NewStats: 3,259,485 , 8,170,268 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 09:06 AM 3l2i1u

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked Aisha Maikudi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

Maikudi’s sack was announced hours after she presided over a matriculation ceremony in the school.
Her appointment has been fraught with controversy, with some lecturers saying she occupied the position illegally.


Conquering the clouds on a journey to Ta Xua with the team - Road Trip Vietnam Team - Nếm TV


In her position, Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month term, empasising that she would not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.



Details later…

https://dailytrust.com/breaking-tinubu-sacks-uniabuja-vc-makes-key-changes-across-federal-varsities/

In a recent interview, ex-Osun Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, alleged that the #EndSARS movement that roiled Nigeria in 2020 was a conspiracy against his friend, Bola Tinubu. By narrating how a set of circumstances that did not begin with Tinubu became wrapped around him and his ambitions, Akande tried to increase the moral value of his electoral victory. The interesting part for me was that he claimed that those who ambushed Tinubu through EndSARS were “the Obi-dients”, a well-organised army who “came from America (the USA) with a lot of money”. I am willing to bet that Akande has no evidence whatsoever to substantiate his allegations and would demur if asked to name those Obi-dients. But stories like that do not need to be true; they only need to be believed.


But why “America”? Why did the conspiring Obi-dients that Akande conjectured come from the USA and not anywhere else? There is a significant Nigerian diaspora in the UK and Canada, could they also not have funded such a campaign? Given the outsized role regularly ascribed to the USA in our political and economic predicaments, no other country would have sufficed. The imagination that produced that allegation must be substantive to some degree to sound somewhat credible.

Ask a Nigerian or an African why our countries are so poor, and it will not be long before they gravitate towards detecting Western-based institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as why we fail at self-management. Those USA-based organisations are the physical manifestations of the transcendent forces we blame for our woes. Since there are several documented instances of their unpalatable institutional interference in economically challenged countries like Nigeria, there is a mix of truth that justifies how they have come to embody the trope of the evil that keeps Africa from attaining its destiny. That is why one of our Daddys in the Lord could pray that “Either the IMF likes it or not, I decree the naira will rise again.”

The USA is also routinely fingered in the restlessness that bedevils our society. Some people are convinced that terrorism in Nigeria is funded by the USA. I have met a few of those folks before; their attributed reasons for the USA’s supposed malevolence can be internally contradictory, but the conspiracy imagination needs not to be coherent before it rings true to those who believe them. Then there are Nigerians who also believe that the only reason that Muhammadu Buhari won the election in 2015 was because the USA sponsored him. Some of those folks, if they are reading this article, are ready to defend that assertion by pointing to one or two examples they hold as indelible proof. They need not worry. I have read all those arguments; I know where those folks are coming from.


So This Happened (253) reviews Ojude Oba festival, Nigeria, Ghana facing brain drain, others
The trouble with such speculation is that we become so invested in tracing the outlines of an alternative reality where “the spiritual determines the physical” that we lose sight of ourselves as human agents who determine our destiny. To the folks who believe that the USA masterminded the 2015 election loss by the PDP, it matters less that it was Nigerians who used their hand to vote for Muhammadu Buhari. They override the agency of fellow Nigerians, some of whom sought genuine reforms and many of whom were also motivated by religious/tribal identities, to blame a supernational force. One would think it was America that created “Febuhari” or “March for Buhari” and helped Yemi Osinbajo distribute the N10,000 pittance they used to bid for votes.

The 2015 election loss was so humiliating for the religious and tribal blocs that Goodluck Jonathan represents, that the only way they can justify the turn of events is to attribute it to a higher power. Even Jonathan himself believes that he lost to the USA, not his countrypeople who got tired of his crass ineptitude. Our society is so invested in the supernatural that if we are not leaving our human responsibility to God, we are blaming the devil for our failings. The same attitude extends to our political and economic behaviours where we always look for otherworldly forces to blame for our self-induced problems.


What gets lost in the narrative is the temporal context. Occupy Nigeria, the anti-subsidies removal protests of 2012 that activated disaffection against Jonathan, and which his ers (like Akande too) insist was a funded campaign by clandestine agents, also happened in different parts of the world at that time. That of Nigeria occurred in the light of the legislative probe that revealed the huge scam that the subsidy had become. In the era of Arab Spring and the #OccupyUSA movement, was it unthinkable that the young Nigerians embedded within a global media ecosystem would react to oppressive corruption like their counterparts elsewhere? Yes, certain characters like Muhammadu Buhari profited from the anti-Jonathan sentiment that the protest generated, but the emotions that drove it were not baseless.

The funny thing is that I know people who ed Buhari and campaigned for him from door to door. Imagine how amused I was when I saw some of them—against the backdrop of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s campaign against USAID, the cultural arm of the US government—on Twitter (now called X) also crowing about how the USA imposed Buhari on Nigeria in 2015! Buhari was such a huge failure that his once devoted ers are erasing their own participation in making him president! To distance themselves from the monumental disgrace he became, they delete their complicity.

In the same way that the anti-Buhari people have outsourced their agency in that protest to the USA, Akande too weaponises the EndSARS to blame some shadowy agents for confronting Tinubu. In doing so, he similarly erases the agency of the Nigerians who were genuinely driven to the streets because they were frustrated with the failings of a judicial institution under Buhari’s watch. The EndSARS was about Nigerian youths who had been driven to the wall by the excesses of the police, and just like OccupyNigeria in 2012, they took energies from similar protests abroad. Akande’s historical revisionism had nothing to say about the genuine issues that precipitated those protests.

Notice also that even though Tinubu contested against two opponents, only Peter Obi haunts Akande’s imagination. Yes, Obi profited from the anti-establishment sentiment of EndSARS the same way OccupyNigeria helped Buhari. So immense was his popularity among Nigeria’s Gen Z that he sent the conservative political class into a tailspin. If today, Tinubu struggles with a crisis of legitimacy even as the sitting President, it is also because he lost something irrecoverable to Obi in that election. The Obi who was said to lack “structure” and his ers who were ridiculed as “people without PVCs” stunned everyone with what they achieved. That is why Akande thinks American money and strategy had to have been involved. If Obi had been declared the winner of that election, Akande’s narrative would have held up to justify how a combination of Yoruba and Northerners, the majority of whom also happen to be Muslims, could lose to a Christian southerner whose ers were not even taken seriously.

Here is the thing: the fact that Akande’s story is laughable today does not mean it will always be. The APC will not rule forever. Many of their top brass are older men who will eventually lose their vice-like grip over the existing political structure. Nature will do its thing, and they will eventually be defeated in a hostile takeover. Those who will replace them are the current anti-establishment figures who are tweeting while waiting in the wings. From the fringes where they are sensationalising the USA as the God/Satan whose invisible hands move our history to mobilise their army of the disaffected, they will become the dominant ones. The ones in power today will look back at moments like 2020 EndSARS, pick up the narrative of “money, strategy, and America” including the one Akande put out and they too will start running with it.

https://punchng.com/how-america-became-god-and-satan-in-nigeria/

Nlfpmod, Fuga said we have money!

