Badagry Anglican Bishop Demands State Police, and Safer Schools

By: Manoah Kikekon

BADAGRY, LAGOS — The Anglican Diocese of Badagry has issued a strong warning to Nigeria's political class and security agencies ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections. The church is calling for immediate constitutional reforms, including the legalization of state police and tighter security around schools, to address the country's worsening economic and security challenges.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, May 18, 2026, ahead of the first session of the Eighth Synod of the Diocese, the Diocesan Bishop, **Rt. Rev. Babatunde Adeyemi, voiced deep concern over nationwide instability, rampant food inflation, and the vulnerability of educational institutions.

This particular assembly marks a significant milestone for the diocese, serving as Bishop Adeyemi’s valedictory Synod before his official retirement on January 14, 2027. Under the theme "Gratitude" inspired by the biblical account in Luke 17:11-19 the Bishop expressed appreciation for the diocese's growth over its 21-year history despite early financial hurdles.

Addressing the state of the nation, Bishop Adeyemi strongly condemned the recent abductions of school children in parts of Oyo and Borno states. He warned that targeting schools directly threatens the fabric of basic education and will inevitably worsen Nigeria's already high out-of-school child population.

“The bandits and terrorists behave as if they have no children," Bishop Adeyemi stated. "Education is the best legacy one can give to a child. Parents cannot continue to send their children to school when they are unsure of their safety. It is a wake-up call to protect our primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions with every means available.”

To combat this, the Diocese renewed its advocacy for decentralized law enforcement. Adeyemi urged the National Assembly to fast-track the state police bill, arguing that existing regional and local apparatuses—such as the Amotekun corps and various neighborhood watch groups are already equipped to form the foundation of localized policing. He noted that the centralized Nigeria Police Force can no longer effectively secure the entire country without active state and local government collaboration.

Turning to the high cost of living, the Bishop linked the country's economic struggles to global energy tensions and flawed internal policies. He urged the Federal Government to cushion the effects of subsidy removals by giving undivided attention to agriculture and shielding food-producing communities from terrorist attacks.

Furthermore, he advised the government to take a pragmatic approach to the country's petroleum issues by actively supplying domestic crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in Naira.

“If the government will not subsidise fuel, then attention must be turned to agriculture and protecting food-producing communities,” the cleric noted.

With political maneuvers already picking up speed ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Anglican Diocese called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and security agencies to maintain total neutrality.

The Bishop specifically warned young Nigerians against being used as instruments of political violence by desperate power brokers.

“Our youths should not allow themselves to be used by politicians who have sent their own children abroad for education," Adeyemi cautioned, adding firmly that "no politician is worth dying for.”

Reflecting on his leadership, Bishop Adeyemi praised the infrastructural and spiritual expansion of the Badagry Diocese, which has successfully grown its churches, clergy strength, schools, and built a dedicated conference center.

He also commended the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, for driving local development, specifically pointing to the face-lift around the Badagry roundabout and ongoing advocacy for the completion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Dr. Henrietta Ukwu Demand Urgent Overhaul to Crush Nigeria’s 70% Drug Import Dependency

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Dr. Henrietta Ukwu 

ILORIN, NIGERIA – Renowned global biopharmaceutical executive, Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, has issued a fierce wake-up call to Nigeria's political and industrial leadership, labeling the nation's 70 percent reliance on foreign-manufactured medicines as both "worrisome and unfortunate."

Delivering a compelling keynote address at the 29th Annual National Conference of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) in Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr. Ukwu challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to aggressively ramp up support for local drug manufacturing as a matter of urgent national health security and sovereignty.

Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry as a Pillar of National Health, Wealth, and Security,” Dr. Ukwu stressed that true national sovereignty is impossible when a country relies almost entirely on foreign powers for vital medicines, vaccines, and basic medical supplies.

“Health is Wealth,” Dr. Ukwu emphasized passionately. “We have incredible expertise and all it takes to move the pharmaceutical industry forward, but we are not fully harnessing the natural resources Nigeria is endowed with. The Federal Government is making efforts and progress is being recorded, but there is still significant room for improvement.”

