No fewer than 26 suspects have been arrested by men of the state police command for allegedly attacking the palace of the monarch of Oto-Awori community, Oba Josiah Aina.

Police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police (SP) made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

According to Hundeyin, the suspects invaded Oba Aina’s palace on Thursday and attacked most of the guests, leading to the death of a yet-to-be-identified person.

He said that normalcy had been restored in the community.

According to him, 26 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident while one person died during the attack.

He said: “The command is investigating the cause of the attack.”

It was learnt that Oba Aina’s 15th coronation anniversary was ongoing when the suspects, who were armed with weapons, stormed the palace, attacked and robbed residents and guests of their valuables.

The suspects were also alleged to have vandalised property, including vehicles, and burnt some shops within the vicinity.

The Ogun State government has commenced rehabilitation work on the ever-busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The state’s intervention followed the failure of the Federal Government to arrest the degeneration of the road.

The rehabilitation work has been divided into five segments. The first segment takes off from the Tollgate end of the expressway to Singer, which is a distance of 7.5kilometers.

The state Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, explained that the second segment covers Singer to Ifo, the third segment takes off from Ifo to Papalanto, the fourth segment is from Papalanto to Itori, while the last segment will see the rehabilitation work taking off from Itori to the end of the road at the brewery.

Akinsanya, who led a team of journalists, including The Nation on a tour of some ongoing and completed road projects in the state, said that already, the contract for the first segment from the Tollgate to Singer has been awarded and work is already ongoing.

The commissioner noted that the Tollgate to Singer section of the road is the most deplorable, adding that one side of the road has been totally abandoned and can only be plied by heavy-duty trucks.

The Nation observed that another deplorable section of the road is between Papalanto and Itori axis.

Akinsanya noted that the state government could not wait for the Federal Government to repair the road due to its deplorable condition.

The Nation recalls that being a federal road, both the Ogun and Lagos state governments had approached the Federal Government to release the road for them to be repaired. But the request was rejected.

The team also inspected ongoing projects in Ogun West Senatorial District, including Ilaro to Owode Yewa and Atan-Lusada Agbara road.

The Atan-Lusada-Agbara road is 19 kilometres. It has a minimum of two lanes, and a maximum of eight lanes in some areas.

Akinsanya disclosed that, unlike the previous administration, the current road construction in the state is being done with the utmost cost-saving mechanism.

He said that the Atan-Lusada- Agbara road will only have one bridge, with a new two-lane bridge already under construction to complement the existing one and is about 70 percent completed.

“We are doing some rehabilitation on the old bridge by replacing old or damaged parapet, repairing some cracks with epoxy paints,” he explained.

Akinsanya added that the Atan-Lusada-Agbara road is the biggest project currently going on in the state at the moment given the huge cost involved.

He promised the determination of the state government to deliver quality projects that will stand the test of time.

Thousands of bags of foreign rice, petroleum products, frozen poultry products, and vehicles among others with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) ofN311,924,551.92 have been intercepted by men of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The seizure was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller in charge of the Command, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde during a press briefing held at the Idiroko Area Command in the month of July 2022.

Makinde said: “The Command during its intensive and intelligence-based anti-smuggling operations recorded a seizure of 3154 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each (an equivalent of 5trailer loads). This quantity of rice, if allowed into the Nigerian market would have harmed the Federal Government Rice Policy aimed at providing staple food at affordable prices and employment to jobless citizens.”

‘’Other seizures recorded are: 8 units of used vehicles (means of conveyance ), 6 units of used Motorcycles (means of conveyance), 153 Bales and 68 sacks of used clothing.

‘’Others are: 79 sacks of used shoes, 111 cartons and 220 pieces of  foreign wines, 301 pieces of used tyres, 724 Kegs of 25 litres each (18,100 litres)of PMS: 310 cartons of frozen Poultry products,  16 sacks of used bags.

Makinde noted that during the period under review, the Command generated a total sum of Thirteen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy Naira, Zero Kobo

(N13,848,370.00) only from import duty and auction sales of petroleum products (PMS)intercepted during anti-smuggling operations.

