Happy New Year Best Wishes from me to you.

Below is the picture of the ongoing Lagos Blue and Red Metro Line to be completed this 2022.
We can't wait to host you, your family and investments in Lagos.

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.
In Lagos, your family and your investments are safe and your investments are guaranteed of great returns.

udele1:
No need to beg, Igbo's have no choice now. Lagos is a must.

on one hand you claim the igbo's are nothing, then on the other hand/moniker, you jubilate that the igbo's will bring there money to Lagos.
pls choose a position and Stand by it

Vaughanlanrewaj:
You can't go wrong if you bring your investments to Lagos.

United Airlines will start a non-stop Lagos to Washington dc flight by November 29.


Please if you are reading this and yet to bring your investments to Lagos, please bring your investments to Lagos. You and your investments are safe in Lagos.

We will always welcome you, your family and business. Lagos will be your home too.



United Airlines announced Friday that new service between Washington, D.C. and Lagos, Nigeria will begin November 29 (subject to government approval).

The airline will operate three weekly flights connecting the U.S. capital to Nigeria’s largest city, which is also the top Western African destination for U.S-based travelers. Tickets will be available for sale on united.com and the United app this weekend.

“This new flight to Lagos has been highly anticipated by our customers and offers the first ever nonstop service between Washington, D.C. and Nigeria, as well as convenient, one-stop connections to over 80 destinations throughout the Americas including Houston and Chicago,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of international network and alliances.

“On behalf of all of United we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation for supporting our plans to provide this service.”

“We are honored to work with our partners at United Airlines to welcome their second nonstop connection from Dulles International to the African continent,” said Carl Schultz, acting vice president of airline business development at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “Lagos joins nearly 50 other nonstop international destinations currently served by the National Capital Region’s gateway to the world.”

United will operate this route with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring 28 United Polaris® business class lie-flat seats, 21 United Premium Plus® premium economy seats, 36 Economy Plus®seats and 158 standard economy seats. This flight is the only service between the U.S. and Nigeria to offer premium economy product. Flights will depart Washington, D.C. on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and return from Lagos on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/18/09/2021/united-airlines-to-begin-flights-between-lagos-and-washington-d-c/

Shey dem don start operating?

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.
We will love to host you, your family and your investments.
In Lagos, you,your family and investments are safe and your investments are guaranteed of great returns.
Invest in Lagos today.
Thank you.



Trains intended for unbuilt Milwaukee-Madison high-speed rail line going to Nigeria.

Governor of Nigeria's Lagos State visits Milwaukee to complete purchase from train manufacturer Talgo

By Christine Hatfield
Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 10:00am
Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 2:55pm

Two trains originally intended for a high-speed rail line to connect Madison and Milwaukee are headed for Nigeria. The governor of that country's Lagos State was in Milwaukee on Tuesday to purchase the unused trains.

The trains are set to become part of West Africa's first operational metro system, according to a press release.

At a public event at the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer Talgo, acting Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson welcomed Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

"It's a little bittersweet," Johnson said after the event. "I'm sending my congratulations to the governor in Lagos State in Nigeria, but also a little disappointed that we missed out on the opportunity to have those trainsets operating here in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin."

It's the latest turn in a decade-long saga revolving around high-speed rail, which Wisconsin Public Radio previously covered in the 2019 podcast series "Derailed."

Milwaukee Alder Robert Bauman was not at the event, but said the ending is much like the entire storyline.

"It's kind of an absurd ending to an absurd tale," Bauman said.

In 2009, Wisconsin's then-Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, announced a deal with Talgo for two new trains to be built in the state and used for a high-speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. In the same year, Wisconsin was awarded $810 million for the project in a federal stimulus bill.

Frank Busalacchi was Wisconsin's Secretary of Transportation at the time.

"I certainly didn't expect what happened to happen," said Busalacchi. "It was unfortunate, but I think now, as you look and see where the world is going, not just our country, where the world is going, it was the right thing to do."

The plans died off after Republican Scott Walker became governor. But by 2012, Talgo had built the trains, and sent an invoice to the state for them. Later that year, Talgo terminated the contract and sued the state, kicking off a court dispute that lasted almost three years.

Ultimately, under the terms of a settlement between Wisconsin and Talgo, the state paid the company a total of $50 million for the trains, which remained under the company's ownership.

"The partisanship got so deep that literally, Wisconsin is making decisions that amount to shooting yourself in both feet," Bauman said. "Who buys a set of train cars, refuses to complete the contract, ends up getting sued, settles, pays out another $50-some million in damages, and then you don't even get the cars?"

The trains sat unused in an Amtrak facility in Indiana for years, a lasting reminder of the dispute. They eventually returned to Talgo's plant in Milwaukee in 2019.

'm glad that they were able now to sell them to somebody, that somebody is going to use them," Busalacchi said. "The fact that after many years, Talgo's found a buyer for the trains, I mean, kudos to them."

Around when the trains came back to Milwaukee, Talgo spokespeople floated the possibility of the trains finding a use on Amtrak's Cascades line in the Pacific Northwest, but last year Amtrak announced Siemens Mobility would produce new trains for the line instead.

"It is what it is," Bauman said. "They're moving on to Nigeria. Good for the Nigerians."

The first phase of the Nigerian metro system the Talgo trains are set to become part of is expected to begin operation later this year, serving up to half a million passengers in the Lagos area daily.

Johnson said conversations about high-speed rail in Wisconsin have not gone away.

"I hope that at some point, we're still able to realize that vision for a more connected community," said Johnson.

For more on the history of high-speed rail in Wisconsin, check out WPR's investigative podcast series, "Derailed."


https://www.wpr.org/trains-intended-unbuilt-milwaukee-madison-high-speed-rail-line-going-nigeria


1: Reactions from Wisconsin

2 and 3: Reactions from Nigeria

4: The Talgo trains originally designed and built for Wisconsin's high-speed rail line sits at an Amtrak facility in Beech Grove, Ind. Shawn Johnson/WPR

This is Lagos.
Please bring your investments to Lagos today.
God bless you.

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.
You, your family and investments are safe in Lagos State.
And your investments to Lagos today are guaranteed of great returns.

