The Chairman, Badagry Local Government in Lagos State, Mr Olusegun Onilude, has presented eight Toyota Highlander Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to traditional rulers in the council.
He said it was in fulfilment of the promise made by him when he assumed office about seven years ago.
Onilude said this was in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to fostering cordial working relationship with monarchs as custodians of culture.
The chairman urged the royal fathers to support the party’s candidates during the local government election next year.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Aholu of Ajido kingdom, Aholu Saheed Adamson, said the chairman had brought developmental projects to the town.
He thanked Onilude for fulfilling his promise.
The Manager, Badagry Local Government, Mrs Abosede Olusanya, said she was happy to see Badagry traditional rulers col
The lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bonu Solomon, has expressed confidence that his entrepreneurship summit would create more millionaires within two years.
He shared this vision at the inaugural Bonu Empowerment Initiative, titled the Badagry Entrepreneurship Summit, which he organised to empower local residents.
Solomon highlighted that the initiative aims to offer young graduates valuable opportunities in entrepreneurship, encouraging them to pursue profitable ventures beyond traditional civil service roles.
”I thought that the pressure on civil service is high, everybody wants to work with the government and the government has deem fit to create an opportunity for people to tap into not being a civil servant.
“But unfortunately, the people are not looking into it and it is all about information so what we need to do is to bring the information down here for them.
“The initiative engage youths in agricultural sector and other profitable sectors of the economic.
“It will also provide opportunity for them to tap into the grant that Lagos State state and Federal Government is giving out,” he said.
The lawmaker said that after training them in the area of the agricultural sector, the beneficiaries of the summit would have opportunities to collect loan from Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).
He said that he had invited the officials of LSETF and that of Bank of Industry to the summit so that they can have access to loan after the training.
“My intention is that in the next two years, I want to see millionaires coming up from this initiative.
“I want to see young graduates standing on their own, not looking for work that is not available.
“I am happy to tell that when roll out forms for the initiative, over 1,000 youths applied and we have to shut it down because we dont have enough space for them.
“We have decided to take next step when we are successful with this first edition,” he said.
The lawmaker urged the beneficiaries of the initiative to make good use the loan they will collect after the training.
“If we train you and give you the opportunity, it is not a medium that you now collect the loan, don’t spend it extravagantly,” he said.
Mrs Serifat Balogun, a Director in LSETF said the purpose of the LSESF was to empower youths jobs and give them access to affordable training and have access to market after training.
She said LSETF would then give you a loan to start a business.
“The process is very easy, you just have to bring your LASRA, lagos state residency to know your address and also your BVN that is all, every other thing is minimal.
“You can receive loan as high as from N1m to N5m once it has been confirmed and your account statement has been looked into.
“The people we give loans to are people that undergo our trainings so they are well known by us we know the type of things they can do, their ideas and the amount needed to successfully run the business,” she said.
She urged the beneficiaries of the initiative to learn and know their trades, adding that once you know it, you know it.
Dr Sewhude Akande, the Publisher, Citymood Magazine said the initiative reduced unemployment among the youths in Badagry.
He said that he would counsel the beneficiaries on how to navigate the business challenges especially in a place like this, how to develop their business ideas.
Comrade David Aladeotan, the Vice-Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Lagos West, said the initiative is a right one in the right direction.
“Currently, we all remembered that there was a food crisis in the country and stakeholders have begun to look at how can we solve this problem.
“Some of us have continue to engage ourselves and continue to inform stakeholders that we need more people to go back into farming and not just that but also encourage small scale businesses.
“We need to train them on how they can actually tap opportunity so when I saw this programme I was very happy and impressed because it is actually going to solve a lot of problems for young people who are ready to change their status,” he said.
The organisers of the Badagry to the World Concert 2024 has announced the date for this year’s event.
The event which holds as the inaugural edition, will bring together music, culture, and community pride on December 22nd, 2024, at Eddies Event Centre, located along Agric Road, near Gbenopo Primary School in Ajara Topa-Badagry.
With the backing of music enthusiasts and cultural aficionados alike, the concert promises an immersive journey through the rhythms, flavors, and stories of Badagry.
This concert is not just about music; it’s a grand homage to the cultural richness and historical heritage of the Badagry Kingdom, showcasing Nigeria’s diverse artistic landscape. Audiences can expect an electrifying lineup featuring both established and rising artists, offering sounds that resonate across genres, and bridging the old with the new.
Complementing the musical performances, the event will feature cultural displays, traditional performances, and unique vendor stalls offering local cuisine and handmade crafts. For artists, sponsors, and community members alike, the concert will provide a space for connection, inspiration, and collaboration.
At the helm of this landmark event is Babalola Kareem Babatunde better known as Scope The Entertainer, a celebrated Nigerian musician and proud son of the Badagry Kingdom. Speaking about the inspiration behind this initiative, he shares, “Badagry is a kingdom rich in history, heritage, and culture, and I believe it deserves a platform to shine on the global stage.
