THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE JUNE 9, 2018
EKDC commences mass disconnection in Lagos (Vanguard)
The operations of many companies, households, organsations and individuals in Lagos have come to a halt following mass disconnection of electricity by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKDC. Investigations by Vanguard showed that the worst affected was Ebute Metta in the mainland where many companies, churches, mosques, households and several organisations that require constant power supply are located. Many people who spoke with Vanguard said they have been thrown into darkness in the past two weeks, thus compelling them to spend huge funds in alternative power generation. Residents of these areas expressed injustice, arguing that they owed no bills and wondered why the electricity company would disconnect them. Read more
Kidnapping: Evans used soldier as decoy, says witness (Punch)
A member of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team, Inspector Idowu Haruna, on Friday narrated at an Ikeja High Court how Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, used a soldier as a decoy in his high profile criminal activities in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Haruna, a policeman with 14-years’ experience, made the revelation at the ongoing trial of Evans and his co-defendant, Victor Aduba, on four counts of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. Haruna’s hour-long testimony began at 2pm. While being led in evidence by Mr Adebayo Haroun, the State Prosecutor, Haruna said: “The second defendant, Aduba was a member of the Nigerian Army. Read more
Fouad Oki: Why We Held Parallel APC Congress in Lagos (ThisDay)
Mr. Fouad Oki, a former Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Lagos Chapter, was recently elected as the new chairman of the party in a parallel congress by a faction of the party. In this interview with Bayo Akinloye, Oki explains why his supporters organised a parallel congress and their search for sanity in the ruling party At the Airport Hotel, your faction of the All Progressives Congress organised a congress that resulted in your emergence as the party’s Lagos State chairman while another congress recognised by the APC national secretariat held at the Lagos’ secretariat of the party. Why did you and other members of the APC hold a parallel congress?
My answer will be basically in drawing analogies to a scenario and I will leave you to draw a conclusion from it because you must first understand the basics. Read more
SIFAX begins Ebute Ojo-Mile 2-Apapa ferry services (Punch)
The SIFAX Group has announced the commencement of ferry services from the Ebute-Ojo Jetty, in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, which was recently given to it as a concession. Two 30-passenger capacity modern boats have been deployed for the services. According to the firm, the ferry operates on Ebute-Ojo-Apapa (Liverpool) and Mile 2 (Capital Oil Jetty)-Apapa routes from 7am to 7pm every day, while charter services are also available every day for private individuals and fun seekers who want to explore the Lagos waterfronts. Read more
Oando champions Ozumba Mbadiwe Waterway Cleanup (ThisDay)
In commemoration of the 2018 World Environment Day themed: ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, Oando Plc championed a clean-up exercise of Cowrie Creek,Ozumba Mbadiwe water way. World Environment Day is an initiative by the United Nations (UN) to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment. It is seen as the “people’s day” set aside to do something to take care of the earth. Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the General Manager, Operations Integrity, Oando Energy Resources, Kayode Boladale, said: “We have taken up the mantle to clean up the Cowrie Creek,Ozumba Mbadiwe waterway in a bid to beat plastic pollution which is a menace in Lagos. Read more
Vigilant Air Peace crew expose traffickers of 3-month-old baby on Lagos-Banjul flight (Vanguard)
Sources said the suspected traffickers were exposed mid-flight when the airline’s crew members noticed a baby crying inconsolably. Newsmen gathered that attempts by one of the suspected traffickers, who claimed to be the baby’s mother, to soothe him failed. When the crew members suggested to the suspected trafficker to breastfeed the baby, she declined. Scared that the baby’s cries were attracting attention, Mrs. woman who claimed to be his mother requested for water from the crew. The crew, however, noticed that the alleged mother was fumbling in giving the baby the water. Read more
Class of 2018: Corona blazes the trail as two of its students pass ACCA foundation examinations (Guardian)
