Nollywood Star Actress Omotola Odunsi Dies At 31

Nollywood has again been thrown into mourning following the death of actress Omotola Odunsi.

Omotola’s death was confirmed by her colleague, Akinola Akano, popularly known as Segbowe.

Segbowe posted an emotional tribute on his Instagram page on Thursday.

He shared screenshots of his last chat with Omotola, where she told him she was feeling better after being unwell.

“Motola! Strange but I tried checking on you at the wee hours of that morning.

“You said you were FINE & BACK! This is a rude shock, Omotola! Journey well, sister. God be with your family,” Segbowe wrote.

Though the cause of her death has not been officially disclosed, her sudden demise has shocked many in the Nollywood community.

Veteran actor Odunlade Adekola, under whose mentorship Omotola trained, also confirmed her passing in a short but emotional Instagram story post:

“Jesus Christ. RIP Omotola.”

Ashabi Simple, actress and mother to singer Portable’s child, recalled their recent meeting on a movie set and expressed disbelief:

“You’re one of the best actors I’m rooting for… You laboured and didn’t wait to reap. Most of your wishes didn’t even come true. GOD, we can’t question you. Death is deep.”

Omotola Odunsi began her Nollywood journey in 2018 after successfully auditioning for Odunlade Adekola Films Production (OAFP). She left her job as a credit officer in a state-owned bank in 2019 to pursue her passion for acting full-time, with her family’s support.

She graduated in 2023 and featured in a number of well-received Yoruba films, including: Lisabi: The Uprising, Officer Adaeze, Amonata, Ayanmo Ire, Ifedayo, Ajanaku, Darkness, Dagogo, Doctor Adunni, President Kuti, Folagbade

Omotola Odunsi was widely admired for her emotional range, on-screen presence, and dedication to her craft. Her passing is a significant loss to Nollywood, particularly the Yoruba film industry.

 

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Second Semester Exams At Risk As Striking Workers Shut LASU

The second-semester examinations of undergraduate students at the Lagos State University (LASU), scheduled to begin on Monday, August 4, may not hold following the indefinite strike embarked on by the university’s workers.

The industrial action, which began on Thursday, July 31, has already crippled both academic and non-academic activities at the institution.

Findings on Friday indicated that the examinations could only proceed as scheduled if something dramatic happened over the weekend that would prompt the suspension of the strike.

All members of staff of the university and its affiliate campuses (LASUCOM and LASU Epe Campus) downed tools last Thursday to protest poor welfare and other unresolved issues with the management.

In a letter to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, dated July 31, 2025, the leadership of the four unions in the institution vowed not to call off the strike until all their demands were met.

Operating under the auspices of the Joint Action Committee, which comprises the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, the unions stated that the decision to embark on the indefinite industrial action was reached at an Emergency Congress of the committee.

The letter, signed by Prof. Ibrahim Bakare (Chairman, ASUU-LASU), Sylvester Idowu (Secretary, ASUU-LASU), Oluwaseyi Lawal (Chairman, SSANU-LASU), and Waheed Majekodunmi (Secretary, SSANU-LASU), and titled “Notice of Indefinite Strike Action”, reads in part: “Sequel to the decision reached at the Emergency Congress of the Joint Action Committee of the Lagos State University Staff Unions (ASUU-LASU, SSANU-LASU, NAAT-LASU & NASU-LASU) that an indefinite strike action should commence effective from Thursday, July 31, 2025, we write to notify you that the indefinite strike action has commenced in Lagos State University. The strike action will remain in force indefinitely until all the demands of staff members are met by the appropriate authorities.

“Consequently, all members of staff of the University and its affiliate campuses (LASUCOM and LASU Epe Campus) are hereby directed to withdraw their services and vacate their official duty posts with immediate effect. While we thank you for your kind gesture and support always, please accept the assurances of the unions’ kindest regards.”

 

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Five Killed, Five Seriously Injured In Car Accidents Along Lekki-Epe Expressway

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed the death of five people in two separate accidents that occurred along the Lekki-Epe Expressway on Thursday.

This is just as five other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crashes.

According to a statement by the LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, on Thursday, the first accident occurred at the Abijo Bus Stop along the expressway when a van crashed into a stationary construction company’s equipment.

He stated, “The first catastrophic incident unfolded during the early hours of the day at the Abijo Bus Stop, precisely under the pedestrian bridge on the inward Epe corridor, where a Mitsubishi pick-up van bearing registration number AKD 733 JM, travelling at an exceedingly perilous speed, lost control and crashed into a stationary Craneburg Construction Company equipment, lawfully parked.

“The colossal impact resulted in the instantaneous death of four occupants (three males and one female) whose bodies were recovered lifeless at the scene of the accident.

“Demonstrating their operational dexterity and swift emergency response capabilities, LASTMA operatives successfully rescued three additional female occupants from the wreckage and handed them over to officers of the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force for onward transfer to nearby medical institutions for urgent care and further evaluation.”

