Gov. Ambode appoints Wole Soyinka, Gbadamosi as Co-Chairmen of Lagos at 50 Planning Committee

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday, February 10, appointed Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi as Co-Chairmen of the Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, just as he expressed optimism that the celebration will go a long way to showcase Lagos in its full splendor.


The Committee also has 10 others as members, including Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as Secretary.


Governor Ambode, while inaugurating the Committee at the Lagos House, Ikeja, expressed confidence in their ability to deliver a world class celebration, adding that the opportunity of Lagos at 50, will afford the state to not only celebrate its past achievements, but also to showcase to the world its immense potentials for future growth and development.


"Lagos State will be 50 years next year. 50 years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or State. For Lagos State, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly celebrated," he said.

He said Lagos, despite being the smallest and oldest state in Nigeria, remains the only state that has not been divided to create more states since its inception on May 27, 1967.
The Governor said that Lagos has maintained its status as the commercial capital of Nigeria and the most cosmopolitan State in the country where peoples of every tribe, race and creed reside peacefully with an excellent record of religious tolerance.


"Lagos is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours. Lagos provides jobs to more people than any other State in Sub Saharan Africa. Lagos is that place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard."


Indeed, Lagos State has justified its creation. Apart from being the pacesetter and first among equals in the comity of States in the Nigerian Federation, Lagos State also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs especially as the fastest growing mega city in the world.


"With all these in mind, it is imperative that we celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must showcase our cultural heritage. We must celebrate the language, arts, sights and sounds of Lagos.

Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian Unity and Progress because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together", he said.
He said a celebration of such great significance requires proper and adequate planning, hence the inauguration of the Committee comprising respected men and women whom he said had perfect understanding of the expectations of Lagosians, Nigerians and indeed the entire world.


The Governor further said with the distinguished men and women that formed the Committee, he was rest assured that Lagos would be excellently celebrated and the world would see Lagos in its full splendour.


The terms of reference of the Committee , according to Governor Ambode, include to develop a comprehensive programme for the celebrations; identify series of events that will take place as part of the celebrations; establish the logistics requirements to ensure a hitch free celebration; identify areas of possible collaboration with corporate organizations and individuals for support; as well as consider and make appropriate recommendations on any other matter that will ensure a successful and memorable celebration.

In his short remarks, Professor Soyinka said the celebration of Lagos at 50 would afford an excellent opportunity for the state to identify with the triumph, losses and experience of the Black Race at home and in the diaspora.

He pledged that members of the Committee would work assiduously to ensure that Lagos gets the deserved and most befitting celebration.

While acknowledging the achievements of the state so far, Professor Soyinka likened the celebration to one of the programmes in past editions of Lagos Black Heritage Festival called the ‘Black in the Mediterranean Blue’, saying “It would be used to project the black race not just for the colonial experience and slave trade, but also as a cultural people.

Jordin Sparks and Sage the Gemini break up

Singer, Jordan Sparks and rapper, Sage The Gemini have broken up after about nine months of dating, according to E! News.

According to a source, heir relationship started off great in the beginning but as time went on Sparks was having trust issues—and Sage wasn't helping the matter any with his behavior. They had previously been able to work things out, but not this time. Having gone through a rough breakup with long-term boyfriend Jason Derulo , Sparks just didn't want to go there again with Sage, the source says.

Photos: Nigerian troops ambush Boko Haram terrorists in Borno, recover cans of petroleum, arms and grenades

The Nigerian Army said troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade laid ambush on some Boko Haram terrorists at a cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok area in Borno State on Wednesday morning. The statement issued yesterday, February 10 by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman read:


"In continuation of their clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade, early this morning laid an ambush on some Boko Haram elements at a major cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok general area.


The ambush party supported by a Quick Response Group (QRG), captured a Hilux vehicle containing 8 jerry cans of petroleum, oil and lubricants, large quantity of 7.62mm ammunitions, 127mm ammunitions and 4 AK-47 rifles, as well as 5 hand grenades.

Some of the terrorists were killed while others escaped with gun shot wounds. It is important to note that more operational strategies are being employed to further flush out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding in the North East.Thank you for your kind cooperation."

JLo shares hot photos on instagram

She's ageless! Ahead of her last Las Vegas performance until May, the singer shared a seductive dressing room pic with her leg up against the table on her IG page. She also posted a photo with her crew backstage. In the pic she displayed her cleavage in very low-cut top. See the pic after the cut...

Photos: Buhari arrives Nigeria after his 5-day vacation

President Buhari has arrived Nigeria after his 5 day vacation in London. See more photos after the cut

FunnyBone Untamed takes place Feb. 21st at Muson Centre

Stand up comedian Stanley Chibunna aka Funnybone debuts his first comedy special tagged FunnyBone Untamed which will hold on the 21st February, 2016 at the Muson Centre Lagos.
The show promises to be a worthwhile comedic experience with an overdose of musical performances which will feature Ali Baba, Bovi, Seyi law, Senator, Buchi, MC Jay..
Musical performances by Olamide. MI. Phyno. Kcee. Harrysong. Ice prince. Chidinma. Illbliss. Korede Bello. Iyanya. Tekno. Humblesmith. Oritsefemi. Bracket. J Martin, Solid Star and many more Show starts at 4pm..

