Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The pioneer Osun State Commandant of Amotekun, Chief Amitolu Shittu, has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to hand over fleeing Commandant of the outfit, Isaac Omoyele to Inspector General of the Police over killings of Akinlalu town by his corps.

The Nation reports that Amotekun operatives invaded the Akinlalu market square, killing three members of the same family and another resident, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. Omoyele later claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt – a claim the police dismissed.

Subsequently, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the IGP arrested 25 Amotekun corps on Wednesday night. It sealed their operational-amoury base at Oke-Fia, Osogbo, including the outfit’s Ife Central Office.

Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, Amitolu condemned the killings of innocent residents in Osun State by Amotekun corps, noting that ‘Since I left office, the outfit has been personalised by its new leadership which makes Amotekun to derail from the reason for its creation.’

Speaking about the recruitment of 1,000 corps, he said ‘The present leadership engaged the services of ex -convicts, thugs and cultists. I want to charge Governor Adeleke, if he cannot disband the corps, he should investigate and profile them to know who was recruited.

‘Presently, what we are facing is criminal masquerading, Isaac Omoyele, personalizing Amotekun for pecuniary gains. We seized vehicles from some robbers when I was serving but today, Omoyele has disposed of the properties recovered from robbers.

‘Adeleke should investigate the activities of Amotekun, as the corps is now involved in a personal security guard and they collect money which is never remitted into the coffers of the government. The outfit was never meant to man personal property.

‘Since I left office in January 2023, Amotekun has been personalised by Omoyele for his own venture.

‘Criminals have found their ways into Amotekun, majority of those that are ex-convicts, cultists and those with criminal records are recruited into the outfit. Governor must look for ways to flush them out.’

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC APC) Forum has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing him as the right choice to deliver credible and transparent elections.

In a statement on Saturday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 elections, the Forum also commended the National Council of State for approving Amupitan’s appointment.

‘The North-Central APC Forum welcomed with a sense of pride, the appointment of one of the region’s illustrious sons, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘This development is further attestation of the calibre of human resources in the North-Central, which are readily available to be deployed in various critical and sensitive roles for the development of the nation.

‘We commend President Bola Tinubu for appointing Professor Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and also thank the National Council of State for approving the appointment,’ the Forum stated.

Zazzaga noted that Amupitan’s track record as an accomplished legal scholar and practitioner, university administrator and illustrious academia shows that he has the capacity for the job, especially as he is coming on board at a time Nigerians are getting set for crucial elections.

‘Having followed Professor Amupitan’s career over the years and taking special note of his distinguished role at the University of Jos, where, as a Professor of Law, he has lectured and mentored generations of lawyers and academics for over three decades, we can assure President Tinubu and Nigerians that Professor Amupitan will deliver credible, free and fair elections all through his tenure as INEC chairman.

‘We are certain that Professor Amupitan is the right choice, a round peg in a round hole and we call on all Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the electoral system, to give him all the necessary support to succeed in this crucial national assignment.’

Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, has called for greater regulatory precision and long-term policy stability across African markets to sustain the continent’s growing telecommunications sector and support the expansion of African multinationals.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja during a plenary session titled ‘Titans on the Move: Africa’s Multinationals,’ Ndukwe said that the success of Africa’s telecoms industry depends heavily on stable and predictable regulatory frameworks that encourage long-term investment.

‘Telecoms companies make investments that run into billions of dollars. Without consistent regulatory environments, it becomes extremely difficult to plan and sustain such levels of capital deployment,’ he said.

He described telecommunications as Africa’s ‘invisible infrastructure,’ explaining that the sector underpins trade, financial inclusion, innovation, and connectivity across the continent. According to him, the telecoms industry is not only driving communication but also enabling other sectors to thrive in an increasingly digital global economy.

Ndukwe, a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that MTN has grown into one of the world’s leading mobile operators, with MTN Nigeria ranking among the top 20 globally by subscriber base.

‘These rankings demonstrate that Africa is not just a consumer of global innovations; it can also create companies that compete at the highest levels. Expansion across African markets has proven that multinationals from this continent can shape the global conversation,’ he said.

Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ndukwe said the crisis exposed how indispensable the telecoms sector has become to modern economies. ‘It showed us that without robust telecoms networks, national economies would have been paralysed. This is why continued investment in telecoms infrastructure must be prioritised if Africa is serious about integration and growth,’ he added.

