News Wings

Tag: Ikeja

  • NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound widow with cocaine in footwears at Lagos airport

    NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound widow with cocaine in footwears at Lagos airport

    …intercepts 5.6kg cocaine, meth heading to Australia, Cyprus at courier firms

    A 56-year-old widow and mother of four, Mrs. Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos over her attempt to traffic 400grams of cocaine concealed in her footwear to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    The suspect who claims to be a businesswoman trading in adults and children’s wears on Lagos Island was intercepted on Sunday 13th November while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight going to Saudi Arabia via Doha. Upon a critical examination of the pair of sandals she was wearing, two parcels of cocaine weighing 400grams were recovered from them.

    In the same vein, attempts by a tricycle parts seller, Ayoade Kehinde Tayo to send 1kg of Tramadol 225mg and Rohypnol to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo on an Egypt Airline flight same day were also frustrated by NDLEA operatives who arrested him. He was at the airport to hand over the drugs hidden inside a bag of food items to an intending passenger, Idowu Ayoade but was arrested before he succeeded in doing that.

    An intending passenger to Oman via Asky airline, Agbamuche Bright Nkeonye and a lady, Adeoye Oluwakemi Fatimo who accompanied him to present a bag containing varieties of foodstuffs and body lotion which were used to conceal 1.10kg Cannabis and some Rohypnol capsules were also arrested at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Thursday 18th November.

    Anti-narcotics officers attached to the SAHCO export shed of the airport equally foiled attempts by traffickers to smuggle consignments of cannabis and ecstasy tablets concealed in three tubers of yam going to Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 17th Nov. The freight agent who presented the yams for export, Inegbu Ugochi Akunna was promptly arrested while the consignor, Ahmodu Sulaimon was also nabbed thereafter.

    At the Brawal container shed of Kirikiri lighter terminal in Lagos, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted cartons of deadly drinks in a container marked APZU3671697 during a joint examination with Customs. Though the bill of lading indicated that the container originated from Cape town, South Africa, a search of the the shippers’ database showed it was loaded from Antwerp, Belgium. A full inspection of the container on Thursday 18th Nov showed a total of five cartons of beverages labeled as Euphoria cannabis beer and three cartons of cannabis energy drink were found. Other drinks in the container include: 21 cartons of a drink labeled as monkey shoulder; 20 cartons of dead man’s finger; and 139 of champagne fruit, among others.

    In a related development, not less than 5.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine and tramadol were discovered in items like play station, bicycles, motor propeller and local fabrics packaged for export to Australia and Cyprus through some courier firms in Lagos. Two suspects, Gabriel Emeka and Vintura Grillo have been arrested in a follow up operation linked to one of the seizures.

    In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on stop and search operation along Mokwa-Jebba road on Saturday 12th Nov. arrested two suspects; Ismail Musa and Jidda Abbas with 10,780 bottles of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance concealed inside two Toyota Camry saloon cars marked AGL 861 GS Lagos and KMK 118 SC Bayelsa. The consignment loaded in Ibadan, Oyo state, was going to Abuja for distribution.

    While operatives intercepted 25,000 capsules of Tramadol in Plateau and arrested the owner, Ifeanyi Nweanwe, a beer parlour operator in a follow up operation in Bauchi, pharmaceutical opioids worth more than N30million were intercepted in a commercial bus in Asaba, Delta state on Thursday 18th Nov.

    In Ondo state, operatives stormed the Ijare forest, in Ifedore LGA on Friday 19th Nov where a total of 600.5kgs of cannabis weed and seeds were recovered, while 142.8kgs of the same substance were seized when NDLEA officers raided zone 3 motor park in Wuse area of Abuja. In the same vein, operatives on routine stop and search patrol along Owerri-Onitsha road arrested a suspect Nwankwo Emmanuel, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 12.5kgs in a commercial bus going to Port Harcourt from Lagos.

    In his reaction to the arrests and seizures in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Tincan, Delta, FCT, Niger, Ondo, and Plateau Commands as well as those of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, for their passion, commitment and remarkable efforts to get results in their areas of responsibility. He enjoined them and their compatriots across the country to stay focused and resilient in the pursuit of the Agency’s corporate goal.

  • 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction: NCC Announces Publication of Final Information Memorandum

    3.5GHz Spectrum Auction: NCC Announces Publication of Final Information Memorandum

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the adoption and publication of the final version of the Information Memorandum (IM) to guide the upcoming auction of the remaining lots of the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) Spectrum for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) services in Nigeria.

    Earlier, the Commission had published a daft IM and requested stakeholders to make comments and inputs into the document to enrich its contents.

    Subsequently, stakeholders’ comments were collated and discussed at a Stakeholder’s Engagement forum hosted by the Commission on November 15, 2022 at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on the same subject.

    All comments have been considered and a final Information Memorandum to guide the upcoming auction is now available on the Commission’s website (www.ncc.gov.ng) with the link: https://www.ncc.gov.ng/media-centre/public-notices/1297-public-notice-final-im-3-5ghz-spectrum-band-2022.

    The Commission requests all stakeholders to check public notices in the dailies and visit the website to study and review the final IM.