He added: “A Lagos State registration no. EKY 971 YE belonging to Dangote group of companies, loaded with 75 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each concealed with 900 bags of Dangote cement was intercepted along Ibeshe road, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, in the early hours of Sunday, 21st August 2022. Another Dangote truck with Kano State registration no. BCH 531 XA loaded with 228 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each concealed with some bags of Dangote cement along Lafenwa, Abeokuta axis, Ogun State.”

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has flagged off the construction of a N212 million drainage/dykes/erosion control project at the Patigi General Hospital in the Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

The project is being funded by the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).

The governor commended the commission for working in partnership with his government in bringing desired succour to the people.

“This feat is highly commendable and you may wish to look into those areas with hydro-electric installations across the State that are being threatened by these adverse environmental factors and work in partnership with our Government in bringing desired succour to the people,” AbdulRazaq said in Patigi during the flag off ceremony.

“Erosions, land degradations, deforestation, et al are among the major environmental issues affecting our State in recent times.

“The issues are caused and accelerated largely due to human factors (ranging from excessive wood logging for commercial purposes, charcoal production and so on) and of course other natural factors like climate change and global warming.”

Represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, the governor disclosed that the administration had intervened in different environmental management activities to safeguard the environment.

“Interventions such as tree planting campaign – for afforestation would be highly recommended as it would break heavy wind and reduce heavy flows of water during precipitations that wash away the soils and leading to gully erosions,” AbdulRazaq said.

HYPPADEC’s Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa, revealed that the commissioner had expended a sum of N1.3 billion on its ongoing fertilizer subsidy scheme in communities of Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Benue, Kebbi, and Plateau states.

Yelwa added that HYPPADEC was basically established to address ecological and other socio-economic challenges of the affected states.

He said that in “line with this objective, the commission has, within the less than two years of its operation (15th January, 2021-Date), recorded numerous achievements.”

No fewer than 250 aged Osun citizens and widows have been supported by the wife of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola with food and clothing items.

Speaking during the support programme held at St. Peter’s primary school Iragbijii the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun, the governor’s wife, Kafayat Oyetola, said: “The intervention support for 250 elders and widows is targeted at having a direct interface with them in the State.”

She added that the support through the Ilerioluwa Development Initiative has been moving around local government areas of the state, stating that thousands of citizens of the state have benefited from the programme.

“Since the commencement of this administration, this initiative has constantly made the care and succor for aged women a priority”

She also advised that care for the aged in the rural suburban communities should step up by stakeholders to ensure a better life for aged people.

She, therefore, pleaded with the aged population to re-intensify the roles played in years past by molding the attitude of our young ones.

Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta has dismissed a suit by a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Mr. Biyi Otegbeye, challenging the emergence of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections.

According to a statement by the state’s ministry of information, the matter came up on August 24, 2022, for a hearing of the preliminary objections and the originating summons.

The plaintiff was represented by Mr. Wale Taiwo SAN and Professor Yemi Oke.

The first defendant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was represented by Damilola Akinduro, while Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN and Tunde Ahmed Adejumo represented the APC as the second defendant, and  Professor Taiwo Osipitan represented Prince Dapo Abiodun.

When the matter was called, counsel to the Plaintiff informed the Court that they had filed a motion for discontinuance of the suit as the applicant, Otegbeye, intended to pursue his remedy elsewhere.

Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN informed the Court that the defendants were not opposed to the motion for discontinuance of the suit. He however urged the Court to dismiss the suit and award cost to the defendants rather than striking out the matter.

The court agreed with the Counsel and dismissed the suit. It awarded a cost of N100, 000 against the plaintiff.

A coalition of young individuals, ‘Team TW4Sanwo’ (Thinkers and Workers for Sanwo-Olu) championing the re-election of Lagos Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-olu has donated sundry food items to the elderly people in Ogba and its environs.

