Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Managing Director, Brass and Castles Homes, Peacemaker Afolabi, has said that about 28 million Nigerians lack shelter.

Afolabi said this while handing over 16 units of flats to individuals in Ilasan, Ikate, Lekki as part of its contribution to reducing housing deficits.

The units were the fourth in the last three years in the series of affordable homes to be delivered by the company.

Afolabi added that the flats which were purchased by individuals based on down payment of a token and subsequent installment payment policy will reduce housing deficit in Lagos.

He said 52 units had been delivered in the last three years, adding that there is ongoing construction of another 18 units which will allow more Lagosians to have access to affordable homes.

‘Today we are handling the units purchased from us. For us, we are here to solve the housing deficit. We know there is a shelter deficit in Nigeria to the tune of almost 28 million but as a company, we can only add our own quota to reduce it whether at advisory level or advocacy level or by building more units,’ he said Nigeria, there should be collaboration between government and the private sector.

Technology expert and founder of BMONI, Jørn Lyseggen, has described Nigeria as ‘the heartbeat of Africa’s tech revolution,’ highlighting the country’s growing influence in driving innovation across the continent.

BMONI, a new financial technology platform, aims to empower young professionals and small business owners in Africa by offering smarter, more affordable, and flexible financial services compared to traditional banks.

Speaking at the platform’s official launch, Lyseggen said the company’s core mission is to equip Nigerians with world-class financial tools that enable them to participate actively in the global economy.

‘Our mission is to give Nigeria’s movers and shakers world-class financial tools to enable active participation in the global economy,’ he stated.

Lyseggen, who also serves as Founder and Executive Chairman of Meltwater, emphasised that BMONI places strong priority on security. He noted that the platform integrates patented biometric technology – backed by 22 awarded patents – with advanced encryption and collaborations with licensed financial institutions to safeguard users’ accounts and transactions.

Advisor to the platform, Gbenga Oyebode, described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for fintech innovation in Nigeria and Africa, positioning BMONI as a catalyst for inclusive digital financial growth across the continent.

‘BMONI represents a new chapter for African fintech; it’s a platform built with deep respect for the Nigerian market and a clear vision for how technology can unlock financial inclusion at scale,’ he said.

The financial platform aims to provide users with smarter ways to save in stable assets, earn more on their Naira, and transact seamlessly across borders.

Ashwin Ravichandran, Head of Product at the company, highlighted the platform’s relevance in Nigeria, where 70% of the population is under 35 and fintech transactions exceed 9 trillion Naira monthly.

‘Nigerians today want more than banking-they want freedom, ownership, and opportunity,’ he said.

The financial platform’s team spans Nigeria, Ghana, Chicago, San Francisco, Norway, and London, blending Silicon Valley-scale expertise with African insight to deliver innovation, execution, and impact.

Celebrating its launch, the platform is sponsoring Moonshot, Africa’s leading technology and innovation event, engaging with entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators to explore how fintech can drive inclusion and prosperity across the continent.

Proprietress of Grande Oakbridge Montessori School, Lekki, Lagos, Mrs Hannah Obalade, has said government should make access to credit facilities and soft loans easy for school owners.

She said if the government keys into that, it would go assist private school owners, who are also pivotal to the nation’s education space.

Speaking at its 20th anniversary, she said the early days were tough, noting she almost quit when challenges including getting a permanent site almost dampened her spirit.

‘When we started, we rented six flats in Lekki in 2005 and we were gaining momentum, but we had to leave when our permanent site was still under construction. We had to move to the site and I thank God for having a supportive husband and we had to sell our property in Magodo, Lagos, to fund construction of the site.

‘The money realised was not enough and we could not secure a loan. We had to go and borrow from sources outside banks. If not for the passion and interest, I would have given up,’ she said.

Mrs Obalade thanked God for imbuing her with the strength to pull through and take the school to heights.

She paid tribute to the two pupils, who were the first to register, Destiny and Blossom Iheakanwa, adding they have graduated with First Class from an American University.

Chairperson of the Parent Teacher Association, Mrs Powela Ben-Anyiwe, hailed the performance of the pupils, stressing that the school’s efforts at all round nurturing of children had paid off.

