By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr  Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered an immediate intensification of waste evacuation operations across the state following the recent accumulation of refuse in several communities.

The directive has activated a coordinated response involving the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Ministry of Environment, with the agencies tasked with accelerating sanitation efforts in affected areas.

Announcing the move in a post on his X handle, Mr Sanwo-Olu said additional waste collection trucks and personnel had been deployed to clear the backlog, while sanitation workers had commenced round-the-clock operations to restore cleanliness across the state.

“Dear Lagosians, I have directed an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across Lagos following the recent build-up of refuse in some parts of our state,” the governor stated.

He noted that the environmental agencies had already intensified operations and assured residents that visible progress was being made.

A Business Post assessment across several areas of the state showed heaps of refuse packed across curbs on major roads and street corners.

“LAWMA, LASEPA, and the Ministry of Environment are currently working around the clock. We have deployed extra trucks and personnel to clear the backlogs across all affected neighbourhoods. You should already see progress on the streets, and we will not stop until our city is completely clean again,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that Lagos generates more than 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making continuous intervention and collaboration essential to maintaining environmental standards.

While assuring residents of the government’s commitment to addressing the situation, the governor called on Lagosians to support the clean-up effort by adhering to proper waste disposal practices.

“As we continue this cleanup, I ask for your partnership. Please bag your waste properly and avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels or on the roads,” he added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

A concealed illegal crude oil storage facility in Delta State, with approximately 17,000 litres, has been uncovered by the Nigerian Navy.

The discovery, made under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, highlights the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by crude oil thieves in the Niger Delta, even as security agencies strengthen intelligence-driven operations to protect critical oil infrastructure.

According to the Navy, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA uncovered the illegal site following actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State.

In a statement issued this week by the Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation combined ground surveillance with aerial reconnaissance to expose a carefully disguised reservoir used to store stolen crude oil.

Although initial inspections showed no visible signs of illegal activity, drone imagery later revealed a large, freshly excavated reservoir hidden beneath thick vegetation, wooden planks and leaves to evade detection.

The Navy said the site showed clear evidence of recent illegal operations and appeared to function as a temporary holding point within a wider illicit crude supply chain.

The discovery underscores the evolving methods adopted by criminal syndicates as authorities intensify the crackdown on oil theft across the Niger Delta.

The Navy noted that integrating intelligence gathering with advanced aerial surveillance capabilities has significantly improved its ability to detect and disrupt illegal activities that would otherwise remain hidden.

The maritime force said the reservoir, recovered products and related materials were secured and processed in line with existing operational procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to sustain further criminal activities.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Navy to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining activities that have continued to erode government revenues and undermine investor confidence in the oil and gas sector.

Oil theft remains one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, costing the country billions of dollars annually through lost production, environmental degradation and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks through persistent surveillance, intelligence-led operations and coordinated interventions aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s energy assets and protecting the nation’s economic interests.

By Adedapo Adesanya

State governors have restated their commitment to the establishment of state police and reforms in the electricity sector.

The agreement was reached in a communiqué issued at the end of the 2nd meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the governors deliberated issues affecting the country, noting a dedicated consultation with the Attorneys-General to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks for their decision.

“Governors emphasised the need for the State Police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights.

“The Forum noted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the States’ collective position”, the statement said in part.

The group also received a presentation from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on progress under the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative.

It reaffirmed the governors’ commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and reducing child malnutrition across Nigeria.

According to the statement, the governors noted the ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the legal and policy framework for nutrition governance.

The forum also received a briefing from the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria covering the period FY2026–2032; the proposed Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme, a results-based initiative designed to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, increase private sector participation, enhance food security, and Early Childhood Development (ECD).

The forum supported ongoing collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank, and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and deliver benefits to participating states.

They approved state-specific interventions and stressed the importance of better coordination across sectors like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, social protection, and family support.

On the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a proposal to expand electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar generation integrated with a national high-voltage transmission network, it noted the initiative’s potential to support industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets, and accelerate economic growth.

The governors reiterated their commitment to ongoing power sector reforms and to strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity for Nigerians.