The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Demolition: Lagos, council warn traders, others to leave rail tracks

    Demolition: Lagos, council warn traders, others to leave rail tracks

    The Lagos State Government and Agege Local Government have warned beggars and traders on the rail tracks along Agege corridor to vacate the area.

    The warning came as the council held an enlarged stakeholders meeting on Sunday with some community members, ahead of planned demolition of illegal structures.

    Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, the Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pension, at the meeting, said information had been received on various criminal activities being carried out along the rail corridor.

    He said shanties were harbouring criminals who attack passers by and residents at night.

    “Government has invested a lot of money on the rail project and we don’t want anybody to sabotage and deface the infrastructure.

    ”That is why we are educating and warning the people involved to vacate the area before enforcement begins,” he said.

    The commissioner appealed to the community and market leaders to enlighten the residents and traders to shun trading on the railway lines to avoid being arrested.

    According to him, the joint enforcement will soon begin and anybody arrested will face the wrath of the law.

    Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, said he had been at the rail corridor to sensitise residents on proper sanitation and need to avoid the rail track for trading.

    Obasa, who was represented by Mr. Jubreel AbdulKareem, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Agege II, said government would come with full force to demolish shanties after the stakeholders meeting.

    “We need to understand the reason government is doing this enforcement, it is for our safety and for our benefit.

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    “The railway is for the benefit of the people, not for trading, and the bridges are not meant for begging and for commercial purposes.”

    Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, Chairman of Agege Local Government, earlier in his speech, said that enforcing and holding people accountable for their actions would now be the priority of the government on the railway line.

    “Our main focus is to provide health environment for everyone, to protect the infrastructure and resources and to provide security and dignity of the residents,” he said.

    The council chairman said the local government was committed to partnering the state to bring out the aesthetic value of the environment by greening the railway corridors.

    Mr. Aliyu Zango, the Mogaji Gai of Agege, in his remarks, thanked the state and local government for the warning.

    He said his members would be informed about the government plan.

    Zango said his community members had been warned about illegal shelters and trading on the rail line.

    “We have warned our people to vacate the shanties so as to avoid being arrested by the police.

    “We will also inform those who are involved in trading on the rail line to desist for safety purposes,” Zango said.

  • Kosofe begins sinking of 20 boreholes

    Kosofe begins sinking of 20 boreholes

    The Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, in Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Ogunlewe, has said the sinking of 20 boreholes in seven wards of the council, to address water shortage, has begun.

    This is contained in a statement by the Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Mr. Oluwole Obisanya.

    Ogunlewe explained that the first phase of the project would cover 10 boreholes across the local government area.

    The council boss further said the project was in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) six: ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.

    “The specific locations of the first 10 boreholes include Olayiwola Owoiya/Ikuomola Close Junction, Oworonsoki (Ward A); Miyaki Street/ Odugbemi Street, Opposite Idera Mosque (Ward B); Ayodele Okeowo Road/ Kristabel Junction, Ifako (Ward C); Diya Street by Ifako Roundabout, Ifako (Ward C).

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    “Others are Olorunlogbon Street, Anthony (Ward D); Aminu Street, Mende (Ward E);

    Adeshiyan Street/Biola Fadayomi Junction, behind Total filling station, Ojota (Ward F); Gbadebo Street, Ojota (Ward F); Adebare Street, Ogudu (Ward G) and Eyiaro Street , Ogudu (Ward G),” he said.

    Ogunlewe also said the boreholes were part of the council’s positive developmental projects, for Kosofe residents.

    “The boreholes will provide much-needed relief and improve the overall well-being of the people,” he said.

  • Ibeju-Lekki sets up cassava plantation to boost revenue

    Ibeju-Lekki sets up cassava plantation to boost revenue

    The Ibeju-lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State has embarked on the establishment of cassava plantations to boost revenue earnings, its Chairman, Sesan Olowa has said.

    Olowa disclosed this while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki.