The city of Lagos now has the fastest trains in Africa

The city of Lagos now has the fastest trains in Africa - with a top speed of 330km/h - which it recently acquired as part of its plans to launch the Red Line metro project, a 37-kilometre intracity railway system.

The 330km/h trains were acquired by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, from Talgo Group, a Madrid-based manufacturer of high-speed passenger trains.

The 330-KPH trains were sold to the state by Talgo Group, a Madrid-based manufacturer of high-speed passenger trains.
The ‘Red Line’ rail is expected to commence commercial operations between the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. When completed, the rail network will have 11 stations and will also become the first operational metro system in West Africa designed to convey at least 500,000 passengers daily in the first phase of operation.

“The 37km Red Line on completion will traverse eight stations and move passengers from Agbado to Oyingbo,” Governor Banajide Sanwo-Olu said on Wednesday.

“We are ramping up completion of the ancillary infrastructure like the train stations.”

The ‘Red Line’ rail is expected to commence commercial operations between the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.
On Tuesday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu completed the acquisition deal of the trains at a public event inside the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer Talgo Incorporated in the United States.

Commenting on the acquisition, Sanwo-Olu said the move was in line with his administration’s commitment to Traffic Management and Transportation of the THEMES developmental agenda.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu completed the acquisition deal of the trains at a public event inside the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer Talgo Incorporated in the United States.

“Part of what we have done in the last two and half years is to have what we call Integrated Urban Mass transportation system, where we will be using road infrastructure, waterway infrastructure and rail infrastructure so that we can move over 20 million Lagosians within and around the city,” he said.

“We hope that this (purchase of the trains) will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial business relationship. Providing a source of livelihood for our citizens is all about providing jobs for our people, and that is what we are doing. It is about ensuring that we can build our economy; people can move from one location to another, and businesses can grow.


https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/the-city-of-lagos-now-has-the-fastest-trains-in-africa/x2drf7l

Dangote Petrochemical Refinery: Roaring to Life on the Lagos Blue Sky.

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.

Investment Growth in South West Nigeria


Invest In Lagos State.

Political will and commitment from the Six(6) Governors from the South-West Nigeria will stimulate investment and economic integration in the geo-political zone.

 

Stakeholder emphasized this at the 2022 South West Investment Promotion Agencies forum organized by the DAWN Commission and hosted by the Office of Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs in Lagos state.

 

Giving the opening remarks at the event the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Solape Hammond described the South-West as a region well positioned for economic integration because of common language, heritage and values.

 

She believed the region through cooperation had the opportunity to enhance trade and investment, taking advantage of globalization and the recent African economic integration initiative through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

 

The Director-General of the DAWN Commission Mr. Seye Oyeleye  in his address said its mandate was to make the South West region the key investment hub in Sub-Saharan Africa, SSA. He noted that despite the strategic geographical positioning of the region, the economic performance was still sub-optimal.

 

He said the major challenge for the region was finding the policy framework that can unlock economic opportunities in the region, and called on the Governors to support the integration drive with the required political will.

 

Oyeleye assured stakeholders that the DAWN Commission will continue to work with the IPAs and governments in the South-West, to mainstream game-changing reforms to lead the region as a strategic investment bloc in Nigeria.

 

Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos state who was represented by Mr Sam Egube, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning called for efforts to be intensified in the area of deepening regional integration.

 

He challenged policy makers and the private sector to explore ways of connecting investors to sustainable development initiatives. The Governor reminded participants at the conference that regional integration is designed to stimulate economic growth & trade, leveraging the comparative advantage of the states.

 

Sanwo-olu also tasked the South West on prioritizing investments in Human Capital, while working out modalities to improve inter-state trade industrialization and structural transformation of the economies.

 

The keynote speaker Dr. Segun Aina, Chairman, Odu'a Investment Company Limited stated that the region had the potentials to compete with leading African economies like Kenya and South Africa.

 

According to him the Odu'a Investment Company Limited in the past two years has been more aggressive in the area of attracting investments into the region.

 

He listed some of the strategies of OICL for the region which include;

Revamping the South West Agricultural CorporationVenture into the Energy business to seek for a Marginal fieldEstablish a Sovereign Wealth Fund to enable investments in the regional economySet up a South West Development Bank for funding and attracting investments into the region

 

The event featured robust panel sessions including the discourse on "Reforms/Strategies to Promote Investments in the South-West Region" with Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, Chairman, Proshare with panelists Mrs. Abosede Oluwakemi George , Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investments, Lagos State, Mrs. Fehintola Odulaja, Deputy Director-General, Ogun State Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, OSIPA and Mr. Boye Oyewumi, CEO, Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, OSIPA.

 

Key issues raised at the panel discourse covered the need for connected infrastructure in the region, political will from the Governors, the need to strengthen SWAGO(The South West Agricultural Company) for food security, broadband infrastructure ad increased collaboration to benefit from the AFCFTA.

Thank you Mrs Chika Russel, CEO Chika’s Wholefoods Africa Limited (CWAL) .

Like Chika, please bring your investments to Lagos,Nigeria today.

Your investments, like investments of others, will be safe and profitable in Lagos.

Please invest in Lagos today.
Thank you.

UK Snack Brand Announces Entry into Nigeria.


UK premium snack retailer, Chika’s Foods has announced plans to commence business operations in Nigeria. This will mark the organization’s expansion into the African snack market and the first of many market entries to come. The company, which is registered as Chika’s Wholefoods Africa Limited (CWAL) in an official document stated that it aims to introduce high quality production standards and make premium snacking experience available to low income groups across the continent, starting with Lagos Nigeria.

Group CEO, Chika’s Foods, Chika Russell said, “Our story is incomplete without our Nigerian heritage and so we have come home to serve premium snacks to Nigerians and to bring standards to the African snack industry. We strongly believe that snacks which taste good and is produced to the highest quality standards should be available to everyone, regardless of income class. That’s our goal for coming back home to Nigeria. We are a conscientious brand using good ingredients (none of the bad stuff), known for our good ethos and backing good causes. We want everyone to eat only the good.”


THISDAYLive
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UK Snack Brand Announces Entry into Nigeria
March 18, 2022 3:54 am0


UK premium snack retailer, Chika’s Foods has announced plans to commence business operations in Nigeria. This will mark the organization’s expansion into the African snack market and the first of many market entries to come. The company, which is registered as Chika’s Wholefoods Africa Limited (CWAL) in an official document stated that it aims to introduce high quality production standards and make premium snacking experience available to low income groups across the continent, starting with Lagos Nigeria.

