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Tag 08029451595

  • Mar, Fri, 2020
Defence/Security

Ejigbo-Lagos residents ask for additional security after demolition of criminal hideout 

Demolition
By Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos, March 6, 2020 (NAN) Some residents of Agbole/Moshalasi Street at Ejigbo in Lagos State say they still live in fear, in spite of the demolition of the notorious criminal hideout in the area, called Agbole.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ejigbo Local Government Development Council Area (LGDCA) and operatives from Ejigbo Police Station, led by CSP Olabisi Okuwobi, demolished the hideout on March 3.

A cross-section of the residents, who hailed the demolition, however, said that the continued presence of bandits in the area after the demolition still evoked fear in the residents.

A cleric, Usthman Tijani, said that the government’s decision to demolish the hideout was commendable.

Tijani, however, called on government not to stop at the demolition of the shanties but maintain regular surveillance to beef up security of lives and property of the residents.

“We appreciate what the council has done. It’s a step in the right direction.

“We want to still appeal to government to provide more security. We still see these boys hanging around so we talk about the demolition in hushed tones.

“More security around here is needed in order to make this area safe for our children,’’ the cleric said.
NAN reports that Agbole has been notorious for years as a den of criminal suspects, including drug peddlers, prostitutes and kidnappers.
A tailor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, also described the demolition of the shanties as commendable.

“I still go home with some of my expensive sowing equipment because of some strange faces that we keep seeing here.

“The demolition is commendable but we still need the government to provide more security for us.

“We cannot even openly show how happy we are over the demolition for fear of being threatened or attacked,’’ she said.

An elderly businesswoman, who described the demolition as a bold step, urged government to do more by providing 24-hour surveillance in the area.
“I commend the council, a lot of administrations had tried, but always chickened out at the last minute.

“But demolishing their hideout is just one phase of what needs to be done.

“They are still hanging around, so 24 hours surveillance is what I think we need here to effectively clamp down on crime.

“I believe when these bad boys and girls see that government is not joking, they will relocate out of our community,’’ she said.

Mr Kunle Oladele, Media Officer to the council Chairman, Alhaji Monsurudeen Bello, said that his boss was committed to the welfare and security of lives and property of residents.

Oladele said that Bello would continue to ensure that residents enjoyed adequate security under his watch.

He said that the council was poised to demolish more criminal hideouts in the area, adding that the administration could not afford to toil with the security of lives of the people.

“Residents are assured that we will demolish more criminal hideouts but we need the support of the residents of Ejigbo LCDA.
“Adequate information to the appropriate quarters is vital. So assist government with useful information that we can work with,’’ Oladele said. (NAN)
OAF/USO/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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  • Feb, Mon, 2020
Agriculture

Igando-Ikotun LCDA supervisor identifies challenges facing farmers in Lagos 

Farmers

By Aderonke Ojediran

Lagos, Feb. 24, 2020 (NAN) Mr Olufemi Abolarinwa, the Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Service, Igando-Ikotun Local Government Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, on Monday identified various challenges currently facing farmers in the state.

Abolarinwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that one of the challenges was inadequate land for commercial farming.

“Lagos State does not have the land mass again for farming, which has made most of our farmers to go to places like Ogun to farm.

“The implication of this is that they will need to transport their products.

“Their farm produces would be more expensive, because the farmers would have to put into consideration the cost of transporting their products.

“Another problem our farmers have had to contend with is the fact that they don’t have access to loans.

“Sometimes last year, some of our farmers applied to the Lagos State Trust Fund, but up till known, they have not been called as their applications have not been granted,’’ he said.

Abolarinwa said the council had to assist farmers in the area, adding that it had provided equipment to boost their food production.

“We gave out mini-ponds, pest control, submersible pumps and bed nets to our farmers.

