SANWO-OLU'S INAUGURATION: JOURNALISTS RAISE EYEBROWS

By NGIJ Reporter

A section of Lagos-based journalists have raised concerns, over the irregularities in accrediting Journalists,for the inauguration of the Governor-elect of Lagos State;Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The media professionals,who got notifications of media accreditation,to cover the inauguration;slated for 29th of May,2019 at Tafawa Balewa Square,Victoria Island, Lagos were said to have disappointed,by the kangaroo arrangements put in place, by Sanwo-olu's media aides. It is gathered that,Journalists were initially told that,the accreditation would take two days;prior to the event. Surprisingly however, the whole thing became a failure,right from the first day,as a result of nepotistic gestures, from Sanwo-olu's media team. One of the aggrieved journalists;Okunlegbe John who scale the rigours of getting registered said "the whole process is a flop and an eyesore. I can tell you that,a process that was supposed to last for 5 hours daily,came to an abrupt conclusion barely 2hours into the accreditation." Okunlegbe, while speaking on the roles of Sanwo-olu's media team lamented that," It is unimaginable that,event as magnificent and important as this inauguration has been flawed by avoidable irregularities. The total number of online,broadcast and print journalists were not up to 150 persons, but it is saddening that,Journalists were held to ransom,accreditation tags were hoarded ,and media professionals who are to project the image of the government were treated with utmost disdain. I put it to the incoming governor that,with the body language of his media team,he has started on a nepotistic footing,which is detrimental to his administration's public image." From our findings, it was gathered that,close to 30% of the tags used for accreditation were hoarded,or kept aside in Sanwo-olu's media team's custody,for personal purposes, or to be given out to their friends within and outside media industry. Some of the aggrieved media practitioners, who chose to speak under anonymity said that,it is disheartening and unprofessional of Sanwo-olu's media team,to treat journalists with such highhandedness,stressing that,a lot of them came from far and near,only to be treated preferentially . One of our sources, quoted a member of the inauguration team as saying "some media houses and their journalists are more important to us" In contrast to that of Lagos,information reaching us claims that,over 500 journalists have stormed Ogun State, for the inauguration of the state's Governor-elect; Dapo Abiodun. From the foregoing,we appeal to the incoming governor of Lagos,Babajide Sanwo-Olu,to be proactive against corruption tendencies within his media team,in order to avoid media disputes and public misconceptions

Kogi Labour Union Implores Prioritisation of Workers' Welfare

By Adeola Amos

The United Labour Congress (ULC), Kogi State Chapter, has urged to the State governor, Gov. Yahaya Bello, to give priority attention to workers’ welfare and clear salary acculmulated. The Chairman, Kogi State Chapter, ULC, Comrade Simeon Opaluwa, made the call during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ), said civil servants are not happy due to inability of the state government to clear outstanding salaries and pensions. He added that, the ugly situation is having pernicious effect on the state's economy. The Labour leader, however, admitted that the governor has eliminated many ghost workers from its payroll through a recent screening exercise conducted in the state. He also commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for what he termed ‘an impressive performance in health, security, road construction as well as the revamp of cultural activities, especially in Igalaland.’ Opaluwa called on Governor Bello to sustain his administration’s gains in area of security so as to avoid the return of thuggery, banditry, kidnapping, among others. The NGIJ Media Tour of Kogi State continues as the investigators met with state government officials led by Governor Yahaya Bello who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folasade Ayoade.

Deadly stampede in Buhari rally days before Nigeria elections

Several people have been killed in a stampede at a rally in support of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's candidacy days before the country's presidential and

