THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 24, 2018
Halogen rewards honest guards with money, scholarship (Punch)
The two security guards who found and returned a bag at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have been rewarded by their company, Halogen Security Company Limited. Daniel Achi, who found the bag and his supervisor, Francis Emepueaku, were on Thursday given N250, 000 each and scholarships to diploma programmes in security management and plaques. The company had on Wednesday honoured them with an early morning ceremonial parade by their colleagues. The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr Wale Olaoye, said the guards displayed honesty and deserved to be rewarded. Read more
LAGOS: How best to sustain popular representation (SUN)
There is an urgent need for Lagosians to keep vigil with the quality of their representatives across board, from the local government to federal representatives. A situation where individuals without the right pedigree, intellect or exposure, will be put forward in a bid to protect the selfish interest of a select few, at the expense of the larger community, must be strongly resisted, if not repudiated. Lagos state is the 6th largest economy in Africa, with the lowest rates of poverty in the country and enjoys one of the highest literacy levels. It is only complimentary that with such a reputation, Lagos should be represented, especially at the federal level, by men of wit, exposure, decorum and sagacity. Read more
INEC denies budgeting N6bn to feed Police (Guardian)
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday denied reports it budgeted six billion Naira to feed the Police during next year’s elections. The 2019 general elections budget of N189.2bn is subject to approval by the National Assembly and has been pending due to ongoing recess of both legislative chambers. But, INEC has said it does not have specific budget to feed the Police alone, instead it earmarked undisclosed amount of money for about a million people consisting its officials, security personnels and ad-hoc staff. Read more
APC UK visits new Lagos chair, promises support (SUN)
New chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, has said the party would win the 2019 election with wide margin in the state. He said this while addressing members of the United Kingdom APC, who visited him at the party’s secretariat in Lagos. Balogun said his predecessor in office, Otunba Dele Ajomale, never lost any election when he was the chairman of the party. Balogun added that APC’s winning streaks under Ajomale set a standard which must be built upon. He noted that the party was working hard to ensure the oppositions were defeated overwhelmingly in 2019. Read more
U.S. Embassy in Abuja resume full services Friday (Guardian)
The United States Embassy in Abuja on Friday resumed full services for both visas and American Citizen Services (ACS). “Full Consular visa and American Citizen Services (ACS) resume in Abuja today. We regret the inconvenience the temporary closure of the Abuja Consular office caused. Good to be back!,” the embassy tweeted on Friday. The Embassy had in last Tuesday announced announced a temporary shutdown of its Abuja Consulate for visa and American Citizen Service. Although no reason was given for the decision, the embassy had said, because of the development, it would be temporarily unable to provide regular services for visa and American Citizen Services in Abuja. Read more
Direct primaries: Faleke lauds APC leaders (Nation)
The direct primary adopted by the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos to pick the party’s candidates for the 2019 general election will deepen internal democracy, House of Representatives member James Faleke said yesterday. Faleke, who is representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, commended the APC leadership for the courage to take such a decision. He spoke in a remark after his endorsement for another term by party leaders, including APC National Zonal Women Leader (Southwest) and Executive Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mrs. Kemi Nelson, and chairmen of the three councils making up the federal constituency. Read more
Nigeria should draw lessons of love, unity from Ojude Oba, says Saraki (SUN)
Senate President Bukola Saraki has said Nigeria as a nation, should draw lessons of love and unity exemplified by the annual Ojude Oba Festival in order for the country to progress. Saraki, who noted that the festival, though has its origin in Islam, is non-discriminatory as it has become a rallying point for all the indigenes of Ijebuland, maintained Nigeria will witness accelerated development and growth, if there is no division along political, ethnic and religious line. The Senate President stated these, on Wednesday, during his speech at the 2018 Ojude-Oba festival, held at The Pavilion, Ijebu Ode. Saraki, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, was accompanied by his wife, Toyin, senators Ben-Bruce, Dino Melaye, Oluyinka Olujimi, Shaba Lafiaji and the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ahmed Alli, among others. Read more
Passengers’ clash delays BA flight from London (Nation)
