1 Year in office: Hon. Rauf Yemaren Highlights Milestones in Badagry West LCDA

 By: Manoah Kikekon

Hon. Ibrahim Rauf Yemaren 

BADAGRY, LAGOS – Marking a significant milestone in grassroots governance, the Executive Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren (RIKAY), has celebrated his first 365 days in office. 

Reflecting on a year defined by purposeful leadership and structural development, the Chairman expressed profound gratitude to residents for their unwavering support in building a more prosperous community.

Reflecting on the journey, Hon. Yemaren noted that his administration’s blueprint was anchored on practical, people-oriented programmes. "Together, we have laid a solid foundation for sustainable development and demonstrated that when leadership is driven by vision, accountability and compassion, meaningful progress is inevitable," the Chairman stated.

Over the past year, Badagry West LCDA witnessed a flurry of infrastructural and educational interventions designed to uplift rural and border communities. Key projects initiated or executed within the first 365 days include:

ICT & Health Development: Construction of a modern Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre at Ganyingbo Topa and a modern Primary Health Care Centre at Asheri.

School Security: Delivery of model perimeter fencing projects at Methodist Primary School, Sawa, and L.A. Primary School, Apa.

Access to Learning: Sustained distribution of free GCE and JAMB forms, free holiday coaching, and specialized CBT training for students.

Roads & Mobility: Ongoing work on Gedu Road Phase I with drainage systems, grading and sand-filling of over 50 inner roads across the five wards, and strategic environmental interventions at the Gbaji International Link Bridge.

In the health sector, the administration upgraded Primary Health Centres with modern medical equipment, delivery beds, and sustained routine immunization campaigns, alongside successful polio eradication drives. Access to clean water was also boosted with a completed solar-powered borehole project in Akoko Community.

Recognizing security as the bedrock of community growth, the council renovated the Suntan Beach Police Post and institutionalized regular peace and security meetings, fostering tight collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, Immigration, NSCDC, FRSC, and traditional security institutions like the Zangbeto framework.

Social intervention programmes touched thousands of lives through food palliative distributions to over 10,000 residents, monthly support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), sanitary pad distribution to teenage girls by the Office of the First Lady and WAPA, and robust economic empowerment initiatives that equipped artisans with working tools, deep freezers, sewing machines, and cash grants.

As a strategic coastal and border hub, Badagry West advanced its cultural footprint through active participation in World Tourism Day, Isese Day, the Badagry Diaspora Festival, and regional cross-border cooperation meetings under ABeGIEF. Governance was further strengthened through administrative capacity-building retreats and the provision of official utility vehicles to key executive and management functionaries.

Looking ahead to his second year in office, Hon. Yemaren announced plans to fast-track the proposed International Market at Gbaji Junction and establish a new public primary school within the Seme International Border corridor to serve growing populations.

"The foundation has been laid. The vision is clear. The journey continues, and together, the best is yet to come," Hon. Yemaren concluded.

"They’re Going to Get a Beating": Trump to Iran

 By: Manoah Kikekon

Donald Trump 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has issued a fierce warning to Tehran, vowing that the United States will hit back hard following a renewed wave of Iranian missile attacks targeting American military assets in the Middle East.

The escalation abruptly shatters a brief lull in fighting that had previously sparked cautious optimism for peace negotiations. The renewed hostilities sent shockwaves through global markets, driving oil prices up by approximately five percent over mounting fears of prolonged supply disruptions.

Renewed Missile Strikes and Regional Escalation

The friction reignited after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a barrage of ballistic missiles from Iran targeting U.S. forces stationed in Jordan. Although regional air defenses successfully intercepted the incoming projectiles, the surprise assault shattered a fragile multi-day ceasefire.

Speaking in a phone interview with Fox News, a furious President Trump pulled no punches regarding Washington's upcoming response.

“We’ll be hitting them hard. They’re going to get a beating,” Trump told the network, emphasizing his stance by stating that the U.S. intends to deliver a severe blow to the Islamic Republic. He further branded Iran-backed militant factions as "a cancer on the world".

Joint U.S.-Saudi Action in Iraq

The latest exchange follows coordinated military action earlier in the week. For the first time since the onset of the broader conflict, Saudi Arabia joined forces with the United States to launch precision airstrikes against militant infrastructure in Iraq.

The joint operation was mounted in direct response to persistent drone attacks targeting Saudi crude oil facilities, which Riyadh blamed on Tehran-backed proxy networks. Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi alliance reported that at least 20 of its members were killed across multiple provinces, drawing sharp official condemnation from Baghdad over what it termed a violation of national sovereignty.

Despite the military flare-up, President Trump noted that backchannel communications and low-level diplomatic tracks remain open, though he signaled that kinetic force will dictate the immediate path forward.

Global Energy Markets React

The collapse of the temporary truce has immediately reverberated across international shipping and energy corridors. Tensions continue to center heavily around the critical Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC maintains an aggressive posture, alongside shifting maritime security dynamics in the Red Sea as regional proxy groups align with Tehran's strategic leverage objectives.

