FrontLineNews

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the Oniru Business and Cultural Day as a model of how leadership can shape development responsibly, just as he expressed profound appreciation to the Oniru for his gracious dedication and purposeful leadership. Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this during the business session of the formal inauguration of the Oniru Business Council and celebration of the Cultural Day held at Oniru Palace, Iru, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday. Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu remarked that his administration, over the past years, has focused on strengthening the foundations of economic prosperity through the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda, particularly as the nation approaches another electoral cycle when conversations about leadership, development, and the future of the economy naturally take centre stage. He said: “In Lagos, we have deliberately embraced the principle of an inclusive econo...

…As Stakeholders Seek Smoother Export Corridor The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has assured onion farmers and export-focused stakeholders of the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to removing non-tariff barriers, addressing operational bottlenecks and working with relevant agencies to create an enabling environment for export trade. CGC Adeniyi gave the assurance on Monday, 9 February 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/AOC), led by its President, Aliyu Maitasamu, to the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja. “So let me assure onion farmers and other export-oriented stakeholders that the NCS will stand solidly behind you. We will remove all known non-tariff barriers and work with other government agencies and stakeholders to create a more facilitating environment for your trade,” the Comptroller-General said. He explained that the engagement was timely, noting that over the past six mon...

Abeokuta, Ogun State — A technical team from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has visited the Eba oil well in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area as preparations advance for the commencement of commercial drilling operations in the state. The inspection followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for commercial exploration and forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to deploy the required technical capacity and infrastructure for production. Officials of NNPCL carried out the exercise alongside representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and national security agencies to evaluate the site and confirm its readiness for drilling activities. The delegation was led by Hussein Aliyu, Project Coordinator for Enserv, who headed the NNPCL Enserv technical team. Other members included Wasiu Adeniyi, Onwugba Kelechi, Engr. Rabiu M. Audu, Ojonoka Braimah, Ahmad Usman, Akinbosola Oluwaseyi, Salisu Nuhu, James Amezh...

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Remo Division of Ogun East Senatorial District have unanimously endorsed Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as their preferred candidate for the Senate in the 2027 general elections. The endorsement was made during a well-attended meeting of party leaders on Tuesday, where stakeholders across the division urged the governor to contest the Ogun East Senatorial seat. Moving the motion, Chief Muri Awolaja, an apex leader of the party from Sagamu Local Government Area, described Abiodun as an achiever and a true son of Remoland and Ogun East, noting that he is eminently qualified to represent the district at the National Assembly. The motion was seconded by a former Chairman of Remo North Local Government Area, Dapo Odunsi. Speaking in support, council chairmen in the zone — Hon. Muyiwa Sodade of Remo North and Hon. Jamiu Asimi of Ikenne Local Government — called on the governor to heed the call of the people. “We are at ...

In  a new twist to the ongoing resolution of the political logjam in oil rich state of Rivers,Governor Siminalayi Fubara has disolved  the State Executive Council, indicating a significant change in his administration. This decision aims to realign the government and enhance the efficiency of the state’s civil service. Information has it that Gov Fubara on his return to Port Harcourt,the capital of the state on Tuesday summoned an emergency valedictory date Executive Council meeting, where he announced the dissolution,while he directed that the commissioners and special Advisers should immediately hand over to the most senior civil servants in the ministries and agencies.. There are indications that the move forms part of the agreement reached at the peace  meeting conveyed by the president to resolve the political crisis. The Governor it was reported will present another set of members of state executive council ,that will be screened by the Legislators in ac...

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a pilot initiative aimed at strengthening economic empowerment and digital peacebuilding among women in Benue State, as part of efforts to address the prolonged humanitarian and displacement crisis in North-Central Nigeria. The project, implemented through ECOWAS’ Directorate of Trade and the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in partnership with the Benue State Government, targets women-led community-based organisations working on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in conflict-affected communities. The launch coincided with the start of a five-day capacity-building programme running from February 9 to 13, featuring a Training of Trainers (ToT) for 12 participants drawn from community-based organisations, civil society groups and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.  The trained participants are expected to cascade the knowledge through step-down sessions that will reach at least 60 women ...