“They also need equipment such as dryers in order to smoke the fishes. Agriculture remains one of the most important sector in any society that we should not take with levity,’’ he said. (NAN)
OAF/AVU/GOK

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Edited By Victor Asije/ Olagoke Olatoye

  • Feb, Sat, 2020
Science & Technology

Nigeria’s Homefort Energy wins RCCG’s $5,000 Kingdom Hackathon prize

 

Startup

By Aderonke Ojediran

Lagos, Feb. 22, 2020 (NAN) A Nigerian Clean Energy Startup, Homefort Energy, has secured five thousand dollars grant funding after winning the Kingdom Hackathon Prize of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The event took place at WorkCity, Second Roundabout, Lekki Phase 1 on Saturday in Lagos.

Kingdom Hackathon is a tech event focussed on solving social problems through technology, an initiative of the Young Adults and Youth Affairs of RCCG.

The Nigerian Startup makes cooking gas (LPG) affordable and accessible to undeserved markets in Nigeria, using pay as you go model and digital innovations.

The event brought together innovators who are tackling Social & Global issues and offers support to them through mentorship and funding.

Opeyemi Owosho, Founder of Homefort Energy, won the first place position and went home with 5,000 dollars.

Owosho also got six months free voucher of office space and mentorship support from Workcity, a partner of Kingdom Hack 2.0.

The second position went to Airsync, a balloon-powered satellite platform, for detecting oil spill and vandalism.

Airsync, also got a six months free voucher of office space and mentorship support from Workcity.

Also, the third place went to Yudimy, a startup that leverages on behavioural science and machine learning for human capital development.

Yudimy also got six months free voucher of office space and mentorship support from Workcity.

No fewer than nine finalists were shortlisted for the competition after receiving applications from about 100 startup companies from Nigeria to compete for the grant.

The finalists pitched their solutions to a judging panel.

It comprises the National Youth Pastor of RCCG, Pastor Precious Akingbade and Pastor Oluwadamilare Adeboye, International Director of Programmes and Church Planting, RCCG Young Adults and Youth Affairs.

Commenting, Adeboye described Kingdom Hackathon as an initiative designed by RCCG in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Adeboye said that this was to support African youths to unleash their entrepreneurial potential to lead the change so desired by Africa.

He encouraged the winners to utilise the resources provided to them to scale their solutions to make meaningful social impact and to also set the pace for other enterprising African youths.

In his remarks, Owosho said, “The Kingdom Hackathon grant will give me the opportunity to scale my business and provide affordable cooking gas to many homes in Nigeria with an easy-to-use technology.” (NAN)

OAF/ESAN/GOK

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Olagoke Olatoye

  • Feb, Fri, 2020
General news

Lagos shop owners lament demolition in spite notification

Demolition

By Aderonke Ojediran

Lagos, Feb. 21, 2020 (NAN) Some shop owners at the Ikotun market have lamented the demolition of their shops in spite of notification by the government because of its impact of their livelihood.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 60 parts of the market was demolished in order to reconstruct the roundabout and expand the road for easy vehicular movement.

Mrs Folashade Aje, who sells condiments, told NAN that the notice was given late in 2019 but they assumed the demolition exercise would come much later in the year.

“If I tell you that we were not duly informed that will be a lie, but you know how it is when government decide to do something it usually takes long, but obviously we got it wrong this time.

“It’s very sad, you know it’s just the beginning of the year, there are so much expenses, now I don’t even have where to trade, it’s painful,” she said.

Chibuzor James, a dealer in second hand appliances, told NAN that he wished the demolition had happened last year or later this year.

“I knew it will happen, if it was last year by now one would have gotten used to the changes, but the year is still new and we have this to deal with alongside other personal issues.

“I know it’s for the best but still it’s painful, but we can’t challenge the government, we just pray that we are compensated,’’ he said.

A passerby, Simisola Isola, said that going inside the market was something she found repulsive; she said with the demolition she has to change.

“I don’t like going inside this market, but I don’t have a choice, but I trust Nigerians, they will find another way to sell their goods,’’ she said.

