THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE MAY 2, 2018
Ambode calls for realistic salary demand (Punch)
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday urged the labour unions to be realistic and reasonable in their demands for salary increase for workers. The governor, who spoke during the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration at the Agege Stadium, also commended the unions for the industrial harmony he said his administration had been enjoying in the state since he assumed office. Ambode, who noted that workers were entitled to their salaries, said the organised labour must, however, work on realistic and reasonable goals while rightly insisting on just entitlements for its members. Ambode said, “There will always be a place for agitations and struggle and it is a fact that only those who dare to struggle may win. Yet, these agitations and struggles must be focused on realistic and reasonable goals that are pursued in the appreciation of the competing interests that government has to continually balance.” Read more
Ambode to deliver UNILAG’s 49th Convocation Lecture as Varsity turns out 245 1st Class (Independent)
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Executive Governor of Lagos State will, on Tuesday May 7th, 2018 deliver the 49th convocation lecture at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, disclosed this at a pre-convocation press briefing held at the hallowed Chamber of the University. Governor Ambode, an alumnus of the 56-year-old institution is expected to speak on the lecture titled: “Inclusion: The Path to a New Nation”. Speaking further, Prof. Ogundipe disclosed that the convocation ceremonies, that will commence from Wednesday 8th to Friday 11th of May, will witness the presentation and award of postgraduate, first degrees and diplomas to a total of 12,638 graduates. Read more
Lagos contributes 75% to workers’ health insurance scheme, says Ambode (Punch)
Lagos State Government has contributed 75 per cent to Health Insurance Scheme provided for its workers, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said. Ambode, who spoke while enumerating his achievements in the past three years, said the workers in turn contributed only 25 per cent to the Scheme. The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr Akintola Benson, said he approved the request of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) on the contributory ratio of 25: 75 as against 40:60 earlier proposed by the government. He said: “With this approval, the workers will contribute 25 per cent towards the scheme while 75 per cent will be borne by the state government. Read more
Lagos Speaker commends workers’ courage (Punch)
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has commended Nigerian workers for their diligence and commitment to duty, saying government at all levels is committed to enhancing their welfare. The Speaker stated this on Tuesday in his May Day address to workers released by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak. Obasa said the All Progressives Congress was committed to putting in place measures and policies that would improve workers’ standard of living, as well as enhancing their well-being. Obasa said, “Nigerian workers are marvellous. The Lagos State House of Assembly salutes your diligence and commitment and we are appreciative of the courageous way you perform your duty.” Read more
Lagos Ohanaeze gets new exco, condemns attack at Nwodo’s home (Vanguard)
The Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene-led newly elected leadership of the Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the bomb attack at the Ukehe, Enugu State country home of Ohanaeze President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, describing it as an attack on the Igbo nation. Urging the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the attack to book and beef up security around Nwodo and his concerns, Secretary of Lagos Ohanaeze, Chief Everest Ozonweke, said Nwodo has rekindled the light of hope in Ndigbo both at home and in the Diaspora. Read more
Cleaning ‘panti’ streets of Lagos (Punch)
A reader sent in this text message: “Am (sic) an avid reader of your weekly column in Wednesday (The) Punch (newspaper). Please, do a write-up soonest in your column about the deplorable garbage situation in Lagos. Please, regard this obligation as public service. God bless.” About five hours later, he followed up with a call to further register his disgust with the unconscionable situation of garbage in Lagos State. About two days after the call, he forwarded the same text message .In the end, he extracted a promise that this column will respond. Four days after that, he sent another text: “… I am waiting DV on Wednesday, 2nd May (today). May your promised write-up about this garbage (thorny flowers (sic)) on Lagos streets, (and) in particular, Old Oko Oba, in Agege.” Read more
FESTAC ’17: Rebirth of art, culture (Nation)
The University of Ibadan, Oyo State, came alive with artistic and dramatic activities when organisers of FESTAC ’17 gathered young creatives at its Arts Theatre. With the theme “Art: past, present and future”, the event, which was inspired by FESTAC 77, featured a lecture, performances and art and fashion exhibition and was anchored by radio presenters Official Fearless and Adeyinka. It was graced by celebrities, including Hafeez Oyetoro (Saka); Ali Baba; Project Fame 5th edition winner Adetoun Adekoya; 2017 Miss Nigeria Mildred Ehiguese; Oshisko twins; Peteru; Floyd Igbo and Khadija Adeola. It also featured upcoming artists like Puffy, Timi O.J., Judo and Oche. Read more
Customs earns N11.6bn in Q1 at Lagos Airport (Leadership)
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Command earned at least N11.6 billion in the first quarter of 2018. It also made several seizures, including military camouflage uniforms, bullet-proof jackets, military helmets, military caps and military vest of different colours from the sheds of the two ground handling companies at the airport. Ephraim Haruna, the spokesman of the command, said the figure generated represented 74.34 per cent of the envisaged revenue target for the quarter under review. Read more
Vodacom Business wins’ awards (Nation)
Vodacom Business Nigeria has been honored with three major accolades at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards 2018. Vodacom received awards for Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year, an award it has consistently won since 2013; Internet of Things (IoT) Focused Company and Enterprise Broadband Services Provider of the year. The awards is organised by a technology publication, Nigeria Communications Week. Speaking on the occasion at Lagos at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Managing Director for Vodacom Business Nigeria, Lanre Kolade, said: “Winning these three awards elicits two very distinct emotions today, pride and humility. Pride in the achievements of our dynamic and tenacious team over the years, and humility because we would be nowhere without our customers who continue to trust us to meet their total communications needs and keep them connected 24/7. Read more
I spent 26 years in jail for fighting mechanic – Ex-prisoner (Punch)
A former inmate of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Jide Odusanya, has asked people to control their tempers, saying anger landed him in prison. The Sagamu, Ogun State indigene, who spent 26 years in three different prisons in the country before he was pardoned by the Lagos State Government, said a fight over water spillage destroyed his dream of becoming a bank manager. He spoke on Tuesday at a conference organised by the Prison and Hospital Ministry of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Ogun Province 4 Headquarters, Redemption Camp, Ogun State. Read more