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Breaking : Bizarre, How LASBCA GM Owodunni Oki Orders his men to Demolish School Facility without legal backup in Ikorodu …. Proprietor, Parents and Community Cries Out to Sanwo-Olu for Help
Today, on April 5th, 2024, Saint Margaret Group of Schools, located in Ikorodu, Lagos, carried out a protest. The School was established 42 years ago, in 1982, at number 26, NBC Road, Ebute, Ikorodu. During the protest, they made a clarion call to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. They requested his intervention to halt the actions of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), who arrived with fully armed security personnel and unauthorised individuals, commonly known as touts, to prevent any further illegal demolitions of their school facilities.
The Proprietor of the School, Pastor Olusegun Alonge and the midst of teachers, parents, staff and the community during the protest cry out to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as Chief Lagos landlord to intervene on the attacks the Lagos building control agency under Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki leadership to stop Illegal demolitions on Saint Margaret group of schools, the school established for over four decades on the property, narrated the levels of facility and integrity damages done to the school by the invasions of said agency without any reason prior notice about governmental information for payment or policy compliances whatsoever.
When asked if the school possessed complete building documentation that could have prompted the agency’s visit, he replied affirmatively, stating they had a collection of documents for all their building facilities. Pastor Alonge further explained that one of the actions taken after the incident was visiting the office of the LASBCA’s General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki. However, he was denied an audience during the initial visit. Subsequently, he revisited the office days later, only to be escorted out by the same General Manager with threats. The General Manager warned that he would instruct the building control agency to downgrade the school if precautions were not taken. He boasted that he had the support of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in his activities.
The Proprietor, who was emotionally traumatised by the ugly incident hitherto as he addressed journalists, made a Clarion call and appealed to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to intervene and reopen the school. He believes in the Capacity of his government and holds the protection of lives and properties sacrosanct in his heart.
During the incident, some staff members on duty at the school described their tactics as similar to those used by kidnappers or bandits. The agency’s task force entered the school premises without identifying themselves with the gate security personnel. When questioned about their identity, some task force members began taking photos and videos of the school facilities without revealing who they were.
Efforts made by teachers and security personnel to prevent this unauthorised action were met with resistance. According to the report, the task force on site then called for additional security personnel and unauthorised individuals, who arrived in large numbers and began demolishing buildings and damaging several classroom facilities.
As this was happening, students who were taking exams in their respective classrooms were forcefully evacuated, with threats of violence towards anyone who did not comply with the orders. Teachers and young children were chased onto the main road outside the school premises.
In the process of this commotion, the pupils and kindergarten children had been in panic mode, wailing seriously at the incidence of gun-wielding personnel and fierce-looking touts accompanying them out of their school. Some of them pointed guns to leave the school, according to the teachers, on different placards with inscriptions appealing to the governor to reopen their Schools for operation.
Amidst the protest, Mr Lawani Dominion Abiola, Coordinator of the group of schools, appealed to the governor to use his good office to rescue the school from the attack of the Building Agency, stated no notice of whatever intention was served the school for any purpose before the attack committed on March 27th 2024 around 2 pm while students were still writing examinations papers, nothing less than five staff of the school were arrested and whisked down to Badagry police station on the day of the attack on the school.
Some of the parents who incidentally witnessed the commotion on that day, Mr Obamude Omoniyi and Mrs Enny Jones, condemned the agency’s Gestapo approach, suggesting a more civilised method of operation as an elite agency of Lagos State. Omoniyi narrated his continued ordeals in convincing his son, who has vowed vehemently never to return to the school or any other school again due to the traumatic encounters of the armed men at their school. In his words, he quoted the son verbatim: ‘Daddy, I have been watching that kind of gun in the cartoon but never known anyone can bring such to our school to threaten us’, so I will not attend any school anymore since school is not safe again.
On March 27th, 2024, the neighbourhood experienced an unprecedented event, according to some community residents and local businesswomen who were present during the school protest. They also described the incident as operations carried out by bandits, as reported in radio broadcasts and newspapers. Making a heartfelt appeal, they urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, known for his responsible and responsive leadership, to intervene and address the excessive and unethical conduct of the building agency in Lagos State. These emotionally affected mothers expressed their concerns about tarnishing the governor’s reputation and the positive work he is known for.
The journalists at the protest visited the LASBCA’s office at GRA Ikeja to balance their reports. They met with the Director of Media, Mr Olaoye Olusegun, who denied any information about the operation by the headquarters. He showed displeasure at the approach of the men and commented it’s statutory for a task force to serve the building owners before any enforcement, but promised a further investigation into the report and revert to the team by Monday, April 8th, at the resumption of work, and also commented that the media team can also go ahead with their publications with the promise that his office would react to them in due time.
