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Crisis Rocks BBA Again: Thugs Backed By Heavily Armed Police Detachment Invades Market By Ifeoma Ikem

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Crisis Rocks BBA Again: Thugs Backed By Heavily Armed Police Detachment Invades Market

By Ifeoma Ikem

Crisis rocked the popular Multi Billion Naira Balogun Business Association,BBA, International Market, located at the Trade Fair International Complex Lagos State, as thugs allegedly loyal to a faction but accompanied by heavily armed police officers, Invaded the Market by 3am in the morning, to enforce a questionable court Judgement forcefully foisting Chief Oscar Odogwu, as new President of the market.
Our Correspondent learnt that the Traders are protesting, even as Market Caretaker Committee Leadership Vows To throw out the Illegal Government.
Some of the Traders at the crisis ridden Balogun Business Association International Market, BBA, said that Lagos State have condemned the wee hours invasion, property destruction, colossal damages to sections of the market and wounding of market security officers by armed thugs, who were said to have been backed by heavily armed police team .
Saharaweekly reporter who visited the market around 11 am yesterday, reported that the visibly angry, obviously shaken and traumatized traders,vowed to resist the new but unpopular Chief Oscar Odogwu’s led  leadership, which they said was unlawful foisted on them by the invaders on Wednesday, November 22nd , 2023.
They however commended the rare high level of maturity,civilization,Safety consciousness and law abiding attitude exhibited by the legitimate Care taker committee of BBA, led by Hon. Chief Anselem Duru,during the Wednesday 3am unlawful invasion and forceful take of the market leadership and Secretariat by Oscar Odogwu and Alex Obi – Odunukwe’s Thugs and police,who allegedly invaded the market to foist an illegal market leadership.
Speaking, one of the visibly Angry traders, Chief Polycarp Nwankwo, “the refusal by Hon. Duru Led ICC to resort to self help and confrontation with thugs, but resigned  to rule of law, was the saving grace that avoided Imminent Bloodbath,Possible Breakdown Of Law And Order, As Heavily Armed thugs backed by Police Officers Besiege BBA Lagos Market Complex to Enforce Controversial court Order”
Our investigation revealed that thousands of angry Traders at the Multi billion Naira BBA International market, located at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, along the Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Lagos, were vexed over the forceful foisting of what they described as a new unwarranted and unwanted leadership on them .
They also condemned the alleged manhandling of the legitimate Chief Security Officer, CSO of the market,Chief Chinaedu Ezebuadi and his security colleagues, who were said to have been brutally beaten by the invaders,who stormed the market by 3am,  early Wednesday morning using hired thugs , accompanied by a detachment of heavily armed Police officers, suspected to be from  the State Command, whose mission they said was to Unlawfully foist a new leadership in the crisis ridden market.
According to our Correspondent ,there are palpable fears, with tension running high,as some breakaway members of the Association led by one Chief Oscar Odogwu, allegedly backed by over 300 armed police officers ,  “on a mission to enforce a dubious and questionable court order , in a very dangerous attempt to foist an unknown and unrecognized members of the Association on the teeming traders in the market, in contravention of subsisting orders and decisions of the Federal High Court”.
The traders are envisaging a total breakdown of  Law and Order, if due process and rule of law that has been truncated, is not restored immediately,which they fear may lead to bloodbath, as it had once happened in the same market years ago.
They therefore called on the Inspector General of the Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and call the Lagos State Police Command to order.
Speaking, the legally recognized Caretaker Committee CTC, led by Honourable Anselm Dunu and the Secretary, Chief Leonard Ogbonnia, had Stated in an interview that  the new phase of the  crisis that had been rocking the market association started after Chief Okey Ezeibe allegedly took some of his loyalists to an obscure area  outside the market and  Conducted  an illegal election in which unpopular and unrecognized persons, including Chief Oscar Odogwu,were purportedly elected as leaders of the association to the chagrin of other members who felt the reign  of Chief Ezeibe as President and Board of Trustee,  BOT Chairman,  had lapsed and therefore, conducting an election outside the market runs contrary to their Constitution.
“It was this kangaroo and unlawful election in a hotel outside our market,that Oscar Odogwu and his co- travellers , used in initiating a court proceedings against individuals. For record purposes and emphasis, Odogwu’s court case was not with our organization called BBA , not with the caretaker committee.
