NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Judiciary

Court stops Lagos A-G, others from forcefully taking over market

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By Adenike Ayodele

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday restrained the Office of Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Kosofe Local Government from forcefully taking over the Alaba Section of Mile 12 Market.

Justice Latifat Oluyemi gave the interim  injunction pending determination of an application before the court.

Other respondents in the suit  number ID/6464GCMW/2022, include Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area, Dr Chris Onyekachi, Total Value Integrated Services Ltd. and Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

 

The application was initiated by Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Community Leaders and Traders Association, Yeye Precious Modupe Ojo, Alhaji Akinwale Jimoh and Babatunde Adetula.

The claimants sued for themselves and on behalf of the traders from the Alaba Section of Mile 12 Market.

Justice Latifat Oluyemi restrained the respondents, their agents, servants, privies and any other person from demolishing or forcefully taking over the section pending  determination of the motion on notice.

The suit was brought under Order 42 Rules 1 and 4 and Order 43 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and other provisions.

The claimants’ counsel, Mr M.G. Quadri, alleged that he was refused entry and chased out by Princess Samiat Abolanle-Bada, the Chairman of the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA at a mediation meeting held on Dec. 19, 2022, which  he said, all parties attended.

Quadri had alleged that  the respondents continued with demolition of the said section of the market on Dec. 18, 2022, in spite of service of court processes and prior agreement by parties concerned.

He said that the agreement which took place at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, on  Dec. 17 2022, was  to stay active until the Dec. 19, 2022 meeting.

“On Dec. 19, the second meeting was held. All parties who attended the previous meeting also attended this one.

 

“The respondents orally promised the applicants to begin some sort of resolution process and stop further destruction of the market.

 

“Despite the promises given, destruction of properties and assault on helpless traders by heavily armed thugs have not stopped.  It only increased exponentially.

 

“From the time the motion on notice was filed, up until now, more parts of the Alaba Section of the Mile 12 Market have been destroyed.

 

“Traders have been forced away from their shops, and thugs have been patrolling the area, assaulting anyone that comes close,” the counsel had submitted.

 

The judge  adjourned the case until Jan. 19 for further hearing. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Science & Tech

Cranium introduces local content digital health app

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 From left, Consultant, Mr Doyin Talabi; Co-founder Cranium Integrated Solution Ltd, Mr Kunle Adesida and Chairman, Supervising Board, Cranium Integrated Solution Ltd., Mr Tokunbo Smith

 

By Stellamaris Ashinze

Cranium Integrated Solutions Ltd. has  introduced a local content digital health app to ease the stress of patient healthcare delivery in the country.

Mr  Kunle  Adesida, an Engineer and Co-founder of Cranium  Integrated Solutions Ltd., said  at a news conference in Lagos that the all encompassing  local content  digital health app  would address the health needs even to the rural areas.

Adesida said the adoption of digital health was low globally but proper sensitisation of the benefits would  ease  the challenge of healtcare delivery.

He said that even with the issue of  low internet penetration at the digitally under- served areas, Cranium would deliver health  with its mobile clinics to be introduced  soon.

According  to him, it  is a  local content, because it is 100 per cent customisable  to the desire and requirements of the nation’s health facilities.

“The COVID-19  pandemic heightened the need for digitalisation, again, many people started seeing the need to go into this particular area, we have been in this area since 2005.

‘’It took us so many years to put this product together because we needed to ensure that we put in the real case scenario on ground and that is why it is local content.

“Cranium has different levels of health facilities across Nigeria, primary health care centres,  private hospitals, secondary and tertiary institutions,” he said.

Adesida said that  so much effort was put on the field to ensure the entire patient workflow in any hospital and that was why they had an edge over others.

The co-founder  said that with the app, a patient’s vitals could be monitored from the comfort  of their homes.

He said the local content had also made it very possible for hospitals to customise to their desires and helped them have full access privileges to the database.