School Head, who has been there since 2010, Mrs Oluchi Chinedum-Azuh, praised the Obalades for being passionate about holistic education and for prioritising staff welfare.

The event featured various cultural displays and renditions, while awards were given to staff and those who have impacted the school positively.

Former Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the full and practical execution of the Supreme Court judgment on Local Government Autonomy.

He said implementation of the judgement is the only way the Renewed Hope Agenda can be genuinely felt by Nigerians at the grassroots.

Speaking as a veteran local government administrator and respected elder statesman, Oyelese described local government autonomy as the lifeblood of rural development and the surest way to restore citizens’ confidence in governance.

According to him, the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment that ordered direct disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the 774 Local Government Councils and prohibited the use of caretaker committees was a long-awaited victory for the people.

He said: ‘Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected councils. That provision was designed to make government accessible and accountable to the people.

‘Therefore, the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment will not only deepen democracy but will also ignite development at the level where it is most visible – the grassroots.’

Drawing from his experience as a former local government chairman, Elder Oyelese lamented how the system has been reduced to a shadow of itself.

‘It is disheartening that a chairman elected by the people must apply for approval before repairing a culvert or building a classroom. That defeats the essence of democracy,’ he said.

He noted that most projects attributed to the local governments are executed by contractors unfamiliar with the communities, creating capital flight and denying local artisans and youths the economic benefits that should accompany development.

EOyelese recalled that between 1991 and 1993, when local government administrators were given full control of their councils, the impact was immediately visible.

‘Those were the years when local government autonomy truly worked. Councils constructed roads, built markets, and provided boreholes and health centres. Rural economies thrived, and the people could see where their taxes and federal allocations went,’ he reminisced.

He lamented that today, many local government chairmen have become spectators in the affairs of their councils – unable to voice the concerns of their communities or implement projects that reflect local priorities.

Without singling out any state or administration, Elder Oyelese noted that while some states such as Jigawa and Lagos have already begun releasing allocations directly to the local councils in line with the Court’s judgment, others are still lagging behind.

‘This is not about confrontation; it is about restoration. If we must renew hope, we must start from where people feel it most, their villages, their communities, their markets, and their schools. Mr President has demonstrated enough of political Will to convince Nigerians that if he really wants this done, he knows what to do and how to do it.’ he said.

He emphasised that unless local government funds are allowed to flow directly to the communities, the economy at the grassroots will remain stunted, and no meaningful government impact can be felt.

‘When money meant for local communities is trapped in state bureaucracy, it kills small businesses, slows rural development, and weakens citizens’ faith in democracy. The poorest of our people pay the price,’ he added.

Elder Oyelese reiterated his resolve to remain a mouthpiece for the grassroots, saying his advocacy is driven not by politics but by compassion for the people he once governed closely.

‘I have lived among the people, shared their burdens, and understood their aspirations. I know how much difference a functioning local government can make in their daily lives. That is why I speak, not against any person or administration, but for the people whose voices are being drowned by bureaucracy.’

He appealed to President Tinubu to lead by example in ensuring the immediate and total enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment across the federation.

At the turn of the 21st century, precisely from October 10 – 12, 2000, the first ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing, following earlier consultations. Nearly 100 ministers from China and 44 African countries were in attendance. A joint declaration at the end of the conference among other things explained that the two sides were ‘highly appreciative of the stable development of Sino-Africa relations over the past decades, have full confidence in the future cooperation and agree that there exists a solid foundation for friendly relations and cooperation between China and Africa, given their time-honoured traditional friendship’.

Twenty-five years later, the trajectories of China-Africa cooperation have justified the optimism expressed at the inaugural conference that the two sides ‘have full confidence in the future cooperation’, even as they agreed ‘that there exists a solid foundation’, for such cooperation, nurtured by ‘their time-honoured traditional friendship’.

China-Africa cooperation even before the founding of the FOCAC process has time-honoured pedigree. From 1967, China set out to construct in Zambia and Tanzania, the nearly 2,000km railway line, offered an interest-free loan to cover costs of constructing the line and supporting infrastructure of stations and training school as well as the supply of motive power and rolling stock. The interest-free loan was repayable according to the agreement in 30 years.

The proposal for the project, later dubbed the freedom line or Tazara railways was outrightly rejected by major Western powers then, and even the former Soviet Union as economically unviable. China accepted to build it and duly completed in 1974.

