News
Lagos cracks down on illegal bus stops, seizes 84 vehicles
The Lagos State Taskforce has vowed to clamp down on commercial bus drivers disposed to parking illegally along the roads of the Lagos metropolis.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, declared the resolve to sanitise the roads of Lagos, warning perpetrators of illegal parking to desist.
Akerele issued the warning on Friday during an enforcement-for-compliance exercise he led at Adeniji-Adele and adjoining routes to rid the axis of traffic gridlock and criminal activities caused by illegal operators of bus parks and bus stops along that axis.
Akerele who said that the ‘go-slow’ phenomenon (traffic jam) ‘is not natural’, stated that activities of commercial motor operators along that route had been going on for too long therefore it was time to put an end to it.
The Taskforce Chairman described the activities of commercial bus drivers (Danfo) as worrisome due to long hours of traffic obstruction caused by their actions which has a devastating effect on motorists and Lagosians as a whole.
“Motorists do not have to spend longer travel time on this route due to the actions of a few. Occupying one or two lanes to create illegal bus parks is completely unacceptable and we are here to let these operators know that. If you want to pick up or drop off passengers, go to the designated bus parks,” a statement on Friday by the Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem made available to our correspondent quoted Akerele.
The Chairman further disclosed that the enforcement exercises carried out are going to be continuous and more intense and will be carried out across various parts of the State.
He described his planned actions as people-oriented, meant to ensure that Lagosians are not deprived of their right to proper utilisation of public amenities.
In a related development, the Lagos State Taskforce sanitized Awolowo Way and Ipodo Street close to Ikeja Under Bridge where the same practice of creating traffic bottle-necks through illegal Car Parks and Garages had been observed.
The operation recorded the removal of all vehicles parked illegally on the Highway and adjoining streets causing untold hardship.
Akerele said that 84 vehicles were confiscated during both operations and assured residents and commuters around the area that the days of commercial bus drivers dropping off and picking up passengers at unapproved locations are numbered.
“Go-slow is not natural, not created by God. It is caused by the activities of a few recalcitrant drivers. The obstruction being experienced during the rush hours results in spillovers being extended to the Third Mainland Bridge and Kodesoh Street respectively, thereby making those areas impassable to motorists,” he said.
Operators of kiosks and make-shift stores on the kerbs and walkways on Adeniji Adele were also not spared as the officials of the Agency cleared the structures erected on the walkway meant for pedestrians.
Traders selling on the Street at Ipodo were warned to move their goods off the Road or risk having them confiscated by the Agency.
The operation, the Agency said, was to restore sanity, while Akerele promised to maintain the decorum and serenity attained during the weeklong exercise.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s lightning‑bolt defection, carrying his entire cabinet, the PDP caucus of the House of Assembly and hundreds of ward executives into the All Progressives Congress (APC) is more than headline drama. It is a textbook power play that neuters every organised threat to his 2027 return bid.
1. He Turned an External Siege into an Internal Majority
For months, aggrieved PDP heavyweights had fled to the APC expressly to build a platform for blocking Oborevwori’s second‑term ticket. By “invading” their new home and arriving with the weight of incumbency, state coffers and legislative numbers, the governor converts an intended siege engine into his personal re‑election vehicle. The opposition can no longer “Stop Sheriff” without sabotaging its own party.
2. He Gains Instant Federal Synergy
Nigeria’s hyper‑centralised federation rewards governors who share a logo with the party at the centre. Oborevwori’s move secures quicker federal releases, security deployments and project approvals advantages which local challengers cannot replicate. Every borehole sunk and kilometre of road paved with Abuja’s blessing between now and 2027 will be branded “APC Delivering Through Your Governor.”
3. He Locks Down Grass‑Roots Structures Ahead of Council Polls
Local‑government elections are the real engine of political mobilisation. By merging state machinery with the APC’s ward‑level canvassers, Oborevwori ensures that councillor and chairmanship tickets are filled with loyalists who owe their ascent to him. That expands his patronage network just as campaign season warms up.
4. He Forces Former PDP Rivals to Swallow Their Own Strategy
Defectors who hoped to wield the APC ticket as a battering ram now face a choice to back the sitting governor they once opposed or embark on a quixotic third‑force adventure with no structure. Either way, their anti‑Oborevwori coalition is shattered.
5. He Rewrites the Assembly Math Overnight
With 29 legislators marching across the aisle, the House flips from a PDP majority to an APC super‑majority. Budgets, appointments and executive bills will now sail through unimpeded, projecting an image of stability that appeals to investors and swing voters alike.
Conclusion:
In one audacious evening, Sheriff Oborevwori transformed defensive politics into aggressive dominance. By hauling Delta’s power apparatus into the APC, he steals the opposition’s rallying cry, secures federal favour, and tightens his grip on every rung of the state’s political ladder. It is a move his opponents must now describe, however grudgingly, as nothing short of brilliant.
C. C. Uwakina Esq, a Lawyer and Political Strategist writes from Asaba.
In a move to foster skills acquisition and promote economic empowerment, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat through the Department of Mass Education has flagged off a one-week free holiday vocational and entrepreneurship training program.
The program is a collaborative initiative of the FCT Department of Mass Education, The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, and the Nigerian Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS).
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo emphasized the Importance of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship in today’s world describing it as imperative to be self reliant , empowered and resourceful.
He highlighted the Wike- led FCT Administration’s commitment to championing the Renewed Hope Agenda adding that the initiative is a critical strategy for reducing unemployment and building resilience among Abuja residents through practical skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training.
He commended the Department on the synergy between the government and non-governmental organizations noting that it will further empower the people of the FCT with skills and knowledge that lead to viable income-generating opportunities.
He urged the participants to fully utilize the opportunity, network actively and apply themselves diligently to the various training sessions.
In her welcome address,Dr. Favour Edem -Nse,the Director, FCT Department of Mass Education said,the training aligns with Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) and contributes significantly to reducing the number of out- of- school children, unskilled youths and unemployed women in the Federal Capital Territory.
She added that, the Department goal is not just to train but to guide participants towards becoming self – sufficient and successful entrepreneurs .
She noted that the one week free training program is a manifestation of the Department ‘s broader vision of literacy and lifelong learning.
She revealed that the Department in collaboration with The Potter’s Wheel Foundation and the Nigerian Non- Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services( NOGALSS) will train them hands on session in production of laundry soap,bleach , liquid soap, toilet and car wash , disinfectant,air freshener,snack among others as well as key entrepreneurship modules on Bookkeeping and financial management, marketing and branding with social media management.
She expressed her gratitude to the Mandate Secretary for Education and the Management for the massive support of the life changing opportunity program targeted at women,youths, children and other community residents to equip them with tools for economic self reliance .
The well attended program which drew partner organizations, staff of the Department of Mass Education and enthusiastic participants will run throughout the week with facilitators providing continued support beyond the training period.
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