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Return to Lagos roads, Sanwo-Olu begs police

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  • Says, we feel your absence
  • Unfolds new welfare package, modern police stations, life insurance

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pleaded with the police to return to the roads to restore sanity to the nation’s economic capital’s highways, saying Lagosians feel the absence of the police.

Many people have in the last few days been continuously trapped in gridlock for hours as traffic police and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officers stay away from major traffic points, either for fear of being attacked by hoodlums or protesting the killing of some of their colleagues and burning of a number of their police stations during last week’s unrest that followed the #EndSARS protest.

While the gridlock persists, some transport union members and other volunteer battle to free the roads of the heavy traffic.

And to encourage the police to return, Governor Sanwo-Olu has unveiled a new welfare package that will engender a lease of life for serving police and families of the recently killed cops while on duty.

He said the new welfare package including a life insurance cover, modern working environment and health facilities would serve as a morale booster for those still in service and stressed that their absence on the Lagos roads was felt.

The governor said all policemen killed in the violence resulting from the nationwide protests against police brutality will not die in vain, adding that their children would be given scholarship awards to ensure that they would not suffer unduly as a result of the demise of their fathers.

Sanwo-Olu has therefore directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board to award scholarships to the children to the university level.

Twenty-nine Divisional Police Stations and 17 police posts were razed by hoodlums, who disguised as protesters.

Also, six police officers were lynched, 36 critically injured, while 71 police operational vehicles were torched.

The governor made the offer when he visited the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

He said the state government would also be compensating family members of the officers killed in the violence and take care of the burial arrangement of the slain officers, adding that the state would be picking up the hospital bills of those injured in the mayhem.

He said the measures were meant to boost the morale of officers, following the demoralising events of the past week in which police officers and their stations were targeted by hoodlums.

Sanwo-Olu said the statutory duties of the police could not be wished away because of the actions of a few bad eggs.

He said the state must put the event of the past week behind it and move on to restore peace.

To achieve this, police officers, he said, must regain their confidence.

He said “Commissioner of Police has come forward with a number of requests, which we will need to address to boost the morale of officers after last week’s event. As your governor, I have come here to take full responsibility for the loss you have suffered in terms of logistics. From tomorrow (Thursday), we will start implementing these requests.

“Through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), we will be replacing the police operational vehicles burnt in the violence. We have a bigger plan for all the police stations burnt down. We will look for the funds and build befitting stations that will set the standard of what police stations should be.

“The most important request is to offer scholarship to the children of officers that died. I have directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board under the Special Adviser on Education to immediately award scholarship to the children of the slain officers.”

The governor directed the Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr Rasaq Balogun, to establish the modality with the police leadership in the state.

The governor also approved the request to upgrade Police Cottage Hospital in Ikeja, directing the Commissioner for Health to inspect the facility for the required upgrade.

In addition to donating two 150KVa generating sets to the police, Sanwo-Olu said the command headquarters would be connected to the state’s Independent Power Project (IPP) for constant power supply.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, said the manner with which the slain officers were murdered brought down morale in the command.

He said the police officers remained committed to their statutory responsibilities, thanking the governor for approving their requests.

The governor’s gesture, the police boss said, would restore confidence in the state’s police workforce.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Research and Planning, Leye Oyebade, said the police took away valuable lessons from the EndSARS protest, noting that there was no better time to fully implement the community policing than now.

He said the protest had ended and it was time for the police to win back citizens’ confidence and trust.

“As police officers, we must now go back to the drawing board and cultivate the goodwill of the communities in which we operate. I’m particularly charging divisional police headquarters to devise strategies tailored toward your local realities and employ digital tools,” he said.

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Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award for Lagos Workers

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award for Lagos Workers

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a N50,000 wage award for public sector workers in Lagos State as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The announcement was made on Friday during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, where the governor was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

According to the state government, the wage award will apply specifically to the month of May and will be paid to all categories of workers across board, irrespective of grade level.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the prevailing economic challenges facing workers, including rising fuel prices and broader economic pressures. He said the temporary wage support was designed to provide immediate relief during a period of financial strain.

“For the month of May, Lagos State Government has approved an additional N50,000 for all workers,” the governor stated, noting that the decision reflects his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare amid ongoing economic difficulties.

He further emphasized the critical role of workers in the development of Lagos State, describing them as the backbone of governance and economic growth. The governor commended their dedication and resilience, highlighting contributions from civil servants, teachers, healthcare personnel, and artisans in sustaining the state’s progress.

