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ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that officials of Lagos State Taskforce has today carried out massive raid on Okada riders at Second Rainbow / Toyota busstop along Apapa-Oshodi Express way for violating traffic laws.
Earlier last week, ODUDUWA NEWS had reported how the officials of Lagos Taskforce impounded a total 201 motorcycles.
It was gathered that 105 bikes were impounded today for violating traffic laws. .
Lagos State Government, through the Office of the Head of Service, Post Service Department, on Thursday, organised a two-day interactive session and skill acquisition programme for retirees of the State Public Service.
Speaking at the training programme held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said that the State Government has realised the need to ensure that retirees from the State Public Service are actively engaged during their retirement years.
Muri-Okunola, who spoke virtually to the retirees, explained that the event was in fulfilment of the promise of the present administration that no one will be left behind in the implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda, adding that the newly introduced format comprising of interactive session and skill acquisition programmes, was to get the best out of the engagement with the retirees.
In his words, “It is my honour and great privilege to welcome you all to this auspicious occasion on behalf of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, as well express the sincere appreciation of a grateful State, once again, for your labour of love, sacrifice and contributions to the development of our dear State”.
The Head of Service stated that the theme of this year’s interactive session “Living a Healthy Lifestyle in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic”, was carefully selected to reflect on the emerging realities in Nigeria and the World at large, stressing that the global pandemic turned Lagos into the epicentre of an unprecedented public health challenge and affected all aspects of social and economic life.
He, however, disclosed that the Federal and Lagos State Governments’ concerted efforts ensured that the spread of the deadly virus was effectively contained, adding that the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country is also to protect the health and wellbeing of Nigerians from the ravaging pandemic.
While informing that due diligence was carried out to establish the efficacy and safety of the vaccines, Muri-Okunola urged everyone to disregard any rumour or misinformation making the rounds about the danger involved in getting vaccinated.
“I have been vaccinated and till this moment, I am sound and healthy. I also implore you to get vaccinated as well as to realise that vaccination is not the end of the pandemic. You are to continue to adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as hand hygiene, use of face mask and maintaining physical distancing to curtail the continued spread of the virus”, he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade, implored all those in attendance to maximise the inherent benefits in the engagement by participating fully in the training programme, stressing that the facilitators are experts in their areas of specialisation.
He also revealed that the present administration under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to the regular payment of pensions and accrued benefits of all retirees of the State Public Service.
The Federal Government has approved extension of deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to July 26, 2021.
The government said the decision to extend the deadline was reached after a request by stakeholders on the needs to consolidate enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process.
It added the development followed the rapid increase in the number of enrolment systems across the country.
The linkage by Nigerians has hit 57.3 million.
The government made the announcement in a statement signed jointly by the Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Mr Kayode Adegoke.
The statement reads: “The Federal Government has approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
” There are now a total of 57.3 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres across the country, every citizen and legal resident should be able to obtain their NINs.
” Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, on behalf of the Federal Government, appreciates Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.
“The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta, and the Director-General/CEO of that National Identity Management Commission, Engr Aliyu Azeez, urge citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification.”
Earlier yesterday, there was an incident involving Dangote’s Truck crushing two people to death along Dangote-Ibeshe road in Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun which led to the convergence of youths in the area and subsequently set the truck on fire.
The Spokesperson, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident to the )) in Abeokuta on Saturday.
Mr Akinbiyi, quoting witnesses, said the truck driver drove recklessly, left his lane and faced the motorcycle, thereby hitting and killing both the rider and his passenger.
He said “An angry mob later set the Dangote truck on fire while the driver ran away.
“The case is being handled by the Dangote plant police post,” he said.
He noted that it took the intervention of the police and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to calm frayed nerves and the situation.
The TRACE spokesperson added that the remains of one of the deceased had been deposited at Ilaro General Hospital morgue, while the other victim has been buried by the family members.
He commiserated with the family of the dead victims, while admonishing truck drivers to resist the temptation of reckless and dangerous driving and give consideration to other road users.
In January, another truck belonging to the company ran into some residents and students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, killing at least eight people.
The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AFUCDN) has again threatened to stop food supply to the South and other parts of the country.
