THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE APRIL 28, 2018
Pandemonium as Lagos officials begin market demolition (PremiumTimes)
Officials of the Lagos State Government have begun the demolition of the Araromi Oke-Odo Ile-Epo market in the state, Premium Times can report. The demolition exercise, which is ongoing at the time of this report, has created pandemonium in the market and its environs. This newspaper had earlier reported that the officials invaded the market with bulldozers early Friday morning. Ten days ago, Premium Times reported the impending demolition and how the government had arrested top officials of the market, including an octogenarian. On Friday, many traders were thrown into confusion as they ran to pack their goods shortly after the demolition began. Read more
Tinubu denies ownership of Visionscape, tells Ambode to reverse self (Guardian)
Former governor of Lagos sate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denied ownership of Visionscape, the foreign company presently managing refuse in the state and also urged Governor Ambode not to be ashamed to reverse himself if the experimentation has failed. Addressing over 350 members of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria who embarked on a peaceful protest on the embarrassing state of refuse in the state and the threat to their business at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos yesterday, Tinubu said he has no interests in the investment. He said there have been unfounded allegations that he owns the business, which is false. Read more
In Heart & Soul, Emelonye showcases Ambode’s feats in health sector (Guardian)
Award-winning filmmaker Obi Emelonye has concluded work on a new TV series, Heart and Soul. Shot exclusively under The Obi Emelonye Foundation’s ‘50-50 Legacy’ project, the initiative offers budding talents in Nigeria the opportunity to join the film business. The TV series, which started with a series of film workshops in Lagos, had enlisted about 100 youths in the state to take part in the filming as on-screen characters and crew members, with the aim of giving their aspirations in the industry a boost. Heart and Soul got the support of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, who availed the facilities at the new Critical Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. Read more
Ambode approves Contract Coaches for Lagos (ThisDay)
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointment of 40 contract coaches for 33 sports in the state.
The coaches, who will be working under direct supervision of the Lagos State Sports Commission, will oversee the following sports; abula, athletics, ayo, badminton, baseball and softball, boxing, chess, cricket, cycling, dart, deaf athletics, deaf table tennis, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, karate, kick boxing, langa, para athletics, Para powerlifting, para soccer, para table tennis. Others are; rowing and canoe, shooting, swimming, squash, taekwondo, table tennis, tennis, wrestling, wushu kungfu. The appointment of the contract coaches take immediate effect. Read more
Waste management: Tinubu intervenes in waste managers, LASG rift (Vanguard)
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, says the lingering issue of waste management in Lagos State will soon be resolved. Tinubu gave the assurance on Friday in Lagos during a meeting with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), otherwise known as PSP. He said that there was the need to resolve the issue because of the immense contributions of the PSP operators to waste management in the state. Tinubu assured that he would reconcille all the stakeholders in his capacity as Grand Patron of AWAM to promote the business interests of waste managers and wellbeing of Lagosians. ”It is disappointing and sad that at this stage of our development, the matter should result into petition. It should have been continuity and progress. Read more
Lagos restricts movement for construction of Pen cinema flyover (Vanguard)
In its efforts to deliver the Pen Cinema Flyover on schedule, The Lagos State Government on Friday announced that there would be further restriction of vehicular movement at the Agege Intersection between Railway crossing and Church Street along Agunbiade Street in Agege. In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the Government said that due to the restriction, vehicles coming from Ipaja road towards Ogba would no longer be able to turn left at Oke-Koto, but will be required to straight towards Agege Motor road and take left turn to connect the alternative route beside Agege Post Office to link Moshalashi Alhaji and further their journey. Read more
Rainy Season: LASG warns against indiscriminate dumping of waste (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has warned against the indiscriminate dumping of waste (fly tipping) during the rainy season. Speaking recently at a press briefing to enlighten the public on the changes to the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), the Special Adviser to the Governor, Engineer Adebola Shabi, highlighted the need for residents to desist from the negative habit, as it is one of the major causes of flooding in the State. Shabi noted that the rains had already started, and the government viewed the risk of flooding as a major concern. However, he insisted that while the government would deploy the necessary tools to ensure a flood free season, residents also have a responsibility to protect their environment by desisting from throwing their waste on the medians and in roadside gutters. Read more