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested six suspected drug traffickers and recovered a large haul of illicit substances in a raid on a notorious drug enclave in Bonny Island, Rivers State, an operation that claimed the life of one of its officers. The raid, carried out at Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island last Friday, February, according to a statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, led to the seizure of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk (cannabis), and tramadol.  He noted that the operation turned deadly when armed hoodlums allegedly mobilised by the suspects attacked NDLEA operatives during the exercise. He revealed that one of the officers, Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained fatal head injuries in the clash. He was rushed to the Bonny Island General Hospital but later died from his injuries. Despite the attack, NDLEA operatives successfully arrested all six targeted suspects, including the alleged gang leader, ...

. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) regrets to announce a devastating road traffic incident involving a mini yellow commercial bus (popularly known as Faka SMK 823 YK) , which claimed the lives of two occupants and left several others injured along Ballet inward corridor to Mile 2, Okota, Isolo. Preliminary security findings revealed that the unfortunate incident was precipitated by an unknown private vehicle reversing on the main carriageway, an action that compelled the commercial minibus travelling at considerable speed to apply an abrupt brake. This sudden manoeuvre caused the vehicle to lose stability, overturn repeatedly and ultimately burst into flames while conveying nine passengers including the driver. Further investigations revealed that the commercial bus driver was reportedly conveying a five-litre container of petrol within the vehicle. The highly inflammable substance ignited immediately following the crash resulting in a severe fire outbr...

Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have apprehended two notorious street urchins popularly known as Omotaku along the Oshodi–Agunlejika–Apapa Expressway. The suspects, Abiodun Ajasa (44 years) of No. 18 Jimoh Meji Street, off Agunlejika Street, and Junaid Folami of No. 12 Agunlejika Street, Itire-Ikate, were allegedly involved in arresting unsuspecting motorists and extorting money from them whenever their vehicles developed mechanical faults on the highway. The suspects were arrested following a tip-off from a concerned group, ICU – To Save A Soul. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Agency swung into action and apprehended the duo while they were attempting to extort a motorist. The suspects initially claimed to be a bystander and a revenue collector respectively. However, investigations by Taskforce officials confirmed that they are notorious Omotaku operatives who had evaded arrest on several occasions. Speaking on the development, the Chairman of...

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for a renewed commitment to human rights activism in the country . The advocacy came on the heels of the 20th memorial of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, a renowned human rights activist and medical doctor who dedicated his life to the defence of human rights in Nigeria. Speaking at the memorial event held at the Rights House, Lagos Tuesday, CDHR President Debo Adeniran emphasized the need for courage and vigilance in the face of current security challenges and economic hardship.  Adeniran stressed that the best way to honour Ransome-Kuti's legacy is through action, citing his unwavering commitment to human rights activism despite facing imprisonment, harassment, and other forms of persecution. "The best way to honour Beko Ransome-Kuti is not through speeches alone. It is through action. It is through courage in the courtroom, vigilance in the streets, advocacy in the media, and integrity in our personal conduc...

Lagos State has taken a major step toward repositioning Nigeria as a global investment destination with the unveiling of a comprehensive roadmap to establish a Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), envisioned as the leading financial hub in West Africa. The roadmap is contained in a new report titled “Establishing an International Financial Centre in Lagos (LIFC), Nigeria”, produced by TheCityUK in collaboration with the UK Government, Lagos State Government, the Lagos International Financial Centre Council (LIFCC), and EnterpriseNGR. The report was formally launched at the State House, Marina, Lagos. The high-level event attracted senior government officials, diplomats, and private sector leaders, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria Jonny Baxter, EnterpriseNGR Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, and EnterpriseNGR Chief Executive Officer Obi Ibekwe. The initiative is aligned with Nigeria’s Agenda 205...

