TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos govt gives 24-hour notice to close popular market

    Lagos govt gives 24-hour notice to close popular market

    The Lagos State Government (LASG), on Sunday, warned Alabarago Market traders of possible closure if they fail to comply with environmental rules of the state within 24 hours.

    The Commissioner For Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said this while speaking with journalists after an inspection of the Alabarago Market and some other areas in the state.

    Among the places visited by the commissioner were Idi-Araba and environs as well as  Orile-Iganmu.

    He said the market was sealed up sometime last year for environmental infractions, adding that there would be a decision taken if they failed to clean up the environment within 24 hours.

    “We have been to Alabarago before sometime last year, and we had to seal the market for them to do the right thing.

    “Unfortunately, we may have to thread that part, but by tomorrow evening, we will determine if we should or we shouldn’t.

    “They now turn the place into a waste system point to dump their waste. They turned the markets, pushed it to the road, and blocked all the drainage system and the alignments.

    “They have agreed that they are going to clear everything, and if they don’t by tomorrow evening, we can now take steps to sanction them,” he said.

    Earlier, the commissioner, who also took an inspection tour to Idi Araba, witnessed the cart pusher syndicate going on around the environs.

    “For Idi-Araba, you know there is a law on environmental management and protection in the state that prohibits cart-pushing.

    “For the past few weeks or months, there has been a major enforcement against cart-pushing statewide to enforce the law.

    “So, we now had intelligence that this whole cart-pushing thing, there is a syndicate kind of behind it around Idi-Araba, and you saw it yourself.

    “We are going to take steps to report to the law enforcement agencies this week about what we found out, and we also believe strongly that we must be very proactive about it.

    Wahab also took an inspection tour to Orile-Iganmu to appraise the situation around the place.

    “We came to Orile because the other side of this place, there is a system there that gets to flood, and it has been  awarded.

    “However, that will not be holistically done without looking at this side of the road, which is the side of system five.

    “So, we just came to see and appraise it, so the Lagos Waste Management Authority can come in this week and start moving those dirts so that the water can move on fine,” he said.

    Speaking on Sallah celebrations, Wahab appealed to Lagosians to take ownership of their environment by being responsible.

    “Keep your environment clean during and after Sallah. Contain your waste within your system and let the PSP operators come and cart them away for you.

    “Let us celebrate responsibly by taking ownership of our environment,”he said.

  • Like Lagos, Ekiti govt moves to ban SUPs

    Like Lagos, Ekiti govt moves to ban SUPs

    Following in the stead of the Lagos State Government, the Ekiti State Government has revealed plans to ban single-use plastics (SUPs) in the State to address environmental concerns, including flooding and plastic pollution.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Adeoye Aribasoye made this known during a pre-legislative stakeholders engagement workshop on plastic pollution in the state.

    Recall that the Lagos State Government had said it will commence full enforcement of the ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) from July 1, 2025, just like with the successful enforcement of the styrofoam ban.

    Speaking on the ban in Ekiti State at the workshop organised by the Triple Green Environmental Development, TGED Foundation in partnership with the Assembly’s committee on Environment, Mr Aribasoye revealed that the bill has scaled first reading.

    The Ekiti Speaker pledged that there would be accelerated hearing of the bill for the Governor’s assent, hoping that it would help rid the state of pollution caused by indiscriminate disposal of plastics.

    The Chief Executive Officer, TGED Foundation, Seyi Ebenezer said the stakeholders forum themed: ‘Towards a Plastic-Free Ekiti Building Consensus for Legislative Action’ became imperative because of the risk plastic use poses to the environment.

    She used the medium to encourage all stakeholders to preach against single use of plastic in their communities by adopting alternative use of disposing their waste.

    The keynote speaker, Mrs Iyabode Fakunle-Okeimen, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, stressing the importance of banning single-use plastics in the state.

    The guest speaker from Ekiti State University, Prof. Wole Adebayo in his presentation tilted “Understanding the Impact of Plastic Pollution Environmental, Health and Economic Consequences “ harped on more awareness and sensitisation of single-use plastic and the danger it poses to the health.

    He also said that used plastics can be converted into wealth by purchasing these products and recycling them into a refined product.

    In their goodwill message, the Director-General of Ekiti State Tourism Board, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre harped on the danger the single-use pose to human health such as terminal illness, expressing support for the banning of single-use in the state.

    Stakeholders at the workshop included market women, artisans, hoteliers, plastics manufacturers, students, environmentalists among others.

    The stakeholders noted the need for proper ways of disposing used plastics into the right channels and not on the streets to clog the drains, leading to flooding.

