God Will Punish All Those Wishing Me Dead After The Death Of Ekubo - Blessing CEO

Relationship expert Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has criticised social media users who called for her death following the passing of actor Alex Ekubo. 

Ekubo died on Monday after battling advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

After the news broke, several users posted comments on Okoro’s Instagram page stating that God should have taken her life instead.  

In a video shared on Instagram, Okoro condemned the posts and questioned what she described as selective empathy.

She said she was surprised at how quickly public sympathy appeared after a death, noting that many of the same users had made hostile comments when the person was alive.  

Okoro also addressed claims that Ekubo’s family had kept his illness private, stating that if images of him had been shared while he was sick, they would have been met with mockery.  

She said, “How do you people sympathize with the de@d but b#lly the living? Each time someone passes away and I see how people become suddenly sympathetic, I’m always surprised. If you read the comments people make when the person is alive, you’ll be shocked. Some people were even saying things like ‘God should take Blessing CEO and give us Alexx Ekubo.’ God will punish u all!

“And for those saying his family kept everything off social media, if his pictures had been posted while he was sick, the same people would still have mocked him and said all sorts of things.”

The backlash against Okoro followed an incident in March in which she falsely claimed to have stage 4 cancer and alleged possession of another person’s medical report. 

  

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I Don't Mind Being A 'House-Husband' If My Wife Earns Higher Than Me - Nollywood Actor, Deyemi

Actor Deyemi Okanlawon has stated that he would not object to becoming a house husband if his wife earned more than him.  

Speaking on the Tea With Tay podcast, Okanlawon stated that he would step away from acting to focus on family care if his wife became the primary breadwinner.

He said his main priority was remaining valuable to his household, regardless of traditional gender roles.  

Okanlawon noted that some men feel uncomfortable when their partners earn more, which he said often leads to insecurity and sensitivity over minor issues.

He added that financial stability would make the arrangement practical, and he would be willing to take on childcare and household duties despite lacking experience in cooking.  

Okanlawon said: “I pray to God. My wife hits a business that earns between $1 million and $10 million per year. You won’t see me act again.

“I will become a house husband. I will take my children to school and even cook, despite not knowing how to. If there is money, I don’t mind being a house husband. If there is money? What are you doing again?

“I find that a lot of men are not comfortable with that dynamic, so they become hypersensitive and complain over little things.

“My only prayer is that, as a human being, regardless of gender, I should be valuable to my family.”

  

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Lagos West Council Chairmen Endorse Adebule Ahead Of APC Primaries

Chairmen of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos West Senatorial District have pledged support for Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.

The council bosses gave the assurance during a strategic meeting with the senator and party stakeholders in Lagos, where discussions centred on party mobilisation, grassroots coordination and preparations for the primaries across the district.

Speaking after the meeting, Adebule said the gathering was convened to strengthen collaboration among party leaders and ensure hitch free primaries in all local governments and constituencies within Lagos West.

“The chairmen of the councils are here to discuss with us and strategise towards the primaries. If we have the chairmen and the party ready, giving their support, then they would have done the needful and the necessary to ensure hitch free primaries in all local governments and constituencies across the West,” she said.

The senator highlighted projects and interventions carried out across the senatorial district in the last three years, noting that her office had maintained visible presence in virtually all councils in Lagos West.

“Well, we have done quite a lot of projects so far and the chairmen are familiar with them, just like you heard them say that we have done a lot. We have our presence and our signature in virtually all the local governments.

“It might be small, but we have a presence in virtually all the local governments. We are not resting now, we are going to continue in that stride to the end of this term. We have just spent three years.

“In the next one year, by the grace of God, we are going to finish stronger and stronger,” she added.

The council chairmen, who spoke at the meeting, lauded Adebule’s empowerment programmes, constituency projects and developmental initiatives across the district, describing her as accessible and committed to grassroots development.

They expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration between the senator’s office and the councils, assuring her of their continued loyalty and support ahead of the APC primaries.

Some of the chairmen noted that Adebule’s interventions in education, empowerment and community development had impacted several residents across Lagos West, adding that the party structure in the district remained united.

Those present at the meeting included former chairman of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Rasak Ajala, Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Adebayo Olasoju, Chairman of Oriade LCDA,Rasaq Akorede Olojede; Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdulganiyu Obasa; Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, Ibrahim Yemaren;  among others.

The meeting was part of ongoing consultations among APC stakeholders in Lagos West ahead of the party primaries.

  

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Lagos Moves To Ensure Fairness And Transparency In Development And Building Control

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the state government is committed to fairness, transparency, and accountability in the administration of planning laws, maintaining that no more arbitrariness in planning approval.

