FUN AND REST AT LAGOS NEW RECREATION PARKS

Lagosians begin to savour quiet time, relaxation at gardens across the metropolis
IT was once thought that a present-day Lagosian would rather make contact, close deals, hustle from Ojuelegba to Oshodi, the Island to Agege or Badagry to Ipaja to make money than agree to spend that time to take life easy, relax and have fun.
He would rather spend all his time trying to make money and even more money to the neglect of other things.
Yet, there were periods in the annals of the state when Lagosians found time to relax along the Marina Waterfront and the Bar Beach, Badagry and other beaches along the state’s long coastline.
Those days seem to be on their way back, thanks to the efforts of the Lagos State government, especially in the past four years.
When the Lagos State government embarked on demolition of illegal structures to widen roads, create green belts and convert open spaces to places of relaxation, many did not like what was going on because of the effect on the poorer segment of Lagosians.
But, the results have begun to manifest as many Lagosians, especially in the evenings, seek out those parks and gardens to unwind and relax.
A few hundred metres to the right, towards Oshodi from Anthony, attractive scenery of well-trimmed grass, walkways and park seats literally invite motorists and other passers-by to stop, step inside and just relax.
That part of Oshodi, which was once notorious as a haven for miscreants, is now a much-loved park where scores of young and old within and outside Oshodi and the adjoining Ilupaju community come to unwind.
“It is so restful and calming to the nerves. If you have a thing or two on your mind, the park at Oshodi is a good place to sort them out.”
He thanked the Lagos State government for creating the parks and green belts that are already encouraging the people of the state to stop and rest and relax once in a while.”
For Lawson Lawal, “The creation of the garden has given most of us the opportunity to relax.
“I always pass through this place, but each time, I do it in a hurry.
“I thought the garden was meant for government officials alone, because it looked so beautiful, I did not know that ordinary people like us could sit here.”
With a sense of satisfaction, This is a good rendezvous, where people can hang out”.
Inside Alausa Ikeja and close to Lagos House is the very popular Strabag Garden, which has become a place of relaxation for both the old and young.
It is common to see young married couples and those not so young sitting close together, holding hands.
There is also another beautiful park at Alaba Bus Stop, along Orile-Badagry Expressway, which Oke Funsho admits he visits regularly, especially in the evenings.
“ In the past, I used to spend time at beer parlours, but since the park was developed, I now spend such time here.
“This is a better, healthier way to relax and have fun rather than to drink and eat pepper soup.”
At Mile Two, the garden has also proved to be a blessing to hawkers, and other petty traders who now make brisk sales to their customers among the visitors.
A barbecue-meat seller, Hassan Bello, who has a stand near the garden told The Guardian “ I now sell more.
“Before the harden was opened, I could be here till as late as 10.00 p.m., but now, I would have sold all that I prepared before 7.00 p.m., thanks to visitors to the garden who buy my suya, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.”
But, many still complain that the Lagos State government has allowed miscreants and touts to  take control of some areas of Mile Two where one or two gardens should have been most welcome.
A banker, Kayode Adeoye, said the state government should “dislodge commercial bus operators who have taken over the loop in Mile Two and turn it into the garden it had been proposed for long ago.
“That expanse of land will look beautiful, and a haven for relaxation both for passers-by and those planning to travel, especially now that the Lagos-Badagry Road project is a reality.
Another Lagosian, Ajayi Lawal, also believes that  “if more gardens, parks and green belts are constructed, the number of bad spots in Lagos metropolis would be drastically reduced.”
He continued: “The importance of recreation to mental and physical development cannot be overemphasized and I think Lagosians have started to accept that life is not only about running up and down looking for money.
“Lagosians now appreciate the good intentions of the state government, which have given birth to the parks and gardens they now visit with their loved ones.”