    The stakeholders also used the medium to urge the government to turn plastics into wealth by buying them from the people thereby reducing the plastics on the streets and protecting the environment.

  • Nigerian teacher sentenced to life imprisonment for raping 3 year old girl

    Nigerian teacher sentenced to life imprisonment for raping 3 year old girl

    The sexual offences and domestic violence court in Ikeja, Lagos State has sentenced a 25 year old teacher identified as Chukwunonso Okafor to life imprisonment for raping a three year old girl.

    Okafor was arraigned before  Justice Abiola Soladoye convicted Chukwunonso on Wednesday, May 28 on three counts for rape and sexual assault.

    The culprit carried out this act offences between July and December 2022 in Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos State, while he was working as a teacher.

    During the court ruling, the culprit testified that the he had been molesting the girl for a long time.

    Justice Soladoye then sentenced him to life imprisonment on two counts and seven years jail term on the third count.

    In the first count, Justice Soladoye sentenced Chukwunonso to life imprisonment for sexual assault, having forcefully engaged in sexual activity with a minor an offense that violates Section 261 of the Criminal Law, Chapter 17, Volume 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

    For the second count of defilement, he also received a life sentence, as prescribed under Section 137 of the same law.

    The third count resulted in a seven-year prison term under Section 135.

    All sentences will run concurrently.

    He said, “You descended so low by having oral sex with your victim. Your action is barbaric.”

    “You are hereby found guilty of the three count charges of sexual assault of a child and is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.”

  • Don’t pay for bail – Police PRO tells Lagosians

    Don’t pay for bail – Police PRO tells Lagosians

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lagos State Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, has called on members of the public not to pay any money while filing complaints at any police station in the state.

    Hundeyin told NAN on Wednesday in Lagos that police extortions should be reported to the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) of the command.

    Some residents had raised concerns over continued extortion by police officers who demanded money before accepting and documenting complaints.

    These residents stressed that the Nigeria Police Force, including the Lagos State Command, used the slogan “Bail is Free” to inform citizens that bail was free and should not be paid for but some officers still extorted members of the public.

    A victim narrating his experience to NAN, alleged that two policemen extorted N7,000 from him.

    “Police apprehended me in Meiran area of Lagos after my neighbour accused me of stealing his I-phone.

    “At the station, they collected N2,000 before giving me a sheet of paper to write my statement.

    “While writing the statement, the complainant came to the station to inform them that the phone had been recovered from another neighbour who stole it.

    “Instead of the police to release me after the suspected thief was apprehended, they demanded N10,000 bail. After negotiation, I parted with N5,000,” he said.

    Another victim, an undergraduate, recounted how two officers apprehended him at Oshodi, took him to the station and extorted N4,000 from him.

    “The police stopped me on the road during their stop and search operation, they took my phone and were asking for the receipt.

    “I told them I do not have a receipt that it was a used phone handed down to me by my brother.

    “They took me to the station and threatened to charge me with stealing and armed robbery, and I started begging. They eventually asked me to make a N10,000 payment to secure my freedom.

    “I told them I only have N5,000 in my account, after checking my account balance to confirm the amount, one of the officers took me to a Point of Service (POS) operator to withdraw N4,000 for them, ” he said.

    Another victim said that officers of another police division collected N12,000 when he went to report a case of burglary.

    “Someone burgled an empty apartment in our estate and was living there illegally.

    “When I went to the station to report, the police demanded N13,000 before I would be allowed to write a statement. I eventually paid N12,000,” he said.

    According to the PPRO, extorting members of the public is a corrupt practise.

    Hundeyin emphasised that people should stop paying to document a complaint or bail themselves.

    “People should not succumb to extortion, rather they should make a formal complaint of officers who demand money for any offence to the state through CRU of the Lagos State Police Command.

    “A person was asked for money, he called the CRU who weighed into the matter and he was released without paying any money.

    “People should learn to take advantage of solutions that the police have made available,” the image maker said.

    He added that the public could lodge complaints against police extortion and other misconduct by calling 09087482365 or via Whatsapp 09111111151.

    He said the command’s Twitter account was @CruLagospolice; Instagram: policeng_lagos, or via Facebook: lagosCRU.

  • LASTMA sanctions 235 vehicles, arrests 10 for traffic infractions

    LASTMA sanctions 235 vehicles, arrests 10 for traffic infractions

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has sanctioned 235 vehicles for traffic infractions and arrested 10 miscreants during an enforcement campaign across critical traffic corridors within the metropolis.