legislative elections, his office has said. The incident on Tuesday took place in Port Harcourt, a southern city in the Niger Delta oil-production heartland. Buhari's office said in a statement the president had been "informed of the tragic deaths of several members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party". Local media said panic broke out at the end of the gathering, held inside the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium when crowds tried to force their way through a locked exit. "Those from behind were pushing and putting pressure on those in front leading to some persons falling on the ground and being trampled upon," said journalist Egufe Yafugborhi of the Vanguard newspaper. READ MORE Fears of violence in Nigeria ahead of Saturday vote In a statement, Judith Amaechi, who runs the party's regional women and youth team, expressed "deep shock over the death of APC members who were in a stampede". The statement did not specify the number of people killed. Separately, a spokesman for the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital said the stampede claimed at least 14 lives. "There are others under medical attention at the Emergency Unit, so we can't force a clear figure beyond what the situation is at the moment," Kem Daniel-Elebiga told AFP news agency. Rising tensions The February 16 elections in Africa's most populous country will see Buhari stand for a second four-year term against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in what is expected to be a close race. READ MORE Fears of violence in Nigeria ahead of Saturday vote In recent weeks, tensions have risen between the APC and Abubakar's People's Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP has accused the government of seeking to rig the vote while the APC has said the opposition party is fomenting unrest. On Sunday, five APC members were shot and killed near the oil hub of Warri city in southeast Nigeria, with authorities calling it a revenge attack by people suspected to be from the opposition. Clashes between APC and PDP supporters have been reported from various places in Africa's largest democracy. Nigeria has a history of election violence, with analysts warning that the forthcoming vote might be one of the bloodiest in its history. The last election in 2015 was considered free and fair, but state and local elections, as well as earlier presidential polls, have been marred by violence and fraud allegations. SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

Land Grabbing Tussle: Family Accuse Popular Lagos Chairman of Impunity Ibeju-lekki Chairman, Honourable Olorunkemi Surakatu, Baale, In Land Grabbing Mess ...Family Members Alleged them of Impunity and abuse of office

By Adeola Amos

Corruption they say is one of the obstacle preventing Nigeria from achieving its enormous potential. While the government is busy fighting the politicians and other arms of government to desist from corrupt act, some individuals are still busy conniving in perpetrating the act. Meanwhile, land grabbing by local elites has been ignored by the government while the onslaught of land dispossession is becoming an incessant crisis. Another family in this same land grabbing mess is the Oju-Ile Family tree from Bolorunpe town in Ibeju-Lekki who have been accusing the chairman of Ibeju-lekki, Honourable Semiu Kemi Surakatu of impunity and continuous dictatorial attitude. Honourable Olorunkemi Surakatu who is also a member of the family allegedly connived with estate agents using his position as the local government chairman to sell the family landed properties without the consent of other family members. This illicit act has been causing a lot of unrest within the family as some of the family members have started receiving letters, text messages from unknown contacts threatening them to stay clear of the said properties. The family member which consist of four branches includes; Ogunbose family, Sango family, Fowoke family and Ooja family have been visiting court over their vast hectares of land but all effort to get court injunction prove abortive. Hon. Semiu Olorunkemi Surakat who is from Ogungbose family is the one allegedly terrorizing, imposing and dictating everything in the family. A brief chat with the family Secretary, Oludaisi Rasak, claimed the Oju-Ile family have been experiencing some level of impunity over the family lands ever since Honourable Olorunkemi Surakatu assumed office of the chairman of Ibeju-lekki Local Government using his position to intimidate, impose and harassing family members. In his words, he said "We are here at Okerekere at Bolounpelu Village where we discover people clearing the family land without the knowledge of the whole family members. And that is why we are here to know the truth about who is behind it. With me here are some of the family elders who can attest to the fact that, we did not sign any document to sell or clearing purpose." Talking about the landmarks, he said "This land we're talking about is over six hundred hectares of land and out of it, Assets Resources Management (ARM) is claiming part of the land. They said, the land belongs to them. So, we had to take them to court to know how they acquire the land. And we've been in court since 2016. But to our surprise, we discovered that some people are still clearing in the name of ARM and also in the name of Landwey. And the truth is that, the family never signed any agreement with these two companies. I am the Secretary of the family and I've never sign any agreement with anyone" Buttressing his claim, he also said "After the court hearing in 2016, court advice we settle the matter amicably with ARM. So we now decided to go into agreement for settlement but the agreement for settlement have not come yet." "While we are still waiting for the agreement of settlement, Shakiru Salami Baale of Bolorunpelu who was forcefully impose as Baale of the community by honourable Semiu Kemi Surakatu connived with some people to start selling the family lands saying that nobody can challenge his authority that whatever he says and do is final." On whether the land was initially shared among the family, but he said "Not at all. The land has not been shared. All we had in mind is to come to the land, and share per plot or half among ourselves and build to establish a larger community. What astonished the entire family was that, after our investigation, it was revealed to us that, the Baale, Shakiru Salami is deeply involved in this because we don't know Landwey, only ARM and some village association that the government made we're in court with us, so we never new anything about Landwey." In 2010 the court ordered that Bolorunpelu land should be shared amongst the four branches of Oju-ile family, but it appears that some persons who have allegedly connived with the Hon. Kemi Surakat are dancing to his tunes and beats of the music for self interest. However, a petition has been written to the IG against the chairman for threatening to kill Mr. Oluwadaisi Rasak Arasi (the family secretary) while the family appealed to the government to come to their aid over an alleged ploy to intimidate them from their legitimate family land.