    He said the transformative initiative was to boost agricultural produce within the area and to raise more revenue.

    He added that the initiatives were aimed at delivering the dividends of democracy and enhancing development in the area.

    “The establishment of cassava plantation will boost revenue, agricultural sector and also create employment,” he said.

    Olowa said the initiative was in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and the Ibeju Lekki Local Government.

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    “The alliance is to establish massive cassava plantation hubs in Ibeju Lekki through a new Out-Grower Scheme, which is set to revolutionise agricultural practices and boost economic opportunities for farmers in the region.

    “The Out-Grower Scheme is designed to organise artisanal farmers into clusters for cassava cultivation.”

    “The scheme promises a range of support measures, including land clearing, the provision of seedlings, access to credit finance, and marketing assistance.

    “This collaboration signifies a significant step towards increased agricultural productivity and prosperity for the local community,” he said.

    He said the plantations was a leap towards agricultural modernisation and economic empowerment for farmers in the area.

  • Council solicits CDA’s cooperation against street trading

    Council solicits CDA’s cooperation against street trading

    Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Idowu Senbanjo, has urged community leaders to desist from aiding residents in street trading.

    She said the role of community leaders is crucial in maintaining order and upholding government regulations.

    Senbanjo made this remark during a two-day Leadership Training for the leadership of Community Development Associations (CDAs) at the council secretariat.

    According to her, “street trading poses significant challenges to our community. It’s time for us to take action and clear our streets for the betterment of all.”

    The council boss also stressed the need for community leaders to report issues and cooperate with law enforcement agency.

    “You are the eyes and ears of our government, we must work together to ensure compliance with regulations,” she stated.

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    Senbanjo expressed concern over the persistence of street trading despite government’s directives.

    “We’ve seen the impact of street trading on our community’s safety and reputation, It’s time for us to enforce the law and protect our citizens,” she noted.

    She, however, urged community leaders to monitor ongoing projects and provide feedback to the government, while adding that there is need to keep a close watch on road construction and other developmental projects to address challenges and foster collective progress.

    “Let’s work together to make Apapa safer and more prosperous for all. Our collective efforts will lead to a brighter future for our community,” she added.

  • Kingship tussle: Epe community seeks Sanwo-Olu’s intervention

    Kingship tussle: Epe community seeks Sanwo-Olu’s intervention

    The residents of Odo Ragunshin in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos are seeking the intervention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the kingship tussle.

    They said it could lead to mayhem if not urgently resolved.

    Odo Ragunshin is an ancient town in Epe area of Lagos with a close boundary with Ogun State.

    The ancient town has been in crisis over a successor to their monarch, Oba Julius Olagoke Ogunsanya, who passed on nine years ago.

    Efforts by the kingmakers to install a monarch has been truncated by vested powers which the chiefs kicked against, saying no one should impose king on them.

    In the race for the kingship are three contestants – Prince Adetomiwa Odutuga, Oreshile Oluwashina and Yusuf Seasan. Of the three contestants, all the chieftainency title holders preferred Prince Odutuga.

    According to investigations, during the era of Oba Ogunsanya, the community witnessed development.

    This, they said, has been eroded.

    The chiefs said though there is a Lisa (Regent) who oversees the affairs of the community, but he has not been able to integrate interests and galvanize support that would bring bring desired development to the community.

    Odo Ragunshin is the home of the former Governor of Lagos state, the late Chief Micheal Otedola whose wife still lives in the town till date.

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    At a briefing, the chiefs accused widow of a prominent son of the town of trying to impose a candidate who is not popular on them.

    According to them, the community has been in a perpetual darkness for years due to faulty transformer but the said imposed candidate do nothing to it.

    They said Odutuga intervened within a week and supplied them with two new transformers.

    According to them, it is against their tradition that a woman who was married into the community to imposed or even have a say in who becomes their king.

  • Residents decry non-implementation of free antenatal, delivery services

    Residents decry non-implementation of free antenatal, delivery services

    Some residents of Lagos have decried the non-implementation of the state government’s free antenatal and child delivery services at some General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state.