Speaking on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, Sanwo-Olu observed that every day, developers, property owners, architects, engineers, and other construction professionals navigate the planning approvals and regulatory decisions that shape how this state grows.

Noting that a government that regulates without providing for review is a government that has placed itself beyond accountability, he noted that: “For the most part, that process works. But no system administered by human beings is infallible, and where decisions can be wrong, there must also be a pathway for redress.

“Today, Section 79 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law moves from text on a page into a living institution. That institution is this Committee. And with this inauguration, we make a clear structural commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability in the administration of our planning laws.

“The physical planning system in Lagos operates through two key regulatory agencies: the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, responsible for granting and regulating development permits; and the Lagos State Building Control Agency, responsible for monitoring construction activities and enforcing compliance with safety standards.

These agencies discharge essential and often difficult responsibilities, and they do so under real pressure in one of the world’s most demanding urban environments.

“But no regulatory system, however well-intentioned, can be immune from error. Planning decisions involve complex judgements, on land use, density, setbacks, structural safety, change of use, and demolition. These decisions affect people’s investments, livelihoods, and communities.

“It is therefore, right and necessary, to have an independent body to which any aggrieved developer, professional, property owner, or institution may turn when they believe a decision has been made unfairly, incorrectly, or without due regard to their rights.

“That body is this Committee. Under Section 82 of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, this Appeals Committee has the statutory authority to investigate and decide on matters relating to planning permit applications, development plans and layouts,

Changes of use, approvals-in-principle, demolition orders, the conduct of planning and building control officials, and the service of regulatory notices. It may call for documents, summon witnesses, and consult the full body of physical planning law and regulations in the state. Its orders are binding, the law requires that relevant agencies enforce them, just as they would enforce orders of the High Court.

“This is a significant mandate. I want the members of this Committee, and the public, to understand what this means in practice. If a developer submits a permit application and believes the refusal was unjustified, there is now a formal, independent forum for review. If a property owner receives a demolition notice and disputes its basis, they have 28 days in which to appeal and have that decision examined.

“If a building professional believes a regulatory officer acted improperly, this Committee is empowered to investigate that conduct. These are not trivial powers; they are the mechanisms through which public confidence in our planning system is either built or eroded.

“I am also conscious that the building safety challenge in Lagos is real and serious. The incidents of building collapse that have claimed lives in our state and others across Nigeria are a reminder that the purpose of building regulation is not bureaucratic formality; it is the preservation of human life.

“This Appeals Committee must therefore operate with a clear understanding of that context. The right to appeal a regulatory decision is a fundamental protection, but it is not a mechanism to circumvent safety. When the evidence supports the regulatory action of an agency, this Committee must say so clearly and firmly.”

  

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Lagos Health Sector Suffers Over 30,000 Doctors and 40,000 Nurses Shortfall - Health Commissioner

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has said that Lagos State has just about 7000 across the over 4000 public and private healthcare facilities although the state requires 40,000 doctors.
Abayomi stated this on Tuesday at the ongoing 2026 ministerial press briefing to mark the third year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
The commissioner also said the state requires an additional 40,000 nurses to bridge manpower gaps in the health sector

“Nigeria currently has about 40,000 doctors at a ratio of one doctor to 5,000 people. The country needs about 300,000 additional doctors, while Lagos requires 40,000 doctors. Currently, Lagos has 7,000. The gap for Lagos is over 30,000 doctors and 40,000 nurses,” the commissioner said.
The Commissioner nonetheless stated that Lagos has increasingly become an attractive destination for healthcare professionals due to ongoing reforms and investments in the sector.
He also said that the state is working at exploring the opportunities medical tourism provide with its medical park project.

“We are making sure that the health sector is robust enough to manage everything that comes its way,” he said.
He projected that Lagos could emerge as a leading medical tourism destination in Africa by 2052, driven by ongoing reforms, mandatory health insurance and the state’s long-term Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Abayomi added that the administration was repositioning the health sector to effectively respond to emerging challenges such as pandemics, flooding, urban population growth and other public health emergencies.

He said that Lagos State currently operates 34 secondary and tertiary public health facilities, 325 Primary Healthcare Centres, about 3,500 private health facilities, as well as over 10,000 community pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors within the informal healthcare sector.
He added that Lagos is presently ranked among the leading African cities in healthcare delivery and is targeting a place among the continent’s top three healthcare destinations.
According to him, cities currently ahead of Lagos include Cape Town, Pretoria, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Durban, Algiers, Tunis, Cairo and Casablanca.