According  to him, Cranium is leveraging  blockchain and Artificial Intelligence  that enables patients access health care and data in  any locations or hospital the patient  walks  into.

The co-founder  emphasised  that there was need to talk to stakeholders  and decision makers on digitisation  of hospitals because very soon,  hospitals operating manually  would go into extinction.

According to him, digitisation  of hospital  processes would also improve health  care because patients would access  healthcare from the comfort of their  homes.

Also speaking, Mr Tokunbo Smith, Chairman, Supervising Board,  Cranium  Integrated Solution, said that the firm was also particular  about securing the data of patients.

Smith said that for the security  patients data,  there was the data protection regulation which Cranium  strictly  adhered to because  its compliance remains key in every industry.

According  to him, that is  why the firm has the data protection regulation and the European General Data Protection Regulation.

He said:  “When talking about health, we are talking about sensitive data, data that should not be seen by anybody. So the advantage of using software is that it is efficient and secure.”

Mr Doyin Talabi,  a Consultant , lauded the mobile app,  saying that it would deliver swift health  care to more that half of the nation’s population.

Talabi said that according  to Nigeria  Communication Commission, there were  about 150 subscribers, so as such,  more than half of the population would have access to safe and secure health care delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cranium is a limited liability company  that has designed a  local content  digital health  solution that serves the need of people, granted patent right by the Nigeria  Communication Commission  and Licensed  by  the Federal Government. (NAN)

 

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Politics

PVC Collection: Ahead deadline, LG chairmen, party chieftains intensify sensitisation

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By Adepote Arowojobe

As the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) nears, more local government chairmen and political party executives in Lagos are mobilising residents to pick up their cards.

INEC fixed Dec. 12, 2022 till Jan. 22, 2023 for PVC collection in all its 774 local government offices nationwide daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

The exercise moved to the 8,809 registration areas and wards from Friday, Jan. 6, where it can be collected until Jan. 15.

After Jan. 15, the exercise will revert to the local government offices of the commission until Jan. 22.

Council chairmen and party chieftains in Ikorodu area of Lagos State told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that sensitisation of residents on collection was being given the urgency it deserved.

The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Wasiu Adesina, said that the council took a proactive step by appointing committees saddled with the responsibility of mobilising electorate from different areas to collect their PVCs at their wards.

Adesina said he directed the committees to also go from house-to-house informing people on the need to collect their cards at the nearest centres, to  exercise their franchise.

“On our part, we have appointed committees that will strategise and sensitise people on the importance of getting their PVCs.

“They will also ensure smooth and seamless movement of our people by providing vehicles that will convey them to different wards to collect their PVCs,” Adesina said.

The Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Ms Motuntayo Gbadebo-Alogba, said the council was also playing its part.

“The council considers elections as a civic responsibility of citizens and helping them to get their PVCs would be a step in helping them to carry out their civic responbilities.

“More specifically, the council under my leadership has been carrying out series of enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagements.

“This is not starting with the PVC collection, we also did lots of sensitisation for people to register and it is natural to follow up now to ensure all those who registered last year go to collect their PVCs.

“Only yesterday, I met with the leadership of various ethnic nationalities resident in Ijede LCDA and prompted them towards sensitising their people to pick up their PVCs.

“The PVC is not useful if left with Independent Electoral Commission(INEC); citizens must endeavour to go pick it and be ready to vote,” she said.

The chairman of Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, Mr Sesan Daini, said, “We are working with Community Development Committee, Commity Development Associations, Clubs, Societies, religious bodies, traditional institutions and non indigenes groups”.

He said that they were working with them to sensitise people on the importance of PVC collection so they could perform their civic rights.

Also, the APC LGA Chairman, Alhaji Waheed Animashaun, reiterated that the ward executives were mandated to sensitise residents who newly moved into particular areas or who did not know their wards.

The LGA Chairman of PDP,  Mr Olanrewaju Oshin, said the party had also sensitised residents of Ikorodu on collection of their PVCs in preparation for the forthcoming general elections.

