Ondo Bans Unions'/Associations' Activities Over Public Exploitation | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

 

Rotimi Akeredolu

The Ondo State Government has taken measures to protect residents in the state amid soaring costs and incessant increases in prices of goods and services by artisans including farm produce and food items.

 

In this regard, the state government has barred all Trading Unions and Associations under the umbrella of Ondo State United Artisan Group, from fixing and enforcing uniform prices of goods and services being sold/rendered by their members and non-members.

 

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo said the decision was taken in the overall socio-economic interest of the people of the State. 

 

The statement:

 

"Government had before now, watched with discomfort and dismay, the economic suffocation of the people with unimaginable increases in prices of goods and services in markets, shops and other sales outlets across the state.

 

"Even without due regard for market forces, it is obvious that associations and unions are largely behind this unwholesome act. 

 

"The state government has decided to act decisively even as the public deserves protection from this undesirable exploitation under some guises. 

 

"Therefore, fixing market prices and imposing fixed exorbitant prices on the people under the guise of association or union must be stopped forthwith.

 

"Accordingly, as part of the measures, Individuals, Artisans, Traders and providers of services as well as farmers are henceforth allowed to operate, sell their produce and render any service in any part of the state as they may deem profitable, based on the principle of demand and supply and prevailing market forces. This is just as membership of associations and unions remains voluntary as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

 

"Consequently, Government's right to regulate the activities of Trading Associations and Artisan groups has to be invoked in the interest of residents. Therefore, on no account should any Union/Association fix or enforce prices of goods and services. 

 

"Similarly, there shall be no sale of tickets to Artisans/Traders by any Association/Union without due approval of the state Government through the Internal Revenue Service”.

"All concerned are, therefore, advised to adhere strictly to this directive as any person or group found to be flouting it will be made to face the full weight of the extant laws. 

"It is to be noted too that this directive takes effect from TODAY in all markets and sales outlets across the 18 LGAs of the state".

Education: Lagos Schools To Resume 13th September, Adopts Staggered Resumption for Boarders in Model Colleges, Upgraded Schools | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Students 

The Lagos State Government has announced the resumption guidelines for the Y2021/2022 academic session for public and private schools across the State.

In a release issued on Monday by the State Ministry of Education, the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, stated that all schools are expected to resume on Monday, 13th September 2021, while students of Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools will be required to resume in batches from Sunday 19th September, 2021.

In her words, “Boarders in Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools, as well as SS2 students seeking placement into SS3 class are expected to resume on Sunday 19th September, 2021. The revision for the classes will run from 20th to 26th September while promotion examination to SS3 class will start from 27th September to 8th October, 2021.

Mrs. Adefisayo further noted that the newly admitted JS1 students into Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools are to resume on Saturday, 2nd October, 2021 for a one-week orientation programme to intimate them on secondary school structure and modalities.

The Commissioner averred that other returning students in JS2, JS3, SS1 and the newly transited SS2 in the various Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools are to resume on Saturday, 9th October 2021, while classes for the students will commence on Monday, 11th October, 2021.

She also revealed that the adoption of staggered resumption for Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools was due to the presence of Y2020/2021 SS3 students currently writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) scheduled to end on the 6th of October, 2021, adding that another reason is that the schools cannot accommodate seven sets at once in the boarding system.

Adefisayo, therefore, appealed to parents to abide by the new development for a smooth academic session, just as she implored the students to be more diligent and devote more time to their studies.

Judgement Day: How Fraudsters Lose Over N700m Properties In Lagos to FG | AgegePulse Magazine Three Duplexes in Lekki, Over N200m in Bank Accounts, And More

 Judgement Day:  How Fraudsters Lose Over N700m Properties In Lagos to FG | AgegePulse Magazine

 Three Duplexes in Lekki, Over N200m in Bank Accounts, And More

·      Luxury Cars

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Judgment day finally came for two Nigerian fraudsters, Tobilola Ibrahim Bakare and Alimi Seun Sikiru as they lost cash and properties in upscale Lekki axis of Lagos to the Federal Government following their arrest and successful prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Seun Sikiru Alimi

The forfeited assets include the sums of N196, 741, 216.82 and N7, 054, 852.01 in bank accounts; two vehicles, a Mercedes Benz E500 and a Toyota Hilux 2020 and five bedroom duplex situated at Ibrahim Eleto Street, Osopa London, Lekki, Lagos, four bedroom semi-detached duplex situated at Ologolo , Jakande, Lekki, Lagos and  another four bedroom semi-detached duplex in Southern View Estate, Mayor Court, Chevron Alternative Road, Lekki, Lagos.