In 1971, 26 African countries including Nigeria were among 76 other countries in the world that voted in the UN General Assembly to enable China regain her seat at the United Nations and provided the subsisting international consensus that there is only ‘One China’ in the world, and that Taiwan is an inalienable and integral part of China’s sovereign expression and territorial integrity.

The vigorous exchanges and mutual support were the basis for the time-honoured traditional friendship between China and Africa and consequently formed the ‘solid foundation’, on which the FOCAC process was built. The point need to be made that despite the phenomenal growth in China-Africa cooperation especially at the turn of the 21st century, with the establishment of FOCAC, the relationship is neither new nor transactional as some commentators want to describe it. It is rooted in traditional friendship and solidarity shaped by common experience of colonial domination and imperialist exploitation but more importantly a shared aspiration of social and economic well beings for their respective peoples.

In her traditional support for infrastructure construction, which began with the Tazara railway, China within the framework of the FOCAC mechanism further energised and reinforced by the Belt and Road framework for international cooperation have helped Africa to build and renovate more than 10,000 kilometres of railways, about 100,00km of roads, more than 1,000 bridges and nearly 100 ports.

Among the major infrastructure projects, includes the first transnational electrified railway line between Ethiopia and Djibouti, spanning over 750km and have significantly reduced both the time and cost of travel between the Ethiopia industrial heartland and the Djibouti port, the Mombassa-Nairobi standard gauge railway in Kenya, and the Lekki Deep Sea port in Lagos. The Lekki Deep Seaport with estimated economic benefits of about $360 billion would also create about 170,000 new jobs.

These are few among the many infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa built by China in the elaborate framework of the cooperation between the two sides. The projects respond to the original deficit in the struggle for Pan African Unity, a challenge taken up at the meeting of the defunct Organization of Africa Union (OAU) at its special session at Lagos, in 1980. The vision of continental connectivity and industrial take-off contained in the iconic document, Lagos Plan of Action’ was immediately countered by the World Bank and vitiated by lack of political will but has through the framework of the FOCAC process returned to the earlier blueprint with ‘Africa engaging more with herself through connectivity and trade than at any other time in her post-colonial history.

Economic and Trade cooperation have emerged as the flagship of the engagement between the two sides. For 16 years in a straight row, China has been Africa’s largest trading partner with the volume reaching a record of 295.74 billion USD in 2024, an increase of 6.1% from the previous year. Since the establishment of FOCAC in 2000, the trade volume between China and African countries have risen with average annual growth of 14.2%, rising from meagre 13.94 billion US dollars to the current record level.

More importantly, the structure of trade which previously revolved around export of Africa energy and mineral resources and imports of China’s manufactures are shifting in favour of high value-added sectors such mechanical and electrical products, digital services and green technologies. In 2024, African countries exports of processed agricultural products to China demonstrating strength in agro-processing and manufacturing significantly increased. China’s exports to Africa which includes photovoltaic modules, industrial robots and smart phones showed remarkable boost.

In overall, the shift in China-Africa trade towards diversification, higher value-added and technology intensive sector is becoming increasingly significant. Additionally, Chinese investments in the manufacturing, agro-processing sector energy and digital economy is scaling up Africa’s industrialization with cumulative investment that reached $42.12 billion, with nearly Chinese 3,300 operating in 51 African countries . To give greater impetus to Africa’s access to the Chinese market, the Chinese side instituted the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, specifically designated to give products from Africa’s exposure to China’s huge market.

At this year’s 4th edition of the Expo, 176 contracts worth $11.39 billion were signed, a 45.8% increase to the previous edition of the Expo held in 2023. In addition to existing mechanism for concessional access of African products to the Chinese market, China proposed last June as a part of the implementation of Ten Partnership Action Plan, outlined by President Xi Jinping at the heads of State Summit of FOCAC held in 2024, to grant zero tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for exports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties.

Since the creation of FOCAC in 2000, it has propelled bilateral cooperation of the two sides into a phase of rapid, comprehensive and stable development. In addition to the creation of multiple cooperation mechanism and trade facilitation initiatives, it has enabled a long term institutional support for China-Africa relations.