  • Netflix Announces 52 Beneficiaries of Its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund in West And Central Africa

    Netflix Announces 52 Beneficiaries of Its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund in West And Central Africa

    …Next generation of storytellers celebrated at a 2-day NFVCB event held in Nigeria

    Today, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, Netflix announced 52  beneficiaries of its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF), for the West and Central African region. The announcement occurred at a stakeholder event, hosted by the National Film and Video Censor Board (NFVCB).

    The 2-day event which took place at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja in Lagos engaged policy, regulators and partners on important discussions including; Nigerian storytelling as soft power and hard currency;  inclusion of women in the creative economy; the need for strengthening Nigeria’s creative pipeline, and Nollywood’s contribution to global perception.

    Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) will provide financial support to its beneficiaries including access to quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines. The scholarship fund for Sub-Saharan students is part of Netflix’s global Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 which is a dedicated effort to help build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment. Through the fund, Netflix supports external organisations committed to creating equitable opportunities in the TV and film industries, as well as bespoke Netflix programs that help us to identify, train and provide job placement for up-and-coming talent globally.

    The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund celebrated the inaugural cohort of 52 beneficiaries from four East African countries Benin Republic, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria.

    Meet the 52 Beneficiaries:

    3 beneficiaries from PAN-Atlantic University (Nigeria),

    Alex Eyengho, Donatus Ekwuazi and Nicole Emechebe.

    24 beneficiaries from the National Film Institute Jos (Nigeria)

    Nanmet Dakup, Grace Lasisi, Nkemakonam Onejeme, Timchang Miri, George-isaac Dadzie, Joseph Ogbe, Anothony Nnaji, Aduragbemi Ogundiran, Oluyomi Taiwo, Evelyn Inyang, Emeka Ikpechukwu, Collins Okorocha, McRoberts Metseyinor, Fatgan Agati, Aisa Zerubabel, Blessing Izang, Stephen Okoh, Nifuk Mafuyai, Lois Bewarang, Samson Alaba, Ezichi Okeke, Rukayat  Zubair, Mary Orjiakor and Divine-gift Ibewuike.

    8 beneficiaries-National Film and Television Institute (Ghana)

    Samuel Laryea, Seth Aydin, Linda Amemordzi, Gilbert Carrey, Kakra Opare-Asiedu, Lydia Flika, Payin Opare-Asiedu, Magdaline Masopeh.

    15 beneficiaries from Institut Supérieur des Métiers de l’Audiovisuel (ISMA) (Benin)

    Sekinatou Bio, Belvina Djossou, Kate Djiwan, Mirabellel Tossa, Melvina Afanou

    Lazarine Damando,  Imelda Batamoussi, Zigan Jean-Pierre Medegoun, Elfrid Benon, Franck Anikakpo, Irésan Bassaley, Milka Degan, Chrétia Vodounon, Nouriyath  Moussibayi and Claudia -Manuela Tanoh.

    2 beneficiaries – Institut Philippe Maury de l’Audiovisuel et du Cinéma (IPMAC) du groupe EM-Gabon Université (EMGU)

    Thephor Koumou-Mba and Adriana Ndemby.

    All the beneficiaries are eligible to receive a  full scholarship which includes – tuition, accommodation, living stipend and education supplies.

    The program is currently being administered by Dalberg in partnership with the five institutions of higher learning in the region that will support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from the region.

  • NCC Convenes Stakeholder Forum on December 5G Auction

    NCC Convenes Stakeholder Forum on December 5G Auction

    The proposed auction of two lots in the 3.5GHz Spectrum for the deployment of 5G services, set to take place in December 2022, is gathering steam and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded arraignments to host an engagement session with stakeholders to discuss and provide more insight into the Draft Information Memorandum that will guide the process.

    The Commission had earlier announced the plan to license additional lots in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band for the deployment of 5G (fifth generation) Global System of Mobile communication).

    The interactive session with the stakeholders will take place at the Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, by 9.00am prompt on the 15th of November 2022.

    The engagement session will feature comments and submissions made by the different stakeholders on the Draft Information Memorandum. The outcome of the submission will be taken into consideration by the Commission in publishing the Information Memorandum for the auction.

    The process for the auction of the proposed lots of frequencies for 5G services, commenced on 21 October 2022 with the publication of the Draft Information Memorandum on the Commission’s website. 

    Stakeholders have been advised, in an earlier statement and subsequent advertisements, by the Commission to study the Information Memorandum and make their comments and questions available to the Commission.

  • 75-year-old Grandpa, 21 others arrested over tons of illicit drugs seized in 7 states

    75-year-old Grandpa, 21 others arrested over tons of illicit drugs seized in 7 states

    …NDLEA intercepts 1,001,387 bottles/caps of Akuskura, opioids; destroys over 10 hectares of cannabis farms in Edo, Adamawa

    A 75-year-old grandpa, Usman Bokina Bajama (alias Clemen) tops the list of 22 suspects arrested in operations across seven states by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during which One Million One Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty Seven (1,001,387) bottles/capsules of banned new psychoactive substance, Akuskura and tramadol as well as 2,536 kilograms of cannabis were seized and over 10 hectares of its farms destroyed in Edo and Adamawa.


    The septuagenarian was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday 20th September at Anguwan Sate, Mararraban Tola, Mayo Belwa council area of Adamawa where he had a cannabis plantation from where 49kg of the illicit substance was recovered.