The two vehicles are valued at N30million while the three duplexes are valued at N230million.

Ibrahim king Bakare

The fraudsters gave up the assets as they could not give satisfactory explanation of the funds and properties linked to them. They confessed to involvement in cybercrime. Bakare, 27, an indigene of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State claimed his forte is Business Email Compromise, and that he had hacked into different companies outside the shores of Nigeria.

The scammers had been successful in their ignoble trade, earning a cumulative sum of $1million USD from victims including three foreign airlines through Business Email Compromise fraud. They laundered the proceeds of crime in acquiring properties including real estate and luxury vehicles.

 Life was good, but their comeuppance began in September 2020, when Operatives of the Commission, in the course of investigating a case of suspicious transactions and money laundering involving one Kehinde Adelakun, a convicted internet fraudster, stumbled on evidence linking Alvine International Resources Ventures, owned by the second defendant, Sikiru.

The transaction that sets off the alarm bell was an inflow of N5million in two tranches from Alvine International Resources Ventures.

Further probing by the investigators, revealed several inflows suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities in both the Sterling Bank and Polaris accounts of the second defendant. The balance in both accounts: N196, 741,216.82 in Sterling Bank and N7, 054,852.01 in Polaris Bank, were swiftly placed on a Post No Debit, to forestall dissipation of the funds pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of the case.

The second defendant, in his statement to the Commission , admitted that majority of the funds found in his account were from the first defendant, Bakare, who confessed to being into Business Email Compromise, BEC, between 2009 and 2020 and also hacking into the accounts of KLM, Turkish Airlines and British Airways.

The fraudster were subsequently arraigned before Justice O. A Taiwo of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on five-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and retaining stolen property, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

One of the counts reads: “Tobilola Ibrahim Bakare and Alimi Seun Sikiru, sometime in 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to commit felony to wit: retaining cumulative sum of about $1,000.000,00( One Million United States of America Dollars ) property of KLM, Turkish Airways and British Airways.”

 Another count reads: “Tobiloba Ibrahim Bakare and Alimi Seun Sikiru, sometime in 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , with a dishonest intent, retained four -bedroom detached duplex situated at Ologolo Jakande, Lekki, Lagos.”

They pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charges preferred against them.

Delivering judgment, Justice Taiwo noted that the action of the defendants was “responsible for giving Nigeria a bad image globally, whereby the average Nigerian is looked upon as being untrustworthy and fraudulent”. She convicted and sentenced Bakare, to three years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, with the option of fine of N3m (Three Million Naira).

The Judge also convicted and sentenced Sikiru, to three years imprisonment on counts 1 and 5 with an option of fine of N1 million (One Million Naira).

Justice Taiwo also held that the five bedroom duplex situated at Ibrahim Eleto Street, Osopa London, Lekki, Lagos,  four bedroom semi-detached duplex situated at Ologolo , Jakande, Lekki, Lagos and  another four bedroom semi-detached duplex in Southern View Estate, Mayor Court, Chevron Alternative Road, Lekki, Lagos recovered from the first defendant be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Judge further held that the sums of N196, 741, 216.82 recovered from the second defendant’s company, Alvine International Resources Ventures account domiciled in Sterling Bank and N7, 054, 852. 01 recovered from the second defendant’s account domiciled in Polaris Bank be forfeited to the Federal Government

Two vehicles, a Mercedes Benz E500 and a Toyota Hilux 2020 recovered from the first defendant were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

Pix 1: House 2B, Bamidele Majiyagbe Street, Southern View, Chevy View, Lekki, Lagos

Pix 2: No. 13, AbdulRahman Oseni Street, Ocean Breeze Estate , Ologolo , Jakande, Lekki, Lagos.

Pix 3: No 31, Alhaji Mudashiru Eletu Way, Osopa London, Eti-Osa, Lekki, Lagos

Pix 4: Seun Sikiru Alimi 

Pix 5: Ibrahim King Bakare

Igboho: Buratai Meets Benin Republic President| AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has met with the President of the French-speaking West African nation, Patrice Talon.

R: Buratai with Benin President, Talon

Buratai met with the Beninese President on Tuesday during the official presentation of his letter of credence.

Also, the Ambassador of Germany to Benin Republic, Michael Derus; as well as those of Ghana, Gabon, and Norway also presented their letters of credence to Talon.