Group CEO, Chika’s Foods, Chika Russell said, “Our story is incomplete without our Nigerian heritage and so we have come home to serve premium snacks to Nigerians and to bring standards to the African snack industry. We strongly believe that snacks which taste good and is produced to the highest quality standards should be available to everyone, regardless of income class. That’s our goal for coming back home to Nigeria. We are a conscientious brand using good ingredients (none of the bad stuff), known for our good ethos and backing good causes. We want everyone to eat only the good.”



Nigerian by birth, Mrs. Russell left her birth country at age 6 to the UK. As an adult in the UK, she realized a huge under representation of African food in the snacks market – snacks which were the delight of her childhood. And with a deep breath, she left the world of finance to share her passion for African inspired foods. Chika’s the brand was born.

In 2015, Chika’s began retailing African inspired snacks to the UK. In the same year, the brand appeared on Dragon’s Den UK where five investors vied to fund the business. Eventually, Chika Russell went at it alone drawing the attention of even bigger investors to the company. In 2022, the brand announced its entry into the Nigerian snacks market, an expansion from its previous UK frontiers, starting with three exciting flavours – Chika’s Yummy! Easy Cheesy, Chicken Chop and Fire Grill – all of which will soon be available in key trade channels in Lagos.



https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/03/18/uk-snack-brand-announces-entry-into-nigeria/

Please invest in Lagos.

Below is Text Of The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu's Speech At Dangote Fertilizer Plant Lekki's Opening (Video)

Mr President. . .president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your excellency, the Senate president. Your excellency, the right honourable speaker. My brother governors that are here, past and present, especially Asiwaju, who I'll talk about very shortly. The deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, our pride in New York, Mrs Amina Mohammed. I like the diversity, that it's not all male and we're still doing the IWS thing for you.

Let me also acknowledge the man that we are all here for, the president of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Let me also acknowledge, Mr President, the host community, the traditional ruler of the host community that are here also in large numbers. And distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Mr President, in the last 9 months you've been to Lagos 3 times, let me once again welcome you to Lagos. Let me welcome you to the Centre of Excellence, let me welcome you to the State of Aquatic Splendour and you could see the aquatic splendour when we were flying in the helicopter. But let me welcome you to the largest economy and to the largest population in Africa. More importantly, let me welcome you to the largest urea fertilizer plant in Africa as well, the Dangote Fertilizer Plant.

Mr President, like I said, you've had the opportunity to come and commission several projects. Security, with the Nigerian Navy, security for the Nigerian Police Force and of course, the Standard Guage Rail Line project, which are some of the things that we are truly really happy that you have come to Lagos to do. Today we are here to hand over and to commission the biggest fertilizer plant in the whole of Africa.

Just last week you and I, when I was with you in the UK, we discussed some of the things that you said that you wanted to leave behind. How are we treating youth unemployment? How are we ensuring that we can produce what we need to eat? And how are we ensuring that indeed, our youths, we can give them the right employment? This was just a week ago. Mr President, this is a testament of some of the concerns that you have, last week when you and I were discussing. And I did mention to you that you would be invited to Lagos in another 2 months to commission the largest rice mill in the country as well. But it's not just that we are commissioning a rice mill, it's that the fertilizer and urea that is coming out of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant here, will be utilised by the farmers that you are always concerned about, by the youth that you want us to give employment to and they will be utilising the fertilizer and they will be utilising the rice mill that we will be commissioning very very soon.

Mr President, you also mentioned to me, while we were on our way here, that, "Oh my God! How was he able to do it? How was Mr. . .Alhaji Aliko Dangote able to do this feat"? And I said to you that it is the power, the resilience, the Nigerian in him that kept on driving him on and that I know that several times he had wanted to stop and that something in him continued to tell him to trudge on. It's the audacity of the size of this project is amazing, even when you look at it high above, from the helicopter. And he's here. We want to acknowledge and we want to thank him so very much.

But the story of Dangote Fertilizer and Refinery will be incomplete if we don't put the history into proper perspective.

The idea around having a free zone in the Ibeju Lekki area was conceived by our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I was with him in 2003/2004 when we took a trip to China and we were trying to concieve a free zone. And today here, this free zone is not only home to the largest fertilizer plant in Africa, but will certainly be home to the largest refinery, the single train refinery in the entire world, come later this year.

And so we are indeed so very excited that our host community continues to remain home to all of these big projects. We're indeed excited that peace, safety and security in this part of the country continues to remain something that is critical to you and it is something that is also critical to us as a government.

And so, on behalf of the community, the very very large community of Ibeju Lekki, the millions of direct and indirect jobs that this complex will be providing, I want to thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote. He could have made a different choice about his wealth. He could have made a different decision about what God has given to him, but he took the audacity and said that this is what I want to be remembered for.

For me it's about how do we replicate several Aliko Dangote in our midst. How do we ensure that indeed we can put other Aliko Dangotes in other parts of this country and they can indeed domesticate all of these great initiatives for you.

Alhaji Aliko, you do not need any further introduction. You are a son of the soil. You are an indigene of Ibeju Lekki and there's nothing. . .because Mr President told me that I should hold you. I said you ain't going anywhere. You are here with us and the community is happy to have you.

So the story is not about him today. It's about all of us. How many others do we want to build? Lagos is home and is ready. Lagos is home and is ready. We have sufficient land for you. Don't think that it's only Kebbi and Kaduna and Niger that has land, we have sufficient land for you, to absorb all of your other investments that you might be thinking about.

And finally, it's truly, really to thank all of you. Asiwaju to thank you for the vision, to say that indeed, what this whole neighbourhood is about. . .it's about ensuring that we can double and we can quadruple the GDP of our country. That we can provide jobs and opportunities for the teeming youths that we have and we can give them the hope that Mr President continues to talk about.

Mr President, I want to thank you again for creating the time to be here today. We will be inviting you again in another 2 months to come and commission the very first again in our community. And finally, again to thank you for giving us your Executive Order 7 on the road that we will be doing. The major road out of this place, Alhaji forgot to mention it, because we have been working on this road for a long time and you've given us the approval for it. And so we will be doing the road here and the State Government also will be asking you to come and commission the 18.7 kilometre, the 6 lane rigid pavement road that we have on the other side, such that the experience that we are having in Apapa will certainly not be the type of experience that we will be having here.