    In Kwara, at least 19,878 bottles of the banned new psychoactive substance, Akuskura were intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Ilorin-Jebba highway on Wednesday 21st September and two suspects: Oladokun Oluwaseun, 49, and Ibrahim Jimoh,27, arrested. They claimed the consignment packed in 35 jumbo sacks was loaded in Ibadan, Oyo state, and meant for distribution in Jos, Plateau state.

    Earlier, two suspects: Ukoro Ifeanyi, 46, and Idowu Toyosi, 20, were arrested with 2,290 capsules of tramadol and 100 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Maraba park, Ilorin. The drugs were brought in from Onitsha, Anambra state.


    In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with
    2,146 kilograms of cannabis at Sangotedo area of Ajah and three suspects: Abdulazeez Rasheed; Afeez Raheem and Moshood Suleiman arrested. At least, 979,119 capsules of expired pregabalin weighing 733kg were recovered from Musbahu Ya’u, 28, and five others at Dansarai area of Kano, while in Enugu, 197.8kg cannabis was recovered in a store at new market, Enugu on Tuesday 20th September.

    In the same vein, 117.7kg of the psychoactive substance was intercepted along Okene-Abuja expressway in a truck coming from Lagos to Abuja.


    In Edo state, six cannabis farmers were arrested when NDLEA operatives stormed their farms at Chigbite, Utese forest, Ovia North East LGA and Ekudo forest, Uhunmonde LGA, where over 10 hectares of cannabis plantation were destroyed and more than 193kg of the processed illicit substance seized. Those arrested include: David Hanson; Ufuoma Progress; Marvelous Armstrong; Marvelous Efe; Joshua Abubakar and Elijah Abubakar.


    Meanwhile, anti-narcotic officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have arrested two freight agents over attempts to smuggle 26.20kg cannabis concealed in cereal packs through the SAHCO shed for export to Dubai, UAE. The consignment was abandoned at the shed before the airport security transferred it to NDLEA.


    Further investigation by the Agency led to the arrest of Olatunbosun Damilola Abimbola, 34, who works at Ashadox Logistics Services, a cargo company on Friday 23rd Sept. He confessed to the crime but stated that he acted on the instructions of his Managing Director, Oloyede Shakiru Abiola, who was promptly arrested. The 40-year-old indigene of Ibadan West Local Government Area of Oyo State stated that due to the strict security measures put in place by the NDLEA, he was forced to abandon the cargo to avoid being detected.


    Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of Adamawa, Kwara, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Kogi, Edo and MMIA Commands for their resilience, while charging them and others across the country to remain vigilant and committed to the collective goal of saving Nigeria from the drug scourge.

  • Back from Ethiopian prison, ex-convict arrested with cocaine at airport

    Back from Ethiopian prison, ex-convict arrested with cocaine at airport


    … as NDLEA intercepts 26,600 bottles of Akuskura in Kano, arrests producer; seizes 18 pump action guns, 2,300 cartridges in Kogi

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested an ex-convict, Onyeka Charles Madukolu at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos for importing 5.90 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cans of deodorants and ladies’ lip gloss into Nigeria.


    Onyeka who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in Ethiopia for drug trafficking offences and released from prison in 2020, was again arrested on Friday 16th September 2022 at the Lagos airport on his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.


    A search of his luggage revealed he had concealed 5.90kg cocaine inside cans of deodorants and female lip gloss. During preliminary interview, he claimed to have gone into the drug business to raise fresh capital to start a legitimate business after his release from Ethiopian prison in 2020.


    The father of two kids, one each from a Nigerian woman and a Brazilian lady, said he was into motor spare parts business before going into the criminal trade. The 44-year-old indigene of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State said he was expecting to be paid N2million on successful delivery of the illicit drug in Nigeria.


    In the same vein, NDLEA operatives had on Tuesday 13th Sept. intercepted another trafficker, Chukwu Kingsley on his way to Rome, Italy on an Asky Airline flight. A search of his luggage shows he had concealed among food condiments 11,460 tablets of tramadol 225mg with a gross weight of 5.7kg and 39 bottles of codeine syrup. The 49-year-old suspect is a known haulage agent who hails from Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State.


    Also at the Lagos airport, a freight agent, Lawal Adeyemi was arrested same day for attempting to export some sachets of lexotan among other non-controlled drugs to Liberia, while operatives equally seized 593.90 kilograms of khat leaf at the NAHCO import shed of the airport on Thursday 15th Sept. after a joint examination of the cargo by a combined team of security agencies.


    Meanwhile, a notable producer of new psychoactive substance, popularly called Akuskura, Qasim Ademola has been arrested by anti-narcotic officers who intercepted 26, 600 bottles of the illicit substance meant for distribution across Northern states. The consignment was seized on Thursday 15th Sept. along Zaria-Kano road, Gadar Tamburawa, Kano while the 39-year-old proprietor from Akinyele LGA, Oyo state and three of his distributors were arrested in follow up operations.


    In Kogi state, operatives on patrol along Okene-Abuja expressway on Saturday 17th Sept. intercepted a J5 vehicle coming from Onitsha enroute Kaduna-Zaria with 18 pieces of pump action rifles and 1,300 cartridges, while the two suspects conveying the arms and ammunition, Chukwudi Aronu, 51, and Shuaibu Gambo, 23, were arrested. Another suspect, Anthony Agada, 37, conveying 1,000 cartridges, was equally nabbed in a bus coming from Onitsha to Abuja same day, while 1,404 bottles of codeine syrup and 2,040 ampoules of pentazocine injection were seized from another vehicle coming from Onitsha enroute Sokoto, with the receiver, Stanley Raymond, 39, and the sender, Shadrack Ifediora, 46, arrested in follow up operations in Sokoto and Anambra respectively.