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Transcorp Hilton Abuja is set to transform into one of the capital’s premier destinations for romance and social experiences, unveiling an all-inclusive lineup of activities designed for both couples and singles. This was disclosed in a statement issued at the weekend by the hotel’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Ms Ijeoma Osuji, who said the iconic hospitality brand will host a three-day “Valentine Weekend Package” from February 13 to 15. According to the statement, the experience is designed to cater to a wide range of guests, from long-term couples seeking a romantic getaway to individuals looking to connect and celebrate the season of love in a vibrant social setting. For visitors seeking a complete escape, the hotel is offering a bespoke room package that combines luxury accommodation with carefully curated romantic add-ons, promising a serene retreat from the city's bustle alongside world-class hospitality. The weekend program...

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) E-Registration and Reconciliation Committee in Borno State, Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda has led a high-powered delegation on a working visit to Bama and Konduga Local Government Areas as part of efforts to deepen grassroots participation in the party’s ongoing electronic registration exercise. The tour, aimed at monitoring progress and galvanising party members, brought the committee into direct engagement with local government officials, lawmakers, traditional institutions, and party executives across the two councils. Members of the committee on the visit included Hon. Tijjani Umara Kumalia, Mohammed Makinta, Hon. Busami Ardoram, Hon. Babakura Shettima, Hon. Mohd Maina Tar, Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan, Alh. Zanna Mahdi, Alh. Yusuf Adamu, Barrister Ba’ande Imam, and the committee’s Secretary, Dr. Babakura Mamman Gadai. In Bama, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr...

By Olasunbo Abimbola Debby It was meant to be a routine strategic engagement , an invitation to meet Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari at his Senatorial District Office located in Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State. The appointment was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. I got there some minutes before time. The  building is huge but the office itself was modest ,not flamboyant, not intimidating—yet warm and professional. Courtesy was the governing ethic. Barrister Lawal was on hand to receive me and, with measured politeness, ushered me to a seat. “The Senator will soon be here,” he said. At exactly two minutes to 11, four men walked in. Three tall figures and one noticeably shorter man ,dressed in a simple Ankara attire. There was nothing theatrical about their entrance—no noise, no protocol drama, no security theatrics. Then Barrister Lawal announced: “Welcome, Distinguished Senator.” Instinctively, my eyes searched the room for the most imposing figure—the tallest, perhaps the most el...

…Charges Kebbi Command Officers on Discipline, Transit Integrity The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Saturday, 7 February 2026, paid homage to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, as part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions in strengthening border security, community engagement, and national development. The visit, held at the Emir’s palace in Kebbi State, underscored the Service’s recognition of the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, promoting lawful trade, and supporting security agencies in border communities. The CGC was accompanied by senior officers of the Service, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of whom currently serve under the Gwandu Emirate. Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi described the visit a...

Legal, financial and Islamic scholars have urged Nigerians to embrace structured Islamic estate planning, warning that informal and undocumented wealth transfer practices continue to expose families to conflict, asset loss and prolonged court battles. The call was made in Abuja at the 8th Annual Islamic Estate Planning Clinic, themed “From Informality to Legacy: Structuring Islamic Wealth Transfer.” The event was organised by The Metropolitan Law Firm in partnership with First Trustees Limited and Al-Ameen Trustees Limited. Speakers at the forum stressed that increasing reliance on verbal agreements and family-based arrangements often undermines the intentions of asset owners and creates avoidable disputes among beneficiaries. Managing Partner of The Metropolitan Law Firm, Hajia Ummahani Amin, said many Nigerian families fail to document their estate plans, leading to mismanagement and outcomes that contradict Islamic inheritance principles. She explained that estate planni...

