Lagos and the menace of articulated vehicles (Nation)
The menace of articulated vehicles parked indiscriminately on Lagos roads and obstructing the free flow of traffic has now become the new identity of Lagos. Hardly can one move around Lagos without encountering the demonized vehicles causing traffic or being involved in one accident or the other. In Lagos a journey of 20 minutes can turn to three hours in the face of Lagos traffic.
Since the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a lot of efforts were made to rid the state of this menace but they have consistently defied solution, with the administration of Akinwunmi Ambode receiving the most bashing in managing the crises. Read more
Possession order: Lagos residents protest Supreme Court’s judgement (NewTelegraph)
Residents and community leaders of Agidingbi in Ikeja yesterday protested to the Lagos State House of Assembly over judgement of Supreme Court which awarded ownership of 398 acres of land in the community to a traditional landowning family, Akinole- Oshiun.
The possession order covered a large part of Lateef Jakande Road housing Coca-Cola, Daily Times newspaper and Cadbury Plc., Acme Road where APC secretariat, banks and schools are located, Fagba Close among others, totaling over 2000 buildings.
The protesters, who marched from Agidingbi to the state House of Assembly in Alausa, said Akinole-Oshiun family, who were the judgment-creditor in the case, had already given them seven-day ultimatum to vacate their houses, urging the government to quickly intervene to avert bloodshed. Read more
Lagos technical colleges graduate 1,608 pupils (Punch)
Six technical colleges in Lagos State have graduated 1,608 pupils in various fields of technical and vocational studies.
The graduates comprise 952 pupils in Engineering Trades, 302 in Construction Trades, 303 in Miscellaneous Trades, 21 in Business Trades, and 30 in Federal Craft Training Certificate, National Technical Certificate and National Business Certificate. Read more
‘Over 400, 000 cases of malaria reported annually in Lagos’ (Nation)
Lagos State Ministry of Health Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr. Moyosore Adejumo, has said malaria is responsible for more than 70 per cent of the outpatient attendance in the state public health facilities with more than 400,000 cases reported annually.
Breaking the figures further, she said there are more reported cases of malaria in children under five years and in pregnant women where the infection can be very serious due to the very vulnerable nature of these two segments of the population. Read more
It’s sad doctors leaving Nigeria – Health minister (DailyTrust)
The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, says he is not happy that Nigerian doctors are leaving the country for greener pastures. Labour Minister Chris Ngige had recently said Nigeria had more than enough doctors and that those wanting to relocate to other countries in search of greener pastures were free to do so. But speaking in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday at the Annual General Conference/Delegates meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association, the health minister decried the increasing rate of brain drain in the health sector. Read more
We were raped, beaten by policemen – Ladies convicted for prostitution (Punch)
Seven ladies who were arrested in Abuja and convicted by a mobile court for prostitution have alleged that policemen attached to the Utako and Gwarimpa police stations in Abuja raped and physically assaulted them in custody.
They also claimed that the police compelled them to plead guilty when they were arraigned before the court on Monday.
Narrating their ordeal to journalists on Thursday, the ladies, who spoke anonymously, said after their arrest at a night club and a hotel, the police allegedly threw them into a cell and repeatedly tear-gassed them. Read more
States’ IGR Hits N324.59bn In Q4, 2018 – NBS (Tribune)
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for fourth quarter 2018 was N324.59 billion compared to N264.34 billion recorded in third quarter of the same year.
NBS disclosed this in IGR at State Level for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 posted on its website.
The bureau said that the figure (N324.59 billion), indicated a positive growth of 22.79 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 24.82 per cent year-on-year. Read more
132 firms bid to buy 14 cargoes of Nigerian crude monthly (Nation)
One hundred and thirty-two local and international companies yesterday offered to buy 14 cargoes of Nigerian crude oil monthly in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 2019/2020 Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSDP) bid opening in Abuja.