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is off to Paris, capital of , on a “private visit”.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, from Frane, the president would move to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, for the forthcoming African Union Summit.

“In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12th to 16th, 2025.”


“The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the African Union summit. While in , President Tinubu will meet with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron,” Onanuga said in a statement.

Tinubu’s trips abroad have come under public scrutiny on the back of the economic hardship in the country, with Nigerians raising concerns over his large entourage.

There have also been arguments whether such trips had attracted commensurate benefits and investments for the country.

But while appearing on a Channels Television programme a few weeks ago, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had said Nigeria is rich enough to fund the president’s frequent foreign trips.

He had said Tinubu, contrary to the complaints, even needed to embark on more trips because of its strategic importance and inherent benefits to the country.


The minister noted that Tinubu could only strengthen ties with fellow global leaders in his quest to set the country on the right path.

He had said, “It is not a fair assessment. The istration is still new because the President was sworn in in 2023. In global , he is still a new president. He needs to interact with his colleagues and fellow heads of state to be able to establish relationships.

“You can further see the fruits of these trips and their benefits which attracted $2bn (worth) of investments like he did in Brazil. In fact, I would venture to say we are not travelling enough. We should do more.

“Nigeria has the money. How much does travelling cost compared to the benefits? Again, how much does it cost really when you compare it to some of the things that the President has already addressed?


“How much have we wasted on fuel, electricity and other subsidies? He was subsidising consumption instead of production and subsidising the real sector of the economy,” he added.

Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu has reportedly visited about 19 countries on 32 foreign trips.

https://dailytrust.com/breaking-tinubu-off-to--on-private-visit-2/

These people and lies!


https://allafrica.com/stories/200702190156.html

ABUJA — THE National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has debunked the allegation that in his capacity as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, he labelled President Bola Tinubu, who was then governor of Lagos State, corrupt.

Ribadu made the denial in reaction to the allegation by the leader of Northern Star, Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad.

In a Tiktok video, Hajia Muhammad berated Ribadu for serving in Tinubu’s government, whom he castigated when he was EFCC chairman.

Ribadu, who claimed that the allegation is malicious, demanded a public apology and retraction within seven days.

The NSA, in a letter by his lawyer, Dr Ahmed Raji, SAN, said publicly or privately, he never called out Tinubu for corruption.

The letter reads: “Clearly, in the text of your recording you stated that when our client served as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, he allegedly named President Bola Tinubu, alongside Sen. George Akume and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (all former Governors, and in that order) as the governors in Nigeria who stole the most from public treasury.

“You also stated that today, our client who once held the above odious view about President Tinubu has turned around to be his staunchest defender; especially, with regard to what you stated to be the government’s agenda to silence voices of dissent to the government, citing the alleged arrest of a certain Prof. Usman Yusuf as an example.

“You also stated that our client’s alleged attitudinal change towards President Tinubu means that he has either become a liar or that he lied when he allegedly described President Tinubu, Sen. Akume, Sen. Kalu and other governors as thieves.

“Privately or publicly, our client has never expressed the above viewpoint about President Tinubu and/or Senators George Akume and Orji Uzor Kalu, which you attributed to him.

“In fact, our client has never held such a viewpoint about the President; hence, it came as a complete surprise to him when his attention was drawn to the aforesaid publication by you against him.

“In the foregoing premise, our client hereby challenges you to provide evidence of your allegations therein against him; which have cast him as double-faced, duplicitous and deceitful in the eyes of right-thinking of the society.

“Although masked as a clarion call to the North to rise up to your perceived injustice against the North by the government of the day, your publication is also inciteful of violence towards our client. Given this far-reaching ramification of your publication, our client will not sit back and watch his hard-earned reputation and goodwill destroyed by your malicious decision to not only lay false allegations against him, but also, to cause the same to be published for the world’s attention.

“Your intention to bring our client to public ridicule, opprobrium, scorn and shame etc., is laid bare when it is considered that you deliberately caused same to be published on social media, where it has since gone viral.

“Surely, the damage occasioned to our client by your deliberate but ill-advised action is unquantifiable.

“However, our client will be assuaged if you retract the said publication and tender an unreserved public apology to him in at least five national daily newspapers within seven days of receipt of this letter.

“If not, we have our client’s further instructions to seek redress against you in a court of law where exemplary damages will be claimed against you. Kindly be advised.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/i-never-said-tinubu-akume-kalu-were-corrupt-when-i-was-efcc-chairman-ribadu/

We just in February, kidnapping is on the increase!

No fewer than 10 travellers have reportedly been abducted by unknown gunmen along the Owo-Ipele-Benin Highway in Ondo State.


Confirming the incident, the state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, stated that seven persons were kidnapped by the assailants.


I present news like rap music to keep young people informed - Joshua Gapsiso0:00 / 0:00

Sources in Akure, the Ondo State capital, revealed that the travellers were returning from a South-South state and heading to Akure when the gunmen struck.

Their commercial vehicle was later found abandoned by the roadside, prompting other drivers to raise the alarm.

Odunlami assured the public that further details would be provided as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the kidnappers have ed the families of the victims and are demanding ransom for their release.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/just-in-gunmen-abduct-10-travellers-in-ondo/

The decision followed an interrogation by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, who summoned both the Oba and his victim.

The Ogun State government has suspended the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, for six months following a viral video showing him physically assaulting a 73-year-old titled chief, Areola Abraham Love JP.

The embattled monarch also risks arrest as human rights groups demand his prosecution.

The suspension was announced on Monday in a statement by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy.

The decision followed an interrogation by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, who summoned both the Oba and his victim.

According to Akinmade, “This became imperative due to the reckless utterances and public misconduct of the Kabiyesi, which have gone viral on social media and caused public outrage.


“Following investigations, the Kabiyesi has been suspended and stripped of the paraphernalia of the Olorile-Ifo stool, pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise.

“This decision was taken in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council, in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs’ Law (2021).”

SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the Nigerian police said it had invited and interrogated the embattled monarch over the assault video.

However, beyond his suspension by the government, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has petitioned Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding Oba Ogunjobi’s immediate arrest and prosecution for the January 21 assault.

In a statement released on Monday, CDHR National Vice President, Yinka Folarin, accused the monarch of using his past as a police officer to intimidate and harass of the public.

“The atrocities of Oba Ogunjobi, as captured in the viral video, include the brutal assault on 73-year-old Elder Areola Abraham Love JP, a resident of Ifo.

“The victim, an elderly man battling health issues, narrated that he was on his way to get food when the monarch called him over. Out of respect, he crossed the road, only to be slapped multiple times, kicked, and forced to kneel and prostrate by the Oba and his suspected thugs.”

The CDHR insists that Oba Ogunjobi must be arrested and prosecuted, stressing that no one is above the law, regardless of their status.

https://saharareporters.com/2025/02/04/ogun-state-government-suspends-power-drunk-traditional-ruler-over-public-assault-viral

Nlfpmod!

The chief allegedly received N1.5 million and provided a hideout for the terrorists.

In Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria, four women were captured among 23 bandits reportedly harboured by a local chief.


The chief allegedly received N1.5 million and provided a hideout for the terrorists.