During the outreach that attracted men and women of aged 60 years and above, the group said the initiative was to support the Governor’s objective of feeding all Lagosians.

It pleaded for their prayers and support for Sanwo-Olu.

One of the beneficiaries , Pa. Gbolahan Opere, described the initiative as a commendable move and prayed for the group.

According to him, groups like these always concentrate on youths, believing that the senior citizens can’t have much impact during elections.

He praised the group for having the perspectives to court the elderly, saying it deserves encouragement.

He said Lagos elders are proud of the Governor, reiterating their support and prayers for him.

Another beneficiary, Madam Regina Cole, thanked the team and reassured it of their commitment to Sanwoolu’s reelection.

The group (Thinkers and Workers for Sanwoolu) was led to the event by its coordinator, Mr. Victor Ganzallo and other members, including Mr. Seyi Ogunfowote, Mr. Rahman Nurudeen, Mr. Ademola Akinyode, Mr. Ibrahim Raji, Mr. Sunmibola Aluko, Mr. Olawale Longe, Mr. Damilola Oladoyinbo and Mr. Tope Lawal.

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The co-coordinator of the group, Mr. Kayode Alfred, said the exercise was born out of pure love and passion for the governance style of Sanwo-Olu and also a means of spreading the good news of his administration amongst Lagos traders.

Weeks ago, the dynamic group visit selected Lagos markets to distribute hundreds of branded aprons to traders as a show of love and support for the Governor.

The group, Team TW4Sanwo was inaugurated with the objective to think and work towards the re-election of Governor Sanwoolu, the group described him as a performing governor who deserves the support of all and sundry, in order for him to consolidate on the good job he is doing in the State.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Mayaki has joined other well-wishers to celebrate with Chief of Staff to the Lagos Governor, Tayo Ayinde on his birthday anniversary.

In his felicitation message, Mayaki, who was the Chairman of the Media Campaign Council for the Edo 2020 Governorship election, described Ayinde as a rare breed and an enigmatic administrator.

He said: “I join all well-meaning friends and family members both in Lagos and abroad to wish Mr Tayo Ayinde a colourful birthday.

“The amiable Chief of Staff to the hardworking Lagos State Governor has displayed professionalism in discharging his duties”, adding that “It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts being a rare bred and an enigmatic administrator.

Read Also: Tayo Ayinde celebrates 58th birthday

“Mr. Tayo Ayinde is indeed a tireless teammate, a committed ally, a tactical progressive politician and a dutiful Chief of Staff whose inestimable contribution and role towards the birth of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is commendable.

“As you consummate another circle in the journey of your life, those of us who are your admirers in Edo State wish you many more thriving, prosperous, flourishing, triumphant and fruitful years ahead.”

“Sir, while celebrating you on this birth anniversary of yours, I equally want to appreciate your laudable contributions, commitments and commendable dedication to the realization of the lofty ideas and developmental agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

“In your efforts to drive the dream of a greater Lagos with the governor, we pray that the Good Lord grant you long life, sound health, needed wisdom and intelligence to positively contribute your best towards taking Lagos State to greater heights.”

Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Muibi Alade Folawiyo, has hosted the third edition of community marketing.

It held at the LCDA with foodstuff going for half the market price.

It follows the success of the second edition which took place in April.

At the latest edition, food items like a ‘derica’ (0.8kg) of rice was sold for N300, noodles pack for N2000, garri for N300 and cow meat for N5,000.

A crate of egg, 1.5 litres of groundnut oil, 1.5 litres of palm oil, and yam were sold at N1000 respectively.

Soup ingredients like pepper, tomatoes, and onions were available for free.

Residents, young and old, thronged the event which started from 10 am to 4pm.

The council boss expressed delight residents embraced the initiative and requested for its sustainability.

Folawiyo said: “Like I said during the first and second editions, my administration has decided that this will not be a one-off event, but a continuous exercise.

“This is how to alleviate the pang of hunger of the people in my council.

“I thank my constituents for their support, prayers, understanding and cooperation.”