The Lagos State Government’s 72-hour non-stop shopping extravaganza will begin today (Monday).

The event, known as Lagos State Shopping Festival, will take place at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The shopping festival is being organised by Lagos Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in partnership with Chain Reaction Ltd.

“The Lagos Shopping Festival will feature over 500 vendors, representing a vibrant mix of local artisans and internationally-renowned brands.

“It will offer a wide array of products, including fashion, electronics, beauty items, home decor, gourmet food, and more.

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“Whether you are looking for perfect holiday gifts, latest gadgets or unique fashion, you will discover something special at every turn,” he said.

The government official said the festival would play a pivotal role in promoting the fashion and retail sectors, showcasing not only the latest trends in apparel and accessories but also celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of local artisans.

“We also aim to elevate this initiative by connecting small businesses and established brands to global markets and, at the same time, use entertainment and music to drive trade,” Aregbe said.

Aregbe added that the festival would offer an unmatched shopping experience for locals and tourists.

“Beyond shopping, the festival will also provide a dynamic and exciting atmosphere with live performances, entertainment, food stalls, and much more.

“The Lagos Shopping Festival is more than just a shopping event; it is a celebration of Lagos State’s vibrant culture, creativity and commerce,” he said.

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has called on the Federal Government to ensure urgent commencement of repairs on federal highways and address their exclusion from the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas scheme.

In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of their quarterly National Executive Committee meeting in Benin City, Edo State, the union expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in road projects despite substantial budgetary allocations and criticised the lack of inclusion in the CNG initiative.

Signed by the National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, and National Secretary, Oluchi Chinagorom, the communiqué stated: “We commend the Federal Government for prioritizing the repair of federal highways to make them safer and reduce the burden on transporters. However, we urge immediate action to ensure contractors are mobilised before the peak of the rainy season.”

The union highlighted significant allocations made under the current administration, including N42.4bn approved in June for road variations and N740bn approved in October for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.

Additionally, they referenced N621.2bn approved in 2021 under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

“Having shown a commitment to fixing roads, unlike its predecessor, we urge the Federal Government to walk its talk. Unnecessary delays could lead to complications during the rainy season. A stitch in time saves nine,” the communiqué emphasised.

The PTD-NUPENG listed critical federal roads needing immediate attention, such as the Shagamu-Benin road, Makurdi-Katsina-Ala road, Kachako-Dambazua road in Kano, Yola-Hong-Mubi road in Adamawa, Okene-Auchi-Benin road, Lanai-Agai-Bida road, and the East-West road spanning Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt.

The union also decried its exclusion from the CNG initiative aimed at providing affordable fuel options.

“Tanker drivers, as key players in the downstream oil and gas sector, have been excluded from the CNG scheme. CNG kits are not just for smaller vehicles; tankers also require cheaper fuel alternatives to operate efficiently,” they argued.

The communiqué concluded with a plea to the Federal Government to fulfill its commitments to road rehabilitation and integrate tanker drivers into the CNG disbursement scheme, emphasizing the sector’s critical role in the nation’s petroleum product distribution chain.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, said the 36 state governors demanded wider consultation on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills in order to carry the entire nation along, given the far-reaching implications of the reforms.

Makinde also clarified that he was not opposed to the tax reforms but only presented the reservations raised by the governors to the press.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde made this clarification during a media chat on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State on Saturday.

On October 3, 2024, President Bola Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly: the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

These bills have sparked controversy, with many stakeholders opposing certain sections proposed by the government.

Makinde, who had briefed the media on the position of the National Economic Council regarding the bills, explained that the NEC unanimously agreed that the bills should be withdrawn from the National Assembly to allow for wider consultation.

“At the NEC meeting, we asked the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force about the status of the bills, and he confirmed they were already at the National Assembly,” Makinde said. “I asked, ‘If that’s the case, why are you just coming to us for approval?’ It amounted to putting the cart before the horse.”

He continued: “We agreed that the bills should be withdrawn, enabling broader consultations with stakeholders. This could lead to alignment, whether in their original form or with necessary adjustments based on stakeholder feedback.”

Addressing criticisms that he was opposed to the reforms, Makinde stated: “I was asked to explain our decision to withdraw the bills for consultation, but some people chose to focus on the messenger rather than the message.”

Makinde described the Ibadan funfair tragedy, which claimed the lives of 35 children on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as a monumental loss.

He noted that the incident, alongside the Bodija explosion in January 2024, could have been avoided if appropriate measures had been taken.

In the Bodija explosion, five people died, 77 sustained injuries, and 58 houses were damaged.

The explosion, which occurred on Dejo Oyelese Street on January 16, was reportedly caused by explosives stored by illegal miners.

Eleven months later, 35 children died, and six others were critically injured in a crowd crush at a funfair held at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.

The funfair was organised by the foundation of Naomi Silekunola, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife.

Makinde observed a minute of silence for the victims during the media chat.

He assured the public that the legal process was ongoing, though slow.

Addressing allegations of land grabbing linked to the Circular Road project, Makinde said his administration was taking bold steps to break the limitations faced by previous governments in economic expansion.

“Some people have described me as a land grabber,” he said. “Ironically, those under investigation for land grabbing are the ones making these accusations. The Circular Road is not just another road; it will be the first motorway in Nigeria. The 32km stretch from Technical University to Badeku will have only two exit points, ensuring structured development along the corridor.”

Makinde emphasised that his government was committed to initiatives that would benefit residents, even if such decisions seem harsh in the short term.

“To break the cycle of poverty, we need to seize opportunities for lasting impact. Our state’s founding vision is one of prosperity, not poverty,” he said.

Makinde pledged a major overhaul of Oyo State’s education infrastructure in 2025, noting that his administration had consistently exceeded the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization benchmark for budgetary allocation to education.

“We’ve rearranged resources to prioritise education because it’s critical to our development,” Makinde said. He acknowledged that despite significant investment, much work remains, estimating that N60 billion is needed to address the sector’s challenges.

“For tertiary institutions, we are doing well, and I am satisfied,” he added.