Mrs Morenike Williams, the Chairman Igando-Ikotun Local Government Council Development Area (LCDA), said measures would be taken to compensate shop owners.

She urged all affected property owners to bring any proof of ownership to the office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

William added that affected owners without any proof of ownership should take photographs of their property and bring it to his office for verification.

She said that the motive behind the initiative was to ease the traffic being experienced.

“I just want to implore our people to cooperate with the contractors and at the end, we will all benefit from the actualisation of the project.”

According to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, the project will be completed within four months from date of commencement. (NAN)

OAF/ISMA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Feb, Tue, 2020
Sport

Playing at world ranking golf event is my priority, says Oche

Golf
By Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos, Feb.18, 2020 (NAN) Andrew Oche, Nigeria’s most ranked golf player, says his priority is to play in world ranking golf event to sharpen his competitive skills.

Oche made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said that winning the Kitante Open in Uganda was intriguing for him and a good start for the year.

He, however, noted that he looked forward to featuring in more world ranking golf events.

The number one ranked golfer in the country noted that year 2020 would be a busy one for him, considering the number of events earmarked in the calendar.

“Very clearly, the year has already started for me. My schedule is very tight this year.

“Right now I’m on my way to Kenya, I have a tournament to play in Kenya starting next week Sunday.

“After this, I am going to the Sunshine Tours which is starting on the March 2 to March 5; then back to play in the European Tours Kenya Open.

“At the moment, the schedule is looking very tight,’’ Oche said.

He said that with the number of tournaments penned down, “finance maybe one of the issues to contend with’’.

“I’m hoping I will be able to finance all these trips, That’s the most important thing at the moment.

“ I feel that’s the only thing that may restrict and limit me in some ways. Winning the Kitante Open in Uganda last Sunday, has given me the push I need, I am ready mentally and psychologically.

“Having to consider the financial implication can be daunting but I won’t let that get in my way. I’d keep pushing and keep doing the best I can,’’ he said.

On his expectation, Oche told NAN that he wanted to give himself a lot of chances at world ranking golf events.

“Also going to the Q-School is what I am looking forward to,’’ Oche said. (NAN)
OAF/KOO/AJA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Adeleye Ajayi

  • Feb, Sun, 2020
Sport

Ayonmike, Keswani emerge winners of 10th DOAMF amateur golf tournament

 

Ayonmike, Keswani emerge winners of 10th DOAMF amateur golf tournament

Golf
By Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos, Feb. 16, 2019 (NAN) Two amateur players have emerged winners of 10th Daniel Ogbechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF) annual charity golf tournament on Sunday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tim Ayonmike emerged winner in the men’s category, while Chitra Keswani won in the women’s category of the annual golf tournament held at Ikoyi Club 1938.

Fatoumata Valet and Bayo Alli won in the Ladies’ and Men’s Net categories, respectively, while S.O. Oputa won in the veterans’ category.

NAN reports that the DOAMF foundation is a charitable organisation established in 2007 in memory of Daniel who died following an accident along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Ayonmike told NAN that winning the category was an honour in memory of the late Daniel who died at the age of 13.

“ Winning feels good but doing it for a noble course is even more fulfilling, I commend the consistency of the organisers.
“This NGO has impacted a lot, their report every year shows that this is a worthy cause,’’ said the amateur golfer.

Daniel Akujobi, DOAMF founder and father of junior Daniel junior, said that the foundation had come a long way and won’t relent in its bid to assist the less-privileged in the society.
“DOAMF is mainly focused on education, because Daniel died in pursuit of that, this foundation is also concerned about providing efficient health care system for accident victims,” he said.
Also speaking, Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), commended the foundation for its dedication towards ensuring that it preserve the memory of a loved one by giving back to the society.
“I have had near death experience and I know for a fact that doing this year-in-year-out is a courageous thing to do.
“I’m sure Daniel is smiling down from heaven for keeping his memory alive and for taking care of the less-privileged,’’ the NFF boss said. (NAN)
OAF/WOJ
Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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