The union said it would carry out this threat within three weeks if governments at all levels failed to meet its demands within three weeks.
National President of the AFUCDN, Muhammed Tahir, who spoke with journalists at the end of an emergency meeting of the union in Abuja on Tuesday evening, lamented that since the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, intervened in the last three months, which led to the suspension of their six-day industrial action, nothing has been done on the union’s agitation.
The union had in March 2021 gone on strike and stopped supply of foodstuffs to the South following allegations of killings of its members, illegal roadblocks and extortion from its members.
The union carried out the industrial action after the crisis that engulfed Shasha, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Tahir said after reviewing the issues, the union resolved to throw its weight behind the onion sellers which has already commenced cutting of supply to the southern part of the country.
He warned that AFUCDN might not guarantee industrial harmony after three weeks from now should government fail to meet the union demands.
Also, the Legal Adviser of the union, Mr Saleh Magama, stated that the government must do the needful to avert cutting down of food supply across the country.
Association of Onions Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (OPMAN), has threatened to stop the supplying of Onion to the entire Southern part of Nigeria unless certain conditions laid down by the association is met.
The association disclosed that about N4.5 billion worth of Onions and properties were destroyed by suspected hoodlums across the Southern States in the last few months in addition to loss of lives of members of the association without any compensation.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Aliyu Isa, disclosed this while addressing newsmen after the emergency meeting of the association held in his office in Sokoto.
He called on State Governors to urgently collaborate with the federal government to set up a committee to look into the root causes of the numerous attacks on members of the association, or face total consequences.
“Reference to the national executive meeting held today, we are here to report to the members of the public that following the incident that happened in Aba, Abia State, Shasa in Oyo State and Mbaise local government area of Imo State respectively which resulted to the loss of several members, destruction of about 30 trailers and 9 utility cars, 50 stores and 10,000 bags of Onions including other valuables.
“During the last #EndSARS protests, other people were compensated leaving out our members. And In Shaha where we lost 27 lives, 5 trailers, 5,600 bags of Onions, 12 utility cars and other valuables.
“Also, in February, this year, in Imo State, two trucks of Onions were lost worth about N13,000,000. The above problems resulted to our earlier action to suspend the supply of foodstuffs to the Southern States in February through our parent union.
“After full deliberation by the executive of members of this association and the failure of government to respond to our cry, we have thereby reached these decisions.
“We are calling on the state and federal government to restore law and order in the state. We also called on the good people of the Southern part of Nigeria to live with the Hausa community in peace, as we are only their for our lawful businesses.
A 43-year-old Amos Olugbenga Olaniyan, who is a founder of Crime Alert Security Network, has been arrested by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC for allegedly defrauding people of over N128,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million Naira) in a fraudulent investment scheme.
It will be recalled that Crime Alert Security Network, an investment established by Amos Olugbenga whose objective according to him was for the security and protection of the people had invited the public in the past to subscribe to its shares advertised through one popular radio station in Ibadan.
Amos was arrested following series of petitions by victims. The petitioners alleged that Amos through his company, DHIL Nigeria Limited popularly known as Crime Alert Security Network Investment, persuaded them to invest in a network scheme which offered a monthly 30% returns on investment. According to some of the victims, they were persuaded to invest after listening to the suspect’s weekly radio programme.
However, after investing their monies they neither received the promised interest nor get a refund of their capital since 2020.
Exasperated, they petitioned the EFCC. The Commission, in the course of investigation, discovered that the suspect operated a classic Ponzi scheme and had defrauded hundreds of people, some of whom reported orally to the Commission. Indeed, petitions are still pouring into the Commission on a daily basis from his alleged victims.
Furthermore, it was discovered that DHIL Nigeria Limited, the vehicle used by Amos to scam his victims, was not registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria as a financial institution.
Five exotic cars, three landed properties and other incriminating documents were recovered from the suspect.
The Lagos State Safety Commission has sealed off a manufacturing firm, Mingy Trading Company Limited, for allegedly violating safety precautions in its operations.
The decision to shut the firm followed PUNCH Metro’s report that 17-year-old Babatunde Abdulrahmon lost his life in an industrial accident on the day he resumed work at the factory.
