THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE JULY 6, 2018
Ambode: Lekki Zone export flow’ll hit over $6b (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said the export inflow at the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ), is projected to hit over $6billion (about N2.159trillion) by 2020. He said it was time for Nigeria to develop sustainable roadmap to rev up export with particular focus on multi-sector products far beyond oil. The governor spoke at the second National Committee Meeting on Export Promotion of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Lagos. He said beyond oil, it was now important for the country to put in place infrastructure and other initiatives to support other sectors with a view to preparing them for export. Read more
Lagos terminates N844bn 4th Mainland Bridge contract (Tribune)
Lagos State government on Monday said it has terminated the contracts it entered into with investors for the construction of proposed N844billion 4th Mainland Bridge project. The State’s Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya, disclosed this at a press conference held at Alausa, Ikeja in commemoration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s 2nd year in office. Akinsanya, however, said the state government was presently considering various proposals from foreign investors in countries such as United States of America, Britain, in order to accelerate commencement of the project. Read more
Ambode, Utomi urge civil servants to be effective (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and a renowned economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, on Thursday asked top civil servants in the state to acquire behavioural skills in order to discharge their duties effectively. The duo spoke at two-day training for civil servants in Ikeja, saying top workers in the state needed to change the way they use information and the way they create and evaluate options. Ambode said to climb the corporate ladder and be effective in new roles, civil servants needed to learn new skills and behaviour. He said, “Decision-makers must consider data before making a choice. Problem analysis involves framing the issue, establishing criteria with which to select from alternatives, and developing conclusions based on available information.” Read more
Ambode, US group offer 15 free heart surgeries (Nation)
One after the other the patients expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode government for helping them to obtain free surgries for their cardiothoracic challenges. Though they were still in plasters and bandages, this did not stop them from expressing their gratitude. These were some of the 15 indigent patients with congenital heart diseases, who received corrective surgeries at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, held between May and last month, courtesy of Ambode. Giving an insight into the Health Mission, LASUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof Wale Oke said the cost of a surgery for heart-related diseases was over N1 million per patient, and that it was notable that the governor and the foreign partners embarked on the mission to assist the beneficiaries. Read more
GE, Lagos State Government Sign Agreement on Power, Healthcare, Skills Development (Independent)
GE (NYSE: GE), the world’s premier digital industrial company and the Lagos State Government have agreed to pool their resources for the development of critical infrastructure in the state in the areas of Power, Healthcare and Skills Development. This was announced during the signing of a Support and Cooperation Agreement by both parties during the France-Nigeria Business Forum held yesterday in Lagos, one of several events hosted during the visit of President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to Nigeria. The agreement signing between GE and LASG was witnessed by the French Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Delphine Geny-Stephann. Read more
France to invest N83.7bn in Lagos public transport (Vanguard)
The French Republic, yesterday, expressed readiness to support Lagos State government in its Mega City agenda through the commitment of €200 million (N83.7 billion) to set up an efficient public transportation system in the state. Speaking during France-Nigeria Business Forum held in Lagos as part of the activities during the visit of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to Nigeria, France’s Secretary of State to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Mrs. Delphine Geny-Stephann, said that the building of sustainable cities remain a major challenge in many cities across Africa of which Lagos is inclusive. She stated: “Lagos happened to be one the most populated city on the continent and embodies the challenges, the difficulties but also the huge opportunities of African cities. Read more
LASG tells unemployed youths to get skills (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, has advised youths, especially those seeking employment opportunities, to acquire soft skills. She explained that most employers of labour were showing interest in individuals’ skills as against certificate qualifications. The commissioner made this known on Thursday at the Youth Entrepreneurship Mentoring Seminar, with the theme, ‘Learn a Skill; Earn a Living,’ in Alausa, Ikeja. She said, “The government is committed to reducing the rate of unemployment by encouraging people to be self-employed. This prompted the establishment of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to create wealth and employment opportunities. Read more
Day Macron’s party locked down Lagos (Guardian)
The historic visit of France president, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, to Lagos State was expected to elicit some excitement for its significance as a first-rate state visit and more importantly the symbolism of his choice to visit the new Afrika Shrine in Ikeja. The new Afrika Shrine was built after the original shrine by Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, which was burnt in 1977. Macron’s choice of the shrine came as a surprise to many, given its nostalgic association with the anti-establishment hero. Beyond the accolades that trailed the visit notwithstanding, Macron’s itinerary in Lagos caused many residents a traffic nightmare. The state government had earlier announced a 12:00p.m. to 12:00a.m. restriction of movement on routes leading to Afrika Shrine, on Tuesday, but the half-day restraint was more than the city’s insufficient road network could handle. Read more
