Why I orchestrated Killing and beheading of our gang leader –Kidnap suspect

AgegePulse Magazine

By Juliana Francis and Ridwan Wakilu

Operatives of the Inspector- General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Led by DCP Abba Kyari have smashed the gang behind the abduction of the Chief Accountant of Plantgeria Limited, an oil servicing firm, operating in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The victim, Dr. SMC Maduagwu, was kidnapped and a ransom of N20million paid for his release.

Four among the alleged kidnappers have been arrested. The suspects, including a native doctor, have been identified as Tony Rafael, Nnaji Romanus, Nwobodo Uche and Uchechukwu Ibekwe. According to police sources, the suspects were grabbed in their hideouts in Rivers and Imo states. The police said that the suspects have admitted to abducting the Accountant and collecting N20million ransom.

It was gathered that the leader of the gang, Christian Kenjika alias School-Boy, was beheaded by a rival cult group before the operatives could arrest him. It was further learnt that Kenjika had four AK47 rifles and two Pump Action short guns in his armoury before he was killed. The source further said: “School- Boy carried out several kidnappings within Rivers State and was declared wanted by the Rivers State Government.

The government placed a bounty of N20million on him in 2018. He met his waterloo when one of his gang members, Uche, who wanted to take over leadership of the gang, gave out his location to members of De-Gbam confraternity. De-Gbam confraternity had been hunting for him for long.” The hunt for School-Boy and his gang members started after the IGP instructed the IRT Unit, headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, to ensure the rescue of Maduagwu. The gang was alleged to have specialised in robbery, cultism and other heinous crimes. Kyari and some members of the unit launched an investigation and by March got information on the activities of the gang of kidnappers.

The Accountant was abducted in February 2018. Part of what the operatives discovered was that a driver working at Planteria Limited, gave information about Maduagwu to members of the gang. This information aided the gang in the abduction of the victim. The driver, Ibekwe, when arrested, made confessional statement that assisted IRT operatives in the arrest of other members of the gang, including the one who orchestrated the murder of School-Boy. According to Ibekwe, 37, he planned the abduction of Maduagwu because he refused to grant him a salary advance. He explained that when he requested for the salary advance, Maduagwu shouted at him. Ibekwe, who is married with three children, said that shouting embarrassed and angered, thus he plotted how to get even with his boss.

He said: “I am a driver to an oil services company known as Plantgeria in Rivers State. I was employed in the 2007 and transferred to Shell Oil to work as a driver in 2017. I was later recalled and posted to the head office of our company to work as a driver to an expatriate. But in 2018, I applied for a salary advance, a sort of a loan from our company. I met the Chief Accountant of our company to perfect the loan, he shouted at me and sent me out of his office.

“I left his office, angry. I thought of how to deal with him. Unfortunately, I got a call from a friend of mine, Stanley, who is also from my community. Stanley was into armed robbery and kidnapping. I narrated what happened between the Chief Accountant and I to him and he suggested that we should kidnap him or any of the expatriates.

I preferred that we should kidnap the accountant, so I gave Stanley the necessary information.

On the day he was to be kidnapped, Stanley called me and I also spoke with Uche. They asked me to inform them when the man would be leaving his office. I did and the next day, I got news from my office that the man had been kidnapped. I was later given the sum of N800, 000 after ransom was paid. I didn’t know the exact amount that was paid as ransom.

I bought a Nissan Primera with my share of the money. “One year after the incident, I was at home with my wife, when policemen entered and arrested me. I’ve told the police all I know about the kidnapping. I also told them that I’ve never gone out with the gang to carry out any form of kidnapping or armed robbery.”

Uchechukwu, 38, who masterminded the beheading of School- Boy, revealed that he orchestrated the murder of his gang leader because the latter was greedy. Uchechukwu, a father of five children, said: “I am a fulltime farmer, but I went into kidnapping when my wife had stroke. The doctor treating her asked for N200, 000. I approached School-Boy as our gang leader, but he gave me only N100, 000.

He told me about the accountant and said that I should keep him under surveillance. I did that for one month. On the day of the abduction, I followed the accountant as he left his office. I tailed him on a motorcycle. When he got to Oil Mill Junction, School-Boy and his other gang members in their police and military uniform, fully armed, accosted and took him into a Toyota Hilux and drove away.

“The man was taken to my farm, where he was kept and ransom negotiation started. Although I wasn’t in the farm with them, after the kidnapping, School-Boy gave me the remaining N100, 000 to give to my wife’s doctor as his balance payment. “Two weeks later, School-Boy called and informed me that N10 million had been paid as ransom for the accountant’s release.