Don't be an accidental side-chick - Joro Olumofin advises ladies

DON’T BE AN ACCIDENTAL SIDE-CHICK

This Journal Is Inspired By An Incident That Happened To A Female Friend Of Mine. She’s been happily dating a guy for 9 months and to her shock she ran into this guy, her “So Called Boyfriend” at a friends church with his wife and 3 sons all wearing matching colors attending a thanksgiving service. She’s been emotionally drained and most importantly asking herself ‘how did this happen to her?’ Because she didn’t know he was married. . Ladies don’t be a Sheep in a World full of Wolves. This being said, when you meet a guy who has taken an interest in you , don’t go into that relationship on “face validity” alone. Do a proper research on him, what a Psychologist would call “Construct Validity” I.e thorough search, bring out your inner FBI and CIA, don’t bother if you look like a stalker, you’re looking out for yourself. Google his name, check your mutual friends on Facebook, Instagram ,Twitter and any social media. . Ask these mutual friends about him, his past relationships, etc you’ll be surprised what you may find out. And for those who didn’t do any research on their man and are dating him already, here are some red flags to look out for to know if he’s married or has another Girlfriend. 1⃣ Any guy who continuously doesn’t answer his phone or reply messages past 9pm. 2⃣ Any guy who has the perfect excuse for you not meeting his friends or family members for a long period of time 3⃣ Any guy who never wants to go anywhere public like a mall, cinema, beach etc. always private bars or guest house 4⃣ Any guy who tries to replace time spending with you with gifts and money 5⃣ Any guy who doesn’t update pictures on whatsapp or any social media “too coded guys” ( you can’t know what they are up to 6⃣ Any guy who disappears on his Birthday or Valentine’s Day in the name of business trip. All these are red flags you should look out for. . Ladies, you don’t want to have an imaginary boyfriend or be with someone who has a family somewhere. The most important factor here is TIME. . You don’t want to lose years or months of your life in an imaginary relationship that won’t bare any fruits.

LANGBASA CROWNS KING - OBA HAFEEZ OLAKUNLE BADIRU (KAJEROJAIYE 1)

By ADEOLA AMOS All is set for the grand finale coronation of (HRM) Oba Hafeez Olakunle Badiru which started on Tuesday 7th of November 2017. Amidst excitements and sheer expectations the people of Langbasa Ajah, Eti-Osa and notable dignitaries from near and far graced the occasion. Cultural displays from various institutions, cultural troupes and traditional acrobatic dancers light up the grand opening of Tuesday's event. However, the Grand Coronation finale comes up on Saturday 11/11/2017 in colors as star musician K1 De-Ultimate will perform at the event. Notable personalities, traditional rulers, the good people of Lagos, Nigeria and diaspora will be present to seal the grandeur event. More stories await you as we gear up for the glamorous event.

