Prayers for Eedris Abdul Kareem, As He Battles Kidney Failure

As he seeks prayers and good wishes from Nigerians, veteran rapper Eedris Abdul Kareem has revealed he has kidney failure. 

In an official statement released through Abdulkareem's Instagram page on Wednesday, his management informed everyone of the music star's tribulations and asked for prayers.

The "Jaga Jaga" singer is undergoing dialysis at a Lagos hospital with a transplant date set for the end of the month, according to the statement.

The spokesman, Hon. Myke Pam noted they will keep the public abreast of the development noting the 48-year-old is taking the situation in good fate, praying he comes out of this to ‘blaze up the musical stage again in due course.’ 

The statement was titled: “ASKING FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR EDRIS ABDUL KAREEM!” It reads: “The Nigerian Hip Hop Czar, Social Crusader and Rights Activist, Eedris Abdulkareem of “Nigeria Jaga Jaga” fame needs the sincere and unalloyed prayers of all Nigerians and his fans around the world in these hours of his travails.

“The Lakreem Entertainment Inc. boss has recently been diagnosed of kidney failure and has been undergoing dialysis since the detection at a reputable hospital here in Lagos, Nigeria. “The date for the transplant surgery is now fixed for the end of this month of July, and all arrangements and texts have been concluded, including certifying the compatibility status of the gracious donor (a family member).

“Therefore, on behalf of the Abdulkareem family and Lakreem Entertainment Inc., we most sincerely ask for prayers and good wishes for Eedris, as we face these challenging times.

“It’s pertinent to add here that thankfully, Eedris is full of life and in high spirit as he is bustling to go. Definitely, he’s going to come out of this and blaze up the musical stage again in due course. Actually, his spirit emboldens us.

“We shall be updating you as we continue with this life-saving process. May God continue to bless, protect and abide with us all…Amen”

PHOTOS: GOV SANWO-OLU AT THE OFFICIAL FLAG PRESENTATION TO OYETOLA AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON WEDNESDAY, 06 JULY, 2022.

President Muhammadu Buhari, presenting the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola. With them: Lagos State Governor & Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje during the official flag presentation to Oyetola at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, 06 July 2022.

Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abubakar Kyari; President Muhammadu Buhari; Osun State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Mr Gboyega Oyetola; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Kano State counterpart, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, during the official flag presentation to Oyetola at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, 06 July 2022.

President Muhammadu Buhari; Osun State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Mr Gboyega Oyetola and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the official flag presentation to Oyetola at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, 06 July 2022.

 Senator Iyiola Omisore; Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello; Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abubakar Kyari; President Muhammadu Buhari; Osun State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Mr Gboyega Oyetola; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Kano State counterpart, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, during the official flag presentation to Oyetola at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, 06 July 2022.

 

PHOTOS: GOVERNORS SANWO-OLU, GANDUJE VISIT GOV OYETOLA OF OSUN STATE IN HIS OFFICE, ATTEND HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN RALLY IN OSOGBO TOWN ON MONDAY, 04 JUNE, 2022

 

Lagos State Governor and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right); Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola (middle) and Kano State governor as well as co-chairman of the campaign council, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje (left) during Oyetola’s re-election campaign rally in Osogbo Town, Osun, on Monday, 04 July 2022.

Lagos State Governor and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right); Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola (middle) and Kano State governor as well as co-chairman of the campaign council, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje (left) during Oyetola’s re-election campaign rally in Osogbo Town, Osun, on Monday, 04 July, 2022.

Lagos State Governor and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu visits Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola in his Office at the Government House, Osogbo, Osun, on Monday, 04 July, 2022.

Lagos State Governor and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola and Kano State governor as well as co-chairman of the campaign council, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje during a courtesy visit to Oyetola in his Office at the Government House, Osogbo, Osun, on Monday, 04 July 2022.

 Kano State Governor and co-chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the campaign council, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola during a courtesy visit to Oyetola in his Office at the Government House, Osogbo, Osun, on Monday, 04 July 2022.

 

PHOTOS: GOV. SANWO-OLU AT THE LAGOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (LCCI) PRIVATE SECTOR INTERACTIVE MEETING WITH THE LAGOS GOVERNOR AT THE LCCI BOARDROOM, IDOWU TAYLOR STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND, ON TUESDAY, 28TH OF JUNE, 2022

 

 Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Knut Ulvmoen; LCCI past Presidents: Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande; Chief John Odeyemi; President, LCCI, Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Private Sector Interactive Meeting with the Lagos Governor at the LCCI Boardroom, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, 28^th June 2022.

