Relief For Lagosians, As Lagos Lawmakers Amends Land Use Charge Law 2018

AgegePulse Magazine

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have amended the Land Use Charge Law, 2018 and for connected purposes.

The 6 Man Ad Hoc Committee, Chaired by Hon. Rotimi Olowo, presented the report of the findings of the Committee to Members at the Plenary today.

According to him, the House in response to the outcry of residents on some sections in the Principal Law on Land Use Charge, 2018, organised a Public Hearing to ensure public participation.

During the presentation of the report, the Chairman of the 6 Man Ad Hoc Committee, Hon. Olowo highlighted observations made by the participants at the Public Hearing some of which are;

According to him, Section 1(2), “Pensioner” should be redefined to include all retirees resident in the State from Federal and State Institutions and from both Private and Corporate organizations domiciled in the State;

The public hearing revealed that the Increase is generally perceived to be arbitrary and unrealistic in a recessed economy and the State Government should revert to status quo of the Land Use Charge for 2017;

Similarly, it was agreed by participants and stakeholders that vacant plot of land and unoccupied properties should be exempted from the Land Use Charge liabilities;

The Committee also posited that Section 17(c) (i) there is no need for 50% payment by an aggrieved owners over disputed charges before their eligibility to appeal; while aggrieved residents/owners should pay the preceding year’s charges while the disputed charges are being resolved; amongst others.

The Committee however, recommended that as from the commencement of this Law; there should be proper classification of commercial and residential properties in the State for the purpose of levying charges in accordance with the provision of this Law by the property identification officers of the Ministry;

He further recommended that there shall be twenty percent (20%) increase from the fees chargeable before the repeal of the Land Use Charge Law Ch. L79 2015, and the increment referred to in sub-section (1) above shall be renewable every ten (10) years; Pensioner should be replaced with a person who retires from a Pensionable Office; The owner of the property is liable to pay Land Use Charge in respect of any taxable property;

It should be noted that from the date when Land Use Charge is levied on a property in accordance with this Law, the provisions of the Assessment Law, Land Rates Law, Neighborhood Improvement Charge Law and any amendments made pursuant to it shall cease to apply to that property amongst other recommendations.

The House therefore adopted the recommendations as amended as resolution of the House.

It would be recalled that the House at the Plenary Session of Monday, 19th March, 2018 constituted a 6 Man Ad Hoc Committee to further look into the Bill and report its findings.

NASFAT bans Dec 31st/Jan 1st cross over Tahajjud

AgegePulse Magazine

Prominent Islamic organisation, NASFAT, has banned its branches from holding December 31st/January 1 cross over tahajjud.

This was contained in a memo obtained by iWitness NG.

Read the memo below:

Date:25/12/2019

From:The Mission Board Secretariat

To:All Missioners(Branch,Assistant, zonal and National)

Subject:December 31st/January 1st cross over Tahajjud program. A Reminder of its prohibition.

Salam alaykum wa rahmatul laah wa baarakatuhu, 

I write to remind us all that the above-mentioned type of tahajjud is not one of NASFAT programmes and thus no Branch of NASFAT Society is allowed to hold such in any manner.

It has come to the notice of the office of the Chief Missioner that some branches do organize this tahajjud under the disguise that they are holding other NASFAT-accepted socio-religious functions. This is not acceptable and I have the instruction of the CM to inform us that any Missioner that does otherwise will be sanctioned appropriately.

Missioners having any challenge on this in their Branches are to bring this to the notice of the Chief Missioner through the National Dawah Officer/Mission Board Secretary.

May Allah ease our affairs.

Animashaun Uthman
National Dawah Officer/Secretary,Mission Board

IWitness

School feeding: FG pays food suppliers in 33 states

AgegePulse Magazine

The Federal Government on Sunday said it had paid suppliers of foodstuff and cooks in 33 participating states under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, said the payment, which was for January 2020, would ensure that the feeding of the 9.9 million pupils in the 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory starts immediately schools resume in two weeks time.

She explaining that the payment covered the cost of feeding the school pupils in the participating states, adding that the funds were released in December to give the suppliers and cooks adequate time to procure and stock foodstuff.

Farouq said, “We believe that paying these funds early is critical to the success of the programme. We do not want any hitches and we want to ensure that the  school children are fed on time and without any excuses.”

The minister warned that the Federal Government would not accept any drop in the nutritional quality of the meals given to the children.

She said the Federal Government had gladly received reports of improved attendance in the schools and improved hygiene among the pupils.

These outcomes, according to Farouq, were some of the reasons for setting up the school feeding programme.

She noted that under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme a total of 9,963,726 pupils were fed in 54,942 schools across the country and were served by 107,862 suppliers and cooks.

The programme is one of the components of the National Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government.

The NSIP, which was previously under the Presidency, was recently moved to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.


Punch

Lagos Deputy Gov arrests drivers for driving against traffic

AgegePulse Magazine

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Saturday apprehended two commercial drivers and their buses for driving against traffic.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the commercial drivers were apprehended at Majidun area of Ikorodu, on the outskirts of Lagos.

The buses with registration numbers, FKJ 704 XK and FKJ 864 XV were driving inward Ikorodu using the outward Ikorodu Lane.

The two buses and the drivers were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Owode Onirin police station for necessary actions.

LASG Begins Demolition of Illegal Shanties, Shops

AgegePulse Magazine

...over 2500 illegal structures removed

The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) over the weekend began the demolition of all illegal structures, shanties, kiosks and containarised shops at 'Marwa Waterside' area of Lekki, Lagos

Speaking on the demolition, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that the exercise became imperative in preparation for the construction of a coastal road which will serve as an alternative route for the Lekki-Epe Expressway and enhance free flow of traffic on that corridor.

According to Egbeyemi, “Illegal business operators like Iron benders, Mechanics, food/fruits vendors and others were served a seven-day 'Removal Notice' by the government to remove their property and vacate the entire area and it expired on Thursday, 19th of December, 2019.

It was an eye-sore as these illegal artisans, food vendors and others littered the entire area with refuse and waste materials.

Investigation conducted revealed that none of these occupants and illegal business operators have any permit from the State Government as miscreants freely smoke and sell Indian hemp as well as engage in prostitution around residential premises.

The Taskforce confirmed that after the expiration of the removal order, the government still gave these illegal squatters additional eight days grace to vacate the entire area before embarking on the clean-up exercise as well as clampdown on all criminal elements disturbing law-abiding residents within Marwa waterside and the entire Lekki axis.

He implored all illegal occupants on any of the government lands/property to immediately vacate same as it would not be business as usual across the State.

Man beats wife to death on Christmas day

AgegePulse Magazine

The Police in Ogun State have arrested one Mutiu Sonola for allegedly beating his wife, Zainab shotayo to death.

Mutiu, 37, started beating his wife in the morning on Christmas Day, over minor disagreement.

He was said to have persisted in hitting her despite being told by neighbours to desist from further assaulting his wife, until the 34-year-old woman slumped and slipped into coma.

He, allegedly, fled home quickly when it dawned on him that his wife was not likely to survive the beating.