    In Kaduna, a drug dealer, Mohammed Mustapha Dalhatu a.k.a Dawa, was arrested at Sabon Gari Zaria with eight bags of cannabis sativa weighing 67kg, and another, Maikudi Hassan, arrested at Gubuci village of Ikara LGA with five bags of cannabis weighing 54.2kg. On Thursday 15th Sept, operatives also arrested Mary Ugwu and Hawwa Idi, at Anchau town, Kubau LGA with 721 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 37,000 tablets of exol-5 and nine ampoules of diazepam injection as well as 6.8kg of rubber solution.


    In Edo, operatives recovered 285kg cannabis in two raids at Okpuje, Owan West LGA, on Friday 16th Sept, while in Lagos, 972.5kg of the same substance was recovered from an electronic shop at Alaba Int’l market and one of the suspects, Mrs. Ebere Aja, 38, arrested. No less than 335.1kg of cannabis was also seized in a raid at Kwanar Kundum area of Bauchi town, with two suspects: Usman Garba and Najib Ibrahim, arrested.


    While directing the Kogi state command to immediately hand over the arms and ammunition seized to the police for further investigation, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the command as well as their counterparts in MMIA, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Lagos, and Bauchi, for their vigilance and resilience. He charged them and others across the country to remain focussed as they daily discharge their responsibilities.

  • Ever Obi Excites Readers in Lagos With the First Reading of His New Book

    Ever Obi Excites Readers in Lagos With the First Reading of His New Book

    …as Naomi Mac performs live the official song of the book

    The much-anticipated author reading of Ever Obi’s new book, ‘Some Angels Don’t See God’ in Lagos was finally held on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at Page Bookstore, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, to the delight of readers and friends of the writer.

    The event, which was organized by the book’s publisher, Parresia Publishers Limited, had over 100 guests in attendance. Many who have read the book since it became available on the shelves of local and international bookstores and online platforms had the opportunity to question the author about the plot, theme, and characters in the book.

    The excitement of the audience heightened when Nigerian singer, and songwriter, Naomi Mac, took the stage to perform live the official song of the book.

    When asked what inspired the project, Obi told the audience how he met Naomi Mac and what inspired the writing of the song.

    “Sometime last year, I listened to a song by Tkinzy, titled ‘The Stranger of Braamfontein’. Around the same time, Onyeka Nwelue had just published his award-winning crime fiction, ‘The Strangers of Braamfontein’. I later learned that the book had inspired the song and the song was co-written by Onyeka Nwelue. And then I saw with Chibundo Onuzo did with ‘Good Soil’, the theme song for her latest novel, ‘Sankofa’. So, I thought about it. I wanted to do something like this for my new book.

    “Chibundo wrote the song and she also sang it. I can’t sing, I am a writer. I started thinking of who I was going to bring on this project.

    “My friend, Ifeanyi Opara, who is a filmmaker and a big fan of Naomi Mac during season 3 of music reality show The Voice Nigeria, thought she was a beautiful singer who would be a good fit for the song. So, I told Ifeanyi that I needed to get across to Naomi. He reached out to the manager, Frank Paladini, and after a few delays and considerations, they decided to get on the project”.

    Commenting on the process of working on the project, Obi said he “wanted to capture the most important themes of the book in the song”.

    According to him, he focused on the theme of imperfection, which he considered the major one. “I wrote the song without any sound or melody in my head. When I gave it to Naomi, she tweaked a few things and turned my words into a beautiful song”, he said.

    He added that Naomi Mac was very easy to work with because “she is such an amazing human”. “And I liked the fact that she made the song her own. We were in the studio together, during production, and when the product came out, I heard goose bumps, while listening to it. I could not believe those were my words that she had turned into a powerful song, with strong vocals. I appreciated that. It was then I knew that I made the right decision to work with Naomi Mac”.

    The writer disclosed that “since the book came out, it has been enjoying tremendous success. Within two months, the book sold out and my publishers had to go back to press. It gives me joy to know that we have as many copies as possible in the hands of as many people as possible. And the one thing that people have said is that there is something for everyone. People read the book and it evokes memories from their past. People connect to the characters of the book. That is the one thing I wanted to achieve with the song. I want people to listen to the lyrics and see themselves as characters. And I am glad that I have Naomi Mac’s voice taking people through that journey. There are too many people who, for some reasons, don’t read as much, or read things that aren’t creative books. I see this as an opportunity to bring them in, to be part of this story. People can either read the book or listen to the song and connect to whatever they want to connect to.”

    He expressed his gratitude to Frank Paladini, Ifeanyi Opara and Naomi Mac, for being part of the project and also appreciated his publishers and readers for the show of love and support since the launch of his first book.

    Giving the closing remark, the moderator of the reading, Ijeoma Ucheibe, encouraged everyone who had not yet purchased and/or read the book to do so and to share their thoughts with the author via his social media handle @obi_ever. She also thanked everyone that attended or contributed to the success of the author reading in Lagos. “We all need to be social change agents in our communities; always kick against any form of abuse and seek mental health care when we need it”, Ucheibe concluded.

