MAEJT Nigeria Launches Pioneer Child Rights Club at Ajara Junior Grammar School to Champion Gender Equality and Stop Child Exploitation

 By: Manoah Kikekon

BADAGRY, LAGOS — In a major stride toward advancing child protection and youth advocacy in Lagos State, MAEJT Nigeria has officially established a pioneer Child Rights Club at Ajara Junior Grammar School. The landmark initiative, launched on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, was made possible following formal approval from the Lagos State Education District V. Rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the program specifically targets SDG 5 (Gender Equality) while building a grassroots framework for student leadership and civic responsibility within the local school system.

The official launch of the club was preceded by a rigorous screening and assessment exercise conducted on May 6, 2026. This foundational step allowed coordinators to carefully identify and select a dedicated cohort of passionate, committed students to serve as the club’s pioneer members and peer influencers. By anchoring the initiative with student-led leadership, MAEJT Nigeria ensures that the values of child rights and community advocacy are driven directly by the youth, fostering organic growth and long-term sustainability within the school environment.

Designed as an inclusive, safe platform, the newly formed Child Rights Club is aimed at sensitizing the student populace on critical issues surrounding gender equality, leadership, child protection, and responsible social participation. The club provides a secure space where students can confidently learn about their legal protections, build self-esteem, and freely speak up against deep-seated issues like abuse and discrimination. Through its presence on campus, the organization aims to empower young people to become active change-makers who contribute positively to both their immediate school community and the wider Badagry landscape.

To ensure continuous impact, the club will run regular activities, structured sensitization sessions, and peer-to-peer engagements. These weekly interactions are strategically designed to strengthen school discipline, nurture mutual respect, cultivate teamwork, and amplify advocacy for the welfare of children. By transforming students into peer educators, the initiative addresses critical behavioral challenges while establishing a protective shield against the exploitation and vulnerability that many young people face daily.

This vital educational intervention is funded by the United States Department of State Service through The Freedom Fund, operating under MAEJT Nigeria’s broader, targeted program to combat exploitative child domestic work across Lagos State. By tackling these vulnerabilities at the school level, the partnership directly counters the socioeconomic drivers of underage labor. Through this successful launch, MAEJT Nigeria reinforces its unwavering commitment to empowering children and young people, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to build a safer, fairer, and more inclusive society for all.

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.

Related News:

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.

Importers Reject Shipping Charge Hike, Warn of Worst Inflation Surge Yet

By: Manoah Kikekon 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), South-West Zone, has strongly rejected a proposed hike in shipping charges by international shipping lines, warning that the move will trigger a catastrophic surge in inflation and drive the cost of everyday commodities out of reach for average Nigerians.

The association raised the alarm amidst an already grueling economic climate, stating that the proposed tariff adjustments at the nation’s seaports will paralyze trading activities and worsen the inventory pile-up in empty marketplaces.

Speaking on the developments, the President of IMAN, South-West Zone, Mr. Joseph Adjoko, explained that any further upward review of port charges would directly translate into a heavier financial burden for end-consumers. He noted that the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports has already reached an unsustainable threshold.

“We are rejecting the increment because it will reflect directly on the economy and on the masses," Adjoko stated. "The cost of clearing goods will increase and this will worsen inflation. Currently, clearing costs for some consignments range between ₦15 million and ₦16 million, and could rise to nearly ₦20 million if the new charges are implemented.”

Adjoko painted a grim picture of the current retail reality, lamenting that importers are already holding onto immense amounts of unsold inventory due to a sharp decline in consumer purchasing power.

“Our warehouses are full and there are no buyers because of the high cost of goods. Now they want to increase the cost again,” he added.

IMAN heavily criticized both the multinational shipping companies and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for keeping the primary financiers of port trade—the importers—completely in the dark regarding pricing templates. The association alleged that the critical actors who pay these bills were excluded from the negotiation table.

“We asked them to provide templates showing how they arrived at the charges, but they could not provide any. Yet, the importers are the ones paying,” Adjoko revealed. “There is no doubt that global conflicts may affect shipping costs, but let us know exactly how the figures were arrived at and what specific costs are being transferred to importers.”

The IMAN chief further slammed shipping companies for exploiting local traders through arbitrary surcharges, such as passing the financial burden of managing and returning empty containers back to the importers after cargo delivery. "What concerns the importer with an empty container after taking delivery of goods?" he questioned.

When confronted with the growing dissatisfaction from the trading community, the Head of Public Relations for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Rebecca Adamu clarified that the regulatory body is not unilaterally driving the price adjustment.

According to Adamu, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport had previously intervened in the brewing crisis following aggressive protests by exporters and maritime stakeholders at the Apapa ports. She emphasized that the NSC's current capacity is strictly limited to diplomacy.

“The Council is not the final decision-maker in this matter. It is essentially between the shipping companies and the stakeholders,” Adamu explained. “We are currently awaiting the outcome of those consultations. At this stage, the matter is no longer within the direct control of the Shippers’ Council; it is now with the National Assembly committee.”