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LAWMA Cautions Lagsoians Against Indiscriminate Dumping Of Waste

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos State Waste Management

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has completed the rehabilitation of Olusosun dumpsite. This will ensure  smooth waste disposal operations across the State as the rainy season commences.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director/CEO, of LAWMA, made this disclosure in a statement, reiterating the Agency’s commitment to a Cleaner Lagos State, adding that the maintenance effort was aimed at improving operational efficiency in anticipation of the rainy season.

He said, “Our primary objective in rehabilitating Olusosun dumpsite is to ensure that waste disposal trucks can navigate through the dumpsite seamlessly, even in adverse weather conditions, especially during heavy rainfall when logistical challenges tend to arise”.

Gbadegesin stated that in addition to the recently completed maintenance efforts, LAWMA is focused on enhancing operational efficiency to improve turnaround times for waste disposal trucks, adding that the rehabilitation would significantly reduce queue times, translating to faster and more effective waste collection services.

“Our commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond operational enhancements. We urge residents to join us in prioritising responsible waste disposal practices to safeguard our environment”, he stressed.

The LAWMA boss further highlighted the importance of proper waste disposal, urging residents to avoid dumping waste in drains, especially during the rainy season, known for disrupting the drainage system and posing serious environmental risks to lives and properties.

“We encourage residents to patronise accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators for their waste disposal needs. By supporting licensed operators, individuals contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for all”, he reiterated.

He also emphasised the importance of residents familiarising themselves with their PSPs, who play a vital role in waste management at the local level, adding that, by understanding and engaging with their designated PSP operators, residents could ensure efficient and effective waste disposal services in their communities.

“We are committed to facilitating this process by publishing detailed PSP contacts for all areas in the state. This initiative aims to empower residents to take ownership of waste management practices in their neighborhoods, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all”, he assured.

PMAN Honours Diana Paul For Guinness World Record Attempt, Talks Tough on Levy Collection

By
James Orji
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PMAN Awards

The Performing Music Employers Association of Nigeria, PMAN, FCT Chapter, has hailed Diana Paul Mary who recently attempted to break the 150 hours singing marathon Guinness World Record (GWR), as a brave, courageous and talented young lady that should be an inspiration to other young Nigerian women in their diverse spheres of endeavour.

To underscore her bravery and quest for excellence, PMAN, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Abuja, presented her with a certificate of recognition for her excellent performance and declared her as the first and the longest singing single artiste in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The association made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday in honour of Diana.

Diana, a song writer and girl-child advocate, made the couragous attempt ,
at a one-of-a-kind event that held at the Blake Resort, Garki, Abuja, but later stopped after 107 hours, on health ground.

The current record in singing marathon was set by an Indian, Sunil Waghmare, between March 3 to 7, 2012.

Diana Paul, a Nigerian from Cross River State, who is resident in Abuja, FCT, had explained that she was not only attempting to set a new record, but also to use the platform as an opportunity to challenge the youth in Nigeria not to give up on their dreams.

Also at the event, the PMAN, FCT Chapter, disclosed that it would begin to collect levies and performance fees from musicians, dancers, comedians and all forms of entertainers as well as event organisers, hotels and club owners operating within the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking further, The PMAN Governor, FCT, Mr. Sydney Jack said PMAN is not just an association, but a union, and called on all stakeholders in the industry within the FCT and all those making use of music works to ensure they make payments to the body, as failure to this could lead to litigations.

According to him, “For example, you have National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, if you don’t buy their ticket, you cannot operate. This is similar to what PMAN is all about. So, we expect remittance of levies and performance fees from organisers, hotel owners, where they have live band.

The PMAN Governor said a taskforce that would handle this assignment is under the Directorate of the Deputy Governor of PMAN FCT, which will act based on the guidelines of their bylaw.

On his part, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley, who doubles as the taskforce chairman said, collection of levies and performance fees is long overdue.

“People have been taking advantage of our laxity and inability to collect revenues meant for the union and the government, because the government has percentage in all levies collected by the association.

“I want every stakeholder in Nigeria to know that PMAN is duly registered with the Trade Union of Congress of Nigeria; we are not just operating on our own. We are guided by the laws of this country and the rules and regulations of the trade practices in Nigeria.