  • GTCO Autism Conference Holds on August 29th and 30th at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos

    GTCO Autism Conference Holds on August 29th and 30th at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos

    The 12th edition of the annual GTCO Autism Conference themed “Creating a Community of Awe-Tism Advocates” will hold on Monday and Tuesday, August 29th and 30th, 2022, at MUSON Center, Onikan, Lagos. 

    The annual Autism Conference is a pivotal component of GTCO’s Orange Ribbon initiative and serves as a key advocacy platform for people living with autism and other developmental disorders. In recent years, the GTCO Autism Conference has gained wider acclaim for bringing together some of the world’s leading experts in Autism, especially with the successful coordination of a fully virtual autism conference in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. For this year, the GTCO Autism Conference will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions by experienced specialists from renowned institutions in Nigeria and abroad in a hybrid setup to allow for both in-person and virtual participation. Some of the partnering organisations include Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Autism Compassion Africa, Ghana, The Color of Autism Foundation, USA, Meharry Medical College, USA, and Behaviorprise Consulting Inc., Canada.  

    One-on-one consultations and Q&A sessions during the conference will provide opportunities for parents and other stakeholders to further engage on best practices for proper diagnosis and treatment of persons on the autism spectrum with the experts. As a special feature and to ensure more persons with developmental disorders can benefit from professional help, provision has been made to offer specialist care to autistic children in the areas of speech and behaviour therapy, child psychology and psychiatry, as well as occupational development for adults living with autism via in-person consultations at the Chapel of Light, Alausa, Ikeja, starting from Tuesday, August 23rd to Saturday, August 27th between the hours of 10am and 5pm. 

    Commenting on the 2022 Autism Conference, Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc said, “While much has been done over the years to increase the social consciousness around Autism and to improve the available support systems for managing developmental disorders, we strongly believe that we can do more individually and collectively to create and uphold a culture of inclusion towards people with ASD to enable them reach their full potential.” 

    Mr Agbaje further stated; “The Orange Ribbon initiative was created to support children and adults with developmental disabilities with a focus on those with autism spectrum disorders. Now in its 2nd decade, the annual Autism Conference has over the years created a community of people with a shared commitment to create better outcomes for those who find themselves in the margins of society simply because they are different from the rest.” 

    Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is a leading financial services company providing banking and non-banking services across eleven countries spanning West Africa, East Africa, and the United Kingdom. The Group operates a diversified, proudly African franchise and is renowned for its innovative approach to customer service and stakeholder engagement which has endeared the brand to millions of people across Africa and beyond.  

  • Emotion, tears flow as LAWMA’s Public Affairs Director buries husband

    Emotion, tears flow as LAWMA’s Public Affairs Director buries husband

    The remains of Mr. Oluwashola Kadiri, late husband of the Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Folashade Kadiri, were laid to rest on Friday, 12th of August, 2022 at the Private Vaults, Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos.
    Mr. Kadiri, popularly called ‘Solar,’ an accomplished businessman, died on 28 July, 2022, after a brief illness.

    The funeral service held at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, commenced with the processional hymn, ‘Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun, Alleluia!’

    In his message, Vicar of Christ Anglican Church, Oworoshoki, Revd. Canon Garba Ibrahim Rika who presided at the service reminded the congregation about the inevitability of death for every human being, adding that individuals should endeavour to make positive impact on people and leave the society better than they met it.

    He stated that Mr. Oluwashola Kadiri touched many lives meaningfully and should be emulated by all and sundry.
    He, however, charged the congregation not to be found wanting in rendering assistance to the less privileged and downtrodden in society.

    In a tribute, the wife of the deceased, Folashade, described him as a great family man, personal friend and confidant, a workaholic and good-natured fellow, who lived a rancor-free life and held no grudge against anyone.

    In her words:  “Dearly beloved, as you take those glorious steps, down the long lonely road, towards the waiting hands of our Lord, please remember to look back at intervals, to your loved ones you left behind, and assume your new role of a guardian angel; watching over and praying for us without ceasing.

    “I must also inform you ‘Solar’, that it is not all tears upon your early transition. We got consoled by numerous testimonies of friends, acquaintances and others, all affirming your eventful life that permanently impacted humanity.”

    According to her, “I am deeply filled with immense gratitude to God Almighty, who made it possible for Oluwashola to have lived a life worthy of emulation. It has been a long journey of over 25 years together with him and I find it difficult to say good-bye here on earth.

    “I am, however, consoled that my beloved husband has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord and has fulfilled the desire of every Christian which is to one day leave this sinful earth and meet our maker in heaven just like Oluwashola has done.
    “I am also comforted in my hope and prayers that Oluwashola and I would one day meet again to part no more, at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”

    The children of the deceased, Olasunkanmi and Olamide, also extolled the virtues of their father.

    According to them, “we thank God for your life, as I remembered days we argued about football, world politics or random days I just chose to challenge you on a random topic because it was one of the best ways to get great insights from you. We even shared mutual interest in our love for cars and art.”

    According to Olamide, “I can’t bring myself to write this because a part of me is still waiting for you to come home and say “Olamide Kadiri” while rubbing my head. I never could have asked for a better father, you showed me I could achieve anything in life if I could only put my mind to it. You worked hard and played even harder, never failing to be there for your family and friends.”

