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Lagos to Relocate Ikeja Computer Village in the Next Two Years
Lagos State Government has set time line for the relocation of the popular Computer Village from Ikeja to Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, saying the relocation process is very much intact and expected to be completed in the next two years.
It also said that the process for the relocation of Mile-12 Market and Oko-Baba Sawmill to Imota is being delayed following a review of initial building plans due to current needs to ensure a more befitting environment.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako stated this during the Ministerial press briefing to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to Salako: “The relocation of Computer Village, Ikeja, to Ultra-Modern ICT Park, Katangowa in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, is on course having delivered the vacant site to the developer for construction of ICT park. It has to move from Ikeja, which is located in residential area to a more spacious and conducive location in Agbado-Oke-Odo.”
The project, according to the commissioner is progressing with the following ongoing activities: construction of three connecting roads to the proposed ICT park, 250 resettlement stalls, 78 toilets and showers, and two blocks of warehouses. “As soon as all arrangements are completed, we will not hesitate to commence the relocation process which is expected to commence within the next two years.”
Also to be constructed in the site are, security office, facility/site office, installation of three boreholes and water reservoir, three food courts, and preparation of site for construction of main buildings.
The Commissioner also noted that “Oko-Baba sawmill is to be relocated to Agbowa which is about 80 per cent completed, Computer Village is being moved to Katangowa while Mile 12 market is expected to be relocated to Imota area. “In furtherance of the “THEMES” agenda and quest for a liveable, organised, and safe environment, the state government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has proceeded with steps to up-scale the relocation activities of the following markets.
“Oko-Baba Sawmill from Ebute-Metta to Timberville Agbowa/Ikosi in Ikosi Ejirin LCDA. Timberville Agbowa/Ikosi is 80 per cent ready for use with the completion of the following facilities: construction of resettlement housing units for saw millers, construction of alternate access route, while the main route construction works remain ongoing.
“204 Units of Band Saw Sheds and Sales Office, Blocks of Public Toilets, Restaurant, Transformers (500KVA), 750m X 8m Internal Road, 1685m Drains and 8m Culvert, Truck Track of 4.5m width, Log Preparation Area.” Other facilitates include, shoreline protection (1440m), first quadrant boom area, completion of eight bollards, power supply, water supply, trailer park (2500m2).
On the Mile 12 regional foodstuff and Allied Commodities market to Imota in Ikorodu LGA, Salako said 45 blocks of kee-clamps, have been completed in the first phase of the project, pointing out that the state government has also upgraded road and other basic infrastructure in 30 communities across different local government areas of the state.
He said the upgrading was part of moves in ensuring that no part of the state was without a plan, explaining that the communities which have had their local action plans so prepared are: Lafiaji Action Area Plan (2021-2031) in Eko District; Abule Oja Action Area Plan (2021-2031); Ajiwe Action Area Plan(2021-2031); Review of Maiyegun and Action Area Plan of an Extension to Aparakaja Casia/Abiodun Dada.
He said the Ministry also undertook the review of Ojodu Core Action Area Plan and prepared Ilo Awela Community, Igbogbo and Ologunebi Excised Village, as well as Shasha Oguntade and Ladipo Osoro, among others.
Salako further explained that the benefits accruable from the plans include: the effective control and proper development guide within its jurisdiction; functional land use pattern and arrangements; good road networks while urban regeneration of the slum environment would be achieved.”
Other benefits are the provision of enabling environment for category of land uses, such as industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential as well as investments in a sustainable manner.
Salako stated that the Ministry prepared Local/Action Plans for the communities through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA.
According to the commissioner, the state would derive maximum benefits from the preparation of the Action Area Plans.
He also explained that the Development Plans would bring about the provision of quality infrastructural developments within the planned area and guarantee a sustainable physical environment during the stipulated planning period.
Salako added that in pursuit of the THEMES Agenda, the Ministry also prepared Development Guide Plans for some Excised Villages in the state.
“In the same vein and with due cognition of the need to extend physical planning administration to Non-Schemed Areas, Development Guide Plans are being prepared to make the Excised Villages more sustainable,” he said.
According to the commissioner, Development Guide Plans (DGP) were prepared for such Villages in different Local Government Areas of the State as, Onimedu Eleputu, Lakowe, Adeba, Bogije, Igando-Oja, and Awoyaya in Ibeju-Lekki L.G.A; Ajangbadi, Kemberi, and Ketu Ijanikin in Ojo L.G.A; Parafa and Gberigbe in Ikorodu L.G.A and; Sangotedo and Langbasa in Eti-Osa LGA. DGPs were also extended to Suberu-Oje in Alimosho L.G.A; Apa (Parcel A) in Badagry LGA; Ibowon in Epe L.G.A. and; Tedi in Amuwo-Odofin LGA.
The World Bank Group has announced the 31-month debarments of United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu, its owner and president, “in connection with fraudulent practices under the Enhancing Niger Northeastern Connectivity Project,” according to a press release issued by the multilateral development bank.
The statement said that the project aims to enhance connectivity and road safety along the Zinder-Agadez Road section and improve access to basic socioeconomic infrastructure for selected communities in that road section.
However, according to the statement: “UNASEL and Mr. Mamu presented false experience documents in a prequalification application to qualify for a contract under the project. This was a fraudulent practice under the World Bank’s sanctions framework.”
“The debarments make UNASEL and Mr. Mamu ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by Bank Group institutions. The debarments are part of two settlement agreements under which UNASEL and Mr. Mamu admit culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices,” it added.
The statement further said: “Per the Bank Group Sanctioning Guidelines, the settlement agreements provide for a reduced period of debarment in light of UNASEL and Mr. Mamu’s cooperation.
As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, UNASEL and Mr. Mamu commit to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines, and Mr. Mamu further agrees to complete corporate ethics training.
UNASEL and Mr. Mamu also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.
“The debarments of UNA SEL and Mr. Mamu qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in Enugu, the state capital, for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.
Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The ITF disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
According to the statement, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20tn to the global economy in the coming years.
He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.
Earlier, Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the ITF, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He explained that the Fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into public-private partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The ITF delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
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