Meet Agege Young Billionaire Ogundele, Says Fear of Poverty Brought Me This Far

OGUNDELE: Agege boy who became one of Nigeria’s youngest billionaires

By Charles Kumolu

In a society with limited opportunities  especially for  youths, he was terrified by the fear of poverty early in life. In Agege, a Lagos suburb, where he grew up, he converted  his  apprehension to a motivation  which eventually became his saving grace.

 Education and creativity were vital  in elevating  Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele to the position of  Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a multi-billion naira real estate firm, Sujimoto Construction.

The firm built the tallest residential building, Lorenzo, in Lagos. His wealth and fame at a relatively young age, have been adjudged  an inspiration.  Ogundele, who is regarded as one of Nigeria’s youngest billionaires, is rated a brave young entrepreneur  by  Forbes Africa.

The following is his story: Sijibomi Ogundele In the beginning While growing up on the streets of Agege, the fear of poverty was my greatest motivation.

Out of the 47 houses on our street, only two people owned a power generating set. This taught me a great lesson that for wealth to be generated, my environment and the people I surround myself with, need to change.

At the tender age of 9, I started visiting Ikoyi with the mindset  that someday, I would also live there. Today, that dream has become reality. I became a billionaire at a young age because I prepared myself for it. It required hardwork and a strong conviction that I was chosen and ordained by God.

This is the basis of  my confidence which motivates  me to  dream bigger than my environment. Passion for entrepreneurship I speak English, French, Spanish, Yoruba, and Hausa. It will interest you to know that I have a working knowledge of Japanese and Arabic languages. From childhood, I developed a passion for entrepreneurship.

That’s been my only passion to date. I was first introduced to business at a tender age in Africa’s largest market, Oke-Arin. Out of curiosity, I  followed my mother to the market where I learned every aspect of trading. That’s why I’m not surprised  I’m the Managing Director and Chairman of Sujimoto. We usually say  Sujimoto is to architecture what Picasso was to art. We are a dynamic and innovative luxury real estate firm. Our major mission is to revolutionize the luxury real estate sector.

Fear of poverty The fear of poverty brought me this far in life. As a builder, the foundation for me was very crucial because a man’s foundation gives him a glimpse into his future. Without my childhood experiences, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It didn’t only  make me resilient, it was a strong  pillar. I have zero tolerance for failure and I believe that a man  who lives in an apartment in Ikorodu today, can own a house in Ikoyi tomorrow. Success is all about choices we make and our priorities. I’m  quite  fortunate to have won the ovarian lottery of my mother; a woman who at the age of nine was sent to Cameroon as a sales girl.

Today, against all odds, she’s  among the biggest distributors for Nestlé Nigeria Plc. She inspired me to be who and what  I am today. She taught me the importance of having a great vision and working persistently towards making it a reality. Foundations of my success I found wealth by reading books.

My first introduction to entrepreneurship was when I read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Ten years in any university could never have given me what I learned in 10 days. This changed my life forever. I understood two things. The first is to look for a product. The second one is to create a competitive advantage.

Also, customers should always come first. These principles are the foundations of my success. My first major break I ventured into the luxury real estate sector at a time when Nigerians were beginning to demand value for their money. My vision was simple: to redefine luxury living by exceeding all expectations. My simple philosophy was to create sugar, after which ants will come. I have been doing real estate since 1998 when I lived in the South of France as a common agent with no license. Back then, I brokered a lot of deals in project management and financing but my first major break was in 2011 when I bought an apartment in Paris and decided to remodel it.

My friends thought I was crazy and ostentatious but after I was done renovating, I sold it in less than two months to a friend from Qatar for double the price. This investment flip in such a short time re-ignited my interest in real estate and changed my career path forever. Before moving back to Nigeria, I visited my aunt who bought a house on Banana Island. After paying so much for the house, I still had to help her redesign the kitchen, change the doors, tiles and other things. It was very exerting and frustrating considering the fact that one would expect a house of that magnitude and price to have quality accessories and interiors.

When I decided to return to Nigeria in 2014, I had the vision to liberate the Nigerian luxury real estate market and bring true value to customers, who were not only tired of architectural mediocrity but also frustrated by value depreciation. I ventured  into the luxury real estate sector at a time when Nigerians were beginning to demand quality and value for their money. They had been at the mercy of mediocre developers who  refused to raise the bar in terms of quality but demanded ridiculous prices, because they thought the customer didn’t know better.The market was littered with substandard structures, going for exorbitant prices. All I did was to create sugar by offering  world-class service with  superb finishing of international standard at reasonable prices. The game changed and  today, most of the so-called top developers are using Sujimoto as a case study. Many have copied our designs and tried to emulate our marketing strategy.  Potentials and talents My desire to create a platform that inspires the next generation made us to organise a mentorship platform.

It was to inspire young talents and send a message to the nation that our major asset is our human capital. The Sujimoto one-day internship and mentoring programme is a lifetime project  and it’s  objective is  empowering young aspiring entrepreneurs with business skills, advisory, mentorship and financial support. Young Nigerian students between the ages of  12 and  22 were specially selected from different institutions from all over Nigeria to participate. This event is about inspiration.Without the right mentorship, people might miss the road to their destinies. That’s why we have different people from different industries, who share their stories with young people and encourage them to pursue their dreams. Youths need to know that their location has nothing to do with their destination. The project is for youths for now. Nigeria  has a  tendency  of  discouraging people from achieving their potentials with their talents.  We want our brand to  empower  youths and help them achieve their potentials. A short message can transform a mindset, just the way a piece of advice can change a life. Accepting failure Mentoring assures people that there’s someone who cares about them, assures them that they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges and makes them feel  they matter. Ultimately, mentoring connects an individual to personal growth and development, social and economic opportunities. Sadly, one-in-three young people will grow up without this crucial asset.Anyone aspiring to be great should not accept failure. When failure happens, people should rather be strong and learn from it.

Nobody succeeds without challenging himself. I want to encourage young people in this country to read books, because a widely read person is an asset any day. Being creative should not be ignored as well as associating with the right people. Biggest challenge in life I dreamed of developing what I can call the biggest project in my life; which is the tallest residential building in Sub-Sahara Africa estimated to cost $90 million. I invested all my money, time and passion into it because believed in it. Sadly, our economy crashed and things became rough. Sometimes, life snatches peoples’ dreams away, making everything around them appear impossible.