Taofiq stated further that another road crash at the Frajend Group area inward Bogije along the expressway led to the death of a driver who rammed into a stationary truck.

“The devastating collision resulted in the immediate death of the SUV driver, while two other passengers, grievously injured and entrapped within the crushed vehicle, were meticulously extricated by LASTMA personnel after a laborious and delicate rescue operation.

“Upon successful recovery, both survivors were immediately placed in the custody of officers from the Elemoro Police Division, who ensured their prompt conveyance to medical facilities for life-saving intervention,” the spokesperson added.

Reacting through Taofiq, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, while warning motorists and drivers of the dangers of speeding.

“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this moment of unspeakable loss and anguish. It is our earnest prayer that the Almighty grant them the strength to bear these irreparable losses.

“These deeply saddening occurrences serve as grim reminders of the catastrophic consequences that stem from the wilful violation of established speed regulations.

“The Lagos State Government has made substantial investments in traffic control infrastructure, ranging from road signage and speed limiters to high-visibility furniture, to mitigate such disasters,” Bakare-Oki said.

He urged members of the public to report traffic-related emergencies, obstructions, or accidents through LASTMA’s dedicated toll-free hotline: 0800 00 527 862.

 

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Nigeria And Ghana Hold Talks Over Anti-Nigerians Slogan

    The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has appealed for calm, following calls by some Ghanaians for the deportation of Nigerians from the country.

A statement on Thursday by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, said she spoke during a joint press conference with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, in Accra, on Wednesday.

She said the viral videos depicting protests had raised concerns in Nigeria, prompting President Bola Tinubu to dispatch her as a special envoy to assess the situation firsthand.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “We are here in the Republic of Ghana on a fact-finding mission as special envoy of President Bola Tinubu as a result of recent disturbances that have made the rounds in Nigeria.

“We are pleased to note that things are rather calm here. Since we arrived, I haven’t seen people burning tyres in the streets or carrying placards everywhere calling for Nigerians to be deported.”

She attributed the calm to the Ghanaian government’s intervention, adding that the fears raised by the videos seemed to have subsided upon assessment of the actual situation.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, cautioning against the spread of inciting content that could escalate tensions between citizens of both countries.

She disclosed that her delegation had met with Ghanaian officials, community leaders, and individuals involved in the situation to ease tensions.

She also called for the institutionalisation of the Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission to promote stronger bilateral relations and citizen-to-citizen engagement.

In his remarks, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ablakwa, said the government was engaging both Ghanaian citizens and the Nigerian community to address concerns and maintain peace.

“The Ghanaian government will ensure that everyone in the country, citizens and non-citizens, is protected,” he said, adding that residents must also be law-abiding and avoid divisive actions.

He stated that the viral videos were not a true reflection of the situation and disclosed that he had met with the Nigerian accused of attempting to form a kingdom in Ghana, clarifying that territorial intentions were not the motive.

Ablakwa recalled past episodes of diplomatic strain between the two countries, including Ghana’s Aliens Repatriation Order and Nigeria’s 1983 “Ghana Must Go” expulsion, stressing the need for both nations to learn from history and manage relations carefully.

“Regardless of our shared history, if these things are not managed well, it will take us back to certain dark occurrences in our history,” he said.

 

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Ilaje Community Rejects The Renaming Of Street After Sunny Ade

The Ilaje community in the Bariga area of Lagos State has vowed to resist the renaming of Ilaje Street after the music legend, King Sunny Ade, accusing the local council authority of attempting to erase its historical identity.

Last Friday, the immediate past Chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area, David Kolade Alabi, announced the renaming of several streets, including Ilaje Street, as part of efforts to honour notable figures.

However, the move has sparked intense backlash both on the streets and online, where critics allege it reflects ethnic bias and a disregard for local history.

Protesters from the Ilaje community took to the streets on Wednesday, demanding a reversal of the name change, arguing that the council’s decision undermined the cultural and historical heritage of their people.

The President General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, Raphael Irowainu, condemned the renaming as a “calculated attempt to decimate” the Ilaje people in Lagos State.

“It was a calculated attempt by the political elites and some Yoruba ethnic groups to erase the historical and cultural involvement of the Ilaje people in the creation of Lagos State.

“The Bariga community was founded in 1948 by our great-grandfathers. The entire place was like a forest. They were the ones who made the road before the state government took over later,” Irowainu said.

He further alleged a pattern of targeted and deliberate marginalisation of his people in the state.

He said, “On March 7, the Lagos State Government, in connivance with some persons, went to another Ilaje community and demolished the area.

“A monarch in Oworo sent people to demolish parts of Ilaje in Oworonshoki. Go to Majidun, and you will hear a similar story. These are calculated events to erase and decimate the Ilaje people.”

Highlighting the group’s historical significance, Irowainu added, “The Ilaje are among the three early settlers of Lagos State —alongside the Awori and Ijebu.

“We are not strangers. We are Yorubas just like any other Yoruba. Ilaje is a recognised sub-ethnic group in Yorubaland.”

