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  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat’s wives inaugurate projects in Ejigbo council

    Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat’s wives inaugurate projects in Ejigbo council

    Ejigbo Local Council Development Area celebrated a major milestone as the wife of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, led  other dignitary in the inauguration of key community projects.

    The project were carried out by the Chairmann of Ejigbo LCDA Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo (T.A.T).

    The inauguration, which was part of activities of Taiwo’s 100 days in office, showcased a series of completed infrastructure and social development projects across the council.

    Dr. Sanwo-Olu opened the newly completed and solar-powered Ilamoshe Link Tennis Club Road, while Mrs. Hamzat unveiled the fully solarised Moshalashi Street.

    The duo hailed Taiwo for the initiatives.

    Other dignitaries also performed project inaugurations. Chairman of the Lagos State House Committee on Local Government, Sanni Okanlawon, commissioned a new Waste Compactor Truck. Immediate past Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello (O.B.E), inaugurated a fully equipped Ambulance Bus.

    High Chief Muraina Akanbi Taiwo of the G.A.C, represented by Chief Bayo Okunola, commissioned Nurudeen Obe Street, while Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomale, represented by Ladi Ajomale, inaugurated the newly raised and beautified dwarf fence at Modern Primary School.

    Ojoola, Ojon of Ejigbo and Ijan Kingdom, Oba Mooruf Adekunle Adisa  commissioned Allah Lane, while Council Manager, Mr. Ajagunna Olusegun Olumide, inaugurated the Jakande Security House/Gate.

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    Dr. Sanwo-Olu praised the chairman’s performance, describing the first 100 days as progressive and aligned with the State Government’s developmental priorities. She commended the administration’s strides in healthcare delivery and community welfare.

    Speaking at the event, Taiwo said the projects symbolised the administration’s commitment to impactful, inclusive, and accountable governance. He noted that the first 100 days were driven by intentional planning and the SHIELD Agenda—a localised adaptation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda and the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He highlighted major infrastructure upgrades, including the full construction and solarization of Ilamoshe Road, Adejumo Tennis Club Road, Moshalashi Street Phase 1 & 2, Nurudeen Obe Street, and Allah Lane.

    He added that several palliative works were executed on key routes such as Fadu Avenue Road, Ile-Iwe Road, Ejigbo–Ikotun Road, Egbe Road, Dauda Iloh Road, Lafenwa Road, and Canoe Road.

  • Hamzat reads Tomi Falade’s Olobun for BON Awards

    Hamzat reads Tomi Falade’s Olobun for BON Awards

    On Monday, December 1, 2025, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, joined Nollywood stars like Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey and Omowunmi Dada, to read to students of the State Senior High School and Ikeja Junior High School as part of the activities leading to the 2025 edition of Best Of Nollywood awards.

    The annual BON book reading, which heralds another edition of the indigenous films awards ceremony, saw the organisers partnering with Kiyesola Media, publishers of Tomi Falade’s book, ‘Olobun.’

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    The reading to the elated pupils was heightened with the involvement of the wife of the Deputy Governor, who read to the students alongside their principals and the Nollywood stars. The book’s author, Tomi Falade, also joined in reading to the pupils.

    The three-hour-long event remained a memorable one in the lives of the students of the two schools as well as the wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, who expressed gratitude to the founder of BON, Seun Oloketuyi, for finding her worthy of the reading.

  • BON Awards: Hamzat, Meranda to lead book reading ahead of 16th edition

    BON Awards: Hamzat, Meranda to lead book reading ahead of 16th edition

    Wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, will lead a distinguished line-up of political figures and Nollywood veterans to a special public reading ahead of the 16th edition of the Best Of Nollywood awards.

    The event, according to the organisers of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, will be held on Tuesday, December 2, and will feature the reading of Tomi Falade’s book, a play entitled ‘Olobun: Matriarch Of Ondo, Mother Of Legacy’.

    Mrs. Hamzat will be joined by the State Secretary to the Government, Mrs. Hundeyin; the Deputy Speaker of LAHA, Hon. Moji Meranda Ojora; the Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka; and the SA Housing, Hon. Barakat Bakare.