While China-Africa engagements at different levels are well known for tangible outcomes and deliverable, it is also fostering values through mutual learnings and governance experience sharing. Through the FOCAC process, inter-party consultations and civilizational dialogues are gaining momentum, and bridging the geographical gaps between the two sides.

The China-Africa journey within the framework of the FOCAC process is still a work in progress despite the crucial milestones it has reached. At the Beijing summit of last year, President Xi Jinping proposed to characterize China-Africa as ‘all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for a new era’.

More than 60 years ago, when the Chinese Venerable Premier, Zhou Enlai visited Africa, in Ghana he outlined the eight principles of China’s support and assistance to Africa. Among the eight principles, the forth explained that ‘in providing aid to other countries, the purpose of the Chinese government is not to make the recipient countries dependent on China but to help them embark step by step on the road to self-reliance and independent economic development’. This position is as valid today as it was, more than six decades ago, when it was pronounced on African soil.

The historic imperative for Africa is to meet China half way in the open brotherly embrace and make the opportunity of China to contribute to the concrete advantage of Africa’s renaissance, with FOCAC as the mutual roadmap.

Revenue-generating agencies will no longer keep a part of the funds, the Federal Government said yesterday.

The long-standing practice of cost-of-revenue-collection deductions has ended.

The move, according to the government, is aimed at promoting fiscal transparency and ensuring that more funds are available for national and subnational governments.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said this yesterday in Abuja during the launch of the National Development Update.

He explained that while Nigeria’s gross revenues have continued to rise, a substantial portion of the proceeds has been deducted as the cost of collection by agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

These deductions, he said, have not translated into tangible improvements in national development.

Edun said the review of the deductions is part of a broader fiscal reform agenda mandated by President Bola Tinubu.

‘Funds have flowed to the Federation Account, but the point is this – efficiency of that spending is critical,’ he said.

‘We have been mandated by His Excellency, Mr. President, to take a look at deductions – not just those for the cost of collection, but deductions generally.’

The minister noted that such deductions significantly reduce the actual amount distributable to the three tiers of government.

‘When you look at the gross figure, you see all kinds of deductions before you get to the net distributable figure, which goes to the federal, state, and local governments.

‘And I must inform you that even during the last FAAC allocation, most of those deductions have been removed once and for all,’ he stated.

According to him, the administration is now strictly enforcing the constitutional provision that mandates all revenues to be paid into the Federation Account before distribution according to the approved formula.

‘The Constitution says that funds should flow from revenue-collecting agencies into the Federation Account and be distributed according to the set formula – and that is what is now being done,’ he added.

Edun emphasised that the government’s fiscal reform drive is anchored on transparency, accountability, and efficient allocation of public resources to accelerate development at both the federal and state levels.

Beyond fiscal discipline, the minister also addressed ongoing social protection efforts, describing them as central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He acknowledged that economic reforms have caused short-term hardship by raising the cost of living, but assured that measures are in place to protect vulnerable Nigerians.

‘The promise was that they would not be left to their own; they would not be left behind,’ Edun said.

‘We made sure that each person who benefits is biometrically and uniquely identified by name.

‘Kudos to the management of the Nigerian Identity Management Company.’

He explained that the social safety net programme uses a digital payment system to ensure transparency and accountability in delivering cash transfers to beneficiaries.

‘Once we had put in place the right technology and methodology, the programme took off.

‘We are still implementing the first stage of the social safety net – the direct benefit transfers.

‘By the end of October, we will have covered about 10 million households, reaching 50 million Nigerians.

‘Long before the end of the year, the commitment is to have completed 50 million households,’ he said.

Edun also revealed that the National Economic Council has approved a ward-based development programme across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards to ensure that the benefits of reforms are felt at the grassroots.

‘That is where the connection will be – bringing the gains home, drilling down to ensure all Nigerians participate in a growing, stable, and positive trajectory of the Nigerian economy,’ he said.

The cost-of-collection arrangement, which the government now seeks to end, has historically served as a funding mechanism for revenue-generating agencies.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) retains about four per cent of royalties, rents, and other revenues it collects on behalf of the Federation Account.

Similarly, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) retained N254.82 billion in 2024 and is projected to receive N43.83 billion for the first half of 2025 as the cost of collection.