It was learnt that neighbours notified the father of the woman, who rushed to the scene and took his daughter to the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for treatment but doctors confirmed she was brought in dead.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a release stated that the suspect was arrested by detectives from Ibara Division of the Ogun state Police Command.

Oyeyemi stated further that investigation had revealed that Mutiu habitually beat his wife at any slightest provocation and that the latest assault leading to the woman’s death was triggered by a “minor disagreement.”

According to him, the remains of the woman had been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijaiye for autopsy, while her husband would be transferred to the homicide section of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and prosecution.

“The suspect was arrested on Wednesday 25th of December 2019 following a report by the father of the deceased who complained at Ibara division that he was called on phone that his daughter was having a misunderstanding with her husband and that she has been beaten to comma by the husband.

“He said that he quickly rushed to the scene and took his daughter to the General hospital, Ijaye where the doctor confirmed her dead.

“As soon as the suspect realised that the victim is dead, he took to his heels and on the strength of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ibara division, Dada Olusegun mobilized his detectives and went after the suspect.

“His hiding place was eventually located and he was promptly arrested,” he said.

Policeonline

Hon. Dr. Dawodu Bashiru, MHR: An Epitome of Exemplary & Visionary Leadership

#AgegePulse Magazine

In every age there comes a time when leadership must come forth to meet the need of the HOUR - The HOUR FOR CHANGE

Hon. Dr. Dawodu Bashiru MHR. epitomises such exemplary leadership for the people of Oshodi-Isolo

A critical appraisal of his undertakings as a legislator representing his constituency at the Federal House of Assembly, reveals that he possesses in no small measure the attributes of a quintessential leader

By taking full responsibility of his statutory obligation to use his office as an Honourable in the house of representative towards alleviating the plights of it's constituents, Hon. Dr. Dawodu Bashiru, MHR understands the purpose of his calling.

His intellectual sagacity and prowess with which he communicates his visions for his constituency, clearly,  creatively and consistently is unparalleled.

His medical background and international exposure were brought to bear in the budget defense process.

Problem solving to Hon. Dawodu has a route; ingenious creativity. No wonder he is a man people wants to follow

Hon. Dr. Dawodu Bashiru can be said as Charitable to a fault.   If you ask him why, be sure of this response from him "My Destiny is to care for others".

Hon. Dr. Dawodu understand that leadership in the twenty first century thrives with the synergy of ideas. His hand of fellowship towards Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, a.k.a MC Oluomo is geared towards a partnership that is attracting development to the community.

Greater Lagos Fiesta will discover, nurture Talents – Tourism Commissioner

….Olamide, Zlatan, Niniola, Patoranking Other Top Artistes Billed To Perform

...Event To Hold Simultaneously For 5 Days In Five Locations

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government, in furtherance of its commitment to boost tourism and entertainment, is set to hold the 2019 ‘Greater Lagos’ fiesta in a grand style.

Addressing reporters on Monday, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu, stated that the 2019 celebration has additional features that will help to discover and nurture talented performers to become celebrated stars across the country.

The event, usually celebrated annually is an entertainment funfair highlighting the State's rich talents reservoir and promoting the relevance of entertainment and tourism as a major driver of the State’s economy.

According to the Commissioner: “This year, Greater Lagos Fiesta is more than a show, it is all encompassing. That is the reason we want to cement our position as Lagos being the absolute place for top-notch entertainment and tourism in Africa. For the first time on the continent of Africa, we are going to be experiencing a proper show that can rival any show in Dubai, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“In addition to that, it is very critical to understand and nurture the talents we have in Lagos State. Many international artistes that are up for Grammy Awards are home grown talents. To this end, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration realises that there is need for a platform for our talents to thrive.

“This year, we have injected some addition to the formula on ground whereby Lagos actually identifies a talent, nurtures and grows the talent to become the future stars.”

The show, which will hold from 25th to 31st of December, was described as a family event where everybody is expected to attend with members of their family.

She announced that the show will hold in five locations simultaneously and two winners that will contest at the Grand Finale will emerge from each of the five locations.

She said: “Across the five Ibile Zones – the locations where these events will be holding, there will be competition such as talent hunt. There will be two last contenders in each of the five zones that will contest at the venue of the Grand Finale at Eko Atlantic City. We will ensure that by 2021, these artistes will perform as big shots in the country.

“The bottom line is to engross us with the culture, talent and diversity of Lagos. We are diverse and we need an avenue to display it. Mr. Governor is offering it this year, taking the greater Lagos platform to another level.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, assured that the issue of insecurity would not be a barrier noting that Lagosians have nothing to fear while attending the shows.

“It is not the kind of show you will be afraid to attend or take your kids and family members to. There is no room for negativity at the shows.

“I want to also reaffirm that it is going to be a show like never before because it is well planned. New stars that will go into the shoes of the already established stars in the country will be discovered,” he said.

He further explained that entertainment is the big game changer in the economy.

Notable artistes like Olamide, Naira Marley, Zlatan, Patoranking, Niniola are expected to perform at the events. In addition, popular artistes in each locality of the Ibile would be allowed to perform.

Again! Fire Guts 4-Storey Building at Tejuosho Market

AgegePulse Magazine

There was another fire outbreak at Tejuosho Market, Yaba, Lagos.


LASEMA Response Team on arrival at the scene of incident discovered that the electrical engine room on the ground floor of a 4 - storey building was gutted by fire as a result of overheating due to lack of adequate ventilation in the room.


Though the fire was quickly put out with no recorded loss of lives nor injuries at the scene of incident, primary responders were readily available to curtail the fire.


These first line of defence included the LASEMA Response Team, the Federal and LASG Fire Services as well as Officers of the Nigerian Police were all responders at the incident scene...

Orile Agege Legislators Celebrate Council Chairman, Hon. JS Babatunde in Grand Style

AgegePulse Magazine

There is no end to celebrating an Icon the synergy between the major players of Orile Agege Council which are the Legislative, Executive and the Management  have brought about an unending Celebration of the political generalissimo of Grassroot Governance, Hon.Johnson Sunday Babatunde,the Executive Chairman who marked his birthday few days ago.

The 4th Legislature of Orile Agege LCDA, under the leadership of the amiable and vibrant Leader of the House, Hon.'Wale Fayemi and other  Members of the House who threw a surprise retrospective birthday Get-Together for the Council Mayor to show their support and appreciation to his led Administration.

Hon. Johnson Babatunde was amazed to see the love and dedication shown to him by the honourable House.

The Council Chair showed his appreciation and further enjoined the Hon.Members to play their role as advocates of the people they represent as well as protect the interest of the Local Council Development Area,Orile Agege.

Lots of Exotic and customised gifts were presented to the birthday boy by Members of the proactive 4th Orile Agege Legislative Arm.

At the occasion were the celebrant, Hon. J.S Babatunde and his beautiful wife,Mrs Mojisola Babatunde,the Vice Chairman,Hon.Kafilat Pedro,the Party Chairman,Hon.Salau, the Party Secretary, Hon.Fatai Ajibola,the SLG, Hon.James Agboola and other EXCO Members.