We are ready for business, Lagos is open for future investment.

Thank you all very much for coming.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c73QlwUbHw

Falcon Corporation, ND Western & FHN Consortium Sign Gas Infrastructure in Lagos.


A consortium of Falcon Corporation, ND Western Midstream Limited & FHN Gas Limited, has been selected to build exclusively, own, and operate a Natural Gas distribution infrastructure network within the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) (https://LagosFreeZone.com).
To actualize this opportunity, the Consortium shall incorporate a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): Optimera Energy LFZ Enterprise (Optimera Energy) within the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ).

The consortium parties signed a Gas Infrastructure Development Agreement with the Lagos Free Zone to formalize this engagement. The signing ceremony was held on Monday, May 16, 2022 at the Corporate Head Office of LFZ in Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the event, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, MD, Optimera Energy, said, “The Optimera consortium is made up of like-minded shareholders passionate about a common goal: accelerating the further growth of domestic gas utilization in Nigeria. Having reliable dedicated gas supply infrastructure installed in the LFZ adds tremendous value to existing industrial concerns and will increase the Zone’s attractiveness to future customers.”

Ezigbo noted that the endeavour would be a big step towards actualizing the objectives of the ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, of which gas-based industrial growth is a significant part. “The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provides the necessary regulatory environment for projects such as these to succeed in Nigeria. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in this project’s development and operation phases.”

“The Consortium members bring over 50 years of experience and expertise in operating across the Natural Gas value chain from upstream production in the Niger Delta to downstream distribution to industries in Lagos. Our dedicated Project Team will work diligently with a strict adherence to the highest standards of safety, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance to deliver this project on time and under budget, as we have done within our respective portfolios.”

The Managing Director & CEO of LFZ, Mr. Dinesh Rathi, during his interaction with the press, remarked, “In our continued efforts at Lagos Free Zone to provide a world-class industrial ecosystem that enhances the competitive positioning of Nigeria as a manufacturing hub, our partnership with the consortium of Falcon Corporation, ND Western Midstream Limited & FHN Gas Limited, is a landmark development.

With Lekki Port’s construction slated to be completed in December 2022, we needed to secure a reliable arrangement to meet the energy needs of our fast-growing tenant base, and we are confident that our partnership with the Consortium would help us realize the same. This is a unique transaction in the history of Nigeria’s downstream sector wherein a consortium formed of reputable upstream, midstream, and downstream companies have come together to ensure gas supply to LFZ, the sunrise economic epicentre of West Africa. Under this arrangement, the Consortium, through their special purpose vehicle, Optimera Energy, would deliver uninterrupted piped gas by early 2024 to all the enterprises within the Lagos Free Zone. We welcome the Consortium on this collective journey towards unlocking Nigeria’s true potential.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/05/26/falcon-corporation-nd-western-fhn-consortium-sign-gas-infrastructure-development-agreement/[/quote]

Please bring your investments to Lagos

Lagos, Ogun Account For ₦3.2tr Of Nigeria ₦3.7tr Manufacturing Output In H2 2021

With a combined manufacturing production value of N3.2 trillion in the second half of 2021, Lagos and Ogun industrial zones are responsible for 86 per cent of manufactured goods consumed in the country and exported.

According to the latest data released by the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), of the N3.73 trillion worth of goods produced across 14 industrial zones nationwide, Lagos (Ikeja and Apapa) and Ogun zones accounted for the bulk of locally produced goods, while the remaining 12 zones recorded production value of N526 billion.

This further reinforces the claim that Lagos and Ogun remain the industrial hubs of the nation.

Specifically, in Lagos, the Ikeja zone recorded a production value of N1.81 trillion while the Apap zone’s value dropped to N526.9 billion. Ogun industrial zone produced goods worth N867.3 billion in the second half of the year.

Production value in the manufacturing sector totaled N7.03 trillion in 2021 as against N4.42 trillion recorded in 2020.

According to MAN, the increase in the manufacturing production value in the second half of 2021 was associated with the increase in cement production due to the new BUA cement factory in Sokoto; the African Glass new factory that produces glass products; and activities of the five newly established paper mills that recycle waste paper into carton.

Notwithstanding the improved performance of the manufacturing sector during the year, MAN, however noted that the performance is still far beyond its potential growth and contribution to national output due to almost innumerable challenges confronting the sector.

Although MAN claimed electricity supply from the national grid had marginally improved since 2019 as indicated by the average daily electricity supply and outage, the local producers stated that electricity supply from the grid had persistently been inadequate, compelling manufacturers to invest heavily in alternative energy sources to sustain uninterrupted production activity.

Based on identified circumstances, MAN said expenditure on alternative energy sources in the manufacturing sector stood at N45.04 billion in the second half of 2021 as against N57.75 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2020; thus, indicating N12.71 billion or 22 percent declined over the period.

However, the figure increased by N12.86 billion when compared with N32.18 billion recorded in the preceding half. Expenditure on alternative energy sources stood at N77.22 billion in 2021 as against 81.91 billion recorded in 2020. The decline in expenditure on alternative energy sources in 2021 was ascribed to the marginal improvement in the national electricity supply over the period.

Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/lagos-ogun-account-for-n3-2tr-of-nigerias-n3-7tr-production-output-in-h2-2021/amp/

Okay oo we are bringing our investment to come

udele1:
No need to beg, Igbo's have no choice now. Lagos is a must.

Have they ever had a choice?

Please bring your investment to Lagos today.
Thank you.


FG says $15.6 billion Abidjan-Lagos highway to benefit 40 million commuters

The Federal Government says that the construction of the 1,028kilometre Abidjan-Lagos highway is expected to benefit at least 40 million West Africans upon completion.
This is as the link bridge that connects Nigeria to Cameroun which was largely funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), would be commissioned this month.
The highway is estimated to cost $15.6 billion which is expected to have a significant impact on the economies of five regional countries, namely: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, remained firmly on course.
This was made known by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola while speaking at the 16th inter-ministerial meeting of the group in Abuja over the weekend.
Fashola who doubles as the Chairman of the five regional ministerial steering committees noted that the resources were being mobilised to ensure the Nigerian axis of the project was completed soon.