At that time,I didn’t doubt him and he took us and every other person that took part in the operation to the home of a native doctor known as Romanus Nnaji. He started sharing money. He gave me N1.5million to give to Ibekwe and Stanley the informant. He then gave me N500, 000 as my own share.

A few months after that operation, I got a call that my brother has been arrested by the police over the kidnapping of the accountant.

It was then I learnt that the operation fetched us N20million and not N10million as School- Boy claimed. I was angry over the fact that School-Boy cheated every one of us. It meant that he kept N10million to himself and had the gut to share N10million with us.

“I didn’t say anything because policemen were looking for me. I went to a church in Akwa Ibom State for prayers and to ask God for forgiveness.

Police trailed me to the church. Fortunately, when they entered the church, I was in the toilet. When I noticed the police van, I escaped into a nearby bush.”When he got home, he called School-Boy. He told him that policemen were looking for him, that he was tired of running and was thinking of going to police to surrender himself. When School-Boy heard that, he allegedly threatened to him.

Uchechukwu narrated: “I then ran to Imo State, where I stayed for three weeks. IRT men again, came to Imo State to look for me, I escaped. While on the run, I called School- Boy and asked him to give me my share of the other N10million, so that I could leave the Nigeria, but he refused.
I felt the best thing I should do was to set him up and get him killed. I contacted some members of De-Gbam confraternity, who had been looking for him. I gave out his location; they attacked and beheaded him. After I had succeeded in taking out School-Boy, I contacted a lawyer in Owerri Imo State, where I was hiding with my pregnant wife. I told him what happened and asked for his professional advice on what I should do since the police were looking for me. The nurse at the hospital where my wife had gone to deliver her baby called and told me that policemen had trailed my wife to the hospital. I ran away again.

I was later arrested in June 2019 by IRT operatives in Orlu Imo State.”

Romanus, 50, a native doctor, whose role was to prepare charms for the gang members, confessed that he was paid N200,000 to perform oath, whereby members of the gang would never betray one another. He said: “Since I was born, this is the first time I would be arrested.

Sometime last year, a group of young men came into my compound. One of them, known as School-Boy said that he wanted everyone of them to take an oath, that they would never betray one another.
I was to admitter the oath. I asked him to bring N100, 000. He also brought other items like dog, water, pepper and vegetable.

 I killed the dog and poured its blood on my shrine. I told them that anyone who betrayed another would die. “I poured the pepper and vegetable on the shrine. I said that anyone who betrayed any member of the gang, would die. I drank the water and then gave it to them to drink.

School-Boy paid N100, 000 for my services. By 10pm that day, they brought a big bag load of money into my shrine and shared it. I didn’t know the amount of money inside the bag, but I was given N50, 000 in N500 denomination. I asked how they got the money, but School-Boy said he would come back to tell me. The next thing I heard was that School Boy had been killed.

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World Cleanup Day: LAWMA canvasses cleaner environment for Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reiterated the need for residents to support government’s efforts at establishing a cleaner and healthier environment in the state, on the occasion of this year’s World Cleanup Day.

According to the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, this year’s event provides the opportunity for people to have a rethink on how they treat their environment, considering the negative implications of improper waste disposal.

He said: “The World Cleanup Day is a global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem and this is good a platform to remind our people of the negative consequences of indiscriminate waste dumping, which affects not only the environment, but the people that live in it”.

Dr. Gbadegesin noted that in line with Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s recent Executive Order on Traffic and Sanitation, the Authority had intensified efforts to clear notable black spots cross the state, especially along the Lagos Badagry Expressway – LASU/Okomaiko axis, with the overall aim of achieving zero waste policy and making the environment livable.

He said further that: “We are stepping up our operations to rid the state of black spots. Our aim is to establish cleaner and livable environment across the state. You will recall that the agency has rolled out various programs like “Lagos at 4am” and the “Blue Box” initiative, to promote recycling and waste sorting at source”.

The LAWMA boss revealed that efforts were ongoing to rehabilitate landfills in the state, to ensure that the roads leading to the sites were motorable all year round, to improve the turnaround time of waste evacuation trucks.

“Our landfills are undergoing rehabilitation to improve the turnaround time for waste evacuation, while the PSP operators are being supported to step up domestic waste collection”, he stated.

And to curb indiscriminate dumping on the road median, Dr.  Gbadegesin said the Authority had intensified its enforcement operations against all forms of improper waste disposal in the metropolis, with a clampdown on cart-pushers who engage in indiscriminate dumping on road medians, setbacks, canals and other unauthorized locations.

