Now that Evans has been apprehended, this piece of the puzzle should be publicised.

Can this be moved to the front page?

Freiburger, r231

naptu2:


In addition to what you wrote, Andrew Young and Olusegun Obasanjo were very good friends and Ambassador Young served as guardian to Obasanjo's son, after the son was smuggled to the US when Obasanjo was jailed by Abacha.

That might partly explain the link between the Abacha goverment and Louis Farrakhan.

naptu2:



This second photo, being honored by playing a fun doubles match with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the honorable[b] Andrew Young.[/b] Ambassador Young happened to be traveling in Nigeria and learned of the American contingent that was there to play in the tournament. He made an unscheduled stop to join the team – and hit a few balls, for the afternoon.

http://www.blacktennishistory.com/benin-city-nigeria/

Andrew Young was an exceptional personality

He played a significant role in the Black emancipation movement in the US right from the days of Martin Luther King Jnr.

I think he went on to become Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia and later played a big role is securing 1996 Olympics Hosting rights for the city.

It's good that he went on to hold such an important position as US ambadsador to the UN.

He was an important character in President Jimmy Carter's government and Nigeria's just after Murtala was killed.

As the report on the Ashe visit indicated, there were strong anti-US sentiments just before Murtala was killed.

When Obasanjo took over, Nigeria-US relationship became very chummy.

Carter even visited Nigeria.

I think you once created a thread on the visit.

The story behind the change in the relationship must be very interesting.

naptu2:

2) I used to call Ikoyi Road "The most important road in Nigeria" in the 1980s. That's because State House Ribadu Road, Dodan Barracks and Broadcasting House all have gates on that road. Flag Staff House (now Defense House) is also nearby. Remember that Murtala was killed at the Bank Road/Ikoyi Road junction.

You forgot to add the Federal Secretariat.

naptu2:

3) The visit of the Williams sisters was facilitated by Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Lord Rumens' nephew..

Another sports journalist of repute, like Chuka Momah, Deacon Ayo Ositelu (popularly called 'Arena' was the MC at the Williams sisters' exhibition match at LLTC.

naptu2:


Nduka Odizor




Veronica Oyibokia receiving the top prize after winning the All Nigeria Open Tennis Championship in Lagos. In the middle is boxing aficionado, former host of Big Fight of The Decade and former president of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, Mr Chuka Momah.

Lord Rumens, Ogbe, Dala. Hmm.

Those names bring a flood of memories- The Duke, Igbinovia, Oyibokia, etc.

There was a Lagos ITF tournament which began during Ashiwaju Tinubu's tenure as Lagos governor.

I think it used to be held at LLTC. Does it still hold?


I remember Chuka Momah's boxing programme on NTA.

He played significant roles in sporting circles.

I think he wrote a book recently on his experiences. That should be worth reading.

naptu2:
Tags: Ishilove, caveatemptor, johnie, joseph1832, DanseMacabre, stagger, kannymoore

Thanks for the mention.

Quite informative.

Cleared a few things I was not sure about and connected some dots for me.

E.g.


1. Thought Murtala was riding from Dodan Barracks to the Federal Secretariat when the coupist struck. The report says he was riding fron his home in Ikoyi to Dodan Barracks. Can anyone clarify?

2. Despite driving through the stretch between where he was killled and FRCN several times over the years, it never struck me that the coupists only had to walk a few meters to the radio station after killing Murtala. Not until I read this.

3. Also never knew LLTC ever hosted such a big tourney. I remember that the Williams sisters played there just a few years back. I thought that was the most high profile event there.

Also noted that

1. Customs also performed the role of immigration in those days.

2. Federal Palace was the place to be in Lagos for many years.

I remember reading about some strange events happening there around the time of the first 1966 coup.

Does Transcorp Hilton fit the bill of FPH in Abuja these days?


Thanks for sharing!

DanseMacabre:


I'm afraid the timeline is too early for me, too.

Thanks for your response

placeofallure:


Hmmmn, the time under review is way too early for me, if you'd asked about early 90s probably. Wish I could help though.