What the Minister of Works and Housing is saying

Fashola stated, “The Nigeria section is the famous Lagos-Badagry corridor. As the designs are going on, integration is going on and our government led by President Muhammadu Buhari through his tax-credit scheme, has mobilised the resources that will ensure that the Lagos-Badagry section of this highway can be fully paid for.

“Money is now in place and work is now going on and those who are familiar with the corridor must have realised that between December last year and the first quarter of this year, there has been more rapid deployment of men, machines and materials along that corridor.’’

On the link bridge between Nigeria and Cameroon, The minister said, “We have completed a new link bridge that links Nigeria to Cameroon, and it was funded largely by the AfDB and we are hoping that the ECOWAS Commission will give us the necessary support to ensure the formal opening of that bridge sometime in the month of June.’’

Going further he stated that the commitment to the piece of infrastructure is to upgrade the road network into a first-class six-lane highway, stressing that although there was a need for speed, quality must not be sacrificed.

Fashola said, “We’re trying to deliver a better life for five countries and over 40 million people who use that corridor, almost on a daily basis.

“The future is bright, this is an important investment for the people of Africa to achieve the objective of the Africa Union (AU) to create a trans-African highway.’’

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Transport Economist, AfDB and Task Manager for the project, Lydie Ehouman, said the bank had been able to secure an agreement for an additional €3.5 million for the road project.
He stated that the new addition has brought the total amount available for the initial financing of the strategic study on the project to $ 41 million.


She said, “The agreement for the on-lending of this additional grant by the bank to ECOWAS is currently being finalised. Thus, in addition to its substantial contribution of $25 million, the bank will have mobilised €12.63 million in the form of a grant from the European Union.
“This brings the total amount available for the financing of this highly strategic study to the equivalent of about US$ 41 million.’’

What you should know

Recall that earlier in May the AfDB had announced that the African Investment Forum has secured $15.6 billion of investment interests for the construction of the Lagos-Abidjan highway corridor.

The Corridor is expected to connect up to 5 West African capital cities covering approximately 1,028 km and 8 border crossings, which are Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

AfDB says the construction will be the flagship project of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), which is a key regional trade and transport corridor that interconnects some of the largest and most economically dynamic cities in Africa, Abidjan, Accra, Cotonou, Lomé and Lagos.

https://nairametrics.com/2022/06/06/fg-says-15-6-billion-abidjan-lagos-highway-to-benefit-40-million-commuters/

Please bring your investments to Lagos State.
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Please join others already doing so.
Lagos is the right place to site your investments

LAMATA, Oando sign MoU to launch electric mass transit buses in Lagos
...initiative to over 22 million Lagos commuters.


Oando Clean Energy Limited has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (referred to as LAMATA), the Lagos State Government agency tasked with planning, implementing, regulating and franchising sustainable integrated public transport in Lagos.

The MoU establishes a partnership between OCEL and Lagos State in her journey to becoming a sustainable city via the rollout of electric mass transit buses, supporting charging infrastructure and service centres (EV Infrastructure Ecosystem).

The statement obtained from the NGX noted that with over 25 million residents, Lagos is the most populous city in Africa and among the top ten of the world’s fastest-growing megacities.

What they are saying
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said the MoU represented the State Government’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gases by replacing them with cleaner sources of energy.

Oladeinde said, “With an understanding that transportation is a key emitter of greenhouse gases in Nigeria, we developed a strategy to cut greenhouse gases by 50%. A key component of this strategy was identifying and developing a more robust mass transit system for Lagos that would include rail and waterways amongst others. Using electricity to power mass transit is a step in the right direction, and from there we would gradually transit to private cars.


“This is just the beginning, there is still a lot more to come on stream. I commend LAMATA and Oando on this MoU signing, and both parties can be rest assured that they have my full backing to ensure success,” he added.

Commenting on the MoU signing, the Managing Director, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo said: “We began this journey late last year, and for us, this has been a rapid development. It speaks to the energy and zeal of both organizations, and that is commendable. Oando Clean Energy came to us with a comprehensive solution that went beyond electric mass transit buses to include supporting infrastructure, and this was key for us, as the full remit of an EV support ecosystem is the only way to achieve success.

“This initiative will not only accelerate the Government’s transportation agenda, but also positively impact the health of Lagosians and the environment. The magnitude of its impact is far-reaching, and when you start to look at it as more than a transport initiative, you will see how laudable a project it is. The Oando brand comes with know-how and experience, and we are relying on this to successfully move from MoU signing to actual implementation that will in the medium to long term benefit over 22 million Lagos commuters. We look forward to a very robust and fruitful partnership.”


In his response, the Chairman, Oando Clean Energy, Adewale Tinubu, who was represented at the MoU signing by Dr. Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune said: “Oando Clean Energy was born out of a need to curate the best energy mix to propel Nigeria and indeed Africa, to its full potential.

As a company, Oando has always championed Public-Private Partnerships as fundamental to Nigeria’s industrialization. Through the signing of this MoU, we are revolutionizing the landscape of mobility by pioneering e-mobility in Lagos. Furthermore, we remain dedicated to achieving our national commitment to net-zero by 2060, ending energy deficiencies and further propelling the country to an industrialized phase through decentralized and sustainable energy systems.

We are excited to be embarking on this journey with Lagos State and must commend their foresight and willingness to forge a template for others to follow. It’s easy to be perturbed by the perceived challenges that come with the mega-city status tag, but by taking this bold step, Lagos is showing the continent what is indeed possible and giving other cities the impetus to redefine today how to build a public transport system for the future.”

What you should know

Over the last decade, the number of vehicles on Lagos roads has quadrupled, yet studies suggest that Lagos could become the world’s most populated city by 2100 with as many as 100 million residents; and as the city grows, so will the number of vehicles.

This upward trajectory in vehicle numbers poses a significant challenge as transportation has been identified as the key contributing sector at circa 23% to 30% in annual CO2 emissions.

Against this backdrop, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between LAMATA and OCEL will enable the successful fulfilment of the objectives of the Lagos State Government through the deployment of an EV Infrastructure Ecosystem towards the attainment of a sustainable road transport system in the State.

