Mobolaji Ogunlende Urges New Corps Members to Embrace Every Opportunity to Learn

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Mobolaji Ogunlende 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, has tasked newly mobilized National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to fully maximize their orientation period by embracing all available learning opportunities to prepare themselves for the future.

Mr. Ogunlende made this call on Friday while representing Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, at the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch 'B' Stream II Orientation Course held at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

Welcoming the corps members to the Centre of Excellence, the commissioner noted that the orientation camp is purposefully structured to instil the discipline, leadership acumen, teamwork, and resilience required to navigate a successful service year.

"I warmly welcome all Corps Members to Lagos and encourage them to take full advantage of the orientation programme," Mr. Ogunlende stated. "The camp is designed to equip them with the discipline, leadership, teamwork, and resilience required for a successful service year. I urge them all to embrace every opportunity to learn, build lasting relationships, and uphold the core values and principles of the National Youth Service Corps."

Emphasizing the vital role youth play in national cohesion, the Lagos State government reiterated that the NYSC scheme remains an incomparable platform for fostering unity, cross-cultural integration, and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria. Corps members were further charged to view their deployment as a call to national service and active transformation.

As the participants prepare to transition into their respective Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) upon the conclusion of camp activities, Mr. Ogunlende implored them to leave an indelible mark in their host communities.

"As they proceed to their respective Places of Primary Assignment after the orientation exercise, I implore them to serve diligently, contribute positively to their host communities, and be exemplary ambassadors of the NYSC Scheme," he added. "I wish you all a fulfilling, impactful, and memorable service year as we continue to build a greater Lagos and a stronger Nigeria together."

ActionAid and HUFFPED Commission Multi-Million Naira Solar-Powered ICT Centre in Badagry

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

ActionAid Nigeria, in partnership with the Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED) and with the staunch support of the Badagry Local Government, has commissioned and handed over a state-of-the-art, solar-powered ICT learning centre at St. Patrick's Primary School, Iragbo/Iragon.

The commissioning event, held on Friday, August 7, 2026, marks a milestone for rural education in Lagos State. The newly upgraded facility comes fully equipped with brand-new laptops, uninterrupted solar power, high-speed unlimited internet access, and comfortable student seating, effectively bridging the digital divide for young learners in remote communities.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kehinde Arowosegbe, Local Rights Specialist at ActionAid Nigeria, described the day as a momentous occasion dedicated to unlocking future possibilities for grassroots children.

"Today is a day of celebration because we are not merely commissioning a building, but we are opening the door to greater learning opportunities, digital inclusion, and a brighter future for the children of this community," Arowosegbe stated.

"At ActionAid Nigeria, we believe every child deserves access to quality education regardless of where they live or their economic background. Through our local rights programme, ActionAid continues to work with communities, government institutions, schools, and civil society to promote quality education, strengthen community resilience, and ensure that the rights of children and vulnerable people are protected and realised."

Arowosegbe further revealed that ActionAid invested a total sum of ₦5,970,300 through its local partners toward the comprehensive renovation and technological upgrade of the learning hub, ensuring a safe, reliable, and sustainable environment where pupils can master computer literacy and teachers can modernize pedagogical methods.

Representing the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Akim Adeyemi, lauded the non-governmental organizations for their impactful intervention, emphasizing the government's readiness to embrace sustainable partnerships.

"I sincerely appreciate ActionAid Nigeria for this laudable support. You have once again shown that when development partners work with government and traditional institutions, the impact is direct and lasting," Adeyemi remarked.

"To ActionAid, we say thank you. This ICT learning centre will introduce our children to computer literacy and research right from primary school. We are moving Iragbo children from chalkboards to keyboards, from local to global that is the kind of future we want in Badagry. Badagry Local Government is open to more developments like this."

Also speaking at the event, the Baale of Iragbo, Chief Thomas Agosu, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the traditional council, noting that the facility is designed to benefit not only the pupils of St. Patrick’s Primary School but the entire cluster of neighbouring communities.

While promising community-wide stewardship, Chief Agosu highlighted swift commitments from local political stakeholders: "I have noted that Hon. Alfred Gbenu, the Councillor for Ward I and a proud son of Iragbo, has promised to buy an additional two laptops, while Hon. Ajadi Omotayosi, the Supervisor for Chieftaincy Affairs in Badagry, has also promised to buy one. I believe we are going to have even more."

Drawing attention to infrastructural needs, the traditional ruler passionately appealed for enhanced safety measures around the institution, stressing that a historic school existing for over two centuries deserves adequate perimeter fencing to safeguard its students and state-of-the-art assets.

The landmark event concluded with applause from teachers, pupils, and community leaders, setting a transformative benchmark for technological advancement and digital learning across rural primary schools in Lagos State.

Mobolaji Ogunlende Launches 6th Edition of RAK League in Badagry

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Real Act of Kindness (RAK) Development Foundation in partnership with The Badagry Division Football Association (BDFA), has officially commenced the 2025/2026 6th Edition of the RAK League, featuring both male and female categories.