At that point, some people told me that real estate is a difficult sector. They said it was better I abandoned my passion and do something else. I visited a friend’s water factory in Abeokuta and thought about venturing into the pure-water business. Not satisfied with that, I was at Ijebu Igbo and visited some farms because farming looked promising. Confused and devastated A friend, whom I lent about $2 million defaulted.  I contemplated selling all I owned and move to New York City. At that point, I had spoken to a successful Nigerian actor, who relocated to Atlanta because of the recession in the country. He assured me that I could access credit through a flexible banking system. I was confused and devastated, but I kept the words of Napoléon Hills on replay in my head. I remembered that my condition at the time should not determine my destination. However, I knew that running away wasn’t the definition of the Motomatics Philosophy I had created. The Sujimoto I know wasn’t a runaway loser, neither is it a brand that lacked focus. I developed courage and refocused my life. I revisited my options and created Guilliano, the son of Lorenzo, the grandson of Cosimo the Medici. I conceptualised, planned and executed the project, even though I didn’t have all the money.  It was the most inspiring, most difficult and most challenging time for me. I am thankful I didn’t give up. I have remained focused in pursuing that dream and making  it come true. In 10 years from now, we want to see beneficiaries of the foundation come back to testify to how the organisation has changed their lives and also contribute to the moral and educational development of others. I want to see the foundation develop into a life-changing institution and a model in the humanitarian circle.

Recently, professionals cautioned that the scope of the foundation is too broad. We were advised to focus on education, empowerment and community development. Life of contentment We must begin to address  challenges in the education sector in a strategic manner. When an individual is educated, many generations would automatically be liberated through him. That’s because the level of reasoning and the worldview of an educated individual are remarkably different from others. Through lawmaking, we can reform the education system and make it more result-oriented.

Through lawmaking, we can bring hope to millions of people through education. The liberation of every society starts with education. To achieve this, we must live a life of contentment. We live flamboyant lifestyles that we do not have the capacity to sustain whereas crucial needs like education suffer.

We cannot develop if we continue like that. This is why I invest so much in education. Every year, I distribute thousands of exercise books to schools. When I was in primary two, I could not afford exercise books. Whenever I remember my experience, I acknowledge the deprivation some pupils go through and how useful I could be to them. That’s why I have been actively involved in the empowerment of  youths and women. To reach a larger percentage of these groups, we need to put in place robust institutional frameworks that are supportive of the society we want to build.  I think the society we want, should be progressive, developmental and wealth-creating. Young men and women die daily of ailments that could be cured by common medical solutions. Children, who are willing to learn do not have the basic facilities required for descent learning. If we cannot begin to think of how to address these challenges, it means we have lost the essence of humanity. We must create an environment that’s conducive for  education and healthy living.

Vanguard

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80 Customers to become millionaires in UBA Wise Savers Promo… N120 Million up for grabs

In line with its tradition of deepening the savings culture by rewarding and encouraging its loyal customers, UBA has launched a new savings promo, UBA Wise Savers Promo. The promo which is scheduled to run till September 30, 2019, will give 80 people a whooping N1.5 million  each across all participating 

regions.

The objective is intended to assist in growing the Bank’s savings deposit. Participation is open to both existing and new customers.

To qualify for the Wise Savers Promo, new and existing customers of the bank are advised to make a N10,000 monthly deposit into their UBA savings account for 3 consecutive months before each draw date, or make a one-time deposit of at least N30,000 saved for 90 days before each draw date. Subsequently, 20 lucky customers will each win N1.5 million in the promo every quarter. Draws will take place every quarter until 80 customers win the N120 million up for grabs.

Speaking during the official launch of the Wise Savers Promo, Head Retail Liabilities, Tomiwa Sotiloye, explained that the Promo is consistent with the bank’s novel initiatives in proritising customers, adding that “we believe it is time we reward our customers who have been very loyal over the years. Without them, we could not have made the giant strides attained all these years and in recent times.

Tomiwa also noted that: “Because our customers are invaluable to all that we do, we listen and give them nothing short of the best that they deserve, that is why we pioneered various products that have evidently shown that we always match our words with action – Leo Chat Banker is one out of the numerous examples that have won us several accolades and most recently a prestigious award from Euromoney which conferred us with the best digital bank in Africa”.

According to him, “We remain committed to consistently improving customer service and rewarding our loyal customers. As such, the Wise Savers Promo seeks to compliment current initiatives aimed at growing savings.”

Lagos PDP chairman defects to APC with over 10,000 members

Moshood Salvador, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with “over 10,000 members” of the opposition party.

He announced his defection to journalists at his residence in the Surulere area of the state on Monday.

Salvador said he was no longer comfortable with “greedy leaders who are fond of telling lies and destabilising the party for their selfish interest”.

He has been having a running battle with Bode George, a prominent chieftain of the party in Lagos.

Salvador, a former member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), was a member of the house of representatives between 1999 and 2003.
He became the state chairman of the party in November 2017.

Last month, Salvador was remanded in Kirikiri prisons following his arraignment at a Yaba chief magistrates’ court alongside 10 others on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful killing.

He was arrested in connection with the murder of Adeniyi Aborishade, PDP chairman of Apapa local government area.

Aborishade was murdered on July 21, during the PDP visitation meeting that held at Igbosuku Village, Eti-Osa LGA.

An Ikeja high court later dismissed the murder charge filed against Salvador but the experience worsened the crisis in Lagos PDP.

LR

Third Mainland Bridge to be reopened by 5pm today

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government has announced that the Third Mainland Bridge which was temporarily closed for Investigative Maintenance Test would be reopened by 5pm on Sunday (today).

The State Government, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr Taiwo Salaam, said the decision to reopen the bridge earlier than announced followed the completion of the test by engineers.

The government also thanked motorists and residents for their cooperation and patience while the closure lasted.

The State Government, in partnership with the Federal Government, had temporarily shut the bridge for the Investigative Maintenance Test with the closure initially scheduled to last from midnight of last Thursday to midnight of Sunday.

Hajj pilgrims begin return journey on Monday

The return journey of Nigeria’s 55,000 pilgrims who performed this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia begins on Monday, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has said.

Its Director of Operations, Abdullahi Saleh, announced this on Sunday in Jeddah after a meeting with the airline operators.

He said the operation would be concluded within the same period it took to transport pilgrims from Nigeria “except there is any circumstance that warrants extension like an emergency”.

He said NAHCON and the air carriers would adhere to the initial sequence of pilgrims journey to the Holy land, to be fair in discharging the duty.
“The tradition of first come, first return will be observed as a principle and in line with the Saudi guidelines for fairness and equity,” he said.

He appealed to pilgrims and the operators to conduct the home-bound journeys orderly, adding that the handlers had indicated their readiness for the operation.
Meanwhile, Max Air limited, one of the airlines, said it was ready to commence the return journey.

Managing Director of the airline Shyam manwani, said the company had already transported the pilgrims’ holy water (Zamzam) to Nigeria during the first phase.
It will be distributed to pilgrims on return to the airports in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inaugural flight from Nigeria began on July 21 with 446 Kogi pilgrims and the return flight is expected to take the same shape.


Three carriers, MAX Air Limited, Flynass and Medview are involved in the exercise.
NAN
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Eleven ways to know your partner is having an affair

Tunde Ajaja

No doubt, being in love, especially when it is reciprocal, comes with some good feeling. But one of the many things that truncate such pleasure or harmonious relationships is cheating, and both men and women have been found to be guilty of it.

