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Yesterday, on August 1, 2023, an aircraft accident occurred around Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos state.
What happened?
A single-engine aircraft (Jabiru J430) with the registration number “5NCCQ AJ4-30” crashed into the road in front of the United Bank of Africa, Oba Akran branch, and burst into flames. This happened around 3 p.m.
Four people—two crew members and two passengers—were aboard the Air First Hospitality & Tours-operated aircraft, which was departing from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, on a test flight.
Source: Twitter/@EMUjiadughele
However, no lives were lost as the aircraft was being closely followed by an escort vehicle, which arrived at the accident scene on time and provided first aid.
What caused the accident?
According to the air control tower, the aircraft’s unintentional collision with a light pole while attempting an emergency landing was what caused the accident.
How did the government respond?
Around 4 p.m., a Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) team arrived at the scene to transfer the injured passengers to a hospital. The area was sealed off to prevent a secondary accident.
Other emergency responders that arrived at the scene were the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). The NSIB is solely responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents in Nigeria, and they already released a statement soliciting information like videos and pictures to aid their investigation.
An accident similar to this happened three years ago, on August 28, 2020, but sadly, this time, the three people on board all lost their lives.
Source: BBC
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Bell 206 helicopter with the registration number’ 5N BQW,’ belonging to Quorum Aviation. The helicopter was on a flight from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before it crashed into a residential building in Opebi, Lagos State.
Eventually, reports from the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) showed that the pilot’s disregard for best practices and the lack of fuel were to blame for the accident.
The mainland gets a lot of heat, but there’s no denying that we have some sweet spots, and even better, these restaurants in Ikeja won’t damage your pocket.
Whether you’re looking to dine solo, or with your friends or family, you’ll comfortably walk into these spots like the true boss that you are.
The Grid
Source: TheGridLagos
You don’t have to brave the traffic of trying to get to the Island. If you’re looking for a fun-filled experience on a slim budget, The Grid has got you covered. The chefs at the upscale restaurant use traditional African recipes to create a familiar experience for visitors.
Source: Instagram (@thegridlagos)
Address: 6, Thomas Ajufo street Lagos NG, off Opebi link bridge, 100001, Ikeja.
Menu: Chicken suya, calamari strips, gizdodo, Ojuelegba tacos, apple tart, coconut creamy flakes, fried rice, jollof rice, etc.
Average spend: ₦10k per head
Perks: Karaoke night, group friendly, walk-ins.
Average customer rating: 4 stars
Yellow Chilli
Source: Ofadaa
On the mainland and looking for the Yellow Chilli experience? You don’t have to go all the way to the Island. The Ikeja branch offers the same experience.
Source: Instagram (@yellowchilling)
Address: 35, Joel Ogunnaike St, Ikeja GRA 101233, Ikeja, Lagos.
If you love Chinese food, then this is one of the restaurants in Ikeja that should be getting your money. From the interior that takes you on a literal journey to China to the traditional Chinese recipes, you’ll leave the spot a satisfied foodie.
Source: ZenGarden
Address: G.R.A, No. 60 Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA 101233, Ikeja, Lagos.
Menu: Shredded chicken in peanut sauce, barbecued pork, smoked fish, special seafood fried noodles, crispy duck, fried prawn with chilli.
Average spend: ₦15k per head
Perks: Dine-in, take-out, free wifi.
Average customer rating: 3.5 stars
Ocean Basket
Source: BellaNaija
Imagine a restaurant that’s 100% dedicated to teasing your taste buds with a variety of seafood options. That’s exactly what Ocean Basket is. You know the extra catch? They have two branches in Ikeja!
Source: OceanBasket
Address: 9, Obafemi Awolowo Way Shop U06 1st floor, Ikeja City Mall, Ikeja Nigeria.
58c Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA 101233, Lagos
Menu: Fish and chips, prawn and mussel combo, crunchy fish bites, calamari, firecracker squid, village salad, seared salmon salad, creamy seafood soup.
Average spend: ₦10k per head
Perks: Dine-in, take-out, delivery.
