RE-INTRODUCE HISTORY IN SCHOOL – NUJ

The chairman of the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Deji Eluoye has called  on the state government to champion reintroduction of history in primary and secondary school curricula.

He made this known at the maiden edition of the Herbert Marcualay Gold lecture held  recently, in lagos 

Elumoye explained, that history would offer an opportunity for the younger generation to prepare for a greater future and be equipped with information about their cultural, political and social heritage.

The chairman regretted that many Nigerian youths relied on information in the Internet and some other sources which might not be accurate about the nation.

According to him, they rely on such sources to form their opinions about the past, present and future of the country.

He appealed to the Lagos State Government to set the pace for other states.“It is unfortunate that, in the first instance, History was removed from the curriculum.“Lagos is a trail blazer, a pace setter; I believe it can champion this campaign.

Responding to this,  the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, Director, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), said that the nation sacrificed history due to politics.“If we do not know our history and learn from it, we cannot solve our problems,” he said.

Ogunleye extolled the virtues of late Herbert Macaulay who, he said, deployed skills to serve his country.

He described Macaulay as a first class nationalist, regretting that the younger generation did not know much about him.

Rotimi Ogidan

UN reaffirms commitment on economic recession

Governor Ambode receiving a gift from Edward Kallon

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, has reaffirmed his commitment and that of the United Nations  towards supporting the country’s efforts aimed at addressing current challenges in the North-East.

Kallon made this know during his one-week vjsit to lagos state,where he engaged lagos state government ,the private sector, the media and federal government parastals “I am also aware of the numerous challenges in the middle-belt and in the south of the country”,  He urge the government in implementing the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Addressing these challenges, he noted, “would require a strong partnership between the Federal and State Governments and the United Nations.” “We need each other’s support and a strong partnership. A Stable North-East is good for business, a prosperous Lagos, is fertile ground for more investment and a stronger Nigeria is good for Africa.”

Mr Kallon, who is also UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, disclosed that his visit to Lagos afforded him an opportunity to engage with the Governor of Lagos State, H. E. Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and reach out to the private sector in order to explore avenues for enhanced partnership in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in addressing or the crisis in the North-East.

Discussing with Governor Ambode, Mr Kallon observed that “the phenomenal past growth and future growth prospects of Lagos should accrue equitably to all segments of society and all geographic areas of the State.

He added that, there is need to ensure that the fruits of prosperity in the State are enjoyed by all. There is need to sustainably tame the ocean, pay attention to improving access to basic services while addressing poverty in all its dimensions without leaving anyone behind.” He emphasized, noting that the SDGs provided a framework which the State could use to address its development challenges.

“SDGs as a development framework is about national vision, national leadership and national ownership. We thus have a clear roadmap for the SDGs mainstreaming process. We should move with speed to begin its implementation bearing in mind that our comparative advantage does not lie in provision of financial resources but rather in technical expertise, cutting edge policy advisory support, institutional capacity building and convening power, bringing together all development actors around the table to discuss topical development issues.” He explained.

Responding, Governor Ambode reiterated the commitment of Lagos State Government to working with the United Nations. “We are willing and ready to learn from the UN experience and technical expertise.” He said.

Earlier on his mission, the Resident Coordinator paid a courtesy call on Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obansanjo at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta and also engaged with the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote on the humanitarian crisis in North-East Nigeria and the need to act fast within the next eighteen months.

ONE DIE AS BUILDING COLLAPSE

A three-story building under construction at Richard Abimbola Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, collapsed, yesterday, killing one and trapping over 20 construction workers.

When thickpeople arrived at the scene, rescue workers, comprising Police, Red Cross, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA; National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA; Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS; Fire Service, among others, were battling to rescue the trapped victims.

Thickpeople was informed that the first set of trapped victims were rescued from the debris by policemen from Isolo and Ilasa divisions, who arrived the scene before others, with the help of some residents. At about 4. 46p.m., 13 persons were rescued alive. Forty minutes later, one more worker was rescued alive, while another was rescued at about 6.10p.m. As rescue work was ongoing, one of those trapped under the debris was heard calling on rescue workers to come towards his side. His voice became faint with time. As at 7.30p.m., none could locate where he was.

