THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE JUNE 23, 2018
Ambode, a special gift to Lagos, says Commissioner (Guardian)
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been described as a blessing from God to the people of Lagos State. The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulLateef AbdulHakeem, said this while speaking with newsmen yesterday. According to the Commissioner who is also a renowned Islamic cleric, God’s unwavering love for Lagos State has manifested in the leadership of Governor Ambode whose methodical approach to governance has brought about rapid development strides that are visible throughout the state. Describing his boss as a special gift to the state, Dr. AbdulHakeem said the Governor has purposefully addressed all the challenges that his administration inherited when he assumed office three years ago, including traffic congestion, kidnapping, cultism and other crimes that were hitherto prevalent in the state. Read more
Epe agog as indigenes rally support for Ambode’s second term (NewTelegraph)
As the 2019 general election draws nearer, indigenes of Epe division have taken to the front in garnering support for the second term ambition of Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. The people of Epe home and abroad staged a mammoth march in the ancient town in support for one of their own, Akinwunmi Ambode, under the aegis of foremost indigenous group, Omo Epe Duro Fun Ambode and call on him to seek election once more. Featuring prominent indigenes of the state including Princess Bolanle Kazeem, convener of the group; Olayinka Oladunjoye, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Lanre Razak, a business mogul and All Progress Congress (APC) stalwart; Mustainu Tobun, member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe 1 Constituency and Otunba Gbenga Abass, convener of Community Network Initiatives (CNI). Read more
Wailing wailer’s view of Ambode’s 5000 buses (Tribune)
I am led to make a very unusual gesture: Give free, unsolicited, advice! You may thank me later. In my newly-chosen line of duty, I do not talk unless I am paid to do so; you can therefore understand the reluctance with which I am making this sacrifice. What friendly advice do you need if you desperately desire to be your brother’s keeper especially if that will include sacrificially taking the bullet so that your dear brother – and sister – can live? That, quite obviously, has been the sole desire of Nigeria’s political leaders since forever, particularly since the return of civil rule – not democracy o!, civil rule – thank you! – in 1999. Read more
Ikubese: Lagos NCP demands probe, resignation of Natn’l chairman, Secretary over alleged misconduct (Vanguard)
The Lagos state chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) has called for the resignation of the National Chairman, Dr.YunusaTanko over alleged violation of the objectives and goals of the party. The Lagos state chapter also called for a probe of both Dr. Tanko and the General Secretary, comrade Ayodele Akele over the allegation levelled against them by the former presidential aspirant, Dr. Thomas Wilson Ikubese who withdrew and decamped from the party after citing usurpation of the party by both the Chairman and the secretary. Dr. Ikubese had withdrawn his presidential ambition under the NCP as well as dumped the party after alleging violation of the objectives and goals of the party by both Dr.YunusaTanko and comrade Ayodele akele. Read more
Osinbajo assures investors, commissions Vibranium Valley (Guardian)
The Federal Government has assured investors, both local and international, of improved business climate in the country through robust and efficient policies. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who stated this in Lagos, yesterday, while commissioning a technology campus: Vibranium Valley, said the business of government was to provide an environment, where businesses could flourish and investments grow, “which have been the targets of this government.” The Vibranium Valley is a technology hub and a campus, more like the Silicon Valley of the United States of America (USA). It is the creation of the Venture Garden Group (VGG) and currently houses about 30 technology startups companies with a capacity to host about 50 at once. The campus at present occupies the complex of the defunct Concord Newspaper, owned by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola. Read more
Lagos to complete bus terminals construction by December (Guardian)
Mr Ladi Lawanson, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, on Friday said the construction of 13 bus terminals across the city would be completed before December. Lawanson gave the assurance in Lagos at the opening of “Construction Summit 2018’’ organised by the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos. Its theme is: “Smart Infrastructure for Sustainable Competitiveness.’’ He said that not less than 3,000 jobs would be created at the completion of the bus terminals to enhance the living standards of people in the state. According to him, efficient transportation system is essential for economic development of any nation and needs to be given adequate attention. Read more
Men in unmarked vehicles extorting money are fake policemen —Lagos police authorities (Tribune)
A few days back when a former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke, declared his intention to run for president on a social media platform, twitter, one of the main questions posed to him by those who responded to his request for support and votes, is if he would end SARS, a national campaign directed at stopping the terror being unleashed on Nigerians by a special police operation known as Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The operation, meant to curb armed robbery, but now seen as mainly oppressive, brutal and an extortion agenda, has seen many innocent Nigerians fall victim. For good measure, Nigerians, particularly Lagosians, are not keeping quiet about it, leading to the launching of the #EndSARS campaign. Read more
Power Oil, Lagos partner to provide free Health (ThisDay)