Buratai (R) presents his letter of credence to Talon (L)

Buratai’s meeting with the Beninese President occurred amid the planned extradition of wanted Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, who was arrested in Cotonou on July 19, 2021 while he tried to catch a flight to Germany.

A member of Igboho’s legal team, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had said Buratai asked for the extradition of Igboho to the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja, Nigeria but Benin Republic disappointed him.

Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between July 2015 and January 2021, was deployed as Nigeria’s envoy in the Benin Republic in June 2021.

Before then, the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had presented Buratai’s nomination to the Senate and the upper chamber of the National Assembly had confirmed the ex-COAS’ nomination despite public outcry of some crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the Nigerian Army under Buratai’s leadership.

In a statement, the Beninese Government said Talon granted audience to each of the new ambassadors and discussed with them on the revitalisation and strengthening of bilateral cooperation between these different countries and Benin.

Talon was also said to have received a brief update on the state of cooperation between Benin, Nigeria and the other countries.

“The President of the Republic also took the opportunity to invite the new Ambassadors to work more on consolidating and strengthening the warm relations that already exist between their countries and Benin,” the statement added.

It was, however, not clear whether or not Buratai discussed Igboho’s extradition with the Beninese President.

Igboho, an arrowhead of the secessionist agitation for Yoruba nation, has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou around 8pm.

Igboho was arrested after the Nigerian Government notified its West African neighbours – including Benin Republic – that he should be hunted.

He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered the release of the Germany-based wife of the activist, saying there were no allegations against her.

The Beninese court, on Monday, however, ordered that Igboho be remanded in a prison facility in the country while further investigations were carried out on the case against the agitator.

Igboho is facing allegations bordering on trafficking in arms, inciting violence and causing disunity in Nigeria.

Some of the other offences said to have been committed by the activist include entering Benin Republic illegally as well as alleged planned intent to cause social unrest in Benin Republic.

Though currently in detention, the court granted the 48-year-old agitator access to medical care while his lawyers continue to battle for his release and kick against his extradition to Nigeria.

Recall that Igboho fled Nigeria after the DSS declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to cause mayhem under the pretext of Yoruba nation but the activist denied the allegation.

Igboho had narrowly escaped the DSS raid on his Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021 around 1am when the secret police killed two of his associates and arrested about 12 of them.

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Protest On Lagos-Ibadan Road As Truck Hits Stray Cows | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Motorists and residents around Onigari at the Ogun State end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, have blocked the road after an accident involving a truck and some strayed cows.

Source gathered that some Fulani herders were leading the cows when they strayed onto the road and caused the accident.

An eyewitness at the scene of the incident told The PUNCH that the herders fled the scene after the accident.

Four members of a suspected kidnap-for-ransom syndicate have been smashed in Ota, Ogun State | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Two of the suspects are 20 years old, one is 21, while the fourth is 29.

Suspected kidnappers 

The ugly scenario began with one of the suspects, Abbey Fagbemi, 20, accosting the victim at Iyana-Iyesi in Otta, at about 6:30pm on May 6, 2021, apparently hypnotized and took her to the residence of another member of the gang, Adekunle Basit, 20, at 'Cele' area, opposite Honda Company in Otta.

The victim was on an errand for her mother when she ran into Abbey's web. It was in the process that the other two members, John Nelson, 21 and Adeleke Ayotunde (aka AY), 29, were connected, and they all took it up as a veritable source of making fortune from the girl's abduction.

They, thereafter, put a call across to the victim's father, demanding for N500,000, "if he ever wanted to see his daughter again".

While the suspects were overwhelmed by the illusion that in a matter of hours, the girl's relatives would raise the ransom, the father, Adejuwon Odunowo, instead, headed for Onipanu Police Division, where he lodged his complaint, disclosing to the Police that the abductors had threatened him of losing the girl if he failed to meet up with their demand.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi revealed in a press statement made available that, "Upon the report, the DPO, Onipanu Division, CSP Bamidele Job, detailed his crack detectives, to embarked on intelligence and technical based investigation, to unravel those behind the devilish act". 

According to the PPRO, two days after, May 8, one of the suspects, Abbey Fagbemi, was tracked down in "Cele" area of Otta, leading to the arrest of John Nelson and Adeleke Ayotunde in a factory within Otta.

"It was then discovered that the victim was held captive in the Adekunle Basit's room in the same 'Cele' area, where the girl was rescued unhurt and reunited with her family", the PPRO stated.