Speaking on behalf of the foreigners, Sunday Peter, a professional photographer, who disclosed to Thickpeople that they came from Akuko community in Benin Republic, said: “I was in my office when my friend called to alert me that the building where my relatives were working had collapsed. “On my arrival, I discovered that only five out of the 15, who left home for the site, were so far rescued. We are hoping that others will be rescued alive from the rubble.

He further explained that “one of those still trapped is Philip. He is from my community in Benin Republic.”

Speaking to our reporter ,a resident of the community, Adetutu Ojumu, disclosed that the building was completed less than three months after its owner bought it from its former owner. She disclosed that after demolition, the owner erected the hotel building on the old foundation to fast-track construction work. Another resident, who identified himself as Olawale, blamed the state government officials over the collapse. He said: “We discovered that the building had tilted few weeks ago before it was roofed.
According to an official ,LASAM, Adesina Tiamiyu, said: “On getting here, we discovered that the building had collapsed while unknown number of labourers were working at different areas of the site. “Further investigation revealed that the building collapsed at around 2p.m. Some of those rescued are been treated by the agency’s medical team and LASAMBUS, while others have been rushed to the hospital.”

Also speaking on the incident, South-West spokesman for NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said excavation work was still ongoing at about 8p.m., adding that “so far 16 persons have been rescued alive, while one person was brought out dead.”

Some of the survivors were Sunday Gbose, 19; Chinonso Udeh, 37; Matthew Jimoh, 12; Monday Gadonu, 25; Benjamin Uchenna, 56; John Afolabi, 18; Dayo Fatau, 30; Ope Falolu and Agba Ogundele, 40.

BY -Rotimi Ogidan

MAY DAY CELEBRATION

We are proud to be Lagos state workers,… this seems to be the words from the workers. The celebration as ended but the memory still lingers, has the  governor  have assured the workers more juices package. The event which  took place at Agege stadium was well attended.

PROPHET TRICK AILING BIZWOMAN FOR 70MILIOIN

A pastor with a white garment church has been arrested by the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly collecting N70 million to treat a businesswoman of fibroid.

The arrest of the suspect, identified simply as Femi, followed a complaint lodged at the Unit by the victim’s husband, over allegation that the former intended to eliminate him and take over his property.

Thickpeople, learned that the businesswoman had been suffering from the ailment which defied medical treatment for 14 years, until she was introduced to Pastor Femi, who promised to cure her.

Explaining the circumstances that led to his arrest, Commissioner of Police in-charge of SFU, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said: “A notable Nigerian, who was living in peace with his family before the prophet came into their lives, had reported a case of swindling of his wife, consequent upon which we began investigation. “Facts of the matter is that wife of the prominent Nigerian was having medical challenges as she was suffering from fibroid.

He further explained ,that the woman met a female trader, who introduced her to Prophet Femi of a Celestial Church in Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos. “The prophet assured her that he would be able to handle the situation.”

Lamorde, who was represented by SP Ngozi Braide, said: “They charged the woman N98,000 fee, which she paid and Prophet Femi gave her some herbs, which stopped the bleeding for a while.” Alleged hypnotism He continued: “When the bleeding started again in 2014, she went back to the prophet, who brought in a new twist to the matter. “He hypnotised the woman and convinced her that her husband was responsible for her problems.

He added that Prophet Femi went further to convince the woman that her husband was also after her children’s lives, accusing him of being a cultist. “He went further to tell her that the bleeding was the source of her husband’s money.That the more it flowed the richer the man would get. “The woman was asked to bring money for sacrifices and rituals, which she paid into the prophet’s account.

The businesswoman also built a five bedroom duplex at Ojokoro area of Lagos and another in Ado-Ekiti for the prophet, upon his request. “The prophet also warned the woman to stop sleeping with her husband and instructed her and her children to bring 70 percent of the money her husband gave to them monthly to him. “For three years the prophet would come and sleep in the man’s house, without his knowledge.

Thickpeople gathered, that Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had collected a chieftaincy title in Ekiti with the money. “Also recovered were a Toyota Highlander 2014 Model and a Lexus GX 470 2014 model, which were bought for him by his victim.
The suspect did not deny all the allegations against him. “He proudly told us that he is a prophet and a native doctor. He told us that he helped the woman and uses brain to collect money from her, since the family is wealthy. “We have decided to bring this to the public domain to warn people about fraudsters, who hide under churches as prophets or pastors. We have saved this man (husband of victim) from death as that would have been the next plan.”

BY-ROTIMI OGIDAN