General
Lagos State Executive Governor Commissions Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Market Ikosi
By Adedapo Adesanya
***Constructed By Total Value Integrated Services
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently commissioned the third phase of the Ikosi International Model Market and the Ikosi International Fruits Market Phase 2, delivering on a promise made to the people of the community.
The Governor speaking at the commissioning, which was held amid fanfare and jubilation on Thursday, May 25, stated that commercial activities in markets have had a great impact on the state’s economy.
He added that building a befitting environment for traders remained a noble initiative to drive grassroots democracy and socio-economic growth.
The Governor said, “I commend the vision and leadership which facilitated the delivery of these two ultra-modern markets befitting the status of our state and resonate with the vision of a Greater Lagos.
“The impact the markets have had on the economy of Lagos is invaluable, as they serve as focal points of economic activities in the State. These are the real examples of initiatives of grassroots democracy and socio-economic growth.”
On his part, Mr Chris Onyekachi, the Managing Director (MD) of Total Value Integrated Services, a conglomerate involved in real estate development, construction, and civil engineering contracting works and the brain behind the construction of the ultra-modern markets with structures named after notable personalities including the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Mr Busura Alebiosu, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, et al. revealed that it wasn’t easy building a market of the magnitude of the third phase of the Ikosi International Model Market and the Ikosi International Fruits Market Phase 2.
He revealed that the journey to where the market is today began almost two and half years ago when his company came to reconstruct the market, which started from phase one to the third phase.
He said, “It wasn’t an easy journey because convincing market traders that we had good plans for them wasn’t an easy one. In their minds, they thought we wanted to chase them away. Some people felt that we wanted to use the place to build an estate, but we were lucky to have the leaders in the environment intervene. To the glory of God, we completed the first phase, we allocated it, then we started the second phase, and we also completed and allocated that. This is the third phase, and to the glory of God, we are here today. I thank God for His grace and mercy.”
Stating that the shops are affordable, Mr Onyekachi said that Total Value Integrated Services has a timeline for payment for those who can’t afford to finish their payment once, noting that once 60 per cent of the first deposit is paid, the remaining balance can be spread as agreed.
“We have our management team that is going to be on the ground to manage all the facilities here. I can assure you that in the next 10 years, whatever you have seen today is going to be in the same condition because we are going to manage them properly. Everything is properly designed, the landscape included. You can see our car parks. We have about 500 car parks here, and it makes it convenient for every person that is coming to buy and trade.
“We have a 300 KVA generator, a fire hydrant in case of fire; definitely we don’t pray for that, but we have made provision. All of the shops will be metered; we also have our security house here. We have six mobile policemen that are going to be here day and night, and we also have members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC)/that are also going to be here to provide security.”
Adding her voice to the narrative, the chairman, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Bada, noted that the markets were built in the quest to improve the standard of trading and to serve as an alternative to the existing markets.
“The markets were built in phases. The first phase was commissioned last year by Mr Governor, which consisted of key-clamp shops (fruit section) where all old occupants and fruit-market shop owners were conveniently relocated, with more than 3,000 units of spacious key clamps.
“Today, I am delighted that the second phase has been completed and is being commissioned by Mr Governor and will be allocated to old users,” she concluded.
The event attracted several notable personalities, including the Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Samiat Bada; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mrs Rabiat Arobieke; Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, and Mr Aramide Adeyoye, among others.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has pledged its commitment to provide the regulatory leadership, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement required to successfully develop and implement a robust National Action Plan on maritime decarbonization in Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Mr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during the National Stakeholders’ workshop on the development of a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan, further describing the workshop as a critical step in actualising the Federal Government’s blue economy and climate objectives.
Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Mr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG underscored the significance of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, a technical cooperation initiative /designed to support developing countries in implementing the IMO GHG Strategy.
According to him, the National Action Plan being developed will reflect national realities, leverage existing capacities, address identified gaps, and align with broader economic and environmental priorities of the federal government.
Mr Mobereola stressed that “this transition is not merely about compliance with international obligations, it is about safeguarding our marine environment, protecting public health, strengthening the blue economy, and ensuring that our maritime industry remains competitive and future-ready”, the DG said.
Also speaking at the event was the Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Ms Astrid Dispert, who highlighted that the overarching objective of the initiative is to advance a coherent and globally aligned regulatory framework to accelerate maritime decarbonization.
She also emphasised that NIMASA plays a pivotal role in driving the project at the national level.
The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project provides technical expertise and institutional support to assist countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans that promote sustainable shipping practices, encourage investment in clean technologies, and strengthen capacity for long-term emissions reduction.
Through this collaboration, the federal government is advancing deliberate steps towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the sector.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with its digital submission process effective March 1.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Director-General of the Bureau, Mr Adebowale Adedokun, noting that the move was part of the bureau’s commitment to digital transformation and paperless governance.
It explained that the transition followed an earlier circular of Aug. 4, 2025, which introduced electronic submission procedures.
According to the bureau, it has successfully moved from physical filings to a dedicated e-mail service for document submissions and is now advancing to a more robust and integrated system.
The circular announced the inauguration of the BPP Digital Submission Portal, a web-based platform designed to enable MDAs submit procurement-related documents directly to the Bureau.
It stated that the automated platform would streamline the submission process, enhance transparency and ensure accelerated tracking of procurement-related documents and petitions.
“With effect from March 1, all MDAs will be required to use the portal to submit requests for ‘No Objection’ Certificates, approvals for ‘No Objection’ for special procurements, clarifications and status updates on submissions,” the bureau said.
It added that the portal would be hosted on the Bureau’s official website and would become fully operational from the effective date.
The bureau warned that physical submissions or manual hand-deliveries would no longer be prioritised and would eventually be rejected following the full transition to the digital platform.
It urged accounting officers to brief their procurement departments and ICT units on the development to ensure seamless processing of procurement activities from March 1.
It further advised MDAs to contact the Bureau via its official email for information on the onboarding process and integration into the portal.
The bureau emphasised that full compliance by all MDAs was required to ensure a smooth transition and avoid delays in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal year procurement processes.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, from office.
The Senate Committee on Finance, while passing a resolution in Abuja on Thursday, accused Mr Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), of failing to honour the Senate’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
“He refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.
“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses,” the Chairman of the committee, Mr Sani Musa, said as the committee passed the resolution.
CAC was part of a group of agencies that the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended zero allocation for the year 2026, for allegedly failing to account for public funds appropriated to them.
The committee, at an investigative hearing held two weeks ago, accused CAC and some other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of shunning invitations to respond to audit queries contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s annual reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The PAC chairman, Mr Bamidele Salam, stated that the National Assembly should not continue to appropriate public funds to institutions that disregard accountability mechanisms, saying this will create fiscal discipline and strengthen transparency across federal institutions and conform with extant financial regulations and the oversight powers of the parliament.
“Public funds are held in trust for the Nigerian people. Any agency that fails to account for previous allocations, refuses to submit audited accounts, or ignores legislative summons cannot, in good conscience, expect fresh budgetary provisions. Accountability is not optional; it is a constitutional obligation,” he said.
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