Highlighting the pressure on existing medical personnel, the commissioner stated that doctors in Lagos were overstretched due to the huge population burden.
“For every doctor we have in Lagos, they are doing the job of ten,” he said.
To address the persistent brain drain in the health sector, Abayomi disclosed that the state government had commenced a series of healthcare financing reforms aimed at improving the welfare, remuneration and living conditions of healthcare workers, while also creating opportunities for Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to return home.
He revealed that accommodation facilities for medical personnel were being expanded across public hospitals in the state.

According to him, a 72-room accommodation complex for house officers has been completed at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, while construction and renovation works are ongoing at other major health institutions.
“We recently completed an accommodation complex for 72 house officers at LASUTH, while work at Odan is ongoing. Staff quarters at Gbagada, Ojo and LASUTH are nearing completion. Going forward, all new medical facilities will have staff quarters in close proximity,” he stated.
Abayomi further disclosed that LASUTH currently has about 120 medical specialists, while general hospitals across the state collectively have about 250 specialists.

He stressed that infrastructure development remained central to the administration’s healthcare agenda, adding that the government had developed a comprehensive medical blueprint focused on sustainable and renewable healthcare facility designs.
The commissioner maintained that the reforms being implemented by the Sanwo-Olu administration were aimed at building a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the demands of Lagos’ rapidly growing population while positioning the state as a healthcare hub for West Africa.

  

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Union Bank Bags ASBON Award For SME Growth In Nigeria

Union Bank of Nigeria has bagged the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025, reaffirming its reputation as a premier supporter of local commerce.

The accolade was presented by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria at the Nigeria National SME Business Awards recently held in Lagos.

The award recognises the Bank’s strategic leadership in advancing the growth and resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises through a differentiated suite of solutions designed to enable business expansion and long-term value creation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, Head of the SME Segment at Union Bank, Ayokunnumi Abraham, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the institution’s commitment to the sector.

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible,” Abraham said.

“Through enhancements to our specialised platforms, such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting,” he added.

He further noted that these digital improvements have shortened onboarding times, increased digital adoption among SME customers, and accelerated the acquisition of new business clients.

“Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive,” he added.

ASBON, in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, brought together public and private sector stakeholders to celebrate organisations making meaningful impact across Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.

Established in 1917, Union Bank remains a leading provider of financial services in Nigeria, guided by its “Simpler, Smarter Banking” philosophy. With more than 300 branches and a digital suite, including mobile banking, trade finance, and equipment leasing, the Bank helps public and private sectors achieve lasting success.

  

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Navy Commander Visits Oba Of Lagos Ahead Of Anniversary Celebration

The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, has paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, at his palace in Isale Eko ahead of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.

Speaking during the visit on Wednesday, Adams-Aliu stated that the milestone represents a significant moment in the history of the service.

He said the visit was part of preparatory engagements for the week-long celebration scheduled for May 29 to June 4, 2026, and also served as a formal invitation to the Lagos monarch to participate in the anniversary events.

“Marking seven decades of maritime operations, national defence and regional security engagement, the Navy remains committed to strengthening cooperation with traditional institutions, particularly in coastal communities where maritime security and economic activities are closely linked,” he said.

Adams-Aliu stressed the importance of collaboration with local leaders in maintaining safety within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

“However, our partnerships with community leaders remain critical in addressing security concerns within the maritime domain and in sustaining public trust in naval operations,” he stated.

He said the anniversary celebration is expected to feature ceremonial parades, community outreach programmes, and an International Fleet Review at the Eko Atlantic waterfront.

“It will also highlight the Navy’s operational achievements and long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture.

“The event is expected to attract senior military officers, foreign naval delegations, government officials, and maritime stakeholders from across the country,” he added.

In his response, the Oba of Lagos commended the Nigerian Navy for its efforts in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters and ensuring security along the coastline.

The monarch expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged support for ongoing security initiatives.

“We will continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security and unity within the maritime sector,” the monarch said.

 

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Lagos Seals Off Domina's Pizza Outlet In Lekki Over Environmental Infractions

The Lagos State Government says it has sealed off Domino’s Pizza, located at No. 38B, Freedom Way, Lekki, Eti-Osa, over the indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage into the environment.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday.

According to him, the action followed a complaint from a resident and a subsequent investigation carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office.

“Following a complaint received from a concerned resident and a thorough investigation, the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), on Wednesday 12th May, 2026, sealed-off Dominion Pizza at No. 38B, Freedom Way, Lekki, Eti-Osa, Lagos, over indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage from its chamber due to an overfilled septic tank into the environment and public drains, causing environmental nuisance, offensive odour, as well as endangering human health,” the statement read.

Wahab said the discharge created environmental nuisance, emitted offensive odour, and posed health risks to residents in the area.

