"We Won't Wait for Crises"— Lagos Commissioner Ogunlende on Early Child Abuse Detection

By: Manoah Kikekon

The Lagos State Government has declared that its current child protection strategy has completely shifted away from damage control, focusing instead on aggressive prevention, early identification, and swift community intervention. By tracking down vulnerabilities before they explode into public scandals, the state aims to secure a safer ecosystem for its youngest citizens.

This proactive blueprint was unveiled by the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Addressing journalists and civil society groups, Commissioner Ogunlende stated that waiting for cases of severe neglect or assault to go viral before deploying state resources is an outdated mode of governance. Instead, the ministry has established deep-rooted intelligence networks directly within local communities to spot at-risk children early.

To achieve this, the state has built a formidable, multi-sector alliance linking public schools, frontline healthcare providers, traditional and religious institutions, Community Development Associations (CDAs), and local law enforcement agencies.

“Responding to crises after they have become public incidents is not our focus," Commissioner Ogunlende declared during the briefing. "Our focus ultimately is on prevention, early identification, and timely intervention. We have been proactive in ensuring that we stay on top of these cases.”

To make this preventative framework work smoothly, Lagos State has heavily fortified its community-based social welfare desks. These localized structures ensure that domestic vulnerabilities or suspicious familial patterns are flagged down and mediated by professional social workers before they degenerate into tragedy.

Crucial to this success is the ministry's strict implementation of an open-door, whistleblower-friendly policy. The state encourages neighbors, teachers, and classmates to speak up early without fear of backlash.

By encouraging a culture of collective vigilance, the state government has significantly shortened its response times, allowing social services to intercept hostile domestic environments long before emergency services are required.

Beyond domestic protection, the Commissioner used the ministerial platform to issue a stern reminder regarding child trafficking and the strict legal guidelines governing adoption procedures within Lagos State.

Ogunlende emphasized that the Ministry of Youth and Social Development retains absolute regulatory oversight over all domestic and cross-border adoptions. To eliminate illegal baby factories and child syndicates, the state has heavily scrutinized its registry, choosing to work exclusively through verified and officially accredited international bodies.

“All international adoption applications are expected to come through recognized foreign partners identified and approved by relevant authorities,” the Commissioner warned, reinforcing the government's stance on maintaining zero loopholes for human traffickers.

Sanwo-Olu’s 7th Year: How Mobolaji Ogunlende is Revolutionizing Social Welfare and Youth Empowerment in Lagos State

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

IKEJA, LAGOS – In commemoration of the 7th year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration, the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has unveiled a series of historic operational breakthroughs and sweeping social welfare interventions aimed at transforming the lives of vulnerable residents and empowering the state's massive youth demographic.

Speaking at the Year 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing on Thursday held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, detailed how structural innovations, global partnerships, and aggressive child protection policies are actively reshaping the state’s socio-economic landscape.

A Historic Operational Blueprint for Social Work

The flagship achievement of the ministry under Hon. Ogunlende’s leadership is the institutionalization of the state's social architecture. In an unprecedented move, the ministry teamed up with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and International IDEA to develop a comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) alongside a specialized Training Manual for Social Workers.

This newly introduced framework establishes rigid, world-class operational baselines across all state departments, ensuring that the human rights of vulnerable residents are protected via identical protocols, regardless of the local government area.

“The SOPs provide clear guidelines and standardized processes for case management, child protection, rehabilitation services, counselling, referral systems, documentation, monitoring, and inter-agency collaboration,” Hon. Ogunlende stated. “The framework serves as a practical reference tool for officers and social workers in carrying out their duties in line with global best practices and established ethical standards.”

The newly rolled-out Training Manual equips frontline social welfare personnel with the tactical capability to tackle complex, modern social crises, directly boosting accountability, professional responsiveness, and quality service delivery across the metropolis.

Crushing Child Abuse: Over 5,700 Rapid Interventions

The press briefing shed a glaring light on the ministry’s aggressive stance against domestic violence and child endangerment. Through its heavily fortified Child Protection Unit, the state successfully tracked and addressed 1,437 reported cases of child trafficking, abandonment, severe neglect, and physical abuse.

The state did not merely log these complaints; it deployed a total of 5,708 distinct emergency services, which included high-risk rescue operations alongside the Nigeria Police Force, intensive psychological counselling, and secure placements into state-approved foster care systems.

“A total of 520 cases were successfully concluded through various disposition pathways, reflecting the ministry's commitment to ensuring meaningful outcomes and protection for vulnerable children,” the Commissioner revealed.

Hon. Ogunlende specifically pointed to recent viral social media exposes as critical tools for modern enforcement. He cited cases where children were swiftly removed from abusive households including a high-profile rescue of locked-in siblings and an exploited special-needs child warning that the state will maintain a zero-tolerance policy for parental or institutional guardians who abuse minors.