     The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

     NAN reports that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had, during a media chat on February 22, announced sweeping interventions which the state would be implementing in order to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship on its citizens.

    On health, Sanwo-Olu reintroduced free child delivery programme for expectant mothers in all the state-owned General Hospitals and special maternity centres.

    According to the governor, the state government will take up the cost of the child delivery, including caesarean section.

    It would also reduce the cost of some certain drugs, such as hypertension medication.

    The residents said that the free antenatal and child delivery services was a lip-service, stressing that the hospitals charged for every service rendered.

    Mrs. Funmilayo Olatunji, a trader who delivered at Ikorodu Health Centre, Ita-Elewa, said that delivery wasn’t free at the centre.

    “I had normal delivery at the centre in February 2024. We paid N8,000 for child delivery fees, N10,500 for vaginal tear, and a cartoon of Maltina.

     “I’m surprised to hear that the child delivery service was meant to be free at government facilities because the reverse was my experience,” she said.

     Similarly, Mr Michael Adebiyi, whose wife delivered at Ikorodu General Hospital, Ebute, said he spent over N250,000 for caesarean section delivery and consumables at the hospital.

     “My wife gave birth in February, and we paid for everything needed for the delivery from blood to caesarean section charges.

    “Nothing was free; in fact, I’m still owing some people because I had to run around to source for the money.

    “I was happy when I heard last year that expectant mothers would enjoy free child delivery services at government health facilities as part of relief measures to ease economic burden on families.

    “The government should put mechanism in place to ensure that policies made truly impact on the lives of citizens,” he said.

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    Also, Mrs Stella Nwosu, a hairstylist, said that she switched to a trado-medical centre for antenatal and child delivery due to the high service charges.

    “Sometimes in September, I went to Amuwo-Odofin General Hospital to register for antenatal service and was told to pay N30,000.

    “We couldn’t afford it because every child care item is expensive and to feed is even a challenge. My mother-in-law took me to a traditional birth attendant, and I delivered my baby there,” she said.

    A healthcare worker, who pleaded anonymity, said many pregnant women paid out-of-pocket for antenatal and delivery services at many government-owned facilities.

     She opined that the programme required improved planning, compliance monitoring, and management for sustainability.

     The healthcare worker noted that the economic situation of the country, which led to increased cost of products, especially medicines and healthcare services, would worsen the plight of couples with unplanned pregnancy.

     She advised couples to take smart decisions, stressing that child care was a lifelong socio-economic experience that extends beyond access to free antenatal and child delivery services.

     NAN reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also in 2023, during the state’s Security Council meeting on July 31, 2023, had directed General Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres to offer free antenatal care and child delivery services.

     This is part of relief measures to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal.

  • N20m intervention fund for 1,000 Bariga residents 

    N20m intervention fund for 1,000 Bariga residents 

    The Chairman, Bariga Local Council, Kolade Alabi, on Monday, disbursed N20 million intervention fund aimed at assisting residents in coping with the high cost of living.

    A 16-man committee led by Segun Adesanya selected about 1000 beneficiaries across the  wards to benefit from the intervention scheme.

    The event had in attendance: Vice Chairman Bariga Local Council, Zainot Adeola Kuponiyi, Leader of Bariga Legislative Arm Temitope Okanlawon, Council Manager Mrs Balogun and other council officials.

    Adesanya explained that 125 beneficiaries across eight wards in Bariga were selected to benefit from the intervention.

    He said: “We selected 1,000 beneficiaries to receive N20,000 each as an intervention to alleviate the hardship faced by our people. We identified 125 beneficiaries per ward.

    “The Bariga Intervention Programme stands as a testament to the council’s commitment to supporting its residents during challenging times,” he said.

     Alabi said: “This gathering is not a political gathering. It is devoid of the usual political songs, but this is a gathering of Bariga people. I give kudos to the committee members, for  a well organised project like this.