Furthermore, this initiative will bridge the existing gap in available mass transit buses for the increasing number of Lagos commuters.

https://nairametrics.com/2022/06/06/lamata-oando-sign-mou-to-launch-electric-mass-transit-buses-in-lagos/

Educative

We dey follow up .... Keep it coming

Please bring your investments to Lagos State.
Your investments are safe and you're guaranteed of a working business environment.
Please join others already doing so.
Lagos is the right place to site your investments. You, your family and investments are safe in Lagos.
Please invest in Lagos today.
Thank you.

ONGOING LEGACY PROJECT: THE ETI-OSA-LEKKI-EPE EXPRESSWAY MASSIVE CONCRETE ROAD PROJECT (Eleko Junction to EPE) construction by the Administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu).

PROJECT DETAILS:

- Contractor: Craneburg Construction

- Rigid Pavement (Concrete road)

- Project Distance: 18.75 Km (Phase 1)

- 6-lane dual Carriageway with dedicated truck lane for heavy duty vehicles

- 1.5km Pedestrian Walkway and Drainage on both sides

When completed, perennial traffic gridlocks would be eliminated, improvement of socio-economic activities in and around Lekki-Epe Expressway and surroundings, reduce travel time etc

- Second Phase will start at Abraham Adesanya Junction to Eleko Junction with a span of 26.7km.

https://twitter.com/Mr_JAGs/status/1536642259021594624?t=9Hzx3PZb96CoI8ZmwBIGPw&s=19

…LSDPC partners private developer to re-model fallow land for mass housing scheme

…‘Lagos remains most hospitable environment for investors’ - Elumelu


A major urban renewal project that will restore the aesthetic landscape of Falomo, the commercial suburb of Ikoyi in Lagos State, has been flagged off by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday.

Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) sealed a joint redevelopment partnership with Afriland Properties Plc, a private developer, to turn former Falomo Shopping Complex to a premium sky-high real estate that will enhance the socio-economic outlook of the neighbourhood.

Falomo Towers, being developed on 11,950 square metres of land, will offer a blend of green amenities that will promote quality living.

Afriland Properties Plc is a subsidiary of Heir Holdings, owned by the foremost entrepreneur and banker, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

Sanwo-Olu, at the sod turning ceremony held at the project site, said the construction flag-off ended a decade-long discussion with the developer to revive the project and build iconic towers that would turn around the fallow land for the benefit of the public.

The Governor said the project was another milestone achieved by his administration to renew urban amenities, stressing that the strategic implementation of the Lagos Masterplan had been dependent on the Government’s ability to forge workable partnership between the public and private sectors.

He said: “This is a phenomenal project that will bring back the lost ambience of Ikoyi. When this partnership was initiated 10 years ago, I was the Managing Director of LSDPC. It is interesting to note that we’ve all gone through arbitration but we didn’t throw a wrong punch. We agreed this project must not be thrown away. Today we are making a transaction that is bigger and better than what was initially proposed 10 years ago.

“This testifies to the uniqueness of public and private sectors in ensuring things can be made a lot better when we sit and agree. This is a clear example of what Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is out to achieve when partnerships and collaborations are pursued and implemented with seriousness. When we put our minds of possibilities to ideas, great things happen. This aptly describes the story of today’s flag-off of construction of Falomo Towers.”

Sanwo-Olu described Afriland Properties as a tested, trusted and reliable developer, saying the Corporation had found the right partner for the redevelopment project.

The Governor reiterated that the State Government would remain committed to ensuring the investors get full value for their investments, while promising to continue to pursue business environment reforms, including automation of land and property records to scale up transparency and efficiency that catalyse sustainable investments.

Elemelu said the partnership was another testimony to the Lagos State Government’s belief in the private sector as a key development driver in the State, praising the Lagos political leadership for setting the pace of private sector inclusion in governance.

For surmounting obstaclesthat delayed the take-off of the partnership, Elumelu said Lagos remained the most hospitable environment to investors seeking profitable return on their investments.

He said: “I commend Gov. Sanwo-Olu and the political leaders of the State for believing in the private sector. What we are witnessing today attests to their beliefs in the private sector as driver of development in the State

“For private sector to do well, the political leadership must create the right environment. Lagos has set the pace in this direction. This partnership is a celebration of dialogue and this makes Lagos remain the most hospitable environment for investors.”

LSDPC Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, said the project site evoked memories of a glorious past for Island dwell in the 1970s, noting that the Corporation took an informed decision to turn around the site by building residential apartments to provide additional accommodation to the growing middle class, business professionals and the swelling rank of young citizens.

He said: “Over forty years down the line, the Corporation in its decision to renew some of its facilities has deemed it fit to redevelop the site of the shopping complex, taking into consideration the realities of today’s needs as well as the environmental impact implications.

“To achieve this purpose, we decided to mobilise finance from the private sector. This decision will free resources that could otherwise be tied down to this project, for other pressing needs. In addition, it will allow the project to benefit from the competitive efficiencies for which the private sector is better known.”

Chief Executive Officer of Afriland Properties, Mrs. Uzo Oshogwe, noted that the redevelopment project was a revival of a landmark, saying: “With the project, we tend to give Ikoyi back its aesthetic landmark

She said the iconic project would enhance and beautify Ikoyi skyline, adding that the partnership would be creating economic opportunities and social wealth that would transform the State and the country.

The project development is expected to be completed in 30 months.

https://lagostoday.com.ng/housing-sanwo-olu-flags-off-development-of-falomo-towers-in-ikoyi/

Lagos building more world class infradtructures.

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrW4DiW3UVA

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.


First Cargo Vessel Berths at Lekki Deep Seaport

Suleiman Idris.
July 1, 2022. 6:22 pm

Steps towards commencing fulll commercial operations at the nation’s first Deep Seaport at Lekki received a major boost on Friday with the arrival of a cargo vessel Zhen Hua 28, berthing at the port.

The arrival of the ship, bearing modern ship-to-shore cranes and ten rubber tyred gantries, is historic as it provides a glimpse into commercial operations at the port.

The vessel, 232 meter long with a draft of 9.2 meters, originated from Shanghai China and spent 30 days at sea before berthing at the deep seaport.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Muhammed Bello Koko who led other stakeholders to receive the ship said her arrival is an indication that the September 2022 projection for the commencement of full automated operations at the port is realistic.