Thanks for your response.

naptu2:


Was it by Michael Crowder, or one of those green UPE textbooks?

Probably UPE.

I can't remember what the cover looked like.

Each page told the story of different people.

I think book 5 or 6 discussed the slave trade, life of the african slaves and their descendants in dispora and their emancipation with reference to people like William Wilberforce.

The Nigeria independence struggle, I belive was discussed in another book.

I have this feeling it was published by Spectrum.

This thread is revived?

Great!

As an aside, there was this set of Social Studies textbooks (a different for each primary school class) we used in the late 70s that detailed the lives and exploits of people like Mungo Park, Lander brothers,Mary Slessor, Florence Nightingale, etc.

Does anyone here remember the name, publisher or how one can get copies?

Naptu2, Ishilove, placeofallure, scalpel, stagger, majamajic, iwatch, nams77, dansemacabre, jakumo

sisisioge:
Wowzerful . Biko how hard can the exam be that paparazzi com reach like this? No be small thing!

The fate of the child and his/her family is determined by the Gaokao exam.

Once an individual fails the exam, access to quality higher education is sealed.

China's high population makes life very competitive.

Remember that China practised strict one-child policy until it was relaxed recently.

This means that all the investments in that one child and parents' hope of blissful old age go down the drain with failure.

blank:
I can't believe that we are back to travel. This is just sad.

From the article, i can already see where will be prime property.

Do you mind sharing?

ifyalways:
Omg, we need a pedestrian bridge at ikota asap.

Drove past a horrible, fatal accident some minutes ago @ ikota second gate. Saw a man's head crushed and buried under the tires of a suv. I'm shaking as I type this.

This life sef. . .

Edit : heard that about 10 people died this morning. And 2 died yesterday at mega chicken bus stop.

Sadly, I witnessed this accident too.

I saw the SUV zoom off as the victims lay on the floor.

Was not able to bring myself to comment on it before now.

Sorry if I am bringing back the memories but I just had to let that out to get some sort of closure.

ifyalways:
There are now potholes, I counted about three of them, at various spots by the foot of the new Ajah bridge. I will see if I can take pictures and as its raining now, it's going to grow bigger and from there, the cookie starts crumbling. . .

I also noticed something like pedestrian bar is springing up on the express. I saw it from ikota first gate to complex and then at Ilaje. If it's truly gonna be a pedestrian bar, I'm quite interested the alternatives for pedestrians especially at ikota first gates and shopping complex.

Eko oni baje

Quite right about the potholes. I noticed it shortly aftet the bridge was opened.

Looks like the portion where the 'old' road meets the 'new' was not properly done.

Like you noted, something must be done urgently or else a major bottleneck will be created there.

Already, it is creating some delay.

Are you referring to the pedestrian bridge at VGC junction?

They've been working on that for over two years now (like the onr at Ikota Primary School which yhey have resumed work on now).

I think what they are doing at Ilaje is to clear the rubble along the edges of the road so the buses can park (temporarily until the park at Ajah is ready).

Those buses constrict the road from just after the bridge up to Ilaje, creating a bottle neck there.

I must say that things have however improved after they began clearing the edges of the road and the police/LASTMA began keeping the buses from parking indiscriminately.

blank:
Abeg, who witnessed the traffic caused by VGC flooding? My friends said they had to stay almost 2 hours before they could turn at VGC. The flooding is now a menace to the expressway. I doubt people could leave their houses neither could people go in.

It was terrible!

Traffic backed up all the way from VGC through Ajah to the Ajah Police Station for vehicles coming from Abraham Adesanya.

Vehicles heading towards VGC in the opposite direction and those turning back towards VI formed about five lanes on the express.

Thankfully, they were orderly enough to leave a free lane for those heading towards Ajah.

The VGC flooding problem has been a cause of traffic jam at the VGC roundabout for years.

Something definitely has to be done about it now.