    “After this cash intervention, we are going to roll out yet another phase, the beneficiaries will also be brought to this same arena for the second phase. We are going to create a subsidised food market across the eight Wards in the LCDA, where food will be sold to Barigans at a subsidised amount.

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    “There will be Health intervention Scheme for expectant women in Bariga, we are going to pay for their deliveries. We also have in the pipeline a health program tagged “Ilera Bariga” for 1000 people, they will be given a card to visit any hospital for free.

    “We are going to commence a daily food intervention across Bariga, local vendors will be selected, they would be mobilized to cater for 1000 people daily.

    “We are planning educational intervention in our 30 Primary Schools across Bariga, we are going to provide exercise books to the indigent students to support their parents.”

    The beneficiaries were full of praises. In their separate reactions, they appreciated Alabi for his sustained efforts at alleviating the sufferings of the masses.

    A resident, Mrs. Toyin Abegunde, lauded the council for inaugurating the Bariga Intervention Committee, describing it as a step in the right direction.

  • Council hails philanthropist over market inauguration

    Council hails philanthropist over market inauguration

    • By Ummusalamoh Kamorudeen

    Chairman of Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area Comrade Lasisi Akinsanya has hailed a philanthropist, Dr. Olusoga Adesanya for inaugurating a commodity market in Fagbile community in Alimosho.

    Akinsaya described the project as laudable, urging other Nigerians to emulate the kind gesture of the facilitator in complementing the effort of government to making the country habitable for all.

    Adesanya, who is the founder of Sola-Funmi Market, Fagbile, said the market would aid access to affordable and quality goods and services within rural communities.

    According to him, the market will reposition the community as it lacks basic amenities that can foster development of Fagbile Estate community as well as serves as his Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    Represented by his wife, Oluwatofunmi, Adesanya said the market comprised 44 lock up shops and 66 open shops.

    He said efforts were ongoing on the construction of a primary health centre to complement efforts of the government in providing healthcare services across the state.

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    He stressed that the market was named after his parents, Olusola and Funmilayo, as a way of appreciating their efforts on community development.

    He urged government to provide good road network and drainage that would make the community a choice of location to all.

    Leader of the market Mrs. Olawatosin Opebiyi thanked God for making the project  successful.

    She said a befitting market was one of the challenges facing residents of the community as they had to travel miles before accessing a commodity market.

    Mrs. Opebiyi noted that the shops would be duly allocated soon. She implored traders in the market to be safety compliance and abide by the environmental laws.

    Alhaji Jeleel Opebiyi was announced Baba Oja, while Alhaja Latifatu Olajuwon is Iya Oja of Fagbile Market.

  • Oriade makes case for peace in warring Ibeshe communities

    Oriade makes case for peace in warring Ibeshe communities

    The Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Alhaja Ramotalai Akinlola-Hassan, has appealed to warring factions in Ibeshe to embrace peace and allow the government to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

    Reports had it that a clash broke out between the indigenous people (mainly youths) of Ibeshe and residents of Ibeshe Sea Beach last Monday over an alleged refusal of some residents of Sea Beach to obtain permission from the traditional ruler of the community.

    This, they said, is in accordance with the traditional rites according to the Ovori of Ibeshe, Oba Alani Gausu, before the interment of a corpse in their settlement.

    It was learnt that some youths from Ibeshe main town attacked the residents, looted properties, shops and also razed many houses.

    The youths were said to have vandalised Ibeshe Police Station and two persons hit by stray bullets from security forces died.

    Addressing residents of Ibeshe Sea Beach, while on a sympathy visit to the community on Friday, Akinlola-Hassan, who was accompanied on the visit by political and community leaders in Oriade, as well as security personnel from Area ‘L’ Command, Ibeshe and Ilashe Police Divisions, condoled with the people over the loss of their properties and assured them that the government would do everything to ensure that such needless crisis did not occur again in the community.