Dr. Gbadegesin appealed to residents to shun all forms of improper waste disposal methods, which could trigger flooding as the rains persist, adding that people should bag their waste appropriately and patronise only assigned PSP operators.

He commended all corporate organizations, volunteers, NGOs and recyclers which had partnered with LAWMA on the occasion of this year’s World Cleanup Day and urged others to emulate them.

For inquiries and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free lines 07080601020 and 617.

BREAKING: Egunjobi Sets To Build New Health Centre In Agege

#AgegePulse Magazine

...As He Converts Slum Into Monument

Going by the reliable information reaching AgegePulse now, we can tell you authoritatively that the people of Agege will get a new Primary Health Care Centre soon.

It was gathered that the vibrant Chairman of Agege LGA, Hon Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and his team have concluded plans to turn an erstwhile den of miscreant on Awori Street, Agege into a monument for the people.

Sources close to the silent achieving council boss said the development is part of his campaign promises to ensure people of that environment enjoy free and accessible family healthcare facility.

AgegePulse learnt that, the construction work will commenced soon as the contractor is putting final touches on the project plans.

According to the Executive Chairman, the proposed site has been an uncompleted building for years and has turned to become a hideout for hoodlums in the area, hence the need to take drastic measures to checkmate their excesses.

Whereas, the healthcare facility when completed would not only relief the community of security threats, but will add core value to afford them easy accessible medical reach. This facility is expected to serve the entire immediate communities, Markaz area, Awori, Kadiri, Bode Tobun,  Alhaja Sifau, Shodipo, Balogun Ilawe, Adesokan, Ijaiye Streets, Oniwaya Road and environs.

Sanwo-Olu Gives N20K/-each to 315 Returnees from South Africa

...To be Transferred To LSETF for Skill Acquisition

AgegePulse Magazine

Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday gave N20,000 to each of the second batch of 315 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa.

The fresh batch of returnees arrived a week after another 187 Nigerians fleeing xenophobia came back from South Africa.

The joyous returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 7.21p.m aboard an Air Peace B777 aircraft with registration number 5N-BWI.

The flight, which originated from the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg was received by Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Air Peace Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema.

Also on ground was Mr Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Diaspora.

Presenting the token on behalf of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Jermaine Sanwoolu, SSA on Diaspora and Foreign Relations said that the money was a palliative for the returnees.

Sanwo-Olu said that the returnees from Lagos State would be transferred to the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where they would be trained on skill acquisition.

Dabiri-Erewa told newsmen that the returnees would be profiled according to their states and local governments of origin to complement the federal government’s effort in reintegrating them.

She said apart from giving the returnees stipends to get back to their respective states, there was also a medical team on ground to provide assistance to those with medical conditions.

Dabiri-Erewa also noted that the Nigeria High Commission was working with the South African authorities to reduce the unnecessary delays which had so far characterised the evacuation exercise.

On his part, Onyema told newsmen that some Nigerians were stranded in South Africa for over four years and could not return home due to financial difficulties and lack of proper documentation.

He said: “What Air Peace is doing to freely evacuate Nigerians from South Africa is part of our support to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and we are doing it wholeheartedly.

“The airline is only asking the government to do what it has been doing to facilitate the smooth return of the Nigerians.

“We are not asking for any refund because we knew that the cost of evacuating the Nigerians will exceed N300 million at the end of the day.

“We are so happy that even our pilots and crew that went to South Africa refused to take their allowances saying that it is their own way of showing patriotism,” Onyema said.

He commended the Nigerian government for the matured diplomatic way it was handling the xenophobia issue with its South African counterpart and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to assist in the resettlement of the returnees.

One of the returnees, Chuks Okoma from Delta State, thanked God for sparing his life considering the ordeal faced by Nigerians in South Africa.

Okoma said that he had been in South Africa for six years without a job and sleeping in the street.

Another returnee, Michael Udoh, narrated how some foreigners were burnt in South Africa, adding that they were unable to move around.

Udoh, who had been in South Africa for six years, said that the country refused to renew his work permit after it expired, thus making him jobless.

INSPIRED!11-Year Old Nigerian Artist Kareem Waris beats 2,723 Candidates to Win Top Taiwanese Award

AgegePulse Magazine

11-year-old Nigerian hyperrealistic artist, Kareem Waris Olamilekan, has emerged the recipient of the Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation‘s “22nd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award”, beating 2,723 other recommended candidates in the world.

The Representative of Taiwan in Nigeria, Amb. Vincent Yang, made this known in Lagos on Wednesday, according to Punch.

He said that Waris Kareem, who had gained global recognition for his incredible drawings, stood out among other 2,723 recommended candidates across the world and would meet the Taiwanese President, Tsai Ing-wen, among other laureates.

