Category: Auto Guid

The Lagos State Government has introduced a new wallet-based payment solution, ILERA EasyPay, as part of efforts to expand access to its social health insurance scheme, ILERA EKO, and ease premium payments for residents.

The initiative was unveiled during the 2026 first quarter media parley organised by the Lagos State Health Management Agency at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ikeja.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Emmanuella Zamba, said ILERA EasyPay was designed to allow residents, particularly low- and middle-income earners in the informal sector, to make flexible, incremental payments toward their health insurance premiums.

According to her, the platform builds on the existing ‘pay small small’ model and addresses financial challenges faced by many Nigerians amid prevailing economic conditions.

She urged residents yet to enrol in the scheme due to financial constraints to take advantage of the new payment option, noting that it would improve access to affordable and quality healthcare services across the state.

Zamba also disclosed that the government had intensified enforcement of the executive order mandating health insurance coverage, especially across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). She added that a compliance assessment had already been conducted, enabling MDAs with public-facing services to verify residents’ enrollment status seamlessly.

The Permanent Secretary commended the Lagos State Governor for signing the Executive Order and praised the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, for supporting enforcement efforts through the inauguration of a dedicated team, which she said had significantly boosted enrollment among public servants.

Highlighting the role of the media, Zamba revealed that LASHMA, in partnership with the International Society of Media in Public Health, trained 72 health writers in the first quarter of 2026 to enhance public awareness of the ILERA EKO programme.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to winners of the ILERA EKO Essay Competition held in public schools across the state. The competition attracted 731 entries, with 500 qualifying for assessment and 12 emerging as winners across four categories.

The winners were also decorated as ILERA EKO advocates and awarded one-year free health insurance coverage alongside their parents to promote awareness within their communities.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, said involving students in the initiative would help deepen awareness, describing them as effective ambassadors of the scheme.

Similarly, the vice chancellor of Lagos State University, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, represented by Salami Lukman, commended the initiative, noting that it showcased the capacity of students to contribute meaningfully to health sector development.

Also speaking, ISMPH State Programme Officer, Peace Michael, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening health journalism and commended LASHMA for extending awareness campaigns to school children.

Stakeholders at the event called for sustained publicity and wider outreach, particularly to underserved communities, to further deepen enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme.

Priscilla Ojo, daughter of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, has opened up about her upbringing and how her mother raised her and her brother after her parents separated.

Speaking during a conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Priscilla explained that her parents went their separate ways when she was still very young. She said despite their separation, she never felt deprived while growing up.

According to Priscilla, her mother took responsibility for raising both children and successfully handled the role of both parents in the home.

‘My parents fell out of love and my mom played the role of both parents very well, I didn’t feel like there was maybe a father figure missing.’

Priscilla Ojo said the support and care she received from her mother helped shape her childhood and prevented her from feeling the absence of her father emotionally.

Priscilla Ojo was born in 2001 and is the second child of Iyabo Ojo. Her older brother, Festus Ojo, was born in 1999. Over the years, she has built a career as an actress and social media personality.

A man, Abdulmalik Abubakar, has approached an Upper Customary Court sitting at Daura road in Kaduna, Kaduna State, seeking the dissolution of his marriage to his wife, Nafisat Haruna under Kaba marriage custom.

Kaba marriage is a traditional marriage practice found in parts of northern Nigeria.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the petitioner further sought custody of their child.

Nafisat, who spoke through her counsel, Mr B.A. Damshaka, said that both parties had agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.

Damshaka told the court that efforts were ongoing to settle the issue of the child’s custody and prayed for time to report the progress made.

The judge, Patience Musa adjourned the case until May 11.

A third staff member, a female identified as Bisola Owoade, who was initially taken hostage, was later released by the gunmen before they fled with the two men.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the IBEDC officials had come from the Ogun State office, under which the farm falls, to carry out meter reading at the farm.

The kidnappers reportedly invaded the farm, asking for the manager, but pounced on the IBEDC staff after spotting their vehicle.

Information gathered revealed that the kidnappers have contacted the victims’ relatives, making an initial ransom demand of N300 million.

It was further learnt that police operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies and vigilantes, are working to rescue the victims.

As of the time of filing this report, the two victims had yet to be released by their captors.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the abduction.

He said operatives in the state, in collaboration with other security agencies, had been combing the bush in a manhunt for the kidnappers.

The PPRO further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, has ordered the transfer of the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS).

‘We are working on it, and we will ensure that they are released unhurt,’ Ayanlade said.

It would be recalled that three victims, including a pregnant woman, who are workers at Globus Triton Farms, were released on Friday, April 10, after spending eight days and nine nights in captivity.

