New Planet Resort: Management, residents, others condemn attempt to discredit company

Success Damian:

Management of New Planet Resorts, residents and other groups have criticized the alleged design by some unknown individuals, who posted a fake video clip of a non existing incident in the social media, with the aim of discrediting the New Planet Resorts, Lagos.

Recalled that a video clip of a suspected mentally unsound lady, found sitting in an unidentified dirty water channel, said to have been shot in an unknown location, was posted in the internet with a tag suggesting that the incident happened in the popular Resorts located at Aka Road, Ajangbadi, Lagos State.

The video which the Resorts Management said was the handiwork of some mischief makers, has elicited public outrage and condemnation from numerous lovers of the Resorts.

According to a New Planet Resorts customer who pleaded anonymity, “the fake video clip was part of smear campaign and a calculated attempt by some yet to be identified competitors, who were merely jealous and threatened by the success story of the Resorts since inception years ago”.

In the word’s of Barrister Tunde Fadugba, a Lagos based Legal Practitioner, who confirmed that he has been patronizing the Resorts since inception,  “it is indeed sad that some people do not appreciate good product and a fellow Nigerian’s efforts to contribute his quota to the development of the country. This is the only hotel that employs every tribe and ethnic grouping, including Hausa, Yoruba, Edo, Rivers, Efik, Igbo, etc. When I critically watched this video that has now gone viral, I was shaking my head in disbelief and disgust, on how some people have perverse mind full of evil.

“In the first place, the environment where the incident happened, has no resemblance with the international clean environment of the New Planet Resorts that I know. In fact, this is clearly the handiwork of some disgruntled elements, who were trying in vain to run down this hub of entertainment in Lagos. I will advise the Resorts management to endeavor to unmask, identify the perpetrators of this fake video with the aim of prosecuting them. Let them seek redress in court,”   

      

For Chief Friday Olooko, who identified himself as a guest in the Resorts “this is the only place I lodge whenever I am in Lagos on my regular business trips. The caliber of personalities, including government officials that visits here and the security arrangements involving the police, Army, Civil Defence, DSS and their internal private security, clearly make it  impossible that such incident took place here unnoticed. The originators of that fake video should be arrested and send to jail.”

Another customer, Alhaji Sanni, who told our correspondent  that he has lodged in the Resorts for four months, confirmed that no such incident happened.  “Nothing like that happened since I came. I think some people are trying to blackmail the hotel ”

Speaking, Magnus Abe, a regular customer, who also resides in Ajangbadi area, stated thus : ” the truth is that since New Planet Resorts started operation and showing class, night life has come back in Ajangbadi,  Okoko, Ojo areas, and many of the old hotels around have lost their customers to it. So, we are not surprised that they posted this fake video. However, investigation, revealed that the alleged fake video clips appear to be the handiwork of envious competitors, who the report said were threatened by the popularity and public acceptance of the New Planet Resorts in Lagos.

Part of the report made available to our correspondent collaborated the position of some New Planet Resorts customers, who alleged that the aim of the sponsors of the fake video clips, was to create tension as well as scare away customers  during the Easter celebration show.

General Manager, Mr. Audu and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wisdom Anierobi, denied knowledge of the incident within their premises. They described the fake video as a futile campaign of calumny, while warning the perpetrators of such malicious act to desist or face the full weight of the law.  Anierobi, noted that the Resorts would issue a press statement in due course.

Ahiara Catholic Diocese set to ordain another batch of priests May 4

Success Damian:

All is now set for the ordination of another batch of Reverend priests by the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise, Imo State.

The ordination which would by held at the Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Ahiara on the 4^th of May, 2019 would be performed by His Lordship, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorgi, Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese.

Among those to be ordained is Rev. Christogonus Chinonso Okonko.

