New Military Jetty To Be Unveiled In Lagos

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen its indigenous defence industry, with plans to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and other specialised military equipment.

The initiative is being driven by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G) in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, with the objective of increasing technology transfer, expanding domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing the country’s dependence on imported military hardware.

DICON-D7G is also planning a strategic military jetty in Lagos within three months.

The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen, following a two-day inspection tour of factories and military production facilities in Cairo by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and his delegation.

 

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Chennar said the partnership would create more than 200 jobs while also providing employment opportunities for about 100 retired military personnel.

He said, “The partnership is expected to create employment for over 200 workers, in addition to providing opportunities for approximately 100 retired military personnel.”

According to him, the arrangement would facilitate the transfer of advanced defence technologies to Nigeria and enable the country to manufacture a wider range of military platforms for its armed forces and potentially other African countries.

Among the platforms targeted under the partnership are the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, Armoured Personnel Carrier cabin, 120mm manual mortar launcher cabin, and medical evacuation and ambulance cabins.

Others include the MRAP-Buffalo U.10 and M.12 armoured vehicles, MRAP-Buffalo F-4, Rhino Guard GXR anti-drone and RPG-protected vehicle, APC Moon PT6, GXR Phantom light vehicle and BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

Chennar said the development was part of a broader strategy to build a sustainable Nigerian defence manufacturing ecosystem capable of designing, assembling and producing military equipment locally.

The initiative comes as the Nigerian Army continues to receive locally manufactured armoured vehicles as part of efforts to strengthen indigenous defence production and enhance operational capacity.

Beyond vehicle manufacturing, DICON-D7G is also planning the development of a dedicated military jetty in Lagos to support the movement of raw materials, components and finished military equipment.

Chennar said the facility would serve as a strategic logistics hub for the supply and distribution of military equipment within Nigeria and across the African continent.

He further disclosed that the military jetty was expected to be launched within the next two to three months.

He added, “DICON-D7G has planned the launching of its Military Jetty in Lagos that will provide employment to over 200 retired military personnel with over 1,000 civilians when the project takes off in the next two to three months.”

The emerging defence-industrial strategy is expected to have wider economic implications, including retaining defence expenditure within the domestic economy, developing specialised technical skills and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign suppliers.

The company said the planned facilities and production lines would ultimately position Nigeria to sustain its armed forces with locally produced equipment during prolonged security operations while creating the capacity to serve defence markets across Africa.

  

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Lagos Trains Children On Environmental Sustainability

    The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, has engaged children on environmental sustainability at the 2026 Eco Explorers Bootcamp.

The bootcamp, held on Saturday at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, was organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency and other partners to promote climate action and environmental sustainability.

Rather than relying solely on classroom instructions, the programme exposed the children to hands-on activities, including gardening, upcycling and science experiments.

During the gardening session, the participants were taught how to identify different plants, including spider lily, aglaonema, also known as Chinese evergreen, and hibiscus. They were also shown practical steps involved in planting and caring for plants, including the use of compost manure, planting materials and watering cans.

 

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The children were encouraged to identify the benefits of tree planting and gardens, with participants highlighting beautification, sustainability, carbon absorption and noise reduction among the benefits.

A facilitator during the session explained that planting trees and maintaining gardens could contribute to environmental sustainability while encouraging the children to take responsibility for their surroundings.

The participants also took part in an upcycling session, where they learnt how waste materials could be converted into useful resources. They were taught that organic waste could be processed into resources for gardening, while plastic waste could also be transformed into useful materials.

Speaking on the initiative, Bola Adewunmi, Director, Circular Economy, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said the agency participated through LAWMA Academy and its Circular Economy Department to teach the children about waste management and resource recovery.

Adewunmi said the programme was aimed at helping children understand from an early age that waste could be converted into useful resources.

She said LAWMA’s approach was based on the belief that “waste is wealth,” adding that the children were being introduced to the concept through both lectures and practical sessions.

The science session also featured simple experiments aimed at helping the children understand environmental issues. One of the demonstrations involved food colouring, baking soda and bleach to show how chemical reactions could produce visible changes.