They regained their freedom following the payment of an undisclosed ransom by the farm company, although unconfirmed reports put the amount at N30 million.

Rep Leke Abejide (ADC-Kogi) has revealed that internal leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) forced his decision to resign from the party.

Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made this known while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, describing his exit as both painful and necessary.

According to him, the move is aimed at advancing his political career and attracting more dividends of democracy to his constituents, noting that he is set to join what he described as a ‘mainstream party.’

The lawmaker, a former national leader of the ADC, alleged that the party had been overtaken by individuals he described as political outsiders.

‘Nine months ago, the party was unlawfully hijacked by politicians who were chased out of political parties they could not manage,’ he said.

Abejide explained that the lingering uncertainty within the party prompted him to seek legal redress at a Federal High Court, in line with his constitutional right to freedom of association.

He noted that he played a significant role in building the ADC into a nationally recognised platform with representation at both national and state assembly levels, adding that he also personally funded the party in his capacity as national leader.

The lawmaker said he has now relinquished his leadership position to the current National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, wishing him well in his ongoing legal battles.

He lamented that the party’s founding vision had been derailed by what he termed ‘hijackers.’

‘Our mission and vision were to build a party Nigeria could be proud of, but that has been truncated,’ he said.

Addressing his supporters in Kogi State and beyond, Abejide said his political decisions align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘I have consulted widely with my political leaders and supporters. After prayers and reflection, I have decided to change my party in line with my vision and mission,’ he stated.

The Head of the Department of Geography at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Olutoyin Fashae, has said that geography and social science courses remain vital to job creation, innovation, and numerous other opportunities, especially as the world shifts toward a space economy.

Fashae stated this while speaking at a career masterclass titled ‘Building Future Leaders in Geospatial and Space Technology’, organised by the Department of Geography, UI, in collaboration with Space in Africa and the Centre for Space Life Sciences, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

She noted that contrary to the ‘no jobs’ narrative, geography and social sciences produce problem-solvers for today’s biggest issues, such as climate change, urban planning, food security, and space development.

‘Geography and social science graduates have a wide skill set ranging from spatial analysis, data interpretation, human-environment understanding, and policy insight that fits both traditional and emerging sectors.

‘There are several key career paths for students of geography and other social science courses, such as in the geospatial and space economy, where a graduate can become a GIS Specialist or Analyst engaging in mapping, spatial data, and remote sensing for government, NGOs, and tech firms, or a space policy analyst working with space agencies and firms on satellite applications, space law, and strategy.

‘The environment and sustainability path also gives graduates an opportunity to become environmental consultants preparing EIA reports for oil, construction, and mining firms.

‘The aim of this event is to expose students to these opportunities as they progress in their studies. There are many more roles where students can become development economists or social researchers, urban and regional planning experts, location intelligence analysts, and climate-tech startup founders, among others,’ she said.

The Guest Speaker, Dr Temidayo Oniosun, the Founder of Space in Africa, noted that Africa does not have enough accurate environmental data, and this has been undermining weather forecasting, climate models, and access to global carbon credit markets.

According to him, the continent has historically relied heavily on satellite data because of poor ground infrastructure, but the data remains inaccurate.

‘In Nigeria, if we use the weather app, if it says it’s going to rain, it may not rain. If it says it’s not going to rain, it may rain. But if we go to the U.S., one just has to follow the weather app because the accuracy is very high. And the difference lies in the quality of the data,’ he said.

The data gap, he said, also prevents Africa from tapping into the global carbon credits market because countries cannot prove emission reductions without verifiable measurements.

Oniosun stressed that geospatial technology remains largely underutilised in Africa despite the availability of satellite data, creating a several-million-dollar opportunity for companies building platforms for agriculture, mining, and resource management.

For students, especially those in geography, meteorology, and social sciences, Oniosun said the data problem is an opportunity. He urged them to combine software development skills with domain knowledge to build products, integrate AI into data processing, and develop new sensors for monitoring.

He advised students to join international bodies like the Space Generation Advisory Council and YouthMappers for scholarships, fellowship opportunities, and global collaboration.

Also, Dr Olakunle Oladosu, the Director of the Centre for Space Life Sciences, NASRDA, noted that space science is no longer a distant or abstract field but a practical tool for solving real problems on Earth.

He added that the masterclass initiative by the Department of Geography was strategic and critical in bridging the gap between academia and industry, between knowledge and application, and between ambition and opportunity.

‘The space sector in Africa is expanding, and there is room for innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. As an agency, NASRDA remains committed to supporting capacity building, research, and partnerships that will position Nigeria as a key player in the global space community,’ he said.