According to a press release by Mrs Charity Nnaji, Senior Sister to Rev. Okonko, on 5^th May, there would be a Holy Mass at the Christ the King Parish Okpofe to be celebrated by Rev. Father Christogonus Chinonso Okonko, one of the newly ordained priests.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Nnaji said “We are happy to witness the epoch-making occasion. I think this should be the second batch of priestly ordination since the coming of Rev. Ugorji.

“Many of these Seminarians completed their studies as required by the church over five years ago, but could not be ordained because of the problem of who became the Bishop. Thank God peace has returned. I sincerely pray that God will empower all the young priests who are being ordained so that the people will feel the impact of God and Christianity in their lives,” Mrs Nnaji stated.

Recall that Ahiara Diocese was in the eye of the storm following the appointment of Bishop Peter Ebele Okaleke as Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese after the demise of the former Bishop. The appointment was vehemently criticized and rejected by Mbaise Catholic faithful for falling short of the expectations and rules guiding the appointments of Bishops under the Catholic institution.

However the imbroglio was finally rested when Bishop Okpalaeke in 2017, stretched by pressure from the good people of Mbaise, threw in the towel by tendering his letter of resignation to the Pope.

With the resignation by Bishop Okpalaeke, the much sought peace in the Ahiara Diocese returned, hence paving way for the young seminarians who have passed their various examinations as required by the catholic institution, to be ordained into the priesthood.

Since the coming of Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, the people are happy even as the young seminarians were re-examined, re-tested and certified credible both in character and learning before the final nod for their ordination by the Bishop.

The Okonko Family and the entire Okpofe community are happy to witness their son, Chinonso, joining his colleagues in their ordination into the Catholic priestood. It can only be through God’s power.

Idimogu speaks on electoral victory, promises more impactful representation

Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02 in the Lagos State House of Assembly was recently re-elected for the second term. In this interview with SUCCESS Damian he spoke on his electoral Victoria, his plans for his constituency and other national issues.

         

You have just emerged winner at the poll, giving you another opportunity to serve your people, how do you feel?

My thanks goes to God almighty first, and our leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leader of all leaders, the man that always keep to his words.  For me he is one person that I like to learn from, because he is a leader that believes in his people, who believes that people made leadership. And naturally all of us, our focus should be on the people, treat them well, make sure they are happy, that is the essence of democracy. I want to appreciate him.

I want to appreciate Osonowo, we call him Peperito; he is a distinguished senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, and also a big thank you to Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudasiru Obasa, the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, who happens to be my leader, somebody who also believe in me, and especially the members of the Lagos House of Assembly. My wife in particular for standing by me, she is my greatest supporter, my leaders. 

Then coming home in my constituency, the chairman emeritus, Otunba Henry Ajomole. The two obas, Isolo of Isolo, Oba Agbabiaka, and the Oba, Ojo himself, of Ejigbo, and I will not forget the two LA Chairmen, the executive Chairman for Isolo, LCDA  Shamsudeen Olaleye and the executive Chairman for Ejigbo, these are people who sacrificed their time. Then notable leaders as well as the present information commissioner and other leaders that has one way or the other helped, I want to say I appreciate all of them, especially the party members, who irrespective of my shortcomings accepted me,

My Igbo brothers and sisters, Eze Dr Christian Nwachukwu and co, Eze Nwoye of Eigbo, Eze Omogu Igwe Alamose and other Igbo brothers, those far and wide, they have being magnanimous to ensure that me being the only Igbo man in Lagos officially in terms of legislative activity, to ensure that I still come back, so glory be to God.

Let me not forget the Green Field, the former chairman, Nixon Okaro he is also a staunch member that has helped me concerning the Igbo Stakeholders in Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02. God bless all of them.

Going forward, what do you think will be uppermost in your mind, what were those things that were left undone that you will like to see done?

This period, I thank God, I am not a strange person in APC, unlike before, then I newly decamped from PDP, but now I am a full member of APC, I have won election under APC,  so now I have no excuse to give.  My great party is the ruling party, both in Lagos State and national, so relationship is now better and effective, thank God the man in the House of Rep, Ganiyu Johnson, the Senate, Iyayi, our Governor all are APC, so for me it will be much more easier to attract dividend of democracy to my constituency unlike before.