Her position was strongly reinforced by the National Chairman of NAIP, Bankole Ezebuilo, who issued a stark warning to stakeholders. He noted that surviving sustainably while outsourcing foundational healthcare is mathematically impossible, urging the local industry to abandon fragmented efforts in favor of a cohesive, innovation-driven network.

“A nation that cannot produce its own medicines is a nation negotiating with its health, and negotiation is not where you want to be when lives are at stake,” Ezebuilo declared, pointing out the extreme dangers of a 70 percent import dependency margin. “No nation can outsource its health security, and no sector can thrive in isolation. Doing more of the same will not take us where we need to go.”

While acknowledging the structural headwinds plaguing the sector, Dr. Ukwu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), which boldly targets a reversal of the current trends aiming for 70 percent local manufacturing capacity by 2030.

However, she was quick to clarify that achieving true pharmaceutical self-reliance requires a complete departure from simple packaging or cosmetic "fill-and-finish" assembly lines. Instead, she called for aggressive, partnership-driven funding targeted at localizing the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and advanced medical formulations.

To prove that a domestic manufacturing revolution is already feasible, Dr. Ukwu highlighted several groundbreaking industrial milestones currently underway across the country:

The Fidson-IFC Pact: A strategic alliance with the International Finance Corporation to build dedicated local API production infrastructure.

The Emzor API Hub: The nearing completion of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited's state-of-the-art API facility in Sagamu, Ogun State, structurally designed to pioneer regional anti-malarial ingredient production.

Cross-Border Frameworks: Technical cooperation agreements like the European Union-backed ELMiN initiative, France's Qualimed Project, and bilateral industrial pacts with Brazil.

Regulatory Driving Forces: The aggressive implementation of NAFDAC’s "5+5 Policy," which directly penalizes lazy import models and forces major pharmaceutical companies to establish domestic manufacturing plants.

Despite the industry's clear momentum, Dr. Ukwu warned that Nigeria's high-flying 2030 local manufacturing goals will stall without immediate, systemic interventions from the state. Chief among these barriers is the brutal lack of long-term capital, with barely 10 percent of local pharmaceutical firms currently able to secure affordable financing.

To bridge this financial gap, she urged the presidency to actively mobilize strategic funding through the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), alongside executing targeted foreign exchange relief and sweeping import duty exemptions on raw industrial solvents.

“Number one is the issue of importation of drugs into this country. How do we do that? By investment,” Dr. Ukwu concluded. “When investors see that manufacturers are meeting world standards, they will put their money into the industry, and this will boost the production of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria. The success of these initiatives depends on consistent policy, improved regulatory efficiency, and continued investment to transition to full-scale, sustainable manufacturing.”

Badagry Council Clears Air on LSNSC Office Sealing, Blames Security Breach and Assault

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Hon. Babatunde Hunpe Executive Chairman of Badagry and LNSC Officer 

BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Badagry Local Government Council has strongly refuted viral social media reports alleging that its Chairman forcefully evicted personnel of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC) over political disloyalty. 

In a swift and detailed rejoinder released on Monday, May 18, 2026, the council administration described the online narrative as a "misleading and deliberately distorted" attempt to weaponize falsehoods following the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.

According to the local government management, the temporary sealing of the LSNSC office was a purely administrative and security-driven measure sparked by an operational confrontation and subsequent assault on a council official, rather than political victimization.

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Badagry Youths Calls Council Chairman Act ‘Illegal’ over Eviction of Security Corps After APC Primaries

Badagry Council Chairman Babatunde Hunpe Allegedly Seals LNSC Security Office Over ‘Disloyalty’

The council revealed that the crisis began on the day of the primary election collation, during which strict security directives were enforced to restrict vehicular entry into the Local Government Secretariat due to the highly sensitive and tense nature of the exercise.