JS Babatunde To Employ 600 Youths Through N50m Agricultural Projects In Orile Agege | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The Executive Chairman, Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State,  Johnson Babatunde, has vowed that the council has projected about N50 million agricultural projects for 600 youths.

JS Babatunde 

Babatunde fielding AgegePulse and a other Newsmen recently stated that the project would create jobs for unemployed youths in the area.

He said his plan was to establish “Orile-Agege Village’’ in the neighbouring state where no fewer than 600 youths from the LCDA would be empowered in the agriculture sector.

According to him, the project will involve cash and arable crops and poultry farming, while some sectors will focus on livestock production.

“This development will force the food price to go down, as things are costly nowadays, because we have failed to do the needful.

“If our leaders can rise up to their responsibilities, the cost of living will be reduced,” Babatunde said.

The council chief said he planned to engage youths from Orile-Agege in the agricultural projects, with 100 youths per ward in the LCDA and empower them in “Orile Agege Village”.

He said, “If from LCDA, I can get N50 million for them to start the projects with proper supervision, I think it will open our eyes, and the development will go a long way to help youths and the economy at large.”

Babatunde said that youths involved would be able to access some external financial facilities from Agricultural Development Bank, Bank of Industry and Central Bank of Nigeria.

The chairman also said the project would go a long way in helping interested youths to become self-reliance, assist economy of the village and major towns through sales of the farm produces.

“Through this project, the village involve will be developed socially and economically,’’ the chairman said.

He said further that agricultural project would focus on poultry feed through large cultivation of maize and other crops use for livestock feeds.

“Very soon, this project will start yielding positive result; we must be selfless in serving the people and, youths, especially must not be neglected in any society,” JS Babatunde advised.

GAC adopts direct primaries to elect APC’s candidates for Lagos Council Poll | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The Lagos State Gorvernor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted direct primaries to elect candidates for the party in the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections.

BY TAYO ADERINOLA

The Lagos State Gorvernor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted direct primaries to elect candidates for the party in the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections.

Lagos Panorama was realiably informed that the resolution was reached yesterday  after the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had earlier announced that the Council Elections to elect Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors for the 20 Local Governments Area Councils ( LGAC) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) will hold in July 2021.

The Apex body of the APC in Lagos State has also fixed June 18-25 for the primaries. So all aspirants were advised to commence lobbying on every card carrying party members.

Also at the GAC meeting, the Speaker of Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was pronounced as a full and leading member of the Lagos GAC.

The GAC is the apex political decision making body in Lagos State with the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman.

Lagos RRS Nabs Another 4 Notorious Traffic Robbers | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) early hour on Thursday (25/03/2021) nabbed another 4 notorious traffic robbers around Abiola Garden area of Ojota, Lagos.

Suspected traffic robbers

The Commander RRS CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that these 4 notorious traffic robbers were arrested by the  surveillance team of the Agency.

CSP Egbeyemi disclosed further that the surveillance team of the Agency were deployed to monitor the entire ikorodu road axis in reaction to series of complaints of early morning robbery attacks by motorists including residents around Owode Onirin, Mike 12, Ketu down to Ojota axis.

According to Commander RRS "our surveillance team pretended as if their vehicle had mechanical problem early morning (6:30am) beside 'Abiola Garden' within 5 minutes these criminals came out with dangerous weapons  demanding for their wallets and other valuables before they were all apprehended"

Adewale Ismaila (30yrs), Chinadu Okafor (26yrs), Tote Victor (19yrs) and Abdulahi Olalere a.k.a 'Orobo' (20yrs).

One of the arrested  notorious traffic robber Abdulahi Olalere a.k.a 'Orobo' confessed to belong to a robbery gang that specializes in attacking and robbing innocent motorists of their belongings in the early hour along Ikorodu Road.

 

He confirmed that his gang was responsible for early morning robbery attacked on innocent motorists around China Town and tipper garage by Ketu area of Ikorodu Road on Tuesday, 26th of March, 2021).

 

Investigation revealed that Abdulahi Olalere a.k.a 'Orobo' was recently released from one of 'Correctional Center' where he served 6 months jailed term for same robbery incidents 

FG Tasks NSCDC On School Security | AgegePulse Magazine

 

The Federal Government has charged the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to immediately develop a robust scheme for school protection across the country in order to ensure the safety of children everywhere, especially within the school environs, from the incessant attacks by kidnappers and armed men.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola gave the charge on Monday, 1 March, 2021 in his Office in Abuja when he decorated Ahmed Abubakar Audi as the new Commandant- General of the NSCDC.