A GIS expert, Dr Ezekiah Olaniran, said that the government is making a great error in not encouraging citizens to study geography or social science courses, noting that the world is turning to the space economy.

‘If our children do not have a foundation in geography, Nigeria will be left behind in the scheme of things in the world,’ he said.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, UI, Prof. Benjamin Ehigie, commended the initiative of the leadership of the Department of Geography for bringing experts to showcase to students how to practicalise what they are taught in class.

‘Some students may not even believe that what they have done in class can be operational. This initiative will enhance their cognitive processing of classroom knowledge and boost their confidence when they go out,’ he said.

The event featured insights into careers in space, GIS and Earth observation, resource sharing, networking, and a live question-and-answer session.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has explained why the church will not remove Senator Oluremi Tinubu from her position as an ordained minister, despite external pressure calling for her suspension.

Speaking during the church’s monthly Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption Camp on Friday, Pastor Adeboye addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s dual role as a political figure and a cleric.

He said her place in the church’s ministerial structure was not influenced by her husband’s political rise.

He noted that she was ordained as an Assistant Pastor over 10 years ago, before President Tinubu indicated interest in running for the presidency.

Adeboye stressed that she went through the full ordination process and met the church’s requirements.

‘She went through the full process of ordination and has not violated any of the church’s guidelines,’ Adeboye stated as quoted by Arise TV, adding that her position as First Lady does not affect her standing within the church.

He maintained that RCCG operates under its own internal rules and will not be swayed by external pressure on clerical decisions.

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers and recovered firearms in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, the command said the exhibits recovered from the suspects include two locally made rifles and six mobile handsets.

The command said the breakthrough was recorded following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.

‘On 23rd April 2026 at about 0030hrs, a case of kidnapping involving one Isaq J. ‘Male’ of Boriya Village via Okuta was reported at the station.

‘The suspects had demanded a ransom of ?50,000,000. Upon receipt of the report, the Command immediately activated a coordinated manhunt, mounting sustained operational pressure on the criminal elements, which led to the eventual release of the victim.

‘Subsequently, on 30th April 2026 at about 2015hrs, one Mohammed Shede ‘Male’ of Boriya Village was arrested in connection with the crime.

‘During interrogation, the suspect confessed to providing actionable intelligence to members of the gang identified as ‘Smalley’ and ‘Borugujo’, which facilitated the tracking and abduction of the victim at his farm.’

Further investigations led to the arrest of additional suspects, namely Abubakar Aliu ‘Male’ (identified as the gang’s armourer), Abu Sonkpia ‘Male’, Saliu Yakubu ‘Male’, and Sanni Sakariyau ‘Male’, all from Boriya Village.

The suspects confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping, as well as an armed robbery attack on one Muhammed Manu of the same community.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include two locally made rifles and six mobile handsets.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, including the aforementioned ‘Smalley’ and ‘Borugujo’, along with two additional accomplices currently at large, as investigation progresses.

The command urged members of the public to continue to provide credible information to support ongoing security operations.

The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid.

He also declared support for the City Boy Movement, pledging buses to boost the group’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was contained in a statement issued by the movement’s Publicity Director, Gbenga Oyetola, who said the visit was part of ongoing consultations and engagement with political stakeholders across the state.

According to the statement, Alli made the pledge on Saturday while hosting leaders and members of the group during a courtesy visit in Ibadan.

The senator commended the increasing involvement of young people in politics and governance, describing youths as a critical force in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.

‘I’m so happy seeing the youths involved in the political system. Our plan is to deliver 1.2 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Oyo State,’ Alli said.

He stressed that youths make up a significant share of Nigeria’s voting population and should play active roles in mobilisation and advocacy.

‘We have a large percentage of the voting population in Nigeria because youths are more than 60 per cent. We need younger people involved in mobilisation and advocacy to ensure that President Tinubu and other APC candidates are elected,’ he stated.

The lawmaker urged members of the movement to remain committed and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the next election cycle.

‘I urge them to pick it up and ensure they do their best. Some of them can also seek elective offices so that what they are pursuing can be realised,’ Alli added.

He also appealed to residents of the state to continue supporting the APC, assuring them that the party would deliver on its promises.

‘The people of Oyo State should continue to vote for APC and they will not be let down,’ he said.

Alli further assured the group of his continued backing, noting that the donation of eight buses was intended to strengthen their coordination and operations across the state.

The Director of the City Boy Movement, Femi Onireti, said the group remains focused on mobilising youths across Oyo State in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

He added that the movement would continue to expand its grassroots structures while encouraging broader youth participation in governance and politics.

