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By Bukola Olukemi-Odele and Humphrey Ukeaja Throughout history, human survival has greatly depended on sourcing, preparing, and consuming different kinds of food. Food is the third basic need of man after air and water. It supplies our bodies with nutrients for growth, tissue repair, maintenance, and the regulation of vital processes.  Food is not just for nourishment, it is also an integral part of our cultural heritage and national identity. It is a social lubricant that promotes bonding amongst people regardless of diversity, fostering interpersonal relationships and contributing to community and nation-building. Considering the pivotal role food plays across the globe, issues pertaining to it must be addressed with care.  Traditionally, food was largely produced by local farmers, prepared from scratch and freshly consumed at home. However, with the advent of technology and the proliferation of industries, came the urbanization of diets accompanied by an increased burden of...

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the source of the false rumour of the death of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.  The group in a statement by its Founder and Executive Director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Wednesday also called on the police to prosecute those behind the diabolical mission.   .  Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar The statement said “Our attention has been drawn to a false rumour of the death of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, which broke out yesterday, Tuesday, 29th October, 2024. “The rumour spread like wildfire, creating tension, fear and suspicion in the hearts of millions of Muslims in the country as well as those of the Sultan’s friends and well-wishers”, it added. MURIC strongly condemned this development, saying “It is sadistic, diabolical, malicious and luciferous. The enormity of the false r...

         . Speaker Obasa and Oba Akiolu The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has congratulated His Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos as he marks his 81st birthday on Tuesday. In a statement by his media office, Speaker Obasa, the Baa’sofin of Lagos, said at 81, the revered monarch remains committed to excellent community and public service with results that keep promoting the growth and progress of Lagos. Obasa extolled the Eleko's virtues, said Oba Akiolu, Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, has constantly brought his wisdom to bear in the advancement of the traditional institution as well as the running of the state. "Oba Akiolu remains a strong believer in the Yoruba tradition, a faithful custodian of culture and a traditional ruler whose knowledge has continued to help Lagos grow in leaps and bounds. "His reign has mostly brought peace to Lagos just as the monarch has constantly sustained our trad...

Suspended chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Jelili Sulaimon, has pleaded with the state Assembly men for forgiveness, nearly a month after he was axed for non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude to the legislative House. In a 'Letter of Apology' personally signed by the embattled chairman, addressed to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and read on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Jelili agreed that his actions may have caused disrespect to the House. While expressing regret, he promised to henceforth show maximum respect to the House and work closely with the legislators. The suspended chairman also informed the House, through a letter by his lawyers, that he had withdrawn the suit he filed against the Assembly before a Federal High Court, Abuja. "I am writing to express my most sincere and heartfelt apology for any actions or inactions, misrepresentation or conduct on my part that may have contributed to the recent misunderstanding between my...

                  .  Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey President Bola Tinubu congratulates Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. On Friday, leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey, a 61-year-old former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for the last seven years, as the 7th Secretary-General. She is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025. Botchwey is the second African to be elected secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000. She had the backing of Nigeria for the top commonwealth job. The Nigerian leader in a statement by his Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga believes that Botchey’s ex...

        . FCT Police Commissioner, CP Tunji Disu  Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) jas applauded the strategic redeployment of Commissioner of Police, CP Tunji Disu, from the Rivers State Police Command to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command in Abuja.  This move aligns with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun's mission to optimise Nigeria Police Force resources and leverage CP Disu's exceptional professional expertise .  CP Disu's familiarity with the Abuja terrain, gained from his tenure as Commander of the Intelligence Response Team, will undoubtedly enhance security in the FCT.  Also, his exemplary policing style, demonstrated in Lagos State as Chairman of the Rapid Response Squad, positions him to tackle criminal activities effectively in this new role. CRAN in a statement by its President, Olalekan Olabulo acknowledges the IGP's strategic vision in deploying Disu to the FCT Command, recognizing his capac...

       . ICPC HEADQUARTERS ABUJA The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned in court, the former Registrar of Benue State School of Health Technology, Agasa, Mr. Awuawe Terwase Clement over an alleged N4.4 million admission racketeering. Mr. Tervase was arraigned on Tuesday by the ICPC before Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael of the Federal High Court 2 Makurdi for allegedly collecting and diverting the sum of Four Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (4,466,500) paid by unsuspecting admission seekers into the institution. He was said to have collected the alleged sum after the sale of admission form had been closed by the institution for the year. The former Registerer, in a three-count charge preferred against him by the ICPC was also accused of making a false statement to the officers of the Commission in the course of investigation which is an offence under Section 25(1) (a) and punishable...