The number of vehicles coming in and out of VGC has also risen over the years. I guess the presence of establishments like Chrisland School has a part to play in this.

If we assume that only a few of the pupils ride the school bus then you can imagine how many cars go in and out of VGC in the morning between 7.30 and 8.00.

ThierryJay:
It is important to note that this ranking is not a true reflection of the overall standards for each university. There are factors that will influence how highly sought-after a university is. The most important ones include:

- Ease of completing academic calendar - many candidates would want to graduate without any form of delay at an affordable cost. This explains the preference for Unilorin as this is now its main selling point.

- Geographical distribution of standard universities - There are more reputable universities in the southwest (UI, OAU, Unilag, Covenant, FUTA, Unilorin, UNAAB) than in the North (ABU) or the Southeast/Southsouth (UNN, UniBen, maybe UniZik). So this means that prospective candidates are more evenly distributed among the SW universities due to tougher competition.

-Tough entry standards - Universities that are perceived to be difficult to gain admission into will generally have lesser number of applicants than other "come as you are" universities. This explains why Havard does not have the highest number of American applicants in the US. This takes nothing away from its premium status.

In short, OAU, UI, Unilag,UNN and more recently CU are still the universities to beat in Nigeria.

At the very top, OAU and UI are the real deal.

Brilliant analysis!

Blackpeni5, folem, xerxers

[quote author=johnie post=54478280][/quote]

Looks like this one is about to be fulfilled:


Osinbajo Gives LASG Go-ahead To Reconstruct Lagos Int’l Airport Road


The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has granted permission to the Lagos State Government to embark upon a total reconstruction of the International Airport Road from Oshodi.

In a Press Statement signed on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who made the disclosure, commended the Acting President for his statesman like approach to issues and for fast tracking the process.

“We are very appreciative of the good gesture of His Excellency, the Acting President for acceding to our request which is not only very timely but a very heartwarming one. Posterity will never forget this genuine developmental action”, Governor Ambode said.

He also described the approval as a 50th birthday to the people of Lagos State, describing it a further demonstration of the determination of the present administration to ensure the effectiveness of the Executive Order on improving the Ease of Doing Business recently signed by the Acting President.

Governor Ambode also gave kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the nation, adding that with the upgrading of the International Airport Road which is the gateway to the nation’s commercial nerve centre, the country will attract new investments.

The Governor had in early March this year, raised an alarm about the present state of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Road, describing it as a national disgrace that required immediate attention to salvage the nation’s image.

He stated then that the State presently has a design for the reconstruction of the road as well as the funds to embark on the project but was yet to get the go ahead from the Federal Government.

In his words: “The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport, you would all agree with me is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe strongly that the image that is exhumed by the decadence of that road must be repaired and we took it upon ourselves to appropriate the 2017 budget that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport.

“The State currently has a design of 10 lanes to come from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop you towards the Local Airport. The contractor is already set to go and everything as I said has been completed and we already have the cash, but alas we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. This is a Federal and not a State road. The Federal Ministry of Works believes that they should do the road, but they have not been able to do it all these years past.”

Governor Ambode had said if given the approval, his administration was ready to hit the ground running and begin construction of the Airport Road within two weeks and finish same within a period of six months.

Besides, the Governor also implored the Federal Government to avail the State of the N2billion appropriated for the Airport Road in the 2017 National Budget to carry out the project.

“I just want to appeal to the Federal Ministry of Works, to let go or reimburse us with whatever it is that they are owing us and even if they are not willing to pay us now, we have the money to do it. It is a national disgrace and we would not be part of it. We would like to do it as part of the celebration of Lagos at 50,” Governor Ambode had said then.

It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in its reaction said the delay in granting the request the of Lagos State was because the Memorandum conveying the request of Lagos State which was already before the Federal Executive Council has not reached completion stage.

“The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Ministry has presented the Memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State Government to the Federal Executive Council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State Government in 2016”.