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    Adding creative star power, they will be accompanied by former BON Awards winners, including Omowunmi Dada, Keppy Ekpeyoung, Segun Arinze, and Stan Eze.

    Olobun is a compelling historical play by Tomi Falade that explores the dramatic origins of a major Yoruba Kingdom, and is predominantly set during the tumultuous 15th-century Oyo Empire.

    The story revolves around the birth of twins to Alaafin Oluaso, the abolition of killing twin babies, and how a woman rose to a place of power in Yoruba Land.

    Ultimately, the book serves as a journalistic and dramatic account of the journey that culminates in the founding of the great Ondo Kingdom, presenting the character Olobun as the living proof of a powerful legacy born from destiny.

  • Hamzat lauds Reps member for lifting Epe with new schools, other projects

    Hamzat lauds Reps member for lifting Epe with new schools, other projects

    Lagos state deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has inaugurated three schools built by the member representing Epe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Wale Raji, in his constituency.

    In all, the schools are blocks of 12 fully-furnished classrooms with toilets each at Oko-Abe in Epe Local Government Area; Ilege in Lekki Local Council Development Area and Owu-Ikosi in Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area.

    A statement by the media office of the federal lawmaker on Monday stated that ceremonies were opened with top government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, and other community stakeholders in attendance.

     The deputy governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, lauded the initiative of the federal lawmaker.

    He described the schools as more than just physical structures, but that “This is representation in another great form. Indeed, you’ve done well, my brother. I am optimistic that the future is bright for our students.”

    Continuing, Dr. Hamzat said, “These new buildings are more than just bricks and mortar; they are sanctuaries for learning. They represent our commitment to providing a safe and conducive environment for learning, free from overcrowding and distractions. These classrooms are a promise, a promise that their futures matter to us,” the deputy governor said.

    He reminded teachers and administrators that “a building alone does not make a school; it is the spirit within its walls that truly matters. These gifts are tools, please use them to inspire and build the next generation of Nigerians.”

    To students, the Deputy Governor encouraged them to seize the opportunity, “This is the harbour of early knowledge, built with your future in mind. Please study hard, be disciplined, and aim for excellence in all you do. To whom much is given, much is expected, make us proud.”

    Addressing those in attendance, Rep. Wale Raji stated that the project was a testament that he is touching base with the remote areas of the constituency, which had in the past been neglected by politicians who only showed up during electioneering campaigns.

    “We have decided to change the narrative. Before now, the allegations levelled against politicians are that they only show up in remote communities and riverine areas during electioneering periods and after getting the votes, they’re nowhere to be found, not to mention bringing the dividends of democracy to them. But the narrative has changed,” Raji said.

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    He added, “During the election, we came here to campaign for votes and you cast your votes for our party, and what we’re witnessing today is a confirmation that we’re trustworthy as a party and this will not be the first intervention that we will embark on in this ward,” he declared.

    Highlighting his past and ongoing interventions, such as solar street lights, bridges to end perennial flooding, new classrooms at Oriba Primary School, jetties, roads, and vocational centres, he added, “When schools are opened, gates to a prison are closed.”

    At Ilege, Raji reminded the community of their long-standing demand, which had been fulfilled, “You challenged me then, and I’m happy that I didn’t disappoint you. Your request for transformers, solar-powered borehole and a network of roads, and to crown it all, we have been able to establish a new secondary school in Ilege.”

    At Owu-Ikosi, he underscored the importance of preparing children for tomorrow, saying, “Education is very important, and if we do not make adequate provision for our children, we are endangering their future. But with this, we’re preparing them for the challenges of the future.”

  • Jubilation as Hamzat floors PDP, LP candidates at polling unit

    Jubilation as Hamzat floors PDP, LP candidates at polling unit

    Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Usman Hamzat emerged winner at Polling Unit 027, Ward C1, College Road, Ifako-Ijaiye, where he cast his vote, in the local government election.

    Jubilant scenes erupted at the polling unit after Presiding Officer, Kareem Aderonke declared Hamzat winner with 335 votes out of 336 valid votes cast among 848 registered voters.

    Labour Party (LP) candidate Adedayo Ashade secured one vote, while People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Michael Oloyede recorded no votes.