In a bid to reduce sicknesses and death rate among women in Lagos State, Vegetable Cooking Oil Firm, Power Oil in collaboration with Lagos State Government has launched an initiative to cater for the health and social needs of women. The initiative, which entails providing free health services to women covering diagnosis and treatment, enlightenment on health issues as well as educating them on other social issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, rape among others is expected to hold periodically to enhance its effectiveness. Launching the initiative at the maiden edition of the Lagos Women Forum, wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode noted that the programme was necessitated by the recurring cases of social problems of domestic violence, child abuse, rape and others despite efforts from both public and private initiatives to contain them. Read more
Obylicious Empire Film Academy flags off in Lagos (ThisDay)
Budding entrepreneur and Nollywood producer, Oby Olebara Uzoukwu has added another feather to her enterprises with the establishment of Obylicious Empire Film Academy. The Film Academy, which is located in Lekki, has state-of-the-art equipment, and facilitators. A statement signed by the Director of Studies at Obylicious Empire Film Academy Kingsley Iweru said, “From an education perspective, we are indisputable. Our one-month course goes deep, efficient, and transformational. This is no accident. We have an inspired education department who are experts at curriculum design and preparing industry specialists to be effective instructors. Read more
I can’t beef Mo Chedda, she’s a child, Ruggedman says (Punch)
For a while now, popular rap artiste, Ruggedman, has made it a point of duty to preach against erring SARS officers. In fact, he is one of the few Nigerian celebrities championing the end SARS campaign. While most Nigerians have lauded his efforts, a few are not on the same page with him, one of those few include his colleague, Mo Cheddah. While reacting to Ruggedman’s call for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of Nigeria Police, Mo Cheddah asked Ruggedman to stop forcing his belief and cause on other entertainers. Read more
Lagos Government seals fuel station over pollution (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government says it has sealed Total Filling Station in Akoka area over alleged pollution of water sources. The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, said in a statement on Friday that the filling station’s underground tank reportedly had leakage which polluted water sources in the community. He said that the intervention of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) prompted the filling station to correct the leakage and stopfurther pollution of the environment. Read more
Alleged billionaire kidnapper, Evans, hires new lawyer (Punch)
Alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has hired a new lawyer, following the withdrawal of his original counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje. The new lawyer, Noel Brown, announced appearance for Evans and one of his co-defendants, Ogechi Uchechukwu, at their resumed trial before Justice Hakeem Oshodi at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Friday. Brown prompted Justice Oshodi to confirm from Evans and Uchechukwu that he was their new lawyer, to which they both answered in the affirmative. Read more
Land grabbers allegedly eject family of 7, others from home (Nation)
Suspected hoodlums have allegedly ejected a family of seven and other residents from their homes in Fakale-Awosan community near Odo Kekere, Ikorodu, Lagos State. The hoodlums were allegedly working for one Chief Kamorudeen Lamina popularly known as Sir K Oluwo. The incident happened penultimate Thursday. According to a distraught resident, Hakeem Odele, whose family of seven were among the displaced residents, the armed hoodlums pulled down his son’s block making factory and chased him and his children from home. Read more
Driver, naval rating steal magistrate’s N5m car, sell it for N600,000 (Punch)
The driver of a Chief Magistrate in Igbosere, Lagos State, has been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a Toyota Corolla belonging to his boss, Mrs. Folake Oshin. The suspect, Timothy Yashim, reportedly connived with three other accomplices to sell the car estimated at N5m to a car dealer in Kano State at the rate of N600,000. The accomplices, two of who had been apprehended, were identified as Ahmed Yerima, Daniel Ishaya and Muhammed Usman, a naval rating, who is still at large. Saturday Punch learnt that Yashim had reported for work at the magistrate’s house at 9am on Saturday, March 10, 2018 and collected the car key from the magistrate’s housemaid as usual. Read more
Familoni, Alagneyi emerge winners at Zenith/Ikoyi Club Tennis (ThisDay)
Gbenga Familoni and Sunday evening, emerged champion of the Men’s Singles Class A of 4th Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club Tennis Tournament following a 6-3, 6-3 win over Godwin Kienka, in a colurful final. “It was a very tough game because he (Kienka) is an experienced player and has won several tournaments in the club. Remember, he also competed in the veterans’ doubles which he won to show how good he is. I needed to be on top of my game and that was what saw me through,” Familoni said. However, there was no worry for the Women’s Singles defending champion Julie Alagneyi who bested Ego Mbagwu 6-3, 6-1. In the Men’s Class B, Bamidele Oshiga defeated Sule Mustafa 6-3, 6-4 to claim the top prize. Read more
Ikoyi Club Swimming Team Rules at Swimfest in Germany (ThisDay)
The travelling contingent from Ikoyi Club 1938 to the just concluded Swimfest in Germany returned to the country with a superlative result, by emerging top at the annual international swimming competition in Neheim-Husten, Germany. The journey to the top actually began two years ago when the club made its maiden appearance at the annual event. With 23 young swimmers to the maiden edition, the contingent, mainly school children put up a remarkable performance and it was not a surprise that last year with 35 athletes, the team notched in 25 gold, 31 silver and 27 bronze to finish runner up at the fiesta attended by 37 other clubs from different parts of the world. Read more