The Badagry to the World Concert is not just a music event; it’s a celebration of our identity, our stories, and our future.” His vision is clear: to bring the treasures of Badagry’s culture into the national spotlight, fostering pride among locals while enchanting a wider audience.
Scope-the-Entertainer and his team are calling on both private and public sectors to join in making this event a success through sponsorship. Partners will gain exposure to a diverse and engaged audience while supporting a project dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric of Badagry. With a range of sponsorship packages, businesses of all sizes have an opportunity to be part of an event that promises not only visibility but also the chance to give back to the community.
The Badagry to the World Concert 2024 is poised to be an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. It’s more than just a concert; it’s a gathering of spirit, culture, and community, reflecting the beauty of Badagry and the strength of its people. As the countdown begins, the people of Badagry invite you to join them in this one-of-a-kind celebration of music, heritage, and unity.
The Badagry Divisional Football Association BDFA has officially confirmed a huge partnership with Seyi Olofinjana the Ex-super Eagles player and FIFA License Club Scout who is presently the official scout for the English Premier League topside, Chelsea Football Club of England.
Olofinjana, who is the lead scout for Chelsea football club for African players, just rounded up a meeting with the Badagry Divisional Football Association chairman, Dr. Osondu Martins Ibegbu in the early hours of today.
According to the BDFA boss, they are very excited about this partnership and they hope it brings the desired impact envisaged by the association.
“We have just sealed a partnership deal with Seyi Olofinjana,” begins the Badagry Divisional Football Association chairman. “This is a landmark achievement and we are very excited about this.
“We hope that this ground – breaking partnership will propel the kind of development envisioned by this association,” he concluded.
The former Wolves player will storm the Badagry Division with scouts from Chelsea football club, Hull City and other top club scouts in October.
Meanwhile, the Badagry Divisional Football Association BDFA has promised to make this program free for all football clubs in its jurisdiction to give their players a chance to show the world the talent in them.
Olofinjana is also the CEO of The Imperial FC and other top sports Agencies.
The road was part of the 114 Roads to be completed across the state.
Chairman of the council Joseph Gbenu, said the exercise was in line with the Lagos State government’s development plan to make state a smart city.
Gbenu emphasised the significance of the road to the community of Boglo and its environ.
He acknowledged Salvation Army Primary School on the road as a pivot to the educational development and advancement of many notable indigenes of the Badagry West LCDA, including himself.
He said: “I truly appreciate the Almighty God and especially the sellable Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approving the construction of the Salvation Army Road, because it is the only ward in the LCDA that is yet to benefit from such a major road project. I congratulate the people of Boglo community and charge them to cooperate with the government and contractors handling the road projects, to ensure the project is delivered successfully.”
Onilude urged civil servants and youths to cultivate the habit of farming.
“Everyone should be involved in farming, if you have a small backyard, look for sacks or plastic and plant some things that you needed.
“This will make one to eat well. So, everyone should farm, you don’t need a plot of land for you to farm.
“There is a need for all to collectively embrace farming including the civil servants and our youths,” he said.
The chairman said the council would embark on a massive development of 4.93 hectares of land for cultivation during this current farming season and after.
Onilude added that the council would start its food discount market programme in a few weeks, where the council would subsidy 25 per cent all food items.
Mr Taiwo Towolabani, the Supervisor for Agriculture and Youths Development, urged the farmers to utilise the items judiciously and warned them against selling the materials.
Towolabani commended the council chairman for boosting farm produce in the council with his kind gesture.
Mr Tunde Hunpatin, the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Badagry Zone, said his members would make good use of the poultry feeds given by the council.
The move forms part of her yearly outreach programmes to residents of Imeke Kingdom in Olorunda Local Council Development Area in Badagry, Lagos.
Fafowora-Ogabi is the wife of the Ajagun of Imeke Kingdom, Oba Abraham Olatunji Ogabi, who was also on hand to assist his wife at the presentation that took place within the premises of the school.
Apart from the traditional ruler, prominent other personalities in the town as well as head teacher and other staff members of the school were on ground to receive the items donated to the school, which include cardboards and furnishing materials.
Olori Fafowora-Ogabi stated that the gesture, which is an annual event, is aimed at promoting school enrolment and attendance in the town, saying: “It is a gesture on my part to ensure that children in schools in Imeke Kingdom are boosted and encouraged.”
The donor urged Nigerians not to see the development of the education sector as solely for the government but as valued stakeholders by offering necessary interventions such as donating needed items from time to time to schools.
She stated that education has become a project that must be encouraged by well-meaning Nigerians who desire a prosperous future for the society.
