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Yaba Overpass, Others Will Stop Train-Vehicular Crashes — Sanwo-Olu

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The executive governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, said his administration was concerned about the safety of Lagosians, hence, the construction of bridges across rail lines in the state.

The governor stated this during the unveiling of the Yaba Overpass at Tejuosho Junction in Yaba on Thursday that his administration has begun the construction of four bridges across rail lines between Oyingbo and Ikeja to prevent “avoidable fatal accidents on railway crossings.”

The Yaba Overpass, which will service the Red Line rail station, is a T-bridge design that is one of five bridges built by the Lagos State Government out of ten to segregate automotive and train traffic. The remaining five will be handled by the federal government.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sanwo-Olu said, “About three years ago, we commenced the construction of four bridges across rail lines between Oyingbo and Ikeja. The bridges, located at Ikeja, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo, are designed to ensure the safety of our people.

“Over the years, we have recorded avoidable fatal accidents on railway crossings, most of the time due to human errors. We recall the last one which occurred in March this year at PWD/Ikeja GRA level crossing involving a Lagos State government staff bus. Sadly, lives were lost and people suffered varying degrees of injury in that accident.

“Today’s ceremony is, therefore, significant because, with this overpass and others at Ikeja, Mushin and Oyingbo, which will be formally opened before the end of the year, there will be no more occurrence of train-vehicular accidents at these locations.”

The governor, while speaking on the projected completion of the Red Line rail before the end of the year, said the construction of the Green, Purple and Orange Lines rail system would commence soon.

“It’s my pleasure to announce that three additional rail lines will be added soon, because we’ve done extensive feasibility and viability studies. The Green Line is a 68km rail route from Marina all the way to the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The Purple Line is a 60km length all the way from the Redemption camp in Ogun State to Ojo Majority in Lagos West region. And, of course, we also want to do the Orange Line, from Agbowa in Ikorodu to Ikeja,” he said.

He added that the implementation of the rail lines across the state “will improve the travel experience of our people, reduce congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve their lifestyles.”

Sanwo-Olu called on residents of the state to take ownership of the transport projects across the state and protect them.

He also warned that the bridges are not to be turned into places where traders display their wares.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our transport projects have been implemented at a huge cost. We should not feel unconcerned when societal enemies are bent on destroying our commonwealth. We should be concerned because great societies are built and sustained when their people take ownership of their infrastructure.

“I, therefore, ask you all to protect this bridge from vandals and other societal enemies.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me reiterate that this bridge is not a marketplace; the steps, ramps, and sidewalks are not for displaying wares.

“Our law enforcement agencies have been given strict instructions to ensure zero tolerance for any misuse of this facility.”

The governor added, “I also want to use this opportunity to serve the last notice to all those who are engaged in illegal trading on the railway tracks. For your own safety and the safety of others, pack your wares and display items and leave the tracks immediately.

“Equally, I want to appeal to our informal bus operators that the era of lining their buses on the roadway is over. Please ensure that buses are parked within the space provided for your operations.”

Speaking on the Red Line rail which, according to Sanwo-Olu, will be ready for use before the end of the year after all the overpasses are ready, the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said the service would convey over one million passengers daily when it is fully operational.

Akinajo, in her remarks, noted that “As part of the Red Line rail project, the Yaba overpass is one of the five bridges the Lagos State Government agreed with the Federal Ministry of Transport to build to separate vehicular and train traffic and therefore eliminate incessant accidents on railway level crossings.

“The other bridges are at Pen Cinema, which is already completed and in use, Ikeja, Mushin, and Oyingbo. The Federal Ministry of Transport also agreed to construct five bridges at Jonathan Coker around Fagba off Iju Road, Asade Market, which has been completed and is already in use, Sogunle, Ilupeju bypass and Fadeyi. The bridges are an essential part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line rail project to ensure the safety of the people of Lagos.

“Today, I can confirm that three out of the four remaining bridges have been completed. The only one outstanding is the Mushin overpass due for completion by the end of the year.

“In the coming weeks, Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will be commissioning them one after the other starting with the Yaba overpass today until the main project, the LRMT Red Line, is commissioned for operations.

“The Red Line, when opened for passenger operations, will have an exponential effect on the economy of Lagos State. The 37-kilometre Red Line is expected to move more than one million passengers daily when fully operational. This train line will reduce congestion, and emissions and facilitate easy movement for commuters and goods.”

BIG STORY

NAFDAC Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Welfare Issues

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The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations And Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has begun an indefinite strike over issues revolving around staff welfare.

Some of the issues include the review of 2024 promotion examination results, the appointment of directors for public affairs/special duties, training institute, and the reform of promotion examination content.

Others are the creation of a psychology officer cadre in accordance with HOS circular, payment of all pending burial expenses, life insurance and repatriation allowance, and salary arrears for 2022 employees.

In a statement, Ejor Michael, TUC secretary, said the workers had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the agency’s management in a communique dated September 20, 2024.

The statement said another congress of NAFDAC staff was convened on October 4, following the expiration of the ultimatum.

“After careful deliberation, Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024,” the statement reads.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby directed to down tools by withdrawing all your services in compliance with the strike action.

“This decision is a result of NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the Communique within the given time frame.

“The Congress considers this ongoing inaction insufferable and accentuates that the industrial action will continue unabated until all demands specified in the Communique are fully met.

“In light of this, all staff are advised to remove their personal belongings from their offices, as no one, no matter the rank or cadre, will be allowed entry into any NAFDAC Office (premises) during the strike period.

“SSASCGOC State and Zonal Coordinators are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive.

“Dear Comrades, your cooperation is greatly treasured to ensure the effectiveness of this indefinite nationwide strike action.

“We will not relent until all issues are satisfactorily addressed.”