“I think they have done well by bringing the collection centres nearer to people to ensure more people participate in the forthcoming general elections,” he said.

One of INEC senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said they conducted sensitisation programme on PVC collection and came closer to people for easy access.

According to her, the challenges being experienced are faded temporary slips and overcrowding in collection centres.

NAN reports that INEC had on Jan. 6 moved distribution of PVCs to the 11 wards in Ikorodu to enable residents to get them at their doorsteps.

NAN correspondent in Ikorodu reports that the exercise, in areas monitored, had impressive turnout.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Oluwole Sogunle

Economy/Business

Apapa customs breaks revenue record, rakes in N1.02trn

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Stakeholders at the customs media conference

 

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, on Thursday said it generated N1.02 trillion in 2022.

The customs area controller, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, said this at a news conference in Lagos.

Yusuf said the amount was unprecedented in the history of revenue generation by the command, and that the value recorded in 2022 was 16.07 per cent higher than the N870.38 million collected in 2021.

He said the feat was achieved despite setbacks in the clearance value chain such as fluctuation in the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar.

“This feat was made possible because of the resilience of our officers and men in blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that all unpaid declarations and unitilised Pre-Arrival Assessment Report had been traced and accounted to the Federal Government coffers,” he said.

As regards anti-smuggling, he said 157 containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N14.4 billion were seized as against 102 containers with DPV of N31.8 billion seized in the year 2021.

“Our record shows that fake and prohibited drugs without necessary National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) certification and Tramadol topped the list of seizures made last year.

“Other items seized include codeine syrup, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, processed/unprocessed wood, used clothings and others,”he said.

The Apapa customs boss noted that 60 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures and were at various stages of investigation and prosecution by other agencies of government.

He reiterated that the command would remain a no-go area for any form of illegalities and warned perpetrators that the command was resolute and would expose their activities and bring them to book.

Yusuf said in line with the federal government diversification of the economy to non-oil export, the command recorded a total of 68.5 million dollars Free on Board (FOB) value, equivalent to N28.2 billion of non-oil commodities.

He said a total of 6.4 million metric tonnes were exported through Apapa in the year under review.

He listed the items to include steel bars; agricultural produce such as hibiscus, sesame seeds, cocoa, cashew nuts, ginger, soya beans and mineral products.

He pointed out that collaboration with other agencies of government had greatly enhanced the productivity of the service and pledged to continue to build on the synergy to ensure that recalcitrant criminals were dealt with decisively.

He added that the command had promoted a culture of regular stakeholders’ engagement and would continue to sensitive them on the need to comply with extant trade guidelines for faster and cheaper cargo clearance.

“I want to commend our compliant traders who do sincere declaration, pay accurate duty and obey extant import and export guidelines without violating the prohibition lists,” he said.

He appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali and his management team for the support and encouragement they given to the command, and pledged that the command would surpass the 2022 collections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Politics

LP appoints zonal coordinators for Obi-Datti campaign

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Mr Adewole Egbodofo, South-West Coordinator, Special Duties, Obi-Datti Campaign
By Adekunle Williams
The Labour Party (LP) on Monday released a list of nominated Zonal Coordinators for contacts, mobilisation and grassroots engagement for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council.
The party’s National Chief Mobiliser, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council (LPPCC),  Mr Olawale Okunniyi, made this known in Lagos.
Okunniyi said the appointment was in continuation of strengthening its campaign machinery for the forthcoming General Elections.
He said the party appointed three zonal coordinators for Grassroots Mobilisation; Contacts and Mobilisation; and Special Duties for the six geo-political zones of the country.
The official said the directorate had appointed Mr Adewole Egbodofo as the Zonal Coordinator, Special Duties in charge of the South-West Zone.
“Mr Adewole Egbodofo was born to Mr Simeon Egbodofo, an accomplished teacher, popularly known as ‘Baba Fonen (Phonetics) from Ode Ajagba and Mrs Janet Egbodofo.
“Adewole Egbodofo had both his primary and secondary school education in Okitipupa before proceeding to the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State.
“He also attended the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, for training on Banking and Finance respectively, “he added.
Okunniyi said Egbodofo had over 20 years of cognate experience in Finance and Banking, having worked in First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Providus Bank Plc and other financial institutions.
He said Egbodofo was passionate about the need for the overthrow of those he described as members of the ‘Ruiners Generation’, who had looted the country into a coma.
The official said Egbodofo was also an internationally-acclaimed advocate of Ballot Box Revolution. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
General News