Others were the Council Manager, Mrs Tejumade Lawal and other Management Team,Political faithfuls,kegites Members who gives sonorous gyrations to commemorate the day and other well wishers.

Egunjobi presents car gift to 2019 Best Aides

...As Agege NULGE Celebrates Outstanding Staff

#AgegePulse Magazine

The Executive Chairman of Agege LGA, Alhaji Kola Ganiyu Egunjobi, today presented a car gift to  2019 best Aides.

AgegePulse Magazine learnt that, Alhaji Omodele Moruf, SSA on Environment and Hon. Omotosho Ajala, Vice Chairman, Revenue Agege LGA were still in surprise mood as the Chief Security Officer of Agege LG who appears in security outfit and Council Treasurer, Mrs. Tawakalitu Mebude presented the car keys to both beneficiaries at the Council Secretariat to ease their operations.

In the same vein, the Council NULGE rewards outstanding staff with  gifts and cash prizes at its Annual End of the Year Party organised to celebrate and reward hardworking and outstanding staff of the Council.


While receiving the Xmas surprise gift, the newly elected CDA chairman of Gbogunleri Alhaji Moruf Omodele Olohunwa and Hon. Ajala appreciate Egunjobi, adding that the council Chairman is a man of "Integrity" and many surprises.

See TOP 60 Arrests Made By DCP Abba Kyari

AgegePulse Magazine

1• Arrest of Nigeria’s most notorious Kidnap kingpin Billionaire Kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwaumadike Aka Evans in Lagos State and his Gangmembers,

2• Arrest of the killers of former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Air Marshal Alex Badeh ‘rtd’ along Keffi-Gitata Kaduna Road,

3• Arrest of the most wanted Boko-Haram Commander Umar Abdulmalik and Eight (8) of his Terrorists gang members,

4• Arrest of Twenty-two (22) Boko-Haram Terrorist gang members responsible for the kidnap of the Chibok School Girls in 2014 and also responsible for series of suicide bombings/several attacks and ambush against Security Agents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

5• Captured the Most Deadly Kidnapper in the History of Nigeria, Henry Chibueze Aka “Vampire” in Owerri, Imo State and his gangmembers,

6• Arrest of the Deadly Offa Bank robbers that invaded Offa Town, Kwara State and robbed five commercial Banks, the gang also murdered over Thirty-one (31) innocent Nigerians Making it the deadliest Bank Robbery in the History Of Nigeria.

7• Arrest of kidnappers who kidnapped a serving Assistant Comptroller of Customs In Portharcourt,

8• Arrest of a syndicate of kidnappers, armed bandits and their sponsors in Zamfara State, after the gang had kidnapped the twin sisters before their wedding,

9• Arrest of deadly armed robbers and murderers who escaped from lawful custody at the SARS Lokoja, Kogi State,

10• Arrest of deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap/murder of Mr. John Iheanacho a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/President of Eastern Zone Investment Cooperative Society Ltd, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,

11• Arrest of suspect responsible for the murder of Lieutenant Abubakar Yahaya Yusuf a serving Naval Officer and his girlfriend Miss. Lorraine Onye in Rivers State,

12• Arrest of deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap of two South African Citizens in Kaduna State,

13• Arrest of the Terrorist responsible for the bombing of Kuje and Nyanya towns of Abuja and recovery of primed bombs in the FCT,

14• Arrest of deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap of two Americans and two Canadians in Kaduna State,

15•Arrest Of a Notorious Criminal who threaten to Kill the Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar and his Family.

16• Arrest of the kidnappers of elder statesman Chief Olu Falae in Ondo State,

17• Arrest of gang of deadly killers responsible for the killing of several innocent persons in Benue State and recovery of their operational weapons,

18• Arrest of notorious arms and dealer who specializes in selling arms to armed robbers, kidnappers and Politicians in South-West/recovery of over Fifty arms and thousands of life ammunitions,

19• Arrest of the most notorious armed robber in the South-West, Abiodun Egunjobi Aka “Godogodo” in Ibadan, Oyo State, he was responsible for the death of over Five hundred (500) innocent Nigerians & Police Officers,

20• Arrest of the Kidnappers of the Turkish School Girls in Ogun and Lagos States,

21• Arrest of the kidnappers/murderers of Barrister Sherif Yazid along Abuja-Kaduna Express road,

22• Arrest of most the notorious kidnapping kingpin in Kogi State Halti Bello and twenty of his gang members, the gang had been terrorizing Kogi State and its environ for many years, who also kidnapped and murdered one Istifanus Gurama a senior staff of Dangote group,

23• Arrest of more than Fifteen (15) different gangs of kidnappers totaling over Three hundred (300) kidnappers and recovery of over Two hundred (200) AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons used in terrorizing Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highways,

24• Arrest of kidnappers/murderers of the Production Manager of Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited Mr. Ubani Onyema ‘m’ 64 years old, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,

25• Arrest of the most Notorious assassin in the South-west Ade Lawyer and his gang responsible for series of killings in various parts of Lagos State and South-western Nigeria,

26• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Isheri Landlords in Lagos State,

27• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Eighty (80) years old Chief Felix Ogbona in Aba, Abia State,

28• Arrest of assassins and masterminds who gruesomely murdered Mr. Uba Emmanuel aka Onwa in Festac Town, Lagos State,

29• Arrest of kidnappers of Dr. Alex Pepple in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,

30• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Ikorodu School Girls in Lagos State,

31• Arrest of the Kidnappers of CBN Governor’s wife in Delta State,

32• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Ambassador Bagudu Hirse in Kaduna State,

33• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Serrie Leonian Deputy High Commissioner in Kaduna State,

34• Arrest of the Kidnappers of former Minister of Finance Okonjo Iweala’s Mother in Delta State,

35• Arrest of Niger-Delta militants planning to bomb 3rd Mainland bridge/recovery of arms and explosives in Lagos State,

36• Arrest of Niger Delta militants/notorious Kidnappers and recovery of GPMG, Ak 47 rifles and military grenades in Port-harcourt, Rivers State,

37• Arrest of notorious gang who planned to Kidnap Nigerian billionaire
Femi Otedola in Lagos State,

38• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Oniba of Iba a first class King in Lagos State,

39• Arrest of kidnappers of Hon. Sani Bello member of House of Reps/representing Mashi Federal Constituency of Katsina State (now late),

40• Arrest of the Armed Robbers/Militants who attacked and robbed Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac and Agbara Banks in Ogun and Lagos State,

41• Arrest of the Kidnappers of the three (3) Orekoya’s Children in Lagos State,

42• Arrest of the Kidnappers of Former Chairman of Ejigbo LGA in Lagos State,

43• Arrest of Killers of Oyo State member of House of Assembly in Oyo State,

44• Arrest of the kidnappers and Killers of Reverend father Adeyi in Otukpo Benue State,

45• Arrest of Kidnappers of Alhaji Salami in Abuja,

46• Arrest of the kidnappers of two (2) ABTI American University of Nigeria Female Students in Abuja,

47• Arrest of the attackers of Nimbo Community in Enugu State and many more breakthroughs that are too numerous to mention.