According to eye-witness accounts, the Badagry LSNSC Commander, Mr. Samson Zannu, arrived at the gate and insisted on driving his vehicle into the premises. When security personnel acting on orders politely denied him entry, Mr. Zannu reportedly became confrontational.

"Rather than comply professionally with the directive, Mr. Zannu became confrontational and engaged in altercations with officers on duty," the council’s official statement revealed. "Witnesses confirmed that he later returned to his vehicle and attempted to forcefully gain entry through the gate with the vehicle, thereby escalating an already tense security atmosphere."

The situation was temporarily de-escalated after a senior LASTMA officer from the State Operations Command intervened and contacted higher authorities, prompting Mr. Zannu to apologize and leave the scene peacefully.

The issue resurfaced during a routine security briefing on Monday morning, where concerns were raised about the need to maintain absolute discipline within the secretariat. To prevent further friction, council management collectively decided that LSNSC personnel should temporarily deploy directly to their field duty posts across the local government area, rather than assembling at the secretariat. As part of this arrangement, the on-site LSNSC office was ordered to remain sealed until Thursday.

However, the council stated that the directive was met with violent resistance, allegedly instigated by the commander.

“Unfortunately, rather than comply with this peace-driven administrative arrangement, the Commander allegedly instructed some personnel to resist the directive," the rejoinder stated. "In the process, the Supervisor for Environment was reportedly assaulted, slapped, and molested while carrying out official responsibilities.”

Senior political stakeholders and apex leaders present at the secretariat had to step in immediately to restore calm and prevent further disciplinary escalation against the embattled commander.

The local government has strongly cautioned political actors against using emotional propaganda to create artificial divisions within the Badagry federation. The administration maintained that the ruling party's primaries have nothing to do with standard institutional discipline.

No officer was sanctioned or targeted for their political affiliation or for supporting any specific aspirant.

No democratic rights were violated during the process.

The steps taken were purely preventative measures aimed at preserving law and order.

“It is therefore mischievous, irresponsible, and politically dishonest for anyone to twist these events into a false narrative of ‘political victimization’ or ‘punishment for supporting another aspirant,’ ” the statement concluded.

The council urged members of the public to completely disregard the sensationalized online publications, reiterating its unwavering commitment to democratic values, institutional neutrality, and the peaceful coexistence of all political factions in Badagry.

Badagry Youths Calls Council Chairman Act ‘Illegal’ over Eviction of Security Corps After APC Primaries

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Hon. Babatunde Hunpe 

BADAGRY, LAGOS – Fresh political turmoil has erupted in Badagry following the aftermath of the hotly contested All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections. A prominent grassroots group, the Concerned Youths of Badagry Federation, has strongly condemned what it describes as an unlawful executive overreach by the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Atande Hunpe.

In a detailed, legally backed statement released on Monday, May 18, 2026, the youth group alleged that Hon. Hunpe ordered officers and leadership of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) to immediately vacate their operational office located within the Local Government Secretariat. 

The eviction was allegedly triggered by accusations that the state-backed security outfit showed political sympathy toward a rival candidate during the recently concluded National Assembly primaries.

The youth coalition pointed out that a local government chairman lacks the constitutional or statutory powers to discipline or eject an agency established by the state government. The LNSC is a creation of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency Law and operates strictly under the control and command of the Lagos State Government.

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Badagry Council Chairman Babatunde Hunpe Allegedly Seals LNSC Security Office Over ‘Disloyalty’

Invoking landmark judicial precedents, the group noted that the rule of law must supersede impulsive executive directives.

“In administrative law, it is trite that where a statute prescribes the manner by which a power is to be exercised, any other method inconsistent with the law becomes null and void," the statement read. "The Supreme Court in Governor of Kaduna State v. Kagoma held that statutory powers must be exercised strictly within the confines of the law establishing such authority.”

The group further argued that the eviction flagrantly violates Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing before any punitive administrative action can be taken.

At the heart of the crisis is the alleged victimization of public officers based on their perceived political preferences. The Concerned Youths reminded the local administration that Section 40 of the Constitution safeguards every Nigerian's right to freedom of association, including political alignment.

