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The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at ending the recurring tragedy of building collapses in the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Badagry and Ese-Ofin, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, General Manager of LSMTL, urged artisans, block moulders, concrete mixers, and steel makers to join forces in a pioneering Certified Structural Integrated Programme (CSIP).

‘This alliance between LSMTL and you, the lifeblood of our construction industry, starts now. Without you, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every building is safe, sound, and secure,’ Abdul said.

The CSIP is structured as a comprehensive five-year assessment programme for standing buildings, combining pre-construction, construction, and post-construction monitoring. Artisans are tasked with producing quality materials, while LSMTL ensures certification through rigorous testing.

Abdul, represented by the Director of Admin and Human Resource, Mr Abayomi Adewunmi, emphasised, ‘Every single material used in construction must be certified fit-for-purpose. Many collapses are preventable-they often trace back to weak blocks, substandard concrete, or improperly sized steel. This ends today.’

She said key elements of the programme include mandatory sub-soil investigations before permits are issued, destructive testing of materials during construction, and advanced non-destructive testing post-construction using tools like the Pundit and Profoscope to assess structural integrity without causing damage.

The General Manager further highlighted the broader impact: ‘If a building fails a test, we can trace the failure to its source. Let us be the source of quality, not the source of failure.’

She also announced plans to create a directory of certified artisans and material producers, ensuring builders and developers have access to guaranteed quality services.

Abdul concluded with a powerful call to action: ‘The choice is simple: we can be part of the problem, or we can be the foundation of the solution. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance for a safer, stronger Lagos.’

Also speaking, the Director of Soil and Geotechnics at LSMTL, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stated that ‘Genuine research has shown that materials which have been properly tested and certified for building construction possess a lifespan of at least 70 years and above.’

He further advised that ‘Builders should adopt mechanical innovations in the process of block moulding, as mechanically engineered moulds are far stronger and more durable than manually produced ones.’

Adebayo also emphasized the importance of conducting soil testing on every parcel of land, even those located in proximity, before the commencement of any construction project.

Additionally, the overall Chairman, Lagos State Bricklayers Association (LSBA), Mr Fashina Yusuf Aro, remarked that ‘We all know Lagos State is largely swampy, with predominantly loose soil, and such terrain requires specific materials to ensure solid foundations and stable buildings.’

He encouraged artisans across the construction value chain to collaborate sincerely with bricklayers, noting that bricklayers often face the greatest scrutiny whenever issues arise in building projects or when a collapse occurs.

He further advised that comprehensive material and soil testing should be conducted by LSMTL before bricklayers commence work on any site.

The discussions at the forum centred on the importance of material quality testing, adherence to engineering standards, and the need for continuous capacity development among construction professionals.

The participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting the Lagos State Government’s vision of a resilient, sustainable, and collapse-free built environment.

English singer, Lola Young has cancelled her upcoming shows and performances after collapsing on a stage during a performance.

The incident which occurred in New York on Saturday, drew the attention of her fans towards her mental and physical health.

Lola, however spoke up after the fall, revealing that she was ok. She then announced on Tuesday, that she will be going away for a while.

While apologising to her fans for the inconvenience, Lola explained that they will be given a full refund for their tickets.

‘I’m going away for a while. It pains me to say I have to cancel everything for the foreseeable future. Thank you for all the love and support. I’m so sorry to let anyone down who has bought a ticket to see me, it hurts me more than you know. Obviously you will be entitled to a full refund. I really hope you’ll give me a second chance once I’ve had some time to work on myself and come back stronger. Love you all, Lola x,’ she wrote.

Lola also thanked her fans for their support, assuring them that she is doing ok.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has freed 36 prisoners from the Nigerian Correctional Service centres in Ilesa and Ile-Ife to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day.

The Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, made the announcement in a statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Governor Adeleke used his constitutional power under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution, following advice from the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

In a proclamation signed on September 24, 2025, he officially forgave the remaining prison terms of the 36 inmates.

The proclamation instructed all authorities to recognise the amnesty as valid and binding under the seal of Osun State.

From the Ilesa Correctional Centre, 29 inmates were released, while 7 were freed from the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre.

Most of those pardoned had been jailed for minor crimes like stealing and conspiracy and had already served much of their sentences.

Governor Adeleke explained that the gesture symbolised compassion, justice, and a fresh start.

‘As a people’s government, we believe in justice but also in mercy. This amnesty is not only about freedom but also about rehabilitation and giving these individuals a second chance to live as responsible members of society,’ he said.

The Governor added that the decision was aimed at encouraging reformation and reintegration of former inmates back into the community.

The Flying Eagles will be aiming for victory against Saudi Arabia on Matchday 2 in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, after a painful loss to Norway in their first group game on Monday.

Despite dominating the game and creating a number of opportunities, the seven-time African champions were unlucky not to have equalized in the second half of the encounter, and probably taken the three points.