“Let me restrict my message to the stakeholders, that is, the music practitioners, concert organisers, hotels and club owners. All these people use materials and artistes to promote and trade in their business.

“I am using this medium to tell them that the owners of the crafts are coming to get what is due to them. More importantly I want them to know even for the fact that they are practicing this trade in Nigeria and they are not registered with PMAN, is an offence as laid down in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I want to crave their indulgence to understand that first and foremost they need to register with PMAN. From today, I want to announce that the PMAN is coming for the levies; the musicians, dancers and everything that has to do with music, and like you know, failure to do so can result to legal repercussion”, he said.

States Declare Stand On New Minimum Wage

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As negotiations on the new minimum wage continues between the federal government and organized labour, states have said they will only pay wages that are sustainable.

The position, coming when some states are yet to implement the N30,000 wage for workers, is seen as another ploy by states pay their workers different salary from the agreed one with federal government.

According to the 36 state governors, who met virtually, they are reviewing their individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, geared towards arriving at an improved minimum wage that they can pay sustainably.

Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is chairman Nigeria Governors Forum, (NGF) in a statement stated that “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on various issues of national importance.

“The Forum celebrates with workers across the country their dedication to service and patience as we work with the Federal Government, labour, organized private sector, and relevant stakeholders to arrive at an implementable national minimum wage.

“While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted recently by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, it is imperative to state that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the National Minimum Wage is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.

“As members of the committee, we are reviewing our individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations to arrive at an improved minimum wage we can pay sustainably.

“We remain committed to the process and promise that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations.”

“Husband Urinates Into My Mouth” – Victim, As Anambra Docks Father For Forcing 14-Year Old To Marry 70 Year-Old Man

By
The Source
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Anambra Man Forced 14-Year Old Girl to Marry 70-Year Old Man

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Government is set  to dock one Uzochukwu Okoli and his 34 years old son in-law Chinedu Nweke, for allegedly contracting his under aged-daughters into forced marriages.

The State Government, through the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare,  Ify Obinabo, Thursday, May 2, 2024, directed relevant officials of the Ministry to liaise with all concerned bodies in the State and charge the duo of Okoli and Nweke to court for forced marriage and child abuse.

The directive is coming on the heels of an earlier complaint lodged by Chioma, one of the two daughters of Okoli, with the Ministry, detailing how she was lured back from Edo State by her father and given out in marriage first to an over  70 year-old man and later to 34 years old Nweke.

Chioma who said she is 16 years old, narrated to the Ministry officials ,that she and her elder sibling had their educational pursuit in Edo state disrupted by their father who brought them back home for the sole purpose of contracting them  out in marriages .

The Complainant said she was first contracted to a 70-year old man at the age of 14 ,and later given out  to Nweke.

But according to her, she passed through torrid times in the hands of her second husband, who subjected her to untold abuses, including physical assaults and  urinating inside her mouth .

She said she was forced to run away from the marriage, which has so far produced a nine month old baby ,owing to incessant abuses by Nweke.

“After the death of our mother ,our father brought us back from Edo State, where we were schooling to  get married .

“He first of all forced me to live with an over 70 years old man . at the age of 14 . But after some times ,I ran back home. He ( my father ) later gave me out to a 34 year old man Chinedu Nweke as a husband.

“Unfortunately, life with Nweke was hellish because he beats me always,and sometimes urinated  in side my mouth . I was forced to run away with my 9 months old baby.” Chioma stated

Okoli’s planned arraignment, is sequel to his arrest and interrogation by the Anambra State Women  Affairs Ministry on Thursday.

Meanwhile ,the Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Obinabo has called on parents ,to pay more attention to the future of their children ,instead of  forcing them into early and, most times, destructive early marriages.

We Are Not Investing $600m AP Moller Counters FG

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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APM Terminals-Nigeria, the Danish Shipping company has unveiled plan to invest $500 million in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The funds will be used to expand infrastructure in majorly Lagos and Onne ports facilities, including rail and barge networks “to connect directly to mainline shipping” the company stated yesterday.

The company is not investing $600 million contrary to the federal government’s claim.