Average customer rating: 4 stars
Jevinik Place
Source: InfoAboutCompanies
It would be criminal if we didn’t have an elevated fine-buka experience on the mainland, but thankfully, Jevinik does a good job of representing. Think of your everyday Nigerian staple, and you’re in good hands with this mainland restaurant. They also have huge portions that will leave you bursting.
This is one of the restaurants in Ikeja that you should go to if you’re looking to eat good and have a nightclub experience while at it. Also, dress hip because you might run into your favourite celeb at either of their Ikeja braches.
Source: Instagram (@rhapsody’s_nigeria)
Address: 176/194 Obafemi Awolowo Way Ikeja City Mall.
Might not be the best choice for relationship people, but it’s great for large family gatherings. The food is good and there are many fun activities for kids.
Source: Instagram (@officialspurnigeria)
Address: 53 Isacc John St. Ikeja GRA, Lagos 100271 Nigeria
Menu: Chicken strip, calamari salad, buffalo wings, chicken and French fries, peppamelt burger, chicken and mayo pizza, seafood platter.
Average spend: ₦10k per head
Perks: Family friends, kiddies play area, free wife, take-out.
Unfortunately, an ambulance didn’t come until 45 minutes later. First responders tried to take the victims to nearby hospitals, but two people were already dead.
Investigations by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have revealed that the accident was caused by the driver trying to beat the train’s traffic signal. Unfortunately, this recklessness has cost people’s lives and put many others at risk.
We’ve seen this before
Sadly, this isn’t the first time an accident of this nature has occurred, especially around the Ikeja axis.
2020
Just after the COVID-19 lockdown, an accident involving a moving train, a bus and a Toyota SUV happened near the Nigerian Army Shopping Arena in Oshodi. In the SUV was a trader and his son, who parked beside the tracks, waiting for the shopping arena to be open for business.
Unknown to him, meters away from their parking spot, a train collided with a bus and dragged it along the tracks. Unfortunately, before the man could move his car to a safe distance, the train hit it and carried the bus and SUV along the tracks before coming to a complete stop.
The trader lost his life, and his son was seriously injured in the accident.
2019
On January 10, 2019, at the Ashade railway crossing around Agege-Ikeja, Lagos, a train skidded off its tracks and killed one person, leaving many others injured.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) responded almost immediately to re-rail the train and repair the track, but if regular maintenance had been carried out in the first place, an innocent man wouldn’t have lost his life.
2018
In March 2018, also around Ikeja, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Nneka Odili, on her way back from the secretariat, lost her life in a train accident.
The young lady was walking on the railroad tracks with her headphones plugged in and couldn’t hear the horns from the approaching train. She didn’t survive the injuries sustained from the accident.
According to Statista, hundreds of train accidents happen in Nigeria, and the leading causes are locomotive failure, derailment or detachment.
However, it’s important to note that the personal responsibility of citizens should be taken into account. It’s always better to believe that a train is just around the corner whenever you step on a track. Some people think they can be faster than a train, but your village people can be around the corner, so why risk it?
It’s time for the government to think seriously about how they can reduce the occurrence of rail accidents, and here are some steps that can be implemented.
Routine maintenance of rail tracks
One of the leading causes of train accidents is derailment. There will be fewer accidents if the government invests properly in developing the rail transport sector and maintaining it.
Use of barricades
Fences and barricades should be used to cover railway tracks. This way, the chances of people selling, walking or trying to drive through indiscriminately would be reduced.
Use of signals
Our train tracks usually have flagmen that indicate with their whistle when a train is on its way. But this practice is old-fashioned and has clearly proved to be ineffective. So, reflective lights and signals should be put at every crossing, and reflective tapes should also be placed on cabins to indicate to every passerby that a train is on its way.
Hopefully, the government will take action this time to permanently stop these accidents that could have been easily preventable.
Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
A local government is an important part of governance in Nigeria. Local governments supplement the work of the federal government and the 36 state governments by administering a particular area.
However, many Nigerians always complain about the federal government and state governments while ignoring that there is also a local government.