Nigerian Army troops also killed one of the terrorists and recovered a cache of firearms, including four AK-47 rifles.

The incident happened on Sunday, February 2 at Angwan-Bala, in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state, according to the military.


The spokesperson for the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Jalingo, Captain Oni Olubodunde, who disclosed this to SaharaReporters, noted that a local chief had harboured the terrorists in exchange of N1.5 million.

Olubodunde added that the terrorists relocated from Plateau State and were received and settled by the village head of Amar, Karim Lamido.

He said, "Acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of suspected bandits, the gallant troops conducted a fighting patrol to the identified hideout.

“On sighting the patrol team, the bandits opened fire, prompting an immediate and overwhelming response from the troops. In the ensuing firefight, one bandit was neutralized, while 23 others including 19 males and 4 females surrendered without further resistance."



“A comprehensive search of the camp led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including, 4 AK-47 rifles, 5 AK-47 rifle magazines, 80 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 English made pistol, 2 locally made guns, 28 cutlasses, 16 motorcycles, 48 daggers and jack knives,” he said.



"Preliminary investigations revealed that the bandits, originally from Plateau State, had paid a local chief in Amar village the sum of ₦1,500,000 to acquire and establish their camp in the area."



Commenting on the operation, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, reaffirmed the Brigade's unwavering commitment to the security and stability of Taraba State and its environs.



"This operation is a testament to our resolve to eliminating criminal elements, restoring lasting peace, and ensuring that Taraba State does not become a safe haven for terrorists. We will continue to work tirelessly with relevant stakeholders to sustain the fight against insecurity," Uwa said.


https://saharareporters.com/2025/02/03/taraba-village-head-collected-n15million-bandits-set-camp-his-domain-nigerian-army

The Federal Government says plans are ongoing to increase electricity tariffs “over the next few months”.

It, however, said that the planned increase needed to be balanced by subsidies for less-affluent electricity s.

Bloomberg quoted the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, as giving this hint at the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Nigeria presented a $32 billion plan to expand electricity connections by 2030.

According to the presidential aide, Nigeria is trying to resolve the transition to a cost-efficient but cost-reflective tariff to attract private investors.

Tinubu affirms Nigeria’s commitment to improved electricity

FCT electricity consumers seek quick relocation of transmission tower

She said: “One of the key challenges we’re looking to resolve over the next few months is transitioning to a cost-efficient but cost-reflective tariff.

“So the sector generates revenue required to attract private capital, while also protecting the poor and vulnerable.”

Last year, the federal government approved a threefold increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

The fresh move to raise tariffs comes amid mounting pressure from Nigeria’s debt-burdened electricity distribution companies for tariffs to be cost-reflective so they can improve their finances.

https://dailytrust.com/brace-up-for-electricity-tariff-hike-fg-tells-nigerians/

Very true!

Suspected terrorists have killed at least five persons in Lighitlubang village in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack, which occurred on Friday night, was allegedly carried out by suspected terrorists.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the village while residents were sleeping and slaughtered the victims.

One of the villagers, Moses Bankat, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Online in Jos on Saturday.



He said, “It happened yesterday at about midnight of 31/01/2025. Some suspected terrorists entered Lighitlubang village in Bungha District of Mangu Local Government and killed a family of five people, a man, his wife and a child with another man and wife all slaughtered.”

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, said security agents had been deployed to the affected community to maintain peace and order while the investigation had begun

[b]“I will get details from the DPO if they return from the bush because they have gone to the village,” [/b]the PPRO said.

It was learnt the attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents expressing fear and anxiety.

https://punchng.com/terrorists-kill-five-in-plateau-village/

Nlfpmod!

By Farooq A. Kperogi

Although 2025 has only just begun, the Machiavellian maneuvers and the increasingly tensile, high-decibel political shrieks being emitted by politicians about the 2027 election might lead one to believe that the election will take place next year.

Of all the political realignments that are forming preparatory to the 2027 election, it’s the unity in political adversity between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that strikes me as the most intriguing.

El-Rufai feels understandably betrayed by his humiliating exclusion from the Bola Tinubu istration whose ascent to power he helped to facilitate with uncommon vim and vigor. Nonetheless, he is protesting his betrayal by making common cause with Atiku Abubakar whom he had serially stabbed in the back more treacherously than Tinubu has thrown him under the bus.

It is akin, in a way, to a soldier who, after leading a fierce battle to enthrone a king, finds himself cast out of the palace. Wounded and seething, he seeks refuge in the camp of an old mentor and ally whom he once betrayed in the heat of war, hoping that their shared resentment for the new ruler will be enough to overlook past treacheries.

Recall that El-Rufai consistently disclaimed any debt to Atiku Abubakar in his political rise even when leaked US Embassy cables quoted him as telling US Embassy officials that Atiku is the single most important reason he made an “accidental” detour to public service. Worse still, he was the lynchpin in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s all-out, no-holds-barred, scorched-earth decimation of Atiku’s presidential aspirations.

As I pointed out in my August 12, 2023, column titled “El-Rufai’s Betrayal and Akpabio’s Buffoonery,” it was El-Rufai who carried Obasanjo’s messages to Western embassies saying Atiku must never be allowed to be president.

“On September 21, 2006, for instance, El-Rufai met with the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria and the UK High Commissioner ‘under instruction’ from President Obasanjo to inform them of and seek their blessing to deny Atiku Abubakar the chance to succeed Obasanjo,” I wrote and characterized El-Rufai’s volte face as “a wild change of loyalties.”

Of course, it’s a banal fact of Third World life that betrayal is the lifeblood of partisan politics. So, there’s nothing out of the ordinary about El-Rufai’s duplicity. In any case, El-Rufai had also ridiculed Muhammadu Buhari as a bigot who was “serially unelectable” but later embraced him and even became the single most important reason why Buhari decided to run for president again, according to Buhari himself.

Yet, although Atiku must have developed a thick skin to perfidy (I am sure he, too, has stabbed quite a few people in the back in the course of his political career), I can’t help but wonder what goes on in his mind when he strategizes with El-Rufai toward the political containment of their common foe now.

Does he see El-Rufai as a repentant traitor seeking redemption, or merely as a desperate, scorned man whose newfound friendship is actuated by opportunistic political self-preservation rather than conviction?

Atiku must feel like sharing a meal with a man who once poisoned his drink. He will probably watch his hands closely and weigh his every word, knowing that today’s ally could easily be tomorrow’s betrayer.

Nevertheless, in the ruthless calculus of politics, perhaps Atiku understands that some alliances, however uneasy, are dictated not by trust, but by the urgency of a common enemy.

This sentiment underpins the rumored subterranean rapprochement between Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Although they appear to be at loggerheads, there are credible hints that Abdullahi Ganduje’s recent appointment to the chairmanship of the board of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria is a calculated first step to strategically ease him out of the chairmanship of the APC, which is said to be the irreducible minimum for Kwankwaso’s alliance with Tinubu.

A Tinubu-Kwankwaso alliance is projected to be a formidable checkmate for the emerging Atiku-El-Rufai coalition.