He also questioned the rationale behind honouring King Sunny Ade in an Ilaje territory when other areas could be named after the revered music icon.

He said, “They now want to rename Ilaje Street to King Sunny Ade Street, when we have Ondo Street in Ebute Meta. Why not rename that one if they truly want to honour him? This is a war against the Ilaje people.”

Disclosing that the community had already filed a petition against the decision, Irowainu threatened legal action, arguing that the LCDA lacks constitutional authority to rename streets.

“If it requires going through legal means, we will do it. Even the so-called LCDA is illegal.

“The constitution recognises only 20 local governments—not LCDAs. It’s only the local governments that have the power to rename streets, and even at that, there must be consultation with the affected communities,” he maintained.

The former council chairman, who initiated the renaming, had defended the decision, saying it was meant to celebrate individuals who had brought global recognition to Bariga.

“As an administration, we took our time to reflect on a number of our people who have put the name of our local council out on the global map through their respective God-given talents and crafts,” David had stated.

 

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Lagos PDP Faults The Renaming Of Streets In The State

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the recent renaming of streets in some local government areas of the state.

The recent renaming of streets and public landmarks in the state has sparked angry reactions  and  protests,

Reacting in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, the PDP Vice-Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr. Hakeem Olalemi, who advised the ruling party to tread carefully, alleged that the remaining targets are a section of society.

“The Lagos PDP is hereby rejecting in totality the renaming of streets by some council chairmen. We should not erase history because of politics.

“It is against the spirit of unity in diversity, and it will certainly affect the image of the state as a cosmopolitan state.

“We should be seen to be promoting unity and not to give the wrong impression to non-indigenes in the state.

“We have various ethnic nationalists in our state, who have contributed immensely to the development of our state, hence the reason why some streets were named after them initially.

“This current action by some council executives should be reconsidered. Most of the streets affected were bearing Igbo names before and this leaves  so many questions in the heart of non Indigenes,.”

Describing the street renaming as totally unconstitutional, Olalemi said that the decision and consequent reactions showed that some leaders failed to consult widely.

“The APC should, as a matter of fact, revert to the status quo.

“If the steps were not reversed, the party could seek legal redress in court in order to preserve the identity of Lagos State as a cosmopolitan state.

“We cannot erase history in the name of politics. The ruling party should know that this renaming of streets arbitrarily can lead to riot, unrest and serious chaos if care is not taken,” he said.

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has also recently condemned the change of street names as unconstitutional.

 

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Federal Government Approves N145 Billion Electrification Project For Unilag, Others

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved ₦145 billion for electrification projects in eight federal universities and one teaching hospital.

The Council also approved the sum of ₦68.7 billion for solar power for some rural communities and agricultural clusters that remain off-grid.

The two strategic electrification projects are targeted at expanding access to clean, renewable energy across Nigeria’s educational and rural agricultural sectors, in line with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, speaking shortly after the FEC meeting, said the approved projects are part of a deliberate shift toward sustainable energy delivery, aimed at reducing dependence on the national grid while promoting development, innovation, and inclusivity.

Giving the breakdown of the projects, the Minister said the first major approval is for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of solar hybrid power systems under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), to be executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

This initiative targets eight federal universities and one teaching hospital and is funded through the Special Intervention Window of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.

According to Adelabu, the total cost of this component is ₦145 billion, which is inclusive of 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT). Implementation is scheduled for completion within 7 to 9 months.

“This is a major milestone in the transformation of our tertiary education infrastructure,” the Minister said.

“It will significantly lower energy costs, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and provide a clean, stable source of power to support learning, research, and healthcare delivery.”

The Minister disclosed that the beneficiary institutions under this new phase are:

University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Ibadan (UI), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Federal University, Wukari (Taraba State).

The Minister said the others are to be confirmed upon project kickoff.

This project builds on earlier World Bank-supported phases that delivered solar mini-grid systems to institutions such as the University of Abuja (3MW), UNN (12MW), University of Calabar (8MW), and the Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW).

The second approval covers the rollout of solar-powered infrastructure in Agricultural Centres of Excellence, also under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund and implemented by the REA.

According to the Minister, this phase targets rural communities and agricultural clusters that remain off-grid.

With a total contract value of ₦68.7 billion, inclusive of VAT, this component is expected to be delivered within three months. It is designed to power homes, agro-processing units, cold storage systems, and small rural enterprises, boosting productivity and rural economies.

“The goal here is not just lighting homes, but energizing agriculture, creating jobs, and enabling value addition right in the communities,” Adelabu said.

Both interventions, the Minister stressed, reflect the Tinubu administration’s resolve to make access to reliable electricity a key driver of inclusive development.

He added that the projects will serve as models for scaling renewable energy adoption across other sectors, particularly education, health, and agriculture.

“These approvals reaffirm our commitment to bridging the energy access gap, ensuring no Nigerian is left behind as we transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable, and economically viable power sector,” Adelabu added.

 

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