By Adedapo Adesanya

***Constructed By Total Value Integrated Services

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently commissioned the third phase of the Ikosi International Model Market and the Ikosi International Fruits Market Phase 2, delivering on a promise made to the people of the community.

The Governor speaking at the commissioning, which was held amid fanfare and jubilation on Thursday, May 25, stated that commercial activities in markets have had a great impact on the state’s economy.

He added that building a befitting environment for traders remained a noble initiative to drive grassroots democracy and socio-economic growth.

The Governor said, “I commend the vision and leadership which facilitated the delivery of these two ultra-modern markets befitting the status of our state and resonate with the vision of a Greater Lagos.

“The impact the markets have had on the economy of Lagos is invaluable, as they serve as focal points of economic activities in the State. These are the real examples of initiatives of grassroots democracy and socio-economic growth.”

On his part, Mr Chris Onyekachi, the Managing Director (MD) of Total Value Integrated Services, a conglomerate involved in real estate development, construction, and civil engineering contracting works and the brain behind the construction of the ultra-modern markets with structures named after notable personalities including the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Mr Busura Alebiosu, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, et al. revealed that it wasn’t easy building a market of the magnitude of the third phase of the Ikosi International Model Market and the Ikosi International Fruits Market Phase 2.

He revealed that the journey to where the market is today began almost two and half years ago when his company came to reconstruct the market, which started from phase one to the third phase.

He said, “It wasn’t an easy journey because convincing market traders that we had good plans for them wasn’t an easy one. In their minds, they thought we wanted to chase them away. Some people felt that we wanted to use the place to build an estate, but we were lucky to have the leaders in the environment intervene. To the glory of God, we completed the first phase, we allocated it, then we started the second phase, and we also completed and allocated that. This is the third phase, and to the glory of God, we are here today. I thank God for His grace and mercy.”

Stating that the shops are affordable, Mr Onyekachi said that Total Value Integrated Services has a timeline for payment for those who can’t afford to finish their payment once, noting that once 60 per cent of the first deposit is paid, the remaining balance can be spread as agreed.

“We have our management team that is going to be on the ground to manage all the facilities here. I can assure you that in the next 10 years, whatever you have seen today is going to be in the same condition because we are going to manage them properly. Everything is properly designed, the landscape included. You can see our car parks. We have about 500 car parks here, and it makes it convenient for every person that is coming to buy and trade.

“We have a 300 KVA generator, a fire hydrant in case of fire; definitely we don’t pray for that, but we have made provision. All of the shops will be metered; we also have our security house here. We have six mobile policemen that are going to be here day and night, and we also have members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC)/that are also going to be here to provide security.”

Adding her voice to the narrative, the chairman, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Bada, noted that the markets were built in the quest to improve the standard of trading and to serve as an alternative to the existing markets.

“The markets were built in phases. The first phase was commissioned last year by Mr Governor, which consisted of key-clamp shops (fruit section) where all old occupants and fruit-market shop owners were conveniently relocated, with more than 3,000 units of spacious key clamps.

“Today, I am delighted that the second phase has been completed and is being commissioned by Mr Governor and will be allocated to old users,” she concluded.

The event attracted several notable personalities, including the Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Samiat Bada; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mrs Rabiat Arobieke; Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, and Mr Aramide Adeyoye, among others.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Monday, May 29, 2023, has been declared a public holiday by the federal government to commemorate the inauguration of Mr Bola Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.

Several dignitaries from across the world, including the United States and some African countries, are expected to grace the swearing-in of the country’s 16th democratically elected President.

In a statement on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, commended the citizens for their strident efforts at achieving an unbroken civilian rule and successful change of governments since 1999, appealing for support and cooperation with the coming administration.

“Democracy anywhere is an unfinished business, and the only way it can keep developing and serve its end of being the vehicle to good governance and the welfare of all the people is by adhering to its tenets of the rule of law, support for democratic institutions, promotion of free and responsible press and advancement of the frontiers of freedom for all the people,” he said.

The Minister commended Nigerians for their faith in democracy as expressed in the nationwide elections that produced the President and his Deputy being inaugurated and indeed in all elections across the nation, enjoining Nigerians to continue to support and promote democracy through adherence to the rule of law and uphold all democratic institutions.

In the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Shuaib Belgore, the Minister urged Nigerians also to continue to promote ideals of peaceful coexistence and love for our neighbours, noting that we can only practice democracy and enjoy its dividends in a peaceful environment.

Mr Aregbesola charged Nigerians to shun any form of violence and other untoward acts, saying all hands should be on the deck for the brightness of the future of Nigeria.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Vice President-elect, Mr Kashim Shettima, has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.

In a judgment on Friday, May 26, 2023, Justice Adamu Jauro, who read the judgement, noted that the opposition party could not meddle in the affairs of another political party, stressing that it acted as a meddlesome interloper and a busybody as the matter was purely of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The apex court said it agreed with the lower courts, which earlier threw out the case for lack of merit because it lacked the locus standi to institute the case.

The court thereafter awarded N2 million against the PDP.

The PDP had asked the court to annul the candidacy of Mr Shettima for double nomination in violation of the Electoral Act. This would have also nullified the victory of the President-elect, Mr Bola Tinubu, who is expected to be sworn in on Monday, May 29, 20223.