According to him, “children are a specially protected social category. They are innocent and at the same time vulnerable. They are as vulnerable to external circumstances as to their own wiles”. 

Aregbesola who expressed sadness over the incessant spate of violations and kidnappings in schools urged the NSCDC to continue to work in synergy with other security agencies with a view to immediately restore peace and security in the country, particularly within the school environment.

In his speech titled “Your moment to be a Hero”, the Minister reminded the new Commandant-General that he is mounting the saddle of this great organization at a very critical time in our dear nation with challenging security situations. 

He therefore informed him that it is going to be rough but that, as a motivational speaker once wrote, it is great challenges that produces heroes and men of history and thus advised him that he should continue to navigate diligently and triumphantly taking cognisance of the rigorous selection process that brought him into office, so as to ensure that he delivers on the mandate of the NSCDC in line with the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

Ogbeni Aregbeslola further charged the leadership of the corps to develop a robust scheme that would not only check the menace in the schools, but also ensure the protection of critical national assets, such as pipelines, electricity pylons, stations and cables, telecommunication mast, cables and installations.

“Another scheme, like the Agro Rangers, should also be developed to cover full agriculture and offer protection to all categories of farmers. Protecting crop farmers and pastoralists is a matter of national food security”, he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore assured that the Ministry will continue to support the agencies under it to ensure that they deliver on their respective mandates which is the provision of internal security and citizenship integrity.

In his response, the new Commandant-General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi assured that the Corps under his watch, will among others, improve on institutional wellness and also leverage on proactive intelligence gathering in its operations, as this would bring to a barest minimum the asymmetric war now going on in the country.

The Commandant-General thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve and commended his administration for its avowed commitment to the safety of lives and property. He pledged the NSCDC’s total commitment to the realization of its mandate.

Dismissed Police Officer To Die By Hanging Over Extra-judicial Killing | AgegePulse Magazine

 

A Criminal High Court of Justice sitting in Benin City, has sentenced to death by hanging, a dismissed Police Constable, Joseph Omotosho, attached to the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Edo State Police command.

This sentence is coming after five and a half years of waiting for justice by the family of Benson Obodeh, a car dealer, who was arrested by men of SARS for undisclosed reasons and later died in unclear circumstances.

The dismissed Constable, Joseph Omotosho, alongside, Corporals, Adeleke Adedeji, Abena John, Oniyo Musa, Henry Shobowole, were found guilty after undergoing a court trial on eight-count charge bordering on Conspiracy to Steal and murder over alleged car theft incident that happened in 2015.

But the other three accomplices escaped during the EndSARS protest when two correctional centres were destroyed in Benin City and inmates escaped.

The presiding judge, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, delivered judgment on the fifth defendant, Joseph Omotosho, who was the only one present in Court while suspending the sentencing of the other absconded criminal policemen.

Ovbiagele described testimonies provided by the claimant as firm adding, “therefore, his judgment was based on “absolute fact” which the Court absorbed as presented by the prosecuting counsel and all witnesses that appeared before the court,”

26-year-old Benin based car dealer, Benson Obodeh, was said to have been listed among suspected criminal gangs who allegedly stole a Peugeot car in Lagos for their raids.

According to multiple reports, his corpse was later dumped at the Specialist Hospital, Benin City, with a different name unscripted on his lifeless body, claimed by the mortician who received the body from one of the Police Corporals that killed him.

Family investigations revealed that, the policemen who committed the murder also stole an unregistered Peugeot 306 car from the late Benson Obodeh, stole the sum of N200,000 cash from him, made away with the wallet containing his identity cards and two ATM Cards.

Lagos: SA Housing Hon. Toke Benson Revalidates Her Membership In APC | AgegePulse Magazine

 

...Encourages members to partake in the exercise,  

...Urges more people to join the ruling party

SA Toke-Benson

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, revalidated her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday at ward 'F' ikeja Federal Constituency.

Speaking with journalists after the exercise, she encouraged party faithfuls to come out en mass and revalidate their membership while also encouraging well meaning Nigerians to join the Party. She reiterated that's the only way to know who are the real and true party members. she also said the exercise  should be taken seriously as it will give people the opportunity to know each other and know their leaders in each Ward and Constituency.

(M) SA, Toke-Benson 

While advocating for inclusive and good governance, Toke Benson Awoyinka also urged the youths to come out and register with the the ruling party as that is the only way to participate in the electoral process for any political office and seek redress from the self centered politicians we have in the system now. 