The deceived the court, the police,collected illegal Judgement with which they came to our market by 3am in the morning , broke into the security office, destroying things, manhandling our security personnel and Unlawfully took over leadership of the market .How can police Officers invade a market at the wee hours of the day, when market had long closed to enforce a questionable court Order . IGP Kayode Egbetokun, The Judiciary,Federal and State governments, should urgently intervene, so as to restore the democratic Hope of common man and our genuine traders”, The oldest Member, BBA Board Of Trustees, BOT, Chief Nick Okeke, lamented.
Meanwhile, Chief leonard Ogbonnia, frowned at what he described as Odogwu’s group deception and love for illegalities, “considering that just on Monday all parties in several Federal High Court cases, including this invaders, were in court for peaceful settlement and resolutions of cases and issues in the market “
According to a press release signed by Hon. Dunu and Chief Ogbonnia, despatched to our Correspondent, titled: “THE EVENTS AT BBA/ICC TODAY, WEDNESDAY, 22ND NOVEMBER,
2023″, it reads:
“Greetings beloved and greet fellow members of BBA/ICC.
The Caretaker Committee of BBA uses this opportunity to address you on the
regrettable and ridiculous events of today, Wednesday, 22nd of November,
2023 when the duo of Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and Mr. Oscar Odogwu broke
into the hallowed grounds of our Shopping Complex under the flag and color of
enforcing an alleged order or judgment of court.”
“It is imperative that you, resourceful and glorious members of Balogun Business
Association, hold very closely to your noble hearts the very vital information
that the purported judgment under which cover Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and
Mr. Oscar Odogwu invaded the sacred grounds of our complex is one they
fraudulently contrived and invoked in a stale and illegitimate lawsuit in which
neither our dear Association, Balogun Business Association, nor members of this
Caretaker Committee are parties.”
“In other words, Balogun Business Association, either in its plain name or in its
capacity as a body corporate and registered Association, is not a party to the
suit.
And neither this incumbent Caretaker Committee No any of its members are
parties to this abusive and contemptuous lawsuit.”
Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and Mr. Oscar Odogwu, consumed and propelled by a
combustible mix of inordinate ambition and desperation have done the
unthinkable by brazenly deceiving, misinforming and manipulating both the
Court and the Nigeria Police Force to levy execution of a purported judgment
against Balogun Business Association, the Caretaker Committee of the
Association and members of the Caretaker Committee of the Association who
are not parties to their contemptuous lawsuit!”
“And to make matters worse for these two desperado and their confederates
who claim to have been “elected” as members of a phantom “executive council”
of their own imagination at an hotel in Mile 2, Lagos, their illegitimate lawsuit
was wangled by them and unleashed on the Court AFTER the Federal High Court
had specifically in Suit No.”
 FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2021(Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association & Others versus Inspector General of Police &
Others) and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021(Incorporated Trustees of Balogun
Business Association & Others versus Corporate Affairs Commission & Others)
made orders, decisions and pronouncements which effectively invalidated and
nullified the comedy of errors that masqueraded as “elections” at Villa Park
Hotel!The above two suits and the orders, decisions and pronouncements made by
the Federal High Court predated the now infamous and contemptuous lawsuit
of Mr. Oscar Odogwu, Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and their confederates, and the
orders, decisions and pronouncements of the Federal High Court in the above
two cases(Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2021 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021)
are still subsisting!”
“In fact the two suits came up before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday,
20th of November, 2023 and have been further adjourned by the Court to the
19th of December, 2023!
In the circumstances, we hereby advise our beloved members, stakeholders,
affiliates and esteemed customers to remain calm and law-abiding while this
Caretaker Committee, in exercise of its lawful management and administration
of the Association and the ICC, attends to the toxic and noxious shenanigans of
these fifth columnists who by all indications are mere scouts for some ambitious
predators that have in recent times set their sights on the ICC and the Association under various covers, including false environmental and sanitation concerns.”
“The Association and this incumbent Caretaker Committee is backed and
sustained not only by the subsisting orders, decisions of the Federal High Court
in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2021 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021, but by
subsisting judgments of the Federal High.
Crisis Rocks BBA Again: Thugs Backed By Heavily Armed Police Detachment Invades Market By Ifeoma Ikem
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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Stakeholders Seek Urgent Reforms to Tackle Youth Unemployment at disrupTED EduKate Africa Summit

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February 1, 2026

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Stakeholders Seek Urgent Reforms to Tackle Youth Unemployment at disrupTED EduKate Africa Summit

By Ifeoma Ikem

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have called for urgent and scalable solutions to address the rising rate of youth unemployment, stressing the need for strengthened technical education and increased collaboration with the private sector to bridge existing skills gaps.

The call was made at the disrupTED EduKate Africa Summit 2026, a one-day leadership forum held at the University of Lagos, where participants examined the growing disconnect between education outcomes and labour market demands.

The summit brought together education leaders, private sector operators and development advocates to promote adaptive learning, practical skills acquisition and innovative financing models for Africa’s education sector.

Experts at the summit strongly advocated increased investment in technical and vocational education, noting that training programmes must reflect current industry realities and evolving labour market needs.

Speakers emphasised that Nigeria’s education system, particularly at the tertiary level, must urgently shift from certificate-driven learning to skills-based and experiential education aligned with global best practices.

Among the speakers were Deby Okoh, Regional Manager at Brunel University of London; Ashley Immanuel, Chief Operating Officer of Semicolon; Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation; and education advocate, Adetomi Soyinka.

The speakers highlighted the importance of continuous learning, teacher retraining and comprehensive curriculum reform to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

They stressed that apprenticeship programmes, internships and hands-on training should be fully integrated into academic curricula, noting that over-reliance on theoretical qualifications has widened the employability gap among graduates.

In his remarks, Mr Tosin Adebisi, Director of EduKate Africa and convener of the summit, said the event was designed to challenge what he described as the education sector’s rigid attachment to outdated methods.

Adebisi said innovation must remain central to education reform, adding that stakeholders must rethink teaching methods, learning processes and approaches to solving challenges such as access to education, financing and employability.

He expressed confidence that sustainable solutions could be achieved through strong collaboration across education, private sector and development institutions.

Adebisi, alongside co-Director Mr Francis Omorojie, said the summit aimed at connecting stakeholders working across sectors to close existing skills and opportunity gaps for young people.

The summit also urged parents and educators to promote lifelong learning, critical thinking and adaptability among young people, stressing that education systems must evolve in line with global economic trends.

No fewer than 200 students from the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Ojo, and other institutions participated in the summit, which was initially expected to host the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

In a welcome address, Prof. Olufemi Oloyede of the University of Lagos emphasised the need to shape young minds through innovation and positive thinking, noting that Africa’s development depends on the strategic use of its human and natural resources, as well as a shift towards creativity and innovation among youths.

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Turning Point: Dr. Chris Okafor Resumes with Fresh Fire of the Spirit

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February 1, 2026

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Turning Point: Dr. Chris Okafor Resumes with Fresh Fire of the Spirit

-Steps onto the Grace Nation Pulpit After a Month-Long Honeymoon Retreat with Renewed Supernatural Power

By Sunday Adeyemi

 

The much-anticipated February 1, 2026 “Turning Point” service of Grace Nation has come and gone, but its impact remains deeply etched in the hearts of Grace Nation citizens across the world. The significance of the day was unmistakable—it marked the official return of the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr. Chris Okafor, to active ministerial duty as the Set Man of the commission.

 

The date was particularly symbolic, as Dr. Okafor had taken close to one month away from the pulpit following his wedding late last year. The period served not only as a honeymoon but also as a season of rest, reflection, and intimate fellowship with God in preparation for a greater spiritual assignment ahead.

The atmosphere at Grace Nation was electric as the Generational Prophet and his wife were received with a heroic welcome, accompanied by prophetic praise, joyful dancing, and fervent prayers. It was a celebration of return, renewal, and readiness.

 

 

In his opening remarks, Dr. Chris Okafor declared that he had returned to fully pursue the mandate God entrusted to him—winning souls for the Kingdom of God. He issued a strong warning to the kingdom of darkness, stating that light and darkness cannot coexist. According to him, the season ahead would witness intensified spiritual engagement, as the Kingdom of God advances and the forces of darkness lose ground.