Largely, cheating is regarded as a betrayal of trust and findings have shown that men hardly ever forgive a cheating partner, even if they are also guilty of the act.

According to previous studies, men cheat for adventure, ego, unsatisfactory sexual experience in their marriage, frustration, revenge and deceit while women cheat due mainly to lack of affection from their partner, sexual dissatisfaction, revenge, boredom and peer pressure.

However, in order not to be caught unawares, there are signals that show that a partner is having an affair. It should equally be noted that each of these signals might not be a complete indicator of infidelity – some can, actually – but a combination of one or more could be. Some of these signals include:

They are suddenly protective of their phones:

Protecting one’s phone, maybe with a password, is never a bad idea. In fact, it is encouraged so that if it is stolen or misplaced, such thieves or anyone who lays hands on it does not have access to confidential information stored on the phone. Regardless, however, people who cheat are usually protective of their phones excessively or they take offence when their partner touches their phone. For the sake of trust, there are couples who tell their partners their password, but with a caveat not to be intrusive or meddlesome. But in such a situation, where the man or woman suddenly changes their password, when there was no breach of the caveat or any reasonable explanation, such persons might be hiding some things. And for those who were not used to putting password on their phones, if they start suddenly and are overprotective of the phones, it might be a signal. In addition, changing passwords from time to time might as well be a signal.

Making secret calls and not disclosing caller’s identity:

Funny as it might be, it is not uncommon for people who have things to hide to go to the bathroom, sometimes putting on the shower or tap to create some distraction; sneaking out of bed in the midnight to the visitor’s room or staircase to make calls or whispering over the phone while making calls or ending the call upon sighting the partner. In such cases, when asked who they were on the phone with, the common responses are ‘Oh! Don’t worry, it’s nothing important’ or ‘it’s a wrong number’ or ‘no one of importance.’ According to findings, these are signals that the person might be having an affair, and of course they want to keep it a secret.

When they delete their chat history:

The advent of chatting apps has somewhat made cheating easier, arguably. Thus, it could be a source of concern when a partner repeatedly clears the chat or message conversation with a person, especially before allowing their partner to touch the phone. That could be a signal, in addition to when a partner always rushes to answer their calls, avoid being subjected to questioning by their partners.

Sudden changes in appearance or preferences:

This factor could appear harmless, but according to some experts, a sudden change in looks, clothing style, or new styles aimed at impressing someone could suggest that it’s all beyond looking good and that an affair might be lurking around. A private investigator and author of Ultimate Betrayal, which is a guide to recognising, uncovering, and dealing with a cheating partner, Danine Manette, told Woman’sDay, “A man who drastically alters his clothing style, appearance or body shape for no apparent reason may be having an affair. Perhaps the other woman has suggested he grows beard, wears his hair differently or use a particular cologne. If he’s dressing differently for work unlike before, there may be a co-worker he’s trying to impress.”

Unusual hostile attitude:

While this is not a complete indicator of infidelity, experts say that people, especially men, cheating could be anxious or unsettled and look for every opportunity to create conflict and even leave the house, presumably out of anger, all being a ploy to go and spend time with the other lover outside. Manette added that if the partner suddenly gets angry or is irritated by the things that appealed to them before, like partner’s eating habit, dressing style, manner of speech and sex style, it could also be a signal. A professor of psychology, Toba Elegbeleye, said, “Complaint is another way of knowing that something extraneous has entered into the marriage, especially when your partner begins to complain about what he or she had not been complaining about before.”

They create some distance:

This is possibly a signal when a partner deliberately, or for no definite reason, creates some distance. Apart from now having more space to interact with their second lover, such persons would likely have less conversation with their partner and so would be free from any slip that could indict them during conversation. According to some marriage counsellors, if they stop spending time with you, or stop showing affection in public, it could also be a signal. Manette said, “He could be spending the time away from home with her. Although the other woman usually accepts whatever fragment of time the man can give her at first, she typically begins to demand more and more of his time. Conversely, he may just not want to come home because he feels guilty.”

When they become unusually caring:

Reasonably, one of the things guilt does is to compel people to be evasive or more affectionate to the person offended. Manette said, “When a man feels guilty, he may become unusually affectionate or attentive as a way to mask his affair or relieve some of his guilt.”

They refuse to disclose their location: This is another way people mask their extra-marital affairs. Knowing that disclosing where they are, especially if they are not meant to be there, could attract some suspicion, they tend to stammer or think twice before giving a response, and they could lie outright.

They are strangely unreachable:

Whether they need to spend some time with their girlfriend or not to sound suspicious on the phone, cheating persons are wont to switch off their phones or put it in ‘flight mode’ so they would be unreachable. The lies that follow such could be low battery or poor network. When this happens from time to time, especially when they are reasonably expected to be reachable, it could be a signal. Also, if such persons become fidgety or are incoherent on the phone as to what they had been up to, it could be a signal that they could be having an affair. Elegbeleye said, “When there is a measure of absenteeism, it could be a signal. When you expect them to be home at a particular time and their phones are off, if it keeps happening like that, it could be a signal. When a marriage is contracted, both partners would settle into a routine; there would be some pattern of living that is known to both of you. So, when the routine is rudely abdicated or interrupted without verifiable reasons, then there could be a problem.

Less interest in sex:

Apart from fatigue from the work place, which is quite understandable, a man or woman who is having an affair, especially a romantic relationship, may not be disposed to sexual moves from the partner, simply because that need has been taken care of elsewhere or sex with them has become boring, unless there is a medical condition or any mutual understanding why one party may want to abstain from sex. Elegbeleye said refusal or shying away from having intimate relationship with a partner could be a signal. He said, “It may be sex or something both of you are used to doing together before but the partner now comes up with excuses. It’s a wrong signal that all is not well.”

Constant reference to a new ‘friend’:

When married persons repeatedly talk about someone of the opposite sex, whether by reflex or it is done deliberately, the partner might have something to worry about, because such silent or subtle affection could spiral into something romantic over time. Thus, such could be a signal as well.

Meanwhile, Elegbeleye said beyond seeing the signals, it would be wrong to confront a partner based on that, without concrete evidence.

He said, “Do not confront the person until you have your facts, so you don’t end up throwing wild allegations. In other words, after seeing those signals, do your investigation to have concrete evidence, because to accuse a partner of infidelity, your evidence on you must be concrete. It’s not enough to say he’s cheating because he now comes back late, unlike before.”

Pu

How we plan to unseat Buhari – Moghalu, Sowore, Onovo, others

Eniola Akinkuotu, Success Nwogu, Okechukwu Nnodim and Tunde Ajaja

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, presidential aspirants under the different political parties have reeled out some of the tactics they plan to employ to unseat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari.

In separate interviews with our correspondents during the week, the aspirants said contrary to the belief that only the big parties stand a better chance of winning the election, they were in the race to win, adding that Nigerians were tired of the big players in the country’s political space.