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President On Media and Publicity had claimed in a statement last week that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured the $600 million investment from the Danish company during the World Economic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

But in a statement made available to the media on Thursday, titled, ‘Our Vision For Nigerian Ports and Growth’, by the chief executive officer, APM Terminals, Keith Svendsen, the firm said a huge chunk of the investment will be on the Apapa port to increase its draft to allow access for big vessels.

The company’s chief executive stated that talks have been ongoing since February this year on the investment, adding that interaction with the federal government over the deal only intensified last month, noting that the company believe in the country’s future, and the role of foreign capital investments to achieve this.

“At APM Terminals, we believe strongly in the future prospects for the Nigerian economy, and the long-term opportunities that the current economic reforms and invitation for international investments will generate. At Onne, we are concluding a USD115m upgrade project to ensure the terminal has sufficient capacity and capabilities to service the south/eastern Nigeria market and the growth expected in coming years, while the Apapa port continues to offer a unique access to Nigerian importers and exporters to international markets through not just road, but also rail and waterways, by means of barges.

“Having been present there for close to two decades, we believe that Lagos, as the main port, needs further investments to cater for increasing trade volumes and to be able to attract large container vessels. While greenfield terminals like Lekki and later on Badagry will support economic growth in the long run, the more urgent requirement is in our view to upgrade the existing port infrastructure to ensure road, rail and barge networks can connect directly to mainline shipping.

“We have developed plans to undertake the necessary terminal upgrade investments in Apapa to give access to vessels with deep draft and requiring large ship-to-shore cranes. We seek to do this under a long-term agreement with the government to support our ambition to continuously improve the import and especially export opportunities for the country, creating jobs and diversifying opportunities locally.

“As we are still not at the finish line, we have intensified talks with the administration and port authority to make these plans concrete and I’m pleased with the significant progress made towards implementation. That is why I earlier this year publicly told about the proposal to invest more than USD 500 million that we have discussed with the President Tinubu both in February,  and which we further elaborated in late April. It should go hand-in-hand with a long-term partnership.

“For us in APM Terminals, it is important that we not only operate highly efficient terminals, but also that we play a role contributing to the development of the local communities and bring in opportunities for growth and new prospects for Nigerians,” he stated.

CBN Laments Worsening Economic Crisis Due To Exchange Rates

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has lamented the worsening economic crisis in the country.

The apex bank said it’s “concerning” that the purchasing power of many Nigerians have dropped due to various government economic policies.

The concern was expressed by the Deputy Governor in charge of Corporate Services, Bala Bello, in a statement published on the bank’s website on Thursday.

According to Bello, the exchange rates pressures have sparked both inflation and insecurity across the country, stressing that the purchasing power of Nigerians have dropped marginally by over nine percent to 48 percent from 39 percent within one month, between January and February this year.

He explained that the economic problems have lingered for eight months consecutively, despite the efforts of the government to address the situation.

He said the federal government strategic responses to the problem include the release of grains from the strategic reserves, distributing seeds and fertilizers, and supporting dry season farming, amongst others have failed to address the current hardship in the country.

Bello said: “It is concerning to note that the Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index declined sharply to 39.2 index points in February 2024 from 48.5 index points in the previous month.

“Economic activity has been contracting for eight consecutive months, mainly due to exchange rate pressures, rising input prices, security challenges, and other idiosyncratic headwinds. This calls for well-nuanced policy decisions targeted at price stability to forestall stifling economic activities and derailing output performance.

“Of more concern is the rising inflationary trend despite sustained hikes in the monetary policy rate, with forecasts of further price increases in the near term.

“Both food and core inflation rose in February 2024, underpinning an acceleration in headline inflation to 31.70 per cent in February 2024 from 29.90 per cent in the previous month.

“This continued rise in inflation was mainly due to high production costs, lingering security challenges and exchange rate pressures,” he said.

He added that the country’s inflation soared to 33.22 per cent in March, which was unacceptable and required coordinated efforts to curb it.

“Inflation is currently unacceptably high and requires decisive and coordinated efforts to curb it, given its adverse impact on citizens’ purchasing power, investment decisions and broad output performance.

“The Federal Government’s initiatives addressing food insecurity, such as releasing grains from the strategic reserves, distributing seeds and fertilizers, and supporting dry season farming, are important and commendable,” he stated.