However, in all the alliances and re-alliances that are being formed and reformed and the boundaries of friendship and betrayal that are being negotiated and renegotiated, one thing has been remarkably missing: how to reverse the progressively worsening plight of common people.

The condition of poor people who are vulnerable to the whirlingly blinding vagaries of market forces is the cornerstone of my public intellection. This sprouts from my own experiential brushes with poverty growing up. Although I have escaped my past condition, I have not lost, and won’t ever lose, my empathy for the poor

None of the people strategizing about taking over or retaining power in 2027 spares a thought for the seemingly irreversible death spiral that cruel neoliberal economics has visited on the masses of economically disinherited Nigerians. That worries me deeply.

It is obvious that even so-called opposition politicians don’t have an alternative template for husbanding the economy. That’s why their criticism of the present torment has been muted at best. They all believe the state should be rolled back from the quotidian life of everyday folk and that governments have no responsibility to assist citizens to live decent, dignified lives.

This style of government frees people in power from the responsibility to be able to the people and the license to jettison the unwritten social contract they signed with the people.

They all want a country where, as I pointed out in the past, the economy will “grow” even if that causes the people to growl. “After the economy has ‘grown’ but the people still groan, where is the growth?” I wrote in my June 24, 2023.

That is precisely what is happening in Argentina, which is pursuing similar inhumane market-centric policies as Tinubu. Argentina’s populist rightwing president is getting plaudits for “growing” the economy while the people are growling in anguish.

He is being celebrated for achieving a budget surplus at the expense of deep deficits in people’s quality of life, at the cost of a recessionary economy that has plunged more than half of the country into extreme poverty. The Western press is also praising Tinubu’s “reforms.”

No politician, to my knowledge, is talking about a more comionate, people-centered approach to managing the economy. Unfortunately, the people don’t seem to care. Maybe that’s why the politicians don’t care, either.

Or perhaps it’s the other way around: the politicians stopped caring first, numbing the people into apathy through years of airy promises and performative concern. When hardship becomes routine and disappointment a certainty, cynicism replaces hope, and survival takes precedence over ideals.

In such a climate, politics becomes a spectacle rather than a means of change, and the people, resigned to their fate, watch ively, expecting nothing and receiving exactly that.

Betrand Russell could very well be describing Nigeria’s situation when he wrote 1923 that “A very large percentage of English-speaking people really believe that the ills from which they suffer would be cured if a certain political party were in power. That is a reason for the swing of the pendulum.

“A man votes for one party and remains miserable; he concludes that it was the other party that was to bring the millennium. By the time he is disenchanted with all parties, he is an old man on the verge of death; his sons retain the belief of his youth, and the see-saw goes on.”

https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2025/02/as-foes-and-friends-unite-against-tinubu.html

Manchester City Vs Real Madrid 11-02-2025 9Pm

*MINISTRY OF DEFENCE*

PRESS RELEASE

THURSDAY,30TH JANUARY 2025

MATAWALLE TO AMAECHI: DESIST FROM INCITING VIOLENCE OR FACE CONSEQUENCES

..Characterized Amaechi and his cohorts as an alarming manifestation of the politics of pull him down syndrome........

The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON, has condemned in the strongest the reckless and inciting utterances made by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, regarding the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Amaechi, speaking at a recent conference in Abuja, irresponsibly declared that Nigerian politicians must “steal, maim, and kill” to remain in power—an assertion that not only insults the intelligence of Nigerians but dangerously seeks to radicalize the youth and destabilize the peace and security of the nation.

Reacting to Amaechi’s statement, Dr. Matawalle said:

“It is both reckless and dangerous for a former public office holder to make such inflammatory remarks. At a time when the government is working tirelessly to consolidate national unity and security, no responsible leader should be fanning the flames of violence and political unrest.”

He further cautioned against any attempt to mislead young Nigerians with a warped narrative of violence and anarchy, emphasizing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation governed by laws, not a jungle where power is seized through brute force.

“Let me make it clear: the security agencies are on high alert. Any individual or group found inciting violence or attempting to destabilize this nation will face the full force of the law. We will not tolerate any form of subversive rhetoric that seeks to undermine national unity or incite lawlessness,” Dr. Matawalle warned.

The Honourable Minister reminded Amaechi that power is earned through democracy, not through intimidation, violence, or lawlessness. He reiterated that President Tinubu’s istration remains committed to upholding peace, democratic values, and the security of all Nigerians. His commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation is unwavering. Having experienced both military rule and democratic governance, he would never undermine the very democracy he has fought to uphold.

Highlighting the achievements of the current istration in a relatively short time, Dr Matawalle confidently asserted that President Tinubu will secure a decisive victory in the 2027 Presidential election. He called upon Nigerians to place their faith in the leadership of President Tinubu GCFR and to disregard the vituperations of Amaechi and his associates, whom he described as politically irrelevant and out of touch with current realities of national development.

“Amaechi and others who think they can manipulate our youth into chaos should rethink their actions. This government will not fold its arms and allow any individual to disrupt the peace and stability of Nigeria,” he added.

The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, will continue to monitor activities aimed at disrupting public peace and will ensure that anyone found culpable faces severe consequences.

Henshaw Ogubike, mnipr FCAI Fsca Fe
Director, Press & Public Relations
Ministry of Defence

For: Honourable Minister of State for Defence

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https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/8329155/fight-power-like-life-depends#133915052

The strong and solid factors that always stand a candidate’s ambition in good stead within the socio—political dynamics of a local community, state or federal government level include vision, character, commitment, and consistency or call it constancy of purpose. That is especially so with regards to that person’s guiding philosophies, principles and purposefulness, if driven by humility, integrity, honesty of purpose all within the perspective of the larger picture.

Good enough, it would be a point of reference if such a person has held a public position before and distinguished himself in of performance. That precisely, underscores the relevance of the recent media mention of the political ambition of the former governor of Lagos state, Akinwumi Ambode to return to that same pedestal of power, some eight years after he lost that bid to continue in office. Though that wave of interest is currently gathering momentum there are still some hurdles and hitches to scale over. That is where that of the young entrepreneur and politician, who happens to be heir to the throne of the political juggernaut and incumbent President Ahmed Tinubu comes into the unfolding picture. He is none other than the affable, resourceful and dynamic Seyi Tinubu.

Periscoped from a personal perspective, one can objectively describe him as “ a smart and enterprising” man who has learnt the ropes from his father. Indeed, he deserves to be applauded for the noble and notable role he played as a dependable catalyst to see his father’s presidential ambition to the light of day.


Ever since, he has deployed similar energy by galvanizing the youths across the nooks and crannies of the country to actively the “Renewed Hope” agenda. This is a commendable initiative, is it not? Of course, it is. Ahead of the 2027 presidential election therefore, he is well onished to channel such towards achieving his father’s reelection.That is, instead of dissipating such as a candidate to become the Lagos State governor. That would provide a positive political leverage for Ambode’s return to power. If done, Ambode will have the opportunity to put in place measures and mechanisms to lubricate the political engine for Seyi to compete for and eventually become the governor come the year 2031 when his father would be completing his tenure. That would be a more interesting scenario. And that brings us back to Ambode’s ambition for the 2027 gubernatorial race. Like it or not, his remarkable achievements over his first term in office, speak volumes.