Gang kidnaps an india man and got $200, 000 as ransom

The men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 34-year-old Bassey Ekpong for allegedly kidnapping Pratish Joshi, a 24-year-old Indian man, residing in Lagos and getting $200,000 (N30.4m) from the victim’s family.

PUNCH METRO gathered that the suspect and Pratish had been friends for about six years until Ekpong decided to conspire with some others on the run to kidnap the Indian.

Ekpeyong, who said he had been a friend to the Joshi family for many years, added that his friend, identified simply as Ubaka, gave him the idea that Pratish should be kidnapped and ransom should be collected from his family before his release.

He said, “I was with my friend, Ubaka, one day when Pratish came around. After Pratish and I exchanged greetings, Ubaka then told me that we could make good money if we kidnapped him and demanded a ransom.

“After I had given Ubaka all the needed information, he along with two others went to kidnap Pratish at Picolomonto Night Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, and he was taken to Ubaka’s house at Ibeju Lekki. He was held there for four days after which we demanded $200,000 ransom.

“The money was dropped at Airport Road, Ikeja, and he was released immediately. Four of us involved in the kidnap shared the money equally; $50,000 (N7.6m) each.”

But unknown to the suspect, the Joshi family had reported to the police that they suspected that Ekpeyong had a hand in the kidnap.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said, “Detectives from Ajah Division arrested Ekpeyong and the suspect confessed that Ubaka, 27, Koko, 28 and Biggie, 30, were members of his gang.

“The suspect later showed the police the scene of kidnap and the victim’s house. Items recovered from the suspect include three locally-made pistols and $4,000.”

When asked how he spent his own share of the loot, Ekpeyong said he bought a plot of land at Lekki and fenced it.

BOKO HARAM AGAIN

Suspected Boko Haram members late on Wednesday set ablaze the office of the Borno State National Programme on Immunisation in Unguwan Doki, Maiduguri.

Residents told the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri on Thursday that the sect members attacked the building with explosives.

“We were at home watching the Nigeria/Argentina match when we heard large bang around 7.23 p.m.

“Shortly after, we began to hear sporadic gunshots outside, followed by noise of people running helter and shelter-skelte, outside,” a resident, Malam Bello Isa said.

Another resident, Madam Lizzy Umoh, corroborated Isa’s account, saying that the fire subsequently engulfed nearby stores where all items were completely destroyed.

Also, Malam Usman Musa, a security guard, told NAN that some individuals entered the building around 7 p.m. and set the place ablaze.

“They chased out the old security man immediately they got in and planted explosives which went off and set the place on fire,” Musa said.

WHO SHOULD BE A MINISTER

Mr. President, this is the letter you have been waiting for. In an arena filled with pretenders, a wise leader must seek bold people to tell him the unvarnished truth. What you can do is to quickly log out of the celebration mode and search for lieutenants that will help your dream of how you wish to be remembered after 2015.

I know those who should be your ministers, but, sorry, I will not mention names here for the obvious reason of not being accused of doing a hatchet job. But your burden has already been lightened by Nigerians who have drummed in into your presidential ears the characters you should not allowed near your government. Aggregating the opinions of your citizens, THE PUNCH had also run the “Who should not be ministers” series. A little arithmetic plus a push to berth on the good side of history at the end of your tenure, therefore, should guide you on who should be your ministers. The word ‘minister’, perhaps, has its origin in spirituality. A minister, in spirituality, is one authorised to conduct religious veneration. For instance, a person empowered to administer sacraments at a mass is a minister. A minister in the Lord’s vineyard, therefore, should be able to administer healing, counseling and offer hope to the congregation. Rapists, drunks and fornicators are not fit for the office.

As it is in religion, so it is politics. A minister in any political dispensation is a high officer of state appointed to tend to the business of governance in a specific department. A minister of state must come to office with clean hands and be ready to tend to the needs of the people and fired at all times by the progress and peace of the collective. The post of a minister is definitely not for the indolent, nor for looters and killers.

