The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • FCTA removes 607 beggars, mentally challenged from streets

    FCTA removes 607 beggars, mentally challenged from streets

    As part of efforts to clean up the nation’s city, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has evacuated 607 beggars and mentally challenged individuals from Abuja streets, from last July to date.

    Head of Enforcement, FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Ukachi Adebayo, made this known in an interview in Abuja.

    Adebayo said the Operation Sweep Abuja Clean team carried out the exercise and added that the evacuees had been counselled, profiled, and returned to their states in collaboration with state governments and liaison offices.

    “What we do when we apprehend the beggars and mentally challenged individuals is to counsel them to be able to profile them.

    “After that, we take them to their various liaison offices to be returned to their respective states where they are expected to undergo rehabilitation,” she said.

    Adebayo said the operation was ongoing and would continue to take them off the streets of Abuja.

    She said: “The more you take them out; the more they resurface.

    READ ALSO; Arewa, this has to stop

    “Some of them were driven by insecurity in their state and they ran to Abuja to take refuge but we will continue to apprehend them and take them back.”

    Similarly, the Acting Director, Social Welfare, SDS, Gloria Onwuka, said some of the children begging on the streets were brought in from other states by unidentified individuals to beg and hand over the proceeds to them.

    Onwuka added that some of the women that were caught with children begging on their behalf were not their biological children.

    “Begging is now run like a business. People will go and hire people’s children from other states, put them in vehicles very early in the morning, come to Abuja and start begging.

    “The families they are hiring these children from don’t even know that this is what they are using their children to do.

    “We have caught so many of them like that,” she said.

    Also, Secretary, FCTA Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, explained that Operation Sweep was a joint security operation involving relevant security agencies and FCT’s Secretariats, Departments and Agencies.

    Olumuji stated that the operation was instituted by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to sweep Abuja of miscreants, street beggars, scavengers and other criminal elements.

    He pointed out that beggars pose security threats and constitute a nuisance in the city, adding that some of them serve as informants to criminals.

    “Not only that, the beggars and mentally challenged individuals also deface the beauty of the capital city, while some of them become victims of kidnapping for rituals and other negative purposes,” he said.

    He said the operation was ongoing and would continue to crackdown on beggars, miscreants and other criminal elements wherever they resurfaced.

  • Potiskum truck transit park to create over 5,000 jobs, says Yobe govt

    Potiskum truck transit park to create over 5,000 jobs, says Yobe govt

    The new Potiskum Truck Transit Park is expected to generate employment for more than  5,000 unemployed youths, signalling a major boost to the state’s economic revival, the Yobe State government has said.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, stated this during an inspection of the park by reporters.

    He said the park reflects Governor Mai Mala Buni’s commitment to job creation, youth empowerment and the strategic growth of Potiskum as a commercial hub.

    “Our administration is committed to creating sustainable jobs for our youths and enhancing economic activities in Potiskum and beyond.

    READ ALSO; Arewa, this has to stop

     “This facility will not only ease traffic congestion but also open up opportunities for employment and skills development in truck operations and allied services,” he added.

    According to Bego, the  governor initiated the construction of the modern trailer truck transit camp to ease chronic congestion in Potiskum.

    The  facility, which is nearing completion and awaiting inauguration, spans 86,000 square metres and can accommodate 500 trucks at a time. It includes two blocks of warehouses, multiple boreholes, a mosque, a fire service unit, a police post and a large parking area.

    The overseeing Commissioner for Commerce, who is also the Commissioner for Housing, Ahmed Buba, added that the park has well-constructed access roads, and that hotel accommodation within the complex is also nearing completion to support the anticipated influx of visitors and businesses.

    The team also visited Ngalda town on Gombe Road, where a new modern market, another flagship project of the Buni administration, is cited.

    The District Head of Ngalda, Alhaji Danbaba Ngalda, and Wakilin Hakimin Ngalda, Alhaji Ahmadun Kano, praised the government for the provision, noting its likely positive impact on commerce and livelihoods on the people.

    The inspection also covered the Fika-Maluri Road, a 26.5-kilometre link road that residents say has cut travel time from about four hours to just 20 minutes.

    Buni’s broader infrastructure agenda has been a defining feature of his administration. Since taking office, his government has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development programme, with hundreds of kilometres of rural and urban roads constructed or rehabilitated to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity across all 17 local government areas of the state. These efforts include township roads, drainage networks and major link roads connecting key towns such as Potiskum, Nguru, Gashua, Geidam and Buni Yadi.

    “Our administration remains focused on delivering social amenities and creating opportunities for economic growth, ensuring the well-being of all Yobeans,”  Buni was quoted as saying while presenting the 2026 state budget.