According to him, telecommunications plays a much broader role than connecting people-it opens access to financial services, education, and new opportunities for millions of Africans excluded from formal systems. He cited the rise of mobile money as a homegrown innovation that is bridging gaps in financial inclusion.

‘Telecoms does more than connect people. It creates access for millions who are excluded from formal banking and education systems. The rise of mobile money shows how African innovations are uniquely solving African problems,’ Ndukwe stated.

Other panellists at the session echoed similar sentiments. CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, spoke about how fintech companies are integrating fragmented payment systems to facilitate cross-border trade, while Girish Sharma, Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said that sustainability for multinationals depends on building trust and long-term partnerships with local communities.

The session concluded that African multinationals – from telecoms and fintech to consumer goods – are redefining economic integration across the continent. For Ndukwe, the message was clear: Africa’s economic future rests on the strength of its ‘invisible infrastructure’ – telecommunications – and the continent’s ability to create a stable policy environment that supports continued investment and innovation.

Meanwhile, the telco has announced an ambitious plan to expand high-speed broadband coverage to eight million homes by 2028 as part of its transition from a traditional telecom operator to a technology company (TechCo).

Chief Broadband Officer, Egerton Idehen, disclosed this during the Nigeria Digital Transformation virtual session with MIP Fellows at the weekend.

Idehen likened broadband to ‘the electricity of the digital age’ urging media practitioners to amplify the call for more people to connect to fibre or other broadband networks.

He said fewer than 2% of Nigerian homes currently have fixed broadband access, a gap MTN seeks to close through its Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) initiative, which already spans 16 states.

The Broadband Chief explained that the company’s rollout combines fiber with 4G/5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to ensure nationwide reach, especially in areas where fiber deployment is not cost-effective.

‘We won’t bring a Rolls Royce where there’s no road,’ Idehen said, noting that fiber serves dense urban centers while wireless broadband will reach semi-urban and rural communities.

He emphasised that MTN’s broadband expansion aligns with the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan and Digital Economy Policy, adding that every kilometer of fiber laid strengthens Nigeria’s economic resilience and competitiveness.

However, Idehen lamented persistent obstacles such as vandalism, right-of-way (RoW) bottlenecks, and community resistance, which he said cause about 30-35 fiber cuts daily and significantly raise maintenance costs.

‘Vandalism doesn’t just disrupt MTN’s service; it disrupts lives, businesses, and the economy. Protecting this infrastructure should be a shared national responsibility,’ he added.

Idehen also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve affordability, customer experience, and partnerships with local contractors, state governments, and estate developers to integrate fiber into new housing projects. He noted that MTN is exploring bundled broadband packages with streaming services to enrich customer experience.

While acknowledging the country’s broadband penetration of around 50%, Idehen expressed optimism that the national target of 70% by 2027 is achievable through collaboration between government, operators, and communities.

‘Every home we connect represents a new opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. We’re not just building networks, we’re building Nigeria’s digital future,’ he stressed.

The family of St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, has reaffirmed that the renowned prophet singlehandedly founded the Cherubim and Seraphim (C and S) Church worldwide, dismissing claims that he co-founded it with anyone.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Akure, Elder George Tunolase, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the late Orimolade-Tunolase established and registered the C and S Church in 1925 as its sole founder.

‘There is misinformation that the Cherubim and Seraphim organisation worldwide was jointly founded by St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase and another person. That information is incorrect. The founder and sole founder remains St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase,’ Elder Tunolase stated.

He recalled that ownership disputes over the church had once been subjected to legal proceedings, which were resolved in favour of the late prophet.

‘There is a Supreme Court judgment on the matter of who owns the church. The apex court held that the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim organisation worldwide is St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase. We still have a copy of the judgment with us,’ he added.

Tunolase also explained that the late prophet hailed from a royal lineage, being a descendant of the Owa-Ale royal family of Ikare-Akoko through his father.

He clarified that contrary to public belief, it was Orimolade’s father-not his mother – who was from the Owa-Ale royal family.

‘It’s not correct that the mother of late St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase was from the Owa-Ale royal family of Ikare. His father was a prince of Owa-Ale of Ikare, which means the Tunolase family is part of the Owa-Ale royal lineage.

‘The mother of St. Moses was from the Eleho family in Shakume Quarters, Ikare-Akoko,’ he said.