Mr. Elijah Adegoke of Kids Literary Circle (KLC), which participated in the programme, said the organisation was focused on making learning enjoyable for children.

Adegoke said the children were also taught about the impact of human activities on the environment, including the relationship between greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change.

He said practical demonstrations were used to make the concepts easier for the children to understand.

Also speaking, Mr. Ojo Oluwaseyi of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency said the agency’s participation was aimed at encouraging eco-friendly activities, including tree planting and gardening

Oluwaseyi said tree planting was one of the ways of mitigating the effects of climate change, urging the children to establish small gardens and share the knowledge gained with others.

The programme also involved parents, who participated in games and recreational activities while the children attended their various practical sessions.

The facilitators encouraged the children to see themselves as eco heroes with a responsibility to make decisions that promote a cleaner and healthier environment.

The bootcamp combined environmental education with practical activities, giving the participants an opportunity to learn about sustainability while applying the lessons through gardening, waste management and science experiments.

  

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Lagos Declares Thursday Work-Free In Celebration Of Yoruba Traditional Worshippers Day

The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday as a work-free day for public servants, political appointees and others in celebration of this year’s Yoruba Traditional Worshippers Day, which is expected to be the largest single gathering of traditional worshippers anywhere in the world, with over three million residents joining the celebration.

In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Idris Aregbe, described the day as “bigger than a holiday on a calendar.”

 

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“Yoruba Traditional Worshippers Day  is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.

He said the Yorubas are one of Africa’s largest ethnic nations, with more than 55 million people globally, and noted that they have continued to preserve and pass on Yoruba culture to their children.

According to him, the strength of that tradition has helped sustain Yoruba Traditional Worshippers Day  festivals in Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean, where many Yorubas live outside Africa to this day.

“When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.

The day marks the culmination of a full week of traditional activities, and has been observed as a work-free day in Lagos since 2023, following a request from the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has upheld the observance every year, in line with the administration’s commitment to indigenous values and religious inclusiveness under the THEMES+ Agenda.

Aregbe expressed appreciation to Sanwo-Olu for his support, while also paying tribute to the traditional institution.

“We thank His Excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. It takes real conviction for a leader to stand publicly with heritage, and he has done so without hesitation and without apology. We also bow to Kábíyèsí, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, foremost custodian of Lagos culture, to all our royal fathers, our revered White Cap Chiefs, our Babaláwo and Ìyánífá, our Olóòrìṣà and every custodian and promoter who kept these rites alive when it was neither fashionable nor convenient. Governments come and go. Custodians carry the culture,” he said.

This year’s celebrations will feature prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà, coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN).

Aregbe urged all participants to celebrate peacefully and respectfully.

“Three million voices rising in honour of tradition is not noise. It is history, faith and cultural pride in harmony. Whether you worship in a mosque, a church or a grove, Yoruba Traditional Worshippers Day  belongs to you, because heritage has no denomination. Lagos remains the city where every heritage finds its 

place

.”

  

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Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA TO Build Smart Classrooms For Primary School Pupils

The Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has begun moves to address the shortage of public primary schools in the area with the construction of a 30-classroom smart primary school.

According to a statement issued on Friday, the Chairman of the LCDA, Olalekan Aroyewun, said the council recently flagged off the project at Zumratul Islamiyah Primary School, Igbogbo.

Aroyewun said the project followed an assessment of about 30 communities within the LCDA, which revealed that many lacked adequate public primary school facilities.

He said the council decided to build not just another conventional school but a modern smart school that would prepare pupils to compete globally.

 

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He said, “We discovered that there is no [adequate public primary school provision] in Igbogbo/Bayeku. We saw the need to provide one, but we are not building just a conventional primary school. We are constructing a 30-classroom smart school that is 21st-century compliant and will prepare our children to compete with their peers anywhere in the world.”

The chairman said the three-storey facility would comprise 30 classrooms equipped with modern learning facilities and digital technology.

He added that the two-year project was designed to blend technology, creativity and sustainability while equipping pupils with technological skills from an early age.

Aroyewun said the council was targeting completion of the project within 24 months.

The groundbreaking ceremony formed part of activities marking Aroyewun’s first year in office.