    Voting in Ifako-Ijaiye commenced late, as officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) began arriving only at 9:28 a.m., delaying accreditation and voting despite the early turnout of voters from 8 a.m.

    Hamzat cast his vote at 10:12 a.m. after arriving at the polling unit with his family at 10:10 a.m. 

    He expressed confidence in victory despite the late arrival of LASIEC officials.

    Speaking after his declaration, Hamzat described voter turnout at his polling unit as satisfactory. 

    He said voter education had been sufficient despite perceptions to the contrary.

    “Well, it’s on the average. If you look at my polling unit now, we have well over 300 voters who came out to vote there. So for me, it’s okay on the average.”

    He added that people are generally interested in participating in governance and attributed low participation in some areas to misplaced voter cards and citisens’ perception of local government elections as less important.

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    “Generally, there’s always a vote in our party, the country generally. People are always interested in being a part of the system and all that. For them saying there is no information or that there was not really much sensitisation on it, I don’t think that is true because I know vividly that INEC and LASIEC organised a lot of sensitisation programmes and engagement with the communities like the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim community, and the youth.

    “So, I think some people, a lot of our people, have misplaced their voter cards. Most of them feel because they’ve misplaced it, they cannot vote. I think that’s the major problem. And the fact that people always believe local government is just a local thing and all that, so a lot of our people are not always interested in coming out to discharge their civic responsibility.

    “It’s just like when the government said we should register for our NIN and all that; people didn’t go for it. But when they saw that it was going to affect them, they started rushing it. So that’s our system in the country, which is a very bad thing.

    “So for me, it’s just the nature of our people. I would just advise that it’s always very important for our people to come out to discharge their civic responsibility by electing into offices their leaders. So that’s my advice to our people,” he said.

    On whether full local government autonomy would affect council performance, Hamzat noted that Lagos State local governments already enjoy full autonomy and are performing well.

    He said: “Well, first and foremost, since I assumed office, Lagos State local governments have full autonomy. Our funds are always released to us. So for me, and that is why it is majorly in Lagos State that local governments are doing wonderfully well and performing.

    “Just recently, we saw a lot of local government chairmen commissioning state-of-the-art public health centres, commissioning road projects and all that. For me, I don’t see it affecting it or anything, but it’s just the people that are not always interested in doing things right. That’s my view about it.”

    Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and APC vice chairmanship candidate Oluwatoyin Awoniyi-Akerele described the election as peaceful and expressed optimism about their re-election.

    Awoniyi-Akerele arrived at Polling Unit 023, Ward B, at 11:08 a.m. and voted at 11:23 a.m. She commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise, stating that people were coming out gradually and that all party agents were cooperating.

    She said the APC was confident of re-election, having performed well for the community, and assured residents that the administration would continue its good work to deliver the dividends of democracy. 

  • Lagos set to enforce E-Call Up system on Lekki-Epe corridor

    Lagos set to enforce E-Call Up system on Lekki-Epe corridor

    The Lagos State Government has announced that full enforcement of the E-Call Up system for articulated vehicles and tankers along the Lekki-Epe Corridor will commence on June 16, 2025.

    The announcement was made by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, May 29.

    The meeting was convened to address growing concerns over traffic congestion and logistics inefficiencies caused by increasing industrial and port-related activities in the Lekki Free Zone and its environs.

    Dr. Hamzat explained that the E-Call Up system is designed to regulate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles accessing the corridor, thereby ensuring a more orderly traffic flow and preventing the kind of gridlock previously witnessed in the Apapa axis.

    “The E-Call Up system is designed to regulate the movement of articulated vehicles and tankers accessing the corridor, thereby promoting orderly traffic flow and preventing the kind of gridlock previously experienced in the Apapa area. All stakeholders should remain fully committed to the initiative,” he said.

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    Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project. He noted that while previous engagements with stakeholders had led to consensus on implementation, enforcement challenges had necessitated a temporary pause and further consultations.

    Mr. Osiyemi issued a directive for the immediate removal of all articulated vehicles currently obstructing traffic along the Lekki-Epe Corridor, warning that any further disruption would not be tolerated.