A presidential aspirant under the Young Progressive Party and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, said the party would work with others and persuade Nigerians to vote  out Buhari in 2019.

He said, “I am in the race for the presidency based on a vision I have for my country, which is one of nation-building to create a united country that works for all of us. I want to provide leadership that is beyond mere politics, establish an educational system fit for purpose in the 21st century for our kids, and create.

“Nigerian security outfits are protecting regimes and not Nigerians. This government is very subversive and has no respect for the rule of law. This is an invitation to anarchy. Buhari must go and Nigerians will reject him through the ballot.”

Similarly, a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Olufunmilayo Adesanya-Davies, said she was confident she would employ a populist approach to raise money to fund her campaign. She added that it was time women took more active role in governance at national level.

She noted that as an academic, she had understudied the country and had solutions to its challenges.

According to her, many people have shown support for her aspirations, adding that she will galvanise more Nigerians to actualise her aspiration of being the country’s next president.

She added, “Absolutely, I know it is possible for me to beat President Muhammadu Buhari because Nigerians are tired of his government and they are fed up with the empty promises that they made that they will bring a change. It is time to effect the real change, different from what the APC is doing. It is time we had a woman as the president of this country; we need serious change.”

Some of the aspirants, whose parties had joined the Coalition of United Political Parties, said they were confident that if they emerge as the consensus candidate of the CUPP, unseating Buhari would not be a difficult task.

An aspirant under the KOWA Party, Mr. Ayo Lijadu, said if he emerges as the candidate of the CUPP, it would give him a better platform to win the election, in spite of the dominance of the two political parties.

He said, “The reality is that it is not easy to dislodge an incumbent president, especially given the larger than life image and resources available to the party in power, but the strategy is the bonding together of parties that are like-minded in their objective to dislodge the government that has been rejected by the people.

“That strategy is the most effective; when over 40 political parties, including the disgruntled members of the ruling party, bond together to produce a single presidential candidate. Some of these parties have structure all over the country, so it is wise that we all come together. My party is part of the CUPP and that strategy will work.”

When asked on his plans for funding, he said, “By the time we have a single presidential candidate, the task of sourcing for funds would not be left to that individual candidate or their party, because there is an understanding that all the parties will come together to support, and it’s not just material or structural support, funding support would also come into place.

Also, an aspirant under the platform of the National Conscience Party, Mr. Martin Onovo, told Saturday PUNCH that he was confident he would emerge as the consensus candidate of the CUPP.

This, he said would help him to win the election, adding that it was unlike in the past when money had a role to play in determining the outcome of the presidential election.

Onovo said, “It is very clear that the coalition is going to produce me. It is not confidence but hard fact. The country wants a younger person as President in 2019.

Power: Benin Republic, Niger pay Nigeria $10m after disconnection threat

The Republics of Benin and Niger have paid $10.1m as electricity bill to Nigeria to avert being disconnected from their power source in Nigeria after the Federal Government threatened to disconnect debtors.

It was also learnt that the countries made the payment through their respective power firms, with NIGELEC of the Republic of Niger paying $3.79m, while the Community Electric du Benin of the Republic of Benin remitted $6.32m to Nigeria’s electricity market.

On July 11, 2018, The PUNCH reported that President Muhammadu Buhari decided to join operators in the power sector in calling on international customers receiving electricity from Nigeria to either pay their bills or be disconnected.

Nigeria sells power to the Republics of Togo, Niger and Benin, and classifies the West African countries as international customers.

Officials at the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing told our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday that the international customers, paying for the power received from Nigeria in dollars, owed the country, a development that had increased the financial indebtedness to Nigeria’s power generation companies.
To avert being disconnected, it was gathered on Thursday that Benin and Niger made some payments and that the payment by both countries was disclosed to operators in Nigeria’s electricity industry at the August 2018 power sector stakeholders’ meeting by the Market Operator, an arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

This was also confirmed in a report that was presented to stakeholders at the meeting by the MO, which was obtained by our correspondent from the FMPWH.
On its dashboard on the summary of energy delivery in the month of June 2018, the MO stated that energy delivered to international customers and Ajaokuta Steel was 229,487.29 megawatts/hour.

Under bilateral trading, it stated that the quantum of energy sent out by power generation companies was 104,861.92MWh, while energy delivered to bilateral customers was 95,939.31MWh.

Figures on the dashboard showed that indigenous power distribution companies, as always, got the highest quantum of energy, 2,355,623.4MWh, from the Gencos in the month under review.

The MO further stated that part of the foreign exchange inflows from international customers had been disbursed to service providers in Nigeria’s power sector.

The indebtedness of international customers was also confirmed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in July, who, however, revealed that Buhari was working hard to ensure that the electricity debts by the country’s neighbours were cleared.

Fashola had also directed the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company to go ahead and collect its money from the international customers.

He said, “We issued disconnection notices and that is why I’m asking the NBET to go and collect your money because we have duties, obligations and international agreements with them as brother and sister nations.
“But that does not mean they will not pay us if they are defaulting. So, we have issued letters to them to pay their bills, and from time to time, they pay.

“There was a time one head of state came to visit President Buhari and little did I know that the real reason he came was to come and tell him that the (power) sector had issued a notice of disconnection to his country. And you may be interested to know that President Buhari simply told him to go and pay, otherwise we will disconnect you because we are also paying at home.”

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BREAKING: Police Set To Arrest Femi Fani-kayode

The Nigerian police is set to arrest ex-aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode for allegedly breaching Peace, conspiracy, falsehood and criminal defamation.

FFK, a known critic of the ruling APC and the Buhari administration received a letter of invitation from the Commissioner of Police, Abuja Headquarters, CP Habu Sani.

Native Reporters

AgegePulse

3RD MAINLAND BRIDGE CLOSURE: LASTMA DEPLOYS 650 OFFICERS, SEEKS MOTORISTS’ COOPERATION

 

AgegePulse

As part of efforts to ensure free flow of traffic through-out the four-day closure of Third Mainland Bridge for Investigative Maintenance Test, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has deployed a total of 650 officials to all routes along the corridor.

Addressing the specially-assembled traffic officers of the Agency on Thursday, LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa said in view of the strategic importance of the bridge to the economy of Lagos and Nigeria in general, the operation to control traffic during the closure would be treated as a major national assignment and a call to service.

According to him, the Agency was not oblivious of the volume of traffic on the bridge on hourly and daily basis, and the consequences of diverting such huge traffic on the alternative routes during the period, hence the need to see the cooperation of members of the public.

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He said: “As a professional Agency with requisite personnel and experience, I want to assure Lagosians that we would do everything to make sure that motorists and commuters are not subjected to any discomfort during the exercise.

“Our traffic officers have been adequately mandated to make sacrifices, demonstrate discipline and professionalism on all the alternative routes during the period of the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge.