He, however, noted that the unity of the C and S Church worldwide remains unshaken, adding that members and branches across the globe recently marked the church’s centenary in one accord.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for the support of Nigerian governors to ensure the successful completion of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

Kalu made the appeal when he led members of the House Committee on Constitution Review on a courtesy visit to Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) for their continued support and engagement in the constitutional review process, describing their collaboration as crucial to achieving meaningful reform.

The Deputy Speaker also commended the Conference of Speakers for their active participation and urged them to help expedite the process once the document reaches their respective states.

Kalu revealed that the committee is nearing completion of the process leading to parliamentary voting on the constitutional alteration bills.

‘We are appealing to you because we need you,’ he said, emphasizing that the success of the exercise depends on cooperation among all tiers of government.

‘Please, help us thank your brother governors for supporting the initiative of the Constitution review. The Governors Forum has, in one way or another, shown us support. From the chairman to any other person in the Forum. Please express our gratitude when you meet with them. One or two more engagements, and we will be done with this. Please, appreciate them.

‘Also, please, let them know that without them, we cannot make this Constitution. It is not possible because the Houses of Assembly will need to go through this document. We will not coerce the Houses of Assembly. But we know you can liaise with them to help get this document back to us as quickly as possible.

‘If the governors are not in support, we will be running in circles. But with progressively minded governors like you, I am sure you will speak to your colleagues to keep backing us up, for them to know that we need them, and for them to partner with us.

‘The Conference of Speakers has shown interest, and the chairman participated in one way or the other. He has been giving us support, but we should not end our relationship by only engaging with them. We need you, who are the major stakeholders, to help us push this through’.

Kalu said Nigerians want a more functional Constitution that will empower the local governments to deliver services, streamline electoral justice, strengthen fiscal federalism, guarantee women’s full participation in governance, and enhance accountability at all levels.

Receiving the federal lawmakers, Gov Peter Mbah lauded the Deputy Speaker for simplifying the process and making it participatory through the zonal public hearings.

‘Let me once again welcome you to this historic city. Thank you so much for honouring us with your presence. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, once again, for choosing Enugu as a venue for this retreat.

‘I want to commend your leadership and diligence over the period of the public hearing. You have come out to demonstrate such commitment in this process, and I think for the first time, we are now taking it even to the granular, getting to the details, looking at the clauses, line by line. This is what this retreat is all about. So, I want to thank you and commend you. Welcome to Enugu State’, he said.

A new technology designed to bring empirical precision to sports predictions is on the horizon. According to the Founder of City Rebels Predictions (CRSPredictions), Osifeso Olamiji, the innovation aims to transform sports forecasting from guesswork into a science-driven process powered by data, logic, and analytics.

In a statement, Olamiji said the goal is to help fans understand the science behind sports outcomes rather than depend on luck.

‘I wanted to build something that changes how people think about sports. Behind every match lies data – patterns, probability, and logic. That’s what CRSPredictions helps people see,’ he said.

Unlike conventional prediction platforms, CRSPredictions focuses on responsible engagement, positioning itself as an educational and analytical tool rather than a gambling hub. This distinction, Olamiji noted, has earned the platform credibility among young stakeholders seeking more than mere speculation.

Beyond sports analysis, he said the platform also aims to serve as a knowledge hub for young Africans. Through mentorship programmes, training, and data literacy workshops, CRSPredictions seeks to show how analytical thinking in sports can be applied to real-world problem-solving.

‘If you can analyse a football match properly, you can analyse a business decision. It’s all logic, patience, and structure,’ he explained.

Looking ahead, Olamiji revealed plans to launch a mobile app, integrate machine learning tools, and forge partnerships with African sports data firms to further enhance the platform’s capabilities.

‘Africa has the passion. Now, we need to match that passion with precision. That’s the future we’re building. I just want to prove that if you stay consistent, your idea can grow. CRSPredictions is still young, but we’re building something Africa will be proud of,’ he added.

Launched in July 2022, CRSPredictions, according to the founder, uses structured data to interpret player and team performance. The platform, he explained, offers deep-dive analyses, player trends, and predictive models designed to make sports debates more informed. ‘We’re not guessing. We predict based on information. We want users to see the logic and the data behind every result.’

With a background in Computer and Mathematical Sciences, combined with early lessons from street trading, Olamiji drew inspiration to merge logic with passion through CRSPredictions. By 2024, while serving as an Admin Officer in a Petroleum and Engineering company, he was managing both roles, an experience he said strengthened his organisational mindset.