According to seasoned analysts, and as attested to by the opinion of millions of residents of the state of aquatic splendour, the iconic economist from the backwaters of Epe literally wrote his name in gold while the governor. There are empirical evidences on ground traversing the sectors of infrastructure, security, food security through healthcare delivery, education, transportation to entertainment. In fact, he left Lagos much better in of the Human Development indices ( HDI ) than he met it.

For instance, it would interest the reader to know, or be reminded that it was during Ambode’s tenure that the hitherto long-winding and seemingly intractable traffic congestion challenge was frontally tackled. That came about with the construction of his signature jubilee flyover bridges at places such as Abule-Egba, Ajah and that at Pen Cinema junction, as they came into being.

Interestingly, the mere mention of the name “Ambode” and the appreciative Lagosians will reel out the construction and rehabilitation of 500 roads across the five districts of the ever – busy cosmopolitan city of Lagos. In fact, the people of Alimosho Local Government Area, LGA would remain grateful for the well- paved roads with modern drainage system. And those at Ojodu-Berger axis have been enjoying the solution to the once asphyxiating traffic jam that characterized the area sparking fisticuffs between the transporters and the commuters. Yet, there are more noteworthy projects to Ambode for.

From the reconstructed Murtala Muhammed International Airport road converted from 4 to 10- lane highway, with ramp bridge and flyover to the 21st Century iconic Oshodi Transport Interchange equipped with three terminals, 18 lifts as well as CCTv cameras the handwriting of impactful governance are there for all to see, to ire and to appreciate. It is so inspiring that Ambode was able to build on the achievements of his predecessors to rid Oshodi as the popular den of hardened criminals. But there is more to the feats achieved under Ambode’s tenure to gladden the heart of patriots.

Lest we forget, with regards to reinforcement of security in the city with ever bubbling population, Ambode granted N6.6 billion for security agents though belonging to the federal government. He signed into law the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps. In addition was the Lagos State Properties Protection Law to protect the land owners from the nefarious activities of the notorious land grabbers.

And on transportation the Bus Reform Initiative enhanced public transportation with 5,000 new buses, out of which 434 buses boosted the busy Ikorodu corridor.


Furthermore, in the critical health sector under Ambode, the popular Ayinke House was transformed from an 80- bed facility into the ultra – modern 170-bed Specialist Centre. Also, the LASUTH complex was equipped with a helipad for medical emergency and the nation’s first ever DNA forensic centre.

Apart from the popular Lake Rice that came up as the Lagos-Kebbi rice project which boosted food security with cheaper and safer rice, Ambode ensured that the people of Lagos were made happier with the building of theatres in Alimosho, Badagry, Ikeja and Epe. That was with the Eko Theatre project in the entertainment sector. One could go on and on. But all these highly commendable achievements remind us of the wise words of Joe DiMaggio who stated that: “A person always doing his or her best becomes a natural leader, just by example”.

So, as events unfold in the coming years, if there is one man to be considered worthy of the prestigious post of the governorship of the Centre of Excellence he should be Akinwumi Ambode. He has been there before, did his best and must have learnt from his mistakes in the volatile politicking landscape. Good enough, he has weathered the storm, kept his cool in the midst of it all without casting aspersion on his political traducers. As he aptly stated, back in September 2018 while asking for Second Term: “ I ask you to believe again and together, let us achieve more…to build a secure and prosperous Lagos state driven by a vibrant economy, ed by quality service, equity and justice”.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/01/ambodes-ambition-of-return-and-seyi-tinubus-political-trajectory/

N3.5T, Nlfpmod, cant be ed for!

Payments lacking ing documents totaled N8.3 billion, violations of the federal government’s e-payment policy amounted to N18 billion, and misapplication of funds was N663.9 million.

Areport by the Paradigm Leadership Initiative has unveiled that N3.5 trillion was uned for by various government agencies.

The organization highlighted issues from the 2021 audit of the Nigerian Government.


A total of N2.9 trillion was uned for due to unrecovered outstanding revenue/debts. According to the report, N7.4 billion was uned for due to irregularities in awarding contracts, N115.8 billion due to irregular payments, and N167.6 billion due to payments for unexecuted jobs/contracts.

Under-deduction of taxes amounted to N129.3 million, while non-deduction reached N2.6 billion, and non-remittance stood at N11.6 billion.

Payments lacking ing documents totaled N8.3 billion, violations of the federal government’s e-payment policy amounted to N18 billion, and misapplication of funds was N663.9 million.


Funds uned for due to lack of due process in awarding contracts amounted to N20.3 billion. Uned expenditures were N122.5 billion, and recovered tax liabilities by the Federal Inland Revenue Service stood at N69.9 billion.

Store items not taken on ledger charge amounted to N968.9 million and extra-budgetary expenditures amounted to N15.8 billion.

Virement without approval amounted to N2.6 billion, non-remittance of internally generated revenue amounted to N6.6 billion, circumvention of procurement process amounted to N1.9 billion, denial of access to documents amounted to N21.5 billion, while unretired cash advances amounted to N1.3 billion.

Payment without paid vouchers amounted to N1.1 billion, payment without pre-payment audit amounted to N4.7 billion, engagement of external solicitors without attorney general’s fiat amounted to N243.9 million, payment to third party without power of attorney amounted to N439.7 million, award of contracts above thresholds amounted to N2.4 billion, illegally custody of government vehicles amounted to N747.7 million, payment without revalidation of paid vouchers amounted to N403.2 million, while splitting of contract to circumvent procurement/approval threshold amounted to N731.2 million.


https://saharareporters.com/2025/01/29/nigerian-government-agencies-failed--n35trillion-2021-report

Creamypie:
To help his master rig it in 2027

Is this why Sowore is arrested!

Manchester City vs Club Brugge 29-01-2025 9pm

Let him stay till he is 70!

Nlfpmod!

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has amended his official retirement date to October 31, 2027, according to a document obtained by SaharaReporters.

Nigeria’s Police Boss Egbetokun initially due for retirement in September 2024 Adjusts Retirement Date To October 2027 On ‘Staff list of senior police officers’

Nigeria’s Police Chief Egbetokun Extends Retirement Date from September 2024 to October 2027 on Senior Officers' Staff List"


The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has amended his official retirement date to October 31, 2027, according to a document obtained by SaharaReporters.

The document reveals that Egbetokun, identified with AP Number AP36613, updated his service profile on January 13, extending his tenure in the force.

A senior police source disclosed that Egbetokun, who ed the Nigeria Police Force in 1990, would ordinarily have been due for retirement based on the stipulated 35 years of service under civil service rules.


The source alleged that Egbetokun manipulated the system to extend his tenure after bribing his way out of the National Assembly for the amendments bill to facilitate his elongation, raising concerns about the integrity of the Nigerian Police Force.

The source stated, "According to civil service rules, an officer retires upon reaching either 60 years of age or 35 years of service, whichever comes first. By September 4, 2024, Egbetokun had already turned 60 and should have exited the service.

"Instead, he lobbied for an extension, initially requesting six months, which would have ended in March this year. However, before the extension elapsed, he used his position to alter his service records, extending his tenure to 2027.”