“While the Public Service Rules discourage partisan abuse of office, there is nowhere under Nigerian law where mere political sympathy or private political preference automatically constitutes misconduct," the youth coalition asserted. "The Court of Appeal in INEC v. Musa affirmed that political participation and association are constitutional rights which cannot be arbitrarily extinguished by administrative actions inconsistent with the Constitution.”

The group warned that punishing security personnel based on "perceived political alignment," without any concrete evidence of official misconduct, sets a highly dangerous precedent for Nigeria's democratic institutions.

Beyond the political optics, the forced removal of the LNSC from the council secretariat poses a severe risk to the local intelligence community. As a vital grassroots security outfit, the neighborhood safety corps plays a central role in community surveillance, crime prevention, and local intelligence gathering.

By forcefully displacing these officers, the local government has created an artificial vacuum, exposing the people of Badagry to heightened security vulnerabilities.

“This is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of governance, legality, and the safety of the people of Badagry," the group declared. "Any action that obstructs or displaces its officers from duty stations without lawful authority creates an avoidable vacuum in local security operations.”

The Concerned Youths of Badagry Federation formally called on the Governor of Lagos State and the Lagos State House of Assembly to immediately step in. They demand a full, impartial investigation into Hon. Hunpe's directives, urging the state to deploy necessary legislative oversight and disciplinary measures if an abuse of office is established.

Badagry Council Chairman Babatunde Hunpe Allegedly Seals LNSC Security Office Over ‘Disloyalty’

By: Manoah Kikekon 

AJARA, BADAGRY – Tension is mounting within the Badagry Local Government Secretariat in Ajara following the controversial eviction of Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) personnel and the immediate sealing of their administrative office. The directive was reportedly issued personally by the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Babatunde Adande Hunpe.

The incident, which leaked to the public via a viral video circulating on social media, on Monday as sparked intense debate over the weaponization of local government infrastructure for political retaliation following the highly contentious APC primary elections.

In the footage captured at the local government secretariat, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe could be seen angrily confronting security officials. The chairman insisted that his administration maintains a strict non-partisan stance and demanded that the state-backed neighborhood watchmen vacate the premises immediately.

“All Neighborhood Watch people should go out and look for their own place where they can use their power,” Hunpe was heard declaring in the video.

Defending his heavy-handed directive, the chairman implied that the actions of certain security personnel were actively threatening the peace and stability of the local government area during a volatile election cycle.

“We are in an electioneering period. I am in charge, and the security of the local government is very, very important. I cannot close my eyes and see somebody destroy what I am doing," Hunpe stated during the confrontation. "I am not partisan, and I have warned everyone around me.”

Despite the chairman’s public insistence on neutrality, insider sources within the secretariat suggest a entirely different motivation. Allegations have emerged from local personnel claiming that the eviction is a direct act of political retribution targeted at the LNSC Commanding Officer, Zannu Samson T.

The commanding officer is alleged to have quietly mobilised grassroots support for a rival aspirant during the fiercely contested APC House of Representatives primary election for the Badagry Federal Constituency a race that split the local political structure between camps loyal to Prince Sesi Whingan and Hon. Olusegun Onilude.

By backing an opposing faction, local power brokers reportedly viewed the security chief’s actions as an act of political sabotage against the dominant local government machinery.

When media correspondents reached out to the affected LNSC Commanding Officer, Zannu Samson T., to confirm whether the eviction was an act of political victimization, he declined to elaborate on the details of the viral video.

“The matter has been resolved internally, and I cannot say anything more on the issue at this time,” Zannu stated in a brief telephone interview.

Badagry 2027: PDP Selects Barrister Medemaku as Consensus Candidate for House of Reps Seat

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Medemaku Abayomi Noah 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a decisive step toward the 2027 general elections by officially electing Barrister Medemaku Abayomi Noah as its consensus flagbearer for the Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The breakthrough development was revealed on Sunday, May 17, 2026, following a unanimous decision by party stakeholders. The consensus agreement was formalized via an official result sheet signed by the designated returning officers, Ojosipe Victoria and Ibiaho Samson, confirming the legal practitioner as the party's unified choice.