‘Working in a structured environment helped me understand systems and organisation. It gave me the discipline to build CRSPredictions sustainably, not as a hustle, but as a real business,’ he explained.

Olamiji, who cut his entrepreneurial teeth in Mandilas Market, Lagos, trading in automobiles and fashion, also admonished the youths.

‘You learn that business isn’t about comfort; it’s about creativity and consistency. Every setback taught me to adapt and innovate,’ he said, adding that the years he spent on Mandilas Street laid the foundation for his business discipline.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are taking proactive measures against the vandalisation of telecom infrastructures across the country.

The measure which is a well-coordinated mechanism to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructures, (CNAI) is already yielding results as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, announced that the cartel behind vandalisation of telecom infrastructures has been successfully dismantled.

Dr Maida however regretted that in spite of the efforts to ensure protection of CNII in the country, threats and attacks still continued with over 20,000 fibre cuts, and 4000 cases of thefts of equipment between January and October last year.

The EVC said the NCC is collaborating with the NSCDC and the judiciary to ensure speedy prosecution of those involved in fibre cuts and infrastructural thefts.

He noted that within the period over 20,000 cases of denials of access to infrastructure locations by all manners of groups and associations were also recorded. He called for community participation in the protection of Critical National Infrastructures by all stakeholders.

The NCC boss spoke at the Business Round Table on Improving investment in broadband connectivity and safeguarding critical national infrastructure, organised by the Commission at Mbora, Abuja.

While the NCC boss said an additional one billion dollars investments have been attracted to the telecom sector from Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Wale Edun said 20 states of the Federation have accessed the 750 million dollars FG/World Bank Fund for enabling business environment facility in the country.

Edun who spoke through the Director of Finance in the Ministry, Malam Ali Mohammed said the Fund which came under a Special Programme for infrastructures development in states would address challenges of critical infrastructure deficits, especially digital assets and infrastructures.

The event had the theme: ‘Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity’. It attracted major stakeholders including the Office the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the Nigeria Governors Forum, (NGF), World Bank, Mobile Network Operators, MNOs and Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, (ALTON) among others.

Edun said the present administration is committed to development of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNII) and their protection for the recalibration of the economy and improvement of Gross Domestic Product.

He maintained that the contributions of the ICT/Digital Economy Sector to the GDP would not only be sustained, but witnessed more investments due to ongoing reforms of the economy.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, (NGF) and Kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, said about 19 states have waived Right of Way (RoW) levy of 145 naira per linear meter of fibre optic cables, while his Katsina State colleague, Dr Umar Radda said his state has inaugurated a Community Level Committee to ensure that critical national assets and infrastructures are protected in all the over 360 wards.

Dr Radda said his administration has invested heavily on digital economy and innovations infrastructures in the state with the appointment of a vibrant ICT expert for seamless implementation of policy that would create wealth and jobs for the youths.

Speaking further on the Round table, Dr Maida said following the hike in tariff earlier in the year, the industry has witnessed significant turnaround to attract investment and yield returns to investors.

While he said broadband penetration peaked at 48.8 percent as at August this year, over 140 million people now have internet access.

The EVC who called for zero RoW charges from the Nigeria Governors Forum, said the collaboration of states are significant to growth and development of the industry, stressing that the slow pace of getting approvals for RoW in states also remained unhelpful to the sector.

He said with over 40,000 km fibre optic infrastructures already in place, Nigeria has more than enough capability, but regretted that evacuation of the capability was the main challenge as only 10 percent of what we have is being utilised.

Dr Maida said, ‘Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria is pursuing the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025).

‘This plan sets a clear path to achieve 70% broadband penetration by the end of 2025 and to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across the country.

‘At the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), we have translated this vision into deliberate and strategic action. We are driving broadband expansion, strengthening regulation, and safeguarding the industry-even in the face of a challenging operating environment.’

The Nigeria Association for Energy Economics (NAEE) has called on the Federal Government to strengthen the economy by actively involving Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the growth process.

The association noted that despite positive indicators such as declining inflation, an improved exchange rate, and increased crude oil production, many Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of these gains because key sectors of the economy remain excluded from the growth trajectory.

Speaking at the 2025 NAEE Annual International Conference, the association’s President, Dr. Hassan Mahmud, said that while the IT, oil, and gas sectors are driving current economic growth, they employ only a small portion of the population.

