Author: Khadijah Olowode

The Environmental Special Offences Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has handed down fines and community service penalties, to 40 environmental offenders, found guilty of indiscriminate waste disposal. The presiding magistrate underscored the gravity of the offences and impact on the environment, subsequently imposing a fine of ₦30,000 on each offender, with an option of six hours of community service, in designated areas like the General Hospital, Odan, and Tinubu Market in Lagos Island. Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, expressed the Authority’s commitment to enforcing the zero-tolerance policy for indiscriminate waste dumping. He said,…

Operatives of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday, 23 November, 2023, during another strict enforcement operations impounded 15 tankers parked indiscriminately along 2nd Rainbow down to Mile 2 Bridge, Oshodi -Apapa Expressway, Lagos. A press statement released by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq confirmed that the enforcement operations was carried out on the directives of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation Hon. Sola Giwa. It was further confirmed that some of the impounded tankers were apprehended inside Mile 2 estates after investigations revealed that some of them…

Residents of the Magodo GRA Phase II Estate in Lagos on Thursday, 23 November, 2023, sent a Save Our Souls and Properties message to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following the invasion of the estate and the threat to their safety and security due to incessant forceful access by unauthorised persons to the wetlands around the estate. The residents disclosed that land speculators and developers aided by top officials of Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development have decided on building the wetland and they are bent on making an incursion therein through Magodo Phase II, noting that the plan is a…

The European Union has welcomed applications for the Erasmus+ Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for the year 2024. This prestigious programme offers Nigerian individuals the opportunity to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in European countries, on fully-paid EU as it aims to promote academic excellence and international collaboration. The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, in a statement underscored the significance of this initiative, which she described as a success story the EU is particularly proud of. She said: “The Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme offers a beacon of opportunity for Nigerians seeking to advance their academic pursuits in Europe.…

The Member-States of the United Nations General Assembly have voted with a majority of 125 in favor of adopting a Convention on International Tax Cooperation. The resolution A/C.2/78/L.18/Rev.1, tabled by the African Group under the title: “Promotion of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation at the United Nations”, was voted on Wednesday at the UN Headquarters in New York, marking a historic moment for Africa and the world. The resolution which was tabled was passed with a 125 vote in favor of the Tax Convention, with 48 votes against, and 9 Abstentions. This unprecedented step represents a significant advancement, showcasing…

The United Nations Women has said the key to achieving gender equality was investing in and empowering women’s rights organisations. Delivering a speech at the Regional Consultation with women’s rights organisations organized under the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Country Representative of UNWomen, Ms. Beatrice Eyong lamented that significant changes have not been made since the commencement of 16 Days of Activism 20 years ago. On gender equality, she said: “Addressing and eradicating it requires more than just reacting to violence when it happens; it mandates proactive and innovative solutions. A key to these solutions lies in…

Nigeria has called for collaboration to safe the planet from threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The call was made on Thursday, 23 November, 2023 by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako at the the Meeting of Technical Experts of the 9th Session of the Pan African Agency for the Great Green Wall (PAGGW) in Abuja. He said: “In the realm of technology and expertise, we find ourselves at the crossroads of higher possibilities and greater responsibilities. Our world is evolving at an unprecedented pace with the major crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ambassador Desmond Akawor to serve as a Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), pending the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate. The new RMAFC Federal Commissioner, who represents Rivers State, was appointed following the tragic demise of the immediate past RMAFC Federal Commissioner from Rivers State, Hon. Asondu Wenah Temple earlier this month. Ambassador Akawor is a decorated public servant who has served the nation as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea; Minister of State of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Sole Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt Development…

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has called on international communities to support the country’s bid to reform its correctional service operations and architecture. The Minister made the call on Tuesday, 21 November, 2023, in Abuja during his presentation at the International Donor Round Table on Correctional Service Reform organized by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). According to him, decongesting the correctional facilities demands the urgent attention of the government, civil society groups, and international communities. He said: “There is a lot to do in the area of decongesting our correctional facilities. From our audits, we…

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON has flagged off the Renewed Hope Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Programme in Abuja. At the well-attended flag-off ceremony, Senator Oluremi Tinubu advised the beneficiaries to plan wisely, exercise financial discipline in managing the funds, invest strategically. The First Lady reassured of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s determination to rid Nigerians of poverty by creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. “By supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), we empower local entrepreneurs to generate employment thereby offering a lifeline to those struggling to make ends meet. This not…