Speaking further, Toke Benson said for you to be elected to any political office you must first be a member of a political party, not just any political party but a party that has the interest of the masses and a party that is ready to serve those that voted for them.

As political office holders, we are called to serve but without a formidable party like APC people like us won't be in the office that we are today. As you can see today that Lagos is a success story under APC and our able governor Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, therefore I plead with you all to come out and join our great party she said.

Education: Oke-Odo Senior High School Agege Wins Y2020 Essay Writing Competition | AgegePulse Magazine

Winners have emerged at the grand finale of the Y2020 Essay competition amongst students of Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Lagos State. 

Adekola Samuel of Oke-Odo Snr High School, Agege, Ademisoye Anuoluwapo of Egbe Junior Grammar School, Alimosho and Omodesire Liadi of Saint Agnes Primary School, Kosofe clinched the Star prizes in the Senior,  Junior and Primary categories respectively in an award presentation ceremony held today at the Ministry of Education, Alausa, Ikeja.

Over 700 participants from all schools within the State participated at the Zonal/District Preliminaries, which thereafter presented 140 eligible competitors from the 6 Education Districts and SUBEB for the State finals that produced winners in the three categories.

Addressing the Champions, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo expressed excitement, as she commended the competitors for their brilliance and articulate delivery. 

The Commissioner affirmed that the Essay competition, one of the Co-Curricular programmes of the Ministry is aimed at sharpening the research and writing skills of the students and by implication improving their vocabulary, adding that this will enable them to be confident, boost their oratory skills and have in-depth knowledge of their environment.

Adefisayo observed that the writers of the essay scripts displayed “the gift of deep thought and articulate writing skills to convey ideas, communicate philosophy, recall occurrences and peep into the future which are required in literary works”.

She encouraged the students to conduct researches on relevant topics and trending issues through online encyclopedia such as Google, Wikipedia and other search engines, which will aid their learning process and give them a wider scope, making them digital savy in line with the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s Education and Tecnology Agenda. 

The Commissioner concluded by commending the efforts of their teachers, thereby reiterating that the State Government will not relent in its commitment towards providing a habitable and conducive environment for teaching and learning.

Earlier in a welcome address, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja noted that the essay competition in schools has provided a platform for the students to strive for excellent performance in the art of writing. 

Mrs. Adelaja stressed that the Ministry had to proffer new ways at engaging the Students amidst the Covid-19 period, in a bid to further boost their learning which is very critical to the State Government.

She appreciated all Stakeholders in the Education Sector and Parents for their immense contributions throughout the year as there is more to be done in the coming year towards preparing a greater future for the Children.

Ogueliwu Fortune of Lagos State Model Nur/Pry School, GRA and Muhammed Aisha of Baruwa Nur/Pry School, Mushin emerged the 1st and 2nd runners up in the Primary School Category while Olaniyan Noah of Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege and Nlebedim Chioma of New-Era Girls Junior Secondary School, Surulere clinched the 1st and 2nd runners up position in the Junior Category

In the Senior Category, Ikeh Chidera of Gbaja Girls Senior High School, Surulere and Suliamon-Oba Maryam of Adebola Baptist Senior School, Surulere took the 1st and 2nd runners up positions respectively. Highpoints of the event were the presentation of Trophies, Plaques and gift items to the winners in the various categories

Our Mandate's To Bridge Housing Deficit In Lagos - SA, Toke Benson | AgegePulse Magazine

 

... Start Regeneration of Assets In Mainland, Gov. Sanwo-Olu Charges Real Estate Agents

Lagosians home and abroad soon will no long have a fear in purchasing decent, affordable housing in Lagos.

This development was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka as Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) hosted recently the first of its kind Real Estate Conference and Exhibition in the Real Estate Capital of Africa, with the theme: “Unearthing real opportunities in Real Estate.” at the Eko Hotel & Suits, VI, Lagos.

The epoch event which have in attendance, the Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Government Agencies, Captains of Industries, Real Estate Agents, Estate valuers, and others Stakeholders in Real Estate Business was another turnaround initiative to solve housing deficit in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, The Governor harped on the need for massive regeneration of properties in mainland part of Lagos, charging real estate investors and private developers to divert their investment to rebuilding mainland and redistributing wealth from the business.

He said: “I need to charge the real estate investors that, everybody needs not build in Sangotedo or Ibeju Lekki. Let us go to mainland and start regeneration of the assets in that part of Lagos. This way, we would be redistributing wealth and creating opportunities for our citizens.