“As officers of this agency, you must be passionate and show compassion to motorists, especially those who are not familiar with the alternative routes and other roads in the metropolis,” Musa charged the officers.

While urging motorists and commuters to be patient and cooperative to ensure free flow of traffic on all alternative routes during the closure, the LASTMA boss said it was important for the public to strictly adhere to traffic rules and directives to ensure hitch-free exercise in the overall interest of all stakeholders. 

“Already, we have mobilized six hundred and fifty (650) personnel with enough materials and other logistics to ensure free flow of traffic around the period. What we want from the public is strict adherence to traffic rules.

“Specifically, I like to plead with motorists to exercise patience on alternative routes and comply with traffic laws and directives of traffic officials,” Musa said.

He added that the provost and surveillance teams of the Agency have been alerted and directed to monitor individual conduct and performance of LASTMA officials on the concerned roads, just as he warned motorists that relevant laws would be fully enforced by the Agency to forestall impunity, chaos and disorderliness in order to ensure security and safety of all road users in the State.

He, however, advised motorists without urgent need to move to and fro the Island to avoid the alternative routes in view of the attendant traffic gridlock being anticipated.

AMBODE DONATES FIVE HILUX, FIVE GREEN MARIA, ONE AMBULANCE TO LAGOS PRISON SERVICES

…Says Reforms Critical To Decongest Prisons 

…Two Inmates Currently Pursuing PhD-Lagos Controller Of Prisons

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday donated vehicles and other equipment to the Lagos Prison Services, stressing the need for major reforms to be carried out across the country to decongest prisons.



Among the vehicles donated include five Toyota Hilux, five Green Maria and one Ambulance, assuring that the vehicles would be delivered to the Lagos Prison Services by September.



Governor Ambode, who made the donation when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Prison Services, Lagos Command, led by the Controller, Mr. Tunde Ladipo, at his residence in Epe, said the donation was his administration’s contribution to make the prisons more conducive.



He expressed concern that Lagos was also having its fair share of congestion as over 70 percent of inmates across prisons in the State were awaiting trial.

“I am very concerned about congestion of prisons in the State. For a State like Lagos where development is ongoing, it is bound to attract people from across other States and neighbouring countries and this means increase in population.  We are providing these critical assistance to the prison authorities to make them more efficient and make our prisons more conducive.



“However, there is no better time to carry out reforms in our prisons and it is necessary especially as regards the decongestion of the prison,” the Governor said.



He assured that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would look into some of the cases of inmates and see the possibility of granting official pardon to prisoners who have shown remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.



Governor Ambode also directed the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga to provide adequate health services for all for the prisons in the State so as to prevent any outbreak of diseases.



“Once a city is safe, people will be more productive and it also means more revenue will come into the State,” he said.



Earlier, the Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr. Tunde Ladipo, said the visit was to remind the Governor of their requests for some vehicles and equipment to enhance their capacity to effectively transport and secure inmates awaiting trail to the courts, some of which the Governor granted at the visit.



Ladipo said as at January 31, 2018, 8191 inmates; 7887 males and 304 females, were in custody across the five prison facilities in the State including the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri; Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri; Female Security Prison, Kirikiri; Ikoyi Prison and Badagry Prison.



He disclosed that out of the number, 6290 inmates were awaiting trail and attending the various court jurisdictions in the State.



“The challenges towards fulfilling the responsibilities of effective prison duties are indeed are overwhelming and seriously challenging especially in a State with a large inmate population like Lagos,” he said.



The Lagos Prisons Boss while commending the Governor for his developmental strides as well as massive support to security organisations within the State, said the Lagos Prison Command was working towards reforming prisoners, revealing that two inmates, Kabiru Tunwase and Oladipupo Moshood were currently pursuing PhD in Business Administration and Peace and Conflict Resolution respectively.

AgegePulse

See Ras Kimono Lying-In-state Service In Lagos

The final resting journey of Nigerian music legend, Augustine Okeleke Onwubuya, aka Ras Kimono who died at the age of 60 has begun today with a lying-in-state service held at the COSON house, Ikeja.

Late Ras Kimono will be buried on August 25, 2018.

REASONS WHY AMBODE DESERVES A SECOND TERM

*
AgegePulse Magazine

When Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress as Governor of Lagos State, there were many who wagered that he would not live up to the expectations the electorate had for a better and much more developed state.

To them, Ambode was just another new kid on the block, a political rookie, one whose adminstration they predicted would be shaped by pauses, such as the perfunctory rituals of being governor, "no motion! no movement", mediocre like, and not by visible and sustainable development. How wrong!

Today, Lagosians marvel at the breath taking pace in which development has enveloped and travelled further and faster down the nooks and crannies of the state in just less than three and a half years, this is despite the emergence of the recession which whittled down the ambitions of a number of sister states, forcing them to cut down on their development agenda, this was not so in Lagos under Ambode.

These projects and services which represent such meaningful development as well as Ambode's body language that his best is yet to come, unleashes the calls and appeals for a well deserved second term for him. Now, there is no more powerful expression of how a people evaluate the performance of a democratic office holder in government than in reelecting or in rejecting him!

So, for the cynical, that is the naysayers, the doubting Thomas's who are obviously in the wallowing minority and offer nothing but primitive notions of contestations, I would roll out the 35 reasons why Ambode deserves a second term.

No other governor has done better in terms of harnessing the human resources of the ordinary citizen than Ambode. We see this in the prompt backlog payments of arrears meant for retirees. Such backlogs which amount to the tune of 11 billion Naira constitutes a sad narrative of how governments in this part of the world treat those who gave a good part of their lives in service to their various states or the nation. These were immediately tackled by the pragmatic welfarist in Ambode resulting in their clearance. Again, the establishment of
the N25 billion Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, a fund meant to tackle the menace of unemployment in the state has so far provided loans worth more than 5 billion Naira to more than 8,000 persons since inception, and helped create more than 11,000 jobs. Now , this is not all, for while the employment fund represents a plank of Ambode's thinking, the launching of "Ready-Set-Work" , which serves as an entrepreneurial and employability training programme for graduates of the various tertiary institutions owned by the state. This other plank ensures that these graduates from any tertiary institution in Lagos has the requisite knowledge and skills required for suitable employment upon leaving school and has had more than 2,500 final year students trained since 2016.

Infrastructure, another major fulcrum of the Ambode administration has received a fillip with its seamless delivery all over the state. The list is endless but I will make out a few of these achievements here. First is the construction of over 300 local government roads across the state, a number of these roads serving as bottlenecks only a couple of years ago. Next comes the construction of a ten lane road connecting Oshodi- Murtala Mohammed Airport, a project set to be completed this December.

Ambode not only completed the Ojodu-Berger Flyover Intersection; 21 roads and two bridges with a combined stretch of 27.4 kilometers in Alimosho-Agbado-Oke-Odo area.