A fight between two passengers on the London- Lagos route on Tuesday forced a one hour delay of the British Airways flight. One cabin assistant was injured as she intervened to stop the scuffle, according to one of the passenger on the flight. It was learnt that the injured cabin assistant was taken to the hospital for treatment while the airline disembarked the feuding passengers so as to guarantee safety of the flight. The flight was smooth when it eventually took off, the passsneger added. However, the British Airways Regional Commercial Manager (West Africa), Mr Kola Olayinka, denied that there was a fight. Read more
Lagos Customs Audit Unit recovers N8.6bn (Independent)
The Zone A office of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Post Clearance Audit (PCA) unit, has recovered a total of N8.6bn between January and June, 2018. The recovery is N2.6bn above the N6.bn earned the same period last year. This was disclosed yesterday by Mr. Abba Kura, Customs Comptroller in charge of the unit during the visit of Aminu Dahiru, Assistant Comptroller-General and Zonal Coordinator for Zone A. Kura told Dahiru that in addition to what had been collected, the unit had uncovered another N2bn underpayment in respect of a single transaction and that after several attempts to argue it away, the defaulting company would be made to pay. Read more
Ajimobi reads riot act to NURTW over chairman’s death (SUN)
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday warned members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) against violence in a bid to choose a new chairman for the union. The governor gave the warning when he addressed about 100 leaders of the union, led by the acting Chairman, Alhaji Abideen Olajide, at the executive chamber of his office in Ibadan, on why they must adhere to the union’s constitution and obey the rule of law. The union chairman in the state, Taofeek Oyerinde, who doubled as South West chairman of NURTW, died on Tuesday at the Zenith Medical Kidney Hospital in Abuja, and was buried in his house in Ibadan on Wednesday. Read more
Lagos hosts PZ Cusson’s fashion fiesta finals (Nation)
The top 10 participants of the Masters of Style fashion design competition, organised by PZ Cussons’ foremost brands, Imperial Leather and Canoe, have all arrived Lagos. They came from various parts of the country and will be camped in the city, as preparations begin for the final phase of the competition. The competition has concluded its campus tour of five universities: Jos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Lagos, and Calabar. Three winners emerged from each of the campuses as they exhibited their designs during the showcase. They each received a token of N50,000, N20,000, and N15,000 respectively. However, only the top two finalists from each campus qualified for the next phase of the competition. Read more
Glo to power women digital summit (Nation)
Leading telecoms firm, Globacom and other key stakeholders in the ICT ecosystem have indicated interest in supporting the Nigerian Women Digital Agenda Summit and Awards, organised by the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD). The summit holds on August 30th at Oriental Hotel, Lekki- Epe Expressway, Lagos. Others who will be part of the summit with “Harnessing the Opportunities in the 21st Century” as theme, include Chief Executive Officers of leading technology companies and technology experts from across Nigeria. Other partners are the Association of Licensed Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Medallion Communications Limited, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA). Read more
Lagos, Coca-Cola partner to empower 1,000 women (SUN)
Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd. and its bottling partner, Nigeria Bottling Company have signed a partnership agreement to empower 1,000 women in Lagos. Through the partnership framework, the selected women will receive training in financial literacy and business skills as well as start-up capital to integrate them into the Coca-Cola value chain as retailers of the company’s beverage products.The partnership is anchored on Coca-Cola’s 5by20 Programme, which is the company’s global commitment to enable the economic empowerment of five million women entrepreneurs across its value chain by 2020. Read more
Lagos Chamber of Commerce partners Oxford Business Group (Independent)
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OBG for its forthcoming publication. Under the MoU, the chamber will contribute to the research for The Report: Nigeria 2018. This partnership will help OBG analyse the sustainability of the Nigeria’s economic recovery and assess the results of economic diversification efforts so far. The Report will also include a strong focus on some of the emerging sectors, such as recent developments in ICT, as well as analyse the factors that are holding back growth in certain sectors, such as mining and manufacturing. Read more
Power-drunk Lagos DPO leads team to mosque, raid adherents, others • We paid N30,000 for bail – Residents (Punch)
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Pen Cinema Police Division, Lagos State, H.E. Nwabuisi, has been accused of conducting raids during which he allegedly arrested innocent residents and extorted money from them. Nwabuisi, a Superintendent of Police, was alleged to have led his men to Alimi Ogunyemi Street, in the Ifako Ijaiye area, where some Muslim faithfuls, who had just finished praying in a mosque, were allegedly rounded up around 8pm on Wednesday. Read more
