Lawmaker tasks royal fathers on culture preservation

A Member of Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Olusola Sokunle, on Friday urged traditional institutions to be more committed to sustenance of peace and preservation of culture in their domains.

Sokunle, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency I, made the appeal in Lagos in a congratulatory message to the Traditional Ruler (Elewu) of Ewuland, Oba Shakirudeen Kuti, on his 15th year coronation anniversary.

Ewuland is in the constituency.

According to the legislator, traditional institutions have huge roles to play in the socio-cultural, economic and political development of the nation.

“Traditional rulers should not forget their roles of preserving cultural values and heritage of the people.

“We need the traditional institutions so much to move forward as a nation.

“The government must continue to hold them in high esteem, not only as the custodians of culture, but also as the bridge between the people and government,” Sokunle said.

The lawmaker remarked that Kuti had remained a good ruler since his ascension to the throne.

“Since his ascension, there has never been any gap between the traditional institution and the government in the constituency.

“The existence of traditional institution in Ewutuntun is impacting:  Elewu has demonstrated that he is the royal father of all residents of the town since he ascended to the throne,” he said.

The lawmaker urged the royal father to continue to support the government to bring development to Oshodi. (NAN)

Lagos intensifies smart city initiative with free Wi-Fi

The Lagos State Government on Thursday intensified its smart city initiative with the unveiling of a free public Wi-Fi at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, located at Alausa.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode said at the event that one of the overriding policy objectives of his administration was to build a globally competitive economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that provides high-speed internet and network connections.

Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Olufemi Odubiyi said that the economy of the state was being developed to provide opportunity for self fulfilment.

He said that achieving global competitiveness would entail keying into new ways of doing things and the deployment of technology, especially the internet.

According to him, the provision of free public Wi-Fi in the park is part of the administration’s efforts to make Lagos a smart city.

“It is consistent with our commitment to make Lagos work for all.

“Parks and gardens have been established in different parts of the state to provide a conducive environment for recreation and relaxation.

“Just last week, the number of gardens and parks in the state increased with the opening of the Badagry Park.

“The increased patronage of these facilities, which is no longer restricted to festive season, has made it necessary to equip these centres with free Wi-Fi to serve the needs of visitors to these parks.

“As you relax and enjoy the recreation facilities in these parks, we are also making it possible for you to access your email, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smartphones and laptops, via a reliable public Wi-Fi,” he said.

Ambode said the the free Wi-Fi was another landmark in the administration’s desire to integrate the State’s economy in the mainstream of the 21st century economy.

He said that recently, the government unveiled the Citizens’ Gate Portal, a platform designed to bridge the communication gap between the citizens and the state government.

According to him, his administration, with the launch of the free public Wi-Fi, has empowered citizens to express their views on the platform, as non-availability of data will no longer be a constraint.

“As a responsive government, I wish to assure all residents of Lagos State of our commitment to continue to develop and implement innovative ideas that will promote the delivery of dividends of good governance.

“As I launch the free public Wi-Fi in this park, it is my belief that this service will enhance productivity and add value to all our parks and gardens,” he said.

NAN reports that the free Wi-Fi/internet access project is an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology.

In his capacity as the Commissioner, Odubiyi said that the free Wi-Fi/internet access at park and Gardens was starting from the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, as it would be extended to others in the State.

He said the government was creating a safe, healthy and conducive environment for the residents of Lagos, in line with the Governor’s pledge at the inception of the administration.

According to him, the administration has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the pledge through various programmes, aimed at making the state livable for all and sundry.

“WiFi is a facility allowing computers, smartphones and other devices to connect to the internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area.

“One of the biggest benefits of offering Wi-Fi is that it will provide new ways for the public to enhance social/leisure activities and this will encourage more patronage to the parks.

“We are embarking on providing free public Wi-Fi in our parks and gardens spread across the states to further enhance social/leisure activities,” Odubiyi said. (NAN)

Alleged N1.5bn scam: Appeal Court overturns ex- NIMASA D-G’s conviction

A Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on Thursday discharged and acquitted Raymond Omatseye , the former Director- General (D-G), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), convicted of awarding contracts above his threshold.

