THISISLAGOS MORNING NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 16, 2018
Lagos police boss Edgal sacks 8 officers, demotes 6 (Vanguard)
Eight police officers in Lagos have been dismissed over “very serious criminal offences”, while six others were demoted in ranks, the state commissioner, Mr Imohimi Edgal said. Edgal, also said that 108 officers were disciplined for various offences from January to July, 2018 in the Lagos State Command. He made the disclosure at a Stakeholders’ Forum on “Police Accountability and Presentation of Advocacy Materials at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja. The police chief said that 58 other officers recorded major entries, six officers reprimanded, 28 officers got warning, four officers had extra fatigue, while five others were discharged for lack of evidences against them. Read more
2019: Saraki mulls presidential bid, promises change (Punch)
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that he is considering contesting the 2019 presidential election, adding that he believes he can “make the change.” Saraki, who stated this in an interview with Bloomberg, expressed concerns about the invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services. Bloomberg quoted the Senate President as saying, “I am consulting and actively considering it …I believe I can make the change.” Saraki, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress to the People’s Democratic Party, said all Nigerians should be concerned about the invasion of the National Assembly. He stated, “If a government can go and lock up an arm of government -and it’s never happened in our history – we should all be very concerned,” Saraki said. Read more
Lagos light rail project dragging too long — PDP (Vanguard)
The Lagos State chapter of the People’s Democratic PartyParty (PDP) has decried what it called the “frequent delays” in the delivery of the state light rail project. The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Taofik Gani, expressed the concern in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday. The PDP was reacting to a statement by the state government that the first phase of the project (Blue Line), which commenced in 2008, could only be delivered in 2022. The state government had initially promised 2011 and then 2018 as delivery dates for the 27km light rail project running between Marina, Mile 2 and Okokomaiko. Read more
Group lauds Lagos APC’s direct primary adoption (Punch)
The United Action for Change has commended the Lagos State All Progressives Congress for its decision to adopt direct primary to pick its candidates for the 2019 general elections. The group described the decision as victory for its convener and a former National Legal Adviser of the APC, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), who, it said, had been at the forefront of the clamour for internal democracy in the APC. The national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had on Tuesday at the party’s stakeholders’ meeting announced the party’s adoption of direct primary. Tinubu urged members to hold on to their party membership cards and to ensure they obtain their Permanent Voter Cards before the deadline. Read more
I feel safer in Lagos than in Johannesburg – Financial expert, Rewane (Vanguard)
Renowned financial expert, Mr. Bismarck Rewane has faulted a report rating Lagos as third worst city to live in the world. A report issued on Tuesday by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) had cited security, education and healthcare delivery as benchmarks for its ratings. But speaking on a Television programme, ‘Network Africa’ on Channels TV monitored by our correspondent, Rewane, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company, described the report as subjective adding that the criteria used in reaching such conclusion was inconsistent. He said: “First and foremost, I think the report is subjective and it is based on warped criteria. Certainly, in a survey that says that number 86 is Johannesburg when you talk about crime, terrorism, insurgency and Lagos is number 138 out of 140, it’s unfortunate. Read more
Lagos is fourth cheapest city to live in –EIU report (Punch)
Lagos State has been ranked the fourth cheapest city to live in according to the Economist Intelligence Unit report on global liveability index. According to the report, Lagos ranks not only among the cheapest cities to live but also among the least liveable cities. Lagos ranked fourth on the cheapest city to live chart and 130 in the global liveability ranking, ahead of Almaty, Caracas and Damasus. However, the report warned that cheap doesn’t necessarily mean “always cheerful.” “Cheap but not always cheerful. As Damascus and Caracas show, a growing number of locations are becoming cheaper because of the impact of political or economic disruption. Although the Indian subcontinent remains structurally cheap, instability is becoming an increasingly prominent factor in lowering the relative cost of living of a location,” the report said. Read more
Photos: Tinubu, Ambode at Lagos APC stakeholders’ meeting (Vanguard)
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, where the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said it was gratifying to report that the party had resolved to register additional members, adding that membership register would be opened to facilitate the process, which eventually would be used for direct primaries. Read more
NAFDAC to inaugurate new compendium of all regulated products (Guardian)
The Director General (DG) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, is set to inaugurate new set of compendium of registered and regulated drugs, processed food, cosmetics, packaged water, medical devices and chemical. Adeyeye, in a statement yesterday signed by the Director (Public Affairs), Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, said the inauguration will be one of the agenda of the forthcoming stakeholder’s consultative meeting in Lagos on August 20 and 21, 2018. The publishing of the new NAFDAC compendium, which is a Directory of all registered regulated product is one of the major landmark achievements of Prof. Adeyeye since her assumption of office nine months ago. The NAFDAC compendium, which was originally known as NAFDAC Green Pages was last published about 10 years ago. Read more
Lagos urges residents to use its free services (Nation)
The Lagos State government has urged residents to make use of the free services being provided across all sectors. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kazeem Adeniji, said the services covers all sectors of life including, health, housing, loan facilities, protection of rights, legal advice, food and agricultural facilities. He spoke at Adeyemi Bero auditorium, in Alausa, Ikeja, during a one-day symposium, organied by the Ministry of Justice, Public Advice Centre (PAC), with the theme; “Bouquet Of Services Available In Lagos State”. Adeniji, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mariam Olaniyi, said the services are geared towards simplification of processes and betterment of lives for all in the state. Read more
Lagos set for affordable care through insurance (NewTelegraph)
The Lagos State Government is set to implement the Lagos State Health Insurance scheme in the next two months to enable residents access health care without any financial barrier. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed this recently during a media training workshop organised by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Health Finance and Governance, which held in Lagos. He said, “This is a scheme that comes for N40, 000 for family of six and when it is broken down gives you less than N7, 000 per person per year; so, it is a benefit package that takes care of the family for health care problems in the state as well as some selected health care services.” Read more