On two occasions, their appeals for penalty awards were turned down by the referee.

Victory against Saudi Arabia will put the two-time World Cup runners-up in a good position to qualify for the championship’s Round of 16, ahead of their clash with Colombia on Sunday.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubair is upbeat his wards have shaken off the defeat against Norway as their attention has shifted towards the confrontation with Saudi Arabia, to ensure the team gets the desired result.

With the availability of all key players, Coach Zubair may stick to his usual 4-3-3 formation with more focus on attack and ball possession.

Israel Ayuma, Daniel Daga and Charles Agada have all been booked and will have to play with caution to avoid missing the last group game against the Colombians.

Manchester City were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against AS Monaco in a pulsating Champions League encounter that had everything, goals, controversy, VAR drama, and missed chances.

Erling Haaland once again proved decisive for City, scoring twice with trademark finishing.

The Norwegian opened the scoring in the 15th minute, controlling a cross from Josko Gvardiol before firing into the roof of the net.

He doubled his tally just before half-time, rising highest to head home Phil Foden’s delivery, giving Pep Guardiola’s men a 2-1 advantage at the interval.

Monaco, however, showed remarkable resilience. Jordan Teze levelled in the 18th minute with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.

But the night’s defining moment came in the dying stages. In the 86th minute, Eric Dier went down under a challenge inside City’s penalty area.

Initially waved away, the incident was later reviewed by VAR. Referee Jesus Manzano overturned his decision and awarded Monaco a spot-kick, which Dier coolly dispatched in the 90th minute to ensure a share of the spoils.

The match was littered with missed opportunities and near misses. Tijjani Reijnders rattled the crossbar, Bernardo Silva saw a goal-line clearance deny him, while Haaland narrowly missed a hat-trick.

On the opposite end, Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a string of vital saves, keeping out Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun.

Tensions ran high throughout, with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Savinho all booked for dissent and rough challenges, while Monaco’s Krepin Diatta also saw yellow.

For Guardiola, it was a night of frustration as City dominated possession but failed to convert their superiority into victory.

Nollywood actress and politician’s wife, Regina Daniels, has joined in celebrating Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

In a video shared on social media, Daniels lightheartedly noted that Nigeria is now ‘older than her husband,’ billionaire businessman and politician Ned Nwoko.

Reflecting on past Independence Day celebrations, the actress recalled fond childhood memories of parades, green-and-white outfits, and children proudly singing the national anthem.

She expressed hope that the tradition of patriotic celebrations remains alive, stressing the importance of instilling national pride in younger generations.

Attempting to sing the country’s old national anthem during the video, Daniels stumbled on some lines, laughing at her mistakes but still emphasizing her love for the patriotic exercise.

‘Nigeria is 65. that’s a big number that’s a big number it’s older than my husband so yeah But you know, guys, I remember those days when it’s independence. Like you see every kid, the street is flooded. Myself, I’m dressed in green. Everyone doing their march pass, singing national anthems. You know, I hope it’s still the same. Like that practice. Like I hope it’s still the same. The joy to celebrate your country. I just hope it’s still the same. The fact that every school would have to go somewhere to sing their national anthem, it’s just, thinking about it now, it’s ridiculously patriotic. I love it. They don’t even sing our national anthem. Nobody should laugh here. Nigerians we hail thee, our own dear native land. Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Nigerians all are proud to serve our sovereign motherland. Our flag shall be a symbol. That truth and justice reigns. In peace and battle honored. And this. In peace and battle honored. And handle. Shit. The next part is to handle. And hand on to a flag to our children without stain. Guys, fu.ck off. But I’ll still post this video because I don’t have enough time to do another one. But I’ll do another video.’

Anambra governor, Chukwuma Soludo has commended President Bola Tinubu over the reforms of his administration, including removal of subsidies, harmonisation of exchange rates, redesign of fiscal and tax policies as well as other structural reforms.

The Anambra Governor made the commendation on Wednesday while speaking during the march past organised by the state to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary as a sovereign state in Awka.

Speaking at the event, Soludo affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms are a necessary medicine for an economy that has long been distorted and papered over.

The Governor said this while noting that the reforms in the short term, are bound to have some disruptive effects, including pains and hardships.

He said: ‘I commend President Tinubu’s courageous national reforms, including removal of subsidies, harmonisation of exchange rates, redesign of fiscal and tax policies as well as other structural reforms.

‘These reforms, obviously, in the short term, are bound to have some disruptive effects, including some unanticipated pains and hardships.

‘However, they are a necessary medicine for an economy long distorted and papered over.

‘This is the time we must rebuild our nation on a firmer foundation and I urge Nigerians to stand firm, as the road to renewal requires sacrifice.