‘PSPs not being truthful about waste management issues’ (Punch)
The new environmental management company in Lagos, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, has said that the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria in Lagos State is misrepresenting facts regarding the issues concerning waste management in the state. A statement by the Chief Executive Officer of VSS, Mr. John Irvine, on Thursday, said contrary to the claim by AWAM that its members were being offered N30,000 per trip in a contract that would require them to dump waste at Epe following the recent fire incident at Olusosun, Ojota, there were Transfer Loading Stations across the state where they could dump waste. Read more
Ecosystem: Unilag will respond to trucks, trailers siege in Lagos — VC (Vanguard)
The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has said the Ivory Tower would soon respond to the perennial problem posed by trucks, tankers and other articulated vehicles parking on Lagos roads, adding that the institution would provide solution through evidence-based research and forward it to the governor. Trucks and tankers parking on major Lagos roads such as Western Avenue, Oshodi-Mile 2-Apapa road polluting the airspace have become intractable, causing health harzards to Lagosians and defying solution. Read more
Ekiti poll: Tinubu, Fayemi, Akande, others meet in Lagos to strategise (Punch)
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday, met behind closed doors in Lagos with all the APC aspirants for the Ekiti State governorship election. The meeting, which held at the old State House, Marina, had in attendance the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and about 24 others, hoping to clinch the APC ticket for the July 14, 2018 Ekiti State governorship election. Also in attendance was a former interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande. After the meeting, Tinubu told reporters that the meeting was aimed at putting the APC house in order ahead of the party’s governorship primary in Ekiti State fixed for May 7, 2018. Read more
9mobile celebrates World Book Day, donates books to Lagos library (NewTelegraph)
A telecommunications company, 9mobile, has taken its passion for social development of its host communities a step further by donating books to the Isolo Public Library in Lagos State, as well as the inauguration of a reading club to promote literacy, in commemoration of the 2018 World Book Day. The World Book Day is a day set aside to encourage everyone, particularly young people, to discover the pleasure of reading. In this light, the telecom company has partnered Lagos State Government to promote literacy and drive a healthy reading culture amongst the youth in the state. Read more
Reshaping Lagos Security Architecture with Community Policing (ThisDay)
With a population conservatively put at 21 million, Lagos State is the fifth largest economy in Africa, and with a projection to assume the third status of the largest economy by year 2023, going by the determination and commitment of the Ambode administration. Reiterating the importance of security of the lives and property of the residents at a recent inaugural security summit, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said there was a need for a concept of collective vigilance to be put in place, “whereby, all stakeholders in security management would have properly defined roles and relationships to stay ahead of all form of violent crimes such as terrorism, cyber and transnational organized crimes, among others.” Read more
Lagos in search of a sustainable tourism-driven economy (Guardian)
It was a gathering of who-is-who in the country’s tourism industry, as well as those from the entertainment, arts and culture sectors, as Lagos State Government recently hosted a one-day tourism summit. The session, which is in line with the its commitment to cause a major shift in marketing the tourism and creative potential inherent across the State, was held at the Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos, with former president of Ghana John Mahama as keynote speaker. The summit, which was held under the theme, Destination Lagos: Towards A Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy, created a platform for experts and stakeholders in the sector to make input into the proposed Lagos State Tourism Master Plan, which is being prepared to drive tourism development in the state, as well as set the tone for repositioning Lagos as a major destination. Read more
Black Panther stars, Lupita Nyong’O, Danai Gurira in Lagos (Punch)
Black Panther actresses, Lupita Nyong’O and Danai Gurira are in Lagos, Nigeria. Kenyan-American Nyong’O posted a picture of the duo on Friday with her location reading, Lagos, Nigeria and the caption; “Girls Trip! #Lagos #Nigeria/ @danaigurira” While it is speculated that they may have come and left before Nyong’O shared the photo, findings revealed that the actresses may have come into the country to research on an upcoming project. The actresses are working on adapting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book, Americanah into a TV mini-series. Read more
Sound Sultan, Solidstar, Praiz, Seyi Shay at Hot FM Lagos launch (Guardian)
