TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos

  • ‘It wasn’t politics’ – Lagos defends styrofoam ban

    ‘It wasn’t politics’ – Lagos defends styrofoam ban

    The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its stance on the ban of single-use styrofoam, describing the decision as one rooted in public health, environmental sustainability, and scientific evidence and not for political convenience.

    The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab,  disclosed this on his verified X handle on Thursday.

    Wahab said the government acknowledged that the move was initially unpopular, drawing resistance from certain quarters.

    He said the data the government relied on was clear and irrefutable, adding that  styrofoam clogs drainage systems, pollutes water bodies, and enters the food chain, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.

    “Our decision to ban styrofoam was unpopular, but necessary. We stood on irrefutable research: this material clogs drains, contaminates our water, and poisons our food chain.

    “It wasn’t politics — it was public health,” Wahab said.

    He expressed appreciation to Lagosians who have adapted to the new directive by embracing environmentally friendly alternatives.

    He commended their role in reducing the incidence of flooding in the state, especially during the 2025  prolonged rainy season.

    “To every Lagosian who adapted: Thank you. You’ve helped reduce flooding and protect our children’s future,” Wahab said.

    Wahab recognised the contribution of popular comedian @_Taaooma, who used her platform to creatively enlighten the public about the ban and its implications, blending education with humour.

    “Special thanks to @_Taaooma for enlightening us with humour, as always,” he said.

    Wahab emphasised that the success of environmental policies rests on collective responsibility and continued citizen engagement.

    He noted that sustainable urban living is only achievable when both government and citizens work together.

    “A flood-free Lagos is our collective responsibility,” Wahab said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ban on styrofoam and other single-use plastics in Lagos was officially announced in January 2024 following years of advocacy from environmental experts, civil society groups, and community health stakeholders.

    Multiple studies by local and international bodies revealed that discarded styrofoam was one of the biggest culprits of drainage blockage across Lagos.

  • Lagos seals club for traffic regulations violation

    Lagos seals club for traffic regulations violation

    The Lagos State Government has sealed the premises of Vaniti Club House over protracted and deliberate infractions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

    The General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement made available on Monday in Lagos.

    Bakare-Oki said the move was an assertion of its steadfast dedication to preserving public order and ensuring the seamless mobility of persons and vehicles within the metropolis.

    He said the enforcement action carried out at the club house located on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, was meticulously executed by the Agency’s Rescue and Compliance Unit.

    “This was done due to the club’s habitual and defiant infringement of established traffic laws particularly its persistent facilitation of illegal roadside parking and flagrant encroachment upon public highways.

    “These actions have not only disrupted traffic flow but have posed substantial risks to public safety.

    “The Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, unequivocally proscribes any acts that obstruct vehicular movement or imperil the safety of road users, categorising such conduct as a grievous statutory offence liable to punitive legal sanctions,” he said.

    He said despite a series of exhaustive sensitisation efforts including sustained public enlightenment campaigns, direct stakeholders engagements, and multiple official warnings the management of Verniti Club House had remained intransigent.

    He added that they choose to perpetuate acts that undermine the operational integrity of the state’s traffic ecosystem, particularly within the high-traffic corridor of Victoria Island.

    “Consequently, the state government has invoked its full regulatory powers to seal the premises indefinitely.

    “This directive shall remain in effect until the establishment unequivocally demonstrates total and verifiable compliance with all extant traffic laws and ancillary regulatory frameworks.

    “This enforcement initiative is not a one-off occurrence. It marks the beginning of a broader and sustained compliance campaign.

    “We are actively monitoring other clubs, event centres, lounges, and recreational facilities particularly those that persist in impeding traffic flow by commandeering public roads and adjoining streets for private use,” he said.

    He said the Lagos State Government, via LASTMA, reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward any person, corporate body, or social enterprise that constituted an impediment to traffic orderliness or endangers the commuting public.