He stressed the need for the inclusion of the agricultural and manufacturing sectors to ensure broad-based development and ease the economic hardships that persist despite the encouraging macroeconomic trends.

‘The growth process should be largely made participatory, so SMEs, MSMEs, making huge contributions to that growth process, not just the oil sector or the major IT companies that are doing this, because the employment levels at those levels are very thin and highly technical.

‘But the non-skilled labor force, which is largely in the agriculture and the SMEs, the manufacturing sectors, are not carried along.’

The press conference was to announce the NAEE 2025, scheduled to hold in Abuja from 12th to 14th October 2025.

Meanwhile, the former NAEE Council Adviser, Prof. Wumi Illedare, said the economy is still adjusting to the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol subsidy removal, and the floating of the exchange rate, which will take some time.

He said he has always advocated that petrol can sell for N800 per litre with proper institutional governance.

‘So we are still trying to adjust to the shock. And it’s going to take a while. And I’ll still advocate the way I’ve tried to do with respect to the price of petroleum products.

It can still go to 800 Naira per litre with proper institutional governance beyond personality-driven governance,’ Illedare said.

He said once institutions are empowered, the economy can bounce back.

He called on the government to spend its savings from the subsidy removal to alleviate poverty.

The council adviser added that it will be better to invest in structures that will add value to the economy.

According to him, the government should spend its budget on building roads in rural areas for easy transportation of goods to the market.

Illedare said, ‘It (government) could go back to the rural areas and spend money to build roads, to make it easy for people to transport goods and services to the local market. That, to a large extent, will reduce the sectoral inflation. But right now, the spending is not with respect to things that we have posterity beyond immediate prosperity.’

NAEE was optimistic that the country could achieve the production of 3 million barrels of crude oil production in December 2025.

According to him, the current national crude oil output of 1.4million barrels per day is low compared to the country’s 37 billion reserves.

Illedare noted that the worst challenge in the crude oil production of the country is governance, because if it is addressed, producing 3 million barrels of oil will be realizable.

He said, ‘Not because of what an individual is doing, but because the PIA, if implemented according to the intent of the law, you cannot have 37 billion barrels of oil and produce 1.4 million barrels per day.

‘No, it’s too low. You are supposed to have the possibility of producing at least 3% of your 37 billion.

‘So you are supposed to be able to produce 3 million barrels per day. When you say you have 37 billion, what it means in the technical term is that you are 90% certain, under current economic conditions and technology, to recover that in the lifetime of the reservoir and the field. So the potential is there.

‘The biggest challenge is governance of the sector. If the governance of the sector, the empowering of the institutions are implemented according to the law, 3 million is not something Nigeria cannot achieve. 2 million is optimistic in December.’

When a GenZ netizen made a post earlier in the year rubbishing Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve-center and one which prides itself as the ‘Center of Excellence’ among comity of states, as ‘smelling’, the internet, especially the social media went agog with reactions. While her usually angry fellow netizens gave her kudos and praised her to high heavens for her boldness and for saying what they considered ‘obvious truth’, many circumspect adults and a small fractions of the youth demographic, especially those who felt emotional attachment to the state, went wild with anger, condemning the reckless statement, which they claim came from a visitor, who had hardly stayed in the city long enough to understand its complexities or even moved around enough to appreciate its beautiful areas.

More of this latter group also felt angered because they knew where the state was coming from, especially in the pre-1999 years and the recent Vision Scape misadventure. They also knew the effort of the authorities and would therefore have none of such sweeping insolent statement.

Over the past decades, the state, which assumed the megacity status on account of its over 20 million population, has also gained notches higher on several indices, starting with its vibrant economy, which ranked it as the fifth largest in Africa; accompanied by its robust BRT bus transportation system, which plies dedicated routes, delivering quality service and ferrying passengers to their destinations in record time irrespective of the city’s stubborn traffic challenge. It has also improved in road infrastructure, efforts in medical sector, sports, even socials.

Most recently, it further upped the ante with the takeoff of the Blue and Red Line railway transport system, with the Purple, Green and Orange lines underway.

Sanitation, though far from perfect, had also attained an appreciable level, especially with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) sanitation formula, which has seen the state maintain a commendable refuse evacuation pattern, collaborating with private partners/operators even as far as its remotest crannies. Up until recently, it was not uncommon to hear Lagosians boast that you couldn’t see a refuse dump on any major Lagos road until you crossed its borders.