“Due to the fact that TWO of the roads also connect Ogun State, the Federal Executive Council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other State Government affected”, the federal ministry explained.

www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/osinbajo-gives-permission-lasg-reconstruct-lagos-intl-airport-road/

laudate:

The Ajah flyover has finally been completed. I took the bridge on Saturday night. It was smooth and free from traffic.

However, the traffic jam from VGC roundabout to Ajah is still there, despite the fact that the bridge has been opened . Part of it is caused by the commercial danfo buses, and mini cabs that stop indiscriminately on the right side of the road to pick up and drop off passengers. I had expected a smooth traffic-free ride from VGC to Ajah with the opening of the flyover, but sadly that was not the case.

Very correct!

The buses need to be relocated and quickly too.

The bottleneck at that point is making nonsense of the bridge.

A park is planned on the right side heading away from VGC towards Abtaham Adesanya.

Naptu2, x2x, blank, ifyalways, after1, seun,candylips , remii , megastu , mbulela , lastpage , ektbear , phuckNL , debosky , jason123, mynd44

Oga Seun, I appeal to you once again to move this thread from this section to where the information will be available to most people who need it.

Ambode commissions Abule Egba, Ajah flyovers, Lekki roads

ON MAY 17, 2017

…To Construct Badore, Regional Roads In Lekki
…Approves Rehabilitation Of Abule Egba Inner Roads, Building Of Shopping Mall

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday commissioned the Ajah and Abule Egba Flyovers, saying that both bridges were creative solutions by his administration to address the perennial traffic associated with the areas, as well as boost economic activities in both axes.

The Governor, who spoke at separate events in Ajah and Abule Egba to officially open the Bridges, christened as ‘Jubilee Bridges’ for public use, said that while the driving motive behind Ajah Bridge was to improve connectivity in the axis and facilitate economic growth, the Abule-Egba Bridge was about opening up other areas of the State and improving the lives of residents in the area.

Speaking at Ajah, the Governor recalled that the area was troubled with terrible traffic gridlock on a daily basis, which according to him was crippling business activities, causing loss of valuable man hours and revenues.

He said the Bridge would eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced on the road while the Freedom and Admiralty roads, which he also commissioned, would provide an alternative route to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby, easing traffic at Lekki Phase 1.

“We had to give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play a key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many multi-billion naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.

“As a government, we are irrevocably committed to making Lagos State an investment haven and we have made it a duty to put in place top class infrastructure that will facilitate movement of people, goods and materials. We are confident that these initiatives will boost commercial activities in this axis, support economic growth and significantly reduce travel time as well as other costs associated with traffic challenges,” the Governor said.

Besides, Governor Ambode said that beyond the Bridge, his administration was already looking to activate the Badore jetty in line with efforts to commence reforms in the State’s water transportation efforts.

He said this intervention would see the creation of a bus route from Badore to Langbasa and Ajah axis, rehabilitation of the Badore Road and also create alternative routes through Oke-Ira to the Epe expressway, while the alternative slip road which motorists used while the construction of the Bridge lasted would be closed to accommodate a new Bus Terminal.

At the commissioning of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki, Governor Ambode said in continuation of efforts to open the axis for economic activities, the State Government in partnership with the private sector would commence construction of 8km Regional Road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) from Freedom Road.

Governor Ambode, who also spoke at the commissioning of Abule Egba Bridge, said the project was a result of the Government’s engagements with the people of the axis and his administration’s strong desire to make life easier and better for the people.

He said the area was a strategic route for commercial and social activities which was riddled by heavy traffic gridlock, hence his administration’s decision to redesign the traffic flow chart of the axis to ensure better connectivity between Lagos and Ogun States.

“Today, we all have cause to rejoice as the Jubilee Bridge, Abule-Egba is delivered. This bridge is one of the interventions we embarked upon to ensure free flow of traffic, stimulate commercial activities and create opportunities for our people.

“Lagos means business and today, Abule-Egba is open for business. This bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in this axis with the provision of this infrastructure,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor said the construction of the Bridge was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the State, assuring that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule Egba to Ogun State border.