Until recently, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) received a seven per cent cost of collection from the Federation Account.

However, this was replaced in August 2025 with a four per cent Free on Board (FOB) levy on imports, following a directive by the House of Representatives.

The new levy now serves as the primary source of funding for Customs operations.

With the planned review and eventual removal of these deductions, the Federal Government aims to improve fiscal discipline, strengthen the Federation Account, and channel more resources toward infrastructure, social welfare, and sustainable development.

When disasters strike-whether floods, wars, epidemics, or accidents-the damage often goes beyond what we can see. Beyond broken homes and disrupted livelihoods lie broken hearts, silent grief, and unseen trauma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the World Health Organization reported a 25% global rise in anxiety and depression in just one year. This shows that when crises happen, mental health suffers deeply too.

Yet, the emotional toll of emergencies often goes unnoticed. These events tear families apart, heighten fear, and shake people’s sense of safety and stability. That is why this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,’ could not have come at a better time. It reminds us that mental health support is not something we wait for calm times to provide; it is a necessity even in chaos.

However, access to mental health care remains a privilege for many, especially in developing nations. Take Nigeria, for instance. With a population of over 200 million people, there are fewer than 1,000 mental health professionals in the entire country. This means millions are left without help, and during emergencies, the gap widens even more.

In times of crisis, already fragile health systems struggle to cope. Clinics close, health workers are displaced, and people who urgently need psychological support are often left to face their pain alone. Meanwhile, humanitarian responses, though well-intentioned, are frequently uncoordinated, and many responders lack the training to provide emotional or psychological first aid. As a result, countless individuals remain unsupported during their most vulnerable moments.

At Mental Drive Africa (MDA), we have seen this reality up close. Through our school programs, community outreaches, and wellness initiatives, we have learned that access begins with integration. Mental health must be treated as a vital part of overall health and emergency response, not as an afterthought. When mental health care is included within primary healthcare systems, people can seek help in the same places they receive physical care-without shame or delay.

In addition, community-based care is key. When disasters happen, it is the community that responds first. By training local health workers, teachers, and volunteers in basic psychological first aid, we make help more immediate, trusted, and accessible. Community-led initiatives, like MDA’s Exhale Community, show how peer support and safe conversations can help people heal, grow, and regain resilience even in the toughest times.

Moreover, investing in capacity building remains one of the most sustainable ways to strengthen access. When frontline workers and everyday citizens are equipped to recognize signs of distress and offer support, the ripple effect is powerful. Healing becomes a shared responsibility, and communities are empowered to help themselves.

Preparedness also plays a critical role. Including mental health in emergency response plans ensures no one is left behind. This could mean setting up mobile clinics, ensuring access to medication, creating emergency helplines, or embedding mental health professionals within rapid response teams. These measures help communities recover not just physically, but emotionally too.

Of course, no sustainable change can happen without strong policies and proper funding. Unfortunately, mental health often receives less than 2% of health budgets in many countries, leaving services underfunded and out of reach. Governments, organizations, and donors must begin to treat mental health with the same urgency as physical health. Investing in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation saves lives and strengthens the overall resilience of societies.

And now, more than ever, technology is helping bridge the gap. Digital tools like teletherapy, mobile apps, and online counseling platforms have made it possible for people to receive help even in areas where stigma, distance, or limited professionals once stood in the way. When combined with community outreach, these innovations create safe and flexible ways for people to seek support wherever they are.

As the world marks World Mental Health Day, we at Mental Drive Africa echo the global call for stronger access to mental health care, especially in times of crisis. Every person deserves a chance to heal, to be heard, and to find hope again-no matter what storms they face.

Through our ongoing programs, from mental health education in schools to market outreaches and community-based therapy support, we are committed to bringing wellness closer to the people who need it most. But we cannot do it alone. We call on governments, organizations, and individuals to join hands in building systems that prioritize mental well-being in every emergency response.

Because mental health is not a privilege.

It is a right-for everyone, everywhere, and even in the most catastrophic times.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Dr. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for a collective action to protect the girl-child from harm and abuse to enable her to achieve her dreams.

She noted that every girl deserves the chance to dream, grow, and lead.

The minister urged young Nigerians to become advocates of mentorship and progressive leadership.

She stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach to addressing issues about rape and gender-based violence.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stressed that a collective responsibility is essential in protecting girls and women across the country.

The minister said this when she visited the Office of the National Youth Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth House in Abuja in commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child.

She praised the APC Youth Wing for promoting youth and women’s inclusion within the party.

The event, which was organised by the APC Youth Wing, brought together young progressives, women’s leaders, and party members to highlight the importance of empowering, educating, and investing in the Nigerian girl-child.

APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, hailed Sulaiman-Ibrahim for her dedication to the welfare of women and girls.

He reiterated the Youth Wing’s commitment to gender inclusion and social development.

Israel stressed that ’empowering the girl-child is empowering the next generation’.

The event featured an interactive session and a fireside chat where the minister shared insights from her leadership journey, inspiring participants to pursue purpose-driven careers and community service.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Progressive Young Ladies Network (PYLN) – a youth-led initiative aimed at fostering mentorship, leadership training, and active participation of young women within and beyond the APC.

There were sessions for the presentation of souvenirs, group photographs, and media interactions during the celebration.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the people of Ekiti State to support the African Democratic Party (ADC) ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship poll.

Atiku said the ADC was ready to rescue Ekiti people from the shackles of alleged maladministration,saying the party has what it takes to transform the state and put it on the path of greatness and prosperity.

The former Vice President spoke while receiving a frontline ADC governorship aspirant, Prince Adeyinka Alli in his residence in Abuja ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The ADC Chieftain expressed confidence in Alli’s leadership capacity, describing him as a vibrant and determined young politician capable of giving Ekiti a new direction.

Atiku who commended the Alli’s courage, vision, and track record in public service and humanitarian work, describing him as a refreshing face in Ekiti politics.

He explained his decision to meet the governorship hopeful was influenced by his credentials and commitment to humanitarian services, which he said align with the ADC’s vision for reform and inclusive governance.

Atiku said: ‘Ekiti has gotten a new face, ADC is a party that practises transitional politics. I’m encouraging young people, women, to come in because ADC is the young bride in town.

‘Alli is the first person I’m meeting that wants to contest for any political office in Ekiti under ADC. I saw your CV and it’s very okay, that’s why I said I want to see you.

‘You did well, I like your boldness and determination. I have other appointments with international personnel but I have to suspend that to attend to you and I believe that with you, Ekiti is safe in your hands under ADC’, he added.

Alli, who declared his ambition at his country home of Itapa-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area, said he has the capacity to transform the state.

‘Through transparency, accountability, and technology-driven governance, we will build a government that listens, serves, and delivers. This is the promise of Progress Together, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

‘My dear people of Ekiti, this journey is not mine alone; it is ours. It is the dream of every mother who prays for her child’s future, every farmer who tills the soil with hope, and every young person who dares to believe in a brighter tomorrow. Let us rise together to write a new chapter for our beloved state,’ he said.

Mrs Arinola Ajose, widow of Dr Sunny Ajose, Badagry apex leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday hailed Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for naming 420 housing units in honour of her late husband.

Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday named the newly-inaugurated Ajara Housing Estate in Badagry after the late Lagos State Head of Service (HoS) and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Ajose.

Mrs Ajose in a statement signed by Prince Sunday Oke, on behalf of the family, said the kind gesture was a great pride and appreciation for all of them in Badagry.

She said: ”We are grateful to our esteemed governor for this thoughtful and well-deserved recognition.

‘By naming this housing estate after the late Dr. Ajose, our governor has paid tribute to his memory and preserved his legacy for generations to come.

‘This gesture reflects the deep respect and admiration our governor has for those who have selflessly served our state.

‘The immortalisation of the name of the late Ajose is a source of pride and inspiration for his family, friends and colleagues.

‘It serves as a reminder of the remarkable impact he had on the community and the lives he touched through his dedicated service.’

The widow added: ‘On behalf of the family, I express our sincere appreciation to the governor for this noble gesture.

‘We pray that God continues to bless him with wisdom and strength as he leads our state to greater heights.

‘We also extend our gratitude to residents of Lagos State, who have shown their support and love for our late honourable through this recognition.

‘As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us be reminded of the legacy of Ajose and strive to embody his selfless spirit in our lives.

‘May his memory continue to inspire us to serve our community and make our state a better place for all.’