          .  Lagos State Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele. Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested 28 suspected miscreants in Mile 2, Alaba Rago, Festac, Apapa, and its surrounding areas of the state.  The arrested group, popularly known as “Omotaku,” has long been a menace to innocent motorists, forcing them to part with large sums of money when their vehicles break down on the Highway. The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele said that the operation marks a significant step in the right direction, ensuring relief for motorists and residents who have undergone so much trauma as a result of the activities of these criminal elements along the Highways.  “The Lagos State Taskforce remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and we will continue in our efforts to rid the Metropolis of those who prey on law-abiding citizens”.  The Chairman further reaffirmed the Agency’s dedication to ensuri...

… commends NANS for supporting the police in crime fighting  . Lagos State CP, Olarenwaju Ishola and executives of the state Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Olarenwaju Ishola has pledged improved and enhanced collaboration with Nigerian students in the fight against social vices, crime and criminality.  CP Ishola gave this pledge while hosting executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Lagos Chapter led by Comrade Olamilekan Alimi at the State Command Headquarters to discuss ways of improving relations between the Police and students.   Comrade Alimi promised the CP that Nigerian students would partner the police in crime fighting by providing actionable information in good time.  He also, on behalf of students, urged the CP to encourage DPOs, especially those in areas with high student population, to adopt a more helpful, friendly and discretional appr...

. Prisca Sam-Duru of Vanguard newspapers (middle) receiving her prize  money. Nigeria LNG Limited has celebrated the media for its contribution to the development of The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science in the last 20 years.  It also recognised media stakeholders for their dedication and commitment to the coverage of the Prizes. At an event titled “Celebrating the Voices of Impact” held in Lagos, the Company also announced the sponsorship of a new prize category at the prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) called “The NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting”. The event featured a keynote speech by the former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and ex-Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Osun State, Mrs. Funke Egbemode. Additionally, a fireside chat on “Leveraging Technology for Media Curation Advancement and Efficiency” was held, with the Editor of BusinessDay, Tayo Fagbule, and former Special Assistant on Digital Media ...

… Directs Police to Maintain Law and Order           . President Bola Tinubu . FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara President Bola Tinubu has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law. In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state. President Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions. He directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately. While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, the President emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions. President...

. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya (middle) with the Winners of the Eko Flavours Cooking competition, during the Final of the competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in conjunction with the Tantacom Experiential Projects, held at Fresh Food Hub, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos. A male chef, Isaiah Oyede, has won the N5 million cash prize in the Lagos State Government culinary food-cooking competition tagged Eko Flavours.  Oyede defeated 150 other participants to become the Eko Flavours Champion and Ambassador of the Lagos Food System in the competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in conjunction with the Tantacom Group.  Omobonike Awosanmi and Oreoluwakitan Badejo emerged as first runner-up and second runner-up respectively, during the final of the competition held at the Fresh Food Hub Idi Oro, Mushin area of Lagos State. They won N3 million and N1 million cash prizes,...

  The Lagos State House of Assembly has imposed an indefinite suspension on the chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon.  The suspension is with immediate effect. Sitting at plenary on Monday, the lawmakers resolved that the vice chairman of the council, Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of its affairs.                    . Suspended Chairman, Jelili Sulaimon The House further instructed the management of the council, including the manager and treasurer, to recognise the authority of the vice chairman and accord him all the support to make him work effectively. The chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the lawmakers over an alleged non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude to the legislative House. Moving a motion for his suspension, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sanni Okanlawon, recalled that in April 2024...

Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have impounded 82 commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada in Berger, Mile 2 Oke, and Orile area of the state. The Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, during their recent enforcement operation in the areas reiterated the agency’s unwavering stance on the illegal operations. He said that both riders and passengers found violating the ban will be prosecuted.  According to him, “Passengers on okada are as guilty as the riders. If caught, they will face the full weight of the law alongside the riders.” CSP Akerele said the Lagos State Taskforce remains committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that Lagos roads remain safe and motorable.  “Residents are encouraged to adhere to the regulations, as these efforts are in place to protect the lives and property of all Lagosians”, he added. He said all 82 impounded motorcycles will be forfeited to the State Government through the court.