The creme de la creme of the entertainment industry stepped out in full force over the weekend for the official launch party of Hot FM 93.3. The launch party, which was held last weekend at 355 Lounge in Victoria Island, welcomed the industry’s finest and featured five DJs; DJ Oluwabruce, DJ Ruud, DJ Sensei Lo, DJ Sose and DJ Nana; who played the best of House and Afrobeats music for the guests to enjoy. Guests at the event included, Sound Sultan, Lynxx, Uti Nwachukwu, Solidstar, Praiz, Seyi Shay, Wofaifada, Dice Ailes, Idia Aisien, Taje Prest, Bolly Lomo, Chuey Chu and Mimi Onalaja, amongst others. Read more
Okoroji plans a remake of Oriaku (Guardian)
There’s presently a big buzz at TOPS, the 360 Degrees entertainment company run by Chief Tony Okoroji, as he plans for the release of a brand-new version of his hit track, Oriaku. The original version of Oriaku song, which was a key song in Okoroji’s iconic album, Juliana, used to burn up the dance floor in those days. “We have oxygenated Oriaku. Working with TOPS All Stars, my young team of very talented creative artistes, we have kept the essential elements of the great song and brought in a new feel to give what we call ‘Oriaku New School’ a more contemporary groove. Read more
Dbanj loses cool over unfair preference for Mr. Real (Vanguard)
Since D’banj announced fast rising singer, Mr. Real, the ‘Legbegbe crooner, as one of the four lucky people to be taken on an all-expense paid trip to the April edition of One Africa Music Festival in Dubai, after emerging winners of a competition organized by Cream Platform, there have been suspicions that the selection process reeks of sentiment because Mr. Real is a close friend of the heavyweight singer who is also the Founder and CEO of Cream Platform. In a chat with Showtime, the self-acclaimed ‘Koko Master’, set the records straight, as he denied the allegation, arguing that Mr. Real won the competition on merit, not because they are friends. Read more
Beejay Sax goes live in Lagos (Guardian)
All is now set for the second edition of Bolaji Sax’s live gig tagged Beejay Sax Live. Billed for May 13, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria, Island, Lagos, the show will see one of Nigeria’s finest and trending gospel saxophonists thrill fans on stage. The concert is coming one year after Beejay’s highly successful first effort, which was also staged in Lagos. Aside from the host artiste, the concert will parade the likes of Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, Tim Godfrey, Big Bolaji, Ifeoluwa Odogiyan, Olaolu Gbenjo, Onos, Bukola Bekes, MOZ, Tosin Bee, Femi Okunuga and Odunayo Abodunrin. The roll call of comedians includes the likes of Saco, Woli Agba, and Kenny Black. Read more
Pastor arrested for Operating fake WAEC Centre in Lagos (Independent)
The operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a pastor, who allegedly operated a fake West African Examination Council (WAEC), Centre and deceived many unsuspecting candidates who registered with him and sat for non-existing examinations in the Centre after collecting various monies from them. The suspect, Pastor Adeniyi Joshua of El-Supreme Church, was arrested following a complaint lodged to the police at about 2pm on 25th of April 2018. Edgal Imohimi, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, confirmed the arrest on Friday during a press briefing and parade of suspected criminals at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja. Read more
Eletu Odibo, Okemagba Girls win Lagos Secondary Schools Hockey Tourney (ThisDay)
The second edition of Lagos State Secondary Schools Hockey Championship ended at the Campos mini stadium on Lagos Island with Eletu Odibo Senior High School, Bariga and Okemagba Senior High School, Epe winning the tournament. The competition, organised by the Lagos State Sports Commission and the state’s hockey association was planned for all secondary schools (public and private) in the state to discover potential hockey players in secondary schools across the state. While Eletu Odibo won the boys’ event after defeating Igbooye Community High School, Epe 3-1, Okemagba Senior High School hockey team were champions in the girls category after they beat Igbooye Community High School 1-0. Read more
Philips Abayomi is revelation of Zenith Bank ‘next generation’ junior masters (Guardian)
A new tennis star is born!” That was the exclamation of Uzonna Izugbokwe, director of the Luik Recreation Club – a private tennis club in Lekki Lagos after he watched Philip Abayomi overwhelm Michael Ayoola in the second semifinals of the Zenith Bank “Next Generation” Junior Tennis Masters yesterday at the National Stadium in Lagos. Abayomi, who had never reached the semifinal of any ITA Junior Circuit tournament because of his erratic power game, appeared to have mastered the art of power play and improved his backhand to the amazement of his opponents. The 16-year-old, who kept a clean slate in the round robin, eliminating Michael Oshewa, the National 18s champion and pre-tournament favourite, took a 5-0 lead before Ayoola got on the score board. Read more
Grange School set to defend title at Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club 1938 swimming gala (Guardian)
All eyes will be on Grange secondary school this afternoon, as the 3rd Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club School Swimming Gala holds in Lagos. The school won last year’s edition amidst stiff challenges from other competitors. Last Saturday, Grange primary school emerged champions in the primary category of the 3rd Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club School Swimming Gala, which had 11 schools in attendance. Grange secondary school will be aiming to make it a double celebration by winning today’s event. Read more