Lagos Empowers Eleguishi to expand her kingdom

The legal tango over the rightful owner of the expansive inland waterways in Lekki area of Lagos state has shifted to the Supreme Court. This followed the appellate court ruling that both levels of government claimed victory. Not only that, the Federal Government and the Lagos state government tussles over the control of the multimillion waterway. Investors who possess valid licenses to expand and develop the waterways felt cheated also approach the court. One of such litigation was on 6th June, 2017 brought before Justice M.S Hassan of the Federal court, Ikoyi In suit FHC/L/CS/655/2017, where the honorable judge ordered that parties involved should maintain “Status quo pending the determination of the application”. The case was adjourned till 25th of September, 2017. The plaintiffs are two investors who had been licensed by National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA since 2003. Megba Toluwaleke Nig. Company and Lucky Megba Ojonla Nig. Ltd. had dragged NIWA, Lagos state government, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Eleguishi Property Investment, Attorney General of Lagos and Van Oord Dredging Contractors to court over theirs right to operate the waterways for specific number of years. In a move termed as “comptempt of court” construction has begun on the disputed land as Elegushi family members under the trade name of Czar Engineering limited designed and launched an Imperial International Business City on the disputed waterways. Those who attended the launching of the city wondered why corporate organizations partnering the Elegushi could not ascertain the legal status of the land before signing the agreement and not only that moved into the site. The project according to findings is a joint venture between Channeldrill Resources Limited and some self-acclaimed elders of Elegushi family members under the name of Czar Engineering Limited with a trade office at 22, Dr Omon Ebhomenye street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The project also attracts other organizations such as Maritime Projects, Royal HaskoningDHV UK (marine engineer & reclamation consultants), Mott Macdonald (infrastructure engineer consultant), Gensler (master town planner), Kedari capital (financiers) and none of them could interpret the many court cases against the waterways as a factor. The project, according to its promoters, was conceived after the Lagos State Government gave approval for the expansion of Ikate Kingdom by 200 hectares of land to Lekki Phase 1, through dredging of the lagoon. The Managing Director of Channeldrill Resources Limited, Mr. Femi Akioye, told our correspondent he is not aware of any litigation against the said project. Akioye who maintains that the transportation network of the city would promote efficiency within Lagos added that all approval to the project has been received and that the city will be delivered in 2022 as work has commenced in earnest. Investigations reveal that continuous work on the site is generating rumbles and tension is brewing because part of the said area is been reclaimed and exhibited as Periwinkle Estate. The developers have also appointed the service of marketers such as Assist2sell and many other agents to market parcels of reclaimed lagoon which is obviously under litigation.