N3.99 Million Spent Securing Healthcare Sovereignty for the Indigent

In tandem with its youth and child protection metrics, the ministry's Social Welfare Department has expanded its safety net across correctional services, family social work, school social interventions, and community-based rehabilitation.

Through its Medical Social Services Unit, Lagos State handled an astonishing 9,659 medical welfare cases in the past year alone, stepping in to fund critical treatments for patients caught in severe poverty.

“The ministry approved and facilitated the spending of N3.99 million on medications, surgeries, dialysis, medical investigations, and hospital consumables for patients unable to afford treatment costs,” Ogunlende explained. “No vulnerable resident should be denied access to critical healthcare because of poverty, abandonment, trauma, or social circumstances.”

Furthermore, a joint initiative with the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency provided voluntary HIV testing and counselling to 27,582 individuals, while the state's Employee Wellness Centre effectively managed 900 mental health cases to protect the emotional stability of public servants dealing with anxiety, depression, and severe workplace stress.

Inclusive Governance: Expanding the Reach of LASODA

A core component of the ministry's brief was reinforcing the mandate of its sister agency, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA). Ogunlende reiterated that under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, social development must be entirely inclusive, giving citizens with special needs equal access to state infrastructure, education, and digital opportunities.

By building localized solutions and pulling academia into conversation with industrial realities, the ministry aims to shift away from old-school, fragmented charity models. Instead, it is focusing on permanent talent cultivation, which recently bore fruit via state-backed digital skills initiatives that launched several Lagos youths into remote, international tech roles.

Looking ahead, Hon. Ogunlende emphasized that the state remains focused on expanding structural safeguards, inviting critical partnerships from private stakeholders to help scale these community programs.

“As we continue to engage stakeholders and the public, we remain focused on creating more opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainable development for the youth of Lagos State," the Commissioner concluded. "Together, we will continue to build a brighter future that encourages active participation, leadership, and positive social transformation.”

Man Drags Ex-Wife to Court Over Refusal to Vacate House After 5-Year Divorce

 By: Manaoh Kikekon

KARU, NIGERIA – A Mararaba-based businessman, Abibu Yakubu, has dragged his estranged wife, Shuwadatu Mohammed, before Upper Area Court 1 in Karu, alleging that she has forcefully occupied his house for five years despite their divorce. In a dramatic legal battle that has gripped the local community, Yakubu claims his ex-wife has transformed his home into a hostile environment filled with insubordination and terrifying safety threats.

According to the particulars of claim filed in the case, the petitioner resides at the Orange Market area of Mararaba alongside the respondent, who has flatly refused to relocate. Yakubu averred that the domestic friction escalated heavily due to an absolute lack of respect, stating that the respondent routinely "insults him and his parents" during bitter household disagreements.

The broken union produced four children—aged 22, 19, and a set of six-year-old twins—whose future now hangs in the balance. The businessman told the court that though he officially severed marital ties with Mohammed roughly five years ago, her refusal to vacate the premises has completely shattered his peace of mind and put his life in jeopardy.

“She said she would not leave until she killed me,” Yakubu alleged in his harrowing submission to the court. He further claimed that the respondent has completely taken over his property, adding that the severe mental trauma and constant intimidation mean he “no longer sleeps with eyes closed.”

Fearing the worst, the desperate businessman explicitly prayed the court to formally hold Mohammed responsible if any harm or mysterious circumstances should befall him. In addition to demanding her immediate eviction, Yakubu requested a formal redissolution of the marriage and sought full legal custody of their four children.

After reviewing the initial submissions from the parties, the presiding judge, Mohammed Yakubu, noted the gravity of the safety and family welfare claims. He subsequently adjourned the case until June 3, 2026, for a continued hearing and further consideration of the matter.

Fresh Campus Crisis Looms as ASUU Accuses Federal Government of Breaching Dec 2025 Pact

By: Manoah Kikekon

ASUU

SOKOTO, NIGERIA — Another round of industrial unrest threatens to paralyze Nigeria’s public universities following accusations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that the Federal Government has sabotaged the landmark FGN-ASUU agreement signed in December 2025. 

Rising from a press conference on Thursday in Sokoto, the North-West Zone of the union warned that lecturers have nearly exhausted all diplomatic options, stretching their patience to its absolute limit five months after the pact was highly celebrated.

The union voiced deep frustrations over the government's complete failure to inaugurate the critical Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was structurally intended to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks. Addressing journalists, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Northwest—a bloc comprising 10 prominent public universities—Prof. Abubakar Sabo, disclosed that the current agitation follows critical resolutions reached during the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola.

“The Sokoto Zone is deeply disturbed that several federal and state universities are yet to fully implement major components of the 2025 FGN ASUU Agreement,” Prof. Sabo stated, pointing out that despite the public presentation of the deal in January 2026, the executive center has failed to act. “The Federal Government has left it to individual universities to implement in a distorted, uncoordinated, and selective manner.”