"He was supposed to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, which he attained in September last year," the source added.

Another source told SaharaReporters that civil service rules stipulate that an employee must retire either upon reaching 60 years of age or after completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

"Kayode Egbetokun reached the age of 60 but did not step down as required.

"Unfortunately, Nigeria's civil society, at large, appears disheartened and has not given this issue the attention it deserves.

"Perhaps some veteran journalists at certain media houses, allegedly on his payroll, have been influenced to downplay the matter, which might explain why he remains in office.

"This document, which details the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (A), includes seniority rankings and years of service.

"It is an extensive document. However, as the nation's top police officer, his name is listed first, with his year of service extended to 2027. This extension, in clear violation of existing labour laws, raises serious concerns," the source said.

On July 23, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Senate had ed a controversial amendment bill to extend Egbetokun’s tenure beyond September.

The Nigerian Senate ed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 to amend the Police Act of 2020.

President Bola Tinubu had sent the Police Act Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives, proposing changes to the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

SaharaReporters had reported how the bill earlier failed to gain from stakeholders at a hearing held by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

The bill, aimed at amending the Nigeria Police Act 2020, seeks to increase the retirement age of police officers from 60 to 65 years and their tenure of service from 35 to 40 years.

Inside sources had told SaharaReporters that Egbetokun was behind the bill and had allocated a significant amount of funds to lobby for its age.

However, stakeholders had expressed concerns over the bill.

The proposed extension of the service year and retirement age for police officers met with widespread criticism from key stakeholders, including the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Ministry of Police Affairs, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission during the public hearing.

SaharaReporters also learnt that senior police officers were angered by the move, which was described as selfish.

The Ministry of Police Affairs in its submission warned that implementing the extension would have unintended and far-reaching consequences, detrimental to the overall health and operations of the police force. Moreover, it would set a dangerous precedent for other agencies, such as the military and paramilitary organisations.

The ministry also argued that increasing the service years of police personnel would lead to stagnation, hindering progress and innovation within the force, while also negatively impacting motivation and adaptability.

Reacting in a statement issued after the report, Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the bill was first introduced in the 8th Assembly and was aimed at enhancing the conditions of service for police officers, not for personal gain.

He added that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, and the President has the sole authority to remove an IGP before the completion of their tenure.

Adejobi said the bill was originally introduced during the 8th Assembly but did not progress beyond the initial stages before the Assembly's dissolution.

“It is standard legislative practice to review and update laws to align with current national realities,” he said.


https://saharareporters.com/2025/01/27/exclusive-nigerian-police-chief-egbetokun-adjusts-retirement-date-october-2027-senior

A nurse, identified as Chiemela Nonye, has accused Chief Superintendent of Police Nkiruka Ugwu, attached to Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu, Lagos, of paying her to bear false witness in a rape case, alleging that the senior police officer is threatening to kill her, if she mentioned her name in an on-going investigation of rape, at the Area ‘D’ Command, Mushin.

However, when CSP Ugwu was ed, she said “I told her (Nonye ) never to involve my name. She can’t try it. Why would she involve my name? Am I fighting her with Amuche? She should go ahead and do whatever she wants to do. If it is my case she wants, I am ready for her. She cannot try to mention my name.”

On the allegation of locking the mother of the minors shop , with an instruction to touts to kill her if she dared to open the shop, she said, ” I have nothing to say. They can all go ahead with whatever they want to do. I am not a sister to Amuche. God forbid, I am not.”

Nonye was arrested by the Police at the Area D Command, in Mushin, on January 22, 2025 following a petition by one Mr Ekwenyu Uchenna.

The petitioner stated that Nonye bore false witness against him, by claiming she witnessed his defiling of three teenage siblings in April 2024.

Consequently, the petitioner was reportedly arrested and detained for seven days at the Alausa Police Division, from where he was transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID in Abuja, where he spent additional three weeks in detention.

Uchena, told Vanguard that he was moved from the FCID Abuja, to the State Criminal Investigation, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos where a discreet investigation was carried by detectives who said there were no facts to prove he penetrated the minors and was subsequently released. According to him, he was arrested alongside the mother of the three minors, because operatives led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Philomena Ehiokhilen alleged that she connived with him to rape her children.

However, upon his release, he petitioned the Area D Command, Mushin, where nurse Nonye, during interrogation, itted in a written statement that she was paid an undisclosed amount by the CSP to fabricate the lies against Uchenna and mother of the minors.

In a recorded telephone conversation between nurse Nonye and mother of minors, she was heard begging for forgiveness, claiming that CSP Ugwu has been threatening to kill her if she mention her name.

The recorded telephone conversation went thus: Nurse Nonye : “I don’t know why I agreed to this. As I speak with you, I’m in tears. Please forgive me. I didn’t know why I agreed to frame Uchenna. Please help me apologize to Uche.”

Mother of minor: “We are all human. I know how both of us were. I went to my lawyer’s office and explained everything, telling him it was not you. You were pushed into this. If he wants to speak to you, he can confirm you were pushed out of ignorance. After hearing from you, if they find out you were misled; they will know how to exclude you from the matter. So, leave Uchenna out of this because I have told him you are not the main problem. CSP Ugwu is the real problem. She pushed you into this.”

In a chat with Vanguard, the mother of the three minors, alleged that the CSP Ugwu had threatened her life numerous times and also destroyed her businesses.

'I avoid rice to enhance my bedmatics', says Delta musician set to marry three women same day Police arrest couple over alleged rape, assault of minor.'

She said “CSP Ugwu came to my shop located at Cele-Egbe, last year and seized my goods. She told the touts in the area to kill me if I tried to go near the shop. She said she was the Divisional Police Officer, DPO. Since then, all my goods have been.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/01/rape-of-minors-i-was-paid-by-police-officer-to-bear-false-witness-nurse-alleges/

Nlfpmod, Lagos parks too dirty!

Nlfpmod!

On his part, the president of the Africa Environmental Health Organisation, Afolabi Abiodun, emphasised the need for education and sensitisation to address the issue of improper waste management in Lagos parks.

“We need to educate people on the importance of proper waste disposal. We need to sensitise them to the dangers of littering and the importance of keeping our environment clean,” Abiodun said.

The environmental expert advocated for the provision of adequate waste disposal infrastructure, including waste bins, recycling facilities, and composting plants.

“We need to make waste disposal convenient and accessible to all Nigerians. We need to provide the necessary infrastructure to effective waste management,” he noted.

Abiodun emphasised that effective waste management is critical to promoting public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development in the country.

“We need to recognise that waste management is not just an environmental issue, but also a public health issue, an economic issue, and a social issue. We need to take a holistic approach to waste management, and we need to make it a priority in our national development agenda,” he concluded.

We are aware of the problem-LAWMA

Reacting, the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Sade Kadiri, itted that the government is aware of the improper waste disposal in some of the major parks in the state.

Kadiri in a statement sent to our correspondent, said LAWMA was collaborating with all parks and markets in Lagos for effective waste management.

She, however, noted that the agency was actively working to address the gaps in waste infrastructure in motor parks and other public spaces.