Also speaking, the Oyo State coordinator of the group, Ahmed Ajibola, said the visit was aimed at strengthening ties with political stakeholders and deepening grassroots engagement.

According to him, the movement has established structures across all levels of politics in the state to enhance mobilisation and participation.

‘This visitation is about support and familiarity with stakeholders in the state. In our structure, we make sure we cover the entire state, from senatorial districts to federal constituencies, local governments and wards,’ Ajibola said.

He added that the group is targeting one million votes for President Tinubu in Oyo State in the 2027 presidential election.

‘With our target, we are working on one million votes for Oyo State, and all the youths in the state are ready to work with us because we share the same ideology,’ he stated.

The visit was attended by leaders and members of the movement from different parts of Oyo State.

Professor Adebomi Ayodeji Ikotun of the Chemistry Programme, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, has delivered the institution’s 28th inaugural lecture, calling for improved research infrastructure for chemistry scholars in Nigeria.

At the lecture held recently, Ikotun, a Professor of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, presented a paper titled ‘Synthesis from Organic Ligands to Metal-Organic and Organometallic Complexes with Drug Properties – OH Sweet Chemistry.’

During the lecture, she outlined her research interests, which span inorganic and organometallic chemistry, with a focus on synthesising compounds with medicinal applications.

‘My major area of research is in the field of inorganic and organometallic chemistry, centered on synthesis from organic ligands to metal-organic and organometallic complexes, spectroscopic characterization, thermodynamics and kinetic studies, biological and biochemical applications with medicinal implications,’ she said.

Ikotun traced her academic development to the supervision and mentorship of several scholars, including Prof. Julius Adesanwo, Prof. Timothy Odiaka, Prof. Craig Obafemi, and the late Prof. Gabriel Egharevba.

‘As a trained and seasoned chemist, my research were thoroughly supervised by Prof. Julius Adesanwo (1998, B.Sc., OSU), Prof. Timothy Odiaka (2003, M.Sc., Ibadan), Prof. Craig Obafemi (2011, M.Phil, OAU) and the late Prof. Gabriel Egharevba (2011 and 2014; M.Phil and Ph.D respectively, O AU),’ she said.

According to her, some of her early work focused on thermodynamic studies of organometallic systems, while collaborative studies with colleagues at Bowen University and other Nigerian institutions produced findings on metal adsorption from wastewater.

‘We have used common substances in our environments such as plants (leaves, stems and roots) for example Ethiopian pepper, to remove poisonous heavy metals like lead and cadmium, including dyes due to industrial activities, from waste waters. This is an effective dye adsorption technique, which is recommended as an environmentally friendly, cheap clean-up process for industries,’ Ikotun explained.

She also highlighted international collaborations, including work with the late Dr. David Kelly of the Tatem Laboratory at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, which yielded studies on metal complexes and their antimicrobial properties.

Ikotun said further research partnerships with Dr. Micheal Coogan of Cardiff University and the Gladys Research Group at Texas AandM University in the United States helped expand understanding of isatin, an organic compound found in mammals and some plants.

She noted that the rise of drug-resistant microorganisms has increased the need for more researchers in synthetic and bioinorganic chemistry.

Speaking on challenges facing chemistry research in Nigeria, Ikotun called on government to invest in modern spectroscopic laboratories for researchers.

Professor Ikotun urged the Nigerian government ‘to support research in the field of chemistry by providing funds for Universities and Tertiary institutions strategically located in many states of the country to build, equip with modern spectroscopic facilities and run central laboratories (or centers of excellence) where chemistry researchers can carry out complete analysis of their new compounds without stress.’

She added that such facilities could be developed gradually through phased funding for equipment acquisition.

‘Such spectroscopic empowerment of our Universities and Tertiary Institutions will afford the full laboratory research analysis of new compound and also foster the collaborative relationship between Tertiary Institutions and the Industries,’ she said.

While commending the government for research grants through Tertiary Education Trust Fund, commonly known as TETFUND, Ikotun appealed for broader access to researchers in private universities.

‘I appreciate the Nigerian Government for providing TETFUND for sponsoring meaningful research by researchers within Tertiary Institutions, but I humbly request that the limitations of such benefits be removed from those of us in private Universities since we join hands to mold the lives of our future leaders without prejudice.’

She also encouraged academics to keep pursuing grants and partnerships.

‘Finally, I would like to admonish our colleagues to continue to apply for funding and research collaborations both within and outside the country. Collaborations give more exposure and versatility. I will also encourage them to continue to conduct research that translate to the transformation of lives and our communities,’ she said.