"We No Go Gree": Badagry West Youths Protests Encroachment on Sito-Gbetrome School Land

By: Manoah Kikekon 

"We no go gree o! We no go gree!" chanted youths of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State on Monday, 12th October 2026, as they staged a peaceful protest against the illegal encroachment on public school grounds at Sito-Gbetrome.

Demonstrators carried placards with clear messages: "Stop the encroachment now," "The youths are against Sito-Gbetrome land encroachment," "Stop building a five-star hotel on school premises," "Beware of 419: This land is government property donated by the host community," and "The land is reserved for a technical college."

Protesters expressed strong concern over ongoing unauthorised construction, highlighting that the project lacks official government signage detailing its scope or ownership.

Comrade Godonu Semedeton, former Speaker of the National Association of Badagry West Students (NABWES), noted that a similar attempt to encroach on the land was halted by authorities around 2021/2022. He voiced frustration at the sudden resurgence of construction activities.

“We just woke up and saw this structure. Maybe they lay the foundation at midnight we don’t know. We haven’t met anyone behind this, nor do we know if they are operating legally. Our community's security is paramount and sacrosanct,” Semedeton stated.

He added that the host community strongly prefers projects that address local educational gaps, such as a state technical college or an additional secondary school for Badagry West, urging all levels of government to step in swiftly.

Echoing these concerns, Comrade Elizabeth Podayi emphasized the long-term impact on local students 

“Land is more than property it is our future and our heritage. This is a school environment where lives and minds are being built. We will not allow developments that negatively influence our students or tarnish our community. Stakeholders must act fast to halt these illegalities.”

Protest leader Awesu Olanrewaju added “We cannot sit by and watch our community's future being taken without consent. We are peaceful citizens and do not support violence, but we will firmly defend our heritage.”

Highlighting the scale of the issue, Mr. Timothy Semasa, Chairman of the Oglogbo Community Development Association (CDA) and Financial Secretary of the Badagry West Community Development Committee (CDC), disclosed that the affected area serves over 99 surrounding communities.

Semasa warned of potential security risks if unverified developments are permitted on public grounds. He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Federal Minister of Education, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Education to intervene immediately.

During an inspection of the site, youths pointed out an illegal building under construction as well as damaged boundary fencing. Protesters reaffirmed that local traditional and political leaders were not consulted about the project, calling for a full investigation to halt all unauthorised work until the land's status is officially resolved.

ASUU Lecturers Suspend Strike Action Across State-Owned Universities

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) across Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions have officially suspended their industrial action and announced an immediate return to classrooms.

The decision brings major relief to thousands of students, parents, and university communities following disruptions to academic schedules. The decision affects three state-funded institutions: Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).

In a joint statement issued by Union leaders Olusegun Babalola (Coordinator, Steering Committee, ASUU-LASU), Grace Abimbola (Acting Chairman, ASUU-LASUED), and Murisiku Onigemo (Chairman, ASUU-LASUTECH) the union expressed gratitude to stakeholders who supported their push for staff welfare and implementation of vital academic agreements.

“Following the official suspension of our industrial action today, the leadership and entire membership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in Lagos State-owned universities wish to express our profound gratitude to the general public, institutional leaders, and key stakeholders who stood firmly by us throughout the negotiation process.

“Our struggle for improved staff welfare and the implementation of vital academic agreements has reached a significant milestone, largely due to the collective support of well-meaning individuals and organisations.”

The ASUU leadership commended civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and media organizations for playing pivotal roles during the impasse.

“We thank the Press and Broadcasting Organisations for your objective, timely, and investigative coverage. Your platforms ensured that our grievances were accurately communicated to the public and policymakers.

“We are also grateful for the solidarity and advocacy demonstrated by the Joint Action Front (JAF), Education Rights Concern (ERC), Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights (CDWR), and other pro-worker organisations. Furthermore, we honour our revered traditional rulers for their timely interventions, fatherly counsel, and behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts.”

Reassuring students and parents of their commitment to educational excellence, the union confirmed that members would resume academic duties immediately while dialogue with the government continues.

“We deeply appreciate our students, parents, and other stakeholders for your resilience, patience, and understanding throughout this period. As our members return to the classrooms with immediate effect, we reaffirm our commitment to academic excellence and quality university education.

“We also look forward to continued engagement with the Lagos State Government to ensure the full resolution of all outstanding issues relating to our welfare package.”

Outrage as LASUED Graduates Protest Excessive ₦118,000 Graduation Levy

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Tension is mounting at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Ijanikin, as its inaugural graduating class revolts against a newly imposed ₦118,000 convocation fee, labeling the charge steep, exploitative, and out of touch with Nigeria's economic climate.

An official circular issued by the institution’s leadership instructed all pioneer degree graduates of the Class of 2026 to pay for their graduation clearance via the student portal within a tight fortnight window stretching from Monday, October 12 to Friday, October 30.