According to him, Kareem will attend charity events with other laureates, scheduled to hold in Taipei from Sept. 20 to Sept. 28, during which he will meet the Taiwanese President.

Yang said that his office and the Head of Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria had hosted and congratulated Kareem on his feat.

Recall, AgegePulse learnt that the creative talented Kareem is a pupil of Oke-Odo Junior College under EDDI, Agege

He gained global fame back in 2018 after he sketched a stunning portrait of French President, Emmanuel Macron, on the spot in just two hours, during the President’s visit to Lagos. A feat which put him on the global media

BellaNaija

Democracy Award: Scribe 57 Congratulates Tinubu, Ethopian PM

...As Gbenga Abiola Charges Youths To Involve in Politics

AgegePulse Magazine

Association of Secretaries to the Local Government of Lagos State, Scribe 57 has congratulated the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, who won the African Democracy Award recently in Ethiopia.


A statement on Tuesday said they were recognised for their efforts to grow democracy and good governance on the African continent.

According to the statement, the award was conferred on them at the 4th African Political Summit and Diamond Awards in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.



The award was said to be the highlight of a three-day conference on Campaign Financing and Elections in Africa, an initiative of the Association of Political Consultants, Africa.

According to the president of APC Africa, Kehinde Bamigbetan, “ the award serves to recognise and encourage icons of democracy and good governance in Africa. It has been our culture to celebrate those political figures who have done a lot to promote democracy in their respective countries.”

He described Ahmed as an outstanding leader who had done a lot to strengthen democracy, human rights, press freedom and peace in East Africa.


Bamigbetan said Tinubu was recognised for his commitment to democracy and human rights.

“Asiwaju is a political figure whose impacts have been felt not just in Nigeria, especially with the historic election of President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the opposition APC, but also across many countries in Africa,” he added.


Amongst the major participants and delegates from Nigeria, Chairman of Scribe 57, Mr. Lekan Bakare and Hon. Gbenga Abiola amongst others Secretaries to the Local Government of Lagos State.

In another development, the Secretary to Agege LGA, Hon. Gbenga Abiola has charged the youths to get involved in the politics of today and position themselves in the heart of the decision makers.

He added that, the nation building lies in the hands of capable, brilliant and intellectual youths that can write the glory of our dear nation in bold

EFCC Arrests Prison’s Staff, 5 Others for ATM Fraud

AgegePulse Magazine

Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested six fraudsters who specialize in defrauding innocent Nigerians by using bank details obtained through sim swaps and Automated Teller Machines (ATM).



The suspects include Urulo Ikenna Henry, an Inspector with the Enugu Command of Nigerian Correctional Service. Others are Ugonna Nelson Owete, Ugonna Samuel Okafor Obinna, Chigbo Paschal Chidiebere, Oha Chukwujekwu Kingsley, Ahamefula Francis Izuchukwu



The suspects were arrested in separate operations, sequel to a petition by a customer of Access Bank, alleging that monies were illegally transferred from his account without his authorisation. According to the petitioner, sometime in February, 2019, he opened an account with Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) which he funded to the tune of N5m and instructed the bank to open a fixed deposit account, with the sum of N1m from the earlier account, as opening balance.



The complainant said he was receiving regular alerts until the end of March, 2019 when the alerts stopped coming, prompting him to demand his statement of account from the bank. Upon receipt of his bank statement, he discovered to his chagrin that the sum of two million nine hundred and eleven thousand four hundred and eighty naira (N2,911,480m) had fraudulently been transferred to several accounts between April 5 -9, 2019 without his authorisation..

Upon the receipt of the petition, the zonal office of the Commission  immediately swung into action and traced some of the funds to three of the suspects,  Samuel Okafor Obinna - N1,500.000; Chigbo Paschal Chidiebere -N210,000 and Oha Chukwujekwu Kingsley N300 000. All three were promptly arrested.

Further investigation revealed that Ikenna Henry, Nelson Owete (a known criminal who was earlier arrested and paraded by the Enugu State Police Command for  crimes bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery) and Ahamefula Francis Izuchukwu were equally complicit in the fraud.



They were arrested. Upon arrest, items recovered from Urulo Ikenna Henry included a Toyota Camry, documents of 2 plots of land, 2 Nigeria Housing Fund Passbook (one belonging to him and the other bearing Ani Wilfred Ochechukwu), 17 ATM cards of different banks bearing different names, 2 Nigerian Correctional Service Identity Cards, 2 smart phones and 2 Nokia phones, 1 NHIS card, 1 voter card, 26 Starter Packs and 15 SIM cards of various networks.

