14killed, 6 survive has plane carrying Agagu’s corpse crashed

An Associated Airlines plane conveying the corpse of the late former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu, crashed on Thursday morning, killing at least 14 people, just minutes after taking off at the Murtala Muhammed International in Lagos, southwestern Nigeria, aviation authorities said.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, had earlier said that 15 people died while five survived.

AIB Commissioner, Capt Muktar Usman, said there were 13 passengers on board and seven crew. He said the aircraft had a capacity of 30 seats and had just taken off when it crashed at 9.32 am.

AIB said an emergency response centre has been set up and could be reached on the following numbers 08034034422, 017607285, 017936118.

Usman said the manifest will only be released after families of the dead had been informed.
The Embraer 120 plane had 20 souls on board.

Usman said he did not know the age of the plane or how many aircraft the airline had. Sources said the airline had only one aircraft.

The black box known as the Flight Data Recorder, FDR, has been found, AIB said.

Lagos Plane crash: Agagu’s casket being recovered

The survivors have been taken to an undisclosed hospital, Usman said.
FAAN spokesperson, Yakubu Dati, said there will be an update every 30 minutes about the crash.
Sources said the plane was conveying the corpse of former Aviation Minister and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu. His two sons and daughter were said to have perished in the plane crash.

Digital Africa focuses attention on global ICT community

IN bid for Africa to move from being a mere bystander or passive participant in the global ICT industry the Digital Africa Global Consult is on the mission to initate a paradigm shift in the technology industry and create a forum for Africa to showcase her products to the rest of the world.

   Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Digital Africa Global Consult, Nneoma Ofodile said Digital Africa is on the mission to initiate a paradigm shift in the technology industry and create a forum for Africa to showcase her products to the rest of the world and has taken on the initiative to move Africa to exhibit at CES 2014.

   “Products by the Consumer Electronics Association, the International CES attracts the world’s business leaders and pioneering thinkers to a forum where the industry’s most relevant issues are addressed. The first CES took place in New York City in June of 1967. Currently holding in Las Vegas every year, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

    “Out of the 24,306 International exhibitors that participated at CES 2013 none came from Africa. Africa is so far behind and is yet to take advantage of the opportunities that these kind of events present.

    “This presents an opportunity for African companies especially Nigerians to connect with global ICT giants and benefit from the exposure, growth and development opportunities this event presents,” she said.

  “The purpose of the International CES is for industry affiliates to meet with manufacturers of consumer electronics products for potential business opportunities. Opportunity to network with industry peers and make new business contacts, meeting with existing business partners/vendors. And develop new business partnerships and vendors.

   “Promote a better integrated Africa using modern ICT tools, to create opportunity for industries to meet with exiting business partners, share knowledge on the latest developments in the ICT world, do business and close deals,” she added.

    Digital Africa Conference & Exhibitions scheduled to hold from May 20 -22, 2014 at the Eko Convention Center, Lagos, Nigeria. Themed: “Towards Digital Singularity in Africa.”

The Publicity Secretary/Business Development, Fredrick Apeji (left), The CEO and General Managing of Digital Africa Global Consult Limited Nneoma Ofodile, and the Director Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Armstrong Takar at the Digital Africa Global Consult press briefing in Lagos, yesterday.

                                                            PHOTO: Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

NRC to increase number of coaches

LAGOS rail commuters are in for a swell time as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has assured of plans to increase the number of its coaches to serve them better.

   Speaking yesterday in Lagos against the backdrop of commuters’ complaints that the coaches were not enough for the large number of passengers in the metropolis, the Lagos NRC District Manager, Mr. Paul Ndibe, said the corporation was aware of the situation and would provide more coaches.

   According to him, “additional coaches are already in the pipeline to alleviate the sufferings of railway commuters. While waiting for this, we will, however, not condone the habit of sitting on the roof of the train for any reason, not even congestion, as it is not safe.

   “Police have been directed to arrest anybody found sitting on the top or hanging on the trains. In fact, 30 people were arrested on Friday and we will continue.”

   Ndibe assured that full restoration of rail transportation would soon be completed to serve the growing population of train passengers in the state.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Fashola to host forum on energy conservation

LAGOS State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is set to host a Google hangout with residents tomorrow to discuss energy conservation.

   Slated for 6:00p.m at the Mega Plaza, Victoria Island, the event anticipates the Energy Conservation Month with its energy conservation campaign, themed “Conserve Energy, Save Money (CESM),” which was developed by the state Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in conjunction with the Lagos State Electricity Board.

   In a statement, the electricity board said the campaign would use behaviour change communication materials that carry step-by-step, do-it-yourself instructions on energy efficiency and conservation improvements to save Lagosians money and make the city more energy efficient.

   The awareness session will hold at the E-Centre on October 26, and during the conservation campaign, residents of Lagos would be taught how to calculate their energy consumption on the spot, thereby aiding planning and boosting their economy.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Fashola, MI to host forum on energy conservation

FOLLOWING  the declaration of October 2013 as Energy Conservation month by the Lagos State Government, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola will on Friday,September 27, 2013 at 6:00 pm host a Google Hangout with popular musician MI and citizens to discuss energy conservation and the energy initiatives undertaken by the state government.

Fashola will be the first governor in West Africa to use this platform in sensitizing citizens on Energy Conservation behaviour and thus continually re-affirming the state position as the “centre for excellence”. Already, conversations are ongoing about energy conservation in Lagos State amongst citizens in particular the youths, on new media channels.

Citizens are encouraged to log on to www.lseb.gov.ng to follow instructions on how to participate at the ‘Google Hangout with BRF’ and toalso follow the Governor on his Google Plus Page @ Babatunde Fashola.

Citizens are encouraged to log on through the internet to participate live. However the conversations and call-ins will be viewable to all onthe LSEB YouTube Channel post-hangout session.

They also have opportunity to win a variety of gift items such as Energy Saving Bulbs, Solar Lamps, CESM pen-drives and emblems to incentivise them and emphasise the importance of energy conservation behaviours.

In anticipation of the Energy Conservation Month, the State Government through its Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the implementing agency, Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has developed an Energy Conservation Campaign themed “Conserve Energy, Save Money” (CESM) by deploying Behaviour Change Communication materials that carry step by step, do it yourself instructions on energy efficiency and conservation improvements to save Lagosians money and make the megacity more energy efficient.

The first energy conservation activation was carried out at the E-Center, Yaba on Saturday September 21, 2013 and the second activation will take place on Saturday September 28, 2013 at the Mega Plaza, Victoria Island Lagos by 11:00 to 8:00 pm and back at the E-Center for Saturday October 26, 2013. At the activations citizens will have the opportunity to learn how they can calculate their energy consumption on the spot thereby aiding planning to conserve energy and save money (CESM).

    By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola