Lagos Lawmakers Call For Financial Autonomy For Local Government Legislative Arm

Members of the Lagos State Assembly have called for financial autonomy for the legislative arms of the Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) throughout the state.

The call was made at the Plenary session on Tuesday, September 16, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa.

The motion, titled “Call for Financial Independence for the Legislative Arms of Local Government Areas and LCDAs in Lagos,” was introduced by Hon. Sanni Babatunde, the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development.

Hon. Babatunde underscored that the legislative arm at the local level plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s democratic framework, bearing constitutional responsibilities for law-making, oversight, and constituency representation.

Contributing to the discussion, Hon. Obafemi Saheed highlighted that the 1999 Constitution emphasizes the separation of powers, asserting that granting autonomy at the local level would enhance representation, oversight, and independence, aligning it with practices at the state and federal levels. He argued that such measures would foster good governance at the grassroots.

Hon. Temitope Adewale, OON, who supported the motion, stressed that councilors perform functions comparable to those of state legislators. He expressed concern that many council leaders often face undue influence from local government chairpersons due to their financial reliance. He proposed that training for local government legislative leaders should involve cooperation between the Ministry of Local Government and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Further insights were shared by Hon. Bonu Solomon, who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing financial autonomy to local governments through direct allocations from the federation account, which has reportedly improved their operational efficiency. He insisted that similar financial independence should also be granted to local legislative bodies.

Hon. Aro Moshood added that empowering local government legislatures is essential for effective governance, suggesting that lawmakers should actively observe local legislative sessions to understand the issues faced by councilors without autonomy.

The lawmakers decided to urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to instruct the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development to formulate a strategy for the independent financing of Legislative Councils within Lagos State.

Speaker Obasa echoed the importance of financial independence for councilors to effectively perform their oversight roles. He noted the increased allocations to local governments and emphasized the need to empower grassroots legislatures to maintain proper checks and balances for the benefit of the citizens.

The House resolved to instruct the Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development to prioritize ongoing training and capacity-building programs for councilors in financial management, budgeting, and legislative practices. They also urged the Ministry to pursue the enactment of a self-accounting law that would secure financial autonomy for the legislative arms in all local governments and LCDAs.

Adron Homes Launches Lemon Friday Plus Promo 2025 with Discounts, Flexible Payments, and December Rewards

Adron Homes and Properties has announced the official launch of its Lemon Friday Plus Promo 2025, an exciting opportunity for Nigerians to own land at discounted rates while enjoying mouth-watering rewards this festive season.

This year’s edition allows customers to begin their homeownership journey with an initial deposit as low as ₦50,000 and spread payments over multiple instalments. Subscribers also enjoy a 30% discount on land purchases with the option to clear the balance conveniently over 24 months.

Adron Homes’ estates are carefully designed to provide residents with the best of modern living, featuring adequate power supply, good road networks, functional drainage systems, CCTV, 24-hour security, recreational centers, shopping malls, and green spaces that promote healthier lifestyles.

The promo covers estates across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Abuja (FCT), Nasarawa, Plateau, Osun, and Niger States, giving prospective homeowners multiple location options in rapidly developing communities.

🎁 Promo Rewards by Category:

• BRONZE (₦300,000 deposit): 25kg bag of Rice + 2 Chickens + Vegetable Oil OR Home Theatre.

• SILVER (₦500,000 deposit): A Goat OR 50kg Bag of Rice + 3 Chickens + Vegetable Oil OR Rechargeable Fan.

• GOLD (₦1,000,000 deposit): A Goat + 50kg Bag of Rice + Palm Oil + Garri Ijebu OR 2 Bags of 50kg Rice + 4 Chickens + Palm Oil + Garri OR Washing Machine.

• DIAMOND (₦3.5M deposit on estates above ₦20M before discount): A Cow OR Double-Door Fridge.

Adron Homes has consistently bridged the home ownership gap in Nigeria by introducing flexible and convenient payment plans that allow more families to become homeowners. With initiatives like Lemon Friday Plus, the company is breaking down financial barriers and creating sustainable pathways for Nigerians to secure their future through real estate.

Promo Duration

• Instalment payments for initial deposits run from 7th July to 31st November 2025.

• The promo officially ends 6th January 2026.

“The Lemon Friday Plus Promo is our way of making December unforgettable for our customers,” said Adron Homes’ management. “We are not only offering affordable land ownership, but also giving families gifts that make the festive season brighter.”

Adron Homes invites all aspiring homeowners, investors, and families to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity to own property with flexible payment plans and rewarding bonuses.

Farmers Submit Petition to Governor Abiodun Over Violent Land Takeovers in Ilaro Communities

Farmers and residents from five Ilaro communities in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State have expressed concern over increasing incidents of attacks and land encroachment by armed land grabbers

The people of Iweke, Idode, Koto-Obo, Ilobi-Omuwa, and Ileba have petitioned the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, expressing profound concern over the alleged escalating terror on their ancestral farmlands

The petition, made available to StarTrend Int’l by the group’s spokesperson, Pastor Oyero Olurin, painted a grim picture of the situation: “For several weeks now, these criminal elements, operating in defiance of your administration’s Anti-Land Grabbing Law and despite the efforts of our revered Paramount Ruler, His Royal Majesty Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, have continued to violently invade our lands.”

The group alleged that the invaders – armed with dangerous weapons – have been assaulting farmers, destroying decades-old crops such as cocoa and citrus, stealing livestock, and intimidating villagers with impunity.

“The scale and frequency of these attacks have reached intolerable levels”, the petition reads. “Many families – who have cultivated these lands peacefully for over 150 years – have now been displaced.

“They live in fear, unable to tend to their farms during this crucial planting and harvesting season.”

Warning of the potential consequences if the crisis remains unchecked, the farmers said it could lead to severe food insecurity, economic collapse in the region, and possible loss of lives.

The petitioners also called out the alleged complicity of law enforcement. “We urge Your Excellency to call the Nigerian Police to order”, they wrote, accusing certain officers of interfering unlawfully in civil land matters.

They stressed that land disputes should be handled by legally recognized bodies – the courts and traditional rulers.

The farmers alleged that some land speculators, working in collaboration with land agents and legal practitioners, are leveraging the police to harass rightful landowners.

“These speculators have been filing baseless petitions that lead to the arbitrary arrest of innocent farmers. It is a deeply troubling abuse of power.”

More alarming, according to the group, is the report that some land grabbers are using police protection to illegally sell large tracts of farmland.

“They claim ancestral ownership without offering any valid documentation. Why are these claims only surfacing now, when their ancestors never contested these lands?”

In a passionate appeal, the petitioners urged Governor Abiodun to:

1. Direct security agencies to disarm and remove the invading groups;

2. Enforce the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Law without delay;

3. Investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks;

4. Provide relief and support to displaced families and those who lost property;

5. Establish a monitoring task force to prevent future occurrences and protect at-risk communities.

The letter concluded with a note of hope – “We trust in your leadership and commitment to justice. Your swift intervention will help restore peace, dignity, and the rule of law in our communities.”

The petition was jointly signed by concerned residents and leaders from the affected villages.