The management's itemized fee schedule reveals that the total ₦118,000 package covers six distinct levies:

Brochure & Certificate: ₦50,000

Convocation Package: ₦35,000

Academic Gown: ₦20,000

Online Clearance: ₦5,000

Alumni Association Registration: ₦5,000

Plagiarism Check: ₦3,000

The directive has provoked widespread indignation among the outgoing students, many of whom are already struggling to secure funds to cover logistics for the upcoming National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization in November.

Reacting to the directive, the affected youth operating under the collective platform Concerned LASUED Pioneer Graduands issued a joint manifesto outrightly rejecting both the cost and the brief payment period.

In the statement signed by Akinteye Babtee Babatunde on behalf of the coalition, the group acknowledged the symbolic weight of the ceremony but insisted that the financial demands are unfeasible

“While we recognize the importance of a convocation ceremony in celebrating our academic journey and achievements, we strongly believe that the financial burden placed on graduands must be reasonable, considerate, and reflective of the prevailing economic realities in Nigeria. ₦118,000 is simply too much to bear. We cannot celebrate an academic milestone at the expense of our financial stability and peace of mind.”

The coalition highlighted that aside from the mandatory institutional charges, graduates must fund their own attire, travel, lodgings, and photography for the event. They argued that forcing students to raise such a substantial sum in just 14 days amidst nationwide hardship is unfair and insensitive.

To de-escalate the brewing conflict, the graduating students put forward four primary terms:

1. Total Rejection: An immediate halt to the ₦118,000 mandatory charge.

2. Fee Reduction: A drastic downward review to make the package affordable.

3. Timeline Extension: Additional time beyond the October 30 deadline to source payment.

4. Event Postponement: Pushing back the main ceremony until an amicable agreement is brokered.

Clarifying that their protest is not a rebellion against school authorities but a plea for compassion, the group urged all affected peers to maintain solidarity and hold off on payments.

Tension in Badagry as JTF and Police Rescue Motorcycle Theft Suspect from Jungle Justice

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Pandemonium broke out in Badagry on Tuesday when a joint team of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Nigeria Police Force successfully rescued a suspected motorcycle thief from an angry mob attempting to administer jungle justice.

The incident occurred at Ajara, Badagry, where the suspect was apprehended with a stolen motorcycle. As irate commercial motorcycle riders (okada riders) gathered to lynch him, distress calls were placed to the JTF, who promptly intervened and rescued the suspect from the scene.

Speaking on the incident, the JTF Public Relations Officer, Senayon Kotin, recounted the tense rescue operation.

“As soon as we rushed there, the crowd claimed the suspect had allegedly killed some people previously and that they had been looking for a way to apprehend him to take his life. They insisted on executing him on the spot, but we intervened and said no.”

The situation escalated further when security operatives attempted to transfer the suspect to a police station. A violent mob intercepted the security team on the road, attacking both the officers and the suspect. The assault resulted in serious injuries sustained by the JTF personnel.

It took the swift reinforcement and intervention of the Nigeria Police Force to bring the situation under control and disperse the rioting crowd.

As of the time of filing this report, the suspect is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital under heavy security.

Healthcare Firm Urges State of Emergency on Nigeria's Medical Laboratory Quality Assurance

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Dr. Chijoke Onyia

Pinecrest Healthcare Limited has urged the Federal Government, state authorities, and key stakeholders within Nigeria's healthcare sector to declare an immediate state of emergency regarding medical laboratory quality assurance. 

The firm emphasizes that dependable diagnostic outcomes are essential for safeguarding patient health and ensuring effective treatment delivery nationwide.

This urgent call was made by the Managing Director of Pinecrest Healthcare Limited, Dr. Chijoke Onyia, during a virtual media briefing. The briefing preceded the company's inaugural quality assurance summit, themed “From Bench to Benchmark – Raising Laboratory Quality Standards for Patient Care,” which is set to hold in Lagos on October 10, 2026.

According to Dr. Onyia, embedding quality assurance deeply into everyday laboratory practice must extend far beyond mere regulatory compliance. 

He highlighted that diagnostic investigations form the backbone of modern medicine, directly driving accurate diagnoses, precise treatment decisions, continuous disease monitoring, and the evaluation of patient recovery outcomes.

Warning against the severe health implications of flawed or inaccurate medical test results, Onyia stressed the necessity of maintaining stringent standards across the entire testing continuum. This comprehensive lifecycle includes. 

Test requests and proper patient preparation. Seamless sample collection and secure transportation. Laboratory analysis and rigorous result validation. Accurate clinical interpretation

Dr. Onyia explained that the forthcoming summit will serve as a vital collaborative platform for healthcare practitioners and industry leaders. The event aims to evaluate current quality assurance practices, pinpoint existing industry gaps, and formulate practical strategies to boost diagnostic reliability and patient safety.