    Residents also highlighted the area’s rich deposits of solid minerals, especially gypsum, and its fertile agricultural land, expressing optimism that improved infrastructure will unlock further economic potential for Yobe.

  • Lagos tackles housing deficit with innovation, public-private partnership

    Lagos tackles housing deficit with innovation, public-private partnership

    The Lagos State Government is addressing the challenge of mass housing delivery through innovation and robust public-private partnerships across multiple fronts. The delivery of over 11,000 housing units in nearly seven years under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is evidence that the housing deficit could be effectively reduced.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafis Toriola, made this known while receiving Master’s students of the Centre for Planning Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, who visited the Ministry.

    The visit was designed to expose the postgraduate students to the realities of housing administration, policy implementation, and service delivery in Lagos State, while reinforcing the value of collaboration between academic institutions and government agencies.

     Represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Akanji Shadare, Toriola, an engineer, commended the students and their lecturers for the initiative and applauded their desire to deepen their understanding of the practical application of academic concepts in the built environment. He emphasized the need for the centre and similar departments within the university to continually share research outputs, innovative ideas, and solutions relevant to housing delivery.

    READ ALSO: Tax reform: Lessons for national health financing

     On housing investment, the General Manager of Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC), represented by Mrs. Olabisi Funsho-Peters, Head, Mortgage and Credit Department, engaged the students and staff, highlighting the critical role of mortgage institutions in the real estate value chain. She explained that LBIC is an accredited mortgage bank insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), providing mortgage loans strictly for housing purposes, with up to 70 per cent financing and repayment tenures of 10 years and above.

     Also addressing the team, the Executive Director, Enterprise Services, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Mr. Adeniyi Aromolaran, outlined the Corporation’s mandate in providing real estate services, including construction, sale, and rental of properties. He clarified, however, that LSDPC does not engage in social housing.

     Earlier, the Programme Coordinator, Centre for Planning Studies, LASU, Professor Aliyu Ibrahim, stated that the visit aimed to provide firsthand insight into how housing policies and data are generated and managed. He identified four key takeaways: understanding how the Ministry coordinates housing provision across public and private sectors; how housing investment is undertaken; the challenges affecting housing delivery; and how housing provision and distribution have evolved in Lagos State.

     In his remarks, the Director of the Centre, Professor Fatai, noted that the Centre, established in 1989, organized the visit to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical experience. He added that the engagement was particularly important, as much of the housing data used in academic institutions was sourced from the Ministry of Housing.

  • LASIEC begins post-council election audit

    LASIEC begins post-council election audit

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has commenced a rigorous post-election audit of the July 2025 Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) polls, with a vow to institutionalise lessons learnt from the exercise to strengthen grassroots democracy.

    Speaking at the opening of a Two-Day Retreat at Dover Hotels, Ikeja, the Chairman of the commission, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), described the gathering as a deliberate and forward-looking exercise aimed at evaluating the Commission’s performance and identifying systemic gaps.

    Addressing commissioners and electoral officers, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile noted that while the elections were adjudged free and fair by international and domestic observers, the commission must avoid the trap of complacency.

    “A resilient electoral process is not one that simply survives challenges, but one that learns from them, adapts and emerges stronger. We must be courageous enough to admit our shortcomings and make up to institutionalize lessons learnt,” she said.

    READ ALSO; Arewa, this has to stop

    She acknowledged that the 2025 election cycle was not without its administrative hiccups and politically-motivated sentiments, but maintained that the commission had demonstrated impartiality and resilience in protecting the mandate of the voters.

    Justice Okikiolu-Ighile emphasised that the future of elections in Lagos would be shaped by rising public scrutiny and evolving security concerns.

    To remain contemporary and relevant, she pledged that LASIEC would focus on leveraging technology to meet voters’ expectations, strengthening manpower through continuous training and a conducive work environment and reinforcing internal control processes to ensure transparency and neutrality.

    Providing a statistical backdrop to the 2025 exercise, the Commissioner for Training, Oladele Adekanye, said there was a significant uptick in voter engagement compared to previous cycles.

    According to Adekanye, the 2025 elections recorded a 24 per cent voter turnout, a notable leap from the 10 to 11 per cent recorded in previous election.

    While delivering a goodwill message, the commission’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulrafiu Fashola, commended the leadership of the commission and the dedication of its staff during the last elections. Fashola urged participants to approach the retreat with openness and professionalism, noting that constructive evaluation is key to strengthening institutional performance and public trust.

  • Jakande subsidises chickens for residents

    Jakande subsidises chickens for residents

    By Aishat Ahmed

    The Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Seyi Jakande, has subsidised chicken for about 2,500 families across the community.

    Jakande said the subsidy was part of his administration’s commitment to sustaining people-oriented policies and programmes inherited from the previous government, in line with promises made during the transition of power.