… Prays for Nigeria’s peace, unity, security, prosperity
… Holds farewell meeting with Makkah Deputy Governor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Saudi Arabia for Abuja on Wednesday after completing his Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, where he offered special prayers for Nigeria’s peace, security, unity and prosperity.
The President’s aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, at exactly 5:13 p.m. Saudi time, bringing his spiritual visit to the Kingdom to an end.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu was seen off at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo; and the Consul-General, Ambassador Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya.
Before his departure, the President held a brief farewell meeting with the Deputy Governor of Makkah at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport.
Tinubu, who arrived in Saudi Arabia last Thursday, led members of the Nigerian delegation in performing the Umrah rites, including circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah.
A major highlight of the pilgrimage was Sunday’s rare opportunity granted to the President and members of his delegation to enter the sacred Ka’abah, where they performed two raka’at prayers.
During the spiritual exercise, Tinubu offered supplications to Almighty Allah for enduring peace, improved security, national unity and economic prosperity, while seeking divine wisdom, guidance and strength to discharge his responsibilities to Nigerians. Nigerianews subscription
He also prayed for divine blessings upon the country, its leaders and citizens, expressing hope that Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity would become a source of national strength, cohesion and shared prosperity.
The President described the pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual reflection, thanksgiving and renewed dedication to the task of building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria. Nigerianews subscription
He expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the hospitality and special courtesies extended to him and his delegation.
Tinubu particularly acknowledged the rare privilege of accessing the Holy Ka’abah, describing the opportunity to pray within the sacred structure as spiritually significant. FollowPolitics
According to the statement, the President concluded the pilgrimage with renewed faith, gratitude to Almighty Allah and a strengthened resolve to pursue his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Onanuga said Tinubu remained committed to translating Nigerians’ aspirations into tangible improvements in living conditions and building a better country for all. Nigerianews subscription
The presidential delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe states, among other senior government officials.
The President’s return concludes a visit that combined religious observances with prayers for national stability, improved security and the success of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and development.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently restore the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) programme to improve farmers’ access to affordable agricultural inputs and strengthen food production across the country.
The association said the revival of the programme would provide farmers with better access to essential agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, improved seeds and other farm support services required to boost productivity and ensure food security.
AFAN noted that the rising cost of agricultural inputs has continued to place enormous pressure on farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, who play a critical role in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
According to the association, restoring the programme would help reduce the financial burden on farmers, encourage increased participation in agricultural production and support the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve food security under its agricultural transformation agenda.
The association further stressed that affordable and timely access to farm inputs remains essential to improving crop yields, expanding agricultural activities and making farming more attractive to young Nigerians.
AFAN also urged the Federal Government to strengthen collaboration with relevant agricultural institutions, state governments, financial institutions and private-sector stakeholders to ensure that farmers benefit directly from government intervention programmes.
It maintained that a sustainable agricultural sector requires consistent policies, adequate funding and effective implementation of programmes designed to support farmers at every stage of production.
The association expressed optimism that restoring NAGS-AP would contribute significantly to increased food production, job creation, rural economic development and the stabilisation of food prices across the country.
AFAN therefore appealed to the Federal Government to give the programme urgent attention as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and achieve sustainable food security.
…….Tegbe, REA MD Commend Lawal as Zamfara Unveils Electricity Policy today
The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, have joined the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to launch the state’s Electricity Policy and inaugurate renewable energy projects aimed at enhancing electricity supply across the state.
The event, held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in Zamfara State, was themed “Enhancing Power Supply” and attracted key stakeholders in the electricity and renewable energy sectors.
A major highlight of the occasion was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Zamfara State Government, the Rural Electrification Agency and other stakeholders, in the presence of the Minister of Power, to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the development of renewable energy infrastructure in the state.
Speaking at the event, Tegbe and the REA Managing Director emphasised the importance of renewable energy, particularly solar power generation, as a sustainable solution to the country’s electricity challenges.
They highlighted the need to harness Zamfara State’s abundant solar energy potential to expand electricity access, strengthen power generation capacity and provide reliable and affordable electricity to residents, businesses and industries.
The officials also commended Governor Dauda Lawal for his commitment and initiative towards developing solar-powered electricity infrastructure, describing the state’s efforts as a significant step towards achieving sustainable energy development and improving the living conditions of the people.
They further highlighted the ambition to upgrade solar power generation capacity to 200 megawatts (MW), noting that increased investment in renewable energy would contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth and development.
The Minister and the REA Managing Director also stressed the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments, development partners and private-sector investors in achieving sustainable electricity supply.
The launch of the Zamfara State Electricity Policy, alongside the inauguration of renewable energy projects and the signing of the MoU, represents a significant step in the state’s efforts to strengthen its electricity sector and embrace cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
The initiative is expected to improve electricity access, stimulate commercial and industrial activities, attract investment, create employment opportunities and support socio-economic development across Zamfara State.
The development also aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards sustainable and renewable energy.
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