Mr. President, please set the criteria to select those who will serve Nigeria with you in the next four years. Nigerians are tired of recycled politicians. No more inept stooges. We knew it, and you have also confirmed that political contractors, answering all manners of appellations, have turned Aso Rock Villa to their homes. They are mounting pressures on you. They are doing the same to your wife. It is not unlikely too that some would have contacted the president’s mother in Otuoke, asking sweet mother to put in a word or two for them. These are expected at this moment, but always remember, in the words of Harry Truman, the 33rd President of US, that the buck stops at your table.

Who then should be your ministers? Mr. President, look beyond the political parties to attract technocrats and professionals who have no godfathers to worship. One reader of THE PUNCH’s “Who should not be a minister” series said “even President Olusegun Obasanjo” gave Nigeria the likes of Obiageli Ezekwesili and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Who are you giving Nigeria? Who you give to Nigeria will determine what you will give to the country. There are thousands of Nigerians who are both competent and love this country out there. It is your duty to form your own dream team.

Sadly, the lists from the state chapters of your party are filled with names of people the citizens considered to be misfits at this period. THE PUNCH series, “Who should not be a minister,” had exposed many of them. There are still others in these lists compiled by self-seeking tin gods in their domains. Most of the nominees are lazy, corrupt, political jobbers, killers, thugs and opportunists who have seen in your government a new avenue to once again desecrate our land. Do not bring them on board.

Mr. President, the moment is here. The gaiety of campaign is over. The euphoria of victory should be tempered. We, the electorate, have discharged our responsibility. We have elected a leader. It is time for the leader to fulfill his promise. Though, one must admit that in the course of your campaign you did not promise anything tangible, beyond the mundane pledges the nation’s politicians had made over the years, yet Nigerians look unto you to give us good service. You promised as much at your inauguration.

In anointing His ministers, God does not consider the mundane characteristics. It is your time to play the Nigeria’s little god. Set your sight at the goal post and select the best strikers. You are the judge now. In 2015, you will be judged. Start defending your case now.

NIGERIAN GOVERNORS AND THEIR VARIOUS SECRET BANK ACCOUNTS

The Code of Conduct Bureau on Thursday in Abuja revealed that some public servants particularly ex-governors, legislators and ministers operated foreign accounts using pseudonyms and left hands to append their signatures.

It also stated that the bureau !would investigate the dramatic disappearance of the names of some big politicians which had been sent to the Code of Conduct Tribunal with a view to wielding the big stick on those involved in the complicity.

The Chairman of the CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, who spoke with journalists in Abuja said the case file of a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had been transferred to the CCT.

He regretted that only very few ex-governors agreed that they have foreign accounts in Europe and other parts of the world.

Saba said, “Only a few of them are honest that they have foreign accounts. They close it and inform us that they actually operate it. But a lot of them operate foreign accounts using different names. But we don’t have capacity for proof.

“Before my assumption of office, I went to a minister who introduced me to his friend staying abroad and during our discussion, she revealed that many legislators in Nigeria operate foreign accounts. I didn’t know I was coming back to the CCB as chairman, I would have taken her contact and she would have been useful to us.

“She told me that many of them use the names of their wives and other pseudonyms to operate the accounts and append signatures using their left hands. Interestingly, according to her, they do this without the knowledge of their spouses. I believe that there are many public officials in Nigeria operating foreign accounts.”

The CCB boss noted that henceforth the organisation will avoid the disappearance of some names which had been transferred to the CCT for prosecution.

He said, “Some names go to the tribunal and some people are able to get their names out. It is either there is a collaboration between our office, the tribunal and the big names. But this time, all the leakages will be blocked and we are going to investigate it.”

Speaking on the case file of ex-Governor Tinubu, he said, “Why are you people (media) so specific about Tinubu all the time? You people are very particular about Tinubu all the time. As far as I know up till this time that we are talking, his case file is with the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”