    “This is a continuation of what we have been doing to support families and individuals. We promised the people that we would sustain all people-oriented programmes we met on ground, and this is part of that promise,” he said.

    According to the chairman, beneficiaries purchased whole chickens at a highly subsidised rate of N3,500, with access strictly tied to possession of a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) or evidence of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), to ensure that only bona fide residents of the LCDA benefited.

    “The target is about 2,500 families, ensuring at least one item per household. The PVC requirement helps us confirm that beneficiaries are residents of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA,” Jakande explained.

    He described the process as seamless and transparent, noting that beneficiaries were accredited, had their documents checked, made payment, collected their chickens, and exited within three to five minutes.

    “You can see the orderliness. People lined up responsibly, and the entire process has been efficient and transparent,” he added.

    READ ALSO: Tax reform: Lessons for national health financing

    Vice Chairman of the council,  Oluwaniyi Awodogbon, described the programme as a continuation of an existing ideology started by a former chairman, noting that the current administration had sustained and expanded it.

    “There is no difference between the former chairman and Jakande in terms of this ideology. The LCDA has grown, with the population now over 15,000, and I believe everyone will benefit,” he said,

    A beneficiary, Mrs. Ahmed, while lauding the initiative, prayed for strength for him to continue his work, while another resident said the programme had greatly helped her family.

    “I really benefited. He doesn’t want us to suffer, and I truly appreciate him,” she said.

  • LASRRA hails Olasoju’s support for agencies

    LASRRA hails Olasoju’s support for agencies

    The Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adebayo Olasoju, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA).

    This, he said, is to enhance its operations in Isolo and ensure massive capture of residents’ biodata.

    Olasoju gave this assurance while receiving the General Manager of LASRRA, Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, at his office.

    He reiterated that the council’s sustained support for LASRRA and other state and federal agencies, was in furtherance of his administration’s policy of promoting mutually beneficial inter-governmental relationships for the benefits of residents.

    READ ALSO; Arewa, this has to stop

    He praised the General Manager’s efforts at strengthening ties with local governments and stressed that the importance of residents’ registration for Lagosians could not be overemphasised.

    “Data is central to governance in our contemporary society, and we must commend the Lagos State Government for the foresight behind LASRRA. Just as the National Identification Number (NIN) is essential for all Nigerians, Lagos Identity Card (LAG ID) is equally important to all Lagosians. The benefits attached to it are immense, hence our administration’s continued efforts to mobilise residents to get registered,” Olasoju said.

    Adebiyi-Abiola explained that the visit was aimed at deepening partnership with the council authority to boost LASRRA registration within the LCDA.

    She commended the council chairman for his support for the agency’s activities, noting that LASRRA personnel in Isolo LCDA regularly relayed positive feedback about the council’s conducive work environment.

    The meeting was concluded with an agreement between the council authority and LASRRA to mobilise women, Community Development Committee (CDC) leaders, and other key stakeholders across the LCDA for a sensitisation campaign scheduled for Friday.

  • Council donates vehicles, inaugurates taskforce to combat illegal dumping of refuse

    Council donates vehicles, inaugurates taskforce to combat illegal dumping of refuse

    By Kamorudeen Ummusalamoh and Kowiyat Dada

    Chairman of Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Abiodun Ejigbadero, has donated 15 utility vehicles to security agencies, and community-based associations, in his  bid to “accelerate developments in the council”.

    Ejigbadero, while presenting the vehicles at the council’s Secretariat, described the occasion as another step forward in the council’s developmental journey.

    The event, which featured the inauguration of ‘The Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA Special Task Force on Indiscriminate Dumping of Refuse,’ saw the chairman declaring a war on indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages, road medians and public places with a  fine of N250,000.

    “Our administration will not fold its arms and allow dirt and diseases to take over our local government,” he said.

    He added that awareness jingles in Yoruba and Pidgin English were already airing on radio stations to educate residents on the cleanup campaign, appealing for collective support to promote a healthier environment.

    READ ALSO: Tax reform: Lessons for national health financing

    a urged residents to cooperate by paying their rates and taxes, adding that internally generated revenue remain critical to sustaining development and improving service delivery.

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, while applauding the collaboration between the council and Community Development Associations (CDAs), said the synergy reflected a strong commitment to environmental cleanliness and responsible governance.

    She emphasised the importance of security to economic development, describing the ongoing conversations and initiatives around security in Agbado/Oke-Odo as timely and necessary. She said several infrastructure projects executed within the LCDA would be inspected, with some slated for inauguration.

    She urged the newly inaugurated task force to operate with discipline, planning and commitment to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.

  • APC chieftain donates equipment for e-Registration in 57 councils

    APC chieftain donates equipment for e-Registration in 57 councils

    •Declares interest in governorship race

    A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Samuel Mawuyon Ajose (SMA), has donated donates funds, equipment for the ongoing e-Registration exercise of the party in 57 councils.