Omatseye was on May 20, 2016, convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court in Lagos over aN1.5billion-contract scam.

Ofili-Ajumogobia ruled then that Omatseye had awarded contracts worth N2.5 million above his stipulated threshold, and accordingly, convicted him in 24 out of 27-count charge.

Omatseye was sued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ex-NIMASA boss, however, through his lawyer, Mr Edoka Onyeke, went on appeal.

On his grounds of appeal, his lawyer argued that Omatseye was persecuted and not prosecuted, stressing that contract splitting though existing in the law, the approval above threshold does not exist.

He also argued that the judge threw out a Jan. 23, 2013, letter from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), which cleared Omatseye of any wrong doing while in the agency.

Onyeke argued that the letter was addressed to the former President Goodluck Jonathan, signed by Emeka Ezeh, former D-G of BPP.

He said that the letter had informed the president that after a scrutiny of the case, the Bureau was of the view that the 27 charges were breaches brought under sections of the Procurement Act.

He also said the breaches dealt with administrative breaches rather than real offences under the Act that could attract conviction or sanctions from the regular courts.

He said, surprisingly, the lower court jettisoned the report admitted as evidence in court. It, however, discharged and acquitted Omatseye on a three-count charge bordering on contract splitting.

Onyeke said that the court, however, sentenced Omatseye to five years’ imprisonment on 24-count charge of N2.5million approval above his threshold, which does not exist in law.

But the appellate court, after going through the grounds of appeal, held among others, that the trial court did not properly evaluate the evidence.

The court, presided over by Justice Yargata Nimpar, resolved all five grounds of appeal in the appellant’s favour.

Other members of the three-man panel were: Justice Adejumo Obaseki and Justice Abraham Georgewill.

In reaching its decision, the court considered four issues for determination, including whether under Section 16(1)(A) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, approval for spending over the threshold constitutes an offence.

Justice Nimpar, who read the judgment, considered whether the trial court properly evaluated the evidence.

She said: “I found that it did not.

“The long and short of it, is that, the appeal succeeds. The prosecution should not ride roughshod over the Constitution.

“The judiciary will do the war on corruption more harm by declaring someone a criminal, where no offence has been committed.

“I find merit in the appeal. The conviction is hereby set aside and the appellant is hereby discharged and acquitted”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omatseye’s kinsmen who were in court dressed in their native attire were happy with the judgment. (NAN)

Ex-football star Beckham makes acting debut in ‘King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword’

Former footballer and England national team captain, David Beckham has made acting debut in a new classical movie “King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword.”

The ex-international made cameo appearance in the trailer of the highly awaited blockbuster released on Tuesday ahead of the film’s premiere on May 19.

The Naijaroyaltyculture.blogspot.com reports that Beckham, who also played for Manchester United , having conquered the world of football, now appears to be turning his attention to acting.

The film — King Arthur: Legend of the Sword — is a 2017 fantasy filmdirected by Guy Ritchie and written by Ritchie, Joby Harold and Lionel Wigram.

It stars Charlie Hunnam as the title character, with Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey,Djimon Hounsou, ant others  in supporting roles.

The plot follows a young ‘Arthur’ who runs the back streets of ‘Londinium’ with his crew, unaware of his royal lineage until he draws the sword ‘Excalibur’ from the stone.

Instantly confronted by the sword’s influence, Arthur is forced to decide when to become involved with his power.

Arthur, however, had to learn to master the sword, face down his demons, unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern – who murdered his parents and stole his crown – to become king.

Delta sports festival day 3: Aniocha South LGA leads with 28 medals

Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta led the medal table on Tuesday at the ongoing sixth edition of Delta sports festival in Asaba, the state capital with 28 medals.

The event, which kicked-off on Monday, is expected to come to an end on Saturday.

The local government clinched 18 gold, six silver and four bronze medals as the festival reached its third day.

The festival, tagged: “Unity Games’’ also saw the defending champions, Ethiope West Local Government Area followed with six gold, two silver and nine bronze medals.

Ethiope was followed by Warri South with five gold, one silver and eight bronze medals.