    Scores of LAWMA staff led by the management team to the service, which commenced at 10am., joined the wife of the deceased, her children,  family, friends and well wishers to pay their last respect to the departed business tycoon.

    In the tribute, e-Signed by the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni described Mrs. Kadiri as a woman with the rare ability to combine traumatic personal pressure, with demanding official responsibilities, without portraying negative emotions.
    According to him, “She is the kind of woman I would describe as the real amazon, having the uncanny ability to cope with tense personal situations, yet found not wanting at work.

    “The management and staff of LAWMA stand firm with you at this profoundly challenging period even as we unanimously pray that God will comfort you, your children and the extended family of your husband.”

    The two days programme commenced on Thursday, 11th of August, 2022 with the wake-keep which was held at the Beehive School Hall, Alausa CBD, Ikeja and it enabled family, friends, associates, partners, well-wishers and mates from his Alma Mata pay their tribute.

    The wake-keep and interment were attended by notable dignitaries, including present and past Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Managing Directors, Directors in the Public Service, business tycoons, among others.

  • IFMA Nigeria Chapter partners Alpha Mead Facilities, Provast Others to Employ Graduates of Government Technical Colleges in Lagos.

    IFMA Nigeria Chapter partners Alpha Mead Facilities, Provast Others to Employ Graduates of Government Technical Colleges in Lagos.

    The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter has taken her strategic collaboration to another height through the creation of employment opportunities for forty (40) graduating students of various Government Technical Colleges in Lagos State in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board. The event titled “Graduating to Employment: The Opportunity to Excel” took place at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos today.

    Four Corporate Members of the association, namely: Alpha Mead Facilities Limited, Provast, Meditrack and Specific tools & Techniques Limited, have employed all these students. All the graduating students had an engagement session with all the stakeholders to ensure that the event was a success.

    In his opening remarks, the President of the International Facility Management Association Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Segun Adebayo noted that he is delighted that the maiden edition of the Engagement session with graduating students of the various technical colleges in Lagos has become a reality.

    According to him, “When we conceived the idea of supporting students of the technical schools, we know it is the way of supporting the future of the built industry as artisans and technicians are very crucial to making business sustainable. During the 25th Anniversary of the association, we started the Mentorship programme for the technical students. We equipped the students with toolboxes, safety jackets, and safety helmets as their discipline of learning fall within the facility management industry. The students were promised employment upon completion of their education and this has come into fulfillment.”

    While appreciating IFMA, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Ms. Moronke Azeez appreciated IFMA Nigeria Chapter for taking the work being done by the technical colleges to the next level by getting their graduates gainful employment.

    She said, “We are applauding the initiative of IFMA Nigeria Chapter, which has changed the fate of our graduating students as they are getting employed immediately after completing their programme. We urge all our graduating students to be great ambassadors of LASTVEB in their respective places of work.”

    While appreciating IFMA Nigeria LASTVEB and the organizations that allowed them to begin their respective careers, one of the graduating students, Mr. Joshua Koleola noted that his decision to attend the technical college has paid off with the employment opportunity that is given to him upon completion of examinations. He knows that they would gain the requisite experience that will make them successful in life.

    Those who made up the erudite faculty include ESV. Donald George, Managing Director, Synced Integrated Services Limited; ESV Stephen Jagun, Managing Director, Jagun Associates and 1st Fellow of International Facility Management Association in Africa that delivered papers on Leadership and Productivity in the Workplace and The Importance of Ethics and Moral Behaviour in Career Development.

    IFMA Nigeria has continued to be a forward-looking Association committed to providing impactful leadership in the Facility Management space through sustainable initiatives and value-driven collaboration.

  • NCC Restates Commitment to Fund Research as VCs attend Roundtable

    NCC Restates Commitment to Fund Research as VCs attend Roundtable

    Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has restated the commitment of the Commission to commit more funds to research and prototypes resulting from grants from the Commission to the academia.

    This is coming at the backdrop of the recent revelation that the Commission has committed more than N500 million in funding research across the Nigerian universities.

    Akande told a gathering of vice-chancellors and professors from universities in the southern parts of the country at a roundtable conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, that the Commission acknowledges the importance of working with stakeholders to engender innovations and build indigenous technological capabilities that would strengthen the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ecosystem.

    “We want to use this opportunity to assure you that the Commission will continue to give support to the educational sector in the interest of national development. We will also continue to encourage research and innovation in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions,” Akande said, explaining that the essence of the roundtable was to dialogue with the academia, industry and other stakeholders on how research efforts and prototypes can be transformed into commercially-viable products that solve real-life problems.

    “Consequently, the Commission will continue to allocate the requisite resources to research, development and innovations necessary for the industry to continue to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country,” Akande said.

    Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, represented by the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of the Commission, Ms Josephine Amuwa, said academia is a key driver of innovation in all spheres of human endeavour.

    He said this is why his leadership at the Commission is determined to not only give grants to the academia but also support the commercialisation of the prototypes developed to deepen the indigenous technological capabilities which would support the overall development of the industry.

    NCC Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska, who was represented by Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the Commission, Bako Wakil, revealed that the Commission had, so far, awarded a total of 49 telecom-based research grants to the academia out of which 10 prototypes have been successfully developed.

    “We are hopeful that these sessions will culminate in the development of a common framework that would facilitate the commercialisation of the existing prototypes and future research outcomes (prototypes) for the benefit of the economy and the industry,” he stated.