The deep seaport, conceived 13 years ago, is the first in Nigeria and the best in West Africa.

It has a draft of 16.5 meters and a turning circle of 600 meters,. giving it huge advantage in terms of container capacity turnout for shippers in Nigeria and other African countries.

https://www.nta.ng/business/2022/07/01-first-cargo-vessel-berths-at-lekki-deep-seaport/

Please bring your investments to Lagos today.

Odua Investment Holds 40th AGM, Declares N9.37bn PBT, Sets up The Odua Investment Foundation



Highlights

❖ Odu’a Investment declares N9.37 billion as Profit Before Tax 

❖ Dividend payable for Financial Year 2021 raised by 15% 

❖ Sets up ‘’The Odu’a Investment Foundation’’ 
 
Odu’a Investment Company Limited held its 40th Annual General Meeting on June 22, 2022 at Lagos Airport Hotel Limited, Ikeja, Lagos. In attendance were shareholders represented by the Secretaries to the State Governments (SSGs) of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos States. All resolutions presented for shareholder approval were adopted.  


The meeting approved the Audited Financial Statement of the Company for the Financial Year ended 31st December 2021 as well as the payment of cash dividend of N418.4 million to its shareholders which is a 15% increase over prior year. Commenting on the result, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Adewale Raji buttressed that PBT for 2021 included revaluation gains of N7.11Billion from the company’s investment properties portfolio which was N2.63Billion in 2020. If this Accounting gains are stripped off, the normalized PBT for 2021 will be N2.26Billion and N1.12Billion for 2022; representing an appreciable 102% growth. 
 


He also reported that the company celebrated 45years since it commenced operations in November 2021 and that as part of the celebrations, the Odu’a Investment Foundation was established to positively influence the next generation of youths with focus on Health, Education and Youth Empowerment 
 


Our Agric Investment Subsidiary, SWAGCO Ltd (South West Agriculture Company), has begun to make significant effort in investing in agriculture opportunities that will drive capacity development for a new generation of commercial farmers and entrepreneurs. We have committed a large proportion of our land bank towards these efforts focusing on Cassava, Maize, Paddy Rice and Dairy. 
 

The company’s investment in Oil & Gas through acquisition of part of BITA Marginal Field and set up of BITA Exploration & Production Ltd with our JV partner is gathering momentum. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) that replaced DPR is currently finalizing the model for Licensing and Contracting documents that will govern the operations of the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Winners. This is the critical hurdle to scale to make the coast clear for a Field Development Plan and approval that will lead to achieving ‘’First Oil’’ .


The business outlook of the company which is to transit to a lean non-operating holding company that will focus on driving the growth and expansion of its Subsidiaries and Associate Companies, ensuring Investment Excellence across its portfolio of assets and seeking for new partnerships for growth in its 8 sectors as captured in ’’SRC 2025 Strategic Plan” (i.e. Agriculture, Real Estate, Hospitality, Financial Services, Energy, Healthcare, ICT/Digital and Logistics/e-Commerce). 

https://proshare.co/articles/odua-investment-holds-40th-agm-declares-n9.37bn-pbt-sets-up-the-odua-investment-foundation?menu=Business&classification=Read&category=World%20of%20Business

Here is the level of work on the Yaba-Oyingbo and Ebutte Metta flyovers for the soon-to-be-completed RED LINE Rail Project by Lagos 001 @jidesanwoolu. It’s promise delivered #ForAGreaterLagos. https:///ci0Vmu3fMt



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htwtLghnDkw

https://twitter.com/gboyegaakosile/status/1552559448777965568?t=_f9TYMaUitiRvooON7HxwA&s=19

BREAKING : Federal Executive Council(FEC) today approved the Development of the Badagry Deep-Sea Port, on Build-Own-Operate-Transfer(BOOT) Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model

Project Sum: USD$2.594 Billion, to be Fully-financed by Private Investors

Concession period: 45 years

https://twitter.com/toluogunlesi/status/1554841539242872832

Please bring your investments to Lagos State.
Your investments are safe and you're guaranteed of a working business environment.
Please join others already doing so.
Lagos is the right place to site your investments. You, your family and investments are safe in Lagos.
Please invest in Lagos today.
Thank you.

Thank you Nike for bringing your investments to Lagos.
God bless Nike!
Join Nike today and invest in Lagos, please.
Thank you.

Nike has opened its flagship store in Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria on 25th August 2022.

Multibillion dollar company, @Nike , opens its first flagship store in West Africa, today in Lagos Nigeria. Nigeria will be serving the west African subcontinent with authentic Nike shoes and apparels.

https://twitter.com/OvieNews/status/1562935233145716738?t=fsuTzY2nuRHDvFEV83IHRg&s=08

Lagos State Governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu takes a tour of the recently completed Lagos City Train (Video)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuQpYSN5X7w

Please bring your investment to Lagos today.
Thank you.

The John Randle Center is near completion, and will be commissioned soon.

A Greater Lagos is indeed rising.

#GreaterLagosRising



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1kbAg1UXuI

Vaughanlanrewaj:
The John Randle Center is near completion, and will be commissioned soon.

A Greater Lagos is indeed rising.

#GreaterLagosRising



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1kbAg1UXuI

J.K. Randle x3


Dr John Kehinde "JK" Randle


Dr John Kehinde "JK" Randle was born in Sierra Leone in 1855. His father, Thomas Randle, was a liberated slave from Oyo, who had settled in Freetown. He later moved to Lagos. John Randle attended the CMS Grammar School in Freetown, Sierra Leone, before working as a dispenser in the colonial hospital. He saved enough money that enabled him to attend the University of Edinburgh in Scotland between 1884 and 1888, graduating with a gold medal in materia medica. Randle and his fellow-student Obadiah Johnson obtained positions in 1889 as Assistant Colonial Surgeons in the Lagos Colonial Hospital. At the same time, Randle practiced privately, treating most of the European traders of Lagos, particularly the Germans.


In November 1890 Randle married Victoria Matilda Davies, the daughter of the famous and wealthy Captain James Pinson Labulo Davies and Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria's god-daughter. Queen Victoria had given Matilda Davies the name Victoria at her christening, had bestowed an allowance of £40 for life and had given her a solid gold christening set. The queen donated the material for Matilda's wedding gown.