Already, the Governor said all the adjoining roads disrupted in the course of the construction of the Bridge have been awarded for rehabilitation, while a shopping mall would also be constructed opposite the Oke-Odo Market to further boost economic activities in the axis.

Earlier, in his opening remarks at both events, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya, said that while the Ajah Bridge is a 160metres long dual carriageway with total length of 620metres, the Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3km with a water fountain. Both bridges were designed with traffic signalization, street lighting, walkways, service ducts, drainage infrastructure, among others. Freedom Road is 2.7km, while Admiralty Way is 2.2km.

www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/ambode-commissions-abule-egba-ajah-flyovers-lekki-roads/

The bridge has now been commissioned.


www.nairaland.com/3804478/ambode-commissions-jubilee-bridge-ajah

The Ajah Bridge is named 'Jubilee Bridge.'

I guess this in line with the Lagos @ 50 celebrations.

Blank, the lights for pedestrians can be seen in the pictures below.

adisabarber:
So the dokita left behind evidence of his wrongdoing? The pathologist did not even say "based on the autopsy results". He based his conclusions on the empty injection vials.

My thoughts exactly!

blank:


They really tried to keep to time. I don't know if there are traffic lights for people to cross.

Did anyone see the really bad accident by Megachicken involving a Hilux, Pilot and Danfo? I really pray the occupants of the Pilot are okay as it was hit on all sides.

Yes, there are traffic lights for pedestrians.

They tested them last week.

I didn't see the accident.

I Pray it will be well with those involved.

johnie:


This is to inform you all that the commissioning of road infrastructure will take place as follows :

1. His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will Commission the Newly Constructed Ajah Flyover/Freedom Road/Admiralty Road Date :Wednesday, 17th May 2017
Time :10 am

2.His Excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will Commission the Newly Constructed Abule-Egba Flyover.
Date : Wednesday, 17th May 2017
Time :2pm

Please plan your movement.

Naptu2, x2x, blank, ifyalways, after1, seun,candylips , remii , megastu , mbulela , lastpage , ektbear , phuckNL , debosky , jason123, mynd44

.

johnie:
Work is to commence on the construction of the Ajah flyover.

The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

This is to inform you all that the commissioning of road infrastructure will take place as follows :

1. His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will Commission the Newly Constructed Ajah Flyover/Freedom Road/Admiralty Road Date :Wednesday, 17th May 2017
Time :10 am

2.His Excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will Commission the Newly Constructed Abule-Egba Flyover.
Date : Wednesday, 17th May 2017
Time :2pm

Please plan your movement.

naptu2:


Yes, Sunmi on Sunday. He later moved to ThisDay in the early 2000s.

Do you know that he was once Fela's manager? It was from him that I learnt that it was the sticks that kept time in Fela's songs, not the drums (this becomes obvious when you listen to the drum solo on Open And Close).

I'm sure you'll like this video. Sunmi Smart Cole was featured on day 26 of the Lagos At 50 series and this is his Lagos story.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWQiO_i1JIY

Waoh!

I didn't know these.

Fela rolled with quite a number of extraordinary people.

Great minds think alike!

naptu2:


Legendary Nigerian photographer and musician, Sunmi Smart Cole's picture of Ibrahim and Halima Babangida.

SSC prefers to take black and white pictures. He is not a fan of colour pictures.

I remember this photo!

You remind me of SSC's pictures in the Sunday editions of The Guardian.

I think it was called Sunmi on Sunday or something like that.

Quite right about the B&W photos.

naptu2:


I also remember my sisters talking about Maryam's baby bump during the state visit to the UK.

This?

naptu2:
That's the terrible thing. I can't remember who it was.

I remember when Halima was born just like yesterday.

She was the first child born to a head of state at Dodan Barracks (from the period when I was old enough to be concious of events around me).

There was such fanfare about Maryam's pregancy and the birth.

She was named Halima Sadiya, I believe after Maryam's mother.

Maryam was really in the spotlight in those days.

Wish she was here now.