  

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New US Consul General, Brandon Hudspeth, Arrives Lagos

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of Brandon Hudspeth as the new Consul General at the US Consulate General in Lagos.

Hudspeth will serve a three-year tenure as the senior US government representative across the 17 states in southern Nigeria.

He succeeds Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July.

According to U.S. Consulate General Lagos Press Office in a statement on Friday, Hudspeth, a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service, is returning to Lagos for the second time. He previously served as the Political-Economic Section Chief at the US Consulate General in Lagos between 2020 and 2022.

Speaking on his return, Hudspeth said he was honoured to resume his diplomatic assignment in Lagos.

“I am honoured to return to Lagos as the U.S. Consul General. I know firsthand the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and the extraordinary energy, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that Nigerians and Americans share,” he said.

 

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He said he looked forward to reconnecting with old friends and building new partnerships while working with Nigerians to strengthen bilateral relations.

According to him, his priorities would include expanding trade and investment, driving innovation, strengthening collaboration in the technology and creative industries, and creating new opportunities for shared prosperity between Nigeria and the United States.

Hudspeth brings about two decades of diplomatic experience spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America and Washington, DC.

Before his Lagos posting, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.

His previous assignments include Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the US Embassy in the Philippines, where he led US civilian assistance programmes supporting law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics efforts and maritime security cooperation.

He also served as Political-Economic Section Chief in Bamako, Mali; Nonimmigrant Visa Chief in Havana, Cuba; and Political-Military Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In Washington, he worked at the Department of State’s Operations Centre, on the Secretariat Staff supporting the Secretary of State, and as a Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs.

A native of Texas, Hudspeth is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics.

  

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LASODA Partners Lawyers With Disabilities For stronger Rights Advocacy For PWDs In Lagos

The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs  (LASODA ) is partnering with the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities to explore ways of strengthening legal advocacy and accessibility for persons with disabilities in the state. This followed a courtesy visit by members of the association, led by its President, Tosan Ene, to the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal.

Ene said the association visited LASODA to identify areas where its legal expertise could complement the agency’s efforts to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

He said the proposed partnership would focus particularly on advocacy and accessibility, with both organisations working to address barriers limiting the participation of persons with disabilities in society.

“We are here to explore areas of partnership that will contribute to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Lagos State,” Ene said.

He added that involving lawyers with disabilities in the agency’s advocacy efforts could strengthen interventions aimed at addressing rights and accessibility challenges affecting the community.

Responding, Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted some of LASODA’s existing measures on accessibility and advocacy, including its engagement with government agencies and other stakeholders.

She cited the agency’s collaboration with the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency on the provision of special number plates for persons with disabilities and their caregivers, aimed at making the vehicles easier to identify and facilitating access.

 

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The LASODA general manager also mentioned the agency’s accessibility checklists and awareness programmes, which she said were being used to identify barriers and promote greater inclusion across the state.

“We remain open to partnerships that will advance disability inclusion and promote the rights, dignity and welfare of persons with disabilities,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

No specific joint programme or implementation framework was announced at the meeting. Rather, the two sides agreed to explore possible areas of collaboration, with the association expected to submit a formal proposal to LASODA for consideration.

The development therefore represents an initial step towards a possible institutional partnership rather than the launch of a new disability inclusion programme.

Other members of the association at the meeting were Gbelupe Joseph, Lukman Salami, Mariah Kazeem and Enough Agofure, while LASODA’s Head of Legal Department, Babatunde Safiu, also attended.

  

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How We Will Support Winners Of Miss Surulere Beauty Heritage Pageant Beyond The Competition - Lagos Government

The Lagos State Government has pledged to support winners of the Miss Surulere Beauty Heritage Pageant beyond the competition, with opportunities for partnerships, community projects and wider government-linked initiatives.
The state’s Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Idris Aregbe, gave the assurance while interacting with contestants and stakeholders during a courtesy visit to Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja yesterday.

Aregbe said the government was prepared to support contestants who demonstrated commitment and capacity to use the platform to promote tourism, culture and community development.
He said the contestants should not see the pageant merely as a contest for a crown but as an opportunity to develop ideas and initiatives capable of making lasting contributions to society.