According to her, the agency has intensified its collaboration with PSP operators to ensure regular and effective waste evacuation in these areas and across the metropolis.

She added, “Thank you for bringing these critical issues to our attention. The Lagos Waste Management Authority is deeply committed to ensuring the proper management of waste across all areas of the state, including public parks, as part of our mandate to safeguard public health and maintain environmental sustainability.

“We acknowledge the observation regarding waste bins in parks such as Mile 2, Iyana Iba, Iyana Ipaja, and Agege. LAWMA is in collaboration with all parks and markets in Lagos for effective waste management.

“Health experts are correct in warning about the dangers posed by poor waste management, including the spread of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, the reason we keep preaching that proper waste management is a shared responsibility, as much as the government has a role to play, residents equally have their roles.

“LAWMA is acutely aware of these risks and is making concerted efforts to enhance the overall efficiency of waste management services in public spaces.

“We are also ramping up public sensitisation campaigns in parks, markets and across different areas in the state to encourage proper waste disposal practices, discourage littering, and promote community involvement in maintaining cleanliness.

“In addition to this street advocacy, we also make use of our radio programmes on different stations and different languages, so no one is left out.”

Kadiri also stressed the commitment of the agency to ensuring a cleaner Lagos.

She added, “We remain committed to addressing these challenges holistically, ensuring cleaner public spaces, protecting the environment, and safeguarding the health of Lagos residents.

“LAWMA’s vision for a cleaner Lagos requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, and we will continue to engage the public in establishing a culture of proper waste management.”

Despite massive advocacy campaigns by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority to sensitise residents on the tenets of effective waste management and proper waste disposal, to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment, motor parks operate without waste collection facilities, forcing commuters to engage in indiscriminate dumping of refuse. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE reports

In the busy city of Lagos, where the struggle for survival is prioritised above all, lies a troubling situation that transcends the bounds of individual motor parks. Stretching from the crowded expanse of Iyana-Iba to the hubbub of Mile 2 and other major motor parks, the absence of waste bins has transformed these public spaces into desolate dumping grounds, painting a picture of neglect that hunts the city’s important areas.

Motor parks which serve as important transit points for thousands of commuters, now pose an insidious threat to the well-being of all who traverse these spaces due to lack of waste management infrastructure.

Lagos continues to produce a large quantity of waste without adequate mechanisms for managing it.

Walking through these public spaces, plastic bottles, food wrappers, and discarded newspapers were scattered haphazardly across the landscapes. The strong stench of decaying garbage intertwined with the fumes of idling vehicles, creating an oppressive atmosphere that clung to the crowded spaces like an unwelcome veil.

Findings by PUNCH Healthwise showed that despite these parks being the lifeblood of Lagos’ transportation network, they have also become a breeding ground for filth, disease, and neglect.

When our correspondent visited major motor parks including Obalende, Mile 2, Iyana-Oba, Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, Berger, Iyana-Oworo, Ojota, and Ketu, it was discovered that the absence of proper waste disposal infrastructure is a ticking time bomb which threatened the health and well-being of millions of commuters who through these garages daily.


Systemic gaps

The Lagos State Government, through LAWMA, has repeatedly assured the public of its commitment to maintaining a cleaner city. In 2022, the agency announced plans to increase the deployment of waste bins in public spaces, including motor parks. However, three years later, these waste disposals are still missing in many of the major motor parks across the state.

The LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, had during a recent stakeholders’ interactive forum revealed that the agency oversees waste transportation and treatment through partnerships with 420 PSPs, adding that the efforts were supplemented by sweeping services across major streets, managed by 16,361 street sweepers.

Annually, Lagos produces an estimated 5.46 million tonnes of waste with only about 40 per cent of what was generated collected and disposed of properly, while 60 per cent litter the streets and public spaces.

Despite the staggering figure of waste generated in the state daily, PUNCH Healthwise investigation revealed that the infrastructure to manage such a volume remains woefully inadequate, particularly in public spaces like motor parks.

During visits to some of the major motor parks in the state, our correspondent found out that there was no evidence of waste bins or regular waste collection. Instead, commuters and vendors continued to dump trash in gutters, on sidewalks, and in any available corner.

It was observed that hawkers selling food, beverages, and other goods to engers contributed to the accumulation of waste. With nowhere to properly dispose of their trash, commuters and vendors resort to throwing waste onto the ground or into nearby drains.

While waste collection efforts had improved in some residential areas, PUNCH Healthwise discovered that public spaces like motor parks remained a challenge.

Different parks, similar problems

From Mile 2 to Iyana-Oba, Iyana-Ipaja to Agege, Obalende to Iyana-Oworo, and Ketu to Ojota, the story was the same. It was discovered that there was a trail of filth, neglect, and disregard for the environment in these motor parks.

Park after park, our correspondent observed that trash littered the ground, and gutters were clogged.

When PUNCH Healthwise visited Mile 2 motor park on January 21, it was discovered that the park was a mess, with trash littering every available surface. Not a single waste bin was found, leaving commuters and drivers to toss their trash on the ground.

It was observed that the gutters just by the Mile 2- Badagry expressway were clogged with dirt and trash, creating a breeding ground for disease-carrying pests.

It was also observed that drivers and traders burned their trash in makeshift fires, creating a haze of smoke that hung over the park like a pall.

The park’s leaders seemed unconcerned, more focused on the daily grind of transporting engers than maintaining a clean and healthy environment.One of the drivers simply identified as Jamiu told our correspondent that they had to burn some of their waste daily, a practice that was not only harmful to the environment but also a health hazard for the commuters.

He said in Yoruba, “This is the only way we can reduce the waste here. You know this is a big park and keeping this waste can be dangerous. So, we decided to always burn them every evening so that we don’t have a pile-up of waste.

“Sweepers used to come here, but still we can’t control how people just throw waste here. If we had a waste bin, maybe it would have been a different ball game entirely.”

At Masamasa and Festac gates, it was observed that the parks there do not have waste bins as well. People were seen burning some of the dirt just like they did in Mile 2.

One of the traders at the park said, “We use cart pushers because we don’t really see LAWMA people on time. And for some of us, we just burned that dirt at night so that we don’t have a problem with the union people here.

“The union doesn’t want us to litter the environment and that is why they always want everywhere to be clean at least during the start of the day.”

It was also observed that some cart pushers come around to pick up some of the dirt and take it to an illegal dumping site around Peace Park in Festac where they dispose of it, and remove plastic bottles which they will sell before burning the ones that are not useful.

Our correspondent who toured the length of Mile 2 to Alakija saw more than four illegal dump sites where plastic bottles were removed and repackaged for selling, while other wastes were burned.

At Iyana-Oba, Agege, Ketu, Berger and Iyana-Ipaja motor parks, the situation was the same, there were no single waste bins, and the environment was littered with dirt and debris.

Plastic bottles and nylon bags covered the pavements, and food vendors, unable to find proper disposal points, resorted to dumping leftovers in gutters.

Also, used sachets of water and alcoholic drinks were sighted littering different parts of the parks.

It was observed that while the parks serve as critical points for movement and commerce, their unhygienic conditions threaten the very health of those who rely on them.