Randle resigned from the Colonial Service in 1892. He was angry that as an African he was given about half the salary of a European with the same training, and that he was being required to serve as a doctor in locations far from Lagos. Gilbert Thomas Carter, Governor of Lagos in 1891–97, said of his resignation, "My past experience of native doctors ... does not encourage me to place much faith in their aptitude for this profession..." Randle withdrew his resignation, but asked for an increase in salary to £500 per year. Randle was dismissed from the service in September 1893 for his persistent refusal to make tours of duty to the British military outpost at Ijebu Ode. He devoted himself to private medical practice, in which he was highly successful. He served patients from all levels of society, providing free treatment to the poor. Randle was successful in treating yellow fever and guinea worm infestation.


Dr Randle grew wealthy, acquired a lot of land in Lagos and had a significant shareholding in the Bank of British West Africa (now First Bank Nigeria). He was one of the famous "Victorian Gentlemen" of Lagos (in the late 1800s and early 1900s). He even went as far as ordering his food from England!


He was one of the leaders of the idea that an African Church needed to be created. A lot of Nigerian priests had received advanced formal education in the late 1800s, but this did not translate into senior positions for them. Some African priests had complained, but they were suspended on basically, racist grounds. In 1890 Randle was a member of a committee that invited the pan-Africanist educator, journalist and politician Edward Wilmot Blyden (a Liberian) to Lagos to support them in their dispute over the Niger Mission. On 2 January 1891, at a meeting attended by Governor Cornelius Alfred Moloney, Blyden proposed an independent African Church with Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther as its head. (An African Church was eventually established in 1901 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_African_Church).


Although Herbert Macaulay's Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) was the first political party in Nigeria, many political associations had existed long before the NNDP was created in 1922. These associations were created to promote certain causes and fight for certain rights, rather than to contest elections. Dr JK Randle became active in politics and the governor of the Colony of Lagos, Sir William MacGregor, made him a provisional member of the Legislative Council in 1899. Dr JK Randle, along with other notable and legendary Lagosians like Dr Orisadipe Obasa, Sir Kitoye Ajasa, Sir Adeyemo Alakija and Dr Richard Akinwande Savage formed The People's Union, a political association, in 1908.

In my personal opinion, the main problem that the People's Union had was that it was not radical enough for Lagosians. It actually fought against some of the policies of the Colonial Government, but it did not go as far as Lagosians would have liked.

For example, the People's Union fought against the water rate that was proposed by the Colonial Government. The government had planned to tax Lagosians and to use the revenue to build the Iju Waterworks. Many Lagosians, especially traditional Lagosians, felt that the new waterworks would be primarily used by the Europeans and therefore the Europeans should pay for it. The traditional Lagosians were satisfied with the water that they bought from Da Rocha and with the many wells that were dug across the city. When the government insisted on imposing the water rate, the traditional Lagosians, led by the Oba of Lagos, Eshugbayi Eleko, staged a mass protest that led to a riot.

In contrast, although the educated elite, led by the People's Union, opposed the water rate, their reason for opposing it was that there should be no taxation without representation (this was similar to the demand of the American independence agitators). They demanded that the government should conduct elections, so that Lagosians would have a say in how their tax money was being used, only then would they accept the water rate (traditional Lagosians were not ready to accept the water rate for any reason). The educated elite, led by the People's Union, later capitulated when they were threatened by the government (Lord Lugard brought back the idea of the water rate and threatened the members of the People's Union with charges of sedition and threats of agitation).

The members of the People's Union also fought against the proposal by Lord Lugard to convert all land in Nigeria to government property. They toured Yorubaland and even went to London to campaign against the proposal. The government subsequently dropped the idea.

The People's Union waned during World War 1 and Dr Randle and Dr Obasa formed the Reform Club after the war. The Reform Club took an interest in politics and education and seemed to be a continuation of the People's Union.

Herbert Macaulay formed the Nigerian National Democratic Party in 1922 and Governor Sir Hugh Clifford instituted elections in Lagos in 1923 and in response to these activities, the People's Union was revived. However, as I said earlier, it was not radical enough for Lagosians. Herbert Macaulay and his NNDP vigorously challenged the policies of the Colonial Government, while the People's Union advocated for gradual change. The people of Lagos loved Macaulay very much.


The pool and garden

However, our main concern in this piece is the major contributions and donations that Dr JK Randle made to Lagos.

Dr Randle lived in the Marina area of Lagos (you might remember that I told you that Europeans and wealthy Lagosians lived on the Marina before the Onikoyi gave the Europeans land on which they built a European settlement in Ikoyi). He could see as Lagosians were being ferried from the Island to the Mainland and vice versa in boats (which were the main means of transport at the time). Every so often there would be a mishap and a boat would capsize and people would die. Dr Randle felt that the situation could be improved if Lagosians were taught how to swim. He wrote several letters to the Colonial Government, urging them to build a public swimming pool where Lagosians would be taught how to swim, but his letters were ignored.


Dr Randle then decided to do the task himself. He built a public swimming pool in the Onikan area of Lagos and handed it over to the Lagos Town Council to run. He went as far as donating money for the maintenance of the pool. That pool is the famous Onikan Swimming Pool.


Dr Randle also felt that ordinary Lagosians should have a park where they can relax in the evenings. The park and beach at the Marina was mainly used by Europeans and he wanted somewhere that indigenous Lagosians could relax. He therefore built the famous Randle Love Garden near the pool and handed it over to the council to run.



Dr Randle also made huge donations to several communities across West Africa. In 1920 he was appointed one of the vice-patrons of the Sierra Leonean Friendly Society of Lagos. He built a chapel and two schools in his birth town of Regent, and contributed funds to erect a science building at Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone and to support science teaching there. He donated his medical and scientific books and journals to Fourah Bay College, and donated money for a professorship and medical scholarships.


Dr John Kehinde "JK" Randle passed away on February 27th, 1928 at the age of 73. He was buried at the rear of the Ikoyi Cemetery, but in 1940 his remains were moved to the front of the cemetery as a gesture to acknowledge his achievements. JK Randle Road, Onikan (between Tafawa Balewa Square and State House Marina) is named after him.

Lagos is smelling and not fit for investment.