    “The E-Call Up system is not intended as a revenue-generating initiative, but rather as a vital strategy to improve traffic flow, safety, and road infrastructure management across the state,” he added.

    The meeting was attended by major stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Energies Marketer Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Lekki Worldwide Investment Company (LWIC), Lekki Free Zone (LFZ), Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), NNPC Retail, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

  • JUST IN: Lagos APC chairmanship primaries: Hamzat wins Ifako-Ijaiye council ticket

    JUST IN: Lagos APC chairmanship primaries: Hamzat wins Ifako-Ijaiye council ticket

    Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government chairmanship primary for Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government. 

    The counting process is ongoing at party secretariat in Ikeja, amid heavy security.

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    Hamzat, who is the incumbent Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye LG, defeated others, polling 25 votes. 

    Details shortly…

  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat offer free medical screening for Hajj pilgrims

    Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat offer free medical screening for Hajj pilgrims

    The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat have sponsored the compulsory medical screening for the state’s intending pilgrims embarking on holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, made this known during the kick-off of the medical exercise in Badagry Local Government Secretariat, Ajarah, Badagry.

    He stated that in fulfillment of the governor’s directive that every pilgrim going for the tedious exercise from the state must be certified medically fit, doctors and other medical practitioners were drawn from general hospitals across the state to carry out the exercise, adding that results would be released after the blood, urine and other samples collected from them must have been critically examined and analysed at designated general hospitals. 

    He stressed that the results would confirm their true health status and help to know how best to manage them during their stay in the Holy land. 

    Layode who doubles as the Amir-ul- Hajj said that the value Mr. Governor and his deputy placed on the the wellbeing of the pilgrims cannot be over-emphaaized, hence, their decision to bankroll the screening in order to relieve them of the financial burden of paying for the screening after paying the huge Hajj fare of N8.7 million.

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    He said: “Mr. Governor and his deputy felt deeply concerned about the economic hardship in the country and decided to foot the bill of the screening to alleviate the intending pilgrims of the cost of the screening which was N50,000 last year.”

    He stated further that unlike previous years when the intending pilgrims were assembled in a centralised location for the screening, the state government decided to decentralize this year’s exercise to ensure that every pilgrim is adequately screened in line with international best practice and fulfillment of the pre-requisite for traveling abroad. 

    He explained that 10 ‘designated screening sites and health facilities for testing’ have been created across the state due to the seriousness the present administration attached to the issue. 

    Layode, who disclosed that no fewer than 1,400 intending pilgrims would perform the Hajj rites from Lagos, appreciated Mr. Governor and his deputy for providing the exercise free for them. 

    He warned that any pilgrim that failed to appear for the screening would not be allowed to travel for the spiritual exercise.

    While speaking on its importance, the coordinator of the medical screening exercise, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho said that there is a great improvement in this year’s exercise from the previous ones. She added that new tests have been included. 

    Dr. Erinisho who is the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programs (DMAT/P) in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, listed the screening intending pilgrims would undergo to include; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis (TB), Urinalysis, Pregnancy test for women, Full Blood Count (FBC) and Electrolyte and Urea + Creatinine (E & U + Cr) to assess kidney functions. 

    She said that new tests such as TB, E, U + Cr etc. were added with a view to giving the intending pilgrims the benefits of knowing their health status and ensuring that they are medically sound before embarking on the spiritual journey as directed by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. 

    On his part, the Board Secretary, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, urged all the intending pilgrims to take advantage of the free medical screening exercise by participating fully, saying this kind of opportunity provided by the governor and his deputy was unprecedented. 

    While giving assurances that the State Government has made necessary preparation for their comfort in the Holy Land, Ajomagberin emphasised that this singular act of compassion has further endeared and engraved the love of the Governor and his deputy in the heart of the intending pilgrims and Lagosians in general. 

    He expressed the hope that this kind gesture would continue to be enjoyed by future intending pilgrims, going forward. 

    Other functionaries at the flag off in Badagry are Prof. Kabir Paramole, Alhaji Yusuf Ara (members, Central Working Committee for Y2025 Hajj) and former Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Adeniyi Okoya, among others. 