The Lagos State Government also indicated that the measure aligns with broader efforts to mitigate the effects of inflation and improve workers’ living conditions. Authorities acknowledged ongoing challenges such as transportation and housing, noting that additional policies are being implemented to address these concerns.

The latest wage award follows earlier interventions by the state government aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare, including previous allowances and bonus packages introduced in response to economic pressures.

Labour stakeholders are expected to monitor the implementation of the wage award, while discussions on longer-term salary adjustments and welfare improvements continue at both state and national levels.

Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award for Lagos Workers

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Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation

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Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The nomination, contained in a State House press release issued on Thursday, has been formally transmitted to the National Assembly in line with constitutional provisions requiring legislative screening and approval of ministerial appointments.

Mr Tegbe’s nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from office to pursue elective political ambitions.

According to the Presidency, the nominee is a seasoned fiscal and economic reform expert with more than 35 years of experience across both public and private sectors. He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional restructuring, and governance.

The statement also highlighted Tegbe’s advisory roles to key government institutions and private sector organisations, particularly in the areas of regulatory frameworks, strategic reforms, and investment structuring.

Currently, Tegbe serves as Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he oversees efforts to deepen development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. His role includes coordinating engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development objectives aligned with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In the power sector, Tegbe is said to have participated in several reform-driven engagements involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), focusing on regulatory and institutional improvements.

The Presidency expressed confidence that, if confirmed, Tegbe would strengthen ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector, improve grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

President Tinubu also urged the minister-designate to deploy his extensive expertise toward delivering measurable improvements in electricity supply and overall sector performance for Nigerians.

Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation

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Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to deploy the full instruments of federal authority against individuals and groups responsible for the recurring violence in Plateau State, warning that those identified as instigators or sponsors of unrest will face decisive government action.

The President made the declaration on Tuesday evening during a high-level meeting with Plateau State leaders and stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he also approved a ₦2 billion humanitarian relief package for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.

The meeting, which lasted several hours and ended around 8 p.m., brought together Governor Caleb Mutfwang, all living former governors of Plateau State, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political stakeholders, including the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu told the delegation that his administration would no longer tolerate cycles of violence, urging leaders in the state to take responsibility in identifying those fueling conflict.

“No protocols, no obstacles; we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the President said.

He stressed that tolerance, unity, and accountability among leaders were essential to ending decades of recurring communal clashes in the state.

Tinubu also issued a strong directive to state authorities to identify individuals allegedly responsible for instigating violence, warning that they would face firm government action.

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“If you identify and you know the names of troublemakers, agents provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know. We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” he warned.

The President added that anyone found to be recruiting or inciting violence would face the full weight of federal power.

He further called for fairness, justice, and ethnic inclusiveness in governance, insisting that peace-building efforts must be rooted in equity and mutual respect among communities.

At the meeting, the Federal Government approved ₦2 billion in humanitarian assistance for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, where over 27 people were reportedly killed in a violent assault on returning worshippers.

The funds, according to officials, will be used to support displaced families, rebuild damaged property, and provide emergency relief to affected communities through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The approval follows Tinubu’s earlier promise during his visit to Jos on April 2, shortly after the incident.

Tinubu reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a necessary reform to address Plateau’s persistent security challenges.

He urged federal lawmakers present at the meeting to work toward constitutional backing for decentralized policing, arguing that local security structures would improve response times and enforcement.

The President also directed the newly constituted Plateau peace committee—made up of all living former governors of the state—to review existing white papers on past conflict resolutions and present consolidated recommendations.

He encouraged flexibility in restructuring previous peace frameworks, stressing that ineffective committees should be dissolved or merged for better results.

“Forget those committees you mentioned to me; if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” he said.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security deployments in the state, noting that existing forces were overstretched and required better equipment and manpower.

He also reiterated the need for the promised installation of thousands of AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Plateau State to enhance monitoring and early warning systems.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first time all living former governors of Plateau State were gathered together in a unified peace initiative.

He pledged full cooperation with the Federal Government’s peace efforts and emphasized the need to rebuild trust across ethnic and religious divides.

Former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase also highlighted drug abuse as a growing driver of insecurity in the state, calling for stronger enforcement measures.

Tinubu concluded the meeting by urging stakeholders to prioritize unity, warning that continued violence would only deepen poverty and instability in the region.

He also proposed expanded inclusion of non-indigenous communities in governance structures as part of broader reconciliation efforts.

The President reaffirmed that his administration is committed to ending violence in Plateau State and across Nigeria, stressing that peace and stability remain central to national development.

Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

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