In fact, if many local governments in Nigeria do their jobs more effectively, then Nigeria would be a better place. They are the government closest to the people and can ensure the maintenance of many public facilities that are crucial to the lives of the average Nigerian, like public markets and many other public utilities.
Section 1(6) of Nigeria’s constitution states that “There shall be 768 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, and six area councils as shown in Part 2 of that schedule.” This is interpreted to mean that Nigeria has 774 local governments.
Furthermore, section 8 of the constitution explains that the system of local government councils is guaranteed in Nigeria, and every state in Nigeria must enact a law that provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and function of such councils.
Functions of a Local Government In Nigeria
Under the fourth schedule of Nigeria’s constitution, the main functions of a local government council in Nigeria include:
consideration and the making of a recommendation to the state commission on economic planning, or any other similar body on the economic development of the state as they affect the local government;
collection of rates, radio and television licences;
establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the homeless or sick;
licensing of bicycles, trucks, canoes, wheel-barrows and carts;
establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter-houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences;
construction and maintenance of roads, street lightings, drains and other public highways, gardens, open spaces or such other public facilities as prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a state;
The naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses;
provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal facilities;
registration of all births, deaths and marriages;
assessment of privately owned houses for property taxes and for other purposes as may the prescribed by the House of Assembly of a state;
control and regulation of:
outdoor advertising and hoarding;
movement and keeping of pets of all description;
shops and kiosks;
restaurants, bakeries and other places for sale of food to the public;
laundries; and
licensing, regulation and control of the sale of liquor.
Furthermore, section 2 of the fourth schedule of the constitution describes the general functions of a local government in partnership with the state government to include:
provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education;
development of agriculture and natural resources, except the exploitation of mineral resources;
provision and maintenance of health services; and
other functions that may be given to it by the House of Assembly of a state.
Obio-Akpor local government in Rivers State is described as the richest local government in Nigeria, followed by Ikeja local government area in Lagos State. Obio-Akpor is one of the leading economic zones in Nigeria with a huge deposit of oil, gas and mineral resources, while Ikeja local government in Lagos state is home to one of Nigeria’s biggest international airport and the largest shopping mall in Lagos – the Ikeja City Mall.
Other notable local governments in Nigeria are the Lagos Island local government, the Bonny Island local government and the Abuja municipal local government.
However, many local governments in Nigeria are still non-functional, and it hard to really feel their impact on the day-to-day lives of many Nigerians.
Going by this, it is clear that a local government plays a very important role in governance in Nigeria. If local governments in Nigeria are efficient, then there is no doubt that life will get better for the average Nigerian. Nigerians must therefore pay attention to reforming local government and voting in the best local government administrators so that public infrastructure can improve and quality of life for the average Nigerian can also improve.
We hope you’ve learned a thing or two about how to unfuck yourself when the Nigerian government moves mad. Check back every weekday for more Zikoko Citizen explainers.
Lagos seems to be the most “lit” city in Nigeria and everyone that has lived there must have a lot of funny stories to share. Nigerians on Twitter came together and shared the funniest things they have experienced in Lagos.
I’m speechless too! Don’t look at me for an explanation.
5. Get one, two or fifteen shades lighter.
Ikeja underbridge is also here to help you achieve your light skin dreams.
6. Pay for whiter teeth.
“Husband/wife cant kiss or swap spit with you? LOL! Your teeth! Clean white teeth will boost your confidence more than Human hair of 35k. Get teeth whitening kits at affordable prices today at our Ikeja Underbridge shop.“
No, seriously. That’s an actual ad.
7. Penis enlargement.
Think of this as the physical manifestation of Dr. Azolibe. You cannot have been in Ikeja bridge for 2 minutes before this is shoved at you.
8. Get admission to foreign universities.
They’re the one stop shop for everything you want to do abroad. They can help you with your international exposure.
9. General cosmetic surgery – hip enlargement included.
Of course, there’s always the chance that you’re having cement injected into your hips. But beauty is pain, right? :):):)
Breast enlargement – or reduction, weight loss, hair plugs…the list goes on!
Did we miss any?