The roads in Lagos now everywhere is bad, except areas like Ikoyi, VI, but other places, I believe the incoming governor, as soon as we are inaugurated. But I will build up more on personal relationship with my constituents and be more accessible to my people. This time around I want to be having frequently stakeholders meetings with my constituents, leaders in my constituency. More interaction, better interaction, things they need you get to know, those you can do on your own, you will try and handle it, those you cannot handle you push it to the state government and with their backing.

How do you plan to relate with your opponents in the election both from the primary state up to the grand finale?

We are talking, One is the son of the immediate past chairman of the party, there is no bad blood, it is a contest, if you win you take it but if you don’t win, but some time you have to feel bad, but it is not a do or die affair thing. The most important thing, I will continue to dialogue with them, wish them well and with time the animosity will just die, don’t run away from them because tomorrow you might still need their assistance. At times they might also need your assistance. It is not winner takes all, it is one family meeting in APC, loyalty to the party; that is it. The interest of the party is more supreme than individual interest.

There are expectations from your constituents as you are getting set for second term, what are the expectations?

I told you accessibility is one, you have seen people that come for one personal need or the other, you give them attention, but this time around I will make my constituency more functional, I want them to come to my office, I want to establish two constituency offices. I had one in Ejigbo, but I want to open another one in Isolo and I will map out days which I will let them see me. I want to be more effective, I want them to feel me more.

There is this age-long peaceful existence between the Igbos and the Yorubas but it appeared to have gone a big sour during the election, and now how do you think you can bring back this peace?

Yes I think people like you should also have to help me because I cannot do it alone on my own. It was a misunderstanding. Well it is dying down gradually but I know it has not died fully, because when issues come up it reminds them of it. The issue is that politics is game of interest; that was what happened. In the aspect of voting APC at House of Reps and Senate. They didn’t mind you voting Peter Obi, your president, but they say ebe onye bi ka ona awashi. They expected us after voting the president whoever you want to vote under PDP, but since you are here in Lagos you should at least vote their own candidate. But we are all learning including myself. It is not a deliberate effort, they just did it without knowing the implication. But most of them have realized it and that is why some of them came out en mass to vote during the governorship election and most of them voted APC.

But it is my responsibility to continue to educate my people, this business of politics is a game of interest and it is always better that since we that reside in Lagos to support the ruling government and to make it easier, the leadership of the party deemed it fit, looked at me as their brother and gave me ticket. PDP did not do that for any of their Igbo person, but most times again, they said, try and support your landlords, or the people you live with. It is not compulsion, you can vote your candidate in terms of presidency, but when it gets to House of Reps, senate vote their own because they are all representing Lagos State.

Going forward I don’t think that will happen again. But my Igbo brothers and sisters, let us understand this game. As I always say, PDP is not an Igbos party, it is not, they did not write Igbo name there, it is a platform like APC, it is a national party like APC. So I think it is my duty to also educate my people to understand that look this game is a game of interest, where do your interest belong, you protect your interest and your interest is your business, so you protect it.

As at today the ruling party is APC and the best interest for an Igbo man at least in Lagos State, move to APC, let us have a sense of belonging here, now we are talking about 2023, as you can see, the battle of leadership for the national assembly has started and there is not strong Igbo man there, these are the things we are talking about. When you shoot yourself on the leg, you can’t get it. Nobody gives you power and dash you. Like my leader Asiwaju would always say, power is not given alakat, you work for it. Obu ndorundoro ochichi. The person that has political power has a lot of control over all these things. So it is not too late for us, we have come a long way.