The remedial repair work on the section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway between Eric Moore and Okokomaiko has been completed with work ongoing on the Okokomaiko to Badagry section. Asides these, the installation of a Skywalks Bridge to link Terminals 1 and 2 at Oshodi Bus Interchange, the redesign of Lekki-Epe Expressway to improve journey times and reduce gridlock by replacing roundabouts with traffic lights, the
construction of flyovers for Ajah and Abule-Egba areas, as well as a multiple lay-by to ease traffic congestion along the Third Mainland-Iyana-Oworo-Toll Gate Road are further testaments to Ambode's infrastructure savvy.

Securing a state like Lagos is naturally any administrator's migraine as a headache is indeed an understatement of the security challenges of a cosmopolitan Lagos.

In tackling these challenges, Ambode has not only topped his game, he has also being proactive on issues affecting the security of Lagos State.

He successfully equiped the Lagos State Police Command and the State's Rapid Reaponse Squad with crime fighting gadgets worth more than 5 billion Naira.

Amongst such equipment include three helicopters, two gun boats , 15 armoured personnel carriers , top notch vehicle radio communicators. Asides these, officers serving in Lagos have better welfare, insurance and death benefit schemes packages when compared with other sister states including the FCT.

By Comr. Jebba Hamilton
Agege, Lagos, Nigeria.

Pupils develop “Made in Ikeja Mobile Games‘’

A software development company, Softwareshop Pty Ltd., on Friday said that 16 pupils on a three-month free software development training had to develop computer games and apps for their usage on Android phones.

The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mr. Austin Agbakor, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Agbakor said that the 16 pupils were those who had taken advantage of the three-month free training on software by the Computer Village hub, a subsidiary of the softwareshop.

According to him, the pupils have started designing some games applications which is tagged “Made in Ikeja Games”.

He said that such an effort by the children would boost their knowledge on Information Communication Technology and make them economically independent.

Agbakor said the three-month free training for pupils was an effort to meet the target of training 100,000 Nigerians in partnership with Codefest Nigeria, that promotes idea meeting technology to create a unique product for enterprise and community.

It is a hackathon event, a software coding and application contest where students come together and use technology to transform ideas into reality.

NAN reports that Cvhub had on Aug. 6, commenced a three-month free training for children on software development, coding, Robotics and so on.

NAN also reports that at the launch of the Cvhub in Lagos on Aug. 3, Agbakor had said that the training was also to give back to the society.


According to him, training children well in software development, and providing the right environment will boost Nigeria’s production of softbware in line with international standards.

Punch
AgegePulse

Burglary: Court slams N20m bail on two lovers

A Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday granted a bail of N10 million to each of two lovers, who allegedly broke into their neighbour’s residence and stole N10.2 million valuables.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, ordered that Tega Teddy and his girlfriend, Karima Edom, both aged 18, should also produce one surety each in like sum.
Elias equally granted bail in like sum to Tega’s father, Uroye, aged 50, who was charged along with the lovers.

The chief magistrate directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must be relatives of the accused.
The accused are facing three charges of conspiracy, burglary, and theft.

The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Hafsat Ajibode, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 16, at 1:30am at No. 8 Onitiri St., Langbasa in Ajah, Lagos.

Ajibode said that the trio conspired to burgle the house of Mrs Folasade Odunuga, and stole her vehicle and other valuables.

She submitted that the accused stole an Avee Chevrolet with Reg. No. AKD 512 AP, a generator, and a plasma television.

According to the prosecutor, the other stolen items include four mobile phones, clothes, jewelry, schoolbags and ladies’ bags.
“The first accused, Tega, and his girlfriend burgled the residence of Odunuga and carted away goods delivered to her.

"The first accused also stole her car, and his father and girlfriend assisted in pushing out the car from the complainant’s compound.
“A neighbour saw the three accused pushing out the car, and called the complainant.

“Tega and his father were arrested, the girlfriend, Edom, was arrested in possession of some of the loot, which she has been selling to residents in that same neighbourhood,’’ Ajibode said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the offences contravene Sections 287, 307 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The case was adjourned until Sept. 3 for hearing.
(NAN)
Punch AgegePulse

Fashion designer arraigned for cultism, unlawful possession of arms

Oluwatobi Akindele

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.

He said, “I live with a childhood friend, Olaitan Olatunji. Olatunji and I went to a birthday party. When it was around 9pm, we left the party. On getting to De-Chandi Hotel near the general hospital on Ota Road, the police patrol team attached to the Elere division accosted me and when they searched me, they recovered one locally-made pistol loaded with one live cartridge.

“The pistol that was found in my possession was given to me by one Leke Obatolu, who resides in the Oniwaya area of Agege. Obatolu gave me the gun at the birthday party. He asked me to keep it for him. Olatunji, Obatolu and I are members of Alora. I joined Alora early last year and Obatolu was the one that initiated me into the cult.”

The police prosecutor, Abiola Adewale, told the court that the offences contravened sections 411, 41 and 51 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

The charges read, “That you, Olamide Oyelami, and others now at large, on July 22, 2018, around 11.30pm on Ota Road, Ile-Epo, Agege, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit; belonging to an unlawful society.

“That you, Olamide Oyelami, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did manage a confraternity, popularly known as Alora, knowing that the society is unlawful.

“That you, Olamide Oyelami, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully have in your possession one locally-made single-barrelled pistol with one live cartridge without a licence issued to you by the Inspector-General of Police or any other appropriate authority.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, W. A. salami, admitted him to bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum.

He said, “The sureties should be gainfully employed with evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.”

He adjourned the case till September 27, 2018.

Ajimobi meets Ayefele, sets up committee on demolition

...Emissaries that I sent failed to deliver my messages.

Olufemi Atoyebi, Ibadan

The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on Thursday, met the owner of Fresh FM, Yinka Ayefele, over the demolition of the radio station on Sunday morning.

The building was partly demolished by the state government over contravention of the state’s physical planning rule and the inability of Ayefele to provide the relevant documents when asked to do so.

The governor immediately after the meeting set up a panel to look into the demolition.

The governor said the demolition was neither a witch-hunt nor politically motivated, insisting that it was due to the contravention of the state’s property laws.

Ajimobi described Ayefele as a good man and a responsible citizen, stressing that the next step was to find a compassionate means of resolving the issue.

He also urged Ayefele to ensure that his radio station embraced ethical reportage of the issue.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who was at the Governor’s Office in company with some monarchs, also pleaded with the Ajimobi to resolve the impasse.

Earlier, Ayefele had stated that his office responded to all  the letters forwarded to it by the state government.

He expressed regrets at not being able to see the governor, adding that the emissaries he sent failed to deliver his messages.

Ayefele stated that he remained a law-abiding citizen who was ready to comply with the regulations of the state government.

Punch 

AgegePulse

Two die in Ogun auto-crash on Sallah day

The Federal Road Safety Commission in Ogun State has confirmed that two persons died on Tuesday when a commercial bus somersaulted on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Clement Oladele, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abeokuta on Wednesday that the accident occurred around  5 pm at  Lamona Park on the expressway.