The Governor said the State’s Department of Lands had built the required capacity for smooth transition to the online platform, stressing that the plan was already in its final stage.

When the web-based platform is finally launched, there will be no need for applicants seeking for Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), survey and building plan approvals to physically submit paper documents for authorisation. All documentation and payments will be done by applicants from the comfort of their homes.

Sanwo-Olu said the new development would bring about quick turnaround time in land transactions and boost private investors’ confidence in provision of home ownership model that will address deficits in housing.

He said: “We have improved on our GIS solution to accelerating land matters in Lagos. From the first quarter of next year, we will be launching an online platform on which all land transactions will be done. When the project kick-starts next year, there will be one-stop shop for all transactions relating to land, including Governor’s approval on CofO, and building approval by Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

“We have given our commitment on this, because of the need to improve the turnaround time from when people submit their requests for approval and the time the authorisation is completed. We cannot afford to disappoint private investors and applicants seeking real time approval. We are raising our capacity, so that we can respond to the requests and discharge them.”

The Governor charged residents and property developers applying for approvals to stop cutting corners and circumventing the process, stressing that sharp practices would only make it difficult for impatient applicants to get their documents approved.

Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the conference was held with an objective to bring stakeholders in property business in contact with relevant Government agencies and address bottlenecks slowing down property transactions.

She said LASRERA was created with a mandate to bridge the gap of credibility in property business, pointing out that the Government responded to the yearnings of industry players, having realised there were genuine real estate practitioners and property developers, as well as genuine home and property seekers who were desirous of credibility in real estate transactions in Lagos.

Benson-Awoyinka said the regulatory agency, since inception, had set processes in motion to change the negative image of property development business and check malpractices which the sector had faced in the last decades.

She said: “As a Government that is determined to bridge the housing deficit in the State, we are aware of our role in not just the provision of houses, but also create an enabling environment for the private sector working hand in hand to a desired end.

“We are making a renewed appeal to investors in the sector to team up with the State Government to create a home ownership model that will help address the deficits observed in housing market in the State our through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative in providing mass housing for our people.” Toke-Benson, Concluded

The two days conference featured exhibitions for home marketing firms, Government and private property developers.

There was also a panel of discussion in which private practitioners, heads of relevant Ministries and agencies provided explanations on housing market can be improved

Lagos To Host 1st Real Estate Market Place Conference, Exhibition | AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government has announced that plans have been concluded to hold the first ever Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibitions between Wednesday,9th and Thursday,10th December, 2020.

The Conference and Exhibitions will be hosted by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA at Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The initiative according to the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka was designed to provide a meeting-point for real estate practitioners and their potentials clients.

She informed that the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat and some other key stakeholders in the built sector have been billed to attend the two day event. 

She urged  residents especially those interested in real estate properties to attend the event and meet with verified real estate developers with affordable home purchase schemes. 

Benson-Awoyinka explained that the forum also provides an avenue for participants to meet genuine practitioners with track records and traceable identities, stressing that all participants have been registered and their data captured by LASRERA. 

The Special Adviser assured Lagosians that the event which promises to be a One  Shop Stop for the real estate sector and will bring a total turn around into Real Estate businesses are transactions in Nigeria, assuring that real estate practice in Lagos State is now changing the narrative of fraudulent practices and unprofessionalism which the industry has been known for over the years. 

She called on interested persons who are yet to leverage on the platform being provided by LASRERA, to visit the Agency's website and apply to be part of the Conference and Exhibitions. 

The registration link for participation in the programme is : https://lasrera2020.eventbrite.com

ADEOTI SOBOWALE 

Assistant Director, Public Affairs

In Agege: Hoodlums Attack Lagos Firemen, Destroy Fire Engine | AgegePulse Magazine

Three firemen of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were reportedly injured and a fire engine of the Agency damaged by hoodlums, who attacked the officials in the course of duty on Sunday. 

Making this disclosure, Acting Head of the Agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye expressed displeasure over the incessant attacks on firefighters in recent times for yet to be identified reasons.

She recalled that the attack on the firefighters and the engine occurred after officials the agency were prevented from attending to a fire incident at Humani Street, Dopemu Agege

Adeseye informed that three firemen from a crew of four were injured and the Agency's vehicle, Agege Fire Eagle C07, damaged by the hoodlums after preventing the personnel from performing their official duties.

AgegePulse Magazine learnt that it took the intervention of a team of policemen from Alabo Police Division, led by Supol Bako Muhammed, before normalcy was restored at the fire scene.