    This, he said, was to boost continuous voter registration and strengthen party membership mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Ajose, through his SMA Movement, provided 24 brand-new printers and 44 brand-new tablets to facilitate seamless registration across centres.

    He seized the ooportunity of the exercise to declare interest in contesting the governorship elections on the platform of the party.

    Ajose, an entrepreneur and development advocate from Badagry Division, is seeking the party’s ticket amid renewed calls by stakeholders from the division for the governorship to rotate to Badagry, citing fairness, inclusion, and the area’s historical role in the development of Lagos State.

    According to him, funds had also been released for the training of additional personnel to complement those already deployed by the party.

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    Ajose described himself as a visionary entrepreneur committed to building people, cities, and systems that are sustainable.

    Through the Samuel Mawuyon Ajose Foundation, he has implemented several social intervention programmes, including a quarterly feeding initiative that supports over 1,100 families across Badagry, Ojo, and Ikorodu.

    The beneficiaries include widows, the elderly, low-income households, and other vulnerable persons.

    Ajose said his interest in the governorship is driven by the need to expand access to quality education, empower women, create jobs for young people, and diversify the economy through tourism, small and medium-scale enterprises, and technology.

    He added that leadership should be defined by service and the number of lives positively impacted.

  • Aruwe gifts party member N100,000 for outstanding mobilisation

    Aruwe gifts party member N100,000 for outstanding mobilisation

    The Chairman of Mushin Local Government,  Tunbosun Haruna Aruwe, yesterday convened a strategic stakeholders’ meeting on the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) e-membership registration exercise in the local government.

    The meeting was aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure and accelerating the pace of registration across all wards in Mushin. In recognition of exceptional commitment to the exercise, Aruwe presented a cash reward of N100,000 to Mr. Mutiu Balogun (BMA) for successfully registering 20 new party members.

    The Chairman further announced that the same reward would be extended to any party member who registers 20 new members going forward, as part of efforts to incentivise participation and deepen grassroots engagement.

    Reaffirming his commitment to party growth, Aruwe urged stakeholders to intensify mobilisation, canvassing, and sensitisation of residents, with a view to positioning Mushin Local Government among the leading APC e-membership registrants in Lagos State and across Nigeria.

    The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by key party leaders, including the APC Chairman, Mushin Local Government, party executive members, ward executives, and zonal executives of the APC.

    Addressing participants, Aruwe conveyed resolutions reached at the Lagos West APC stakeholders’ meeting, stressing the importance of party leaders at all levels taking full ownership of the e-membership registration process.

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    He encouraged each executive member to personally facilitate the registration of at least 20 members, assuring that such efforts would be duly rewarded.

    The Chairman also addressed concerns surrounding the National Identification Number (NIN), assuring members that it would not constitute a barrier to registration, as adequate solutions have been put in place. He called on party faithful to remain proactive, committed, and deliberate in their efforts, noting that collective action must be visible and impactful.

    Commending outstanding performance, Hon. Aruwe lauded Balogun of Ward C for emerging as the individual with the highest number of registered members, describing his achievement as a model of dedication, leadership, and party loyalty.

    APC Chairman in Mushin Local Government, Alhaji Rafiu Shitta-Bey, applauded party members for their cooperation and urged them to sustain the momentum to ensure Mushin remains a stronghold of the APC.

  • Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye organises three-day free medical outreach

    Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye organises three-day free medical outreach

    By Aishat Ahmed

    The Chairman of Odi-Olowo LCDA,  Seyi Jakande, has organised a three-day free medical and eye care outreach as part of his administration’s continuous commitment to improving access to healthcare for residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

    The outreach held at Olateju Street, Mushin, was carried out by the council in partnership with Precious Sight Foundation.

    “This is a continuation of the medical outreach we started some weeks ago. Healthcare is very important to us, and this programme is designed to ensure that our people have access to quality medical support.  Some cases may be beyond what we can immediately handle here. Such cases will be referred, and once we have the data, we will follow up through our existing medical partnerships to ensure those patients receive the care they need,” Jakande said.

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    Manager of Precious Sight Foundation, Mr Abdul Aziz Awoniyi, said the foundation partnered with the council to provide free eye care services

    “We discovered that many people here are vulnerable and need free eye care. This is what we do across Nigeria and even outside Lagos. Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye is part of us,” Awoniyi said.

    He said the foundation hopes to attend to over 2,000 people in the coming year through its partnership with the council, with funding support from philanthropists within Nigeria and abroad.

    A beneficiary, Mrs. Mopelola Anomo, expressed gratitude for the free services,

     “This programme is completely free, and I am very grateful. I pray the chairman continues to do more for the people,” she said.