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Opinion: Makoko and the Politics of Displacement in Lagos

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By Zikora Ibeh One fact is now unmistakable. The Lagos State Government appears determined to empty Makoko of its inhabitants. But for the mass protest organised by the Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Evictions, Land Grabbing and Displacement on January 28, 2026, the historic riverine community might well have been erased with little public scrutiny and even fewer qualms. That demonstration laid bare the depth of grievance simmering across Lagos. Nearly five thousand residents gathered in collective resistance, many of them survivors of forced evictions and illegal demolitions in Owode Onirin, Oworoshoki, Bariga, Ajegunle, Sogunro, and other communities. Makoko itself had become the immediate flashpoint, suffering yet another cycle of destruction. In December 2025, armed demolition teams backed by state authorities entered the settlement under the pretext of enforcing a 30–100 metre safety corridor beneath a high-tension power line. That explanation quickly collapsed under the wei...
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Four Killed, Four Injured in Lekki-Epe Expressway Crash

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Four passengers have died while four others sustained serious injuries in a road accident involving a truck and a commercial minibus along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the crash occurred opposite Beechwood, Shapati, inward Ajah, when a HOWO truck lost control and rammed into a fully loaded Suzuki commercial minibus, popularly known as Korope. According to preliminary findings, the articulated truck veered across the carriageway and collided with the oncoming bus conveying passengers along the busy corridor. The impact led to the instant death of four male passengers, while four others, two men and two women, sustained severe fracture injuries after becoming trapped inside the wreckage of the bus. Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq in a statement said emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and worked to rescue the injured passengers from the crushed vehicle with assis...
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CSOs Demand Mandatory Salt Targets, Food Warning Labels to Protect Nigerians

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Civil society organisations have called on the Federal Government to introduce mandatory salt limits and front-of-pack warning labels on processed foods to help curb the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. The call was made in a joint statement by the Network for Health Equity and Development, Centre for Communication and Social Impact, and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa to mark World Consumer Rights Day. The groups said Nigeria is facing a growing public health challenge, noting that about 29 per cent of deaths in the country are linked to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and kidney failure. According to them, excessive salt consumption remains a major driver of the crisis, with the average Nigerian consuming about 10 grams of salt daily—almost double the recommended 5 grams set by the World Health Organization. The organisations stressed that under the 2026 theme, “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” the gover...
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Madein’s Life Defined by Service, Integrity, Uplifting Others, Sofowora Hails Her at 61

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The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Boltek System Limited, Dr. Joke Sofowora, has congratulated her childhood friend, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the first female Accountant-General of the Federation, on her 61st birthday and the launch of her book and foundation. Sofowora, in a statement on Tuesday, described the celebrant as a woman of extraordinary character whose life has been defined by service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others. Reflecting on their enduring friendship which began in childhood, she recalled that their bond dates back to 1965 when they first met as young girls growing up in the same community. “Our shared upbringing and membership in the Blessed Bomode Oku Society laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship that has continued to flourish over the decades. “We grew up together, attended the same school, Christ Apostolic Grammar School, and shared many dreams together. When she later got married to my cousin, it simply conf...
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Razor Media Group Boss Congratulates AIG Olohundare Jimoh on Promotion

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  The Chief Executive Officer of Razor Media Group, Odita Sunday, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Lagos State Police boss, Olohundare Jimoh, on his elevation to the enviable rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). In a congratulatory message on Friday, Odita described Jimoh’s promotion as well deserved, noting that it is a testament to his dedication, professionalism, and patriotic service to Nigeria. He commended the senior police officer for his exemplary leadership, discipline, and commitment to effective policing, adding that the promotion reflects the confidence reposed in him by the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The Razor Media Group boss expressed optimism that Jimoh would bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new role while continuing to contribute to strengthening security and professionalism within the force. Odita wished the newly promoted AIG greater success and impactful...
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Opinion: What Empty Polling Units Say About Nigeria’s Democracy

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By Chidinma Eferebo On the morning of February 21, 2026, officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Polling Unit 115 in Garki, Abuja, arrived early, organised their materials, and waited. By midday, fewer than five voters had appeared. This polling unit was not located in a remote village but in the centre of Nigeria's capital, only three kilometres from Aso Rock, the nation's political seat of power. This scenario, in which democracy appears to be addressing itself, accurately reflects the situation during the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections. The All Progressives Congress (APC) secured five of the six chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won just one seat in Gwagwalada. However, the most consequential outcome was not the distribution of victories but the voter turnout: only 7.8 percent in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Civil society groups, opposition leaders, and democratic observers have described this f...
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Opinion: Int’l Women’s Month: How Food Environments Shape Nigerian Women, Girls’ Lives

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By Bukola Olukemi-Odele Healthy eating is often portrayed as a matter of willpower or personal choice. Yet, for millions of women and girls, the concept of choice is an illusion. Their health is significantly influenced by their food environment—the physical, economic, and social factors that determine what food is accessible, affordable, and promoted. A poor food environment is not just about a lack of food. More often, it is about limited access to nutritious options. This can manifest as food deserts, which are urban or rural areas where fresh, affordable produce is miles away, leaving residents dependent on convenience stores saturated with high-calorie, ultra-processed foods. When food environments deteriorate in this way, the consequences are not shared equally. Women and girls bear a disproportionate share of the burden. Their bodies move through life stages that demand consistent and specific nutritional support, from adolescence to pregnancy and beyond. Yet the social realitie...
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