The magazine reported that Africa’s Richest Man Aliko Dangote recently criticised the federal government over  its exchange rate policy which he said has crippled many manufacturing businesses in the country.

“We’re Constructing N15trn Lagos/Calabar Coastal Road With Fear Of God”-Umahi

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Dave Umahi, The Minister of Works, says the federal government is approaching the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road with the fear of God.

The minister made this known on Wednesday in Lagos during an interaction with stakeholders and those affected by the multi-billion construction project.

Umahi spoke amidst the trenchant criticism that has greeted the project, particularly the cost which has been described to be over inflated.  

Top opposition figures in the country such as the PDP Presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP say the project is not a priority at this time.

The LP candidate, Obi, has demanded that the project be jettisoned in the interest of Nigeria due to the humungous funds needed for its construction. The project, according to the government will cost close to N13 trillion.  

Atiku on his part has lamented the huge job loses that will result from the project. No fewer than 20,000 people are expected to the thrown into the labour market as a result of the construction, according to checks.

Speaking yesterday at the second meetings with stakeholders, Umahi said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the project work be done with “the fear of God.”

According to him, the federal government has ensured fairness to all that are concerned, particularly people whose property are affected by the road construction.

 Umhai said: “Mr President says that this development must have two factors. One is the fear of God, and the second is the human face, and that’s what we have tried to do.

 

“Since we came on Thursday, we have been going through the route every day from morning to about 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. We’ve made hard decisions. In some cases, we have followed the gazetted routes. In other cases, we have realigned to the coastal line, majorly. And the coastal line from the shore, 250 metres by the Supreme Court judgment, belongs to the federal government.

 

“I talk in particular about Landmark. There is none of his infrastructure that is affected. I agree that there are some people he subleased the place to, but the shoreline was never given to him by the Oniru family. These people he sublet to, he erected some caravans, makeshifts, so on and so forth within the shoreline. So, we are dealing with these people who sublet the shoreline illegally.”

Mass Abductions Of School Children: Police Launch Schools Protection Squad

By
The Source
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Alhaji Mohammad Husseini Gumel - Kano CP

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst increasing cases of mass abductions of school children and other vulnerable sets of the populace in the Northern Region of the country, the Kano police authorities on Thursday May 2, 2024, launched the  Schools Protection Squad SPS with a view to providing adequate security cover for primary, Secondary, and some other vulnerable tertiary educational institutions in the State.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Hussain Gumel, who officially flagged off the initiative, said the establishment of the special Schools protection team, is in tandem with the vision of the Inspector General of Police,  Kayode Egbetokun, to effectively provide safe environment for schooling, through the protection of both students and teachers ,as well as schools facilities and their critical infrastructures.

At an interactive session with the Media to mark his one year in office as the Kano Police Command, Gumel, stated that the  Squad  which comprises 60 adequately trained police operatives ,has been provided with all the necessary equipment for the task ahead.

CP Gumel, announced that the posting of the operatives of the Squad with the primary responsibility of providing robust patrols around all Primary and Secondary schools in the state  will commence immediately, .

The SPS, he noted, will also ,monitor activities in and around some vulnerable tertiary educational institutions in all locations across the three Senatorial districts of Kano state .

The Kano state police Commissioner ,while xraying the Command’s achievements since he assumed office in the last one year,pointed to the reformation of no fewer than 623 criminal elements ,as perhaps the most instructive.

“In Compliance with the directive  and vision of the Inspector General of Police IGP to all police formations and Commands to implement various problem-solving initiatives such as the Community Policing approach to tackle emerging community crimes ,the police Command in kano took the bull by the horn .

After reviewing the crime pattern and conducted crime mapping of the state ,we drew up the action plan which centred around robust community policing engagements with relevant stakeholders,synergizing  with the military and other security agencies and the use of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches .

It was through these collective efforts that we succeeded in fighting and bringing down the wave of crime and criminality in the state .

As a result of employing these approaches ,the Command received and profiled a total of six hundred and twenty three repentant thugs ,took them off streets ,and currently transitioning them away from life of crime .

Some of them have since been engaged by the Kano State Government into practicing various life changing empowerment programmes “CP Gumel stated.