  • Hamzat: reform secondary education

    Hamzat: reform secondary education

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has stressed the significance of collaboration among all stakeholders to reform secondary school education in the country.

    He said efforts should be put into ensuring that graduates are equipped with relevant skills to meet modern day needs and challenges. Speaking during a Fundraising and Award ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, Hamzat, who was the guest speaker, observed that the nation’s education system does not  meet societal challenges it is meant to solve.

    While noting that no country can ever hope to rise beyond the quality of its education system, he described secondary education as the cornerstone and training ground of leadership and “the phase where a sense of responsibility is introduced and entrenched”.

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    The Lagos State deputy governor, who is an alumnus of the school, identified major challenges to ensuring a future-focused secondary education system to include outdated curricular, infrastructure decay and collapse of established cultures, values and ethics of the olden days.

    “We need to rethink, reinvest and re-imagine secondary education, as this must be the new chamber of leadership formation and innovation lab to foster environmental and entrepreneurial mindsets to lead Nigeria’s renaissance,” he said.

    He identified the essence of the Olivet Baptist High School’s 80th anniversary celebrations to be its generational impact as seen in the multidimensional  contributions of its products to national socio-economic development.

     “As we celebrate Olivet’s 80-year legacy, we must recognise that its greatest achievement is not in the number of students it has produced, but in the quality of leadership, service, and societal transformation those graduates have delivered.

     “From public service to private enterprise, from diplomacy to academia, the Olivet alumni community continues to be a constellation of stars illuminating Nigeria’s path to greatness. Let this anniversary, therefore, be a clarion call to reinvest in our legacy, reignite the Olivet spirit, and ensure that the next 80 years birth an even more illustrious generation of leaders”, he said.

    President of the Olivet Baptist High School  National Old Students Associations, Dr Wale Okediran, said the school has, over the years, carved a unique niche as an epitome of excellence in academics, sports and humanity.

    He said in the last 80 years, the school has come to be known as a veritable reference point for inter-school academic competitions /projects as well as sports in Nigeria.

    Chairman of the Anniversary  Central Planning Committee, Dr Olusegun Ahmadu, appealed to the Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, to revive the boarding house in the state’s education system.

  • Obasanjo, Otedola, Hamzat for Olivet Baptist High School 80th anniversary

    Obasanjo, Otedola, Hamzat for Olivet Baptist High School 80th anniversary

    Eminent persons, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, business mogul Femi Otedola, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose are expected to grace Olivet Baptist High School National Old Students Association’s three-day celebration to commemorate the school’s 80th anniversary from April 10 to 12.

    Obasanjo is expected as the chairman of the fundraising and book launch event billed for Saturday at the school hall in Oyo town.

    The 2-in-1 event is aimed at rallying alumni worldwide for legacy projects to support the structural and technological development of Olivet Heights.

    It will also witness the launch of Olivet book compendium titled: ‘’Olivet’s 8 Decades Journey and Inspiring the Future.”

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    Other personalities expected at the fundraising event are former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola and Akeem Adeyemi. The Royal Father of the day is the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade.

    Chairman of the Anniversary Central Planning Committee, Dr Olusegun Ahmadu, said the old students’ mission for the fundraising initiative was to drive renewal of critical educational and infrastructural projects that would ensure the current students enjoyed a superior learning experience. 

    He said: “The National Old Students Association has, from time to time, undertaken projects designed to preserve the rich history of the school and burnish its enduring impact as an iconic educational institution. In continuation of this mission, the 80th anniversary fundraising will be further channelled towards restoring and enhancing the glory of the school.”

    Ahmadu called on old students home and abroad to see the school’s 80th anniversary milestone as an opportunity for all to come together to relive old times, give back generously and chart an impactful future for their alma mater.

    Located in Oyo town, Olivet Baptist High School, formerly Baptist Boys’ High School, was founded by the American International Mission Board on January 29, 1945 and affiliated with the Nigerian Baptist Convention. As one of the nation’s iconic public secondary schools, it has remained a beacon of learning, growth and community transformation, nurturing generations of thinkers, leaders and visionaries.