She stated that the injured officers were treated at Agege General Hospital, while investigations about the incident are on-going to effect the arrest of culprits and ascertain the cause of the attack.

Breaking: Football legend Maradona is dead | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Diego Armando Maradona has passed away at the age of 60, according to reports in Argentina.

The former Barcelona and Napoli star suffered a heart attack at his home in the San Andres neighbourhood in the town of Tigre on Wednesday morning.

This news has come via the Argentinian newspaper Clarin, who state that Maradona had been living in this area since having surgery for a blot clot in his brain.

He only celebrated his 60th birthday on October 30, less than a month ago, and after the operation, which went well, Maradona was discharged from hospital. 

From the hospital he went home to Tigre to continue his recovery.

Maradona helped Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup in arguably the greatest achievement of his career, while he also brought two Serie A titles to Napoli. 

During his time with Barcelona in Spain, he won the Copa del Rey, Copa de la Liga and Supercopa de Espana in 1983.

The man nicknamed 'Dios' was born in Lanus in 1960 and is one of the legends of world football. 

Maradona's delicate state of health worsened in the last hours and he left us. 

Argentina and the whole football planet is mourning one of the greatest to have ever played the sport.

Lagos Taskforce Refutes Allegation of Sexual Advances By Motorist | AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has refuted the allegation of sexual advances against its purported Commander as reported in the Punch Newspaper of Sunday, November 22, 2020, with the caption "Taskforce Commander Made Sexual Advances At Me - DIDI EKANEM".

According to a statement issued today by the Agency, preliminary investigation revealed that the claimant and owner of a Venza car with the registration APP 775 GJ was arrested for driving against traffic (one-way) around Lekki - Ajah expressway by an enforcement team of the Agency led by DSP Kayode Popoola on Wednesday, 18th of November, 2020.

The investigation revealed further that the vehicle was impounded and brought to the Agency's car park at Alausa, Ikeja, adding that DSP Popoola, who is not the 'Commander' of the Agency, however, unlawfully negotiated with the motorist and collected the sum of N100,000 via bank transfer to his personal account before the vehicle was eventually released to the owner (Didi Ekanem).

The release stated further that the leader and members of the enforcement team have since been arrested and queried by the Chairman CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, pending their transfer to the Lagos Police Command for further disciplinary actions.

The Agency, therefore, warned the general public, particularly private car owners and motorcycle operators, to desist from driving against traffic (one-way) or bribe anyone to effect the release of their impounded vehicles, as both the giver and receiver are culpable in Law.

While maintaining that it is only a Law Court that can order the release of an impounded vehicle or payment of necessary fine into specified government accounts, it urged the citizenry to always report any corrupt officer, who solicits for a bribe, to the authorities for disciplinary actions.

Amazing: Education District 1, Agege Student Scores 8As, 1B3 In 2020/2021 WAEC/SSSCE Result | AgegePulse Magazine

  

...Ranked Among The Best

 It's another amazing and oustanding results from student of Education District 1, Agege.

It was learnt that, one Abiodun Anuoluwapo Favor, from Vetland Senior Grammar School of Education district 1 had Eight (8) A1 and one B3 in all the subjects he sat for in the Year 2020/2021 WAEC Exam, placing the result as one of the best.

      

It was gathered that, the outstanding results of this brilliant student, strongly testified to the profound and conscious efforts of the visionary and awards winning TG/PS, Barrister Titilayo Margaret Solarin, who has always espoused both academic and extra curricular excellence amongst the students of Education District 1.

Her strategic vision, has always been the guiding principle of the amiable and award winning Principal of Vetland Senior Grammar school, Mrs A.E Taiwo. 

Congratulations to Education District 1 !!!

Congratulations to Bar. Solarin Titi

Congratulations to Mrs. Taiwo Abiola

Congratulations to Agege LG

Congratulations to Vetland  Grammar School

Ajobiewe Junior Narrowly Escapes Death | AgegePulse Magazine

Azeez Ajobiewe Ayilara the son of the popular Yoruba chanter popularly known as Ajobiewe narrowly escaped death  as a tanker collided with his car while on his way out with his crew.

Azeez took to his social media page to thank God for the protection during this fatal accident 

He wrote:

 I want to use this medium and opportunity to thank God after a fatal accident experience yesterday which a Tanker colided with my car and crushed it to the point of write off. I am indeed grateful to almighty God for keeping me and my crew alive,it was a miracle that saved us. Mere words can't express how grateful I am..... Grateful heart.