This is the online version of Ten Things on the Record, a weekly newsletter where we curate a list of things you need to know if you live or work in Lagos. Subscribe for free here.
- Ikeja bomb blast remembrance
While it might be right to say that January 27 remains a dark day to remember in the life of many residents in Ikeja Cantonment and environs in the wake of the infamous Ikeja bomb blast, it may well represent a testimony to human resilience that many have rebuilt their lives from the rubbles of that sad incident.
Ikeja Record visited the area to speak to residents whose lives bear deep cuts from the incident and also find out how they have picked up their lives, trudged on after the devastating incident and are rebuilding their lives 22 years later.
Around Ikeja and Beyond
2. Rapist Pastor
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Friday sentenced founder of iReign Christian Ministry, Feyi Daniels, to life imprisonment for “raping a church member”. The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, found the Lagos-based cleric guilty of rape and sexual assault of a female worshipper in his church in 2020.
3. Lagos Airline
Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed that the state is planning to establish a commercial airline, the Nation reported. The governor said that the plan had been in the pipeline for months, with the state already finalising the financing model for the project.
4. Best City
A global magazine, Time Out, has ranked Lagos as the 19th best city to visit in the world in 2024, per The Guardian. Time Out magazine said Lagos and two other African countries were part of the top 50 best cities to visit the world in an annual global survey.
From The Record
5. Ijaiye Road in ruins
Residents, motorists and other road users plying Ijaiye Road in Ogba axis of Ikeja are calling on the relevant government agencies to step in and fix the failed road. After initial complaints by a lawyer resident in the area, The Record visited the road and it was a tale of anguish and lamentations. This is even more critical because the road is the main artery to a number of key institutions such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC)’s Ogba office, the Nigeria Institute of Journalism and the Area G Police Command.
6. Lagos bank guard now accounting scholar
Dr. Samuel Umanah cuts the picture of a serious academic at the Accounting Department of University of Benin, Benin City, but not many of his students knew that he started life as a security guard in a bank in Lagos. The Record caught up with the accounting scholar where he shared his inspiring story.
7. Watch AFCON all over Lagos
Lagosians are being offered the opportunity to watch Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) matches live in open spaces across the State. The Record was in one of the open spaces to capture the atmosphere. The State Government said the centres were set up to foster a spirit of community while the tournament lasts.
8. Demolished Stores
While many traders were recounting their end-of-the-year profits, the POWA shop owners ended the year with a heavy heart and huge loss worth millions of naira, resuming the new year with uncertainty after the Police Officers Wife Association (POWA) demolished their stores, The Record reports.
9. Free buses
The Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LIELCDA) has launched a free bus service that will serve over 1,000 students from 31 public schools in the area. This follows similar efforts by the Ojodu LCDA, which has been running for over 6 months and providing succour to users.
Featured Restaurant
10. Ile Iyan
Ile Iyan, an upmarket African restaurant on Isaac John Street, Ikeja, offers the best of pounded yam varieties, bringing a unique flavour to the restaurant scene in the Ikeja community. Its offering mixes exotic culinary experience with serenity and class.
This edition of Ten Things was written by Ikechukwu Onyewuchi.
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