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has strongly condemned the continued killing of innocent citizens in parts of the country, describing the attacks as senseless and unacceptable, while calling for urgent, long-term solutions to address insecurity, especially in rural communities. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Institute stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without transformative rural development and improved security architecture in underserved areas. It warned that vast ungoverned spaces have continued to serve as safe havens for terrorists, insurgents and bandits, undermining national stability. The IPCR emphasized the need for effective state territorial control over such areas, noting that reclaiming and securing them is critical to dismantling criminal networks and restoring public confidence. While commending the recent establishment of a Military Command Centre as a positive step, the Institute said the measure alone would no...

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman, Nwabueze Izueke, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) for attempting to traffic cocaine to China. Izueke was intercepted last Saturday, during the outward screening of passengers travelling to China via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940. A body scan revealed that he had ingested illicit drugs, after which he was placed under medical observation. According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, he later excreted 95 jumbo-sized wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.589 kilogrammes, over seven separate excretions. The suspect told investigators he deals in clothing and automobile spare parts in Lagos and claimed he ventured into drug trafficking to raise funds to complete a house he is building in his hometown, Iwollo, Enugu State. In Abuja, NDLEA operatives recovered 627.7 kilogrammes ...

A collaboration between Afrobeat and K-pop is underway as Nigeria and South Korea deepens cooperation in the creative economy, using music as a bridge. Artistes and producers from both countries staged a landmark Afrobeats–K-pop collaboration in Abuja with the plan to roll out a musical experiment of fusion of both afrobeat and K-pop. The live production concert, tagged “K Music Production x Afrobeats,” was hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria (KCCN) and brought together Korean vocal coach Seo Yena, music producer and composer Lee Haneung, and Nigerian Afrobeats artiste FirstKlaz for a joint recording and live performance. The event underscored growing cultural diplomacy between both countries and highlighted the expanding global influence of Afrobeats, which has increasingly shaped contemporary pop sounds across Asia, Europe and North America. Seo Yena said her journey into Afrobeats began in 2024 when she visited Nigeria as a vocal instructor under ...

The Federal Government is set to tighten oversight and raise performance standards across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises with the launch of the MOFI Excellence Awards, a new accountability-driven initiative scheduled for the second quarter of 2026. The awards, to be introduced by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), are aimed at institutionalising transparency, discipline and measurable performance in Federal Government-owned enterprises, marking a shift from discretionary oversight to structured, benchmarked governance. MOFI said the initiative is part of broader reforms aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda, which seeks to improve fiscal discipline, unlock value from public assets and reduce the burden of inefficient enterprises on the national treasury. At the core of the process is the MOFI Corporate Governance Scorecard, launched in April 2025, which now serves as a standardised tool for assessing Boards and management teams again...

Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their longstanding diplomatic and strategic partnership as both countries marked the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations during the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” Temple Fair in Abuja. The celebration, held at the Chinese Cultural Centre at the weekend, brought together senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, cultural organisations and members of the Chinese and Nigerian communities. The event also coincided with the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse, symbolising strength, resilience and progress. China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, said the Spring Festival had grown beyond a traditional celebration to become a global cultural event promoting peace, harmony and mutual understanding among nations. He noted that the festival’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list had further strengthened its global significance. Zhou described the temp...

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has formally confirmed a heart-rending and fatal road traffic occurrence beneath the LASUTH Bridge at the traffic signal corridor inward Airport Road, Ikeja, involving a DAF articulated truck and an unsuspecting cyclist. Preliminary security findings reveal that the tragic episode unfolded as both the cyclist and the heavy-duty truck advancing from the Maryland axis, simultaneously attempted to negotiate the roundabout underneath the bridge. In the course of this perilous convergence, the cyclist was reportedly unable to maintain a safe clearance from the moving truck. Within a matter of moments, the situation escalated disastrously, resulting in the cyclist being violently crushed and succumbing to fatal injuries on the spot. LASTMA operatives who were actively deployed to regulate and control vehicular movement at the location responded with exemplary alacrity. Their prompt and decisive action culminated in the immedia...