Ambode optimistic Macron’s visit to Afrika Shrine will boost tourism, culture (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode , has expressed optimism that the visit of the French President, Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the New Afrika Shrine, which is a popular Fela ‘museum’, would boost the state’s quest to become the culture and entertainment capital of Africa. Many Nigerians also share the optimism as they took to the Twitter calling on the Federal Government to properly brand Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s story and legacy in order to increase tourism influx into the country. Ambode said “With the exceptional characteristics of our State as the most populous, vibrant and indeed the fifth richest economy on the African continent, Lagos is the undeniable destination for business and pleasure in Africa. Read more
Ambode, Tomori for Opelope Anointing Foundation’s anniversary (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his wife, Bolanle, are among the dignitaries expected to grace Evangelist Dunno Olanrewaju’s Opelope Anointing Foundation’s anniversary in Epe, Lagos, on July 6 and 7. Olanrewaju plans to mark the eighth year of her foundation in a big way. Other dignitaries that will be present at the Epe town hall, Ita Opo, include the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Tomori; Elder Akin Ognbiyi; Idowu Philips, aka Mama Rainbow; Pastor Taiwo Idris; Bishop Rachael Ibironke and Prophet Caleb Olulade. Read more
Nollywood actress Akilapa docked for serial stealing (Vanguard)
An upcoming Yoruba actress and film maker, Yetunde Akilapa, who is also a career thief, was on Thursday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court charged with burglary and stealing valuables worth N7 million. The actress, 32, who lives at Oladelola St., Ketu area of Lagos, is standing trial on a three-count charge of burglary and stealing to which she pleaded not guilty. Police Prosecutor Benson Emuerhi told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 27 at Mutairu Street, Shangisha, Ketu, a suburb of Lagos, at 2.10 p.m. According to him, the accused was apprehended while trying to enter the apartment of the complainant, Mr Adeboye Lamidi. Read more
Lagos CBD uncovers criminal hide out (Nation)
The Operatives of the Lagos State Central Business Districts enforcement unit yesterday uncovered and dislodged another criminal hide out under the bridge located at the back of Onikan stadium descending to Army flag House close to the Governors house in Marina, Lagos. Disclosing this yesterday, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr Olarenwaju Elegushi said the hideout similar to previous criminal and ritualist hideouts discovered in various parts of the State some months ago by security operatives while carrying out Governors directives to clear the area of debris and refuses which had accumulated under the bridge. Read more
Edgal vows to arrest cult groups during July 7 celebrations (NewTelegraph)
As different cult groups in Lagos State begin to prepare for their legendary July 7 celebration, otherwise known as 7/7, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has vowed to arrest them. Warning cult groups against illegal gathering, Imohimi disclosed that police authorities have received credible intelligence report that some members of unlawful societies such as Aiye, Eiye, Black Axe and Buccaneers were going round town, serving notices to rival cult gangs in the neighbourhood that they would be converging on Saturday July 7, at a yet to be known location. Police said that available information showed that every July 7, cult members choose that day to settle scores with rival groups. Imohimi warned that such gatherings would be viewed as an unlawful assembly with the intent to commit felony. He insisted that members of such gatherings would be visited with the full weight of the law. Read more
CP Lagos orders arrest of policemen who assaulted lawyer (Vanguard)
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, Thursday, ordered the arrest of some policemen whose video went virile while assaulting a lawyer in his chambers at 28/30 Macarthy Street, Lagos Island. The policemen in the video were said to be operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS. However, an investigation by the Command revealed that they were conventional policemen attached to Lion Building Division. As at yesterday, the investigation panel constituted by the Police boss, to look into the allegation, discovered that the policemen were not at their professional best. Read more
Leadway teams up with Cycling Lagos to provide cover for 1,000 cyclists
(Guardian)
Leading insurance company, Leadway Assurance Company and the organisers of the highly anticipated Cycling Lagos 2018 have signed a bond pact that will cover over 1000 participants in the forthcoming Cycling event. The signing ceremony and other support was held at the company’s office in Lagos, and makes the firm the official insurance partner for the event. Chairman Cycling Lagos, Mr. Soji Adeleye described the insurance cover for the cyclists as very significant one, which would further enhance the international statues of the event. Read more
I want to retain doubles title at Nigeria Open, says Frenchman Hachard (Guardian)
On his first visit to Lagos, Antoine Hachard partnered compatriot, Gregoire Jean, to clinch the men’s doubles title at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open. Despite not making it to the podium in the men’s singles, Antoine Hachard is eager to make a return to Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre again this year with the hope of exceeding his 2017 performance. Apart from aiming for a better outing this year, Hachard would love to experience the beautiful and exciting atmosphere inside the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Read more