PBAT-KOH Door-to-Door Movement Inaugurates Lagos Executives to Drive 2027 Grassroots Mobilization

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (PBAT-KOH) Door-to-Door Movement officially inaugurated its Lagos State executive members on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

The inauguration ceremony, held in Festac Town, Lagos, brought together key political stakeholders, grassroots organizers, and supporters. 

During the event, 30 newly appointed executive members formally took their oaths of office and were presented with certificates of appointment, signaling the official kick-off of the group's statewide mobilization campaign.

Addressing the gathering, the Lagos State Coordinator of the PBAT-KOH Door-to-Door Movement, John Ogun, emphasized that the organization is built on a foundation of shared political vision and collective growth.

"The motto of our group is 'We grow together, we win together,'” Ogun stated. He called on residents across the state to join the movement to ensure the resounding re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the continued progressive governance of Lagos State come 2027.

Shedding more light on the group's strategic approach, the Youth Director and Spokesperson for the movement, David Sunday Aladeotan, noted that the initiative is designed to reach the deepest corners of the electorate, with a specific focus on newly registered voters.

"The objective of this movement is to mobilize with extraordinary political strategy for the re-election of President Tinubu and Lagos governorship candidate Obafemi Hamzat," Aladeotan explained. 

"They have been inaugurated to begin their awareness strategy in the grassroots. This movement is for the grassroots; so we have inaugurated our State Excos and LCDA coordinators today to start the grassroots mobilization, and part of our strategy is that we want to target the newly registered voters."

Aladeotan pointed to several landmark achievements of the current administration as justification for renewed public support. He cited the sustained structural impacts of the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), aggressive debt recovery measures, the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the monumental Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, and the recent increments in Local Government Area allocations as clear testimonies of effective leadership.

Following the inauguration, the leadership and members of the movement paid a courtesy visit to the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Secretariat. There, official merchandise and a certificate of recognition were presented to the Executive Chairman, Hon. Lanre Sanusi.

The Vice Chairman of the council, Ashara Morin Chika, who received the delegation on behalf of the chairman, expressed profound appreciation for the group's efforts. Assuring the movement of the local government's backing, she noted that the chairman remains fully dedicated to ensuring that President Tinubu and the progressive agenda record a landslide victory in 2027.

UNILAG Sparks Outrage with Controversial Anti-Rape Advisory Telling Female Students Not to "Shake Hands"

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

UNILAG 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has ignited a fierce national debate following the release of a new anti-rape and personal safety advisory targeted exclusively at female students. The advisory, displayed on roll-up banners across campus by the university's Student Affairs Division, lists precautionary measures aimed at mitigating sexual harassment, but critics argue it places the burden of preventing assault squarely on the victims.

Among the various tips displayed on the banner, one particular directive has drawn widespread public scrutiny and mockery on social media: “Do not shake hands anyhow with any man.”

The advisory outlines a series of behavioral restrictions for female undergraduates. Additional points on the banner instruct students: “Do not dress to kill.” “Do not mingle carelessly with men.” “Do not stay alone with a man in a hidden place.” “Do not seek unnecessary favour from men.” “Do not join to watch pornographic film/pictures.” “Do not accept intoxicants and be vigilant when you are served with drinks.” “Do not give in to pressure – be assertive. Learn to say no. One-time sex can cause you pregnancy; if you don’t want it, don’t try it.”

According to university authorities, these counseling tips were designed to educate female students on personal safety and reduce their risk of experiencing sexual assault while on campus.

The release of the advisory comes against the backdrop of historical and ongoing security concerns within the institution. Tertiary institutions across Nigeria have grappled with safety issues, and UNILAG has seen its share of high-profile legal battles concerning sexual misconduct.

In April, legal proceedings captured national headlines when a 20-year-old UNILAG undergraduate testified before an Ikeja High Court, alleging she was raped by a lecturer, Dr. Samuel Ojogbo, in his underground office in August 2025. This followed earlier institutional scandals, including a 2019 incident where five students were arraigned by the Lagos State Government for the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old student.

While the university maintains that the guidelines are intended purely as preventative counseling, gender advocates, civil society groups, and students have heavily criticized the messaging. Many argue that the rules rely heavily on tropes of victim-blaming, suggesting that sexual assault is a consequence of how women dress, walk, or shake hands, rather than the actions of perpetrators.

Critics point out that advising women to avoid handshakes, changing their attire, or isolating themselves does nothing to address the root causes of sexual violence or hold potential offenders accountable. 

"We Only Have Two and a Half PSP Trucks": Badagry Chairman Hunpe

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, has made an appeal to the Lagos State Government for an increase in waste disposal trucks, revealing that the local government currently relies on two-and-a-half of Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste trucks.

Hon. Hunpe disclosed this on Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise while actively leading cleanup operations in the Ajara community. The exercise attracted state delegations and stakeholders, underscoring the government's push for a cleaner, flood-resilient Lagos.

Addressing state officials and community members, Hon. Hunpe explained the scope of waste collection challenges in the area, highlighting the vast jurisdiction stretching from Morogbo down to the Seme border.