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BIG STORY

Netizens React As VeryDarkMan Shares Another Leaked Call Recording Of Bobrisky

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Nigerians have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the latest leaked call recording allegedly featuring controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

Bobrisky found himself at the center of another controversy following the release of an alleged call recording by social media influencer, Martins Otse, a.k.a. VeryDarkMan.

According to VeryDarkMan, the recording was made on May 16, 2024, and is not a continuation of a previous recording he shared.

In the recording, which VeryDarkMan asserts is a separate conversation from a previous leak tap, Bobrisky purportedly admitted to not being in prison but rather in a well-furnished apartment near the prison, amongst other claims.

The leaked recording has sparked varying reactions on social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing shock, disappointment, and skepticism about the authenticity of the recording.

On X, formerly Twitter, UGo tweeting as #Oforma19 wrote, “Only small star Maggi person steal them luck am for prison imagine Bobrisky with money laundering case no go prison.”

Wills Media, who tweets as #WillsMedia247 wrote, “Those that Bobrisky trusted are even his worst enemies. He thought he had friends, but it’s a pity he had beasts. Why will a trusted friend bring his guy down for what reason?”

#fm57661959 tweeted, “He-she will tell us the reason he-she gave EFCC some money to drop the money laundering charges if all the money in he-she account is a legitimate money, Aza man-woman.”

#AdeyemiOladip14 tweeted, “How this guy dey see all the call note, shey they don plan say them go koba bob ni abi why all of them dey record their conversations with him, sorry her.”

Olawale tweeting as #WealthyWave04 wrote, “If no be say dem swear for many people for this country, how person go see or hear this level of corruption come still dey blame or criticise who cast the corruption cuz dem no like the person? How na. Tomorrow una go dey shout we want a better Nigeria. Una want better Nigeria with this una behaviour? E no fit work.”

Commenting under VeryDarkMan’s post on Instagram, #real___barlow wrote, “Bob risky no get better friends at all abi who drop this record again?”

#okoruwamiracle commented, “Why bring it here for us to see and hear if you have enough proof? Even if you do, take them to court na abi na we wan judge the case for you or don’t you know that bringing it on social media is and will always remain an allegation? Tell the police, take them to court and judge with your proof.”

#officialbhigshaq commented, “See forget say that Bob dey live that kind of life, but this VDM should just go and chill, this Bob you are dragging went to prison for a weightless crime, almost the 90% of Nigerians have committed. Why don’t you start with what happened during the 2023 election? Forget this bob matter, you are just doing this because you went to prison and you feel he or she didn’t go too.”

Recall that in September, VeryDarkMan shared a purported audio of Bobrisky, claiming he bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against him.

VeryDarkMan claimed to have received the audio record from someone to whom Bobrisky owed money.

Bobrisky, however, denied bribing any EFCC officer to drop money laundering charges against him, saying that he served his jail term.

He had also described the initial viral voice recording as fake, stressing that the claim that he was never in prison was false and should be ignored.

  • What Bobrisky Said In The New Leaked Recording

‘I charge up to $100,000 for influencing’

Popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has allegedly stated that he collects up to $100,000 for influencing on social media platforms.

He noted that while many people believe he’s into money laundering and fraudulent acts, his source of wealth is from a genuine source, with one of them being social media influencing.

This was revealed in a video posted by popular social media influencer, Martins Otse, a.k.a. VeryDarkMan, today, Monday, October 7, 2024. The call recording was made on May 16, 2024, according to VDM.

“All the money I have is genuine and the sources are like most of my influencing [sic], like that day I called you that one woman wanted to pay me £10,000, you know I told you that it’s for influencing. So, people don’t know how I charge a lot of money for influencing but I made them understand I charge as far as $100,000 to influence,” Bobrisky allegedly said in a recorded voice call with a male contact whose name remains unknown.

The crossdresser, who was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and sentenced to six months in jail, noted that he had access to his mobile phone while in custody.

The male contact had initially asked if Bobrisky was out of prison before he responded in the negative, then said he hadn’t been talking to people over the phone.

He said, “People have been sending me so many messages but I’ve not been responding because I don’t want anybody to know that I have my phone. I only want to talk to somebody that I know I can trust.

“So if you think you cannot do it, all fingers are equal. Some others do it and trust me, God blessed the hustle. Obviously, I met a very terrible judge who wasn’t fair at all.”

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BIG STORY

‘Hoodlums’ Raze Section Of Eleme Secretariat, Hours After Police Unsealed Rivers LGA Headquarters

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Suspected hoodlums have set a section of the Eleme local government secretariat in Rivers state on fire.

The incident comes hours after Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from the secretariat of the 23 LGAs of the state.

Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers, announced that the IGP’s directive “is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force stance to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.”

The fire occurred just hours after Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers governor, swore in 23 newly elected local government chairpersons.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 LGAs in Saturday’s election, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one LGA.

During the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, Fubara mentioned there were plans to perpetrate violence against the elected officials on Monday.

“I’m aware that they are mobilising 20 people per unit to go and confront you tomorrow when you resume in your local government headquarters,” Fubara said.

“Please if they are coming with violence, avoid them.

“The peace of this state is too important to us. Everybody knows what they are planning but please I want to beg everyone to follow my approach.

“At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative. We have made our promises to our people. We are going to lead them to the promised land.”

Tensions have been high in Rivers due to a prolonged turf war between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

On October 3, a crowd besieged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, protesting against the LGA election.

Hours before voting commenced, an explosion reportedly rocked the secretariat of an All Progressives Congress (APC) faction led by Tony Okocha, the ex-chairman of the APC caretaker committee in the state.

On Saturday, police officers reportedly disrupted the local government election in Elekahia primary school, Port Harcourt.

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