Two sachets of Cannabis Sativa, 8 ATM cards bearing different names and banks, 6 Starter Packs, and 4 SIM  cards of various networks, One empty ECOWAS Passport, 1 NDA dependant ID card and a voter card were also recovered from Francis Izuchukwu



The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Tinubu, Ethiopian Prime Minister win democracy award

 AgegePulse Magazine

Samson Folarin

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, have won the African Democracy Award.

A statement on Tuesday said they were recognised for their efforts to grow democracy and good governance on the African continent.

According to the statement, the award was conferred on them at the 4th African Political Summit and Diamond Awards in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

The award was said to be the highlight of a three-day conference on Campaign Financing and Elections in Africa, an initiative of the Association of Political Consultants, Africa.

The body is made up of top political consultants from across the continent.

The award, according to the president of APC Africa, Kehinde Bamigbetan, “serves to recognise and encourage icons of democracy and good governance in Africa. It has been our culture to celebrate those political figures who have done a lot to promote democracy in their respective countries.”

He described Ahmed as an outstanding leader who had done a lot to strengthen democracy, human rights, press freedom and peace in East Africa.


Bamigbetan said Tinubu was recognised for his commitment to democracy and human rights.

“Asiwaju is a political figure whose impacts have been felt not just in Nigeria, especially with the historic election of President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the opposition APC, but also across many countries in Africa,” he added.

Punch

BLACK SPOTS: LAGOS TASK FORCE NABS 71 MISCREANTS IN OSHODI

AgegePulse Magazine

The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force have arrested another 71 miscreants around railway-line in Oshodi as part of efforts to rid the State of all criminal elements, especially those operating at notorious blackspots across the metropolis.

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who led the enforcement team in an early morning raid, stated that the crackdown is in line with the determination of the Task Force to curtail the activities of hoodlums who rob unsuspecting members of the public.

He disclosed that some of those arrested were in possession of suspected illegal substances (Indian hemp) and other dangerous drugs such as Codeine, Skunk and Tramadol.

The Chairman reiterated that all identified blackspots across the State would be continuously raided and arrested suspects would be fully prosecuted if found guilty, stressing that the present administration has zero-tolerance for all forms of crimes and criminality.

According to CSP Egbeyemi, "Lagos State is the most populous in Nigeria as well as its economic heartbeat. As such, the State government is committed to providing a conducive environment for both local and foreign investors”.

He, however, revealed that while 13 of all the arrested 71 suspects were released after a thoroughly screening by the Chairman. The only underage male among them was transferred to the Lagos State Correctional Centre for proper rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Zubairu Muazu has directed that the raid must be a continuous exercise in line with the State's policy aimed at eradicating activities of miscreants and cultists disturbing innocent residents.

An underage boy (Hamed Gilani) who was referred to Lagos State Correctional Centre disclosed that he ran to Lagos from one of the neighbouring State after his parents separated their ways (divorced).

Accoding to Hamed Gilani (11yrs)"I ran errand for those bigger miscreants and i was lured to be smoking Indian hemp when i started sleeping among them under the bridge at Oshodi"

Another arrested miscreant (Suraju Ademola) confessed to have been sleeping along railway line under the Oshodi bridge for over 7 months.

He confessed further to be part of those criminals who attacked and robbed innocent members of the public of their valuables on Oshodi bridge both early morning and night.

Nigerians To Start Paying For Bank Deposit, Withdrawal - CBN

AgegePulse Magazine

Effective Wednesday, September 18, cash deposits and withdrawals from individual bank accounts are to attract addition charges, the Central Bank of Nigeria said on Tuesday.


In a circular to all deposit money bank (DMBs), the Director, Payments System Management Department at the CBN, Sam Okojere, said henceforth 3 percent processing fees would be paid for withdrawals and 2 percent for deposits of amounts above N500,000 for individual accounts.

Similarly, corporate accounts will attract 5 percent processing fees for withdrawals and 3 percent processing fee for lodgments of amounts above N3 million.

The CBN said the charges would be in addition to already existing charges on withdrawals, and will be aimed at encouraging it’s cashless policy.


The statement, however, said the charge on deposits shall apply in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, and Rivers States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

To further promote a cashless economy and enhance the collection of applicable government revenues, the CBN also announced a review of the process for merchant settlement by bank customers.

With the review, which takes effect from Tuesday September 17, the CBN said it gave approval for banks to unbundle merchant settlement amounts and charge applicable taxes and duties on individual transactions as stipulated by regulations.


