Nigerian Independence Day: Students protest against funding in Lagos

Today marks the 56th year after Nigeria gained her independence. You may think that should be a great milestone for a developed country but it is not. Nigeria still languishes in underdevelopment, poverty, chaotic power supply, bad infrastructure, medieval transport system and bad education.

On a day when the country should be celebrating peaceful, students in the commercial capital of Nigeria are staging a protest. Why?

The students have had enough of the lack of funding across national departments especially in the education sector. Education in Nigeria cannot even be rated internationally. The government places more emphasis on changing peoples attitudes without a solid educational structure. How do you change the minds of 180 million people if not through education?

I was in Nigeria a few weeks ago and I visited some schools in Ajah, Lagos. What I saw was beyond belief. A brand new school building yet to be opened had be used as a toilet!!! Five classes had been vandalised and fouled. You can just image the sight and smell. The pictures are too disgusting to be posted.

According to reports, the leader of the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA Wole Olubanji would lead a protest by Nigerian students against the attacks waged on Nigerian students and parents. 

WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE DEMANDING:

1. Education is underfunded in Nigeria so the federal government should give 26 % of its budget to education as requested by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO.
2. The government should reduce the salaries of political office holders immediately and slash them to the average wage and allowances of skilled workers.
3. The difference should be diverted to funding education in order to increase the creativity and productivity of the country. 

Students across the country, under the aegis of Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA, will today, stage a mass protest in Lagos in commemoration of the 56th Independence Day in Nigeria.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/independence-day-nigerian-students-set-protest-attacks-lagos/

Students across the country, under the aegis of Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA, will today, stage a mass protest in Lagos in commemoration of the 56th Independence Day in Nigeria. At a press briefing which took place Thursday, at the International Press Centre, Lagos, the students said they are protesting against the myriads of attacks waged on Nigerian students and parents. The convener, Comrade Wole Olubanji said the protest would take off by 8am, at Ikeja Under-bridge where students from various institutions of learning are expected to converge. PROTEST—University of Lagos students protesting the re-naming of the institution after late MKO Abiola yesterday in Lagos. According to him, the attacks on Nigerian students are induced by failed successive governments that obstinately refused to depart from the neo-liberal, pro-rich and elitist policies of previous regimes. The convener who said education was underfunded in Nigeria called on the federal government, to give 26 % of its budget to education as requested by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO, Also, he said it was time the government reduced the salaries of political office holders and stand against extravagant life styles of politicians. He said, “ the government continues to condone the extravagant lifestyles of political office holders with a bulk of the national budget. Change must start with cutting the jumbo salaries of these politicians. We demand this must be immediately slashed to the average wage and allowances of skilled workers. The difference, we demand, should be diverted to funding education in order to increase the creativity and productivity of this country during this period of government-induced recession.” In attendance was Secretary, Joint Action Front JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu who also called on government to look into the plight of Nigerian students.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/independence-day-nigerian-students-set-protest-attacks-lagos/

Nigeria: Lagos fireworks explosions in pictures

LAGOS, NIGERIA - At least one person was killed and dozens were seriously injured when a warehouse building storing fireworks went up in flames. As the fireworks exploded, nearby houses were engulfed in fire and many residents of Jankara, a large market on the Lagos Island ran for their lives. 

Here is the incident in pictures:

 

Lagos Cross Over Concert kicks off at Star Mega City

LAGOS, NIGERIA - One of Nigeria's top beverage companies, Star Premium lager beer is organising an concert to usher in the new year. The company in partnership with the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) is hosting the concert tagged the  Lagos Crossover Concert. It is the first ever and the concert kicked off with ten days of music, comedy and all-round entertainment at the uptown Star Mega City in the popular Eko Atlantic City area of Lagos.
 
The concert will hold on Monday December 31 and top Nigerians top music stars such as TuFace, Omawunmi, WizKid, Tiwa Sawage, Don Jazzy, D'Prince, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid of the Mavin Crew, TuFace Idibia, D’banj, EME All Stars, Mavin Stars, Choc Boyz, Burna Boy & Iyanya Perform Live amongst others will grace the stage.
The concert is expected to be the biggest of its kind in Africa and the Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who officially opened the venue described the concept as "the fruit of a successful partnership between the public and the private sector."

Music lovers will enjoy live performances from comedians and artists. Prizes including LCD television sets, bags of rice, umbrellas, caps and other exciting prizes will be given away at the event.

In pictures: Lagos 2012 Koko Concert with D'Banj, Idris Elba, Big Sean, Danny Krane, Naeto C, Iyanya and many more

LAGOS, NIGERIA - The much anticipated 2012 Koko Concert took place on Thursday in Nigeria's main commercial city, Lagos.. The event which was hosted by Hollywood actor Idris Elba took place at the One Eleven nite club on Adetokunbo Ademola street in Victoria Island. It was organised by Nigerian singer, D'Banj and it was graced by both local and international stars such as - British born Nigerian rapper Tinnie Tempah, Big Sean, Naeto C, Pusha T,  2face Idibia, Wizkid, Danny Krane, Iyanya and many more who performed at the concert.

Here are the pictures courtesy of Bella Naija.

 Watch some performances at the concert:

Welcome to Lagos vs this is the real Lagos

This is what the British think of Lagos

Watch Welcome to Lagos Here

 

Lagos stands still as Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu is laid-in-state

LAGOS –  Large crowds including important dignitaries have gathered for Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu's  lying-in-state at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Nigeria on Thursday. Within hours the whole of the city was literally shut down as people scambled towards the square.

Traffic in almost the entire metropolis came to a near stand-still. The heavy traffic was recorded at the Funsho Williams Avenue in Lagos Island and Apapa route.Witnesses observed that the routes were completely blocked.

The body of Odumegwu Ojukwu, a former presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would later be laid in state in various cities in the eastern parts of Nigeria as burial rites continue.