Eko Disco to stop cash payments, seeks consumers’ cooperation (Guardian)
Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) has urged its customers to embrace modern electronic payment platforms for electricity consumed, as it works towards eliminating cash payment. The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Joseph Esenwa, disclosed this in Lagos, saying the effort was aimed at reducing payment queues at some of the EKEDC offices. According to him, embracing electronic payment option would make customers to enjoy convenience. Esenwa enjoined customers to take advantage of new multiple payment channels being provided by the company to ensure convenient and seamless payments and purchase of tokens.He explained that the new payment options were designed to offer all customers security, greater convenience and choice, and also intended to make the payment process more efficient. Read more
108 policemen disciplined in 7 months in Lagos (Vanguard)
A total of 108 policemen attached the Lagos State Police Command have been disciplined over various offenses between January and June. Out of this number, eight were dismissed while six others were demoted . This was disclosed yesterday by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Imohimi Edgal, during the official launch of the Stakeholders Forum on Police Accountability and presentation of advocacy materials,organised by Civil Society groups , at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja. The police boss stated that 58 policemen recorded major entries, six were reprimanded , 28 were given warnings while four of them had extra fatigue. Read more
‘Lagos forensic centre proved useful after Otedola tanker fire’ (Punch)
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniyi Kazeem, said on Tuesday that the state’s DNA forensic centre opened last year came in very handy in the identification of the nine victims burnt beyond recognition in the June 28 tanker fire on the Otedola Bridge. No fewer than 54 vehicles were burnt in the fire incident, which followed the falling and explosion of a tanker laden with petroleum product. Speaking on Tuesday at the 3rd Lagos State Forensic Symposium at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, the attorney general said with the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, the state did not have to go abroad to identify the charred victims. Read more
Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe for Edozie’s New Nigerian Conjuctures in Lagos (Vanguard)
After a successful outing in his last solo that focused on the culture and art of the Onitsha people tagged Shifting the Paradigm hosted by the Museum Of Contemporary Art,North Miami,one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary artists, George Edozie is set to hit the art space again with another exhibition of paintings and sculpture titled New Nigerian Conjuctures: The art of George Edozie.The exhibition will as usual showcase some of the latest works and some from his rich art collection.It will open on 5th September 2018 and run till 15th September at National Museum Onikan, Lagos. Read more
Lagos State Partners MultiChoice for 2018 AMVCAs (Pmnews)
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has announced its partnership with MultiChoice on the 6th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs). The awards ceremony, which is the biggest celebration of film and television talent in front and behind the cameras, will hold on 1 September in Victoria Island, Lagos. Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, said the company is delighted to have on board the state government as plans shift into top gear for the most anticipated movie awards on the continent. Read more
Lagos cook killed by unidentified men (Punch)
The family of a cook, Joseph Otoibhi, in the Jakande area of Lagos State has been thrown into mourning after he was killed by some unidentified men. Punch Metro learnt that Joseph was returning home last Wednesday around 10pm when he was hacked down with a machete. Joseph’s sister, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security reasons, told our correspondent that the family was surprised because Joseph did not interact with people on the street. She said, “He came to my shop and left before me. He was about climbing the staircase when he was attacked, he tried to escape but he could not make it. Read more
Moses stuns fans, Rohr as he quits Eagles (Punch)
Victor Moses has announced his immediate retirement from international football to concentrate fully on his club career. The 27-year-old Chelsea wingback made the shock announcement on Twitter on Wednesday, dealing a major blow to Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr’s plans for the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Nigeria were beaten 2-0 by South Africa in their first group qualifying match in Uyo last year, and the three-time African champions need a convincing win over Seychelles next month to keep qualification hopes alive. In his statement, Moses said he informed Rohr that he had decided to call time on his six-year international career “by telephone”. Read more
Stage set for Lagos Open Tennis Tournament (PremiumTimes)
The first big step that would culminate in big tennis stars like Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova among others playing on Lagos soil has been taken. The annual Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis tournament (GCLT) has been rebranded by the organisers and will henceforth be known as the “Lagos Open International Tennis Championships”. The name change and other innovations geared at making the flagship tennis event in Lagos a global brand were revealed to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday. The Chairman Working Committee for GCLT, Pius Akinyelure, said he was delighted that after 18 years a big leap is been taken for the annual tennis tournament. Read more
Kim Jong-nam murder trial: two suspects await key Malaysia court ruling (Nationmultimedia)
The High Court will decide today whether Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong should be freed or defend themselves. They were charged with the murder of Jong-nam, 45, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, using the deadly nerve agent VX, last year.If the decision of High Court Judge Datuk Azmi Ariffin is in favour of the prosecution that there is a prima facie case against the duo, they will be called to enter their defence and if otherwise, the two women will be acquitted. Siti Aisyah, 26, and Doan, 29, were charged with four others still at large over the murder at the KLIA2 departure hall at 9am on Feb 13. Read more
Philippines: Duterte offers to resign, suggests military junta in his place (Asiancorrespondent)
Tired and frustrated by embedded corruption throughout the Philippines’ government, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he was ready to resign from the top spot and prefers his replacement be a military junta over his vice president. According to the PhilStar, Duterte said his failure to follow through on campaign promises to rid public agencies of graft was behind his desire to leave before his term ends in 2022. “I am not angry with anybody. My chase against corrupt government officials seems to be endless, and it has contaminated almost all government departments and offices,” he said during a gathering of business leaders at the parliamentary palace. Read more