Sahara ReportersPremium times

Bus driver kills two while running away from Customs

AgegePulse Magazine

Tragedy struck on Tuesday in Akinale in Ewekoro local government area of Ogun when a bus driver rammed into two people while running away from men of Nigerian Customs Service.

The bus driver who allegedly carried cartons of Turkey swerved and somersaulted while attempting to escape from the Customs men and rammed into the people including a Vulcaniser who was beside the road.

An eye witness told our correspondent that the suspected smugglers were taking the contraband to Lagos when the men of NCS chased him along  Abeokuta-Lagos Abeokuta Expressway.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the State , Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed the incident.

Oyeyemi said, “it’s true the Customs men were chasing the bus and it summersault and killed two people “.

The Customs PRO in the state, Abdullahi Maiwadah, however, promised to get back to our correspondent as soon as he got the detail.

He said, “Reference to your information, we have commenced an investigation, I will get across to you as soon as I get the details”.

Vanguard

UEFA Champions League: I want revenge on Liverpool – Llorente

AgegePulse Magazine

Fernando Llorente warned he was looking for revenge on Liverpool in Napoli’s Champions League opener on Tuesday, after being beaten by the Reds in last season’s final with former club Tottenham.


The Spanish striker, 34, signed a two-year deal with Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the summer after being released by Tottenham and is looking for some payback for Spurs’ defeat in Madrid.

“It was very painful to lose the final, there is a desire for revenge, yes, but it is especially the opportunity to show that we can be at the level of a team as strong as Liverpool,” Llorente told reporters in Naples.

Liverpool have reached the last two Champions League finals, beating Tottenham in the Spanish capital in June after losing to Real Madrid 12 months earlier.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side lost their opener last season 1-0 in Napoli thanks to a late Lorenzo Insigne winner, and Ancelotti said his side have learned from their mistakes last season, when they failed to advance from a tough group that also included Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

“The goal is to pass the group stage, we start against the European champions who are on full points in the Premier League, they are favourites and will be a difficult test, but very exciting.

PM

Lagos First Lady flags off free surgeries for 150 residents in Lagos

... Reiterates Government’s Commitment To Reposition Health Sector

AgegePulse Magazine

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr.(Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday flagged-off a free surgical intervention programme for residents, as part of activities commemorating the 100 days in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration.

The free health mission, which is being organised in partnership with a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation, features free surgeries for residents suffering from Lipoma, Hernia, Fibroid and Breast Lumps, as well as free dental and general health screening.


Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at General Hospital, Ijede, a suburb of Ikorodu, the First Lady said the development further underscores the commitment of the present administration towards revamping, rejuvenating and repositioning the health sector in the State for topnotch service delivery to the people.

According to her, the exercise was instructive considering the fact that a considerable level of commitment to revamp the health sector in the State had been aptly demonstrated since May 29, 2019.

In her words, "The second pillar of the developmental agenda for a greater Lagos promised by this administration as espoused in T.H.E.M.E.S speaks to provision of affordable, qualitative and accessible healthcare, as well as the implementation of initiatives to rev up healthcare delivery and equally ensure a healthy, livable and sustainable environment.


"In furtherance of this, the 110-Bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) in Eti-Osa was completed and commissioned, while work is nearing completion on two others in Badagry and Epe, with more to follow. Also, the State Government flagged off Free Medical Mission for 21,000 children and adults in partnership with Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu/Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH) Lagos Healthcare Mission International, as part of efforts to improve the health of residents, especially children”, she added.


The First Lady explained that over 21, 000 people were screened at seven centres over a period of six days in the ongoing programme, while a total of 1417 free surgeries were conducted for residents, including eye surgery for children and adults, pediatric surgery, dental surgery, orthopaedic surgery, and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgery.


While commending the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF) for coming up with the initiative to partner with the State Government, she asserted that in view of available statistics which reveal that about 50 per cent of the Nigerian female population aged 15 to 44 live with Fibroids, any medical intervention to address it and other diseases was most commendable.



She, therefore, urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate such laudable gesture by supporting the present administration's efforts to improve the health indices of the State.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. (Mrs) Titilayo Goncalves said the free surgeries were in furtherance of the premium placed on healthcare by the government, especially in reaching out to vulnerable residents of the State at the grassroots including the elderly, the very young, and people living with disabilities.

"Our objective for Lagos, one of the largest Mega Cities in the world, is to institutionalise accessible, efficient and qualitative health care that is affordable to all our residents, irrespective of class or status and we are here again today to demonstrate our commitment to these values," she said.

Earlier, Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu said since the initiative commenced, a total of 1405 residents have been screened, while out of the 150 planned surgeries, 51 life-transforming surgeries have already been performed on five patients with Fibroids, 33 with Lipomas and 13 with Breast Lumps.