Group Managing Director Dr. Maikanti Baru, who presided over the opening, said that the corporation would receive about 14 billion litres in a year as exchange for the crude. Read more
I won’t muzzle Nigerian press – Buhari (NewTelegraph)
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his government would not take any action that seemed to gag members of the media. Buhari gave the assurance in Abuja while saluting journalists round the country as they join their professional colleagues round the globe to mark World Press Freedom Day. World Press Freedom Day is observed every May 3 to celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom round the world, defend media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. Read more
Oil workers to Buhari: end fuel importation (Nation)
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to end the nation’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
The oil workers promised to give the President the necessary support to put an end to the shame of importing products for local consumption. Read more
Family alleges plan to free suspected killers of Oyo lawmaker (Punch)
The family of the murdered federal lawmaker, who was killed in Ibadan, Mr Temitope Olatoye, popularly known as Sugar, on Thursday alleged that a top Oyo State Government official in connivance with some lawmakers were striving to secure the release of suspects in police custody.
About five suspects including a lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Olafisoye Akinmoyede, were arrested in connection with the murder of Sugar and taken to Abuja. Read more
Illness: Chukwu’s kinsmen laud Enugu govt, Otedeola (Punch)
Christian Chukwu’s kinsmen from Obe Agbo village, Obe Community in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State, have expressed appreciation to prominent Nigerians, including Gov. IfeanyiUgwuanyi, for their timely intervention to save the life of their son.
The community leaders, led by Chief Pat Agu, conveyed the community’s gratitude to Nigerians, when they visited the former Super Eagles’ coach in his Trans Ekulu residence in Enugu on Thursday. Read more
Edo youths, returnees from Libya hail govt on sports development (Guardian)
More than 1000 Edo youths, led by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Anti-Human Trafficking Issues, Mr. Solomon Okoduwa yesterday commended the state government on its strides in sports development. They also hailed the state’s deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu for his passion and love for sports in Edo State.
Okoduwa explained that the deputy governor’s commitment has promoted sports development in the state beyond imagination, adding that his unalloyed support for youths has led to the repositioning of Bendel Insurance Football Club. Read more
Trump to present Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods next week (VOA)
President Donald Trump will present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods next week.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says an awards ceremony will be held Monday in the Rose Garden.
Woods overcame personal and professional adversity to win his fifth Masters title last month. Trump tweeted after the tournament that he had congratulated Woods and informed him that he would be receiving the medal because of his “incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE.” Read more
Adebusoye, Okunola win Ibadan Club’s 29th anniversary kitty (Guardian)
Adebusuyi Muyiwa and Okunola Mary last weekend became champions in the male and female categories respectively of the Ibadan Golf Club’s 29th founders anniversary kitty, which featured players from across the country.
The one-day competition was part of the activities organized by the club to reassess the progress of the club and map out pathways to a bright future. It began on Tuesday with a cocktail organised by the captain of the club, Col. Ade Sunmonu at the upper pavilion of the club, while prizes presentation and an anniversary dinner were held on Wednesday to coincide with founder’s day. Read more
Semenya runs in Doha amidst rage over new rules (Punch)
Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya will run her last 800m on Friday (today), before the International Association of Athletics Federations imposes hugely controversial new rules limiting testosterone in female athletes.
Semenya, who has spent years trying to get the new IAAF regulations thrown out, will compete at the Diamond League meeting in Doha against 2016 Olympic silver medallist Francine Niyonsaba. Read more
Lacazette’s double gives Arsenal edge, Chelsea draw in Frankfurt (ThisDay)
Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Arsenal came from behind at Emirates Stadium to win the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Valencia.
Mouctar Diakhaby’s header put Valencia in front before Lacazette slotted in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s pass.
The Frenchman nodded in Granit Xhaka’s cross seven minutes later to make it 2-1 before half-time. Read more
Okpekpe organisers retain MYLAPS timing for May 25 race (NewTelegraph)
With sights set on getting a gold label status for the Okpekpe international 10km road race next year, organisers have announced that MYLAPS Sports Timing, the global automatic sports timing company will, for the fourth consecutive edition, provide the race with an easy to use, accurate and reliable timing system. Spokesman for the race, Dare Esan, says “the retention of MYLAPS is a confirmation that we have always organised the event in accordance with all IAAF competition rules and conditions and one of such is to ensure an adequate timing system is put in place for the race. Read more