48•Rescue Of Magajin Garin Daura from Kidnappers in Kano State and Arrest Of 13 of the Kidnappers/Terrorist

49•Arrest Of a Notorious Southwest Kidnap Kingpin Abubakar Mohd Aka Buba and his Gangmembers In Oyo State.

50•Arrest Of the deadliest Kidnapper in the Southwest Abdullahi Abubakar aka Osama and his Group In Ekiti State.

51•Arrest Of Adamu Umoru aka Dabo and Group, Kingpin Of Abuja-Kaduna expressway Kidnappers Responsible for Kidnapping Dr Mahmoud Chairman UBEC, Killinghid Driver and Many Other Kidnappings and Killings Along the Expressway.

52•Arrest Of Usman Mohd and Group Of Kidnappers Responsible for kidnapping the Son Of the immediate Past Minister Of Health In Oyo State and Many Other kidnappings in the Southwest.

53•Arrest Of Tony Raphael aka Chairman and his group, Kidnap Kingpin Terrorizing Rivers State.

54•Arrest Of Abdullahi Sani and his Group Responsible for the Kidnapping Of the Mother in-law Of Governor Masari Of Katsina State.

55•Arrest Of Notorious Kidnapper Isa Abdullahi aka Biyi and his Gang Responsible for Several Kidnappings and Killing In Katsina State.

56•Arrest Of Gbenga Ojomo the Most Notorious Illegal Arms and Ammunition Smuggler in Nigeria, Responsible for Smuggling Thousands Of Rifles and Ammunition from Libya and Burkina Faso to Nigeria.

57• Arrest Of Sunday Abel aka School boy and his Deadly Gang Of Kidnappers Terrorizing the Southeast Responsible for Kidnapping and Killing a Serving American Soldier In IMO State and Many other Kidnappings and Killings in the Southeast.

58• Arrest Of Cajetan Otti and Group Of Notorious kidnappers Terrorizing Abia State and Recovery Of Several Rifles.

59• Arrest Of Divine Nmeni and his gang of Notorious Kidnappers who were Responsible for several Kidnappings and Rapes In Rivers State.

60• Re-Arrest Of Notorious Taraba State Kidnap Kingpin Hamisu Bala Wadume and Recovery Of Several Rifles after he was Rescued and released from IRT 2 weeks earlier.

May Almighty Allah, The Nourisher, the sustainer , the master of the day of judgement and owner of the majesty and honour guide and Protect Dcp Abba Kyari and his team members from any kind of conspiracy known or unknown.

© Northeast Reporters

Prudent Spending Helped Us Deliver More Projects With Limited Resources Says Hon. JS Babatunde

AgegePulse Magazine

The Chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area(LCDA), Hon. Johnson Sunday Babatunde has said that his administration's focus on prudent spending of the limited resources available has helped his administration to deliver huge dividends of democracy to the people of Orile Agege LCDA within two years in charge of the Council.

Hon. Babatunde stated this at a Media Parley organized for press men in Orile Agege.

He reeled out his administration’s achievements in the last 27 months, "Our administration has invested hugely in providing infrastructure, education, health, security, sports and welfare to Orile Agege Residents".

"On Youth and Women Empowerment, We have financially empowered over 2,385 youths with our monthly N100,000.00 and N30,000.00 stipends for startup business"

The Council Chair said, that all these would not have come to reality without his wise spending and ability to block revenue leakages of the Council on assumption into office.

Recall, Hon. JS Babatunde recently presented about 250 furnitures, writing materials to Public Primary Schools in the LCDA at the Council Secretariat to address issue of lack of furniture and to improve learning curve of primary school pupils in Orile Agege.

However, He has also promised to revamp the moribund Orile Agege LCDA Schools of Vocational Training with "World Class"equipments that would face the test of time globally and avail our secondary school leaving students opportunity to acquire vocational skills.

While answering questions on the allegation of abandonment of some infrastructural projects, Hon. Johnson assured that his administration has never abandoned any project as the Council contractors are still working on all the existing projects.

He said, “we are not neglecting any projects. Up till yesterday, our men are still working. For example, James Okiki Street, Ademolu Street, Afuwape Street, Ifeloju Street, Okusanya and other areas of the council".

"Year 2020 Budget will be more promising in providing dividends of democracy to the residents of our dear community". JS asserted

RRS NABS TWO INTER - STATE ROBBERS

AgegePulse Magazine

Two inter - state robbers who have been breaking into homes and boutiques in Lagos and Ogun State and dispossesing residents of their belongings were on Wednesday arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad in Oshodi after another successful outing.

The robbers, Gbemi Ogunleye, 45, a fairly used cloth seller in Ijora and Ini Effiong, 32, a road side Gala  hawker in Oshodi were arrested in early Wednesday morning after an all night robbery at the resident of one church cleric in Ibafo, Ogun State.

The suspects, in their confessions stated that they break into homes and boutiques in Ibafo at midnight, cart away clothes, mobile phones and electronics.

 They added that during the day, they sell the electronic and phones as well as clothes before returning to their respective businesses in Ijora and Oshodi, Lagos.

Ogunleye stated that apart from the fairly used clothes popularly known as ‘okrika’, which he sells in Ijora, he also sells clothes and shoes taken from their victims at night. He maintained that they target boutiques and surveyed the environment days before breaking into them at night.

Effiong in his confession to the police disclosed that although he hawks snacks in traffic, he teamed up with Ogunleye to rob at night.

He explained that he also robs in traffic at night, adding that he has snatched many mobile phones in traffic in Oshodi Oke, Bolade and PWD while hawking snacks.

The two suspects who couldn’t give the specific figure of houses and boutiques they have broken into confessed that their operations have been more restricted to Ibafo and Mowe because they feared they would be arrested if they attempted to rob in Lagos.

Ogunleye noted that he met Effiong in February 2019 in Oke - Koto, Agege. He stated that their discussions on how to survive the nation's economic realities made them team up.

He further maintained that before he met his colleague, he had been operating alone limiting himself to Ibafo and Mowe. “I dont rob or burgle houses and boutiques everyday. Whenever I have money, I buy ‘okrika’ in Kotangoa market and sell them in Ijora, Lagos”.

The suspects disclosed that whenever they want to rob, they would converge in Kara, Ogun State before proceeding to Ibafo around 11:00 p.m to hang around the area before striking their target at about 1:00 a.m.

On their last operation in Ibafo, he said, “we hid in the bush till 2:00 a.m before we could gain entrance in to the house. We used cross bar to shift the burglar - proof from where we entered. We were with the occupants of the house till 5:00 a.m.

We collected 5 mobile phones, N4, 000 and a motorcycle. We were in Oshodi when RRS bike riders intercepted and arrested us in the morning”.

Already, about three of their victims have identified the suspects  at RRS headquarters. One of them, a teenager revealed that the suspects spent more than 5 hours with her and her younger sister while their parents were away.

