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The Lagos State Government has demolished 138 shanties along the Ajao Estate Canal bank, where illegal occupants reportedly paid between N60,000 to N100,000 annually in rent.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement shared on X.com on Friday. Wahab stated that the demolition was part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, to curb environmental violations and remove unauthorized structures from public spaces.

“In continuation of concerted measures to reduce the scourge of environmental infractions and illegal encampment in public spaces, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps on Thursday demolished 138 shanties around the canal bank in Ajao Estate Canal where illegal occupants pay between N60,000 to N100,000 rent,” Wahab wrote.

In May, Wahab had reported the discovery of an apartment under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where tenants paid N250,000 annually for one of 86 partitioned rooms measuring approximately “10×10 and 12×10.”

The Wives of Nigeria Governors Forum has reaffirmed its commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence towards women across states, according to a report issued after a closed-door meeting at the Centenary City, New Government House, Abakaliki, on Thursday.

The communiqué, read by the forum’s Chairperson and First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, highlighted the forum’s resolve to address sexual and gender-based violence as part of its efforts to foster development in service to their states and the nation.

“The forum affirms yet again its unwavering resolve to keep up the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in their various states,” the statement read.

Additionally, the First Ladies expressed support for the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) Initiative, pledging to advocate for increased HPV vaccine uptake to protect the health of young girls. They announced plans for targeted sensitization efforts aimed at wives of local government chairmen to raise awareness of HPV vaccination and cancer prevention.

The First Ladies also committed to promoting six months of paid maternity leave and pledged to work with governors and state legislators to push for the policy’s adoption across all states, aimed at enhancing maternity and child welfare.

The meeting observed a one-minute silence in memory of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State. A total of 23 First Ladies attended the gathering.

The Nigerian Military has announced plans to deploy troops to Ondo State for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16, in a bid to enhance security and support the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining peace and order.

In a statement on Thursday, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Operations, said military personnel would collaborate with the police, who are leading security efforts, to ensure a smooth and disruption-free electoral process.

General Buba added that the Nigerian Air Force has begun providing logistical support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), transporting sensitive electoral materials to ensure their secure and timely delivery across the state.

“Troops have been deployed in substantial numbers to support the police in maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the Ondo governorship election on November 16, 2024,” he said, emphasizing that the military’s presence aims to create a secure environment for voters to participate without fear of harassment or intimidation.

The deployment, which includes both ground and air support, reflects the military’s commitment to upholding democratic processes and ensuring citizens exercise their voting rights safely.

The Federal Government has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to enhance agricultural production, with a focus on the seeds and grains sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the funds will support farmers nationwide in increasing the production of staple crops to strengthen food security.

Chief Information Officer Eremah Anthonia stated, “The Federal Government has secured a loan facility of $134 million from the African Development Bank to help farmers boost seeds and grain production in the country.”

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the loan at the launch of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming initiative in Calabar. Alongside Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor Peter Odey, Kyari highlighted the loan’s importance in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Kyari emphasized the role of the dry season farming initiative in ensuring year-round production, stating, “This loan will be instrumental in guaranteeing national food security, supporting increased production of essential crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava.”

He added that the loan is part of the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme – Agro Pocket Project, designed to increase Nigerian farmers’ capacity to meet the country’s growing food demands. The Federal Government has declared a food production emergency to provide affordable, nutritious food for Nigerians.

Kyari also updated on the 2023/2024 dry season support program, revealing that 107,429 wheat farmers were assisted in phase 1, 43,997 rice farmers in phase 2, and an additional 192,095 farmers growing rice, maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, and cassava nationwide.

The minister noted Cross River State’s significant role in wheat production, with over 3,000 wheat farmers set to benefit from the new loan. “Cross River has shown strong commitment to wheat production, which is why we are partnering with the state to enhance Nigeria’s wheat supply for the 2024/2025 dry season farming,” he said.

The initiative aims to support 250,000 wheat farmers across wheat-producing states, with a projected output of 750,000 metric tons, helping to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on wheat imports.

The body of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has arrived in Abuja ahead of his final burial.

The remains are being transported to the National Christian Centre, where a service of songs will be held to honor his life and service. Following this ceremony, a formal military parade and burial will take place on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Lieutenant General Lagbaja, a respected officer from Osun State, passed away on November 5, 2024. Appointed as Chief of Army Staff on June 23, 2023, he was recognized for his significant contributions to national security and infrastructure.

He is survived by his wife, children, siblings, and extended family, who mourn his passing and honor his commitment to the nation.

Video of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja arriving Abuja.