Changing story

However, the story seems to be changing, albeit negatively, and fast too. Almost overnight, refuse seems to be finding its way back to Lagos roadsides and medians. Not since the days of the failed Vision Scope experiment has refuse found comfort within Lagos metropolis, like it seems to be at the moment.

From Apapa-Oshodi to Ladipo, Mushin to Iyana Ejigbo, Ikotun to Egbeda and Iyana Ipaja, LASU-Iyana-Iba Road, despicable spectacles now greet motorists and commuters, as roadsides and road medians seems to have become destinations for heaps and mounds of refuse.

Even Ikeja Central Business District is not spared, as man and vehicles now compete with refuse for right of way. A most horrific example would be the scene by the side of the Ikeja flyover right opposite Ipodo market.

At the Ikotun-Oke-Afa-Jakande Gate axis, it’s a case of everywhere you look. Between Jakande Gate Bus Stop and Ikotun, this reporter counted a total of 15 refuse dump points. Almost opposite the globally renowned Synagogue Church of All Nations, one of the heaps spread almost 50 meters long and about four feet high, as if in defiance to the huge church monument and the global audience it regularly welcomes. The case was worse and an eyesore at the nearby Ikotun market, as bagged and ‘unbagged’ refuse grace the median in a most nauseating manner amidst huge stench.

The traders, it seems, have found a way to carry out their daily routine without recourse to the eyesore and stench, as they all carried on with business, as if nothing was amiss. Ditto for the patrons/customers and passersby. As for the bus drivers and conductors, it’s as if the stench was a mirage and non-existent, as they constantly blared their destinations in search of passengers, opening their buccal cavity as wide as they could. For the passengers trapped in the axis’s unending traffic or those saddled in the buses, waiting for them to fill up and move, it’s mixed reactions, as some ignored while some hurried the drivers up, and some, it appeared, were not even aware of any stench, as they, in some cases, chewed away on one snack or the other, or chatted away with their next seat neighbor/s.

An attempt to get one of the traders selling right opposite a decaying mound of refuse to speak on the matter drew not just a snarl but a string of expletives.

‘I beg no wahala me this morning. Why are you asking me why they have not evacuated the refuse. Na me be LAWMA (Lagos State Waste Management Authority) abi na me be PSP people wey no come pack dirty?’

Another trader, an okro seller, however, refutes the conception that the LAWMA PSP people no longer come to evacuate the wastes.

‘They do come actually, sometimes, every three days, sometimes, twice or thrice a week. I can tell you that they came just yesterday, but the challenges they have has to do with the vehicles they compete with while trying to evacuate the wastes, and the number of wastes that pileup almost immediately after. You know this is a hugely populated area. Even the market alone is so huge, with thousands of traders and customers. The worst part is that people, who are not traders in the market, bring their wastes from inside the streets to dump on the road with the expectation that LAWMA trucks would evacuate them. Meanwhile, we the market traders are the ones who bear the brunt, because we pay, while they don’t. I pay three thousand naira every month for instance. But when they fail to pack the refuse, even for a day or two, and it starts smelling, it is still we traders in the market who suffer from the stench and possible disease that come with it.’

Another woman, who sells light stuff nearby corroborated the fish seller’s statement. She, however, suggested that the LAWMA trucks come every day and operate at night. That way, she said, today’s refuse will not meet tomorrow’s, and will not then pile up to the point that it becomes an eyesore, or begin to stink or constitute threat of disease outbreak.

‘Sometimes, even when they come, they do very poor job, such that half of the refuse is left behind,’ she said.

A fish seller nearby would concur with the two earlier respondents, but recommended that the government employs more officials to monitor and keep away people who come from inner streets to dump their refuse bags on the road. ‘If possible, government should employ more KAI officers to monitor and keep away those who come from the streets to dump their refuse here. They should also get more PSP people to run the inner streets because most of them don’t see any LAWMA or PSP trucks for weeks. In my street for instance, we see them maybe once a month. How do you then expect people to keep their wastes for a whole month?

A few meters from the market, this reporter however noticed some huge bags of refuse that had been at the same place for days; same for the 50-meter long refuse heap near the Synagogue church, which clearly negates the assertion that the LAWMA trucks came just the day before.