The tournament was formally announced on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, during a high-profile press briefing hosted at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat. Spearheaded by the pioneer of the RAK Foundation and Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the initiative continues to serve as a cornerstone for sports development and youth empowerment in the region.

Reflecting on the remarkable growth of the competition, Hon. Ogunlende recalled how the initiative started six years ago as a modest local tournament involving just eight teams within Badagry Township. Through strategic partnerships and the relentless dedication of the BDFA, the tournament has blossomed into one of the largest grassroots football competitions in Lagos State.

"This year's edition features over 40 football clubs drawn from the entire Badagry Division, covering all 13 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LG/LCDAs)," Ogunlende stated. "This remarkable growth is a clear testament to the enormous football talent that exists within our communities and our shared determination to provide opportunities for young people to excel."

Highlighting the inclusivity of the tournament, he added: "Today, the female division has become an integral part of this competition, proving that when given equal opportunities, women and girls can compete, excel, and inspire future generations. This reflects our unwavering belief that sports development must be inclusive and accessible to everyone regardless of gender."

Over the years, the RAK League has transcended local entertainment to become a genuine talent factory, producing exceptional players and tacticians who have transitioned to national and international platforms. Noteworthy success stories include Solomon Agbalaka, who progressed to play for FC Sochi in Russia, and Olawonyi Ibrahim, who continues his professional career in Turkey.

The league has equally catalyzed professional growth for local coaches. Mentors such as Olusoji Sunday and Sheriff Tijani have advanced to manage clubs in the Nigeria National League (NNL), while Coach Frank secured a high-profile coaching role with Ikorodu City FC in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). At the club level, participants like Emaljus FC, SC Heritage FC, Chekas United FC, ECAS FC, and Power of the Cross FC have advanced to the Lagos State League, with Roro FC and Young Stars FC breaking into Nationwide League One (NLO).

Addressing the financial logistics of the tournament, the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Prince Hajji Gafar Liameed, announced a significant subsidy to ease the financial burden on participating teams.

"If you have a tournament like this, the referee association always takes a bulk of the cost. A standard 90-minute match here in Lagos should cost at least ₦50,000 per referee, and if we have three officiating referees and one reserve referee, that is ₦200,000 per game," Liameed explained. 

"However, the association has spoken to the referees, and instead of ₦50,000, it has been subsidized to ₦25,000 per game." Responding to inquiries regarding internal administrative matters within the local football structure, Liameed reassured stakeholders that "the BDFA house is in order; what we only have now is like a house painted white with a few stains, and we will work on repainting the house."

To further bolster local backing, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, pledged active support to the tournament by committing to donate official match balls.

Addressing questions concerning the much-anticipated Badagry Stadium project, Hon. Ogunlende assured residents that plans remain on track. "A number of stadiums were supposed to be built in Lagos State simultaneously, but due to some circumstances, it was split into phases, which implies that the construction of the Badagry Stadium will commence soon," he added.

"Explain Why You Froze Our Accounts: Governor Adeleke Blasts EFCC Chairman

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Gov. Ademola Adeleke 

OSOGBO, NIGERIA – Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has challenged the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to publicly justify the sudden freezing of the Osun State Government accounts.

Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Osogbo, an infuriated Governor Adeleke labeled the anti-graft agency's action as an egregious illegality designed to truncate democratic norms and paralyze governance in the state. The development comes just days before the fiercely contested August 15th governorship election.

According to the governor, the directive to freeze the state's accounts arrived via a bank notification on Wednesday morning, acting on instructions from the EFCC. Governor Adeleke maintained that the anti-graft agency bypassed due process by executing the order without obtaining a valid court order.

Linking the move to desperate political machinations, Adeleke alleged that the clampdown was orchestrated at the behest of political opponents over an election they fear they cannot win.

"All these intimidation and attacks were carried out on the order of Gboyega Oyetola over an election his candidate cannot win," Governor Adeleke declared. 

"This action was taken without any court order. We are supposed to be in a democracy, where the Rule of Law must always prevail. We will therefore not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of subnational governments."

The governor further warned that keeping silent in the face of such actions would completely erode the remnants of Nigeria's democracy. He demanded immediate transparency from the EFCC leadership:

"All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and to Nigerians in general why he froze Osun State Government Account, and show proof to support whatever reason he presents. This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun State are turning our democracy into a huge joke."

Corroborating the governor's stance, the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), announced that he had received explicit instructions to challenge the EFCC's directive at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.

Jimi-Bada explained that a 'Post No Debit' instruction was served to First Bank, where the state accounts are domiciled. While acknowledging the EFCC's statutory right to investigate, the Commissioner emphasized that freezing accounts arbitrarily without a court order is a gross violation of legal boundaries that threatens to stall vital state operations.

"I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts, but it can’t freeze the accounts without an order of court," Jimi-Bada stated.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, added to the state's grievances, alleging that security operatives had stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and harassed bank staff. He stressed that state funds were not being diverted for re-election campaigns, urging the anti-graft commission to weigh the humanitarian and administrative fallout of halting a state government's financial engine.