Diezani ‘bribe’: Case transfer sought (Nation)
A former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State, Mr. Christian Nwosu, said yesterday that Justice Mohammed Idris lacked the jurisdiction to try him. He said the judge ought to transfer the case to another judge, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Nwosu at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly accepting gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (“still at large”). He was re-arraigned with Tijani Bashir before Justice Idris. They were charged with an INEC official, Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted, following a plea bargain. Read more
YABATECH, Alumni end 8 years’ face off (SUN)
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Rector, Obafemi Omokungbe, has stressed the need for synergy between the institution’s Alumni Association and the college for enhanced teaching and learning activities in the college. Omokungbe stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting between Alumni Association and staff members of the college, where eight years face off and frosty relationship between the college management and the Alumni Association was addressed. The rector, who harped on the need to make the association more vibrant, posited that one way to ensure a vibrant alumni is for younger members to be effective in running the affairs of the association. Read more
Fashion designer arraigned for cultism, unlawful possession of arms (Punch)
A 27-year-old fashion designer, Olamide Oyelami, has been arraigned before an Ogba Magistrates’ Court on three counts bordering on cultism and unlawful possession of firearm. Punch Metro gathered that Oyelami was arrested during a police patrol on July 22, 2018. It was gathered that a locally-made pistol loaded with one live cartridge was found in his possession and he further confessed to being a member of a cult, Alora. In his statement to the police, the Oyo State indigene said he went to a birthday party with his friend, adding that the pistol was kept in his care by another friend. Read more
South Africa detains Russian Ship allegedly bringing weapons to Lagos (ThisDay)
South African police thursday said they had boarded a Russian-registered cargo ship allegedly carrying illegal weapons and explosives en route to Lagos, Nigeria. The vessel, named Lada, had reportedly left Madagascar before stopping at Ngqura port outside the eastern city of Port Elizabeth, where it was detained after a security check last Sunday. “We are aware that she has dangerous cargo – explosives and weapons – on board,” spokeswoman for the Transnet state transport company, Olwethu Mdabula, told AFP. She declined to give further details. Read more
Businessman laments neglect by LAGBUS after accident (Punch)
A Lagos businessman, Adeyemi Adeboye, has cried out for help after a LAGBUS vehicle allegedly hit him and the management of the transport company left him to his fate. Punch Metro learnt that the Ogun State indigene was on his way to pay his son’s hospital bill when he was hit by the LAGBUS vehicle on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway around 10am on July 13, 2011. Adeyemi, who spoke to our correspondent, said he had been incapacitated since the accident as he could no longer walk properly with his left leg. He said, “I wanted to cross the road in front of the Ahmadiyya Hospital when I was hit by the LAGBUS vehicle. My wife, who was expecting me at the hospital, was shocked to see me rushed in as a patient. Read more
Guard caught ‘stealing’ commits suicide (Nation)
A 25-year-old man who jumped into the Lagos lagoon on Sallah day did so because he was caught stealing about N10,000 from a woman’s bag, The Nation learnt yesterday. The late Adesina Ajayi, a private guard attached to the Managing Director of Biotech Limited, was allegedly seen taking a dive into the lagoon from Adekunle end of the Third Mainland Bridge on Tuesday afternoon. It was gathered that a motorist, who earlier saw him put down the two bags he was carrying and thought he probably wanted to rest, raised the alarm after catching a glimpse of his suicide move from the centre mirror of his vehicle. The motorist was said to have called the Lagos State Emergency hotlines to report the incident. Read more
CyclingLagos 2018 postponed until October, says Organisers (SUN)
The organisers of CyclingLagos have announced the movement of the grand finale of the cycling event scheduled for Aug. 25 to Saturday Oct. 27, 2018. The postponement was due to the temporary closure of the Third Mainland Bridge, a strategic route for the race by the Federal Government. The Media Officer for the tournament, Bamidele Adeleye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the event was cancelled so as not to create logistic hiccups. Also the Chairman of CyclingLagos, Soji Adeleye, said that the postponement was due to logistics and particularly the planned temporary closure of the Third Mainland Bridge. Read more
Rite Foods supports athletes with N30m (Nation)