“Education must be a priority to all well-meaning stakeholders in any given society. It is not to be toyed with and that is why I am doing my best within my limit to intervene from time to time by donating items that are needed for the sustenance of the sector in Imeke Kingdom where my darling husband is the Kabiyesi,” she said.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Head Teacher, Mrs. Olufunke Fatoki, thanked the donor. She called on well-meaning residents of the area to donate to educational institutions close to them.
Fatoki praised the donor, saying: “We are happy that you are here again this year as you have always done.
We thank you for these donations and you can see that the children are happy. They are saying thank you for putting smiles on their faces.
Should the winner of 2023/2024 Most Beautiful Girl in Badagry (MBGB), Lagos be a graduate, a job opportunity awaits her at Wema Bank Plc, the founder/CEO of Sharonmmo Entertainment, the organisers, Mrs Chinyere Obiora Mmobuosi, has said.
The first and second runners-up will receive cash prizes and a tour around the tourism town of Badagry.
The sale of form is now closed. The founder is the initiator of the first ever Miss Teen Beauty pageant organised on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharonmmo Entertainment supports the winners with pet projects.
Mmobuosi said: “As it has been the custom of Sharonmmo Entertainment, every year we try to look out for a young lady that will stand out in terms of beauty and intelligence in Badagry
“We target to promote Badagry tourism and culture and value to all Nigerians and the world in general through beauty contest.
“Our target is not just a good looking girl, but a modest and intelligent girl , one who will serve as a role model for other girls in Badagry, Nigeria and world over.
“Badagry is blessed with tourist sites, rich cultural values, the people are well behaved and their women are known for their revered cultural norms and values.
“Therefore whoever emerges winner, irrespective of where the person comes will represent the rich Badagry cultural heritage, of course the winner must be beautiful, with good knowledge of Badagry cultures, smart and intelligent,” she said.
The grand finale for this year’s contest is slated for December 30 and will hold at the Elite Hall, Ajara-Tapa Badagry.
Vendors planning to showcase their cultural works in art, fashion and food are welcomed to be part of the experience, Mrs Mmobuosi said.
Sponsors for this 2023/2024 pageant edition include, Wema Bank, Badagry Local Government, Solar K, Fatoma Hotel, O2 hi lander(oxygen bar) and Zeem Bread.
The Internally Generated Revenue source of the Badagry Local Government received a boost during the week with the commissioning of the 30-shop Onilude Shopping Plaza at Agbalata International Market in Badagry.
Chairman of the council, Hon. Olusegun Onilude said the commissioning of the plaza named after him was another milestone in the face-changing of the Agbalata International Market, and IGR points of the council.
According to him, “We have done a lot of constructions in the market but even at that, we are not satisfied with the shape the market is taking. The initiator of this one came up with a unique model that could compete favourably with any shopping model in Nigeria hence its adoption. This model makes the market neater and movement easier. I am particularly happy it can stand with other modern markets anywhere in the cities of Nigeria,” he said.
Onilude pointed out that since the assumption of office, his administration has constructed five major markets and 10 other minor markets in the local government areas.
“If we are to talk about units, we have constructed more than three thousand units since assumption of office and we are currently working on the Ajido Market.”
Onilude said his administration decided to develop the various markets in the local government into an international standard “because Badagry is the economic international melting point in Nigeria with other African and Francophone countries.
Over 20,000 tourists are expected from December 23 to 26 in Badagry, Lagos State, as it showcases its rich cultural heritage, tourism potentials and history, in the Christmas-in-Badagry (CiB) celebration.
The event is in collaboration with the Ministries Tourism, Art and Culture, as well as Home Affairs.
Project Manager of the CiB, Olufemi Iroko, said the event is focused on community engagement and giving back to the society.
He added: “The CiB stands as a testament to the rich historical warmth that envelops this town, and this year’s celebration promises to be an extraordinary blend of tradition, heritage, and joy.
“This year marks the 181st anniversary of that historic Christmas celebration, and the CiB event is poised to make it an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike.
With the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, Christian pilgrimage has been put to a halt. However, Badagry is positioned to be the destination for Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage.
Despite the challenges and trials that have tested our resolve, we have persevered, standing firm in our commitment to fostering unity, compassion among all.
“From December 23 to 26, we will be reminded of the enduring spirit of joy and goodwill that continues to unite us a community and a nation.
“The festivities will kick off with the largest Santa walk and lightening of our 40ft tall Christmas tree. Other activities include beach Soccer, carnival parade, bonfire delight, performance by our talented Badagry metropolitan choir and other gospel artistes, retelling of the nativity story through captivating drama and recitations that will transport you to the Bethlehem of old. Christian leaders and speakers will also share their insights into the significance of the incarnation of the Redeemer, spreading hope and love. There will also be a special shepherd’s inn for children, and cultural exhibitions.
“But beyond the entertainment, Christmas in Badagry is about community engagement and giving back. The event will feature various outreach programs and charity initiatives, reflecting the spirit of compassion and solidarity that has defined Badagry throughout its history.”