“This time,” the Generational Prophet affirmed, “it will be total displacement of darkness, as the light of God shines brighter than ever.”

 

The Message: Turning Point

 

Delivering a powerful sermon titled “Turning Point,” Dr. Okafor explained that a turning point is defined as a moment when a decisive and beneficial change occurs in a situation. He emphasized that such moments are often preceded by battles.

According to him, battles do not necessarily arise because one is doing wrong, but because God desires to reveal His power and teach vital lessons through them. Every genuine battle, he noted, carries divine involvement and purpose.

 

 

Addressing the question “Why must I fight a battle?” Dr. Okafor explained that individuals who carry extraordinary grace often encounter greater challenges. “When you carry what others do not carry,” he said, “the battles that come your way are usually bigger.”

 

Characteristics of a Turning Point

 

The Generational Prophet highlighted that when a person is firmly rooted in God, no storm can uproot them. A strong spiritual foundation ensures that no battle can shake one’s destiny. He explained that prayer does not eliminate battles, but preparation through prayer guarantees victory on the evil day.

“Battles push you into your turning point when you are rooted in the Spirit,” he stated, adding that a prayerful life is essential for sustained victory and elevation.

 

A Supernatural Service

 

The Turning Point service witnessed an extraordinary move of the Holy Spirit in a fresh dimension. Deliverance, healings, miracles, restoration, and diverse testimonies filled the atmosphere as worshippers encountered the power of God during the Sunday service.

 

 

In a related development, Dr. Chris Okafor officially commissioned the ultra-modern church restaurant, Fourthman Foodies, dedicating it to God for the benefit and use of Grace Nation citizens worldwide.

The February 1 service has since been described by many as a defining moment—one that signals a new spiritual season for Grace Nation Global. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B2Eh6B6wo/

 

Sunday Adeyemi is a Lagos-based journalist and society writer. He writes from Lagos.

 

Turning Point: Dr. Chris Okafor Resumes with Fresh Fire of the Spirit -Steps onto the Grace Nation Pulpit After a Month-Long Honeymoon Retreat with Renewed Supernatural Power By Sunday Adeyemi

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Adron Homes Hails Ondo State at 50, Celebrates Legacy of Excellence

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4 hours ago

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February 1, 2026

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Adron Homes Hails Ondo State at 50, Celebrates Legacy of Excellence

 

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Management, and staff of Adron Group have congratulated the Government and people of Ondo State on the celebration of its 50th anniversary, describing the milestone as a significant chapter in Nigeria’s federal history and a testament to visionary leadership, resilience, and purposeful development.

In a goodwill message issued to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, Adron Group noted that since its creation in 1976, Ondo State has consistently distinguished itself as a centre of honour, intellect, and enterprise. Fondly referred to as The Sunshine State, the state has produced generations of outstanding professionals, administrators, and national leaders whose contributions continue to shape Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.

According to the company, the strength of Ondo State lies not only in its rich cultural heritage and intellectual depth, but also in the values of integrity, diligence, and excellence that define its people. These qualities, Adron noted, have remained the bedrock of the state’s enduring relevance and national impact over the past five decades.

Adron Group further commended the state’s renewed drive in recent years towards infrastructure development, economic diversification, industrial growth, and youth empowerment, describing these initiatives as indicators of a forward-looking, inclusive development agenda anchored in sustainability and long-term prosperity.

“As a corporate organisation committed to nation-building and sustainable development, Adron Group recognises Ondo State as a strategic partner in progress,” the statement read. “We commend His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Executive Governor of Ondo State, and the leadership of the state at all levels for their dedication to public service and their commitment to the advancement of the people.”

As Ondo State marks its Golden Jubilee, Adron Group joined millions of well-wishers in celebrating a legacy of excellence, strength of character, and promise, while expressing optimism that the next fifty years will usher in greater milestones in economic vitality, social advancement, innovation, and enduring peace.

The company concluded by wishing the Government and people of Ondo State continued progress and prosperity, adding that the Sunshine State remains well-positioned to shine even brighter in the years ahead.

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