Oladele said the Volkswagen commercial bus marked  LSR 971 XG had 28 passengers, including  16 females and  12 males as well as three children,  on board.

He said the accident was caused by a tyre burst which resulted in the vehicle somersaulting.
“Two people died in the accident and their corpses have been deposited at Isara mortuary while the injured were taken to Isara Hospital, Ogere,’’ he said.

He advised motorists to obey traffic regulations and follow instructions from the FRSC patrol teams and other sister traffic agencies.

Oladele also urged motorists driving into construction areas to obey the maximum speed limit of 50km per hour stipulated on road signs along the corridors and avoid overtaking.

(NAN)
Punch
AgegePulse

Our focus is to take Nigerians out of poverty, Osinbajo says

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the focus of the present administration, is to take Nigerians out of poverty.

He said all government’s programmes and projects were geared towards achieving that objective.

According to a statement on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice President spoke during a town hall meeting held in Bariga/Somolu Local Council Development Area, Lagos State to felicitate with Lagosians on the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations on Tuesday,
Osinbajo said the government was targeting those at the lowest level so that they can do better.


He said, “I want to emphasise that everything we are doing, our focus, first of all, is to ensure that people are taken out of poverty.

“Our country is very big; over 200 million people, many young people coming out every day.  Aside from that, we also want to ensure that anybody who is doing anything at all, who is trading, artisans, mechanics; we are able to support them.

“The reason is that when you look at the way government operates in the past; when you look at the government budget, it focuses on the middle-class, those who have industries and manufacturing plants, and those kinds of people.

“But the majority are at a very low level, doing little things. Those are the people that we must first of all (focus on) so that the poorest are able to do better. If the poorest do better, it would be better for all of us.”

Osinbajo noted that the administration’s National Social Investment Programmes were geared towards improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

"The President’s focus has always been on the common man. So, when we came, we decided on a few things to tackle youth unemployment. First, the N-Power programme to engage as many young people who are graduates as possible.


“We started with 200,000, and just this month, we have employed another 300,000. So, in our N-Power programme, we have 500,000 young graduates who are employed in the programme. Now every local government in Nigeria has N-Power graduate,” he added.

Punch

Man stabs Ekiti monarch to death

Odo-Oro-Ekiti, a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was on Monday thrown into mourning as its traditional ruler, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin, was stabbed to death.

Some residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, said the traditional ruler was stabbed with a knife by a man suspected to be insane after a meeting of the traditional council.

A resident, Mr Henry Olu, said the assailant was from the same royal family as the slain traditional ruler.

Olu said the assailant was earlier seen before the council meeting sitting on the throne and was chased away.
The monarch was stabbed by the assailant while he was attempting to enter his vehicle after the council meeting.
“All we heard was a cry for help from the traditional ruler’s driver shortly after the council meeting.
“On getting there, we saw our traditional ruler in a pool of his blood with a knife in the chest.

“We tried rushing him to the hospital, but Oba Ogunsakin gave up the ghost,” another resident, who does not want his name mentioned, said.

NAN reports that some irate youths in the community took to the streets in search of the assailant who was said to have fled into the bush after the incident.
The youths mounted roadblocks on major junctions leading into the community while the search lasted.
NAN also reports that there was panic in the community, with its market deserted as the news of the incident filtered.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with NAN.
“It is true the incident actually happened and policemen have moved in.

“The person alleged is of unsound mind and he actually escaped into the bush after committing the crime.
“Our men are combing the bush to fish out the suspect.
“All I can say for now is that the suspect is within reach and will be put in custody,” he said.
NAN reports that the late Ogunsakin ascended the throne in 1986.


(NAN)
Punch

Sallah: Fateema Mohammed Puts Smiles on the Faces of Ifako Ijaye Residents,

Hon.  Fateema Mohammed Shares Raw Food And Meat For Muslim Families in Ifako Ijaye.

What is Sallah without celebration?

What is celebration without a feast?
As much as Fateema Mohammed strived to make the celebration a happy feast for the people of Ifako Ijaye by sharing rams to some Muslim brethren, she realizes that not all families could be reached with the gift of a life Ram.

For this reason, and to make sure that the people of Ifako Ijaye have a smile on their faces as they celebrate, she has provided two large cows to be slaughtered and shared accordingly to some families in the constituency.

The raw meat is being accompanied with other food stuff necessary to make Sallah a joyful one.
As we speak, preparation is on to make sure that the Muslim families that really need this, get it.

According to Fateema, every one deserves to have a happy Sallah celebration and it is our duty to see it happen for those who cannot afford to give themselves the treat.

Barka De Sallah!

Honorable Fateema Mohammed.

LASTMA, FRSC Give Alternative Routes As Lagos Shuts Third Mainland Bridge On Thursday

The Third Mainland Bridge, which is one of the three bridges from Lagos Island to the Mainland, will on Thursday, August 23, be shut for four days, according to the state government.

This was disclosed in a statement signed on Sunday by the Lagos State Deputy Director, Public Affairs Ministry Of Works and Infrastructure, Sina Thorpe.
The bridge, which will be closed a day after 2018 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, is to allow investigative Maintenance Test to be carried out on the Bridge.

The shutdown will start from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018.
The federal government had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July but postponed the action after consulting with the state government and other stakeholders.

Reacting to the closure last month, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) also advised Lagos residents to use Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and waterway transportation during the repair of Third Mainland Bridge.

FRSC speaks on alternative routes:

“We advise residents in that axis to ensure that they use alternative routes or other means of transportation to avoid traffic jam.

“Motorists who have nothing to do at the Lagos Island should stay off at this period and people should make use of waterways and BRT that has designated routes.

“People from Ikorodu going to Apapa should endeavour to use waterways transport system, at least for the main time to avoid delay on the road.”

“We are identifying various routes to cover during the process of repair like Cater Bridge; Ido to Ijora Olopa to Eko Bridge.

“Mostly, the vehicular movement will focus on Ikorodu Road up to Eko Bridge; but I am assuring you that enough personnel will be deployed to curb gridlocks.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos government urged motorists and residents to minimise non-essential travel and movements during the four-day closure.

LR

Tinubu supports Buhari to achieve 2023 presidential ambition –Saraki

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, supports President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election only with the hope that he could succeed Buhari in 2023.

Saraki said this in a statement on Monday in response to an open letter written by Tinubu on Sunday.

Tinubu in his letter had said the Senate President dumped the APC because of his Presidential ambition and selfish quest for power, rather than for good governance.

However, in a statement titled, ‘The Tinubu rhetoric — My response,’ Saraki said when Tinubu was appointed the head of the APC’s reconciliation committee, he (Tinubu) reached out to him and admitted that he was also not satisfied with Buhari’s performance, but that he would remain in the party.

Saraki added, “However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between me and him was that, while I expressed worries that there was nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather ‘support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher’ to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west.
“This Tinubu’s viewpoint was not only expressed to me but to several of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest.