AS part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Rite Foods Limited, makers of Bigi soft drinks, Fearless Energy drinks, Bigi and Rite Sausages, supported the just-concluded African Athletics Championship tagged: “Champions of the Niger”. Its Managing Director, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, said his company will always support Nigeria and its people. He said: “We believe that ordinary people are capable of delivering extra-ordinary things; so, we always get involved with such through sponsorships, corporate social responsibilities in one form or the other.” According to him, Rite Foods supports championship with over N30million worth of products for athletes and spectators to support sports in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. Read more
At last, D’Tigress arrive Lagos from USA (ThisDay)
At last, the D’Tigress arrived Lagos from their camp in Atlanta, USA in continuation of their preparation for the 2018 FIBA Women World Cup in Spain. The team which left Atlanta on Wednesday aboard a Turkish Airline, arrived Lagos at 7:15pm yesterday evening. The first batch of players on that flight were led by Coach Ujoh Alexander. They include; Evelyn Akhator, Cecilia Okoye, Jasmine Nwapei, Dominic Wilson and Sarah Ogoke. This evening, the second batch which will be led by Coach Otis Hughley will touch down in Lagos same time aboard the Turkish Airline flight. This batch will be made up of Aisha Mohammed, Ezinne Kalu, Atonye Nyingifa, Elo Edeferioka, Imovbioh Sarah and Promise Amukamara. Read more
Steven Gerrard: ‘Rangers squad may have spoilt me’ (Sportsmole)
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has suggested that his first-team squad may have “spoilt” him during the opening weeks of his reign. Gerrard has put together a 10-game undefeated streak with the Glasgow giants, who registered a 1-0 win over Russian side FC Ufa in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday night. The England legend has acknowledged that his side had put themselves in a strong position, but the 38-year-old has revealed that he had been left unhappy with the first-half performance at Ibrox. Read more
Guerrero’s doping ban active again after Swiss court ruling (Sportskeeda)
Peru and Internacional striker Paolo Guerrero has had the provisional suspension of his 14-month ban for failing a drug test revoked by the Swiss Federal Tribunal (BGER). The BGER confirmed the ruling on Friday and Guerrero must now serve the remaining eight months of his sanction, ruling him out of competitive action until April 2019. The 34-year-old was banned from playing for one year by FIFA having tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, after Peru’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina in October 2017. Read more
Uganda charges ex-police chief who fell out with president (Abcnews)
A military general who recently commanded Uganda’s national police has been charged over his role in the illegal repatriation to Rwanda of refugees wanted there. Gen. Kale Kayihura also was charged with “failure to protect war materials.” He denied the charges before a military court on Friday. Kayihura was fired in March after falling out of favor with longtime President Yoweri Museveni amid reports he was building his own power base within the security forces. Museveni later told reporters that some in the security forces were working for foreign interests. Read more
US-China trade talks fail to make breakthrough (BBC)
Trade talks between the US and China have ended with little progress in a week that has seen the trade war between the two countries heat up. A White House statement said two days of talks had covered “how to achieve fairness, balance, and reciprocity in the economic relationship”. However, there was no indication of any major breakthrough. On Thursday, the US imposed a second wave of tariffs on Chinese goods worth $16bn (£12.4bn). China immediately imposed retaliatory taxes on the same value of US products. Read more
Trump won’t endorse Prison Reform Bill prior to Midterm Elections (Ibtimes)
President Donald Trump decided Thursday he will not endorse a prison and sentencing reform bill that was crafted by Republican leaders and his senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, reports said. The decision on the bipartisan bill came after a closed-door White House meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Kushner on Thursday, officials told media outlets. According to reports, Trump didn’t want to promote the bill at the moment as it was too difficult to politically endorse it before the November midterm elections. Without Trump’s support, the bill has minimum chance of being passed before the midterms. Read more
Salisbury park to reopen after novichok search ends (Guardian)
A park in the centre of Salisbury that has been cordoned off for almost two months after a Wiltshire couple were poisoned with the nerve agent novichok is to be reopened. Queen Elizabeth Gardens, a popular public space, was closed after Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley came into contact with novichok in early July. It was due to open again on Friday afternoon. Sturgess died while Rowley was discharged from hospital after being treated and decontaminated. The gardens, close to the cathedral and water meadows, were closed because Sturgess and Rowley visited the park shortly before they fell ill. A small section was sectioned off and searched intensely while a larger area was closed as a “highly precautionary” measure, police said. Read more