BSU staff unions begin total and indefinite strike action

The Benue State Chapters of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) under the auspices of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Tuesday,  embarked on a total and indefinite strike action over 6-year unpaid allowances.

FUTA Dean Wins ‘Best Professor in Banking and Finance in Africa’

Professor Tomola Obamuyi, Dean, School of Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, has been awarded the “Best Professor in Banking and Finance in Africa for the year 2015” by the Africa Education Leadership Awards. The 2015 edition of the awards took place on 9th December, 2015, at the Le Meridian, Mauritius, East Africa.

The Africa Education Leadership Awards are presented to individuals from different disciplines and institutions in Africa, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession and served as role models through scholarly research and innovation, as well as contribution to humanity and society.

According to the organisers, the Africa Education Leadership Award is done through an intensely researched process undertaken by the research cell, which produces a shortlist of individuals who are doing extraordinary work and track the record of their achievements. The shortlist is then reviewed by a Jury comprising of senior professionals from across the globe.

Professor Tomola Obamuyi is a world class scholar who has presented conference papers in many countries including Finland, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Ireland, India, Zambia, Ethiopia, Ghana, among others. He is the Nigerian Representative, Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS), University of St. Gallen, Switzerland and Nigerian Team Member, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), United States.

Federal Poly Oko HND Admission List is Out – 2015/16

Authority of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko has released the Higher National Diploma (HND) admission list for the 2015/2016 academic session online.

Check Oko Poly HND Admission List.

To check your HND admission list, you will need a PIN which is obtainable at Mircrofinance Oko, Microfinance Isuofia, FCMB Oko, Union Bank Oko, Zenith Bank Ekwulobia at the cost of 1500.

*Go to  Federal Polytechnic Oko Admission Status Checking Portal,
*Select Your Programmne of Study,
*Select your session (2015/2016),
*Enter your JAMB Reg Number in the space provided.
*Enter your Scratch Card PIN and *Serial Number in the space provided.
*Click on “Submit” and proceed to view your admission status

UK Records Four Cases Of Zika Virus

Four cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in the United Kingdom.

A public health doctor in England, Dilys Morgan, said four “travel-associated” cases of the virus had been found in the last six weeks.

The main concern surrounding the virus is a possible link between the virus and a rise in cases of microcephaly, a birth defect characterised by an abnormally small head that can result in developmental problems.

Zika is spreading rapidly through Latin America and most people who contract it have either mild or no symptoms.

The World Health Organisation declared Zika a global emergency last month, with some countries discouraging nationals from travelling to Latin American counties.

Yabatech Students Protest Death Of Colleague

Students of the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos State have staged a protest over the death of one of their colleagues.

The students were unhappy with the attention given to a female student, Dazan Charity, who fell ill some days ago and died on Wednesday.

A friend of the deceased alleged that Charity was not attended to because they were unable to get 35,000 Naira requested by the medical attendants.

Another colleague of the victim, Ibraheem Emmanuel, said: “No drug is given by the school medical (you have to go and buy).

“You need to see the stress that was passed through. We were the ones that went to get injections, drugs, in fact drip that were given to Dazan Charity”.

The students maintained that they wanted the school hospital campus scrapped or the institution probed while the medical centre be fully equipped.

Channels Television’s correspondent, Mary Alale-Yusuf, who visited the campus was unable to get through to the school authority, as the students had shut the institution’s main entrance.

She also reported that the deceased student was reported to have been buried at Atan cemetery in Lagos.

Charity, 27, was a final year student of Office Management Technology and was sitting for her final exams.

Air Force Officers In Kaduna Get More Housing Units

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has again reassured officers and men of the service that their welfare remains a major priority of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Air Vice Marshal Abubakar gave the assurance on Wednesday at the commissioning of hostel accommodations and other projects at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria.

He explained that efforts were also being made to provide decent accommodation, healthcare services and welfare for his men across Nigeria, as a way of boosting their morale in the war against insurgents in north-east Nigeria.

Lack of sufficient and comfortable accommodation for officers and men of the Nigerian military has remained a major challenge officers and men had had to contend with over the years.

Serving personnel especially the rank and file and those undergoing training had provide accommodations for themselves in some cases and when there is one, they may not be conducive.

The Air Force boss having the foreknowledge of this challenge, had upon assumption of office last year, commenced the construction of more accommodations and other projects to ensure a good and healthy life for his men.

The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex, accompanied by the Chief of Air Staff and other senior officers were at the Air Force Base in Kaduna State to commission some of the completed projects.

The projects include an extended old Kaduna Airport runway, 250 bed capacity hostel for recruits, one million litre water reservoir and two bed room three-storey accommodation for non-commissioned officers. The projects were constructed through direct labour.

After commissioning the projects, the Deputy Governor, who represented Governor Nasir El-rufai, commended the Nigerian Air Force for the successes recorded in the renewed vigour of flushing out the insurgents in the northeast and cattle rustlers in the north-west zone.

According to him, the present administration’s determination to build modern accommodations for personnel is not only a motivational measure, but also in line with the vision of the Chief of Air Staff to reposition the service into a highly professional and disciplined force.

The contribution of Nigerian security forces in contending the Boko Haram insurgents cannot be over emphasised, but for them to effectively discharge this constitutional role, they also need a conducive environment.