She added that they parked all her mother's jewellery, clothes and two flat screens before escaping.

Also arrested with the suspects was one Chinedu Onyema, their receiver. He came to Oshodi with N30,000 trying to bribe the police to release the suspects.

Recovered from the suspects were seven mobile phones, N4000 and a motor cycle with the registration number GGE 962 QN

Onyema has confessed being their receiver and that he bought mobile phones and electronics from the suspects.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu stated that there would be no hiding place for criminals in the metropolis.

I Was Once A Bus Conductor/ Bike Rider, Says Small Doctor, Flaunts His G-Wagon

 AgegePulse Magazine

Popular  Agege Born Nigerian singer, Alhaji Adekunle Temitope (AKA) Small Doctor has took to his Instagram page to show off his newly acquired Toy.


Announcing the arrival of his latest acquisition, the ‘set awon’ singer said that he was once a bus conductor and bike rider but now he’s the proud owner of a Benz G-wagon. He also revealed he was a bike rider before he rose to fame.

Recall, Small Doctor Who shed tears on stage during Omo Better Concert held recently at Agege Stadium, Agege, Lagos Nigeria, after sighting a huge turnout of fans to share love with him.

 his words reads

“He Was Once A Bus Conductor /Bike Rider 📣.
Now Set Awon SOLD OUT 💯 .
I’m A Symbol Of HOPE📣(Never Relent)
iyanu MASHELE SOONEST

Agege Born Amb. Tosin Sanusi appointed Attache to Republic of Liberia

AgegePulse Magazine

Amb. Tosin Sanusi has been appointed as the International Cooperation Attache to the Deputy Minister for Manpower Planning and Human Resource Development, Republic of Liberia


Amb. Tosin Sanusi’s appointment which was confirmed on the 7th of December 2019, was a result of his immense empowerment programmes in Digital Skills Development held across tertiary and other human development institutions in over three African countries and his passion for development in Africa. It can be recalled that in November 2019 Amb. Sanusi led a team of three trainers to Liberia where they provided training and inspiration to over 900 Liberians in higher education and over 100 guests of Liberia who were in attendance at the African Youth Education and Empowerment Summit being held in Monrovia.

Amb Sanusi who is also the Special Adviser on Education to the President, ECOWAS Youth Council has used his foundation Edubox Global to contribute in positioning students in tertiary institutions and youths to be relevant to their society and also to the entire world by supporting their academics and also empowering them with the essential skills needed for nation’s growth.

During Amb Sanusi acceptance speech, he appreciated his boss Atty. Phiĺ Tarpeh Dixon for the opportunity to serve the Republic of Liberia.

Touchaheart.com

39 Companies express interest to construct Lagos 4th Mainland Bridge

AgegePulse Magazine

A total of 39 companies - indigenous and international - are jostling for the delivery of the proposed Lagos 4th Mainland Bridge following the call for Expression of Interest by Lagos State government.

The Expression Of Interest box was opened at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center with 39 hard copies received while 32 of them were also submitted online as requested.

Answering questions from the media at the event, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Aramide Adeyoye said the present administration is resolute to deliver the 4th Mainland bridge through a process that will build investor-confidence and attract the best bargain for the construction of the highway.

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General, Public-Private Partnership, Mr. Ope George said the evaluation of the documents submitted will be conducted and the outcome of the assessment will be communicated in due course.

The 4th Mainland Bridge is a public-private-partnership transport infrastructure development, which includes the construction and operation of a greenfield tolled road and bridge with a design speed of 120km/h, including the development of adjacent real estates.

The 38-kilometre project will start from Abraham Adesanya in Ajah, on the Eti-Osa –Lekki-Epe corridor and traverse the North West towards the Lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu.

It is one of the priority solutions to relieve the 3rd Mainland bridge of severe congestion, open up new areas of Lagos State for future development and distribute socio-economic growth across the State.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos

Sanwo-Olu’s Aide rallies support from CEOs, Heads of Govt Agencies

… As Parastatals Monitoring Office Holds Workshop For Heads of Agencies

 AgegePulse Magazine

The Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde has craved for the support of all heads of government-owned agencies and parastatals in the State towards the realisation of the vision of the current administration.

Ayinde made the plea at the commencement of a two-day workshop organised for the Chief Executives of government agencies in Lagos State, emphasising the importance of a full understanding of the agenda of the State Governor by the helmsmen as well as keying into the areas that are relevant to the mandate of their organisations.

“This is very crucial because the success of this administration would depend on the successful implementation of responsibilities assigned to your parastatals and agencies,” the Chief of Staff said.

He enjoined the participants to take advantage of the workshop and gain full knowledge and understanding of the processes and procedures required for the day to day running of their respective organisations.

“This administration, led by Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, is result-oriented and determined to leave a legacy of unprecedented development that will impact directly the lives of every Lagosian irrespective of gender, religion, tribe or socio-economic background.  I urge you to embrace this philosophy of governance within your spheres of authority and responsibility with special consideration for transparency, accountability and value for taxpayers’ money,” Ayinde stated.

In a similar contribution, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Paratstals Monitoring Office, PMO, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo disclosed that the supervisory roles played by the Office as regards the Parastatals and Agency are not meant to witchhunt, but to work hand in hand with each other so as to effectively coordinate their activities for the advancement of the State.

He said that the Workshop was meant to further enhance the capabilities of the participants to discharge the enormous tasks bestowed on them as heads of various government and semi-autonomous establishments charged with providing various services towards enhancing the quality of life of Lagosians.

Ayantanyo also revealed that since the resuscitation of the Office under the present administration, the Parastatals Monitoring Office (PMO) team has traversed 83 government companies, agencies and parastatals, straddling the nooks and crannies of the entire area of the State.

The visit to the agencies, according to him, was to have first-hand information about the various offices and also advise government about the activities of each of the agencies.

Speaking on the essence of establishing the various agencies, Ayantayo stated that the establishment of the agencies was borne out of the need to decentralise government services and also make it easily accessible to service seekers in a very swift and efficient manner.

“It is simply because the Government desires to make certain qualities of life obtainable for the majority, if not all citizens, through the running of some essential services which, if left to the private sector, may not be accessible, or may be accessible at exorbitant costs.”

“For example, it would be unimaginable to expect the Ministry of Transportation to directly manage hundreds of buses plying different routes on a daily basis, therefore, there has to be LAMATA and LAGBUS,” the Special Adviser explained.

He expressed the belief that at the end of the workshop, Lagos State will have a group of more dedicated, industrious and overwhelmingly confident Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Agencies and Parastatals ready to actualise the vision of this administration as encapsulated in the T.H.E.M.E.S  agenda.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos

Yuletide: Lagos NURTW Boss, MC- OluOmo Advises commercial drivers

AgegePulse Magazine

The Chairman of the union in the state, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya Mc-oluomo in a yuletide message to drivers in Lagos State said the vehicles must be roadworthy and ensure that they obtain necessary documents from appropriate authorities to prevent  acts capable of delaying their journey.