    The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

    Bakare-Oki noted that the decisive and far-reaching intervention was to reassert order, discipline, and structural coherence within the urban mobility architecture of Lagos State.

    Bakare-Oki who coordinated the operation said there was full deployment of personnel across high-density zones, notably Oyingbo, Iddo, Eja-Lonibu, Adeniji Adele, Sabo, Jibowu (Inter-State Terminal), and Oshodi.

    He noted that locales had long contended with chronic congestion, indiscriminate parking, flagrant environmental violations, and general traffic anarchy.

    “During the initial enforcement phase, no fewer than 235 vehicles, comprising 38 private automobiles, 156 painted Volkswagen commercial buses (Danfo), 19 minibuses (Korope)/tricycles, five haulage trucks, and 17 inter-state passenger buses were impounded for various breaches of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

    “Offences ranged from unlawful encroachment upon pedestrian pathways, obstruction of vehicular flow, establishment of illegal terminals, to reckless disregard for established traffic regulations,” he said.

    He said five articulated trucks were intercepted atop the Adeniji Adele Bridge, while illicitly offloading livestock -including rams, cows, and abattoir waste—thus constituting a grave environmental defilement.

    “They compromised both public safety, the structural integrity of the bridge and the drivers, in manifest contempt for sanitation laws, are now subject to imminent judicial proceedings,” he said.

    He said the enforcement was executed at the directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, who persistently championed strategic, coordinated response to the entrenched culture of indiscipline that continued to undermine the state’s transportation landscape.

    The LASTMA boss said the operation would systematically cover all five administrative divisions of Lagos State—Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe.

    He added that LASTMA personnel and partner agencies would deploy a comprehensive mix of regulatory, logistical, and technological assets to reclaim public roadways from abuse and restore the urban commons to lawful users.

    “LASTMA is now operating under a strict zero-tolerance mandate against traffic infractions. All impounded vehicles will be promptly arraigned before the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution.

    The era of impunity on our roads is over. This operation is not an attack on any demographic or commercial interest; it is an overdue rectification of systemic dysfunction.

    “We call upon every road user to embrace this moment as an invitation to collective civic renewal,” he said.

  • How Lagos govt spent N8.5bn to sponsor festivals in one year

    How Lagos govt spent N8.5bn to sponsor festivals in one year

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it spent N8.5 billion to sponsor over 143 festivals and events in the last one year.

    The Commissioner, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in commemoration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office for second term.

    Benson-Awoyinka said this was aimed at reshaping the creative and tourism landscape of the state.

    “Through the ministry, the Creative Arts Department sponsored the festival with the sum of approximately N8,475,238,265 billion.

    “The ministry stands as a key driver in shaping the creative and tourism landscape, tasked with developing, implementing and promoting policies that unlock the full potential of the state’s vibrant culture, rich heritage and thriving hospitality sector.”

    She said that the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture and Lagos State Films and Videos Censors Board complemented the efforts of the ministry in fulfilling its mandates.

    “Over the past year, we have expanded our reach, deepened strategic partnerships both locally and internationally, and delivered impactful initiatives that not only showcase the beauty and diversity of Lagos but also empower our youth and creative entrepreneurs.

    “Today, I am proud to present the key achievements and milestones recorded by the ministry in the last 12 months, proof of this administration’s unwavering commitment to making Lagos the creative and tourism capital of Africa,” she said.

    Highlighting the government’s impactful achievements, Benson-Awoyinka said that the ministry continued to prioritise regular engagement with key stakeholders to assess the state of the tourism sector.

    She said it also explored viable avenues for governmental intervention.

    According to her, the ministry also issued endorsement letters to over 124 creative stakeholders to support their efforts in seeking sponsorship for their various initiatives.

    She added: “This robust investment reflects the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to positioning Lagos as the leading hub for arts, culture, and entertainment in Africa.

    “The supported initiatives span community festivals, cultural showcases, entertainment events, fashion weeks, art exhibitions, industry engagements, youth empowerment platforms, and global tourism summits.

    “Each initiative contributes significantly to cultural preservation, economic stimulation, job creation, tourism inflow, and global media visibility reinforcing Lagos’s brand as a dynamic creative capital and one of the continent’s most vibrant cultural destinations,” she said.

    She listed sponsored events, programmes and festivals which include, Brazilian Descendant Arts & Culture Association (BDACA), Lagos Shopping Festival, Twin Fest Africana, Groove and Food Festival, Nigeria Soup Festival, TM Perfume Launch and Sango World Festival.