As legal teams prepare for an intense showdown at the Federal High Court, the political atmosphere in Osun State remains highly charged with the August 15th election rapidly approaching.

Badagry LGA Chairman Hunpe Marks One Year in Office, Gift Official Vehicles to Councillors

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe (fMHR), officially commenced activities marking his administration's first anniversary on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 with a special interdenominational prayer session and the presentation of official vehicles to councilors at the council secretariat in Ajara, Badagry.

Opening the anniversary celebrations, Hon. Hunpe reflected on his administration's journey over the past year, describing the milestone as a profound moment of gratitude to Almighty God for guidance, protection, and faithfulness. 

He noted that the occasion provided a vital platform to review the council's commitment to accountability, transparent administration, and purposeful leadership under the Greater Badagry Rising Agenda.

Highlighting the rationale behind the vehicle presentation, the Chairman emphasized that the initiative was designed to bolster grassroots governance and optimize service delivery across the various wards. 

He clarified that the automobiles were not mere symbols of office, but essential tools meant to empower councilors to engage more closely with their constituents, monitor local projects, and effectively discharge their legislative and oversight responsibilities.

"The vehicles are provided to enable our councilors to respond promptly to community needs and carry out their duties efficiently," Hon. Hunpe stated. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, traditional rulers, religious leaders, party stakeholders, and the entire management and staff of the council for their unwavering support throughout his first year in office.

The Vice Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, in his opening remarks, walked attendees through the administration's sweeping achievements, characterizing the preceding year as a masterclass in impactful grassroots transformation.

The Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Bankole Mautin Asokere, praised the Chairman for leveraging his extensive legislative and administrative experience to foster a harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms. He reaffirmed the legislature's dedication to partnering with the executive to drive further development.

LASUSBAS Introduces CBT as Over 1,000 Students Sit for 2026 JUPEB Examinations

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

LAGOS, NIGERIA– The Lagos State University School of Basic and Advanced Studies (LASUSBAS) has officially commenced its 2026 Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) examinations, adopting a pioneering Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for over 1,000 participating students.

The examinations kicked off on Monday, August 3, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic calendar as it transitions toward modern, technology-driven assessment models.

Speaking on the transition, the Director of LASUSBAS, Professor Yunus Adeleke Dauda, highlighted the strategic importance of the new testing framework. He explained that the integration of digital assessments aligns with updated national guidelines designed to elevate Nigerian educational standards to a global footing.

"The CBT is part of the new policy of the JUPEB; we were informed last year that this year's examination will be both CBT and PPT," Prof. Dauda stated. "To the larger society, it will enable our graduates to meet up with international standards. The students are really coping with it as it will even improve the computer literacy level and it has shown that if introduced generally there won't be much problem."

Prof. Dauda further charged the candidates to put in their utmost effort to secure representative results that reflect their rigorous preparation.

The implementation follows an official directive issued to Lagos State University by the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) Examination Centres in a letter dated June 24, 2026. Reaffirming its vision to conduct standard and credible national evaluations, the Board introduced a hybrid examination format for the 2026 session.

Under the new arrangement, Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) are administered via a Computer-Based Test (CBT), while Essay Questions follow the traditional Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) format.

Following a successful National CBT Mock Examination held between July 30 and 31, 2026, the main national hybrid examinations are scheduled to run from August 3 to August 14, 2026. The CBT component spans August 3 to 6, while the PPT phase will run from August 7 to 14, 2026.

As LASUSBAS continues to lead the charge in seamless academic execution, university management has urged all candidates to maintain discipline and focus throughout the remaining examination window.

Do You Know This Man? Badagry LG Launches Manhunt Following ₦1.8m iPhone Theft

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

The suspect and image of an iphon 

Authorities at the Badagry Local Government have launched an manhunt for a yet-to-be-identified suspect following the alleged theft of an iPhone valued at ₦1.8 million within the council premises.

In a bid to track down the culprit, the local council has released closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage capturing the suspect, appealing to the general public for actionable intelligence that could lead to his immediate arrest.

According to a formal statement released by the Human Resources Office (HRO) of the council, the unfortunate incident took place on Monday, 3rd August 2026. The victim, who had visited the council's Legacy Building to obtain an official indigene certificate, was targeted on the third floor of the facility.

Investigators revealed that the suspect trailed the visitor before allegedly making away with the high-end smartphone. The perpetrator then managed to slip past security and exit the premises before the theft was detected.

Following a review of the security recordings, council authorities have made a public appeal, urging anyone who recognises the individual in the CCTV footage to come forward.

"Authorities have appealed to members of the public who may recognise the individual captured in the CCTV footage to provide information that could assist in his identification and investigation," the HRO stated.

Furthermore, the local government has implored residents and civic-minded individuals to share the surveillance footage across various social media platforms to widen the search radius and bring the suspect to book.

Anyone with useful information regarding the whereabouts or identity of the suspect is encouraged to contact the nearest police station or report directly to the Badagry Local Government security unit.