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LASTMA DENIES REPORT ON LACK OF POWER TO MAKE ARREST
…Says Agency Empowered By Law To Apprehend Vehicles, Recalcitrant Motorists
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday reiterated its powers under the relevant provisions of the Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012 (as amended) to impound any vehicle and apprehend recalcitrant motorists who contravene any section of the law.
Speaking while receiving the Executive and Members of Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development who came to express solidarity and sympathy over the death of 18 traffic officials of the agency that died on line of duty in 2018, LASTMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Olakpe said contrary to misinformation in some sections of the media, the agency was fully empowered by law to make arrest where and when necessary.
Olakpe, who is a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), said the traffic laws of the State equipped officials of the Agency with powers to arrest where appropriate and allow the alleged offender to pay the fine stipulated for the offence under the law.
In addition, the LASTMA boss said the law allows for penalties for neglect of traffic directions, while disobeying traffic control personnel also attracts fines and impounding of vehicles.
According to him, “One thing the people must know is that the purpose of laws in any state is to regulate human conduct and punish violators, to ensure safety and sanity on the roads and at the same time regulate the function and authority of traffic personnel.”
He said from the findings of the Agency, many of the gridlocks are due to the unusual driving behaviour of some motorists, saying it was important for the public to always cooperate with traffic officers while on the road.
He added that instead of taking laws into their hands, motorists should feel free to take advantage of the open-door policy of LASTMA by reporting any erring officer.
“Just from January 2019 till date, over 30 traffic officials have been brutalized by ill-tempered motorists and as an Agency, we owe it to our officials and their families the responsibility of ensuring their security and safety while performing their duties,” Olakpe said.
He assured that the Agency was reaching out to sister agencies and spirited members of the public in order to deepen collaboration and cooperation with a view to protecting State traffic officials in their domain.
He warned that any motorist that proved to be an agent provocateur irrespective of position on the road will have his vehicle impounded and taken to LASTMA Yard to face appropriate sanctions in accordance with the relevant section of the law.
He further disclosed that the State Traffic officials will soon commence another round of training on civility, politeness and protocol of arrest that would lay emphasis on respect for members of the public, just as he assured that adequate traffic measures have been firmed up to achieve seamless traffic during the Easter period and beyond.
Responding on behalf of the organisation, it’s President, Bankole Odunuga acknowledged the sacrifice and courage being displayed by the traffic officials in spite of intimidation by motorists, disobedience of traffic laws, assaults, injuries and deaths suffered in the line of duty.
Odunuga declared the readiness of his organisation to partner LASTMA in the area of public campaign and enlightenment in order to promote good road culture for sanity to reign on Lagos roads.
It will be recalled that the Agency has stepped up its activities, public enlightenment campaigns and regular meetings with its stakeholders with a view to finding enduring solution to the perennial traffic gridlock in the strategic areas of the State including Apapa, Ikeja Along, Ikorodu Roundabout, Ajah, Mile 12, Iyana Ipaja, among others.
Dollar Tumbles Against Naira At Parallel Market
Sahara Weekly Reports That The naira sustained its appreciation against the United States dollar at the parallel market as it appreciated on Friday, from N1,160 to N1,155.
This represents 0.43 percent (N5) gain than N1,160 exchanged on Thursday at the parallel market.
It could be recalled that the naira had steadied in the parallel market on Wednesday and Thursday as it sells for N1,160 respectively.
However, the forex turnover, on Thursday, hit $105.50million according to data from NAFEM, the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, the market trading segment for Investors, Exporters and End-users.
The turnover represents the amount of dollars traded at a particular trading day.
Although the rate is still unpalatable to the business community and Nigerians at large but a management consultant, Babatunde Adeniji, said the naira crisis is being largely driven by speculation following the country’s liquidity challenge.
“In terms of price, for the short time it is speculation that drives things. If you are a trader and you want to take a bet, with the level of distrust of the government, with no clear visible assurance of where the dollar is coming from to stabilise the naira, which position would you take? You are bound to take the position skewed towards the dollar,” he stated.
He said the country would begin to heave a sigh of relief when the authorities can pay up all the backlog of foreign exchange forwards with sufficient liquidity to meet pending obligations.