As the chairman of House Committee on Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, recently something happened around the Trade Fair Complex, your intervention

I am aware, the thing with trade fair complex is not a Lagos affair, it is a national affair, but that does not mean that I will fold my hands and I watch my brothers and sisters being deprived or being hunted. I think the thing has calm down now so it was not too a serious issue, but I think what our people are saying is taking pre-emptive action first before it is too late, may they have heard a rumour that the federal government, I think they say it has to do with tariff or something, the association didn’t like, concern may be asking them to leave, or they want them to pay a higher tariff, that is what they were protesting. I called one of the stakeholders I know there to give me feedback, but at the end of the day, I think the situation has calm down but I will be holding a meeting by next week with some of these stakeholders, lets know in detail what happened and how do we come into it, but as I said what happened in trade fair has nothing to do with Lagos State. We will see how we resolve the problem at the end of the day.

Finally, your advice to the youth of your constituency, people talk about issue of security and all that.

Oh no! Even today I call my DPO, there is a lot of; you know the country is not economically too friendly, people are hurt, a hungry man is an angry man naturally, and it is affecting everybody including myself. But it is our country it is our state and we cannot have a better country than what we have in Nigeria, but we can make it better. It is a collective effort as far as I am concern, so for the youth, well we continue to parley, I am looking forward for better relationship with the youth in my constituency, have more parley with them, discuss with them to see what we can commonly do together, at least let them see the presence of governance through interaction. So I will say that I have those plans in my chest, for now but we are waiting for inauguration for the 9^th Assembly to kick off.

Thanksgiving: Olumakaiye tasks Sanwo-Olu on poverty alleviation

Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion (emeritus), the Most Revd. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo (left), Governor-elect, Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu, Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-olu and Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat at the order of thanksgiving service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Okepopo, Lagos, yesterday.

Rt. Revd (Dr) Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion on Sunday, told the Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to ensure the alleviation of poverty in Lagos State. CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.

On Sunday the Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu went to the church to thank God for helping him emerge winner as Governor-elect of Lagos State.

The Thanksgiving Service which was held at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Okepopo, Lagos was an occasion for the revered man of God, Rt. Revd (Dr) Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye advised the governor elect on the myriads of problems confronting Lagos even as he reminded him to hold on to God in order to achieve greatness.

 His words “My advice to him is that he should serve the people diligently, selflessly, with total dedication, and when you serve the people diligently, selflessly I am sure the people will serve him for life, and that is the principle of the kingdom. So I want him to be dedicated in the service, to the people and also to show total commitment with integrity of heart and with the fear of God, with this I believe he will be able to achieve success.”

Olumakaiye also advised the Governor-elect not to forget God “It is also my advice that he should try as much as possible to respect the people that he is governing, and he should show a sense of humility, above all he should hold on tenaciously to the word of God. Let the word of God be his guiding principle, to guide him in everything that he does and he should not also forget the power of prayer, because it is always well with the prayerful. As I advise him during his campaign, he came, we prayed for him. Now is an opportunity for him to come back and thank God for what He has done for him; that God answers prayers and that God that has answered him, he should not leave that God. 

"Just like my charge taking from the book of Joshua chapter 1 verse 8, that he should be courageous, he should show firmly to God and by the special grace of God he should not allow the book of God to depart from his mouth. He should meditate on it each day, day and night, he should read the word of God , he should digest it , internalize it, give it life application and by so doing take this state to higher height. And he should not also forget those that have helped him, to get into that position.”

On the area of priority he said “The area I want him to focus on, the people are suffering, people are really suffering, and he should find a way so that we can alleviate poverty in the land. And the traffic situation in Lagos is so enormous, at times it can be very annoying, very tiring, very disturbing and when you look at the economic part of it, you know that the state is not gaining, so he should look into that by making sure that we have free-flow of traffic in Lagos, so that we can save time to do other things that will lift the economy of Lagos higher.

On his part, the Governor-elect, Mr Sanwo-Olu, appealed to Lagosian for patience, adding that he would do his best to deliver democratic dividend to his people.