General
Lagos To Prosecute Water Sector Law Violators
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Lagos State Government said it has commenced implementation and enforcement of the State Water Sector Law enacted in 2004.
It also confirmed the establishment of the Lagos State Water Sector Court to prosecute offenders and illegal water service providers.
According to the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr Babatunde Adejare, stated this on Tuesday at a two-day retreat organised for officials of the water sector in Lagos State on the establishment of Lagos State Water Sector Court with the theme ‘Towards achieving a safe and sustainable water sector in Lagos State.’
Mr Adejare, who was represented at the retreat by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, said that the water sector court became necessary considering the series of atrocities and illegal practices being committed by some members of the public, stressing the need to bring such illegal operators/ violators to book.
The Commissioner used the occasion to correct the erroneous perception presently filtering in some quarters that the State Government is privatizing the State owned Water Corporation.
He maintained that the position of the State Government subsists that the Government cannot do it alone; hence a public private partnership is essential in meeting the water needs of Lagosians within the shortest possible time.
“The truth is that the State government is not pleased with the present practice of giving bail outs to the Lagos Water Corporation because of non-payment of water bills by water consumers” the Commissioner stated.
Mr Adejare added that government will continue to regulate the water sector to make it attractive for private sector investment in order to lessen the burden of expenses being incurred by the State government while also giving quality services to the general public. This according to him should not be misinterpreted to mean that the Lagos Water Corporation is being privatised.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Engr Muminu Badmos, decried the rate and adverse effects of activities of illegal water connections saying that the practice is hindering government’s drive to meet the water needs of residents of the State.
According to him, the damages caused by construction activities, illegal connections, water theft among others is becoming alarming, expressing the belief that the introduction of the water sector court would help curb the menace which had greatly affected the revenue generation of the State Government.
He warned residents of the State especially those involved in illegal water connection to desist from the act stressing that such illegal connection will not be tolerated and he maintained that only the State Water Corporation is certified to make such connections or disconnections.
The Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Arch. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, bemoaned the increasing rate of waterborne diseases in hospitals in recent times, saying such development is epidemic and should be urgently addressed.
He said boreholes are also being constructed haphazardly without obtaining license from the government in line with prescribed standards provided by the Groundwater Quality Control Regulation.”
“Let me also clarify that the State Government will not tolerate illegal/ uncertified activities of water service providers who operate as quacks in the water sector as they pollute the water sources. Water abstraction, consumption and distribution must be carried out in line with the regulations,” he added.
He further explained that boreholes for domestic use in single tenement homes will not pay water rates but the boreholes will require a license before construction, while existing ones will be required to be regularised. Those who abstract water for sale and for industrial use will pay a surcharge for water consumption.
Speaking on the newly established Water Sector Court, Arch. Abdullahi said that the court will assist in the legal aspects and issues that may arise in the water sector.
The Water Sector Court according to him will among other functions prosecute individuals or companies that contravene the provisions of the State Water Sector Law of 2004 and he advised all those who are yet to comply with the licensing requirements to complete the process and obtain their relevant licenses from the Commission promptly.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
