It has just been confirmed that fire gutted Teju Foam factory in Ilupeju Lagos. It was learnt that the incident occurred at exactly 7:30pm on Friday evening. Details later.
Fire Guts Teju Foam Market in Lagos
Lagos Celebrates Tradesmen, Artisans Day, Upskills 500 Artisans
As part of efforts to continually improve the quality of artisans in the State for global competitiveness, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, on Thursday, celebrated the Y2020 Tradesmen and Artisans day with a graduation ceremony for 500 upskilled artisans.
At a brief ceremony held at Blue Roof, LTV 8, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, charged the graduands to be alive to their civic responsibility as productive citizens of the State, adding that the upskilling of practising artisans is the demonstration of the government’s desire to ensure that they adapt to the rapidly changing dynamics in their chosen vocations.
“This upskilling programme is to equip you towards becoming the 21st Century artisans in line with the present administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. It gives me a deep sense of satisfaction to see you graduate today; this shows our commitment to ensuring that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector of our State’s economy grows and flourishes beyond limit”, Arobieke noted.
The Commissioner noted that the theme of Y2020 celebration – “Building a Vibrant Informal Sector for Sustainable Economic Growth” – revealed the focus of government to grow small and medium scale businesses, urging the graduates to be dedicated and disciplined at all times.
While advising the participants to have a positive mindset as they contribute their quota to making Lagos economically viable, Arobieke said that after undergoing eight weeks intensive training, graduands are expected to attain financial independence as well as improved socio-economic wellbeing.
Arobieke explained that the informal sector contributes a large chunk to the GDP of the State, hence, Lagos Artisans need to be up and doing as they are vital to the T.H.E.M.E.S development Agenda of the State.
“The informal sector is the engine that drives the economy, it therefore becomes expedient for the artisans to work towards the realisation of a common purpose, which is to build a vibrant sector for sustainable growth with a view to making Lagos a 21st Century Economy”.
The Commissioner announced that Governor Sanwo-Olu has approved the upskilling of additional 2000 tradesman before the year runs out, while three hectares of land at Ganyingbo in Badagry has been secured by the State Government for the building of the Lagos State Council of Tradesman and Artisans (LACOSTA) Secretariat.
She also solicited for the cooperation of all stakeholders in evolving ideas and strategies for sustainable policies to grow the sector, acknowledging and appreciating the support of critical stakeholders over time.
Chairman of the Lagos State Assembly House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Jude Idimogu, congratulated the graduands for completing the programme, noting that skillful people are in high demand, therefore, ample opportunities for them to excel.
He enjoined the graduands to make good use of the opportunities available to them and advised Lagosians to key into the various entrepreneurship programmes.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas said the tradesmen and artisans day was set aside annually by the Ministry to celebrate skilled and vocational workers in the State as a recognition of their vital role in the pyramid of socio-economic development, which is critical to achieving sustainable growth and overall prosperity of the citizenry.
She explained that the upskilling of artisans is to enhance productivity in order to create wealth, stating that the graduands have been trained in several areas including Catering and Event Decoration, Tie and Dye Technology, Fashion and Footwear designing, hairdressing and cosmetology etc.
Dapo-Thomas, therefore, urged the graduands to leverage the endless prospects that the State has to offer as the fastest growing economy in Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the graduands, Mrs. Anosike Josephine, the best graduating student in Catering and Event Decoration, thanked the Lagos State Government for the opportunity to upgrade their skills, while promising that they will put into good use the new skills acquired.
JUST IN: One feared dead as gunmen invade Police Station in Ibadan
The Ikolaba Police Station in Ibadan, Oyo State was attacked on Friday evening by gunmen where one officer was killed.
According to OduduwaNews News, it was reliably gathered from residents of the area that the gunmen caught the officers unware as they shot sporadically into the Station and gained unfettered access to the station.
While the attack lasted, an officer fell to the superior firepower of the men of the underworld.
The mission of the attackers could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Gbenga Fadeyi who confirmed the attack said, “yes, we just got information that our police station was attacked but I haven’t got details of the officer allegedly killed”.
“We have deployed men to the area and as soon as more details are available, we will get back to you”.
UNILAG: Buhari Constitutes Visitation Pa el, Suspends Babalakin and Ex-VC Ogundipe
President Muhammadu Buhari, as Visitor to the University of Lagos has constituted a Visitation Panel to look into the crisis in the university.
In a news report monitored on NTA Network news at 9pm on Friday August 21, 2020, the President took the following additional decisions:
- The Panel is to submit its report within two weeks.
- The Pro-Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, have been suspended from office as they are both to recuse themselves from performing their functions in office during the period of the Visitation.