“I have been coming to this park for more than 10 years, and it’s only gotten worse.

“Nobody cares . We live with this dirt as if it’s normal. When the rains come, we know the sickness will follow,” said Gbenga Adebayo, a bus conductor at Iyana-Ipaja park

Speaking with a union leader at Iyana-Oba park, Rasaki Olaitan said efforts to waste have not been successful because of a lack of proper waste disposal.

“It is really difficult for us as a union to manage waste here because as you can see this is a convergence of larger people from different states and you cannot just ask them not to dispose of their waste.

“Although there is a PSP container at Iyana-Oba market which is not too far from here, how are we going to take our own waste there if there is no waste bin at our park? That is why people eat and just dump the used takeaway park, plastic bottles and others here,” he lamented.

At Agege, a enger expressed displeasure over the lack of proper waste disposal at the park.

He said, “The park is still filthy, and it is even worse during the rainy season. The government needs to see having waste bins at parks as something important.

“In the past, you will see waste bins inside public vehicles and this helps in having proper waste management. I don’t know why the government did not make it compulsory, but they must go back to it now.”

At Iyana-Oworo, our correspondent observed that while there was no proper waste bin, sacks were used as waste containers.

Moving around the park, a corner at the park has become a dump site for the traders in the garage.

None of the traders or union leaders were ready to speak with PUNCH Healthwise when our correspondent approached them.

But from observation, the environment looked dirty, as plastic bottles and nylon littered the park.

But when our correspondent went to the Ojota park just behind the popular Ojota dump site, it was discovered that the environment looked clean despite not having a single waste bin.

Speaking with one of the union leaders, Tajudeen Madojutimi said the park ensures proper disposal of waste daily.

He also said they have a full-time sweeper who is always available to take care of the park and ensure the waste is disposed of when due.

He said, “We don’t allow people to throw waste here. We ensure proper waste management and we dispose of them as soon as we get it.

“We don’t have any government waste bin but you know our place is closer to the dumpsite, so it is easier for us to dispose of our waste.”

Availability of waste bins with filthy environment

When our correspondent visited Oshodi and Obalende, the story was different as waste disposals were sighted at the two parks.

Despite the waste bins at Obalende and Oshodi, it was observed that the environment still looked filthy, as dirt littered the garages.

At the BRT section of the Oshodi motor park, more than seven waste bins were sighted. Also, the park for buses heading to other states equally had four waste bins. But just a stone’s throw, a different story unfolded.

The two parks where yellow buses congregated were in poor condition, with the environment looking unkempt.

Not a single waste bin was sighted at these parks, as the ground was littered with discarded trash.

At one of the parks, a basket used as a waste bin was sighted at the two entrances filled with used styrofoam, plastic bottles and sachet water.

Our correspondent also observed commuters and drivers tossing their trash on the ground.

At Obalende, a PSP container was sighted but was filled with dirt and trash.

While it was clear that the park still had a long way to go in of waste management, the presence of the PSP container suggested that some effort was being made to address the issue.

Despite the PSP container being available, PUNCH Healthwise observed that dirt still littered the environment.

The environment looks similar to places without any waste disposal.

Speaking with our correspondent, one of the drivers simply identified as David said it takes more than four to five days before LAWMA comes around to dispose of the dirt inside the container.

“It is just like we don’t have any proper waste management because LAWMA doesn’t come here on time. It may take days before they come to pick it up,” he said,

Blame game

In many of the parks visited, the park officials who were also the union leaders claimed they were doing their best to keep the park clean, but the commuters were to blame for the trash and filth.

They lamented that engers often abused the environment by dumping things not useful to them either inside a vehicle or at the park.

One of the union leaders at Ketu, Johnson Adeoye said, “Many of the time, it is the engers that are responsible because they will enter a bus, eat gala and drink coke and just dump everything inside the bus. When the bus driver gets back to the park, he will sweep his vehicle and also dump everything there.

“So, when you look at it, you will realise that the engers are the ones to be blamed for this. But I also believe if we have small waste bins inside our vehicles that will eradicate this.

“You cannot really blame us if you think the environment is not clean enough because we ensure that this place is cleaned every day, but can we caution engers not to throw their waste? We cannot do anything about that except we have a proper waste disposal we want them to use.”

Dangers of improper waste disposal

The lack of proper waste management infrastructure in the parks was not just an environmental issue, but also a public health concern.

PUNCH Healthwise reports that the trash and filth that littered the parks were a breeding ground for diseases, and the commuters who used the parks every day were at risk of contracting illnesses.

According to the World Health Organisation, inadequate waste management is a major public health concern, particularly in urban areas.

WHO estimated that over 22 per cent of deaths in low- and middle-income countries are attributable to environmental factors, including inadequate waste management.

Similarly, a study published in The Journal said improper waste disposal can have serious environmental consequences, including contamination from industrial chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

The study highlighted the need for effective waste management strategies, including recycling, proper disposal, and reduction of plastic use, to mitigate the harmful effects of improper waste disposal on the environment and human health.

The study also found that improper waste disposal could result in habitat destruction, with waste piling up in natural areas and destroying habitats for wildlife.

Experts warn of impending doom

Environmental experts warned that poor waste management practices at motor parks may result in a catastrophic environmental disaster.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts stressed that the country’s poor waste management practices are a major challenge that requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.

They warned that failure to address poor waste management practices in public places like motor parks could have severe consequences, including the spread of diseases, environmental degradation, and economic losses.

A professor of Polymer Chemistry at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, Dosu Malomo, noted that the lack of proper waste management infrastructure in Lagos parks is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash a host of environmental and health disasters on the city.

“The government needs to take immediate action to address this issue. We need to have a comprehensive waste management policy in place, one that takes into the unique challenges of Lagos parks,” he noted.

Malomo noted that the current situation, where waste is left to accumulate in parks, is not only an eyesore but also a breeding ground for diseases.

He added, “We are talking about a situation where people are exposed to all manner of diseases, from cholera to typhoid fever. It is a public health crisis waiting to happen.”

The professor stated that the consequences of poor waste management could also lead to the blockage of waterways, gutters, and drainage systems, which can lead to flooding and other environmental disasters.

According to the professor, a lack of effective waste management policy is a major contributor to the problem.

“We don’t have a good policy on waste management in this country. It is not just in Lagos, it is everywhere. It is an eyesore, and it’s not just in motor parks, but also on our streets and roads,” he said.

Malomo noted that the situation is worsened by the fact that many Nigerians have a culture of indiscriminate waste disposal.

“People eat in buses and throw the wrappers out of the window. They don’t care about the environment. It is a constitutive problem, and it is not just about the parks, but about our attitude towards waste disposal,” he stated.

The don advocated for a multi-faceted approach to addressing the issue, including the implementation of effective waste management policies, public education and awareness campaigns, and the provision of adequate waste disposal infrastructure.

“We need to change our attitude towards waste disposal. We need to make it a priority, and we need to hold our leaders able for ensuring that our environment is clean and healthy,” he urged.

https://punchng.com/inside-lagos-motor-parks-where-refuse-competes-with-commuters/