One of the foremost secondary schools in Nigeria, Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State opened its sprawling compound to celebrate the accomplishments of its students on Saturday June 2, 2018 during the graduation and valedictory ceremony for the Class of 2018. The trio of Valedictorian, Oluwakorede Akande, Salutorian, Stephanie Agana and third Overall Best, Omobolanle Alashe, were the cynosure of all eyes as they walked tall among their peers due to their academic accomplishments. In her speech titled: “The best is in you” principal of the renowned school, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola said she was elated at the amazing accomplishments of the Class of 2018. Read more
My biggest challenge in Big Brother Naija house –Tobi Bakre (NewTelegraph)
For the second runner-up of the Big Brother Naija edition in 2018, Tobi Bakre, the biggest challenge he had to deal with while in the Big Brother Naija house is trying to act as normal as possible. Although he said he wouldn’t change anything about his stay in the house, he admitted he had to tone down his crazy side a bit. “I didn’t change. I have learnt, but I won’t say I have changed. The biggest change is walking into anywhere and everyone there knows you. Even on a bike, I would wear a hat and a shade, and I would still hear people calling,” he said. In a chat with Pulse, Tobi, whose interactions with Cee-C, widely regarded as the drama queen of the 3rd edition of the reality TV show, said he wouldn’t change anything about himself in the Big Brother Naija house while the show lasted. Read more
I don’t know the difference between SARS, armed robbers –Reekado Banks (NewTelegraph)
Mavin Records superstar, Reekado Banks, sometime last weekend had narrated how operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, allegedly pointed a gun at him during the weekend. The 2017 winner of Next Rated Act at the Headies Awards took to his Twitter handle to share his ugly experience in the hands of the SARS operatives. Reekado Banks, who couldn’t contain his shock and disappointment, said the operatives calmed down after they noticed it was him. He tweeted: “I don’t even know the difference between SARZ and ARMED ROBBERS! The ones I met today overtook in a regular car, no uniforms, immediately pointed their guns and asked that we came down from the car, then calmed down when they noticed me. Biko what if it wasn’t me???” Read more
Falz “This Is Nigeria” and the freedom of Speech (Guardian)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, one of Africa’s music legends, used music as a weapon. Having a history of being in and out of jail for speaking against the ills meted out to civilians by various military governments of the 1970s and 1980s, he was the voice of the hopeless Nigerian masses. While the likes of Oliver d’ Coque and King Sunny Ade (KSA) sang songs to calm the already rising tension in the society, Fela became an activist with his music joining the likes of Bob Marley and Hugh Masakela. With the mention of names of people who actively drowned the resources of the state and turned the nation to their playground, he soon became a terror to the Nigerian government. Read more
Showgear holds Make Music Lagos (Nation)
An entertainment promotion outfit, Showgear, and its partners have announced that the city of Lagos will be joining the world music day for its third successive year. 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 (MML). Speaking at the press briefing held in Lagos, Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of MML Organizing Team, Adeola Akinyemi, said, “It is with great joy that we roll out the activities for Make Music Lagos 2018. The support, this year, from the Lagos State Government and the public shows our collective commitment to music as an art and a great contributor to the development of our city, Lagos. We encourage every Lagosian to be part of the celebrations.”Read more
Sex-for-marks: UNILAG sets up investigation panel (SUN)
Two weeks after unidentified female student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, accused a professor of molesting her in his office, the management of the 56-year-old institution has constituted a panel to investigate the allegation. Already, the fact-finding committee has requested staff and students to submit memorandum on the allegation. Recalled that unidentified female student on May 23 accused Prof Segun Awonusi of English Department of molesting her in his office and also released three semi-nude pictures of the don, which went viral online prompting public outcry. In swift reaction, Prof Awonusi, former commissioner in Ogun state and also former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Igbesa, denied the allegation and described it as a blackmail because the lady had earlier called to demand N400, 000 or she would make public the nude pictures, which the don said were in his stolen phone. Read more