Apapa-Oshodi

The same refuse scenario plays out along Apapa-Mile2-Oshodi Expressway. Notably from new Rainbow Flyover junction, to Coker Bus stop, to Sanya, Ijesha, Odi Olowu/Agunlejika, Cele Bus stops, heaps and spreads of refuse assume prides of place along the medians between the service lane and the fast lane, constituting clear eyesores and huge dents on the megacity image of the state. Ijesha, Odi-Olowu and Cele Bus stops deliver the most despicable pictures, as they parade more refuse spots.

A fruit seller at Ijesha Bus stop told this reporter that she couldn’t explain how the refuse got to the spots, but voiced her suspicion of people from nearby streets.

A similar scenario played out at Sanya Bus Stop, where a commuter who gave his name as Samuel, waiting to board a bus, said the refuse heaps had become serious embarrassment and health threat to residents, as they have had to daily contend with the emanating stench while waiting to board buses to their destinations.

‘To make matters worse, nobody comes here to evacuate them, which is an embarrassment to a state like Lagos, with all its efforts and revenue at its disposal. This is a major highway, a road that links Nigeria’s biggest ports, even the airport. How then can the authorities pretend that they are not seeing this?’

Between LASU and Igando on LASU-Iyana Iba road, this reporter counted over 20 refuse heapes dotting the expressway median.

In all, it speaks of a collapsing or totally collapsed system

Blame recalcitrant citizens – Ministry, LAWMA officials

A visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, however, yielded little answers, as all the principal officers were said not to be on seat. Even the ministry PRO would not speak with this journalist, directing his aid instead to refer him to LAWMA office.

However, one official who spoke on condition of anonymity placed the blame for the anomaly on recalcitrant citizens who would rather dump their refuse on the road than patronise designated LAWMA trucks and pay.

‘You’ll be surprised that some of the people who perpetrate this evil are well educated people, who dress up and head for work early in the morning, but arm themselves with their bags of refuse, which they drop on the roadside when no one is watching. Some may even board a tricycle and drop the bag or bags as the vehicle ferries them to their destinations. Aside this, I can tell you for sure that there is nothing wrong with the state government or LAWMA’s refuse evacuation system.’

Seeking further explanations, The Nation reached out to LAWMA via one of the agency’s hotlines. An official, who identified herself as Anuoluwapo equally blamed citizens seeking to avoid paying for LAWMA trucks services for the situation.

‘Our trucks go out every day to evacuate wastes. Probably it is people who live in those areas that dump their refuse on the road. Each street is supposed to have designated trucks that go out to evacuate their wastes on daily or weekly basis; so if you say the refuse heaps are on the highways, then it has to be the people who live off those locations. Most of them commit this havoc when nobody is watching, especially at night or very early in the morning. But we also have trucks for intervention that go out to evacuate such wastes. Now that you have brought this to our notice, we will send our intervention trucks out to clear them.’

About Ikotun market, Anuoluwapo said: ‘I can assure you that we have trucks covering the market and which goes out regularly. The problem with areas like that is that right after they clear the wastes, they pile up again, and it will now look like they were never evacuated.’

As a way out, Anuoluwapo said: ‘It is for this reason that our enforcement teams go out regularly to carry out enforcement in some areas that have become eyesores.’

The anonymous ministry official also recalled how the enforcement unit went out recently to arrest people who go out in the morning to dump their refuse on roadsides, reminding this reporter of a video that went viral some weeks back. ‘I can assure you that those people who were caught will never try it again. Besides, the punishment for anybody caught is three months imprisonment without any option of fine,’ she said.

Former Ondo State First Lady, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has declared her intention to re-contest the Imo East Senatorial District seat in the upcoming elections.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State, she emphasised the need for robust and effective representation for the people of Owerri Zone.

The widow of the late Governor Akeredolu lamented the perceived ineffective representation of the zone at the National Assembly, describing the current senator and members of the House of Representatives from the zone as ‘benchwarmers’.

Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu who contested the primaries in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated that the zone deserved more than mere gestures, citing the need for meaningful empowerment, unlike what she described as ‘wheelbarrow and sewing machine’ empowerment.

She commended Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduagha for providing genuine empowerment to her constituents in Kogi Central District.

The former First Lady highlighted her efforts in providing motorcycles and stipends to operatives of a vigilante group in her hometown, Emeabiam Community, and attracting a police station to the area to curb insecurity.

Despite challenges following her husband’s passing, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu remains steadfast, pledging to tirelessly serve the people of Owerri Zone.

She expressed her concerns about the lack of government presence in her community particularly lack of accessible roads, attributing it to lack of capable representatives.