"We have our own tricycle which is taking waste from some specific places, not taking the jobs of the PSP operators; we have our own areas we cover," Hon. Hunpe stated.

"But my observation is that we don't have enough PSP operators. Even the two or two-and-a-half that we have, their operation is not at an optimal position. We want the Ministry to assign more of the PSP to Badagry. Having said that, we are going to continue what we have been doing, and if you assess us, it should be within our core jurisdiction from Torikoh junction to Gbaji Bridge."

Responding to the chairman's observations, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, noted that issues regarding operational shortages should be met with immediate administrative synergy, emphasizing that the waste management ecosystem relies heavily on adequate collection networks.

"This complaint of shortages of PSP operators should have come to us before now. We don't compromise on this kind of complaints as the system depends on the adequacy of PSP," Engr. Rotimi-Akodu noted. "We have listened to this, and we will work on it. If you noticed, the chairman didn't just say shortage of PSP, he said two-and-a-half, so that means a lot, and the system will work on it."

Praising the broad participation at the cleanup, Rotimi-Akodu added, "This shows that Badagry Local Government is ready... You see the citizens, you see the students too, as the ministry is preaching cultural shifts. Bringing in the student body is to catch them young. Bad behaviour is prevalent in our society regarding waste management, and that is why we are seeing this poorly managed waste. Let it not be because a camera is here that's why we are seeing this; it should continue after now."

Also speaking during the exercise, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, addressed the structural measures being put in place by the state. He clarified that local governments act as vital partners rather than competitors in refuse evacuation.

"The local governments are partners, and they are helping the state government in waste management. The local government is purchasing compactor trucks, and the state government is purchasing additional compactor trucks that will help us greatly on waste collection," Gbadegesin explained.

He further revealed that the Lagos State Government has begun building advanced waste disposal and material recovery facilities not dumpsites designed to safely treat refuse and extract valuable components for resource generation, with Badagry earmarked to host a major center.

Princess Damilola Sonayon James, the incoming APC Lagos Deputy Governor, who joined the cleanup, She urged Lagos residents to take waste management seriously, stressing that proper disposal habits remain a critical line of defense against seasonal flooding during the ongoing rains.

40-Year-Old Woman Killed, Nine Injured in Massive Russian Drone and Missile Strikes

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Drone strike 

KHARKIV, UKRAINE – A devastating wave of Russian drone and missile strikes has left one woman dead and at least nine people injured—including two children following a direct hit on residential buildings in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

The assault is part of a sweeping, multi-region aerial bombardment that targeted civilian infrastructure across Ukraine over the weekend, reigniting international concern over the ongoing conflict.

Confirming the attack in a statement shared on X on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed the human toll of the overnight strikes and outlined the immediate emergency response.

“All the necessary emergency services have been deployed at the site of an attack drone strike on residential buildings in Kharkiv,” President Zelenskyy wrote. “Tragically, one person was killed, and nine others were injured, including two children.”

Local authorities confirmed that the 40-year-old victim succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Emergency rescue crews, police, and medical personnel continue to comb through the rubble of the damaged residential structures, searching for possible survivors or additional victims trapped beneath debris.

The Kharkiv strike was part of a larger, coordinated aerial offensive launched by Russian forces. According to the Ukrainian leadership, Moscow deployed a staggering arsenal comprising eight missiles and 136 attack drones of various types across the country.

The nationwide onslaught affected multiple regions, including Kherson, Donetsk, Dnipro, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and the capital city of Kyiv. In Kyiv alone, ballistic missiles struck urban areas, leaving at least three people injured and causing extensive structural damage.

Ukrainian air defense units successfully intercepted and shot down a significant portion of the incoming projectiles, but the sheer volume of the barrage overwhelmed defenses in several locations.

As rescue and recovery operations persist in Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials continue to call on international allies for enhanced air defense systems to protect civilian populations from escalating aerial attacks.

Wanted Nigerian Soldier Arrested in Borno for Supplying Uniforms to Terrorists

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Muhammad Yusuf 

MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA – In a significant victory against internal sabotage, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully apprehended a deserter soldier, Mohammed Yusuf, who was declared wanted for allegedly supplying military uniforms and logistics to terrorists and criminal networks.

The suspect, bearing service number 23NA/84/1939 and formerly attached to the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory in Lagos, was captured at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday following a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the operation’s spokesperson, Mohammed Goni, the suspect was tracked down by troops of the 7 Provost Group as he attempted to escape across the border.

“The suspect was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop, Maiduguri, while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon,” Goni stated.

Investigators revealed that Yusuf had abandoned his duty post and absconded from his Lagos unit on July 7, 2026. He subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, where he hid out in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an undisclosed associate.

The swift apprehension highlights the Nigerian Army's unwavering stance on internal discipline and national security. Military authorities have repeatedly stressed that any personnel found compromising operational integrity or aiding adversaries will face the full weight of the law.

“The suspect's arrest underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army’s commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermine military ethics, discipline and national security,” Goni added.

The detained soldier is currently being held in the custody of the 7 Provost Group. Comprehensive investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of his illicit supply network and to identify any other accomplices operating within or outside the military apparatus.