    Coming shortly after a similar roundtable in Kano for the northern region, the event organised by the research prototypes and Development R&D Department of the Commission, was aimed at bringing together Resources persons, business savvy industry experts, the academia, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), entrepreneurs and renowned individuals who have successfully commercialised their inventions to brainstorm on the way forward for research output commercialisation.

  • All Nigerian Govt Airports have Approach and Landing aids -NAMA

    All Nigerian Govt Airports have Approach and Landing aids -NAMA

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has affirmed that all Federal and State Government owned airports in the country have approach and landing navigational aids, as well as Satellite Based Performance Based Navigation procedures that can enable aircraft to operate at any time of the day in these airports. The Ag. Managing Director of NAMA, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok made this revelation in Lagos at the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), which held at the Sheraton Hotels and Suites, Ikeja.

    Mr. Pwajok, one of the panel discussants, noted that the idea of tagging some airports in the country as “sunrise” or “sunset airports” was misplaced, “given that almost all airports in Nigeria have instrument landing facilities for approach and landing, meaning they are operating based on Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and not based on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) where they pilots are required to visually approach and land within Sunrise to Sunset time.”  According to Pwajok, “apart from one or two private aerodromes, all federal and state government-owned airports managed by NAMA are equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS), except where they are temporarily unserviceable or the Runway and Approach lights are unserviceable, but nevertheless you cannot refer to them as sunrise or sunset airports.”

    Speaking further, the NAMA boss noted that the agency had invested heavily on navigational facilities more than any other facilities, adding that, “apart from Owerri and Calabar where the agency is working to install Category II Instrument Landing systems (CAT II ILS), and Jalingo that has no instrument landing system for now, basically all airports in Nigeria have a minimum of CAT II ILS, most of which were installed brand new, so there is nothing like obsolete navigational facilities.”

    Pwajok said in a bid to tackle visibility issues in some airports during adverse weather, the agency commenced the implementation of Category III ILS in Abuja and Lagos airports while those of Katsina, Kano and Port Harcourt were being installed and would be ready before the end of 2022. He noted that despite the high cost of diesel, the agency had always granted extended services to airlines who made such requests and will continue to do so. He also assured airlines that search and rescue services are also provided by NAMA during the hours of extension as the agency collaborates with sister agencies, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other critical stakeholders, saying that as long as an airport remained open, search and rescue will be available for the period of operation.

    On how the agency was managing the single runway operation in Lagos as a result of ongoing repairs at runway 18 Left, Pwajok said the agency developed contingency procedures for a single runway operation as against the two runways, and that the installation of lighting at the runway would complement the CAT II ILS installed there in order to bring about 24 hours operation and also serve as backup for the international runway (18 Right). “It is very important that we address this issue of domestic runway 18 Left which has been in the dark for 20 years. It is a difficult thing for the airlines, pilots and air traffic controllers, but we are coping with it, knowing that that is the only way we can increase operating capacity of the airport when we have two functional runways,”Pwajok said.  

    The NAMA MD also informed the gathering that NAMA is a 100% self-funded government agency providing air navigation services at federal, state and private airports in Nigeria at increasing cost and is also required to remit 25% of her gross revenue to the federation account, stating that it is uneconomical for the agency to operate beyond 12 hours daily at a domestic airport just for a single flight. He, therefore, assured airline operators that NAMA has and would always grant an extension of operational hours when the need arises. He however assured that the agency in collaboration with sister agencies, will be willing to extend the operational hours of busy airports like Enugu and Benin.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of LAAC, Olusegun Koiki decried the high cost of aviation fuel and foreign exchange which he said had precipitated the vulnerability of airlines in Nigeria. This year’s LAAC conference with the theme: Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications attracted industry bigwigs, investors, airlines, and stakeholders who all brainstormed on the way forward for the aviation sector.

  • Broadband is coming to the underserved, NCC Assures

    Broadband is coming to the underserved, NCC Assures

    Nigeria’s grassroots communities and the underserved population of the country will not be left out of the national broadband plan when the implementation comes to fruition.

    Speaking in Lagos at a session that discussed the critical issue of financial inclusion expected to be facilitated by a robust infrastructure deployment for broadband availability, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said the Commission is mindful of the infrastructure gaps in the country and therefore, committed to driving the national digital economy to the grassroots.

    “As a Commission, we have the mandate to ensure availability of universal access to telecom services irrespective of circumstances and location of Nigerians and other users in Nigeria,” said Bruce-Bennet, who also informed the audience that voice communications enjoy over 100 percent penetration.

    The EVC of NCC who spoke through Freda Bruce-Bennet of the Digital Economy Department reiterated the Commission’s focus in supporting the quest for financial inclusion through provision of robust infrastructure such as broadband.

    At the event hosted by Oriental News Nigeria, an online news organisation, at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, which focused on: “Engaging with Critical Grassroots Groups to Develop Effective Financial Inclusion Initiatives”, Bruce-Bennet, said the Commission has been at the forefront of driving technology platforms required to drive increased access to financial services by all and sundry.

    She cited the current implementation of an open-access model (Infraco licensing) for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the six geopolitical zones, as well as Lagos (which enjoys a special status within telecom ecosystem), as one of the strategies adopted by the Commission to ensure a robust infrastructure deployment that will support many platforms that can accelerate financial inclusion.