“You can do much. It depends on where we are standing. I think you have self-capacity, and also the power of association,” Aregbe told the contestants.
He urged them to take ownership of their ideas and turn them into practical programmes, stressing that they could use their visibility and networks to champion causes within their communities.

 

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Aregbe also encouraged the contestants to remain connected to Surulere and preserve the community’s identity, saying their roots should remain part of the legacy they build.
“When you think of Surulere, what comes to mind? Surulere is a small city, a cool, passionate city. My request to you: hold on to that identity. Don’t let it be lost,” he said.

He advised the contestants to learn from people who contributed to Surulere’s development and maintain relationships that could help them sustain their projects. “Your own identity is what people will remember you by,” he added.
Aregbe said government support would extend beyond the eventual winner, stressing that contestants who showed readiness and potential would also be considered for future opportunities.

“We pledge our full support to the contestants. There will be a partnership with our Chinese partners and other partners for the eventual winner. However, our commitment does not end there. We will also work with those who show readiness and potential, even if they do not emerge as the winner,” he said.
He also assured the organisers of support with necessary approvals and documentation, saying relevant processes would be handled in collaboration with the organisers.

Aregbe said efforts would also be made to ensure that the Lagos State Government and partners remained involved in major events associated with the initiative.
Calling on the contestants to aspire to make a difference beyond the competition, he said, “Give us a queen who will inspire us to do more. You are the face of Surulere.” He added: “The crown is temporary, but the impact is permanent.”
Meanwhile, the Show Producer, Mr. Adebayo Adegbe, said the contestants were undergoing training designed to prepare them for both the pageant and responsibilities that could follow afterwards.

Adegbe said they were being trained in etiquette, poise, speech, public speaking and catwalk, adding that the programme was intended to build their confidence and help them discover their potential.
He said the contestants would also have opportunities to meet role models and engage with local government officials on tourism, thereby creating opportunities for learning and networking.

According to him, the contestants had met with the Local Government Chairman, who assured them that the council was willing to work with any contestant with a viable plan or project that could benefit the community.
Adegbe disclosed that the winner would receive a ₦1.5 million cash prize, while the first and second runners-up would receive ₦1 million and ₦500,000 respectively.

He added that additional prizes worth about ₦2 million would be distributed among other participants, while the winner would also receive a three-day stay at the Transcorp Hotel.
Beyond the prizes, Adegbe said there would be opportunities for the winner to participate in wider government-linked projects, with further opportunities potentially extending beyond Nigeria.

He expressed confidence in the contestants, describing them as intelligent and capable of representing Surulere effectively.

  

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How Omotola Made Only N22 Million From Cinema Movie Despite N103 Million Gross

actress and filmmaker Omotola Ekeinde has revealed that her movie ‘A Mother’s Love’ grossed N103,094,633 during its cinema run, but only N22 million accrued to the producers after various deductions.

Omotola made the disclosure in a video shared online, where she gave an account of the movie’s cinema journey and the financial returns from its theatrical release.

According to the actress, the film’s total cinema gross was reduced significantly after deductions involving exhibitors, distributors, print and advertising, Value Added Tax (VAT), entertainment tax, withholding tax and other expenses.

“At the end of our run, we had made N103,094,633,” Omotola said, explaining that after the various deductions, the amount accrued to the producers was N22 million.

She also disclosed that 100 per cent of the N22 million was donated to Slum to School, an organisation supporting children from disadvantaged communities, in line with a commitment made by Red Hot Concepts.

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Reflecting on her cinema experience, Omotola said the movie’s final cinema run was on April 19, describing the experience as challenging but rewarding. The actress explained that she had to withdraw the movie from cinemas because of pressing personal issues, saying she did not want the film to remain in theatres without her being available to promote it and engage with audiences.

She noted that producers are expected to be actively involved in promoting their films during cinema runs, adding that showing up for the movie was a challenge she had not initially anticipated.

A Mother’s Love had earlier attracted attention with its premiere in Lagos, which was attended by several personalities, including actors Rita Dominic, Toke Makinwa and Nosa Rex, as well as former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

  

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Anxiety As Celestial Church Vows To Probe Actress Tope Osoba’s Death

The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) has said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Nollywood Yoruba actress Temitope Osoba, amid allegations linking her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, to the controversial circumstances surrounding her death.