- The Senate is to convene urgently and appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor for the university.
With this decision, the President has sacked the Acting Vice-Chancellor purportedly appointed by the Babalakin-led Council.
Oyo Council Chair, Timothy Ogunleke Commissions Projects
Yesterday, the 20th of August, 2020 was a memorable moment in Ado-Awaye and its environs as the Chairman of Araromi Local Council Development Area of Oyo State, Hon. Timothy Ogunleke commissioned some projects in his council.
The Chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Timothy Ogunleke in his remark, said the Governor of Oyo State announced the list of caretaker chairmen on the 19th of December, 2019 and they were sworn in on the 23rd of January, 2019. He stated that, since the inception of his administration, he has been embarking on developmental projects to ensure that the entire Ado-Awaye and its environs is given a new facelift.
Ogunleke was quoted as saying, “today is historic in Ado-Awaye as we are launching some projects that will bring development to the council. You will recall that when we came on board, the entire town was thrown into darkness as Ado-Awaye was cut off from national grid due to the complete damage of the electric transformer which inhibits flow of power generation to the town. The inability to have power supply has brought untold hardship to the people of Ado-Awaye as all economic actitivities are on the verge of total collapse if nothing is done to restore the power supply for economic development of the town.
“The people of Ado-Awaye told us when we came on board that their only demand is just the restoration of power supply and that if our administration could achieve that, it is enough for them but we told them that we would make sure that all hands are on deck to ensure that the power supply is restored as well as embarking on other meaningful projects.
“We vouched for them that we would not stop at restoring the light but to bring some other developmental projects to the town.
“My good people of Ado-Awaye, today, while we are commissioning the projects as witnessed by PRESS MEN, I can authoritatively inform you that your prayer has been answered and within few weeks your light will be restored”.
He averred further that their administration inherited the power failure due to the damaged electric transformer but as a people oriented government led by the governor of the people, Engr. Seyi Makinde who sees governance as a continuum necessitated him to strive with the efforts of some stakeholders in his party to ensure that not only that the power is restored but also embark on projects that would be commissioned in the presence of PRESS MEN.
The Honourable representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency while speaking said, “to the glory of God, the darkness in his hometown which is Ado-Awaye will be restored within few weeks. He said the vision has been achieved as a result of the synergy and cooperation between him and the chairman. Dele Adeola said, all those who want him and the chairman to be fighting could now see that if there is no cooperation between him and the chairman such a monumental achievement that the past administration could not achieve will be a mirage. He thanks the good people of Ado-Awaye for their support since the inception of his administration while urging them to ensure the safety of the new electric transformer whenever it is installed so as to prevent some unscrupulous people who may have it in their minds that such achievement has brought a total shame to them due to their inability to do same in their political dispensation.
Hon. Timothy Ogunleke thanks Senator Hosea Agboola (Halleluyah) for his elderly role and support towards the achievement of the feat. He expresses his gratitude to Hon. Dele Adeola for his outstanding legislative role at the State Assembly towards ensuring that Ado-Awaye light is restored and also appreciates his counterpart at Iseyin Local Government, Hon. Abilawon and other stakeholders.
Hon. Timothy, while rounding up his speech took the PRESS MEN, the people of the town and some other dignitaries to commission some projects he has embarked on which include grading of all roads that are not motorable, drilling of boreholes, construction of a bridge at Osoogun town and others in his local council.
We will give N500,000 to anybody that gives clue on Sunday Shodipe’s whereabouts – Oyo Police
The Oyo State Police command has placed N500,000 bounty on whosoever that gives clue on whereabouts of a notorious serial killer, Sunday Shodipe who escaped from Police custody in Oyo State.
Oduduwa News also gathered that the team of detectives from Police Force Headquarters, Abuja has also arrived Ibadan to assist Oyo Police Command in apprehending the fugitive.
Oyo to approve paternity leave, extend maternity leave to six months
Oyo government on Thursday, said efforts are ongoing to ensure that maternity leave for pregnant and nursing mothers is extended from four to six months for nursing mothers in the employment of the State while men also will soon begin to enjoy paternity leave.
The State Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni stated this at a 2-day workshop on ‘Safe Motherhood’, organized by Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo state chapter, held at Dapo Aderogba Hall, NUJ Press Center, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Sanni said the extension was necessary so that adequate care would be given to the newborn while the mothers also have the privilege to take care of themselves, as the present administration under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde supported every key aspect of motherhood in order to promote well being of women and children in the State.
She emphasized that the administration has been promoting, educating, empowering, protecting children and women from all forms of abuse, while also supporting them financially, especially for those in need of financial help.