New Year: Oba Elegushi’s wife hosts children, cautions against social vices

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By Taiye Olayemi

No fewer than 200 children within Ikate Kingdom in Lagos State and its environs were on Sunday hosted to a New Year party by the Quality and Selfless Empowerment (QSE) Foundation.

The foundation is an initiative of Sekinat Elegushi, wife of Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual New Year party is one of her humanitarian programmes for residents in the community, particularly the indigent.

 

In her remarks, Elegushi advised the children to be focused, disciplined and shun all forms of social vices, to make their parents and the country proud.

“Also, as you resume school tomorrow, I urge you to study very hard so as to become great personalities in life, make your parents and the country proud,” she said.

Elegushi thanked God on behalf of the children for keeping them alive and healthy to witness another year.

She thanked her husband, who is also chairman of the foundation, for his support and for  spending time with the children.

She equally thanked the International Women Society (IWS) for their partnership and collaboration.

NAN reports that the children who had quality time of entertainment, amusement and merriment, were given different items including school bags; writing materials; lunch boxes; water bottles; snacks and toys.

Highlight of the programme was a return ticket to Ghana won by one of the children who won a dance competition. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Education

GetBundi founder advocates digital skills learning across Africa in 2023

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GetBundi founder and CEO, Osita Oparaugo

By Taiye Olayemi

Mr Osita Oparaugo, founder and Chief Executive Officer of GetBundi, an educational technology platform, has urged African leaders to prioritise digital skills education in 2023 so as to build the right workforce to drive the continent’s development.

Oparaugo made the call while interacting with journalists in Lagos.

He warned that the lack of a digitally-skilled workforce would hurt Africa’s economic development “if not addressed immediately”.

He declared that acquiring digital skills was “a must for anyone in the 21st century, especially in Africa”.

To buttress his point, the GetBundi founder cited a study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, which found that 230 million jobs across Africa would require some level of digital skills by 2030.

“That translates to a potential for 650 million training opportunities and an estimated $130 billion market,” he explained.

According to him, preliminary findings of another research on Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Rwanda markets by IFC and the World Bank (through the Digital Development Programme Trust Fund) showed that by 2030, some level of digital skills would be required for 50-55 percent of jobs in Kenya.

“The research equally showed that digital skills will be required for 35-45 per cent of jobs in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and 20-25 percent in Mozambique,” he added.

He said that only countries with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and digital skills-enabled citizenry could achieve meaningful development in the present world.

He cited Singapore and China’s flourishing economies as examples of what nations could turn into if they became scientifically and technologically advanced.

“What China and Singapore have achieved in less than 50 years, Africa can also attain using STEM education and Science Technology Innovation (STI) skills acquisition “especially when one considers the abundance of human capital and the resilient nature of Africans, especially the youths.”

He said it was to promote digital skills learning across Africa that GetBundi, an educational technology platform designed to deliver high quality, engaging and accessible STEM courses and STI skills, was launched in Lagos, in June 2022.

“Recently, in December 2022, we decided to run some of our GetBundi digital skills courses in Pidgin English to make them more accessible to more Africans.

According to him, using that popular language followed a result of studies by the World Bank, UNESCO and others which showed that using a language of instruction closest to the people matters a lot, especially for learning foundational skills.