Osoba, who was 40, died on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Her death has generated reactions across the country, particularly following reports and allegations concerning the circumstances surrounding her passing.

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In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, AVSE Kayode Ajala, the church expressed sadness over Osoba’s death and concern over the controversy involving Onadeko, a shepherd of the church.

The church said the allegations had also affected its reputation, stressing that it does not condone practices such as idolatry, black magic, cultism or the use of charms.

The statement described the allegations surrounding Onadeko’s alleged involvement as “quite embarrassing to the Celestial Church of Christ.”

It added that the church was “not folding our arms and watching from the kerb” while its name was allegedly being dragged into the controversy.

According to the church, it has commenced a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding Osoba’s death and is committed to establishing the truth.

“As a church, we are already discreetly investigating the circumstances that led to the death of Temitope Osoba, and we wish to assure the general public that the Celestial Church of Christ would leave no stone unturned to unearth the truth, and to ensure that anyone found culpable in the death of Temitope Osoba is brought to justice.”

The church also called on the police and other relevant law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the actress’ death.

“The Celestial Church of Christ is ready to work hand-in-hand with the relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all culprits are brought to book,” the statement said.

The church further stated that its Pastor and Spiritual Head Worldwide, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, had directed its internal machinery to work towards ensuring that the truth emerges and justice is served.

The CCC said that if the allegations against Onadeko are established at the end of the investigations, he would face both internal disciplinary measures and the full force of the law.

“If the allegations against Prophet Itunu Onadeko of the Celestial Church of Christ are found to be true at the end of ongoing investigations, he would not only be made to face the internal sanctions of the church, but he would also be made to face the full length of the law.”

The church concluded by expressing condolences to Osoba’s family and praying for the peaceful repose of the actress’ soul.

  

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Why I Often Play Wicked Roles In Nollywood Movies – Patience Ozokwo 'Mama G'

Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwo, popularly known as Mama G, has offered insight into her decades-long career, addressing public curiosity surrounding her frequent portrayal of villainous and antagonistic characters.

​Speaking during a live-streamed interview hosted by content creator Carter Efe on Monday, the legendary actress clarified the reasons behind her signature film roles.

The interview clip quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking widespread discussion among movie fans.

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”I think God gave me that niche,” Ozokwo stated, describing her recurring typecast as a “wicked woman” or antagonist not as a mere business choice, but as a divinely assigned calling.”

“I hate every ill because I don’t like injustice, war, and rancour. When you give me those roles, I try to bring everything in them,” she continued.

“If you are taking part in any of them, you have to be careful and know the end thereof, for the end justifies the means. Know what will happen to you if you live a terrible life, and know what you will gain if you are a good person.”

​The actress noted that her performances were carefully crafted to expose the consequences of bad behaviour, framing her portrayals of villainy as a form of social instruction through storytelling.

Ozokwor was born in the village of Amaebo, Ngwo in present-day Enugu State and attended Abimbola Gibson Memorial School in Lagos. She developed a passion for acting in primary school, where she took part in various stage plays. She later attended the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu (ESUT), where she obtained a degree in fine and applied arts. Before starting as an actress, she was part of a radio drama.

Ozokwor worked as an announcer and broadcaster with Radio Nigeria before becoming an actress. She rose to fame with her role in the 1999 film Authority and her first TV drama was a soap opera titled Someone Cares on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA. Since her breakthrough, she has appeared in over 100 Nollywood movies.

She starred in the Mo Abudu Netflix films Chief Daddy (2018) and Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke (2022) as Madam Pat. In 2026, Ozokwor starred in the Dammy Twitch-directed romantic comedy Call of My Life alongside Uzoamaka Power and Nkem Owoh. The film earned 628 million Naira within 6 weeks of release and entered the list of Nollywood's Highest-grossing Films

The actress got married at the age of 19 but became a widow in 2000 following her husband's death from a terminal disease. She has three biological children and seven adopted children all of whom bear her name. She also has several grand children. Ozokwor is an ordained evangelist.

  

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