The spokesperson for the safety commission, Adewunmi Okoh, said the Director-General for the agency, Lanre Majola, while investigating the circumstances surrounding Abdulrahmon’s death, inspected the company and observed poor housekeeping, lack of safety signage, poor factory layout for emergency management, very poor recruitment process with no documented training records, poorly installed electric cables and poor record keeping.
While affirming the government’s commitment to the safety of lives and property of residents of the state, Okoh explained that the DG said on no account should any company employ an underage person to operate a mixer or grinding machine without proper training and use of personal protective equipment.
She stated that the manufacturing company was, therefore, sealed off for violating established safety protocols.
Okoh said, “The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of lives and property of the citizens. This assertion was made by the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, while sealing off the Mingy Trading Company Limited, located at No. 11 Ila Orangun Street, Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town.
“The action followed a publication in the PUNCH newspaper dated, Thursday, May 20, 2021, tagged: ‘Lagos teenage factory worker killed in industrial accident on resumption day’. Mojola disclosed that the fatality occurred due to violation of safety precautionary measures.
“The victim, one Babatunde Abdulrahmon, 17, was newly employed on the said day and immediately exposed to mechanical and electrical manufacturing equipment without training and provision for personal protective equipment.
“In the process of operating the equipment, he lost his life. There was also very clear evidence of poor housekeeping, lack of safety signage, poor factory layout for emergency management, very poor recruitment process with no documented training records, poorly installed electric cables and poor record keeping.”
Okoh explained that the DG, while condemning the events that led to Abdulrahmon’s death, said any organisation found culpable of violating safety protocols in the state would be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
She said, “According to him, on no account should any company employ an underage person to operate a mixer or grinding machine without proper training and use of personal protective equipment.
“He reiterated the importance of having a tested electrical wiring system, appropriate safety signage, good housekeeping and a clean environment devoid of infractions and hazards to the lives of workers.
“He implored organisations to value lives above monetary gains and adopt best practices, adding that a culture of safety first should be our individual and collective responsibility.
“He declared zero tolerance for safety violations and warned that punitive measures would be taken against organisations found culpable with an assurance that extant safety laws would be applied.
“He urged members of the public to report incidents and infractions regularly to the Lagos State Safety Commission in a bid to have a safer Lagos for the citizenry.”
Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) has directed its members nationwide to increase prices of bread, biscuits and other items by 30 percent due to devastating economic situation of the country.
The association explained the adjustment in price was as a result of the sudden increase in the costs of production as well as prices of sugar, butter, yeast and flour.
The directive was part of the resolution reached at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association in Abuja.
National President of the association, Mansur Umar, who read the resolutions explained: “After considering the impact of the skyrocketed prices of baking ingredients/materials, for the survival of our noble business, which is presently bleeding, the association came to the conclusion to adjust our prices by 30 percent.”
It called on the Federal Government to intervene and reverse the high tariff regime imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and streamline regulation by allowing only NAFDAC to regulate bakers.
Besides, the association frowned at the incessant increase in the price of flour as it is forcing its members to close their businesses.
While directing members across the country to increase prices of their products to at least 30 percent to cushion effects of high cost of production, AMBCN called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps towards reducing the high price of flour as it is killing the business.
“The incessant increase of prices of flour and other baking materials is responsible for the decision.
“In the last six months, one truck of flour that we used to buy at less than N6m is now N9m,” the association said in a statement.
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun with his Lagos counterpart have signed Memorandum of Understanding on establishment of Lagos-Ogun Joint Commission.
This was made known yesterday via Ogun Governor official Twitter handle as read in part:
“We were joined in Abeokuta today by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other stakeholders, as we officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding signifying the establishment of Lagos-Ogun Joint Commission.
“The new Commission is a common alliance that will focus on socioeconomic issues bordering on infrastructure development, revenue management, trade and investment, boundary dispute resolution, security and intelligence sharing, environmental and physical planning, as well as agriculture and food security.
“This innovation will further strengthen the synergy between both states, while providing numerous benefits for residents as the Commission become operational”.
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