Prince Ehenenden Erediauwa. The new Oba of Benin.

Following the announcement of the passing away of His Royal Majesty Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I, the great Oba of Benin kingdom, on April 29, 2016, the crown prince to the throne, Prince Ehenenden Erediauwa, was already regarded by many as the new king of the Benin Kingdom.  It was therefore a welcome development when the state government acknowledge it officially in a letter dated May 24, 2016 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Julius Ihonvbere.  The Letter confirming the amiable prince was verbally retracted by the state government 24 hours after it was issued following the advice of the Kingdom’s traditional council because, according to traditions, the death rites of the late Oba must be completed before the new Oba is officially announced. At the time of this report, a source told LEKKI PEOPLE magazine that the traditional council will definitely announce the burial rites of the late Oba before may 28, and these traditional rites will last for 15 days, after which Prince Ehenenden can officially ascend the ancient throne of his fore fathers.

 The Prince, who is not a stranger to public service, was born in 1953. He was a former Nigerian Ambassador to Norway and has also served as Nigerian Ambassador to Angola. He has a B.A. in economics and sociology from the University of Wales. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. Prince Ehenenden Erediauwa has being a big player in the Nigeria social and economic circle since 1987. Also has held leading positions within the Nigerian business community, especially the oil and gas industries.

THE 4TH MAINLAND BRIDGE. 4 VIEWS YOU WILL LOVE

The 4^th Mainland bridge will have a Four-lane dual carriageway with each comprising three lanes and two meters hard shoulder on each side. 

The proposed alignment of the Bridge will pass through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries, further running through Igbogbo River Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu.

Five facts you you must know about the new 4th Mainland bridge.

The Lagos state governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently threw the State into jubilation, on 26^th of May 2016, when he finally sealed the agreement for the construction of the Lagos 4^th Mainland Bridge. While the jubilation continues, LEKKI PEOPLE magazine brings you 5 facts you must know!

(1)  The bridge will cost N844BN, funded solely by Private partnership. The federal government is not investing financial commitments.

(2)  It will be 38km long, making it the longest of its kind anywhere in the world.

(3)  The bridge will make and open up gigantic economic opportunities in many local environs.

(4)  The bridge will be complte in 3 years time.

(5)  The bridge will be handed over to the state government after 40 years.

AMBODE SIGNS MOU FOR HISTORIC 4^TH MAILNLAND BRIDGE... see exclusive list of the Funders!

Gov Akinwunmi Ambode 

On the 25^th of May 2016, the ambitious government of Lagos State signed a memorandum of understanding with a group of investors, for the construction of a record breaking 4^th mainland bridge in the city of Lagos. The bridge will be 38 kilometers long and it will consume N844bn, fully funded by private investors and the                                                                                                            Lagos State government.

LEKKI PEOPLE magazine understands that the consortium which agreed to fund and construct the bridge at N844 billion comprise Visible Asset Limited, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Hi-tech Construction Limited, J.P. Morgan, Eldorado Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Access Bank.

The signatories include the Chief Investment Officer, Africa Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Alli; Group Managing Director OF Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and Executive Chairman, Visible Assets Limited, Mr. Idowu Iluyomade, Senior Country Officer, J.P. Morgan Nigeria, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi and Consultant, Advanced Engineering Consultants, Mr. Ger Horgan.

The 4^th Mainland bridge will be constructed under a build, operate and transfer (BOT) concession and the state’s public-private partnership programme for a period of 40 years.

The bridge will have a Four-lane dual carriageway with each comprising three lanes and two meters hard shoulder on each side. The proposed alignment of the Bridge will pass through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries, further running through Igbogbo River Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu. 

While vehicle traffic flows on the bridge's upper deck ( which include lane for BRT buses), the lower deck facilitates the inevitable hustle and bustle of Lagos in a more conducive environment. Markets, kiosks, shops, bars, and restaurants will generate a new area of pedestrian convergence, fostering economic growth, social life, culture and interaction. The lower deck of the bridge will  also accommodate a light rail system, providing a secondary means of transportation on the pedestrian level.

LEKKI PEOPLE MAGAZINE: DESMOND TUTU LESBIAN DAUGHTER QUITS SOUTH AFRICAN ...

LEKKI PEOPLE MAGAZINE: DESMOND TUTU LESBIAN DAUGHTER QUITS SOUTH AFRICAN ...: Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu-van Furth , Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu's daughter, has been forced to give up her duties as a priest in South Af...

Prince Ehenenden Erediauwa appointed new Oba of Benin!

Governor, Adams Oshiomole of Edo State has given the state government’s approval for the enthronement of Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, as the new Oba of Benin., following the demise of the former king,  His Royal Majesty Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I.

Adams Osiomole, Edo state gove, and the new Oba of Benin Ehenenden Erediauwa 

In the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the approval was contained in a letter dated May 24, 2016, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

The section of the letter titled, “Appointment of His Royal Highness, Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, as the Oba of Benin”, reads, “It is hereby notified for general information that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 19 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as amended) and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, the Executive Council of the Edo State Government of Nigeria has approved the appointment of His Royal Highness Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin, with effect from April 29, 2016.”‎

DESMOND TUTU LESBIAN DAUGHTER QUITS SOUTH AFRICAN PRIESTHOOD AFTER GAY WEDDING!

Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu-van Furth, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu's daughter, has been forced to give up her duties as a priest in South Africa's Anglican church after she married a woman, she told AFP on Tuesday.

According to her statement, “"The canon (law) of the South African Church states that marriage is between one man and one woman. After my marriage... the Bishop of Saldanha Bay was advised that he must revoke my license. I offered to return my license rather than require that he take it from me."

Mpho and Marceline Tutu-van Furth, her wife, have been on honeymoon on the Indonesian island of Bali after holding a wedding party outside Cape Town earlier this month.

$1BN MONORAIL PROJECT TO CONNECT MARINA, VICTORIA ISLAND, IKOYI AND LEKKI

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Agboola Dabiri, on Monday, 9^TH May, confirmed the readiness of the state to facilitate the construction of monorails, when he revealed to Pressmen that a detailed feasibility study has been commissioned on the monorail project to validate the initial survey. He noted that if the result of the feasibility study are positive, it will attract an immediate investment of US$1billion (about N300billion).

Prior to this revelation, there has been news of the of State Government’s partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who have shown strong interest to invest in the project. The monorail project  will link Marina to Oniru in Victoria                                                                                                                Island and Ikoyi, and later connect to the Lekki Rail                                                                                                                    Line.

BREAKING NEWS! LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT RELEASES N1.6BN FOR LEKKI FREE ZONE!

lekki free trade zone

 The Lagos State Government has released the sum of N1.6billion as part of its equity contribution in the Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFDC) to boost the on-going infrastructural development as well as encourage investors’ participation in the project.

he Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, who disclosed this today at the 2016 Ministerial Press Briefing of the State Government in commemoration of the first year in office of Mr. Akinwunmi  Ambode at the Bagauda  Kaltho Press Centre , Alausa said he is engaging the host communities to ensure a sustainable cordial relationship with investors in the zone.

According to him, “I want to assure all prospective investors in the zone that the government has overhauled the security network in the area in order to guarantee a safe haven for investment.”

He hinted that the World Bank report listed the Lekki Free Zone as the fastest growing FZ, adding that the products from the zone are compliant with international standards as they go through the standardization laboratories.

The Commissioner maintained that the LFZ project, which has remained the flagship of the state government industrial development initiative, was conceptualized to provide enabling environment for industries to operate as well as attract both local and foreign direct investments into the State.

Prince Ogunleye also disclosed that the Ministry has remained unrelenting in its efforts to attain and sustain high level of viable and vibrant commercial and industrial activities in the state in line with its mission to promote economic growth and development in Lagos.

He continued that the Ministry has divided the zone into two parcels and four quadrants namely: South-West, South-East quadrant in parcel A and the North-West as well as the North-East quadrant in parcel B for ease of development, stressing that, “To fast track development in the zone, clearing of a parcel of land measuring about 520,000 square meters and bounded within N3/E6A-N3/E5, N4/6A-N4/E5, N4/E6A-N4/E6 and N5/E6-N5/E6 is being carried out by the contractors from local communities have reached 90% completion.”

Speaking further, he said the Lekki Free Zone Project represents the catalyst to shoot the State into real global economic reckoning, which according to him is already attracting considerable number of investors within and outside the country such as Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex at the South-East quadrant.

The Commissioner noted that the Dangote Group is developing a world class refinery with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels of oil per day, adding that the 11 billion USD project will satisfy local, Africa and international market demands.

He also disclosed that the State Government is in partnership with the Chinese Consortium, China Africa Lekki Investment Limited (CALIL), for the development of 3000 hectares of land in the South-West quadrant of the zone.

“The joint venture with the Chinese consortium has resulted in the provision of over 72km of paved roads, 5.5km stabilized earth roads, 1.92km of drainages, 87 units of staff quarters, 3 units of VIP chalets, 22 units of guest house, 3 potable water schemes, 150 solar powered streetlights and 3 standard factories of 3,800m in the zone.”

“The project has also attracted some investors who have already commenced business operations in the zone, some of which are: The Candel FZE – Agro Chemical formulation plant, Loving Home Furnishing FZE – office furniture manufacturing, Dabupum FZE- water pumps, Crownature Nigeria FZE – Garments factory among others”, he said.

Prince Ogunleye explained that in order to complement the development of activities at the Lekki Free Zone, the Ambode led administration is planning to develop the Lekki Deep Sea port with a depth of about 14m to berth heavy vessels in collaboration with the Nigeria Port Authority on equity participation of 20%, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprises 61.85% and Lagos State Government 18.15%.

This is in addition to other proposed projects including the Lekki International Airport and the Enterprise Zone to provide decent workplaces for micro operators, especially artisans

THE TRUE STORY: HOW PRINCE ADEMOLA ADENIJI ADELE DIED!

PRINCE ADENIJI AND WIFE

Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele a former Chairman of the Lagos Island local government and commissioner for sports, Lagos State is a man loved by many for his amiable smiles and gentle dispositions. News hit the world yesterday, May 5^th that he had died in Far away India. Information reaching LEKKI PEOPLE magazine from the family source confirmed the death was as a result of Heart attack which he suffered during an exercise session on the morning of his death. The source said that He collapsed while working on the treadmill, clutching his chest as he screamed out continuously, “My heart, my heart…”