What Failure Has Taught Me In Life -Jide Adeyemi

AgegePulse Magazine

CEO of one of the leading marketing and Advertising Agencies in Nigeria, Big&Bold, Jide Adeyemi has shared his experience over what failure means in human's life.

Read below his tought on failure and what it teaches in life.


"Failure is Good

I have experienced failure many times and in many ways. I recently failed in some pursuit, failed in business and at some point, failed myself as I couldn't move close to some set goals based on timelines, but the lessons kept me going and I have learnt how not to do it. Growing up around people regarded as failure is one of the reasons, I'm passionately chasing my set goals with diligence. Failure taught me what the opposite of what success truly is.

We try so hard to avoid failure, but failure is the real evidence that we've had the courage to try.

If you avoid failure, you avoid acting. Expect and accept that failure is part of the experience. Learn from it, grow from it, and move on.

Failure is success if we learn from it. Failure erupts the anger to succeed which is GOOD.

Be inspired with the experience of Michael Jordan expressed in this powerful quote "I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Feel free to fail, but don’t stay a failure.

Call your last failure a nightmare and wake up to reality. Go out and chase those dreams".

#mondaymorninginspiration
#lifecoach
#brandstrategy
#brandstrategist
#brandnote
#brandlessons
#orangeimpression

Fallen truck container crushes two to death in Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine

The crushed car and the container

A fallen container from a truck has crushed two people to death and injured several others at Ikorodu area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed the death of two people in the incident.

He said the tragedy occurred on Monday at Agric. Bus Stop, Ikorodu.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “Two people were dead. Three sustained major injuries and several others sustained minor injuries when a container fell on a Toyota Camry and three motorcycles.”

He said investigations at the scene of the accident revealed that a truck with a 20ft container fully loaded with unknown items with registration number LSD-611XU was on top speed, had a break failure, lost control and subsequently fell on the Toyota Camry with registration number FKJ-732FS and the three motorcycles.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that the two bodies of the male victims had been taken to the mortuary while the injured who were initially treated by LASAMBUS had been moved to the Ikorodu General Hospital for further treatment.

“However, the commodities recovered from the container have been bagged and handed over to the Police at Owutu Police Station. Operation has been completed,” he said.

Lagos Panorama

Lagos Speaker, Obasa Extols Egunjobi, JS Babatunde Giant Strides

...As Iyaloja General Commends Obasa, Ogundimu, Others Over Stakeholders' Meeting

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has commended the two council Chairmen in Agege LG and Orile Agege LCDA over their huge investment in infrastructure, education, empowerment and welfarism.

Obasa expressed huge satisfaction at the performances of both chairmen while speaking at the just concluded LSHA Stakeholders’ meeting held in Agege tagged: "ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES: Community Engagement to Facilitate Lasting Solution."

He said: "Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Hon. Johnson Babatunde  have made us proud with their unprecedented achievements since they assume office.

"They have both succeeded in several pressing areas needing attention before they came into office. We have seen their achievements such as major roads construction and rehabilitation and flood management through proper drainage designs. In education, they have constructed and renovated schools, provided school uniforms, writing materials and made available; free school buses for public school students.

“Egunjobi and JS Babatunde’s monthly financial empowerment of N100,000 each for about 800 resdidents of Agege and Orile Agege is unprecedented, laudable and will alleviate poverty and promote small scale businesses in this regions." Obasa concluded.

On her part, the Iyaloja General, Agege, Alhaja Taibat Tijani Lawal expressed gratitude to the quality representation of Rt. Hon.  Mudashiru Obasa and Honourable Oluyinka Ogundimu , the two representatives of Agege in the state House of Assembly.

Alhaja Taibat said, the stakeholders meeting has been a viable tool for spontaneous feedback mechanism between government and the people adding that they have contributed immensely to the development of markets and women in Agege.

Saudi oil attacks: Iran condemns US 'deceit' after accusation

AgegePulse Magazine

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Iran has accused the US of "deceit" after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tehran was behind damaging drone attacks on two Saudi oil facilities.

Mr Pompeo had rejected claims by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that they had carried out the attacks.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that "blaming Iran won't end the disaster" in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia said Saturday's strikes had 

suspended the production of 5.7 million barrels of oil a day .

All eyes will be on the markets when they reopen on Monday, with experts expecting a significant rise in price.

• Will Saudi oil attacks raise fuel prices?
• Yemen conflict explained in 400 words
• Why is there a war in Yemen?
• Yemen war: Has anything been achieved?