The Kano State Police Chief, also, said  that the command within the period under review, arrested and prosecuted over 3000 suspected criminals, kidnappers, banditry elements ,armed robbers ,human traffickers and illicit drug dealers ..

“Within the same period, the Command has been able to flush out criminal elements who occupied the historic Dala Hills ,using it as a hide out and turning it into an enclave from where they launch mayhem and various criminal activities on the good people of Kano State.

The criminals not only attempted to destroy a major symbol of Kano’s history, but almost destroyed a world class tourist centre, a source of wealth creation and revenue generation for the state.

Thus far, the intervention of the police Command has made the historic  site safe and secure for all residents and visitors” CP Gumel noted.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Kano State Government ,other sister Security Agencies, Community policing stakeholders, the Media and Civil Society Groups for their unalloyed support, cooperation and understanding, insisting that credit should also go to the Kano residents for their collaborative efforts.

Ekiti Police Command Burst Motorcycle Robbers Syndicate, Arrest Eight

By
Ayodele Oni
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Motorcycle Robbers Syndicate in Ekiti State

By Ayodele Oni

Following clampdown on the activities of robbers that specialize in snatching motorcycles popularly known as okada, Ekiti state police command efforts have paid off with the arrest of eight suspects.

The Command’s Rapid Response Squad(RRS), swooped on the hideouts of suspects and arrested one Adebayo Bashiru a.k.a Bashy, Oluyemi Kunle a.k.a Gbegbe, Gabriel Isaac, Abubakar Abdullahi, Macon Andrew and Peter Ninfa, identified notorious vehicles and motorcycles snatchers within Ikere/Ado-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti Axis.

Spokesman of the command, Sunday Abutu explained that “The suspects, during interrogation, confessed that they have snatched so many motorcycles from their owners within Ikere/Ado/Igede-Ekiti Axis.

“They further mentioned one Lawali Ibrahim and Kabiru Abdullahi as their accomplices who usually buy the motorcycles from them after snatching.

“Effort intensified led to the arrest of the three buyers who further confessed that they have transported seven of the stolen motorcycles to the Northern part of Nigeria for resale.

“One unregistered Yellow Color Bajaj Boxer Motorcycle was recovered from them at the point of arrest.

“Meanwhile, some of the victims came to identify the recovered motorcycle as the one used by the robbers to accost them and escape after robbing them.”

Last month, the Oye Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with some residents of Trinity Hostel Area, Oye-Ekiti, arrested a notorious motorcycle snatcher, one Bernard Shadrach, who has snatched so many motorcycles from their owners within Oye-Ekiti alongside his gang member who is currently on the run.

Abutu stated that effort is in progress for possible arrest of other fleeing suspects.

Communal Crisis Rocks Ile Epo Market, As Shops Are Been Burnt, Properties Destroyed

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Communal Clash atIle-Epo Market

By Akinwale Kasali

Shop owners, traders and residents of Ile Epo at Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State are counting their loses, as properties, good and homes worth hundreds of millions in Naira has been burnt down by irate youths who have engaged each other in a fight since yesterday night.

It was gathered that for weeks now, there have been a brewing crisis between the Hausas and Yorubas at the popular Ile Epo Market, which escalated to a Street fight among residents who are sympathetic to each of the tribes.

This engulfed into a Communal Fight that lasted all through the night till this morning.

There was bonfire at every area in the community, with Shops and Houses

been set on fire.

Visiting the area which has become a shadow of itself as wild fire was seen in the market with the two sides burning anything on sight and also attacking each other.

As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that there had been several casualties, with some of the victims rushed to Ile Epo General Hospital, while some of the causalities that sustained several degrees of injuries were rushed to some Private Hospitals.

The reason for the communal war is yet to be ascertained at this period, but some Policemen attached to Ile Epo Police Station who claimed anonymity said they had called for reinforcement to salvage the situation as their Men were on ground shielding some of the irate youths from both sides from wrecking more havoc.

One of the shop owners who wept uncontrollably said that she just bought goods to restock her shop on Monday, sadly, the shop had been set on fire.

The area is presently deserted as everyone had scamper for safety.

Policemen and other security agents could be seen roaming the market and the area, but the irate youths are still wrecking havoc with a reprisal attack in the offing.

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