares for participation at the World Cup in Russia. Read more