Alhaji Akinsanya Mc-oluomo implored drivers to use their seat belt at all times and refrain from drinking alcohol and other dangerous substances while driving.

He said the warning become imperative to prevent accidents and reduce road crashes to zero level during the yuletide and new year celebration.

Alhaji Akinsanya Mc-oluomo cautioned drivers against over speeding and over loading, saying commercial drivers must obey the traffic rules and carrying their driver’s license and other vehicle documents along with them.

 He said NURTW, in Lagos State would continue to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASMA, and other relevant authorities to ensure that drivers comply with traffic rules and regulations.

NURTW Chairman said the union would continue to educate and train drivers on safe driving and customers relationship.

Alhaji Akinsanya Mc-oluomo advised motorists and travelers to desist from boarding vehicles on road sides, pointed out that all designated motorparks in the state have made enough vehicles available for them to enjoy affordable, comfortable, stress free and hitch free journey.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE.

Xmas/New Year Celebration: Agege bans fireworks, orders Street Carnivals’ organisers to seek approval

AgegePulse Magazine

Agege Local Government area of Lagos State has banned the usual deployment of fireworks in celebration of the Christmas and the New Year and ordered organisers of street carnivals in the area to seek its approval before throwing parties.

The directives were contained in a statement the Executive Chairman, Alh. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi issued wherein he rationalised the orders.

Egunjobi said the local government was motivated by its statutory responsibility of maintaining security of lives and properties at all time and around the clock.
 
He said while the council acknowledged that it is within the rights of the area’s residents to party, have fun and over indulge themselves during festive periods, it added that the government was not unaware of the attendant violence and crimes that were associated with the occasion, particularly Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“The council recognise that it is well within the rights of people of Agege to celebrate and merry this period, but we must also bear it in mind that violence and other forms of crimes usually peaked during this Christmas and New Year’s celebration.

“Among the causative agents, which we identified at the last held Security meeting of the council are: the street carnival and the use of fireworks during this yuletide. While street carnival provided a breeding ground for rival cult groups clash, not few crimes are perpetrated under the guise of massive fireworks display.                    

“As a responsible government, it is imperative for us to ensure security of lives and properties of residents, business owners and visitors. In the light of the aforementioned, no street carnivals must be held without the approval of the council while the use of fireworks by individuals or institution is outrightly ban.

Recall that last week, the Council banned the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, from operating in Agege, citing perpetration of violence and the illegal conversion of roads and markets to parks and garages as the reason for the embargo.

Yuletide Celebrations: Lagos commences sale of Lake Rice for N17,000.00

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government today commenced the sale of its popular brand of rice, Lake Rice, in preparation for the coming yuletide celebrations with the formal flag-off exercise by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal.

Lawal noted that Lake Rice is available for sale in centres across the State including the Agricultural Development Authority Complex, Oko-Oba; Lagos State Agriculture Inputs Supply Authority (LAISA), Ojo and the Blue Roof at LTV Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The Commissioner outlined other centres such as the Lake Rice Sales Centre at Farm Service Centre, Epe; Odogunyan Farm Service Centre, Ikorodu; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere; Farm Centre, Ajah, Government Technical School, Ikotun; Farm Service Centre, Badagry and the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba.

He stated that a 50kg bag of Lake Rice costs N17,000, while the 25kg bag will be sold for N8,500, warning that the commodity should not be sold above the approved prices.

Reiterating that the State Government remains committed to boosting food security in Lagos, Lawal stressed that the government will continue to ensure adequate production and fair distribution of Lake Rice with a view to ensuring its availability to the masses in the various designated sales centres across the State.

While wishing Lagosians in particular and Nigerians, in general, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance, the Commissioner assured that the State Government would continue to embark on agricultural policies and programmes to ensure food security in the State in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos

Three killed in Lagos brutal NURTW, gang clashes, 75 arrested

AgegePulse Magazine

At least one person was yesterday confirmed dead after suspected cultists went on rampage around Pako, Yeside and Cassette bus stops in Aguda, Surulere area of Lagos State. This came a day after Sunday’s cult war in Ilasa, which claimed another life.

Also, two persons have died and scores of residents injured when members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed in Lagos yesterday. Of the two killed during the ongoing clash was a chairman of a unit in Ijesha, Surulere axis.

The police spokesman, Bala Elkana said police teams from the Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants, Rapid Response Squad, Area C Command Surulere, Aguda and Ijesha Divisions were mobilised to the scene and the situation brought under control, adding that “75 suspects from both sides were arrested.”

It was gathered that the incident started in the early hours of Monday when some group of boys trooped from Mushin to Aguda and started shooting gunshots sporadically in an apparent attempt to call out their rivals.


An eyewitness, Felix Ogwezi, told The Guardian: “We initially thought it was a robbery incident. But we later heard that they were cult members. We all had to run for our lives. We understand that the fight is between two cult groups but we appeal to the Lagos State government to deploy able combatant security operatives to these troubled spots and stop these unnecessary deaths over gang wars.

Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to the council chairman, Lanre Oguntoyinbo, said the unrest, which occurred in the Pako area of Surulere, a boundary area between Coker/Aguda LCDA and Itire/Ikate LCDA, has been brought under control.


In the other development, it was gathered that the clash over who controls NURTW in Ijesha started on Sunday night between factional members of the transport union, leaving residents to panic and scamper for safety. The clash, according to a member of the NURTW, was orchestrated by one of the unit chairman, who aimed to overthrow the incumbent Ijesha branch chairman.

The PPRO, Elkana confirmed that two people were killed in the clash, which began on Sunday. According Elkana, on December 15, at about 11:41 a.m. police received a distress call that there was a gun shot at Pako, Aguda Canal. On getting to the scene, police found the body of one Alagodo ‘m’ 27 years old, a follower of one Eluku who is currently in prison over violent crimes.

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“On December 16, at about 08:30 a.m. some hoodlums from Ijesha, in what looks like a revenge mission stormed Aguda in large numbers with cutlasses, bottles and stone and other dangerous weapons. The hoodlums destroyed about 22 shops and vandalised some vehicles. Some hoodlums from Aguda equally reacted. One of the hoodlums from Aguda known as Timileyin Odulana was injured by the hoodlums from Ijesha. He was rushed to Military Hospital, Yaba, where he was confirmed dead,” he said.

Source: Guardian

Son of the late Oba of Lagos sentenced to death for murdering his benefactor and taking over her business

AgegePulse Magazine

Adewale Oyekan, the 50 years old son of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, Oba of Lagos, who died on March 1, 2003, has been sentenced to death alongside a former domestic servant, Lateef Balogun, 27, for the murder of Sikirat Ekun, a 62-year-old businesswoman and politician.

According to the prosecution, the prince hired Balogun for N6,000 to murder Mrs Ekun. The convicts, who have been in custody for seven years, murdered Mrs Ekun by strangling her and throwing her corpse in a 1,000-feet well in her home.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to the prosecution led by Akin George, the convicts committed the offences at 1.00a.m. on October 17, 2012, at the home of the deceased located at No. 5, Babatunde Lalega St., Omole Phase One, Lagos State.