    Others include Kenny Saint Ogungbe Concert, Go Culture, Ede Mi Asa Mi Festival, Africa Fashion Designers Award, NCCH Adire & Food Festival, Wear Nigeria Fashion Exhibition, Night of Tribute for Late Dejumo Lewis, Kurunmi: The Stage Play and Inter-Schools Cultural Quiz.

    According to her, the government’s investments align with the fifth pillar of the administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritises “Entertainment and Tourism” as a critical sector for economic diversification and youth empowerment.

    “As part of its efforts to preserve Lagos’ rich cultural legacy, the government revived the historic Fanti Carnival in April 2025.

    “The event, which celebrates Afro-Brazilian heritage, was held at the Remembrance Arcade on Lagos Island and attracted thousands of local and international tourists.

    “The revival of the Fanti Carnival honours the legacy of Afro-Brazilians who returned to Lagos in the 19th century and showcases the enduring cultural fusion that defines our identity,” the commissioner said.

    Benson-Awoyinka said that the ministry also undertook the restoration of 30 heritage monuments, with 11 already completed.

    She said that efforts to rebuild critical cultural infrastructure are underway, including the reconstruction of the Lagos Theatre in Oregun, which was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.

    “In November 2024, the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History was launched, drawing high-profile visitors such as Crowned Princess Victoria of Sweden and American cultural delegations.

    “Lagos is increasingly on the global map. From hosting BBC Studios executives to meeting with CNN’s Richard Quest and Global Tourism Head Zara Driss at the World Travel Market in London, our message is clear,” she said.

    She said the ministry had partnered with top-tier creative academies: Del-York Creative Academy, EbonyLife Creative Academy, and the African Film Academy, to train over 10,000 youths in film production, animation, screenwriting, and sound design.

    She added that Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board had also issued over 1,100 permits to filmmakers and actively engaged in digital content regulation conferences to uphold industry standards.

    Benson-Awoyinka said the 2024 Greater Lagos Fiesta featured major acts like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tiwa Savage across five divisions.

    According to her, the Lagos Shopping Festival held at Onikan Stadium drew over 50,000 visitors and featured more than 400 vendors, demonstrating the economic synergy between tourism, culture, and commerce.

    She said that the ministry had continued to drive the growth of the creative economy, empower cultural entrepreneurs, promote heritage, and expand Lagos’s global footprint as a thriving tourism and cultural capital.

    “Lagos is not just a destination. It is a cultural awakening. The Fanti Carnival is an invitation to become part of a living history that dances, sings and celebrates resilience,” she said.

    According to her, Sanwo-Olu administration has shown unwavering commitment to cultural preservation, education, and the promotion of Lagos as a destination rich in history, heritage, and pride.

    She said that Sanwo-Olu was honoured with a Special Recognition Award at The Headies 2025 for his administration’s support for the creative industry.

    Benson-Awoyinka said that the ministry had been strengthening global ties and the state was honoured in San Francisco and where she bagged a Special Recognition Award for visionary leadership.

    “As Lagos expands its global footprint, such strategic engagements will continue to elevate the state’s profile, attract tourism investment, and showcase the ingenuity and vibrancy of its people to the world,” she said.

    She also listed as part of the ministry’s achievement the strategic partnership with BBC Studio to elevate Lagos Storytelling, the Greater Lagos Rising Tour, Promotion of Animations, the Badagry International Film Festival, among others.

    “I am personally committed to ensuring that Lagos is not only seen but also understood for the richness of its heritage and the brilliance of its people.

    “This partnership with the BBC is part of our larger vision to position Lagos as Africa’s storytelling capital, attracting both visitors and investors through the power of culture, media, and tourism.

    “With plans to expand the festival in coming years and make it a permanent fixture on the global retail tourism calendar, the Lagos Shopping Festival has truly set a new benchmark for city-led experiential retailing in Africa,” Benson-Awoyinka said.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said that the ministry was dear to the heart of the governor.

    “We feel this ministry and wherever the ministry moves, Lagos moves. This ministry has revived culture and tourism to the benefit of Lagos, Nigeria and Black race,” Omotoso said.

  • 3 dead, 6 injured in Lagos-Abeokuta expressway crash

    3 dead, 6 injured in Lagos-Abeokuta expressway crash

    The Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) says three people have died while six others were injured in an accident which involved five vehicles on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    Mr Adekunle Ajibade, the South-West Area Commander of TRACE, who confirmed the incident to NAN on Wednesday in Ota, said that the accident happened at about 7.45 a.m.

    Ajibade explained that a cement truck, with no registration number heading to toll-gate from Sango-Ota, was on top speed when it had brake failure and rammed into four vehicles.

    According to him, the six survivors sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident.