Lagos Begins Dislodging of Illegal Occupants at Lekki Foreshore
The Monitoring Team of the Lagos State Government has dislodged some illegal miners and occupiers of the proposed development site of Lekki Foreshore Scheme in a bid to stop indiscriminate evacuation and carting away of sand meant for construction purposes.
The Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, who led the Monitoring Team on the exercise, decried the wanton disregard and encroachment of miners and illegal occupiers of the site, assuring that the government will not fold its hands and watch squatters deface the scheme.
He reiterated that the government is determined to take drastic action against such illegal occupancy of its schemes across the metropolis.
The Acting General Manager New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Tpl. Olakunle Aboyeji, who was also present during the exercise, expressed disbelief at the theft of the commonwealth of Lagosians by a greedy few who also attempt to discredit the government.
He lamented that the sand which the miners were carting away was designated for the development of the Lekki Foreshore Scheme to create access for allottees who intend to take possession of their land.
Aboyeji stated that the activities of the illegal squatters and miscreants, who perpetrate unlawful acts within and around the scheme, also constitute a security threat to others in the area, warning that anybody caught contravening the rules in the vicinity will face the full wrath of the law.
He explained that the monitoring exercise will be continuous in order to ensure the safety of government property on all sites across the State.
Hijrah: Makinde felicitates Muslims, urges peaceful coexistence
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state on account of the New Year Hijrah 1442 AH, which begins Friday, 21 August, 2020.
He wished Muslims in the state, Nigeria and across the world a new year filled with blessings and benevolence of the Almighty Allah.
The felicitation by Makinde came on the heels of the acceptance of Friday, August 21 as the first day of Muharram 1442 AH by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (CFR), following a recommendation by the National Moon Sighting Commitee of the NSCIA.
The governor said: “Hijrah (immigration to Madinah), no doubt, kindled the light of hope in the hearts of the early Muslims who set a shining example for all Muslims, in every generation, to emulate. It symbolises a new beginning.
“So, it is my prayer that all Muslims in Oyo State and the country will experience positive improvements and progress as the Hijrah 1442 AH begins.”
Governor Makinde, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state on the opportunity to witness a new Islamic year, urging them not to relent in praying for the state and the country.
The governor, who stated that Hijrah began when the Holy Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Madinah, enjoined Muslims to continue to demonstrate good neighbourliness, love and dedication to the state.
He urged them to work deliberately to ensure peaceful coexistence at all times.
According to him, the essence of Hijrah is that it is a process of transfer to a better situation, a search for an environment more favorable to continuous and constructive effort.
He noted that Muslims in the state should follow lessons taught by Prophet Muhammad following his immigration to Madinah.
“The Holy Prophet, following his immigration to Madinah, taught a lot of lessons including worship to God, brotherhood, good neighbourliness and good welfare for the people, among others. In short, the Hijrah teaches that wherever Muslims go, they should bring goodness to that land. Muslims should work for both moral and material goodness of the society.
“Therefore, I urge the Muslim Ummah in the state to continue to show their dedication to the wellness of the state, contributing their quota in different ways to its development and I assure that the administration will continue to fulfill its promise to uplift the state and and move its people from poverty to prosperity.
“I commend the Muslim Ummah for the immense contributions they continue to make to the progress of our dear state and wish them a successful and prosperous Hijrah 1442 AH.”
Two arrested for kidnapping a farmer, killing her fiancé in Lanlate, Oyo
Oduduwa news gathered that two persons, Abubakar Mohammed and Ayankunle Ayaleye, have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping a businesswoman, Modupeoluwa Oyetoso, and shooting dead her fiancé, Opeoluwa Oladipo, in the Lanlete area of the Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Gbenga Fadeyi, confirmed this development to our correspondent on Wednesday.
Fadeyi said a Tecno phone and a single-barrelled gun used for the operation were recovered from the suspects, adding that N22,500, which was part of the ransom paid to secure Modupeoluwa’s release from captivity, was also recovered from them.
He stated that efforts were being made to arrest two other fleeing members of the kidnap syndicate.
The PPRO said, “Information reaching me on the kidnapping case at Odo-Edu Igbodudu Road, Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, where one Modupeoluwa Oyetoso reported that her fiancé, Opeoluwa Oladipo, was shot in a Toyota Highlander SUV and she was kidnapped, has revealed that two suspects, Abubakar Mohammed, 30, and Ayankunle Ayaleye, 37, have been arrested in connection with the case.
“The sum of N22,500, which was part of the ransom collected, was recovered in addition to one Tecno phone and a single-barrelled gun used for the operation. Efforts have been intensified to arrest two other fleeing members of the criminal gang.”