At the heart of the brewing academic standoff is a long list of outstanding welfare deficits that continue to diminish the livelihood of university lecturers nationwide. ASUU decried the systematic refusal of both federal and state authorities to clear critical financial components, leaving academics to battle severe economic hardships.

 “On outstanding welfare issues, ASUU Sokoto zone decries the non-payment of the 25-35% salary award, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls, unremitted third-party deductions, and the three months’ salary withheld during the 2022 ASUU strike,” Sabo declared. “Universities cannot function effectively where lecturers are denied their legitimate entitlements for years. Nigerian academics deserve dignity, fair treatment, and prompt payment.”

Beyond financial remuneration, the union launched a fierce critique against recent educational policy shifts introduced by the administration, arguing they pose severe structural risks to the sovereignty and integrity of Nigerian tertiary institutions. ASUU raised strong objections to the proposed establishment of a foreign Coventry University campus within Nigeria and plans to phase out certain vital courses in the humanities and social sciences under the guise of labor market reforms.

“We express deep concerns over new education policies, including the reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, and plans to scrap certain courses in the humanities,” the zonal coordinator noted, insisting that all academic disciplines remain profoundly relevant to comprehensive national growth.

Compounding the crisis are worsening regional realities, with the union raising alarms over rampant cases of institutional maladministration, unprocedural appointments, and a chilling wave of northern insecurity that leaves staff and students operating under constant fear of banditry and kidnapping. 

Warning that a total campus shutdown remains a highly probable last resort, ASUU made a passionate appeal to patriotic Nigerians, parents, students, and civil society organizations to pressure the state to honor its signatures before the system collapses into another preventable industrial explosion.

NAN

"I Will Make Sure I Kill That Person" Anambra Police Arrest ASP Caught on Video Threatening Citizens for Filming Him

  By: Manoah Kikekon

Newton Isokpehi

AWKA, NIGERIA – The Nigeria Police Force has swiftly arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Newton Isokpehi, attached to the Anambra State Command, after a viral TikTok video captured him threatening to shoot and kill any citizen who records him while he is performing his official duties. Following widespread public outrage, the police high command ordered immediate internal disciplinary action and a comprehensive drug test for the embattled officer.

In the highly provocative video that circulated across social media platforms including X and Instagram, ASP Isokpehi was seen holding his rifle while issuing a violent, direct warning to members of the public.

“Any day I am on duty as a police officer, carrying my rifle and doing my job, let somebody come and video me," Isokpehi declared in the footage. "That oga who gave you people the order to video us, he will go and do your burial. He will bury you. The number of you that I kill, he will be the one to bury all of you.”

Reacting to the development, Force Spokesperson Anthony Placid confirmed the arrest, stating that the officer had been urgently summoned to the Command Headquarters to face orderly room trial proceedings. The police reiterated that citizens have a fundamental, legal right to film officers on duty, provided it does not actively disrupt operations.

“The Force wishes to state unequivocally that the conduct and utterances exhibited in the video are unacceptable, unprofessional, and inconsistent with the ethics, standards, and code of conduct of the Nigeria Police Force," Placid stated. "Such actions run contrary to the ongoing reform initiatives of the Force aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, professionalism, and citizen-focused policing.”

The high command emphasized that Isokpehi’s violent outbursts directly violate explicit directives issued by Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu. The IGP has repeatedly maintained that members of the public are permitted to lawfully record officers to ensure institutional accountability, so long as it doesn't compromise tactical safety or interfere with active law enforcement activities.

Following the immense backlash online, the officer immediately deleted the footage from his TikTok account and released a second video recanting his statements and issuing an apology, claiming that the initial violent remarks were made out of extreme frustration.

The Anambra State Police Command, under the directive of Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu, stated that it will maintain zero tolerance for intimidation or abuse of office, reassuring the public that the outcome of the ongoing disciplinary trial will be made transparent.

NDC Aspirants Warn Against Internal Sabotage, ‘Cash-and-Carry’ Corruption in Crucial Screening Exercise

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

ABUJA, NIGERIA – Serious concerns are mounting within the newly consolidated Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as aspirants raise alarms over potential internal sabotage threatening to derail the party's primary process. Allegations have emerged suggesting that select members within the National Working Committee (NWC) are attempting to exploit the screening exercise for personal enrichment. 

Insiders warn that demanding financial kickbacks and illicit favors in exchange for cleared statuses risks turning the screening into a transactional, “cash-and-carry” affair, which could ultimately sideline credible, high-value candidates and destroy the party's institutional credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adding to the internal friction, separate reports indicate that specific factions within the NDC hierarchy are allegedly attempting to hijack committee placements and party spaces to disproportionately favor individuals of Igbo extraction. 

