THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE MAY 27, 2018
Celebrating Lagos at 51 (Vanguard)
Exactly a year ago, Lagos State turned 50. Nigerians came out in larger numbers to participate in the one-year long celebration of the coming of age of the State of aquatic splendor. The celebrations culminated in a spectacular show on 27 May, 2017 at the grounds of Eko Atlantic. It has been one year now since those celebrations took place. We look back today, one year after, and see a Lagos that is remarkably different at 51. Infrastructure development continues to be in the front burner of our administration. From Abule Egba to Ajah, from Epe to Badagry; Lagos resounds with an endless run of repaired and newly constructed roads and bridges. From Alapere to Okokomaiko, Agege to TBS, the city breathes with lay-bys that have drastically whittled hours spent in agonizing traffic jams across the State. From Agege to Yaba, Ojodu Berger to Lekki, Lagos stares with shimmering streetlights that adorn the most populous black city in the world with glee. Read more
Children’s Day: Fidelity Bank, FRSC, others fortify children against molestation (NewTelegraph)
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, the Chief Security Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Peter Okolo, and private security expert, Mrs. Tanwa Ashiru have made case for security and safety of children in order stop cases of sexual molestations and sundry societal ills affecting them. Speaking at a one-day Free Safety and Security Seminar in Lagos, which had over 2000 pupils of various primary and secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun states in attendance, the resource persons lamented the mirage of security and safety issues facing children and gave tips on how to deal with them. Others speakers at the occasion were the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Trust Fund, Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mrs. Olabiyi Sonusi and the Executive Director of Child Safety Education and Protection Initiative, (CSEPI), Mrs. Wemimo Adebiyi. Edgal, who was represented by the Police Public Relations Officers, SP Chike Oti, highlighted various protections children enjoys under the law and the establishment of Juvenile and Women Centres in the state to assist children. Read more
Lagos set for school feeding programme, screens food vendors (NewTelegraph)
The Lagos State Government has announced its readiness to commence feeding programme across its schools, saying environmental officers are currently busy screening food vendors with farmers getting set to supply required items. Disclosing this at the weekend during the ministerial press briefing aimed at rendering the stewardship of the Ministry of Education, which she superintendents, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule said the Federal Government had set a minimum price of N70 per pupil for a meal per day, “but given the rate cost of foodstuffs in Lagos State, cost of transportation, service charges of caterers and the need to ensure that balance diet is served, amongst others, the state took time to do her homework in order to deliver the best possible on the programme.” Read more
Unclaimed PVCs: Big hurdle as LASIEC, Lagosians trade blame (SUN)
Shortage of personnel, slow registration process and technical hitches other than apathy on the part of the electorate in Lagos State are some of the factors responsible for the relatively high figure of uncollected Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) in the state, findings by Sunday Sun have revealed. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released statistics where it claimed that 7.9 million PVCs were yet to be collected. Out of the 36 states of the federation, eight states all from the southern part of the country contributed more than half of the unclaimed PVCs (56 per cent) to the 7.9 million uncollected PVCs. Five of these are South Western states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Osun. The other three states include Edo, Imo and Rivers states Read more
Ambode, create U-Turn opposite Ikotun-Igando LCDA secretariat (SUN)
It is a known fact the old Alimosho Local Government Area was the largest local government in the country until a number of local council development areas (Ikotun-Igando, and Egbe-Idimu) were carved out of it. The electoral value of the local government (and its LCDAs) was never lost on the then administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he was the governor of Lagos State. He campaigned vigorously in the local government, both in 1999 and 2003. Upon re-election in 2003, he set about reconstructing the two-lane Ikotun-Idimu road. And as his successor, Babatunde Fashola (now the Minister of Power, Works and Housing) was preparing to introduce the BRT commuter bus service to Ikotun as a terminal point for the Ikotun-Cele Express and Ikotun-Iyana-Ipaja services, he directed the Lagos Metropolitan Transit Authority (LAMATA) to dualize the Ikotun-Idimu road and provide the whole stretch of the road with streetlights. Read more
Tinubu, Ajomale behind Lagos APC illegality —Factional leader, Oki (Tribune)
IS it still safe to call you an ally of Senator Bola Tinubu?
Forever and ever. Not only an ally, we have relationship which closely borders on the filial. If you know Lagos very well, you would understand what I am saying. In Lagos, you are either first cousins or second cousins. Everyone is related to everyone if you are from Lagos. We have a very close relationship. He is my big brother. He is my leader. He is our leader. We come from the same progressive family politically. So, we continue to be together ever and ever. Read more
Prove your innocence, Martins tells Buhari (NewTelegraph)
The mass but peaceful protest simultaneously observed on Tuesday, May 22, by all the Catholic Diocese across Nigeria no doubt sent a strong message to the government of the day. It was the day that remains of Rev. Frs. Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and 17 lay faithful, who were killed by Fulani herdsmen on April 16 while attending an early Morning Mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpo-Mbalom, Benue State were laid to rest. Gloom was cast all over Benue State and beyond. A respected Kaduna-based Christians leader, The Revd. Gideon Para-Mallam captures it in these words: “It appears that the hosts of heaven are sad and mourning in Makurdi. Suddenly, the clouds gathered and enveloped the bright morning with heavy darkness. “The heaven is wide open with torrential tears pouring down in the form of rain. God could be weeping for Nigeria, I guess. Nonetheless, we are in a bus going for the mass burial at Hail Mary Pilgrimage Centre, Ayati, Makurdi. Let us be united in prayer,” he signed off. Read more
Lagos reveals why FG’s school feeding programme has yet to take off (Punch)
The Lagos State Government said on Friday that the Federal Government’s school feeding programme had yet to take off in the state because of some logistics. The state government said it was still assessing FG’s N70 feeding rate per pupil which it described as unrealistic, just as it has begun training of environmental officers who would screen the food vendors before the commencement of the programme. Dr Idiat Adebule, the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, said this in Alausa at a media briefing to mark the 3rd anniversary of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration. Read more
German Embassy donates music instruments to MUSON (Vanguard)
In line with a continued music collaboration and cultural exchange between The Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) and the German Embassy in Nigeria, the Consulate in Lagos last Thursday made good their supportive initiative by presenting musical instruments to MUSON worth over N20 million to enhance the institution’s standard. This is coming at the heels of a robust cultural relationship the Embassy in Nigeria has maintained with the Nigeria’s prestigious music school over the years. MUSON music school situated at the Shell MUSON center at Onikan in Lagos has been the hub of elitist delight providing not only the best classical shows but also trains the best hands in orchestra and opera performances in the country. Read more
John Irvine, Visionscape boss: Lagos residents will get quality Service, clean environment they deserve (SUN)
When the Lagos State government conceived the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, it contracted Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, to implement the plan. This met with an initial resistance from the PSP operators, who were prior to the time working with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) under a public-private partnership scheme. While the face-off between Visionscape and the PSPs lasted, Lagosians groaned as garbage mountains sprang up everywhere. But the ugly picture is changing. In this interview, John Irvine, managing director of Visionscape, get sheds light on this and paints a picture of the future.