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, nullified the election of Hon. Babajide Owodunni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the lawmaker representing Ikenne State Constituency in the House of Assembly. The court declared Hon. Kunle Sobukanla of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the elected lawmaker for the Constituency and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him a Certificate of Return. INEC had in March 2023, declared Owodunni as the winner of the assembly election, despite the fact that on 6 March, 2023 – 12 days before the election –…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the former Military Governor of Ondo State, late Major General Ekundayo Opaleye, as a humble and intelligent officer who served his country and humanity diligently while alive. Governor Abiodun, who made this assertion when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late General at their Ibara GRA resident in Abeokuta, said Ogun State has lost one of its illustrious sons who dedicated his life to nation building and served as a great mentor to the young ones. “Major General Ekundayo Opaleye served his country, humanity in several capacities, particularly…

The Ogun State Government has commenced the second phase of the disbursement of the N1 billion grant to micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The initiative aims to alleviate poverty and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in the state. The state Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment and a member of the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OGUN CARES) Steering Committee, Mr. Adebola Sofela, in a statement on Monday, 20 November, 2023 announced that Governor Dapo Abiodun has directed the immediate commencement of the disbursement process for the second phase of the grants. This phase will…

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the people and government of Niger State over a ghastly auto-crash, which led to the loss of many lives in Magama Local Government Area of the State. President Tinubu condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. The President described the incident as a harrowing tragedy and directs the agency responsible for emergency response to immediately move in and ensure that those injured in the tragic accident get the necessary treatment at the highest quality and with alacrity.…

Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have been advised to curb a number of conduct of their coaches, players and ball boys during fixtures of the season. In a memo to the Clubs, titled “Regulating MatchDay Conduct of Coaches, Players and Ball Boys”, Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer reminded the clubs that relevant provisions of the NPFL Framework and Rules will be invoked to ensure that no individual or group demeaned the public perception of the league. The memo, he noted, was intended to avert the minds of leadership of all clubs to some inappropriate conducts that…

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, visited the military troops involved in the Still Waters III exercise in Oro Ago town in Ifelodun local government where he commended the efforts of the 22 Brigade to improve security of lives and properties in the axis. The Governor also visited the palace of the Oloro of Oro Ago Oba Johnson Olanrewaju Dada where he held a brief meeting with the monarch. AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, has expressed satisfaction on the quality of job done on the Orisa bridge, which is now near completion. He said the bridge would replace the…

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Kingsley Chinonye Unije, for forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering to the tune of N340,000,000( Three Hundred and Forty Million Naira only). He was arraigned on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, before Justice M.G Umar of Federal High Court sitting Enugu, on five-count charges bordering on forgery, obtaining money by false and money laundering. Count one of the charges reads; That you KINGSLEY CHINONYE UNIJE sometime between May and 2022 in Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High court of Nigeria, with…

In line with the promise of the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, to assign Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to be supervised by the state’s Deputy Governor, Barr Bayo Lawal, the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Establishments and Training and Special Duties will now be overseen by the Office of the Deputy Governor. This decision was taken at the State’s Treasury Board Meeting held on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023. The Deputy Governor is expected to oversee the Ministry of Establishments and Training with a view to structuring the gratuity payments. Barr Lawal is also to guide the newly-established Ministry…

The Oyo State Government has issued a marching order to commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state to immediately proceed to enrol with the Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme before 31 December, 2023. Governor of the state, ‘Seyi Makinde, made this clear on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, shortly after the state’s Security Council Meeting. The Governor noted that the state has decided to address the menace associated with commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations, with a view to further securing the state. He added that from the 1st of January, 2024, no unregistered motorcycle or tricycle operator would be allowed…

Two retirees: Mrs. Majekodunmi Bolanle, 66; and Mrs. Kuburat Animashaun, 64; have taken up new craft to keep their hands busy and refresh their minds. The grandmothers voluntarily enrolled at the Lagos State Skill Acquisition Centre in Agidingbi to upgrade their skill set, picking up a new vocation in computer operations and software. The senior citizens were among the 4,592 trainees graduated by the Lagos State Government on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, in various skill acquisition courses. The Year 2022 graduation ceremony was held at the LTV Blue Roof in Agidingbi. The graduands took the vocational training in 19 skill…