‘But beyond these current hardships, lies a Nigeria where our currency gets stronger, our economy becomes more productive and our resources serve the many, not just the few.

‘I encourage all Nigerians to support these reforms and demonstrate patriotism by obeying the law and paying taxes. This is the path to a more prosperous future,’ he said.

The governor described Nigeria’s independence as a symbol of hope, freedom and possibility for the Black race.

‘At 65, our national journey has been one of triumph and trials, progress and setbacks, conflicts and reconciliation.

‘Through it all, the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian people has endured,’ he said.

Soludo affirmed that his administration would continue to invest in human capital development, preparing the next generation to innovate, compete and thrive.

The Nigerian Police, Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade, Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Secondary and Primary school students were part of the National Day parade led by SP. Paul Igwenma, Parade Commander.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate, Faith Adewale, has emerged as the lucky winner of one of the most prestigious prizes of the show.

Faith, who has had a good run in the reality TV show, emerged victorious during an intense final week task. This victory automatically made him the owner of a brand new Innoson electric car.

Faith, while expressing his disbelief and excitement, revealed that this is his first automobile.

‘This is my first car,’ he said.

The housemate was also the winner of the SuperKomando challenge which was held earlier in the season.

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has cautioned Mrs Folashade Ojo-Tinubu that the concept of ‘Iyaloja-general’ title is not known to Benin culture.

The monarch stated this on Tuesday when Ojo-Tinubu who is the Iyaloja-General of market women associations in Nigeria, paid him homage in his palace.

The Iyaloja-general who was led to the palace by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, had earlier informed the Monarch that she was in the state to inaugurate Pastor (Mrs) Josephine Isi Ibhaguezejele as the Iyeki-general of the State.

Oba Ewuare II ,however, told her that in Benin Kingdom the Iyeki must be confirmed by the palace after being selected by market women.

He added that outside her role of coordinating affairs of traders in the market, Iyeki performs certain cultural roles on his behalf in the various markets.

He added that the Iyeki has special relationship with the palace and performs expected roles in the shrine located in every market.

‘Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. You are in Benin, the home of culture; we have our culture here. I have discussed this matter with my chiefs and those that are knowledgeable.

‘Do you know the role of Iyeki in Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace. Are you aware of that? Do you know that every Iyeki has a cultural role to perform inside every market.

‘The Oba does not interfere so long as the Iyeki does what is expected of her in the shrine of a particular market on behalf of the Oba. We are not going to say much except to explain to you the concept of Iyeki in Benin,’ Oba Ewuare II said.

Giving further clarification on the roles of Iyeki in the kingdom, Chief Osaro Idah, whom the Oba permitted to enlighten Tinubu-Ojo, said:

‘Iyeki is independent in every market like the Oba market, Ogiso market and others. The traders select their leaders from within the markets. The Iyeki do more than the role of coordinating traders.

‘There are certain shrines inhabited in all the markets. They play certain roles on behalf of the palace. After their selection, they bring the person to the palace for confirmation.

‘The novelty of general Iyeki is alien to Benin custom and tradition. We just believe the Iyaloja is your socio-cultural thing like you have other clubs.

‘It is not in our culture to have a general Iyeki. Iyeki is particular to each market. No one has the right to control the other in another market. The Iyeki in Oba Market has no role to play in Ogiso Market. The Oba established the market for all in the society.’

Earlier while introducing the visitors, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, said: ‘We are grateful to be here today. I present to you the Iyaloja-General.

‘She came to Edo State for the installation of Edo market women leader that has been chosen. And we deem it fit that we must pay homage to the Benin throne.’

Two men identified as Ibrahim Suleiman Umar and Tijani Adam Goni have been remanded by Federal Capital Territory High Court after pleading guilty to charges bordering on alleged involvement in a N4.8 million job scam and forgery of employment letters.

The two suspects who duped their victims with promises that they can get them employed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice B.M. Bassi on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and forgery.

According to the ICPC, the duo, in June 2021, conspired to defraud two unsuspecting job seekers of N4.8 million under the guise of securing employment for them at the two organisations.

One of the counts reads:

‘That you, Ibrahim Suleiman Umar (m) and Tijani Adam Goni (m), on or about the month of June 2021 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain by false pretences the sum of N4,800,000.00 (Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) from Saifdeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar under the pretence that you will secure employment for them at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which representation you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.’

Investigations by ICPC further revealed that the accused persons forged employment letters purportedly issued by both CBN and FIRS, as well as a document titled ‘Final Document List’, which they presented to their victims as genuine.

Their offences contravene Section 1(1)(a) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

When the charges were read, both defendants pleaded guilty to all five counts. Justice Bassi consequently ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to 29th October 2025 for continuation of hearing.

Meanwhile, the first defendant in the case, Mohammed Mustapha, remains at large, with efforts ongoing to apprehend him and bring him before the court to face justice.