    “The corpses of the victims have been deposited at Ifo General Hospital, Ogun, while the survivors are also receiving treatment in the same hospital.

    “Motorists should always ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before putting them on the road.

    “Drivers should also stop excessive speed and reckless driving to prevent unnecessary loss of lives,” he said.

    Ajibade said that the vehicles had been towed off the expressway to ease the free flow of traffic in the area.

  • Update: Death toll in Lagos building collapse rises

    Update: Death toll in Lagos building collapse rises

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has recovered three dead bodies in the building that collapsed at Ikorodu area of the state on Tuesday.

    The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    Oke-Osanyintolu said the three people that trapped under the collapsed building had been recovered dead.

    He added that nine adult males were successfully rescued and attended by LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Unit.

    “Following distress alerts at 14:02 hours, LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Agbowa and Alausa.

    “Upon arrival of agency’s response teams at 14:40hours, it was discovered that a two-storey building undergoing construction had collapsed, with three victims trapped under the debris at the aforementioned location.

    “Search and Rescue Operation is still ongoing. All the bodies have been handed over to Igbogbo Police Station. The cause of the collapsed building is yet to be ascertained,” he said.

    He said that safety measures were activated with the operational area cordoned-off at the incident scene.

  • Many still trapped, 1 dead – LASEMA gives update on Lagos building collapse

    Many still trapped, 1 dead – LASEMA gives update on Lagos building collapse

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), on Tuesday, confirmed the death of one adult male while several still trapped in a building collapse in Ikorodu area of the state.

    The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who made this known in a statement, said they got a distress alert at 14.02 hours

    “Following distress alerts at 14:02 hours, LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Agbowa and Alausa.

    “Upon arrival of agency’s response teams at 14:40hours, it was discovered that a two-storey building undergoing construction had collapsed, with three victims trapped under the debris at the aforementioned location.

    “The cause of the collapsed building is yet to be ascertained,” he said.

    He said one adult male was found dead, adding that three people were still trapped.

    “Three people reportedly trapped while nine adult males have been successfully rescued and attended by LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Unit.

    He said safety measures were activated with the operational area cordoned-off at the incident scene.

  • Lagos LG election: We will conduct inclusive, credible polls – LASIEC

    Lagos LG election: We will conduct inclusive, credible polls – LASIEC

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Wednesday pledged to conduct an inclusive, hitch-free local government election that all would be proud of.

    LASIEC’s Chairman, Justice Omobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, made the promise at a forum organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in Lagos.

    The event was held ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12 in Lagos State.

    The theme of the event was ‘Enhancing Credible and Inclusive Local Government Elections in Lagos State’.

    “Democracy thrives when it is inclusive, participatory and truly reflects the diversity of society.

    “At LASIEC, we firmly believe no one should be left behind—and no one will be,” Okikiolu-Ighile stated.

    She stressed that the right to vote and be voted for is a constitutional and fundamental human right.

    “LASIEC is the body responsible for conducting local government elections in Lagos and is fully committed to inclusivity,” she said.

    She emphasised that all eligible citizens must have the opportunity to participate, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background.

    According to her, trust and public confidence are essential to achieving free, fair and credible elections.

    She added that such trust could only be built through active involvement of stakeholders like CCD and others.

    “It’s about removing barriers and ensuring everyone is included in the democratic process,” she reiterated.

    Okikiolu-Ighile said LASIEC was fully prepared for the July 12 elections, expecting voters to turn out in large numbers.

    “The commission is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a transparent, inclusive and conclusive election process,” she noted.

    She revealed LASIEC distributed application forms free to women, youths and persons with disabilities (PwDs) to encourage participation.

    Okikiolu-Ighile reaffirmed LASIEC’s commitment to delivering election that is free, fair, credible and conclusive.

    “We will maintain strong collaboration with stakeholders and create equal access across the political field,” she assured.

    She added LASIEC would uphold public confidence by ensuring transparency throughout the electoral process.

    She urged stakeholders to help educate and sensitise members on their voting rights and participation.

    The LASIEC chair also assured residents of maximum security for all voters and candidates during the polls.

    She confirmed that assistive materials — such as magnifying glasses and braille — would be provided at all voting centres.

    CCD Programme Officer, Mrs Christiana Njoku, highlighted the importance of credible, inclusive electioneering processes.

    Njoku praised LASIEC’s efforts in supporting inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities.

    She, however, called on LASIEC to intensify efforts by providing braille, interpreters and other assistive tools.

    She stressed the need for a conducive environment to enable all PwD clusters to vote on July 12.