 

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; LCCI Past President’s: Chief John Odeyemi; Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile, during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Private Sector Interactive Meeting with the Lagos Governor at the LCCI Boardroom, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, 28^th June 2022.

Past President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief John Odeyemi; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President, LCCI, Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Private Sector Interactive Meeting with the Lagos Governor at the LCCI Boardroom, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, 28^th June 2022.

 Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left) with President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole during a presentation to the Governor at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Private Sector Interactive Meeting with the Lagos Governor at the LCCI Boardroom, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, 28^th June 2022.

Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs Bamidele Daramola; Deputy President, LCCI, Mr Gabriel Idahosa; LCCI Past President’s: Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande; Chief John Odeyemi; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; President, LCCI, Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole; Director-General, LCCI, Dr Chinyere Almona and Deputy President, LCCI, Mr Knut Ulvmoen, during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Private Sector Interactive Meeting with the Lagos Governor at the LCCI Boardroom, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, 28^th June 2022.

HAJJ OPERATIONS: LASG TO REFUND INTENDING PILGRIMS AS SAUDI ARABIA DECLINES NAHCON ADDITIONAL SLOTS

Chief Press Secretary to Lagos Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile; Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Abdullahi Jebe; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Oluseyi Whenu and Chairman, the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Engr. Shakiru Ayinde Gafar during a press briefing on the 2022 Hajj quota reduction affecting intending Pilgrims in the State, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Following the inability of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to secure proposed slots for Nigerian intending pilgrims to this year's Hajj, Lagos State Government has promised to refund funds to those affected by the development.

The Lagos State Government promised to make the full refund process seamless and quickly available for those intending pilgrims who wish to seek a refund.

Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofi Elegushi announced on Tuesday while addressing journalists during a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa in Ikeja.

Elegushi said Lagos State Government will publish the names of affected intending pilgrims in a National Newspaper as the first batch for the Year 2023 Hajj operations, adding that government will also put on hold sales of forms for the year 2023 Hajj pending confirmation of the actual number of slots to be given while giving the published names first offer of refusal.

He said that even though 1,562 slots were allocated to Lagos State by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for this year's Hajj operations, a total number of 1,598 pilgrims, including those from approved private organisations in Lagos were airlifted by the State Government.

The Commissioner assured all the intending pilgrims of the state government's support at all times and prayed for the safe return of the pilgrims already airlifted.

He said: “You will recall that the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow any airlifting of pilgrims since 2020, this gave rise to an increase in the backlog of intending pilgrims since then. However, when the Saudi Arabia authorities gave the go-ahead for pilgrims to be airlifted this year 2022, we had over 4000 intending pilgrims that have registered with the State.

“A total number of 1562 slots were allocated to Lagos State by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and these were used up immediately by the State contingent. A further 250 slots were given by NAHCON based on the expectation of additional 5,000 slots promised by the Saudi Authorities, unfortunately, the Saudi Authorities declined the 5,000 slots while we had gone ahead to allocate the 250 slots awaiting final processing and Visa from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“It is however regrettable to note that the 5,000 slots promised were declined by the Saudi Authorities thereby placing us in this precarious situation in which we find ourselves in Lagos State. We are aware that this matter affects every nation of the world that has intending pilgrims but the reactions and the need to make things clear have necessitated this address.”

It would be recalled that since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had hindered the airlifting of pilgrims, leading to the backlog of about 4,000 intending pilgrims from Lagos State since then.

PICTURES: GOV. SANWO-OLU AT THE SIGNING AND DECLARATION OF LAGOS AS ‘CITY WITH REFUGEES’ HELD AT THE AMERICAN CORNER, IKEJA, ON MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022.

 

PIX 8961 L-R: Deputy Dean of Law/Head of Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Muhammed Ladan; UNHCR Nigeria Representative, Ms. Chansa Kapaya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremiengo; Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu (right behind) and others during the signing and declaration of Lagos as “City With Refugees” at the American Corner, Local Airport Road, Ikeja, on Monday, June 27, 2022.

PIX 5078 L-R: Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu receiving a plaque from UNHCR Nigeria Representative, Ms. Chansa Kapaya during the signing and declaration of Lagos as “City With Refugees” at the American Corner, Local Airport Road, Ikeja, on Monday, June 27, 2022.

LASG committed to enhancing agricultural productivity of farmers - Agric Commissioner

... As World Bank, FG, beneficiaries commend Lagos APPEALS Project 

The Lagos State Government is strongly committed to enhancing the agricultural productivity of small and medium-scale farmers as well as improving value addition along the agricultural value chains in line with the core objectives of the Lagos Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project. 

Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, stated this on Monday during the Federal Government/World Bank Eighth Implementation Support Mission visit to the Lagos State held at Agege in Lagos.

She said: “The implementation of APPEALS project in Lagos State through capacity building and technology adoption support to our farmers has positively increased productivity of rice paddy in the State from 1.5 MT to 2.5 MT / Ha and 2.0 -3.56 MT/ Ha for Ofada and FARRO 44 respectively, Catfish productivity has increased from 100 Kg/ m3 to 151.3 Kg / m3, and in poultry, Broiler has increased from 1.8 Kg/ bird per cycle to 2.5 Kg/ bird.

 

“The processed output and sales of products for the value chains follow the same trend such that the aquaculture farmers supported by APPEALS project have produced 307.948 MT Fresh Tilapia and are expanding day by day. By virtue of our abundant water resources with as much as 20 per cent of the State made up of water, we are a natural hub for aquaculture.

“APPEALS project has continued to promote productivity enhancement technologies and promotion of value addition through demonstration of improved technologies. These have directly been delivered on the Project Development Objective. Most of these technologies were confirmed through administrative data, though an output survey is in the process of being rolled out to confirm the figures.

“I must say that the inclusion of the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme in the design of this project is a novel idea because agriculture offers our people, especially our youths, an opportunity to make a difference, especially through effective deployment of technology in the sector, for improved productivity and the attainment of our food security and safety goals on one hand, and our job creation agenda on the other. I am a strong believer that increased involvement of young Nigerians in agriculture will help tackle various longstanding challenges facing the sector.” 

Also speaking the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae, said “Lagos State’s vision of making Africa’s Model Mega City and Global Economic and Financial Hub is hinged on the six pillars of the State’s THEMES developmental agenda of the present administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It is important to mention that agriculture is embedded among the pillars in ensuring that the State attains a 21st-century economy because of its obvious roles in food, industrial and economic sectors.”

In his address, the National Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mohammed Jobdi, commended Lagos State Government for its top-notch performance in its implementation of the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project.

He said the visit to Lagos APPEALS Project and the other five states, earlier visited by the World Bank and Federal Government team was to review the project’s implementation and give stakeholders the opportunity to rub minds regarding the issues, challenges and constraints being faced for greater outputs.

The Task Team Leader of the World Bank Mission to Lagos, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, hailed the Lagos APPEALS Project's commitment to farmers in the State, noting that the implementation of the project in the state had really improved the livelihood of women and youths as well as enhancing outputs in the agricultural value chain.

He said the reports of the activities of the Lagos APPEALS Project are commendable, adding that they will continue to sustain the project with investment in the state to get the desired results in order to do things differently and finish well. 

The Lagos State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs. Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration's commitment to improving the livelihood of farmers in the State through agriculture, adding that the State Government has been of tremendous support for the implementation and success story of APPEALS Project in Lagos State. 

Speaking earlier, the representative of the farmers who benefited from the Lagos APPEALS Project, Alhaja Nurat Atoba thanked the State government for its efforts and said the project had helped to improve their livelihood in the price regulation, technology, infrastructure, production and e-marketing.

Atoba, who is the President of Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association, said farmers in Lagos State have benefited immensely from the three value chains of the Lagos APPEALS Project, which are aquaculture, poultry and rice. 

Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association also presented awards to Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae; National Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mohammed Jobdi and Lagos State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, to appreciate the contributions of Lagos State Government and APPEALS Project to improved productivity of farmers in Lagos State.

PIX 0031 L-R: National Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mohammed Jobdi; Project Operations Manager, APPEALS Project National Office, Dr. Salisu Garba, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya and Lagos State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs. Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, during the Federal Government/World Bank Eighth Implementation Support Mission visit to Lagos State, held at Agege on Monday, July 27, 2022

PIX 0030 L-R: National Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mohammed Jobdi; Task Team Leader of the World Bank Mission to Lagos, Dr Adetunji Oredipe; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae; Lagos State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo and Project Operations Manager, APPEALS Project National Office, Dr Salisu Garba, during the Federal Government/World Bank Eighth Implementation Support Mission visit to Lagos State, held at Agege on Monday, July 27, 2022.

PIX 0029 L-R: National Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mohammed Jobdi; Task Team Leader of the World Bank Mission to Lagos, Dr Adetunji Oredipe; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae; Lagos State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo; Project Operations Manager, APPEALS Project National Office, Dr Salisu Garba and President of Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association, Alhaja Nurat Atoba, during the Federal Government/World Bank Eighth Implementation Support Mission visit to Lagos State, held at Agege on Monday, July 27, 2022