Lekki mall owner battles AY, partners over 47m debts (Nation)
Omisson Emporium, Lekki, was home to a lounge known as Virus, owned by popular comedian Ayo Makun (AY) and his partners. The space occupied by the lounge, formerly known as MVP Restaurant and Lounge, is now the subject of a feud between the lounge’s owners – AY, Joseph Tubdei and Lucky Ahkiwu – and Higher Ground Nigeria, owner of the mall. The mall is located on 5, Durosinmi Etti Drive, Lekki Phase 1. AY uses this address as his office. His website still bears the address, even though he and his partners have officially vacated it. Higher Ground Nigeria Ltd is accusing AY and his partners of owing N47 million and destroying his property, after vacating the premises. Read more
Police arrest father of 2 for raping 13-year-old hawker (Punch)
An auto spare parts dealer, Martins Ukemezie, has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping a 13-year-old hawker in his shop at Iyanu bus stop, Meiran, Lagos State. The victim, a primary six pupil, had reportedly sold N50 groundnuts to Ukemezie last Monday and was about to collect the money when the suspect allegedly dragged her into his shop and raped her. Saturday PUNCH learnt that the teenager, who lives with her grandmother in the neighbourhood, went hawking that day around 4pm after she returned from school to raise part of her N5,000 school fees balance. She was said to have returned home crying and narrated the incident to her aunt who made a report at the police station. Read more
Court issues bench warrant against lawyer arraigned on N19m fraud (Punch)
An Igbosere Magistrate’s Court has issued a bench warrant against a 55-year-old lawyer, Esther Mgbeken, who is facing trial at the court over an alleged land fraud estimated at N19m. The police had arraigned the woman on four counts bordering on fraud and stealing to which she pleaded not guilty. She allegedly obtained the sum fraudulently from three persons, Funke Akiode, Dare Ologun and Victoria Ndokwu, under false pretences of selling parcels of land to them. Mgbeken was said to have defrauded Akiode, Ologun and Ndokwu of N3.1m, N8.4m and N7.5m respectively. Read more
How Lagos couple died in fire, by neighbours (Nation)
Barely one week after a bouncer, Sunny Braimoh, 47, and his wife, Morenikeji, 40, were gruesomely burnt to death at their Idowu Lane, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos home, witnesses said the late couple, who were trapped inside their one-room apartment, cried out for help, but could not be saved by bystanders before they were killed by the ravenous inferno. It was learnt that the fire ravaged the eight-room building where the couple lived while other occupants escaped unhurt. “They started shouting Fire! fire! fire! help! help! help us!, we are inside! That was how Sunny Braimoh, and his wife Morenikeji cried out for help before they were burnt to death,’’ a neighbour who did not want his name in print told the Nation. Read more
Balmoral plans Russia in Lagos Fan Festival (Guardian)
The Balmoral Group will from Thursday to the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup on July 16 offer Lagosians an exciting blend of football, food and music at the Eko Atlantic City. Tagged Russia In Lagos Fan Festival, the event, according to Balmoral, will be the largest viewing village Nigeria has ever seen. “All 64 matches will be shown live on a mega screen at the Fan Village. There will be a mini food village that has everything from posh noms to street food, a music festival with an impressive lineup in tow and drinks too. Everything will be available to enjoy football at its finest during the 32 days of the tournament,” Balmoral said in a statement. Read more
LG celebrates Iwobi’s goal against England in pre-World Cup friendly (Guardian)
Though, the Super Eagles of Nigeria went down 1-2 to the Three Lions of England in their pre-World Cup friendly match at the Wembley Stadium last Saturday, electronics giant, LG, says the contribution of its Brand Ambassador, Alex Iwobi, is worth celebrating. Iwobi scored the only goal for Nigeria in that encounter, the first in a pre-World Cup friendly match. The Arsenal of England striker was the highest rated Super Eagles player in the match, securing 7/10 alongside goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. The sterling performance, which Iwobi also repeated in their 0-1 defeat to Czech Republic on Tuesday, has put him as one of the stars to watch out for at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Read more