The prosecution said that the deceased was a restauranteur who knew Mr Oyekan due to her friendship with his late mother. “To render assistance to the prince, Mrs Ekun employed him as the manager of her restaurant.

Balogun, the second defendant, was a former domestic staff of Ekun, who was employed by her to take care of her elderly father,” Mr George said. He submitted that Mr Balogun’s employment was, however, terminated following a dispute with Mrs Ekun.

“The convicts conspired, killed the deceased and threw her corpse in a well within the premises of her home, and took over her businesses and property including a bus which was sold for N170,000.

When any inquiry was made by family and friends about her whereabouts, Mr Oyekan informed them that she travelled to Abuja for the Ileya (Eid-el Kabir) festival. .

He passed this information by sending a text message from Ekun’s phone. However, following worry from members of her family and after an extensive search, her corpse was found in December 2012, by well diggers and firefighters.

The convicts had placed a generator, a gas cylinder and other household items on the corpse to conceal it in the 1,000 feet well,” he said. The trial at the High Court began on April 14, 2015.

N

Lagos Gives 7-day Ultimatum To Occupants/Owners Of Illegal Shanties At Lekki Waterside To Leave

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) over the weekend issued a 7-Day 'Removal Order' to all owners/occupants of illegal structures, shanties, kiosks and containarised shops at 'Marwa Waterside' area of Lekki, Lagos

Speaking on the removal order, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed that the 'Removal Order' became imperative in preparation for a road construction along the coastal road which will serve as an alternative route for the Lekki-Epe Expressway and enhance free flow of traffic in that corridor.

According to him, “Illegal business operators like Iron benders, Mechanics, food/fruits vendors and others have turned the area into an eye-sore. In addition, they have littered the entire area with indiscriminate dumping of refuse and waste materials. It is interesting to note that none of the owners, occupants and illegal business operators have any permit from the State Government”.

He reiterated that immediately after the expiration of the 'Removal Order' on Thursday, 21st of December, 2019, the operatives of the Agency will embark on a clean-up exercise in the area as well as clampdown on all criminal elements disturbing law-abiding residents within Marwa waterside and the entire Lekki axis.

The Chairman also implored all illegal occupants of any of the government lands/properties across the state to immediately vacate same as anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.

In a related development, operatives of the Agency have impounded 98 illegal commercial motorcyclists found plying restricted routes at Ikorodu and Agric Bus-Stop.

According to the Chairman "The Agency had issued several warning to these illegal commercial motorcyclists through their various associations to desist from plying 475 restricted routes including highways and bridges across the State".

CSP Egbeyemi confirmed that the combined efforts of the Agency with other Police formations as directed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Hakeem Odumosu would drastically  reduce the menace of motorcycle operators on restricted routes across the State.

He however warned members of the public not to patronise illegal commercial motorcyclists on illegal routes as both the rider and passenger are liable if arrested.

Herbalist Kills His Ex-girlfriend, Sells Her Body Parts For N90k For Ritual

 AgegePulse Magazine

Below are faces of thirteen suspected ritual k*llers, made up of herbalists,

Islamic clerics and a pastor, who have been arrested for allegedly killing a 30-year-old housewife identified as Mrs. Abosede Adeyemi Iyanda, in Ogun State.

The suspects are Segun Olaniyi, Ayodimeji Adeleye, Babalola Akanbi, Adeifa Sogbeyinde, Rasaq Rasaq Arabs, Sunday Akinyemi, Adewole Olwafemi aka Pastor, Mustapha Ajibola aka Alfa, Mustapha Iliya,Shilola Amodu aka Alfa, Jamiu Abass, Smooth Kazeem aka Alfa, and Adesola Oduyemi. .



On the strength of the data available to the Operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Ogun State team, Segun Olaniyi, a herbalist and the deceased ex, was tracked and arrested. His confession led to the arrest of eleven other suspects.

They said after killing Abosede, they c.ut her flesh into pieces and sold them to some herbalists, alfas and a pastor who needed them for money rituals. Some of them also allegedly roasted the meat and ate it with hot drinks.

On how he planned the killing of her ex girlfriend, Segun said:

“She called me on the phone that she was coming to see me for financial assistance to boost her business.

I then called Akanbi who is my helping hand and told him to come around because someone would be visiting us. Already, we had a work at hand, so Akanbi suggested that we use her for the work.

We killed her beside my house. I took the head, two hands and part of the meat. I sold the head to Africa for N40k. I sold one of the hands to an orthodox doctor named Murideen for N15k and the other hand to Tonight for N15k.

I sold the flesh to one Alfa (N10k), Rasaq (N5k) and Mustafa (N5k). I used part of the flesh to do powdered medicine which if taken with hot drink would draw customers.

At times, we kill the husbands of some of our customers to turn them into widows so that they would join us in bringing victims to be sl*ughtered.”

Another suspect, Adewole, said:

“I am a pastor. I perform miracle with human flesh. I bought part of the flesh worth of N5k. We also give it raw to some customers to chew and wash down with hot drink.”

Skurce: Punch Newz

Yuletide: Sanwoolu drops One Lagos Fiesta, opts for one-day Greater Lagos Festival

AgegePulse Magazine

The popular One Lagos Fiesta, which used to entertain Lagosians and visitors for good eight days across five venues during the yuletide season will not happen this year.
Instead, the Governor Babajide Sanwoolu-led government has rebranded the concept into a leaner, one-day event that will hold only on December 31.

The event for this year is now tagged Greater Lagos Festival, picking its identity from Sanwoolu’s main campaign tag-line – Greater Lagos.

Sources within Alausa say at the moment the details of how the Greater Lagos Festival will be organised is still sketchy. But an official promotional clip from the government on Friday morning gives a hint that the main thrust of the festival will be the crossover night display of fireworks and a “first of its kind drone show” at the Eko Atlantic venue for the Victoria Island zone.

A source close to the seat of government told TCN that the Eko Atlantic end of the festival, where the governor and most cabinet members are expected to attend, is fairly concluded to have a concert, fireworks display and the drone show, with food courts within the premises.

But the shape of what to expect at the other venues in Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry are still being fleshed out along the possibilities of a few road shows before the main cross-over night concert.

The One Lagos Fiesta under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was designed as an improvement over his predecessor’s Lagos Countdown show, which held only at the Bar Beach in Victorial Island on Dececmer 31 to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

The OLF started in December 2015 as a five-day spectacular show across the five IBILE divisions in Lagos State in line with Ambode’s promise of inclusive government and the need to develop the creative industry capacity in areas like Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry, which hitherto had no major end-of-the-year event that spanned several days.

Following the success of the maiden edition in 2015, the fiesta was expanded to eight days across the five venues the following year to become Africa’s biggest end-of-the-year open-concert show with 40 musical concerts across five venues simultaneously, commencing from Christmas eve, December 24th and lasting till the wee hours of the new year.

That template was sustained in 2017 and 2018 as well to give Lagosians their most memorable yuletide celebrations ever.