    “I am not here as an indigene of Ibeshe, but as the Chief Security Officer and Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, to sympathise with you and ensure that total peace is restored in your community,” she said.

    While appealing to the people, most especially, youths, to refrain from any reprisal attack and maintain peace, Akinlola-Hassan said a report about the incident had already been submitted to the Lagos State Government, and, by next week, a peace meeting would be held at the council secretariat, where 12 representatives of each community would be invited to a roundtable discussion, to resolve the crisis in the interest of peace.

    The council boss added that as part of government efforts to give immediate relief to the people over the loss of their properties and businesses, the council would make available 300 pieces of Ankara fabrics to be distributed among the people who have lost all their properties, including their clothes to the crisis.

    She also told them that the local government would give N300,000 each to women, youths and the elderly as temporary relief.

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    Akinlola-Hassan added that government would work out plans on how to provide adequate relief package for all the affected people.

    A former member of the House Of Representatives, Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency, Ganiyu Olukolu, a former Chairman of Ojo Local Government in the Second Republic, Chief Isiaka Ajakaye, and Oriade Council Manager Semiu Akitoye also addressed residents of Ibeshe Sea beach during the visit. They echoed the council chairman’s appeal for peace, reminding them that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that the people can live happily and go about their day-to-day business.

    The Chairman of Sea Beach Ibeshe Community Development Association (CDA), Francis Gbemu, who spoke on behalf of the community, pleaded with the people, especially the youths, to sheath their swords and allow the government and the security agencies to resolve the crisis.

    Oba Gausu condemned the violent clash in its entirety, adding that the two communities had been living peacefully together for many years, and the crisis was an avoidable one.

    He commended the council boss and the security agencies for their prompt intervention that prevented the crisis from degenerating further.

  • Surulere slashes prices of food items by 50%

    Surulere slashes prices of food items by 50%

    Thousands of residents of Surulere and its environs thronged Surulere Local Government, in Lagos, to buy foodstuff.

    The council Chairman, Sulaiman Yusuf, had earlier announced the slashing of food items’ prices by 50 per cent for the residents.

    The gesture, he said, was to reduce the effect of inflation on the people.

    Tagged Surulere Market Fair, some of the food items sold were garri, foreign and local rice, beans, grandnut oil, palm oil, eggs, noodles, pepper of all kinds, and yam.

    Yusuf said many people at the grassroots were affected after the removal of fuel subsidy and slashing food prices is a way of supporting the people.

    He also said the other half of the cost of the commodities will be paid by the local government.

    “We’re giving out 50 per cent reduction. Whatever cost of the commodity, 50 per cent of it will be paid by the local government. When we look at it, foreign rice is sold for N18,000 for 10kg, we’re selling it for N9,000, local government will pay the rest. The same goes for other commodities,” he said.

    He added that being the first edition of this programme, the turnout was massive and that he didn’t expect he would see such amount of people.

    “This is the first edition of the programme. We’ve learnt a lot from this, by the next edition, we would plan better. We would’ve arranged everything at night so when people start coming in, they would buy and leave.

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    “I did not even expect this turn out, it is massive; we can all see that truly there is hunger in the land, but we believe that we will do our best to ameliorate it,” Yusuf said.

    He urged Nigerians to remain calm; assuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would right the wrong of the past.

    Some of the beneficiaries commended the council boss for this gesture.

    One of the beneficiaries, Ade Kunle, said the programme was well organised.

    “The products were splashed by 50 per cent and it was very affordable. It was well coordinated. Individuals were allowed to initially buy more than two items, but when the crowd expanded in number, they were allowed to buy just two items so as to ensure that items be enough for everyone to purchase,” he said.

    Another beneficiary, Alhaja Modupe Ola, said that it was a well thought out initiative. She appealed to the council boss to make such gesture a weekly activity.

    According to her, a lot of people are feeling the impact of subsidy removal, hence, the need for local governments across the federation to regularly come up with intervention programs such as this.

    She said the council should also increase the number of food items.