  • SEE LIST: Another LGA renames streets in Lagos

    SEE LIST: Another LGA renames streets in Lagos

    Eti-Osa Local Government in Lagos State has announced the replacement of six old street names across various communities under its jurisdiction.

    The announcement was signed by Mrs. Oluwakemi Oshun, Council Manager of Eti-Osa Local Government.

    The change is part of the ongoing street naming and re-validation exercise earlier made public by the council.

    According to the new directive, the affected streets have been officially revoked and renamed.

    Residents, businesses, and the general public are advised to take note of the updated street names for proper identification and correspondence.

    Below are the renamed streets and their locations:

    – Tony Amadasun Road at Igbo Efon is now Chief Femi Pedro Road

    Dr. Udo Wogu Drive at Chevy View is now Chief Adebola Dosunmu Drive

    – Augusta Orji Street at Aro Ologolo Road is now Alhaji Adio Mayegun Street

    – Chike Mba Close at Osapa London is now Hon. Sikiru Ashorota Close

    – Ugochukwu Orji Street at Igbo Efon is now Barr. Wale Sanni Street

    – Fubara Dublin Green Street at Igbo Efon is now Rafiu Olukolu Street.

  • Heavy protest breaks out in Lagos over controversial renaming of streets, bus terminals

    Heavy protest breaks out in Lagos over controversial renaming of streets, bus terminals

    Many residents of Ilaje Road in Bariga, Lagos, have staged a protest against the Bariga Local Council Development Area’s (LCDA) recent decision to rename the road in honour of music icon King Sunny Ade.

    The protest, which took place on Wednesday, drew community members who described the renaming as a disregard for their heritage and an attempt to erase their cultural identity.

    The controversial name change was reportedly approved by the immediate past LCDA chairman, David Kolade Alabi, just before the end of his tenure, despite earlier opposition from residents.

    Addressing the protesters, the Baale of Ilaje/Bariga, High Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, disclosed that the newly sworn-in LCDA chairperson, Bukola Adedeji, had called him ahead of the protest, appealing for patience and promising to reverse the decision. However, the community proceeded with the protest and also submitted a formal petition to the council.

    Ayetiwa stressed that the name Ilaje Road has been in existence since 1948 and represents an important part of the community’s history and identity.

    “We will not allow the legacy and name of Ilaje Road to be erased, no matter how prominent the individual chosen for the renaming may be,” the Baale said.

    The community’s protest letter described the former chairman’s action as unconstitutional and carried out without the consent of local councillors.

    Raphael Irowanu, President General of Egbe Omo Ilaje, voiced concerns about what he called a larger pattern of marginalisation, noting that the Ilaje population in Lagos State numbers around four million people with strong ancestral ties to Yoruba history.

    According to him, the road renaming, coupled with ongoing demolitions affecting the community, points to an attempt to displace and undermine the Ilaje people.

    He warned that continued disregard for their concerns could have political repercussions for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 elections.

  • Alleged imposition: Lagos APC chairman in trouble over LG polls as members protest at Assembly

    Alleged imposition: Lagos APC chairman in trouble over LG polls as members protest at Assembly

    Aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly over the alleged planned imposition of appointees at the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of the state.

    The aggrieved APC party members are also demanding the removal of the party’s state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi.

    The protesters, believed to be representatives from all 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the state, gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans and holding placards with inscriptions such as ‘Ojelabi Must Go’ and ‘We Want Fresh Leadership’.

    The protest, which began in the early hours of Monday, has attracted significant attention and led to heightened security around the Assembly complex.

    Several police officers have been deployed to maintain peace and prevent any outbreak of violence.

    The state deputy Governor, Kadri Hamzat, visited the scene of the protest to calm the atmosphere.

    The deputy governor said the ongoing issue is a party affair and will be resolved as soon as possible.

  • Lagos medical doctors to begin three-day warning strike, tomorrow

    Lagos medical doctors to begin three-day warning strike, tomorrow

    Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government have announced a three-day warning strike.

    The industrial action is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, in protest against what they described as the unlawful and disrespectful deduction of their salaries by the state.

    Operating under the Medical Guild, the doctors said the strike action follows failed efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

    The chairman of the guild, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, at a press briefing at the union’s secretariat explained that the impasse began in April 2025 when the state government unilaterally deducted salaries from medical and dental officers without prior consultation.

    He noted that although many of their members initially demanded an immediate strike, the Guild’s leadership opted to pursue a more diplomatic route through negotiation and advocacy.

    However, the Guild accused the Lagos State Treasury Office of going contrary against an agreement reached by implementing another round of deductions in July, which triggered the decision to embark on the warning strike.

    The Guild is demanding an immediate reversal of the July salary deductions and full payment of 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

    The union also issued a 21-day ultimatum, warning that failure to meet its demands could lead to an indefinite strike.

  • Many injured in Lagos Third Mainland bridge crash

    Many injured in Lagos Third Mainland bridge crash

    A road accident involving a Toyota Camry and a commercial bus, commonly known as a Danfo, on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has left many persons injured.

    The Rapid Response Squad (RRS), a unit of the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement disclosed that the accident occurred before Adekunle Junction, heading towards Lagos Island.

    The commercial bus reportedly flipped multiple times after the collision. RRS operatives, including bikers and patrol teams, quickly arrived at the scene to provide first aid to the injured.

    Officers from the Adekunle Police Division were also present to assist with rescue efforts. Emergency services were mobilized to the scene to ensure prompt medical attention and clear the wreckage. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

    The damaged vehicles have since been removed, and normal traffic flow has been restored on the bridge.

    “Emergency services providers have been mobilised.

    “No life loss in the unfortunate incident.

    “Free flow of vehicular movement has been restored and the ill-fated vehicles were evacuated from the road,” the statement read partly.

  • Two-storey building collapses in Lagos

    Two-storey building collapses in Lagos

    A two-storey building under construction collapsed on Sunday during the decking stage on Craig Street in the Shomolu area of Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru reports that there were no casualties, as construction workers working  on-site  escape before the structure gave way.

    Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) stated that the collapsed structure was one of two buildings being constructed at the location.

    The collapse also partially damaged the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Liberty Parish, located at No. 5 Craig Street, although worshippers inside at the time were able to exit safely.

    Emergency responders, including LASEMA’s Cobra Response Team, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), quickly arrived at the scene.

    A thorough search confirmed that no one was trapped in the rubble.

    Authorities reportedly cordoned off the area to restrict access and prevent further risk to the public.

  • Communication expert, Kayode Akinyemi loses mother

    Communication expert, Kayode Akinyemi loses mother

    A Lagos based public relations consultant and the former Head of Corporate Communications of the defunct Skye Bank (now polaris bank) and former Director General of Ekiti State Bureau of Strategic Communications, Kayode Akinyemi, has announced the death of his mother, Mrs. Victoria Oja Bodunde Akinyemi.

    She passed peacefully in the early hour of Friday, June 14, 2026.

    Mrs. Akinyemi, 85 was a devoted Christian and a prominent member of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Iyanu, Afao – Ekti, where she served as representative of God women society and also a member of the Church choirs for many years.

    As a community leader and philanthropist, she was the Iya Egbe (Chairlady) of Egbe Igbotoluwa of Afao – Ekiti.

    She is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    May her soul rest in peace

  • Tinubu departs Lagos for Abuja after two-week recess

    Tinubu departs Lagos for Abuja after two-week recess

    President Bola Tinubu has departed Lagos for Abuja after a two-week break in the nation’s economic centre where he celebrated Eid al-Adha.

    Tinubu was accompanied to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government officials.

    The president had during his stay received a retinue of top dignitaries in his residence and commissioned some projects among other activities.