The first official hint of a scaled-down festival this year was given in October by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Sanu, while delivering a goodwill message at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) at Landmark Events Centre.
At the ceremony, he had promised Lagosians “an exceptional display of fireworks” to celebrate the end of the year.

Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Diaspora and Foreign Relations, Mr. Jermaine Sanwoolu, said last month that the fiesta had been rebranded as GLF in order to give it a new image that identifies it with the new governor and current administration.

A one-day festival on December 31st therefore eliminates the 40-concert template, drops the Lagos Grows Talent component of the fiesta which gave opportunities to young, fresh talents to be discovered across the state and also knocks out the Kiddies’ Section, where children play and are entertained from morning till 6pm free of charge before the main concert starts each day of the fiesta, across the five venues.

By far the biggest disappointment, however, will be the loss of activities and revenues to local traders, artisans and budding artistes especially in Babadry, Epe and Ikorodu whose sustenance for the last few months of the outgoing year and first months of the new year had depended largely on the proceeds of their sales from the eight days of OLF in the last three years.

However, a reliable source told TCN that Governor Sanwoolu should be commended for not totally jettisoning the idea of an end-of-the-year show.

“You know this is his first year and things are still a bit rough. You should understand that OLF was one of Ambode’s biggest successes and the new governor will also want to stamp his own identity on the project, knowing he cannot afford to drop the ball as far as entertainment and tourism are concerned. Rather than see what has happened as a diversion, please let’s see it as continuity with a slight variation. Afterall you can see that Governor Sanwoolu is still running with the brilliant initiative of ‘Ready. Set. Work’ in the Education Ministry, among others, which is also an Ambode initiative.

“I think by next year, the new concept would have been fully formed and every part of Lagos can return to the benefits they derived during OLF,” the source said.
(TNC)
Lagos Reporter

Agege LG bans NURTW from operating in community

AgegePulse Magazine

In a letter signed by the council chairman, Alh.  Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, to notify the road workers union of the ban, the council said it took the decision to stop alleged conversion of its markets and streets in the area to motor parks by the union accusing members of the body of perpetrating violence and causing gridlock and nuisance.

 The letter read in part: ” It is the Resolution of the Executive Committee of Agege Local Government at its meeting held on the 12the of December, 2019 that operation of Parks by the National Union of Road Transport Workers within all markets and streets in Agege Local Government is prohibited due to the following reasons;

“1. Operation of Parks within markets and designated streets is causing breach of peace and unhealthy rivalry within our Community.

“2. Parks on Designated Streets in Agege Local Government are causing traffic gridlocks on the affected Streets thereby creating congestion on our roads.

 “3. The activities of National Union of Road Transport Workers within Agege Local Government markets and streets are always leading to trouble thereby encouraging the cults boys to go about with dangerous weapons.

 “4. Markets in Agege Local Government are not designated as parks, therefore all commercial vehicles should vacate all market premises within markets.”

Churches To Pay Government N21,000 Naria For Each Marriage — FGN

PFN Reacts, Reject Law

AgegePulse Magazine

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has rejected the newly introduced marriage certificate law by the federal government.

The Buhari led government had, through the Ministry of Interior, recently announced a compulsory N30,000 charge licence for Christian worship centres for the conduct of statutory marriages in churches and N21,000 for each marriage certificate.

The PFN described the policy as exploitative and an attempt to commercialize Christian marriages in the country.The National President of PFN Rev.(Dr.) Felix Omobude, in a statement he personally signed yesterday in Benin and made available to journalist, chided the Buhari led administration and the Ministry of Interior for imposing such anti-Christian law on the church in Nigeria.

To the best of our understanding, the new law is targeted against the Church because the Traditional and Islamic weddings are exempted from paying the new marriage certificate fees,

If the Ministry of Interior is in dire need of funds, it should look elsewhere and should not placing extra financial burden on the Christians and their churches.

“PFN would use all legitimate means to make the federal government to rescind its decision on the new marriage certificate law,” he said.

DailyNews

LASG empowers 1750 Farmers with agricultural inputs

 AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has asserted that the State Government would continue to provide necessary assistance and advisory services to farmers in order to increase food production in the State.

Sanwo-Olu gave the commitment in Lagos at the flag-off of the 2019 Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment Programme wherein 1,750 Agricultural Value Chains Actors were empowered with various agricultural productive assets and inputs.

The Governor said, “In spite of the global climate change which constitutes a major challenge to food security, our Government would continue to provide necessary assistance and advisory services to farmers to increase food production in the State”.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Governor explained that the provision of adequate socio-economic infrastructure, on a sustainable basis, to meet the needs of the growing population would continue to receive the priority attention.

He called for adequate preparation in order to meet the challenges of a growing population, reinforcing the need for a new and integrated approach to food production and agro-allied business in order to enhance and sustain food security.

“As we all know, Lagos State is the commercial hub of Nigeria and the sub-region. It has been ranked as the 5th largest economy in Africa and the fastest growing city in the world in terms of economy and population. Therefore, the provision of adequate socio-economic infrastructure, on a sustainable basis, to meet the needs of the growing population must continue to receive our priority attention”, he asserted.

“We must, therefore, prepare to adequately meet the challenges and reinforce the need for a new and integrated approach to food production and agro-allied business in order to enhance and sustain food security”, Sanwo-Olu added.

The Governor reiterated the need for the active participation of all stakeholders in the agricultural space towards mitigating the challenges of food supply and demand in the State, affirming that government cannot embark on the task alone.

He noted that as the State Government continues with its very laudable programmes and initiates new ones, the business of lots of farmers will be improved, jobs would be created and food production greatly enhanced.

Sanwo-Olu said the State Government has developed a five-year Agricultural roadmap with the theme “A Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Strategy with the Citizens at the core”,  as part of the efforts at making Lagos a 21st Century Economy with the agricultural sector playing a vital role in sustainable food security and economic diversification.

According to him, the roadmap focuses on the development of agricultural value chains where the State has competitive and comparative advantages, including the provision and availability of improved inputs, increased productivity and production.

The Governor explained that the State Government has already begun the implementation of various projects in the agricultural space targeted at revolutionising food production and, consequently, reducing dependence on other States for food supply.

He listed some of the projects to include the 32 tons per hour Rice Mill at Imota which will soon commence operations; the Agriculture-based Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) aimed at breeding a new generation of Agro entrepreneurs in the State and the World Bank assisted Agro-processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS) designed to build capacities of actors in Rice, Aquaculture and Poultry Value Chains.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal explained that the Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment programme is targeted at farmers who are the direct beneficiaries, service providers, transporters, input manufacturers and suppliers within the system whose services are required for the successful implementation of the project.

He said that the programme also provides the opportunity of channelling the needed support to smallholder farmers who are actively engaged in the various value chains and are thus able to create further wealth and job opportunities.

“The implementation of this project will significantly improve the standard of living of fish farmers, fishermen, marketers and agro-processors in the State, expand food production by 3%, increase revenue to the State Government in the form of taxes and other levies. This project will also create direct employment opportunities for 1,000 youths, farmers, processors and marketers across the Value Chains through farm expansion”, Lawal said.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos