The Lagos State Government has sealed the Ladipo Spare Parts Market along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) due to repeated environmental infractions. The action targets indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median and highway as well as illegal street trading, which have persisted despite previous warnings.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the closure aligns with the state’s “zero tolerance” policy on environmental abuse and unregulated trading. The enforcement aims to protect public health, traffic flow, and sanitation standards in one of Lagos’ busiest automotive hubs.
Ladipo Market has faced similar sanctions in the past, with traders only allowed to resume operations after complying with environmental and waste-management regulations. Officials emphasized that adherence to these standards is mandatory for reopening, highlighting the government’s commitment to sustainable urban management.
Residents and motorists have long complained about the obstruction, litter, and safety hazards caused by indiscriminate dumping and roadside trading. The current closure serves as a strong warning to other markets and traders in Lagos to maintain environmental compliance or face similar sanctions.
FUTA Bans Neolife, Faith Heroic Group Activities on Campus, Warns Students The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has announced an immediate ban on the activities of Neolife and the Faith Heroic Group (FHG) within the university community, warning students to steer clear of the organisations.
The directive was contained in an official circular issued by the university management, citing concerns over the operations of the groups and their potential impact on students’ academic focus and overall welfare. According to the management, neither Neolife nor FHG is recognised or approved to operate within the institution.
FUTA authorities stressed that the university maintains strict guidelines governing the activities of associations, religious bodies, and commercial groups on campus. Any organisation found operating without approval, the statement noted, is considered to be in violation of university regulations and subject to sanctions.
The management further advised students to be vigilant and avoid engaging with unauthorised groups, especially those that may involve financial commitments, recruitment drives, or activities capable of distracting students from their primary academic responsibilities.
The university reiterated its commitment to providing a safe, disciplined, and academically focused environment, adding that security operatives and relevant units have been directed to enforce the ban. Students were also encouraged to report any continued activities of the banned groups to appropriate university authorities for necessary action.
Activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State continued on Thursday with a vibrant cultural carnival and road show that brought colour, music and excitement to major streets of Abeokuta, the state capital.
The procession featured six beautifully decorated floats representing the state’s major regions — Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba (RIYE) — alongside a symbolic fish float highlighting the riverine communities, all celebrating Ogun’s rich cultural diversity.
Speaking at a reception held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun reaffirmed the state’s growing prominence in Nigeria, attributing its progress to the resilience, creativity and hard work of its people.
He described the carnival as a powerful showcase of Ogun’s cultural strength and organisational capacity, noting that it reflected the state’s ability to excel both economically and socially.
“Just as we demonstrated during the National Sports Festival, we have once again shown that Ogun State is not only the gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity, but also the gateway to tourism, culture and social awakening,” the governor said.
“Our sense of state pride is at an all-time high. What we witnessed today — from morning till now — has been remarkable, spectacular and truly inspiring.”
Governor Abiodun expressed gratitude to past leaders for laying solid foundations for the state’s development and to civil servants whose dedication has helped build a thriving economy.
According to him, Ogun’s current achievements are built on decades of sacrifice, perseverance and collective effort, which have shaped the state into a proud cultural hub experiencing steady growth across sectors.
The governor noted that the carnival was designed to promote unity, heritage and resilience, adding that the golden jubilee celebration reflects the shared identity and pride of the people.
He assured residents of his administration’s continued commitment to people-focused policies and sustained development across the state.
No fewer than 3,000 indigenes from the 20 local government areas participated in the festivities, alongside dancers in traditional attire, drummers, masquerades, folkloric performers, skaters and bikers, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the city.
The highlight of the celebration was a colourful procession that moved from Oke-Igbein through Omida and Oke-Ilewo before ending at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, where cultural displays, acrobatic performances and music further thrilled spectators.
Says Donor Targets Are Replacing Patient Safety and Urges Emergency Review
The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has expressed urgent concern over rising reports from Nigerian women experiencing medical complications linked to family planning methods, particularly implants and other modern contraceptives, calling for immediate reforms in patient centered care, complication management, and ethical standards in public health facilities across the country.
In a statement issued over the weekend, PeacePro Executive Director Abdulrazaq Hamzat said the organization has documented multiple complaints from women nationwide, most recently in North Central Nigeria, reporting symptoms including breast pain and swelling, abnormal bleeding, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and blood pressure fluctuations.
PeacePro stressed that while family planning remains an important component of reproductive health, no intervention can be considered successful if women experiencing complications are unable to access timely care or feel discouraged from reporting symptoms.
“PeacePro supports voluntary and informed family planning. However, women’s safety, dignity, and autonomy must remain the foundation of every reproductive health intervention,” Hamzat stated.
“When women suffer preventable harm and are silenced in public hospitals, it deepens distrust in the state, increases household tension, and fuels resentment, all of which directly undermine peacebuilding and social stability.”
The organization reported that many cases have led to hospital admissions in private facilities lasting days, indicating serious medical consequences. PeacePro also raised concern that even after contraceptive implants are removed, pain and complications often persist for weeks and months, yet public facilities provide little or no structured follow-up care, forcing women to rely on private hospitals for ongoing treatment.
According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) analysis of 6,365 contraceptive discontinuation episodes, 15.2% of all respondents discontinued modern family planning because of perceived adverse effects/health concerns.
The same national survey shows that method discontinuation within 12 months occurred frequently and 37% of contraceptive use episodes were discontinued within 12 months, with about 24% of implant episodes discontinued due to side effects/health concerns.
Hamzat further explained that, clinical research on the Jadelle contraceptive implant in Nigerian women found that 31.1% developed irregular uterine bleeding by six months of use, and 16.6% became amenorrheic (ceased menstrual bleeding) by 12 months of use.
PeacePro also stated that, a facility level study at a Nigerian teaching hospital reported that among Jadelle users, 48.5% reported side effects, with menstrual irregularities (55%) and amenorrhea (24.4%) among the most common manifestations.
Additionally, a broader review of modern contraceptive discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria showed 35.8% overall discontinuation, with injectables (25.2%) and implants/Norplant (22.4%) as leading methods discontinued and side effects/health concerns as a prominent reason in many cases.
Hamzat maintained that, these data illustrate real patterns of discontinuation and side effects in Nigeria, grounded in national surveys (NDHS) and peer reviewed clinical research on implants, not anecdotal claims.
PeacePro highlighted reports that women who request discontinuation of certain methods are sometimes faced with discouraging counseling, administrative delays, or fees for removal, practices that violate informed consent, reproductive autonomy, and patient centered care.
The organization warned that donor driven programs that emphasize targets without adequately prioritizing safety risk erosion of public trust in health systems, widening health inequalities, especially in rural areas and increased reliance on unsafe alternatives due to fear of side effects.
“Family planning must never become a numbers driven system,” Hamzat said. “It must remain a health driven system that respects women’s choices and protects their safety.”
PeacePro is calling on the Federal and State Ministries of Health, development partners, and implementing agencies to pause further aggressive family planning campaigns pending a comprehensive safety review.
The federal government should conduct a nationwide audit of family planning processes, patient follow-up, and complication management in all public facilities, establish an independent patient safety review body to assess how complications and discontinuation requests are handled, documented, and resolved, Guarantee barrier free discontinuation, including removal without unofficial fees, delays, or coercion and Strengthen reporting systems to ensure complications are systematically captured and addressed through evidence based policy.
“Any system that discourages reporting, delays discontinuation, or ignores complications is unacceptable and must be corrected immediately,” Hamzat concluded.
PeacePro emphasized that addressing these issues is not only a public health necessity but also a peacebuilding imperative, as preventable suffering and institutional neglect erode social trust and community stability.
The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its readiness for the official commencement of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), in line with the Federal Government’s directive for a gradual transition from pen-and-paper examinations to full digital testing. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
According to the release, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Olusegun Olayiwola, made the disclosure while receiving the Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar of WAEC, Mr. Waheed Amode, and his management team during a courtesy visit.
Olayiwola revealed that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has directed that the cost implications for the procurement of over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools across the state be worked out. He said the initiative is aimed at positioning Oyo State ahead of the full adoption of CBT examinations nationwide.
The Education Commissioner commended WAEC for the proactive steps taken to address challenges encountered during the 2025 examinations, while assuring the Council of the Ministry’s continued support in curbing examination malpractice and preventing vandalisation of school facilities.
In his remarks, Amode said the visit was to appreciate the Oyo State Ministry of Education for its support during the 2025 WAEC examinations and for its consistent collaboration with the Council, describing the Ministry as a critical stakeholder in WAEC’s operations.
He disclosed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examination closed on February 2, 2026, noting that the forthcoming examinations would be conducted using a hybrid of CBT and pen-and-paper modes, depending on the level of preparedness of individual schools.
Amode added that schools willing to participate fully in CBT examinations must formally indicate their interest through official correspondence. He also warned that severe penalties await candidates found with mobile phones in examination halls, stressing that such infractions could lead to the cancellation of an entire school’s results, depending on the gravity of the offence. He urged school principals and teachers to uphold integrity and discipline in order to strengthen educational standards across the state.
Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has faulted any attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine or impose leadership on the opposition party, insisting that only the PDP constitution and its members can decide who leads the party.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Bode George reacted to reports suggesting that INEC was recognising a Wike-aligned faction of the PDP, following the appearance of its representatives at a recent INEC consultative meeting. He cautioned that such developments, if mishandled, could deepen the party’s internal crisis and threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
The PDP chieftain stressed that INEC’s role is purely regulatory and administrative, not arbitral, adding that engagement with any faction should not be misconstrued as legal or constitutional recognition. According to him, unresolved court cases and internal party processes must first be concluded before any leadership claims can be considered valid.
Bode George called on party leaders to put the PDP’s survival above personal interests, urging reconciliation, respect for court rulings, and strict adherence to the party’s constitution. He warned that failure to resolve the leadership crisis transparently could weaken the PDP ahead of future elections and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
The Oyo State House of Assembly has raised urgent concerns over the recurring cases of illegal revenue collection, multiple stickers, and harassment of commercial drivers, tricyclists, and motorcyclists across the state, vowing to take decisive steps to protect the rights and welfare of these critical operators in the transport sector.
The motion, titled “Need to Curb Illegal Revenue Collection, Multiple Stickers, and Harassment of Commercial Drivers, Tricyclists, and Motorcyclists in Oyo State”, was co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the House, alongside Hon. Rasak Mabaje (Ido), Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Hon. Babajide Adebayo (Ibadan North II), and Hon. Akintunde Olajide (Lagelu).
The Motion was presented on Thursday during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
In moving the motion, the lawmakers highlighted the vital role played by commercial motorcyclists, tricycle operators, bus and taxi drivers in ensuring mobility, employment, and livelihood for thousands of Oyo State residents across both urban and rural communities.
They noted that operators are mandated to pay annual revenue stickers covering statutory state-imposed levies totaling N10,500, as well as a daily ticket of N300, which is meant to cover operational levies.
Despite compliance with these official requirements, commercial drivers reportedly continue to face illegal roadblocks, arbitrary collection of additional stickers, extortion, threats, and even physical harassment by individuals posing as government agents or park officials.
Unauthorised levies reportedly range from N2,500 to N5,000, often imposed without receipts or accountability.
The Assembly expressed deep concern that such practices undermine the credibility of government revenue systems, fuel fare increases, discourage compliance, and expose drivers, commercial motorcyclists and tricyclist to economic hardship and physical risk.
They emphasized that unless urgent harmonization of transport-related stickers and daily tickets is implemented, the menace will persist across the state.
Consequently, the House resolved to urge the Executive Arm of Government to harmonise all transport-related revenue systems and collections into a single, universally recognised framework.
This includes publishing and gazetting the harmonised ticketing system, enforcing compliance through Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA) and security agencies, dismantling illegal roadblocks, prosecuting offenders, and ensuring collaboration with drivers’ unions and park management authorities to protect the rights of commercial operators.
The motion also tasked the Assembly’s Committees on Transport, Finance, Appropriation, and State Economic Planning to liaise with relevant ministries, agencies, and drivers’ associations to ensure the full implementation of the harmonised system.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, praised the motion, emphasizing its timeliness and necessity.
He said he personally co-sponsored it to demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to securing the welfare of the state’s transport operators and strengthening compliance with government revenue policies.
…Says IBB Contributed More To Lagos Development Than Tinubu
A PDP presidential hopeful, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has sharply criticized the economic performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming that Nigeria’s economy is weaker today than during previous administrations, including those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking live on Channels Television on Wednesday during a discussion with Seun Okinbaloye, Hashim cited official economic data, arguing that Nigeria’s fiscal and monetary management over the past 10 years of APC Government has failed to keep pace with the country’s growth and population expansion needs.
“GDP under Obasanjo was $267 billion. Under Jonathan, it grew to over $574billion in nominal terms. Today, under Tinubu, it has fallen to around $230 billion. This is a shocking regression for a nation with massive human and natural resources,” Hashim stated.
The PDP Presidential aspirant also highlighted the over devaluation of the Naira, stressing that the currency’s current exchange rate is far below levels justified by Nigeria’s economic fundamentals, contributing to a higher cost of living and weaker investor confidence.
Hashim, who is also a global businessman, questioned Tinubu’s legacy in Lagos, comparing it unfavorably with that of former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida (IBB).
“IBB contributed more to Lagos development because he built the Third Mainland Bridge. If you remove the Third Mainland Bridge today, what’s left?Tinubu’s small bridge in Lekki which he tolled is nothing to 3rd mainland bridge IBB built.” Dr Hashim dismissed the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) as a viable alternative, claiming that many of its members are part of Nigeria’s ongoing economic and security challenges.
“Apart from Peter Obi and probably Atiku Abubakar, others in ADC are mostly Buharist, who are accused of being part of the current problem”, he said.
Hashim also challenged members of Tinubu’s economic management team to defend their record in a live debate, arguing that Nigerians deserve transparent explanations on GDP contraction, currency instability, inflation, and the government’s economic strategies.
“It’s an open challenge, let their best hands, CBN Governor, Finance Minister, come out to a live public debate on the economy with me” he said. Arguing that Naira is over devalued, Dr Hashim emphasized that with daily oil production doubled from 900,000 barrels per day to 1,800,000, and fuel importation reduced due to increase in local production, Naira should see significant valuation not decrease in value relative to values in the Buhari years.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in collaboration with other sister agencies in Ondo state, have provided a water tight security coverage during the just concluded 50th Golden Jubilee of the creation of Ondo State.
Answering questions from journalists at the Akure township stadium on Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026, Commandant Oluyemi lbiloye expressed satisfaction at the level of the security coverage provided for the event and the cooperation of all the service chiefs in the state which led to the peaceful celebration across the state.
The anniversary started with a World Press Conference at the Banquest Hall of the Presidential Lodge, Alagbaka, on Thursday, 29th January,2026. The Central Mosque in Akure hosted the Jumat service on Friday, 30th January, 2026.
Security personnel were on standby to ensure a hitche free 5km health walk that took off at Government house, Alagbaka, on Saturday morning , where the Governor led workers and the people of the state on a walk to the Akure township stadium.
At the church 50 golden jubilee thanksgiving service held at St Thomas’s Anglican church, isinkan , Akure, the governor attributed the survival and steady progress of the state over the past five decades to divine guidance, the resilience of its people and the central role of faith in governance.
The president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was hosted at the grand finale of the celebration.
The president described the golden jubilee as both a moment of pride and a challenge for the state to chart a bolder and more purposeful path into the future.
The security success of the golden anniversary celebration is a testament to the collective resolve of the security agencies in the state to protect lives, property, and critical national assets.
Popular Nollywood actress Ajara Lasisi, fondly known by fans and colleagues as Aunty Ajara, has been confirmed dead.
The news of her passing was announced via an Instagram post shared by her brother on Tuesday. In the emotional post, he confirmed that the actress had passed on and expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported and showed love to her while she was alive.
According to the statement, the family acknowledged the overwhelming concern, prayers, and goodwill messages from fans, colleagues in the entertainment industry, and kind-hearted Nigerians since news of her illness became public. He specifically appreciated industry heavyweights and supporters who stood by Ajara during her difficult moments.
Her brother also used the opportunity to urge the public to stop sending funds, clarifying that the purpose for which donations were being made was no longer applicable, as Ajara had passed away.
The death of Aunty Ajara has thrown the Nigerian entertainment industry into mourning, with fans and colleagues taking to social media to express shock, grief, and heartfelt tributes in her honour. She was widely known for her comic roles and vibrant screen presence, which endeared her to many viewers.
Details surrounding her death and burial arrangements have not yet been officially disclosed by the family. May her soul rest in peace.