The commissioner warned that residents and property managers must adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices, adding that violators would face sanctions and possible prosecution under existing environmental laws.

“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices, noting that any individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws,” he stated.

He also provided contact numbers for reporting environmental violations in the state as 08022022397 and 07025332163.

The action aligns with ongoing enforcement drives by the Lagos State Government against illegal sewage discharge, particularly in high-density residential and commercial areas like Lekki.

Similar operations have recently targeted estates, event centres, and other restaurants in the area.

  

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Lagos Commission Okays N25 Million Compensation For Worker That Lost An Arm In Industrial Accident

A worker, Joshua Shapara, who lost his arm in an industrial accident at Anjia Prefabrication Limited in Lagos, has received N25m compensation from the company.

It was gathered, from a statement issued by the Lagos State Safety Commission, on Sunday that the incident occurred in 2024 while Shapara was working in the moulding section of the factory.

He reportedly sustained severe injuries during the accident and was rushed to a hospital, where his right arm was amputated.

The matter was later reported to the Ministry of Justice, which referred the case to the Lagos State Safety Commission for investigation and regulatory action.

Providing an update on the case, the commission disclosed that its Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs Department immediately carried out an assessment of the facility and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Speaking on the development, the Director-General of the commission, Lanre Mojola, through the Head of Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs, Adekunbi Obamonire, said that although the compensation paid to the victim was commendable, the accident could have been prevented through strict adherence to workplace safety measures.

He stressed the need for employers to prioritise proper machine guarding, routine safety audits, and compliance with operational procedures to prevent avoidable industrial accidents.

Mojola noted that the incident exposed critical gaps in workplace safety practices and underscored the need for organisations to proactively identify and address hazards before they lead to life-altering injuries.

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to enforcing occupational safety standards across workplaces in Lagos State, adding that corrective measures introduced at the facility would continue to be monitored to prevent a recurrence.

The commission also urged employers across industries to strengthen workplace safety culture and ensure workers operate in environments that comply with established health and safety regulations.

  

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Oshodi Residents Cry Out Over Three Months Growing Heaps Of Refuse Along Streets

Residents and business owners in the Oshodi area of Lagos State have decried the growing heaps of refuse littering major roads and inner streets in the community, accusing the Lagos Waste Management Authority of failing to evacuate waste for months.

During a visit to the area on Monday, PUNCH Metro observed large piles of refuse dumped outside residential buildings and business premises.

The stretch of Oshodi Road linking Mafoluku Road was dotted with overflowing waste heaps, while other affected areas included Daodu Street, Oluwole Street, Rufai Street, Yusuf Street, Afariogun Street and several adjoining roads like Adewale Crescent within the community.

A resident, Kemi Balogun, said repeated complaints by residents had yielded no result.

“The refuse has been here for over three months, and it keeps increasing every day. We can barely stay outside our building to get some fresh air because of the smell. Before you came, we were already discussing posting videos online so that maybe the authorities would feel embarrassed enough to act,” she said.

Another resident, Korede Salau, accused LAWMA of failing to provide services despite residents paying their monthly waste bills regularly.

“We pay our LAWMA dues regularly, yet the refuse is not evacuated. As you can see, heaps of waste are scattered across the streets. It is an eyesore, and the government needs to act quickly because the entire environment has become uncomfortable,” he said.

A business owner, Adetoun Fasasi, said the situation had begun affecting patronage.

“Customers complain whenever they come here, and some leave almost immediately because of the smell. Before now, we tried alternative means of disposing of waste through cart pushers, but we can no longer find them,” she lamented.

The worsening situation has also heightened fears of a possible disease outbreak, as residents described the stench emanating from the refuse dumps as unbearable.

Another resident, Wasiu Adebayo, described the situation as an embarrassment to people living in the area.

“This is not the first time this has happened. A few months ago, there was public outrage over waste disposal problems across Lagos, and now it has returned again. Everywhere is dirty, and nobody seems to care. We are exposed to the risk of disease outbreaks because of the offensive odour and unhygienic environment created by these refuse heaps. Flies and mosquitoes have taken over the area, and whenever it rains, dirty water flows into the streets and compounds. We are the ones suffering this every day,” he lamented.

A food vendor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for personal reasons, said the refuse heaps had become a health concern for residents and business owners alike.

“We cook and sell food around here, yet refuse is piled almost beside us. The smell becomes worse in the afternoon when the sun is hot. We are worried about diseases because children also pass through these roads every day,” she said.

Some residents also expressed fears that the mounting refuse could block drainage channels ahead of the rainy season and worsen flooding in the area. They called on the Lagos State Government to intervene urgently.

  

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