Furthermore, he noted that modern laboratories must transition from merely processing tests to building integrated systems where quality is continuously tracked, measured, and elevated. The ultimate goal, he emphasized, goes beyond achieving technically acceptable numbers to delivering fundamentally improved patient outcomes.

The high-profile virtual and physical gathering will spotlight critical industry topics, including, Advanced quality assurance frameworks in contemporary laboratory science. People, processes, and technology as fundamental drivers of diagnostic excellence. Cultivating a mindset where quality is practiced as a culture rather than treated as a routine compliance checklist.

Ondo State Governor Confirms No Survivors in Igbokoda Military Aircraft Crash

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has confirmed that search and rescue teams have recovered no survivors from the military aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.

Speaking during a Monday interview on Channels Television, the governor stated that local inhabitants, security forces, and emergency crews thoroughly combed the disaster zone but found no living persons.

According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, he was alerted to the disaster at approximately 10:30 a.m. after receiving a phone call from the local council chairman. Local residents living across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda reported hearing a loud noise before seeing the aircraft plunge into a marshy terrain.

Initially, naval personnel held back to check for potential explosions or fires. Once it was established that there was no active fire, they advanced toward the wreckage to look for survivors. Personnel from the Amotekun Corps, local emergency agencies, and community volunteers quickly joined the search mission.

“From the intelligence we received, no life has been saved as of this moment. They could not find any living soul from that aircraft,” Governor Aiyedatiwa explained.

Search teams recovered fragments of the plane's wings, military uniforms, and identification cards, which verified that the crashed vehicle belonged to the armed forces.

Expressing profound sorrow over the tragedy, the governor noted the extra emotional weight of the accident happening not only in his home state but also in his native local government area.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the service members, highlighting that the victims were patriotic officers dedicated to safeguarding the nation's borders. “It happens to Nigerian military officers who are assigned to protect the territorial integrity of our country... It is so painful and very sad,” he lamented.

Reports indicate that the Nigerian Air Force verified the incident, stating that an ATR-42 aircraft bearing tail number NGR 931 went down in Igbokoda during a routine flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo noted that initial data revealed a total of 25 passengers and 7 crew members were aboard the flight. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has affirmed that search and recovery operations remain active at the site.

French Village International Staff School Commemorates World Teachers’ Day 2026 in grand style

By: Manoah Kikekon 

The Nigeria French Village International (NFLV) Staff School commemorated World Teachers’ Day 2026 in an atmosphere filled with joy, music, and deep reflection.

Held on Monday, October 5, 2026, within the school premises, the event brought together current educators, management, students, and retired teachers to celebrate excellence, resilience, and passion in the noble teaching profession.

Delivering the keynote address titled "Service in Excellence," the Deputy Director of the French Village and Board Chairman of the NFLV Staff School, Prof. Samson Abiola Ajayi, charged teachers to maintain the highest standards of professional dedication.

“That is, we have to strive for excellence, we labour for excellence. Whatever we do, whatever we are involved in, whatever assignment given to us, we should look towards excellence,” Prof. Ajayi stated.

He emphasized that achieving true distinction requires punctuality, regularity, thorough preparedness, cheerfulness with students, and executing responsibilities with little to no supervision.

Addressing the broader economic realities facing educators, Prof. Ajayi called on the government to expedite action on the new minimum wage. Highlighting that "the reward of a teacher is in heaven, but before then here we also have family to take care of," he noted that inflation has made life expensive, urging authorities to fast-track welfare adjustments so teachers can live comfortably.

Mrs. Olatunji Justina Adesola, the Head Teacher of NFLV Staff School, , expressed immense delight in celebrating her colleagues despite prevailing financial hurdles.

“We are really happy celebrating ourselves today. Despite that our remuneration does not quantify or equate to what we do teachers are paid less our joy is seeing our pupils progressing. They are progressing and we are happy, that is our reward,” Mrs. Adesola shared.

Describing teaching as a divine vocation rather than a mere profession, she encouraged her colleagues to remain steadfast and committed. She also advised the students to remain disciplined, work hard, and consistently show appreciation to their teachers, reminding them that hard work pays.

Reinforcing the message of dedication, Mrs. Odoh Charity, the phonics teacher at the school, reflected on the deep fulfillment educators derive from seeing their former students succeed. She also used the platform to charge parents to actively support teachers.

“We have chosen the best profession and we will continue to do it and do it better. Our hope and our joy is when we see the products of our work,” Mrs. Charity noted. She urged parents to prioritize their children's schooling and play active roles at home to ease the burden of training young minds.

Beyond the speeches and intellectual discourse, the 2026 edition of World Teachers' Day at NFLV Staff School featured a vibrant touch of nostalgia. Retired teachers from the institution were specially invited to join the funfair. 

The campus came alive as active and retired educators shared lighthearted moments, danced together, and engaged in various exciting games, cementing a lasting bond of community and shared legacy.