 Ughelli North followed with three gold, three silver and two bronze medals while Aniocha North currently have three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Oshimili North had two gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition continued with Boxing, Chess, Scrabble, Ayo, Judo, Kungfu, Para-Table Tennis, Karate, Wrestling, Taekwondo and Para-Power Lifting. (NAN)

Fashola challenge Journalist to find solution to fake news dissemination

Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, has called on journalists to come up with solutions to address the challenges of fake news dissemination in the country.

Fashola made the call when Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) led by its Chairman, Mr Adewumi Faniran visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

Fashola said the visit was timely, considering the need to address the problems of fake news dissemination, adding that the media was an indispensable tool for securing democratic institution.

We grew up in era when news was news; we are now in an era where we are learning how to deal with fake news and how to fight fake news.

I spent the last few days listening to features on global television teaching people how to identify fake news.

So, I challenge you to find a solution that works to address the ugly trend,  he said. The minister pledged the commitment of his ministry to do its best to implement the policies and programmes of the Federal Government to better the lots of Nigerians.

He said the ministry had contributed its own share to the development of the country by implementing the 2016 budget to the best it could with the resources available to it.

For road projects that were stopped because of funding, as I speak to you, contractors are back to site across the country.

In the housing sector, we are constructing prototype housing under the National Housing Programme in 33 states of the federation, he added.

Eralier, Faniran told the minster that the visit was in line with the policy of the new executive of the council to visit notable Nigerians especially eminent sons and daughters of the South-West.

He commended the minster for the achievement recorded in the areas of road, housing and power since his appointment.

Forbes Africa has released its list of Richest African musicians.

The list was put together using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presence, influence and others.

Nigerian artistes, Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Davido, are among the top ten richest African musicians.

The top ten are:

1. AKON

Akon has over 35 million albums sold worldwide. He has won numerous awards including five Grammy Award nominations and has 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt. He tops the list according to Forbes Africa.

2. BLACK COFFEE, SOUTH AFRICA

The multi-award-winning artist’s real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo. He was born in South Africa’s house music province, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and raised in the Eastern Cape province, where Nelson Mandela hailed from, before moving back to KZN to study music.

3. HUGH MASEKELA, SOUTH AFRICA

Hugh was born in Witbank, east of Johannesburg. He has released more than 43 albums and performed with Marvin Gaye, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba.

4. DON JAZZY, NIGERIA

Don Jazzy is ranked fourth richest in Africa and also first in Nigeria. Like many artists, his real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, and he started playing music as a child in church before moving to the UK to pursue his career.

5. TINASHE, ZIMBABWE-AMERICAN

Tinashe was a child model by the age of three. The twenty-four-year-old sang before she could talk and made her first appearance in 2000 in the film Cora Unashamed. Her voice also starred in the cartoon feature film The Polar Express alongside Oscar-winning actor, Tom Hanks.

6. JIDENNA, NIGERIAN-AMERICAN,

By the age of 10, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson knew he wanted to do music but was afraid to tell his father who wanted him to be an engineer. He is ranked sixth according to Forbes Africa.

7. WIZKID, NIGERIA

Wizkid is arguably currently the uncrowned king of African music. Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz, danced to his songs Ojuelegba and Caro, with Keys posting a video on her Instagram account with the caption, “This song makes me happy”. Kylie Jenner also posted a video of herself dancing to Wizkid’s music on Snapchat.

8. DAVIDO, NIGERIA

Davido has claimed a high status in just five years. He said it was people like P-Square and D’Banj who made him believe this was possible. He became famous for his widely acclaimed 2012 debut album “Omo Baba Olowo”.

 
 9. SARKODIE, GHANA

Michael Owusu Addo started out as an underground rapper and through the help of Duncan Williams, his former manager, his career was launched. Staying true to his identity, he is a big advocate of Azonto, a Ghanaian genre that is said to have been born out of Kpanlogo, a traditional dance.

His first single off his fourth album, Mewu, sold almost 4,000 copies on the first day of its release in Ghana. He was also the first Ghanaian to win a BET award.

10. OLIVER MTUKUDZI, ZIMBABWE

Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi has 65 albums under his belt, more than the legendary Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. It’s a remarkable career stretching back 41 years with songs that have enlivened parties all over the world.

He is ranked 10th richest musician in Africa.