“Nigeria as a country does not have enough dollars to meet its promise. If we don’t do things that are substantial and visible, all that grammar would not help.
X3M Ideas, Noah’s Ark, Insight Publicis win big at the 2023 LAIF Awards
…as Leo Burnett wins Grand Pix
Sahara Weekly Unveils That It was a night of recognition, glamour, and celebration of creative excellence at the 2023 edition of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Awards as X3M Marketing Ideas Limited, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Insight Publicis, and Leo Burnett won big at the event.
The award ceremony, which was held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at The Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, saw the Steve Babaeko-led X3M Marketing Ideas Limited lead the medal haul with 15 Gold, 20 Silver, and 7 Bronze, which eventually resulted in the agency being named the 2023 Agency of the Year.
Noah’s Ark Communications Limited came second on the medals table, carting home 12 Gold, 16 Silver, and 7 Bronze, while Insight Publicis and Leo Burnett emerged third and fourth, respectively. Insight Publicis won 9 Gold, 16 Silver, and 15 Bronze, while Leo Burnett won 1 Grand Pix, 9 Gold, 4 Silver, and 4 Bronze.
In his welcome remarks, the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria(AAAN), Mr. Steve Babaeko, noted that the LAIF Awards remain the beacon of innovation and creativity in the advertising landscape in West Africa.
Babaeko noted that he was confident that the commitment of the new LAIF management board would engender a transformative journey for the award.
While applauding all the agencies that submitted entries for the awards, saying that every participant is a winner, he urged participants not to see the LAIF Awards as a competition but as a community that thrives on the pulse of creativity.
He explained that the diversity of talent showcased through the entries reflects the richness of the advertising industry, noting that it is a testament to the boundless creativity that emanates from every corner of Nigeria.
“ Together, we shape the advertising narrative, pushing boundaries and redefining excellence. As we embark on the exciting journey of recognition and celebration, let us cherish the camaraderie that unites us. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful evening filled with inspiration and fun and joy of shared success,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, LAIF Awards Management Board, Mr. Jay Chukwuemeka, explained that the 2023 edition of the awards, which is the 18th edition of the festival, received over 500 entries from a total of 18 agencies. He disclosed that the entries submitted were creative works of the agencies on brands while about 47 jurors worked on the entries to determine the best works for the honours.
Chukwuemeka congratulated all the nominees as well as those who submitted entries for putting up creative works that were selected for honours.
He expressed gratitude to the next generation of ideologists who participated in the Young LAIF competition, noting that their ideas and energy remain invaluable. He equally commended the jury members for rising to the occasion in confronting the challenging task of objectivity and finding common grounds amidst different opinions in their decision-making.
A major key highlight of the event was the induction of two distinguished personalities in the advertising industry, Director General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr.Lekan Fadolapo and Mrs. Nkoli Ogbolu, into the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Awards Hall of Fame.
BREAKING! Police Arrests Popular Internet Sensation, Chef Dammy In Akure
Sahara Weekly Reports That the popular internet sensation, Chef Dammy who went viral after attempting have her name on the Guinness World Records for the longest hours of cooking, has been arrested.
This was made known by an X (formerly twitter) user who claim to have classified information about Chef Dammy’s arrest.
According to him, Chef Dammy was arrested following a petition by her pastor who has been at loggerheads with her since she became famous.
‘’I have information that Chef Dammy has been arrested by men of the @PoliceNGAIG zone 17 in Akure for a petition against her by her pastor, that police station has a history of extremely corrupt practices and I am speaking from personal experience. I urge the families of Chef Dammy to speak out in case the right of Dammy is abused at any point.’’
I have information that Chef Dammy has been arrested by men of the @PoliceNG AIG zone 17 in Akure for a petition against her by her pastor, that police station has a history of extremely corrupt practices and I am speaking from personal experience. I urge the families of Chef… pic.twitter.com/dOHeLISRjt
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè AICMC (@YemieFash) November 23, 2023
Chef Dammy had raised an alert recently that her pastor should be held if anything bad happens to her apparently because of the treatment she was getting from the cleric.
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