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Revamping Lagos: Fresh Ban on Okada and Keke, Government To Take Over Abandoned Bus and Uncompleted Buildings

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The Lagos State Government has resolved to ban the use of motorcycles and tricycles (keke) in the state, citing security concerns.

The state advised residents to access opportunities provided in agriculture and empowerment programmes of the state.

This was contained in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting on Monday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.

The meeting was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; the Chief Judge, Kazeem Alogba; the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, traditional and religious leaders and members of the civil society, among others.

The governor said the string of lawlessness daily witnessed from the confrontation between commercial motorcyclists and law enforcement agencies required urgent action.

“Based on all that we have seen and experienced in the past couple of weeks, as well as the increasing threat posed by the activities of commercial motorcycle operators to the safety and security of lives, we will be announcing further changes to the parameters of motorcycle and tricycle operations in the state in the coming days. No society can make progress amid such a haughty display of lawlessness and criminality,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu said from next week, the state would be inaugurating the First and Last Mile buses next week, which would take the routes the motorcycles were plying.

The state Commissioner of Police, Odumosu, raised the alarm over rising security breaches from the menace of okada operations in the state.

He said between January and early this month, 320 commercial motorcycles were impounded in 218 cases of criminal incidents in which 78 suspects were detained and 480 ammunition recovered.

In the same period, the Lagos police boss said Okada accounted for 83 percent of 385 cases of avoidable fatal vehicular accidents in Lagos.

At the end of the meeting, a 12-point resolution was reached, among which was a ban on Okada “as a means of transportation in the state.”

It was also stated that stakeholders agreed that the state government should take over abandoned and uncompleted buildings in the state and take control of abandoned vehicles in every nook and cranny of Lagos.

Other decisions taken were that the government could take over houses, hotels and event centres where hoodlums hibernated or kept arms.

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Travel

IATA Reveals 16.6% Rise in Global Flight Demand for January 2024

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled statistics indicating a surge in global flight demand for January 2024.

According to the latest report released by the IATA, passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, rose by 16.6%.

This surge was particularly pronounced in international air travel with a 20.8% increase in demand. Simultaneously, capacity saw a 20.9% boost, resulting in a load factor of 79.7%.

Domestically, demand rose by 10.4% with a capacity increase of 4.6%, and a notable 4.2 percentage point surge in load factor, reaching 80.2%.

Willie Walsh, the Director General of IATA, expressed optimism about the industry’s resilience despite prevailing economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

He emphasized the crucial role of aviation as a catalyst for economic growth, urging governments to adopt policies that facilitate cost reduction, enhance efficiency, and advance towards the ambitious target of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

African airlines notably observed an 18.5% surge in traffic, albeit with a slight decline in load factor to 73.3%.

The report also highlighted China’s robust domestic demand driven by Lunar New Year travel, prompting carriers to increase capacity, particularly through wide-body jet deployment.

As the aviation industry charts a course into 2024, the robust start to the year signals resilience amidst challenges, with stakeholders eyeing sustainable growth and innovation to navigate the evolving landscape of global air travel.

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Travel

Nigeria Excluded as UAE Unveils 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa to offer increased flexibility for travelers.

However, Nigeria finds itself excluded from this favorable arrangement due to the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The new visa policy enables tourists from eligible nations to enter and exit the UAE multiple times over a five-year period, provided they spend at least 90 days in the country during each visit.

It aims to enhance tourism and facilitate business interactions, aligning with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global economic hub.

Nigeria’s exclusion from the five-year visa offering stems from a series of diplomatic disputes and travel restrictions between the two nations.

In 2022, the UAE abruptly halted the issuance of visas to Nigerian citizens, along with those from 19 other African countries, without providing detailed explanations.

This move disrupted travel and business ties between the nations, including the suspension of flights by Emirates Airline from Nigeria due to financial disputes.

While the UAE’s new visa scheme promises increased ease of travel and extended stays for tourists, Nigerians remain sidelined from these benefits.

The exclusion underscores the need for diplomatic efforts to mend relations and restore normalcy in bilateral affairs.

Nigerian officials have yet to issue a formal response to the UAE’s latest visa policy.

However, it highlights the challenges facing Nigerian travelers and the urgency for constructive dialogue to address underlying tensions and foster cooperation between the two nations.

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Sport Business

Joshua Dominates Ngannou with Second-Round Knockout in Saudi Arabia Showdown

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Nigerian British boxer Anthony Joshua showcased his prowess by delivering a second-round knockout against UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

The thrilling encounter unfolded with Joshua demonstrating his technical skill and power, overwhelming Ngannou with his calculated strikes.

From the outset, Joshua asserted his dominance, landing a formidable right hand in the opening round that set the tone for the match.

Despite Ngannou’s resilience, Joshua continued to press forward, maintaining control of the bout.

As the second round commenced, Joshua unleashed another powerful right hand that visibly rocked Ngannou.

Despite his efforts, Ngannou found himself on the canvas once more, unable to withstand Joshua’s onslaught.

The referee swiftly called an end to the contest, declaring Joshua the victor by knockout.

The electrifying showdown left fans in awe as Joshua’s precision and strength proved too much for Ngannou to handle.

Although Ngannou required medical attention post-fight, Joshua’s display of sportsmanship and skill highlighted his status as a formidable force in the world of boxing.

The victory solidifies Joshua’s position as a top heavyweight contender and sets the stage for future thrilling matchups in the world of combat sports.

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