Reacting to his emergence, Barrister Medemaku expressed deep dissatisfaction with the historical and current state of representation in the constituency, promising an era of transparency and visible growth.

"My target is a greater Badagry," Medemaku declared. "We have had representations in the past and up to this moment, and they have not brought any substantial development to Badagry. This has to stop. We are seeing what other Rep members are doing in their various constituencies, but here, we don't even know what the constituency allowances are being used for. This time, we have a new set of people who are very intentional about power."

"It is visible that apart from Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, the former PDP House of Representative Member, who brought visible development to Badagry, we have not had a House of Representative Member who has done anything reasonable. I am ready to  do very much better than Hon. Koshoedo if I'm given the opportunity, it is high time the people start supporting someone who have the people at heart," Medemaku added.

A proud native of Ikoga-Zebbe in Ward I of Badagry Local Government, Medemaku is a familiar face within local political circles. He previously flew the PDP flag as the chairmanship candidate in the last Badagry Local Government elections, an outing that helped him establish a formidable grassroots network built on promises of inclusive governance.

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In addition to his legislative ambitions, the legal practitioner is currently embroiled in a high-profile legal battle. He is actively challenging the eligibility of the incumbent Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, in a lawsuit currently pending before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Badagry.

Political analysts in the Lagos West Senatorial District view this early consensus choice by the PDP as a highly strategic move designed to avoid internal friction and maximize campaign time.

By fielding a young, professionally accomplished son of Ikoga-Zebbe, the PDP aims to capture the momentum of youth voters and disillusioned residents who are increasingly demanding fresh political alternatives to the ruling party.

Lagos 2027: Akinwunmi Ambode Support Group Endorses Samuel Ajose for Lagos Governor

 By: Manoah Kikekon

Samuel Mawuyon Ajose and Akinwunmi Ambode 

IKORODU, LAGOS – In a dramatic political twist that will redefined the governorship race in Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode support group has endorsed the ambition of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose (SMA) to become the next governor of Lagos State.

At a heavily attended mobilization rally on Sunday May 17, 2026 in Ikorodu ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections is Scheduled for Thursday, Ajose officially announced the endorsement of former Lagos State Governor’s support group.

Addressing a crowd of thousands of party faithful and grassroots supporters, an ecstatic Samuel Ajose revealed that the former governor has completely integrated his political networks across the state into the SMA movement to ensure a resounding victory at the primaries.

“We are not here alone today; we are here with the ultimate support of the support group of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and has declared their full support for us, and they are now working actively for our success,” Ajose declared to loud cheers.

Ajose further disclosed ambitious electoral targets stemming from the new alliance, pledging absolute loyalty to the national leadership of the party.

“They have also promised to add an extra one million votes to the three million votes we already promised our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.

The high-stakes endorsement comes amidst widespread media speculation that Ambode had privately endorsed the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who is also widely tipped to run for the state's top job.

However, representatives of various Ambode Support Groups who were visibly active at the Ikorodu rally explicitly debunked those reports. Taking the stage, group leaders urged supporters to look past the political propaganda and remain firm in their choice.

“Do not be scared of anybody. Make sure you come out en masse to vote and endorse Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose,” an Ambode support group coordinator charged the crowd. “Most importantly, you must protect your votes. Do not allow anybody to tamper with the results when the primary begins.”

The Ikorodu mobilization rally turned into a carnival-like celebration, with attendees chanting solidarity songs for Ajose. For many residents of the IBILE divisions, the alliance between the Badagry-born Ajose and the Epe-born Ambode represents a powerful coalition of marginalized regions seeking a fairer share of infrastructural development.

Campaign coordinators maintained that the partnership is built on a shared blueprint for economic acceleration and inclusive governance, asserting that Ajose possesses the exact executive competence required to build on the state's existing legacies.