While party stakeholders acknowledge that equity and regional inclusivity are vital for a modern political coalition, critics argue that any calculated attempt to ethnicize party positions will trigger dangerous tribal divides. If left unchecked, this localized factionalism could severely weaken the NDC's national appeal and alienate key voting blocs across other geopolitical zones.

Amid these brewing tensions, significant praise has been directed toward the leader of the party, H.E. Senator Seriake Dickson, for his stabilizing role during this high-stakes transition. His strategic nomination of former Ebonyi State Governor, H.E. Senator Sam Egwu, as the Chairman of the NDC National Screening Committee has been widely commended. 

The appointment of a respected veteran has successfully restored a measure of confidence among nervous aspirants, reassuring party faithful that a fair and unbiased vetting process is achievable.

“The leadership shown by Senator Dickson in placing Senator Sam Egwu at the helm of this screening committee is a massive step forward,” stated a ranking party stakeholder close to the NWC. “It sends a clear signal that the party wants to run a credible, transparent process that members can trust, which is exactly what we need to protect our image as we prepare to face the ruling APC.”

The need for absolute institutional integrity is more critical than ever, following the historic clearance of H.E. Peter Obi as the NDC’s sole presidential aspirant. However, top political analysts argue that optimism alone will not safeguard the party from malicious internal actors. 

To prevent corrupt elements within the leadership from completely rubbishing the screening exercise with bias and extortion, the NDC must urgently introduce independent, rigorous oversight alongside a strictly confidential, safe channel for reporting administrative misconduct.

Nigerian Pharmacy Research Earns International Acclaim at 84th FIP World Congress in Canada

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s pharmaceutical research ecosystem has achieved an unprecedented international milestone. The Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI) has secured top-tier global validation after two of its high-impact research abstracts were accepted for presentation at the prestigious 84th International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The elite global convention widely recognized as the world's largest gathering of pharmacy professionals, policymakers, and scientists is scheduled to take place in Montreal, Canada, from August 30 to September 2, 2026. 

This development cements the rising profile of Nigerian community pharmacy on the international stage, building upon earlier momentum in Denmark where the FIP Community Pharmacy Section officially adopted the standardized CPACPI framework.

The accepted presentations directly align with the official 2026 FIP World Congress theme: “One Health, One Pharmacy, Bridging Science, Practice, and Education.” The research projects, which relied heavily on grassroots-driven, locally generated data, were rigorously supervised by the CPACPI Research and Publications Subcommittee under the distinguished leadership of Prof. Chukwuemeka Ubaka.

Leading the presentation lineup is a critical paper titled, “The Implementation Gap: Perceived Barriers and External Threats to Community Pharmacists’ Participation in a Career Advancement Scheme in Nigeria.” 

This study will be presented by Dr. Iyeseun Asieba, Chairperson of the CPACPI Board. The research takes a sobering, data-backed look at the regulatory, institutional, and socioeconomic pressures hindering Nigerian pharmacists from fully engaging in structured career progression models.

"This global acceptance is deeply rewarding," stated Dr. Asieba while reacting to the news. "It demonstrates that both the challenges we face and the innovative solutions emerging from Nigerian pharmacy practice possess global relevance and applicability. We are proving that our local data can meaningfully inform international healthcare policies."

Complementing the systemic gap analysis is a second accepted study titled, “Beyond the Counter: Profiling the Early Adopters of a Career Progression Framework among Nigerian Community Pharmacists.”

This paper will be delivered by Pharm. (Mrs.) Omokhafe Mary Ashore, the National Secretary of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN). Her research meticulously chronicles the behavioral patterns, practice realities, and motivations of the trailblazing pharmacists who first embraced the CPACPI framework during its rollout phase.

"Seeing our work recognized by a prestigious global body like the FIP is incredibly inspiring," Pharm. Ashore remarked. "It is a clear message to researchers across Africa that localized healthcare research and community-based professional initiatives have the power to shape global healthcare conversations and influence macro policy directions."

Industry analysts and medical observers view this double abstract acceptance as a masterclass in driving evidence-based healthcare reforms. The CPACPI framework is increasingly viewed as a transformational template for developing nations grappling with similar healthcare delivery and workforce retention struggles.

Expressing his pride in the milestone, the National Chairman of the ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, emphasized that institutionalizing structured career progression models is no longer optional if Nigeria wishes to build a world-class health sector.

"Strengthening competencies and improving professional pathways are absolutely essential steps toward building resilient, patient-centered, and sustainable primary healthcare systems," Pharm. Ezeh asserted. 

"Eliminating professional complacency and promoting continuous competency development among pharmacists remain critical to improving patient outcomes, strengthening pharmaceutical care services, and advancing healthcare delivery standards across Nigeria’s entire ecosystem."