Meanwhile on Sunday evening US President Donald Trump said he had authorised the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if needed, "in a to-be-determined amount sufficient to keep the markets well-supplied".

Since ousting Yemen's president in 2015, the Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led and Western-backed coalition.

They said they had deployed 10 drones to attack the Abqaiq processing plant and the Khurais oilfield early on Saturday.

But Mr Pompeo said there was "no evidence" the drones came from Yemen and instead accused Iran.

 TThe US has blamed Iran for other attacks on oil supplies in the region this year, amid continuing tension following Mr Trump's decision to reinstate sanctions after abandoning the landmark international deal which limited Tehran's nuclear activities.

What has Iran said about the US accusations?

Mr Zarif took to Twitter to deride the US secretary of state, saying that "having failed at max pressure, Sec Pompeo's turning to max deceit".

He was referring to the Trump administration's stated "maximum pressure campaign" which has targeted Iran with sanctions.

Image copyrightNASA

Image captionA Nasa satellite image shows smoke from fires following the drone attacks

Mr Zarif said the US and its allies were "stuck in Yemen because of the illusion that weapon superiority will lead to military victory".

"What is happening in the region today, which has also worried the world, is in fact because of the wrong policies adopted by the US and the plots hatched by the country," he said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said prevention of US "aggression" is the only way to ensure regional security.

What's behind Mr Pompeo's claims?

The US secretary of state gave no specific evidence to back up his accusations, simply saying: "We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran's attacks."

The US would work with its allies to ensure "Iran is held accountable for its aggression", he said.

The US has previously accused Iran of attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf in June and July, as well as on another four in May. Tehran rejected the allegations in both cases.

BBC

SECURITY : LAGOS TASK FORCE RAIDS IKEJA CBD

...Arrests Miscreants, Illegal Street Traders


AgegePulse Magazine

Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) over the weekend raided all streets within Central Business District including surroundings of the 'African Shrine', Alausa, Ikeja.

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi said the enforcement operations became imperative following complaints from members of the public about the criminal activities of miscreants and environmental nuisance of illegal street traders around the Shrine.

Egbeyemi disclosed that 28 miscreants and 15 illegal street traders were arrested at various locations around Alausa, hinting that the raid was also initiated due to the nefarious acts within the vicinity of the African Shrine which presented a negative image to tourists and Lagosians as a whole.

According to the Chairman, "The night enforcement operation was carried out on all roads around African Shrine where sales of hard drugs like Tramadol, Codeine, Skunk, Weed, Illegal Mixed Liquor, Assorted Food and all sorts of consumable and non-consumable items are freely sold on the streets in defiance of security agencies and government authority”.

CSP Egbeyemi maintained that the enforcement operations will be a continuous exercise in line with the vision of the present administration to rid the entire State of street urchins and criminals.

"The Lagos State Government has vowed to sustain the security onslaught on all areas identified as criminal hideouts and hard drug outlets across the State, especially within the metropolis,” Egbeyemi said.

One of the arrested miscreants (Tunde Babalola) who was caught with a bag of substance suspected to be Indian hemp confirmed that he has been selling hard drugs for eight years, particularly around 'African Shrine' at Ikeja.

He confirmed further that dealing in hard drugs is a lucrative business, saying he realised an average profit between N60,000 and N100,000 weekly from customers around Obalende, Akala, Mushin, Bariga and Ikeja.

Another arrested trader who simply identified herself as Mrs. Abike Adeyemi disclosed that she paid N1,900 every week to a representative of Ikeja Local Government from the sales of 'Skuchies' and 'Hot drinks' around the ‘African Shrine’.

The Task Force Chairman has confirmed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu has directed that all those arrested be immediately prosecuted.


Adebayo Taofiq  (Assistant Director)
Head, Public Affairs Unit
Lagos State Task Force.

School Resumption: TGPS Dr. Yinka Ayandele Receives Lagos Commissioner For Education At EDD3

AgegePulse Magazine

The newly redeployed Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 3, Dr. Olufolayimika Abiose Ayandele, yesterday received the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo who was on official visit to Eko Akete Junior and Senior High schools of the district.

The commissioner who came to share the vision "THEME" Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for Greater Lagos to the leadership of the district, expressed huge satisfaction at the level preparedness and readiness of the educators and students for the 2019/2020 academic session.

AgegePulse learnt that the honourable commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja and top Directors to the Falomo-Ikoyi area of the EDD3.

Commenting on the visit, TGPS, Dr. Ayandele said the Honourable Commissioner was delighted at the high tone of the schools and commended the students for their smartness.

"She encouraged the SS3 students writing mock test in preparation for the forthcoming external examination." Dr Ayandele concluded.