“It is clear that while my own decision was based on protecting collective, national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies in the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023.

“This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency, particularly when one reviews his antecedents over the years.”

Saraki said Tinubu was still sulking over the fact that he (Saraki) was one of those who opposed Tinubu’s bid to emerge as the running mate of candidate Buhari in 2014.


He added, “Again, let me reiterate my position that my uncertain and complex relationship with Tinubu has been continually defined by the event of 2014 when myself and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted on the APC for the 2015 polls.

Eid-el-Kabir: Lagos Speaker Obasa Preaches Godliness, Perseverance, Tolerance

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudsashiru Obasa, has enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to imbibe spirits of Godliness, tolerance, perseverance and sacrifice as prerequisite for peaceful co-existence in the country.

Rt. Hon. Obasa stated this in his Sallah message to Nigerians in celebration of this year's Eid-il-Kabir festival. The message was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker, who is also Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, asked Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of Godliness, perseverance and tolerance displayed by Prophet Ibrahim, his son, Ismail and wife, Hajarat in their joint decision to sacrifice Ismail to keep the convenant the Prophet had with God while looking for child.

"We should imbibe the spirit of Godliness, perseverance and tolerance displayed by Prophet Ibrahim, his son, Ismail and wife, Hajarat. They did not waiver in their belief in God. They persevered in the face of the difficulty posed by the decision to sacrifice their only child. The son on his part was tolerant enough to present himself for sacrifice. These are the qualities we needed to engender peaceful co-existence in Nigeria: Godliness, perseverance and tolerance," Rt. Hon Obasa said.

“Our strength as a country is in our diversity. We are group of people with varying tribal and religious backgrounds but we are committed to achieving a common purpose which is excellence. Therefore we must eradicate every form of rancor and discord among us.

"We must understand and repsect our differences and we must tolerate one another in order to maintain peace and security of life and properties, ’’ he said

He urged Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to be thankful for life, as it is the biggest gift anyone can have.

“Let us remain thankful to Allah for good health and well being. When there is life, there is hope for a brighter future. Our challenges are surmountable and our problems have solutions.

Rt. Hon. Obasa, who noted that the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir extols the virtue of sacrifice, also enjoined Nigerians to rededicate themselves to service, adding that it is only through dedication to national service that "we can  build the desired nation".

While commending the people for supporting the All Progressives Congress  (APC) at all levels of government, the Chairman of Conference of Speakers urged them to patiently await the fulfillment of of all the promises made to them.

“The government is committed to serving the people and ensuring that everyone enjoys the dividends of democracy. We are grateful for your support and cooperation so far but I urge you not to relent in supporting government at all levels," he said.

EID EL KABIR: EMBRACE SACRIFICE, LOVE, UNITY, AMBODE URGES MUSLIMS

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday called on Muslims in Nigeria to embrace the values of sacrifice, love and continue to foster unity as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In his Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, Governor Ambode said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond feasting, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence should be to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

Governor Ambode therefore called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country”, the Governor said.

“This period requires more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all,” he said.

The Governor also thanked Lagosians for supporting his administration, assuring that the Government would continue to do its best to serve the people and promote fairness and mutual tolerance among the populace, irrespective of their ethnic religion or political affiliation.

While wishing all Lagosians, especially adherents of the Islamic faith a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Governor Ambode enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to continue to be their brothers’ keeper.

Yahoo Boy Attempts To Kill His Mother For Money Rituals In Lagos

The police in Lagos state have arrested 29 year old Taiwo Akinola pictured above for trying to kill his mother, Alice Akinola so as to further his cyber fraud business ( Yahoo) to the bloody or ritual level (Yahoo plus).

A statement by the police command spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, says Taiwo who lives with his mother at No.2 Raji Ajanaku street, Alaja Road, Ayobo, Lagos, is a staunch member of the notorious Aiye confraternity.

At about 8am yesterday Sunday August 19th, Taiwo went to his mother's provision store in front of their apartment and told her to meet him inside the house for an important discussion and at same time sent his nephew, Faruk to go buy him a white handkerchief and a stick of cigarette.

As soon as his mother entered the house, the suspect attacked her, smashing her head with a plank, pressing iron and a UPS charger to ensure she didn't survive the ferocious attack.

When Faruk returned from the errand, he didn't see his grandmother in the shop so he went into the house only to see the poor woman lying in a pool of blood. Shocked by what he saw, the small boy raised the alarm which attracted neighbours to the scene.

They called the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ayobo Division who arrived the scene with his team and promptly arrested the suspect and secured the scene for further investigation by the police forensic experts attached to the Homicide section SCIID Panti, Yaba .

The victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment and was found to be hanging onto life. Right now, the doctors are battling to revive Mrs Alice Akinola presently unconscious Meanwhile the CP has paid the initial hospital cost which enabled the doctors to commence treatment.

During a brief interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was asked to kill his mother in order to have more money. When his room was searched, the following exhibits were recovered in it, viz:

1. Two calabashes with one containing human skull and the other, a mixture of dark concoction;
2. A plank perforated with nails and stained with blood;
3. A pressing iron stained with blood;
4. A white handkerchief with which he wanted to scoop the victim's blood;
5. A bottle containing oil and labelled Back To Sender;

The Commissioner of Police calls on Lagosians to rise against all forms of crime and criminality. He added that the Command defeated the Badoo cult group with the help of people who provided credible and timely information to the police . He added that the time has come to root out the street cult groups. He notes that complacency is not an option in the face of threat to peace and security posed by these nefarious associations.

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BREAKING: NECO releases June/July 2018 SSCE results

Enyioha Opara

The National Examinations Council has released the June/July 2018 Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination results.

Out of the 1,041,536 candidates who sat for the examinations, only 742,455 of the candidates got at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language.

A statement signed by the acting Registrar of the Council, Abubakar Gana, states that a total number of 20,181 candidates were involved in examination malpractices — less than that of 2017.

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Hajj climax: Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat

Muslim pilgrims on Monday began ascending Mount Arafat for the climax of the annual hajj which brings together more than two million people from around the world.

A sea of worshippers scaled the rocky hill southeast of the holy city of Mecca for a day of prayers and reflection where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.

Some of the pilgrims — men in white seamless garments and women in loose dresses — pushed elderly relatives in wheelchairs on the second day of the hajj, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.

A hot wind blew across the hill, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), and the surrounding plain after a downpour late Sunday. Many faithful could be seen sipping from bottles of water.

After sunset, the pilgrims will leave for nearby Muzdalifah where they will gather pebbles to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil”.

The ritual begins in earnest on Tuesday as Muslims observe the first day of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which marks the end of the hajj.

Muslims traditionally slaughter sheep for the three-day Eid al-Adha, a tribute to the prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son.
They will consume some of the meat and give the rest to poor people unable to buy food.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so.
(AFP)
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