society
AMBODE’S WIFE DISTRIBUTES 50,000 SHOES, SOCKS TO LAGOS PUPILS
…All The State’s 1,016 Public Primary Schools To Benefit
Wife of the Lagos State Governor and founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative, (HOFOWEM), Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of 50,000 shoes and branded socks to primary one pupils of public schools across the State.
Mrs Ambode flagged off the distribution at the Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School, Lagos Road, Majidun in Ikorodu.
The distribution is the 2018 edition of the “Project Bright Steps,” a pet project of HOFOWEM, to boost the morale of the children and sensitize the society that the welfare of pupils is important, in getting the best of them in their academic pursuits.
In the first edition of Project Bright Steps in February last year, 175,000 shoes and HOFOWEM-branded socks, were distributed to all Primary 1-3 pupils of public primary schools across Lagos State.
Flagging off the distribution, Mrs Ambode said getting the best from education began with proper dressing to school, saying that the foundation had observed with some pain, that many pupils were less than properly dressed to school, as some turned up in bathroom slippers while many others went barefooted.
The First Lady stated that this sort of daily appearance for school activities certainly could not guarantee them the desired self-esteem, for confidence to excel in their academic work.
“Our Foundation had pondered this and settled on the mass procurement and distribution of shoes and socks to the pupils, at least to prepare them for school. By the grace of God, upon the huge success recorded in the first edition, we are flagging-off the second edition of the project today, with a plan to distribute no less than 50,000 shoes and branded socks, to the primary one pupils of public schools across the State.
“The distribution centres are: Agege, Maryland, Yaba, Ojo, Amuwo Odofin, Epe, Lagos Island and Ikorodu which doubles as the flag-off venue. This arrangement is for easier accessibility to the various schools and the benefitting pupils,” she disclosed.
Mrs Ambode noted that Project Bright Steps was planned as an annual event, and would continue as such, by God’s grace, to touch as many pupils as possible in the state’s public primary schools.
Thanking all public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies, who had assisted HOFOWEM in its humanitarian endeavours, she urged the pupils to be serious with their academic work and that they should not make excuses of challenges and limitations.
“You can learn something new every day, if you listen attentively in class. And with strong determination, you can overcome all barriers to achieve your desired dream. Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet to the ground, do small things, in great ways. It is about your attitude of mind,” she counselled the pupils.
Chief Executive Officer, CEO, HOFOWEM, Mrs. Oyefunke Olayinka said since the commencement of operations, the foundation had touched the lives of many and is still putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged without wavering, adding that through the foundation’s various humanitarian programmes, hundreds of women, children and youths had been reached.
She said the Project Bright Steps was a programme aimed at increasing school attendance by equipping pupils for school, thereby serving as a means of support for indigent parents, who might find it difficult to provide the basic school needs, required by their children and wards for enjoyable schooling.
“Parents and guardians should know that anything worth having does not come easy. All hands must be on deck, backed by prayers to achieve our most ambitious goals for our children,” she said, while charging the pupils to put in their best in everything they set out to do.
Speaking at the event, Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin said the distribution of the shoes and socks would take place in all 1,016 public primary schools across the State.
He said last year, pupils in primary one to three benefitted from the distribution in 1,010 primary schools.
Commending the Governor’s wife for the gesture, Sopeyin added that the exercise was a testimony that the present administration’s clarion call to Non-Governmental Organisations, NGO, was yielding the needed synergy between government and well meaning Nigerians to raise the standard of basic education in the State.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Elizabeth Adekanye described the project as laudable and a step in the right direction to provide quality and accessible education to pupils in Lagos State Primary Schools.
“The First Lady has a burning desire to touch the lives of the less privileged in the society. She is everywhere assisting the indigents. This initiative is continuous all through the year,” she said.
A representative of the parents, Mr. Ajayi Ajibola commended Mrs. Ambode for the gesture, as it would relieve parents the burden of providing shoes and socks for their wards.
You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.
Abuja, Nigeria – The maiden edition of the You Against Crime – Schools Festival 2026 Grand Finale has concluded, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement and crime prevention efforts across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The event, held at the University of Abuja, brought together 78 secondary schools from the six Area Councils of Abuja, with the top six schools competing in the Grand Finale.
*Winners Emerge*
Tudunwada School, Bwari took the top spot, followed closely by The Golden Crest Royal in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kuje in third.
*CULTURE, THE CURE FOR CRIME*
The festival’s theme, “Culture, The Cure for Crime,” highlighted the importance of values, identity, mentorship, and positive engagement in preventing crime and shaping responsible citizenship among young people.
*DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS*
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman, Amnesty International, praised the initiative, saying, “This festival is a beacon of hope for our young people, promoting values and principles that can shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”
Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, “Empowering young people with the right guidance and opportunities is key to preventing crime and building a stronger nation.”
*PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT*
The 2026 Grand Finale Edition was proudly sponsored by Civicx Technology Ltd Int’l, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and crime prevention through cultural reorientation and innovation.
Tayo Folorunsho, Host & Founder, You Against Crime International, addressing the media and appealed to government agencies to support initiatives like this, targeting young minds early.
You Against Crime International is a movement advocating cultural change as a long-term solution to crime. The organization remains committed to advancing youth development, civic responsibility, and nation-building across Nigeria.
TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations
The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has launched a roadmap for the full implementation of a paperless regime at the command.
Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stating that the command was fully prepared for seamless digital operations ahead of the nationwide rollout scheduled for the second quarter of the year.
He described the engagement as the first in a series of consultations aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the strategies, operational framework and expectations under the new regime.
The controller commended the media for its constructive reportage since his assumption of office and sought continued collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.
Presenting the command’s performance report, Onyeka said the Tin Can Island Command generated ₦609 billion in revenue in 2025, describing it as the highest in the history of the command.
He added that revenue collection rose from ₦116 billion recorded in January of the previous year to ₦145 billion in the corresponding period last month, representing an increase of over ₦29.9 billion.
Onyeka stated that his vision was to make the command known for trade efficiency, explaining that under the paperless regime, containers would be released without physical contact between Customs officers and clearing agents, provided declarations were accurate.
He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and strategic direction driving modernisation efforts across Customs formations nationwide.
The controller urged stakeholders to avoid false declarations and engage directly with the command to resolve concerns, emphasising that transparency and dialogue were essential to achieving efficient port operations.
He assured that consignments with clear scanning results and proper documentation would be released promptly, while those flagged by the risk management system would undergo physical examination, adding that the command would continue to collaborate with other agencies to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance port efficiency.
Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
British media personality Katie Price is once again at the center of tabloid and public attention after being photographed poolside with her new husband, Lee, in a display of affection that quickly circulated across entertainment platforms. The images, reportedly taken during a recent leisure outing at a private resort location in the United Kingdom, show the couple embracing and kissing beside a swimming pool, with Lee prominently displaying a tattoo tribute dedicated to Price.
The photographs, which surfaced in mid-February 2026 through British tabloid outlets, depict the couple appearing relaxed and affectionate. Lee, whose full name has been reported in sections of the UK press but who largely maintains a lower public profile compared to his wife, lifted his arm to reveal a visible tattoo said to be in honor of Price and a gesture widely interpreted as a public affirmation of their relationship.
What happened was straightforward but symbolically charged: a public display of affection between newlyweds, amplified by Price’s longstanding celebrity status. Where it happened (poolside at what sources describe as a private holiday setting) underscores the blending of personal life and public spectacle that has long defined Price’s media journey. During a recent February getaway placed it squarely within ongoing tabloid interest surrounding her latest marriage. Price, 47 and her new husband Lee, whose visible tribute tattoo became the focal point of the moment.
Celebrity culture scholars argue that public figures such as Price operate within a media ecosystem where visibility sustains relevance. “Modern celebrity is performative intimacy,” explains Professor Graeme Turner, a media and cultural studies scholar known for his work on celebrity culture. “Public displays of affection are not merely private acts; they are communicative gestures that reinforce brand identity and narrative continuity.” In Price’s case, her romantic relationships have long been interwoven with her public persona.
Price first rose to prominence in the late 1990s under the glamour model moniker “Jordan,” before transitioning into reality television, publishing and business ventures. Her personal life (including previous marriages and high-profile relationships) has frequently generated headlines in the British press. This latest marriage continues that pattern of intense scrutiny.
The tattoo tribute displayed by Lee is particularly significant in celebrity symbolism. Body art dedicated to a partner is often perceived as a declaration of permanence. Dr. Chris Rojek, emeritus professor of sociology and an authority on fame and public identity, has observed that “celebrity relationships are sustained as much through symbolic reinforcement as through private commitment. Visible tokens (rings, tattoos, coordinated appearances) function as public assurances.” In this case, the tattoo serves not merely as personal expression but as a visual narrative device in an already highly mediated relationship.
How the moment unfolded (casually but conspicuously) reflects the dynamics of contemporary celebrity coverage. Photographs were reportedly captured either by paparazzi stationed nearby or shared through controlled media access, a common practice in the British entertainment industry. Within hours, the images were republished by multiple outlets, accompanied by commentary on Price’s relationship history and ongoing legal and financial challenges, issues that have previously placed her under intense public scrutiny.
Despite recurring controversy throughout her career, Price remains a resilient media figure. Communications analyst Mark Borkowski has previously remarked in interviews that “Katie Price understands publicity better than most. Whether by design or instinct, she maintains a feedback loop with the press that keeps her culturally visible.” The poolside photographs appear to fit squarely within that established pattern of managed exposure and reactive media amplification.
Critically, there is no indication of misconduct, public disturbance or controversy tied directly to the poolside display itself. It was, by all verified accounts, a consensual and celebratory expression of affection between married adults. The wider attention it has generated speaks less to the act and more to the individuals involved; particularly Price’s enduring position within British popular culture.
For global audiences, the episode illustrates a broader truth about contemporary fame: private milestones often become public commodities. The marriage of Katie Price and Lee (and the symbolic tattoo that now marks it) has become another chapter in a life lived persistently under the camera’s gaze.
As celebrity culture continues to blur boundaries between intimacy and publicity, moments like this poolside embrace are no longer trivial snapshots. They are narrative events, reinforcing identity, commitment and brand continuity in equal measure.
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