    Bruce-Bennet said that the Commission had facilitated strategic partnerships with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Rockefeller Partnership Agreement (RPA), and other government agencies, to promote Digital Financial Services (DFS) and Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) in Nigeria.

    Bruce-Bennet also stated that the NCC, through its Digital Economy Department, is fostering the development of a portal for the Association of Skilled Vocational Artisans of Nigeria (ASVAN) for information and digital training purposes.

    At the event, the Chairman, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, applauded the Commission for its regulatory efforts in creating an enabling environment for digitized financial inclusion, and charged the participants and other government agencies present to take advantage of the information portal of the Commission to glean necessary information because robust digital economy will, amongst other things, improve the standard of living of the people who are willing to harvest the benefits.

  • Dairy Leader FrieslandCampina WAMCO Announces 1-for-1 bonus at 49th AGM

    Dairy Leader FrieslandCampina WAMCO Announces 1-for-1 bonus at 49th AGM

    Dairy leader and maker of Peak, Three Crowns, Coast, Olympic and Nunu brands of milk, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC has announced 35% revenue growth and 1-for-1 bonus at its 49th Annual General Meeting held recently at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Operating Results and Performance:
    The Company achieved strong volume and value growth compared with the previous year despite the difficult operating environment characterised by increased competition and influx of substitute propositions. As a result, Turnover increased by 35% from N199.5 billion in 2020 to N268.4 billion in 2021. Operating Profit increased by 13% from N19.4 Billion in 2020 to N22 Billion in 2021. High Finance costs due to Naira devaluation led to a decline in Profit Before Tax (PBT) by 15% from N14.9 billion in 2020 to N12.7 billion in 2021.

    Ben Langat, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC and Sub-Sahara Africa Cluster, explained: “In the year under review, we made excellent progress in strengthening our business strategies. We scaled up investments in brands and optimized physical availability. The combination of solid brands, operational excellence and expanded route-to-market (RTM) distribution strategy sustained our leadership position and delivered significant top-line growth. Likewise, our sustainable Dairy Development received a boost through significant initiatives including collaboration on the Value4Dairy Consortium, investment in a new mobile yoghurt factory to scale up fresh milk processing, expansion to new states; all modelled towards delivering and accelerating backward integration of the dairy sector in Nigeria.”

    In accordance with the company’s dividend policy, the Board of Directors proposed a total dividend of N5.83 per N0.50 ordinary share. An interim dividend of N1.10 was paid in 2021, and a final cash dividend of N4.23per N0.50 share was approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting plus a bonus share to be issued to existing shareholders on a one-for-one basis i.e., one ordinary share with a nominal value of N0.50 for each share owned.

    According to Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe, OFR, Chairman, Board of Directors, “Our achievements in 2021 were the result of concerted efforts by various stakeholders, and I would like to express my appreciation to them for their valued contributions. The Board recognises the formidable leadership, resilience and professionalism of the Management Team, which delivered the strong performance recorded in 2021; and our greatly valued employees at all levels for their hard work, dedication and continued commitment. Despite the severe headwinds in our business environment, our Company was able to sustainably grow the business across the board.”

    2022 Company Outlook
    The country’s GDP is expected to grow by 3-4%; however, the outlook remains clouded by uncertainty surrounding oil price trajectory, scarcity of FX, rising inflation, high unemployment, security challenges and social tensions across the country. Both the supply and demand sides of our business would be under immense pressure. The expected volatility and uncertainty in the business environment not withstanding, the Board and Management remain confident about the future of the Company and are committed to its success and sustainability. We are confident that the Company’s brands, which are leaders in the dairy sector, will continue to leverage our optimised route-to-market. We will continue to aggressively pursue our backward integration and product diversification strategies with vigour to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business.

  • PFCAfrica Communications Emerges Africa’s Most Innovative Communications Agency

    PFCAfrica Communications Emerges Africa’s Most Innovative Communications Agency

    One of the leading Public Relations agencies in Nigeria and a member of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), PFCAfrica Communications Limited, has emerged as “Africa’s Most Innovative & Creative Communications Agency.”

    The Agency was so adjudged at the just concluded 8th edition of the African Quality Achievement Awards (AQAA) 2022, organized by African Quality Institute and World Quality Alliance, held at the Banquet Hall of the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja.


    The eminent judges, who are selected professionals across the African Continent, having nominated various agencies, rated PFCAfrica Communications as the best in this category. The team of judges took into consideration Quality Delivery Indices to critical stakeholders at their various touchpoints. These indices  include but not limited to the following: Customer Service, Performance & Efficiency, Value Delivery and Customer Satisfaction.  


    Reacting to the award, the Practice Manager & Head of Client Relations, PFCAfrica Communications, Mrs. Funmilayo Erikitola said “the award will further encourage the agency to focus on delivering quality across the value chain, as we deliver on our Public Relations & Marketing Communications mandates to our select clientele, which includes admired brands, local large corporates and multinationals in Nigeria and across the African Continent”.


    Erikitola, said further “the win has further demonstrated PFCAfrica Communications offering of the multi-specialist concept of holistic corporate communications management, with maximum quality delivery as the rallying point for all levels of management and every member of staff”.


    The Africa Quality Achievement Awards is organized in recognition of exceptional contributions of individuals and corporate organizations to building their local markets, market segments, and Africa economy as a whole.