The board recently approached the state government to fast track the infrastructure projects and the facilities that are to accommodate the waste generated on daily basis. What has been the outcome so far?
We believe that using innovation is empowerment, it is key to transforming the cities in general. Our infrastructure project has been successful thus far; we are investing in the TLS system to bring our 21 Century service into Lagos. Read more
Mechanics beg LASG not to demolish workshops (Vanguard)
The Motor Mechanic and Technicians Associations of Nigeria (MOMTAN) on Saturday appealed to the Lagos State Government not to carry out its plans to demolish workshops of some of its members. The Grand Patron of the association, Mrs Mulikat Sanni, made the appeal in an interview in Lagos. She said that the plan to demolish some workshops in the state would throw some MOMTAN’s members out of business. Sanni added that the demolition would contribute to unemployment. “We are appealing to the Lagos State Government to reverse its plans to demolish some workshops of our members. “This is because we will be out of business if some of these workshops marked for demolition are eventually brought down. Read more
Lagos court fines church for injury at crusade (Nation)
A Lagos State High Court has ordered the writer/publisher of Our Daily Manna, Rev Chris Kwakpovwe and the Registered Trustees of the Chapel of Liberty to pay a lawyer, Tamara Egbedi, of N9, 454,000, for negligence. Egbedi had gone to court to complain about the broken teeth injuries she sustained when she attended a crusade organized by the clergy. Delivering judgement in suit no. LD/359/2011, Justice SBA Candide Johnson said that from the evidence adduced by the parties, it was clear that Ms. Tamara suffered injuries at the venue while attending the crusade. Read more
72-bedroom luxury Sun Heaven Hotel opens in Ikoyi, Lagos (SUN)
Opulent and fast-growing hotel chain, Sun Heaven Hotels and Resort, has commissioned an architectural masterpiece in upscale Ikoyi, Lagos. Located at Plot 8, Onikoyi Lane, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi-Lagos, a rich sense of elegance, hospitality and exceptional service await you at the newly opened facility. Equipped with stylish and ultra-modern amenities in a relaxed atmosphere that references a rich heritage, the hotel is no doubt in its own class and the destination for business and vacation. With tastefully furnished rooms and suites, 24-hour dining serving irresistible international and local cuisines, well-equipped gym, swimming pool, well–stocked bar, conference and meeting rooms, VIP lounge and sit-out arena, complimentary high speed internet service, breakfast for in-house guests, you are sure of class and a rewarding experience at Sun Heaven Hotel, Ikoyi. Read more
How modern, contemporary masters celebrate with 25 years of Lagos art space (Guardian)
The mastery of art, its period and space come into focus in celebration context. And as contentious as the mastery of art is, some artists – based on their period of practice – have risen above such debate. In Nigeria, most artists that are referred to as masters are modernists while a few form the contemporary bridge. However, the masters as well as their period have something in common: the art space. Quite a number of art galleries – during and after the incubation of the Nigerian masters – have closed for business. In fact, just as more are emerging, others are closing. At 25, perhaps the oldest space still standing, Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, has every reason to celebrate with 12 masters. Read more
Tekno welcomes new baby in style (Tribune)
Award winning Nigerian Artist Tekno, aka Slimdaddy, now Babydaddy and his UK based Nigerian Female Artist, Lola Rae, welcome baby. Tekno took to his instagram page to announce this, giving us a snip of his baby’s hand and also posted a picture of Girlfriend Lola, now baby mama professing his love for her saying “You are the strongest, I love you”. Alot of celebrities and fan were equally surprised about the news but took to his instagram page to congratulate them on their bundle of joy. Read more
Kirikiri hosts maiden inter-prison sports competition (Vanguard)
Inmates of four prison formations in Lagos State on Saturday participated in the maiden edition of Inter-Prison Sports Competition held at Kirikiri Maximum Prison. The sporting event, tagged “Liberty Games”, was organised by House on the Rock Church to discover budding talents among the inmates. The inmates from Ikoyi Prisons emerged overall winners in football, table tennis and athletics ahead of their counterparts from Badagry, Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Prisons. Speaking at the event, Alhaji Ja’afaru Ahmed, Comptroller General of Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), said that the competition was “unprecedented” in the history of the service. “We know that with this, tension will be reduced among the inmates in the prisons as this will become a strategy to ensure that the prison is peaceful,” Ahmed said. Read more