He said that the education technology platform had a vision to up-skill, through its STEM and digital skills centre, 10 million Africans by 2032 and beyond in order to create an inclusive sustainable development driven by technology. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Entertainment

Insider explains why Burna Boy Lagos concert was delayed

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By Folasade Adeniran

With the social media still awash with complaints over the delay in the take-off of the “Lagos loves Damini” Sunday show, Mr Joseph Edgar has explained what happened.

Edgar, Chairman, Duke of Shomolu Productions, a theatrical plays producing outfit, who is a close associate of Wonder X, organisers of the show, blamed the delay on unforseen factors.

“A lot is being said about the just-concluded mega concert featuring global star Burna Boy.

“A lot of stories have come out from different sources, especially eye witness accounts, detailing delay in the show and the very unprofessional attitude of the star who came out cursing and spending quite an unacceptable time on stage despite the long wait for him.

“My unimpeachable sources have informed me that just as the show was about to start, a huge surge hit and blew off 15 microphones out of the 45 that were on stage.

“This meant that the show couldn’t go on and this explains the long unexplainable wait that the audience had to endure as organisers scrambled to find replacement in Lagos during a season where other such huge shows were taking place.

“Furthermore, I have also learnt that due to the popularity of the concert which attracted about 30,000 people, the roads were blocked.

“The adjoining streets – Adetokunbo Ademola, Akin Adesola and Ahmadu Bello – witnessed a complete lock-down.

“I have been told that the music star was stuck in traffic and getting him and his crew to the venue was more like a military action involving taking back roads within the expansive Eko Atlantic through to the Energy City site of the concert.

“The Star, Burna, did not help matters as he seemed to have a beef against the Lagos audience.

“He came out cursing and abusing them.”

Edgar, however, expressed happiness that the show could be termed a phenomenal success as Burna was able to rise above the initial delay to deliver some of his hit tunes.

“That excellent delivery made the crowd to forget their initial misgivings and they danced the night away.

“This was a learning experience for all stakeholders involved, especially the organisers, who would have to beef up their technical capacity and also seek an efficient working relationship with authorities, especially in traffic managemnt and security.

“I have heard reports of the Lagos State Government removing number plates from parked vehicles of attendees. Organisers must tackle such issues well in advance.

“In all, it was a wonderful experience as Nigerians were given another wonderful opportunity to watch their beloved Olu Burna who, despite it all, gave a wonderful, albeit brief, show to the satisfaction of the crowd.” (NAN)

Entertainment

“Lagos loves Damini” concert a huge success – Organisers

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Burna Boy

 

By Folasade Adeniran

The historical concert – “Lagos loves Damini” – that featured Grammy Award winning singer and song writer Burna Boy, was a huge success, its organisers, Wonder X, said in a statement on Monday.

“The Burna Boy team took the bustling mega city by Storm.

“Burna Boy, leading a 30- man band, took the over 30,000 Lagos crowd through an eclectic set which drove the crowds to a frenzy making them forget the initial technical glitches which led to a late start,” it said.

The organisers, in the statement, apologised for the technical glitches which led to a late start of the show.

“We understand the frustration the fans must have felt for the unusual delay and do sincerely apologise even as we express our commitment to providing only the best and timely experiences for subsequent events.

“We like to send special thanks to Burna Boy and his team for showing stupendous professionalism in the midst of the confusion,” the statement said.

The Wonder X team also sent great appreciation to the over 30,000 fans who came out to show their undying love for their hero and who despite the long wait still kept the faith and eventually witnessed the electrifying musical performance ever.

The Lagos Love Damini concert witnessed over 30,000 fans in attendance and a car lot with an unprecedented 11,000 cars.

“The adjoining Ahmadu Bello, Akin Adesola and Adetokunbo Ademola Streets all jammed with traffic thereby positioning the concert as the biggest and most attended musical concert in recent history,” the statement said. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

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