The violence way at which the agents of the Lagos State government moved to hijack the waterways in 2008 lend credence to the fear of many Lagosians including investors who had sought the approval of NIWA to develop the waterways. Under Babatunde Raji Fashola, A lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, as governor of the state Lagos state officials suddenly went after inland waterways operators following the creation of Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, and the repeal of the law establishing the Federal Government body (National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA) charged with the responsibility of regulating waterways in the country. The Incorporated Associations of Dredgers and Water Transport Operators had gone to the Federal High Court to challenge the state government on the LASWA creation and the court ruled in favour of NIWA/NIMASA (Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Agency) and the operators. The court said then that operators should relate with NIWA since the 1999 Constitution places the control of the inland waterways on the exclusive list to be controlled by the Federal Government. After that judgement, Lagos State stopped interfering in the regulation and control of the waterways in the state until it approached the Appeal Court recently. The Appeal Court delivered judgment last July but the twist to the tussle is that the state government and NIWA are interpreting the ruling differently. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during a Town Hall meeting in Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah, warned boat operators and dredgers operating in the state to comply with the LASWA law or have their activities banned. Speaking at a joint media briefing by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem; the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Akinsanya; the Managing Director of LASWA, Ms Abisola Kamson, and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Ferry Services, Hon Paul Kalejaye, Kazeem, backed the position of Ambode when they declared readiness to aggressively enforce the relevant laws for the regulation of Lagos waterfront infrastructure development and all connected purposes. The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Muazu Sambo, counter Ambode’s position stressing that “when the case went to court, NIWA, NIMASA and other stakeholders filed their cases and they were slated for hearing on September 11, 2017 only for them to be informed that they should come for judgment on July 18. According to him, NIWA has gone to the Supreme Court based on the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to clarify the Appeal Court verdict. The agency’s General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Fadile, in a statement, said, “Lagos State House of Assembly, in line with the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on July 18, 2017, does not have the power to make laws in respect of the following International and inter-state waterways in Lagos: Intra-coastal route from Badagry, along the Badagry Creek to Lagos through Lagos Lagoon to Epe, Lekki Lagoon to Iwopin, along Omu Creek, Talifa Kivei to Atijere, Akata, Aboto, Oluwa River to Okitipupa and onto Gbekebo, Arogbo, Ofunama, Benin Creek to Warri. “The same also applies to the canal running from Araromi through Aiyetoro, Imelumo to Benin River and from Aiyetoro through Mahin Lagoon to Igbokoda. Item 5, 2nd Schedule, Section 10 of the National Inland Waterways Authority Act. Cap N.47, LFN 2004.” He quoted Justice Hussein Mukhtar, who read the Appeal Court judgement, as saying: “The required declaration for inland waterways under the exclusive legislative list is made under Section 10 of the National Inland Waterways Act, which includes rivers and intra-coastal waterways specified in the Second Schedule to the National Inland Waterways Act, which have been declared as Federal navigable waterways. “Section 11 thereof provides that all navigable waterways, inland waterways, river-ports and internal waters of Nigeria, excluding all direct approaches to the ports listed in the Third Schedule to this Act and all the other waters declared to be approaches to ports under or pursuant to the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, up to 250 metres beyond the upstream edge of the quay of such ports, shall be under the exclusive management, direction and control of the Authority. “Item 5 in the Second Schedule to the National Inland Waterways Act is the relevant provision for the navigable route that falls under the exclusive legislative list and it provides as highlighted above. Despite all these legal crises against the decision by the state government, the Lagos State Task Force provided security to Elegushi Royal Family to forceful evicts the residents of the riverine communities. The demolition which was carried out at the wake of dawn March 24th 2017 by Lagos State Joint Task Force at Ebute Itedo community and her neighboring village Otodogbame in Lekki, where thousands of Lagosians were rendered homeless.

HOLD OKOROCHA RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATHS IN EKE UKWU MARKET - PDP

August 28, 2017 1. We condemn the Forceful Demolition of the Popular Eke Ukwu Market and violent eviction of traders in Owerri by the Imo State Government using men of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies during which three (3) people including a 10 year old child were extra-judicially murdered and several other people were injured.

2. This violent eviction is all the more condemnable because it was carried out in violation of a pending Order granted by an Imo State High Court restraining the Imo State Government from demolishing the Market and Evicting the Traders. 3. This action, sadly, follows a pattern of the Use of the Apparatus of State Security to forcefully and violently carry out evictions of ordinary Nigerians from valuable property in blatant violation of Court Orders. Not very long ago, the Lagos State Government ordered the Forceful Eviction of indigent Nigerians from waterfront properties to enable it enter into joint venture agreements for the Construction of luxury apartments. Like the Owerri incident, this eviction led to the deaths of at least two (2) people and the Injury of several others, including women and children. 4. As much as we acknowledge the deals of Development and the Construction of critical infrastructure, these ideals must be pursued within the confines of respect for the Rule of Law as well as in a humane manner that preserves the dignity of indigent Nigerians while giving them viable and affordable alternatives regarding where to live, grow and trade. 5. Unfortunately, the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not recognise such valuable ideals and as such, continues to design, promote and pursue anti-people policies. 6. We call for the Immediate Investigation of these extra-judicial murders and for the Culprits to be brought to book. Only such an action will give justice to the Dead and discourage the Use of the Police and other security agencies as tools fo further oppression of ordinary Nigerians. 7. May God rest the dead. Signed: Prince Dayo Adeyeye National Publicity Secretary

Female Lawyer Cries Out After Husband Chased Her With Cutlass

Welcome to Felicia Amos Blog: Female Lawyer Cries Out After Husband Chased Her With Cutlass

Female Lawyer Cries Out After Husband Chased Her With Cutlass

Female Lawyer Cries Out After Husband Chased Her With Cutlass