Breaking! Lagos Assembly Suspends Makoko Demolition

Following protests by residents and advocacy groups, the Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate suspension of ongoing demolitions in Makoko.

Rising from a meeting between lawmakers and representatives of the Makoko community at the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, the Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, issued a directive to halt the demolitions.

“On behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, and honourable members of this House, we are taking this matter seriously. All ongoing demolitions should be stopped,” Hon. Adams said.

He added that the Assembly would work with relevant ministries and agencies to review issues surrounding the demolitions and ensure all stakeholders are properly engaged.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, adding, “We want to see the list of the taskforce that was constituted because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting.”

Hon. Adams assured residents of the affected communities that, “As your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Similarly, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc committee, said there is a need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Makinde, Turaki, Ajadi, PDP NWC Commission New Oyo PDP Secretariat As PDP Signals Unity Ahead of 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State on Tuesday formally unveiled its newly built state secretariat in Ibadan, in a show of renewed unity, internal discipline and strategic positioning ahead of future electoral contests.

The commissioning ceremony, held at Molete–Oke Ado Road, Ibadan, attracted top-ranking party leaders, including Governor Seyi Makinde, leading governorship aspirant Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), state executives, elders, and party faithful from across the state.

The edifice, donated by Governor Makinde, was described by party leaders as a major institutional investment aimed at strengthening the PDP’s organisational capacity and internal cohesion in Oyo State.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo described the commissioning as “a symbolic rebirth” of the PDP in the state, noting that a strong party structure remains the backbone of democratic success.

“This secretariat represents more than bricks and mortar. It is a statement of commitment to party unity, internal democracy and grassroots mobilisation,” Ajadi said. “When a party is organised and disciplined, it becomes easier to deliver good governance and earn the trust of the people.”

Ajadi, a leading gubernatorial aspirant under the PDP, commended Governor Makinde for what he described as “practical leadership that prioritises party stability over personal interest,” adding that the development would further energise members at the ward, local government and state levels.

Earlier in his address, Governor Seyi Makinde declared that the PDP in Oyo State had undergone a complete repositioning, stressing that internal indiscipline no longer had a place in the party.

According to the governor, “there are no more vagabonds in the PDP,” a statement he said reflected the party’s resolve to operate with clarity of purpose, loyalty and collective responsibility.

Makinde explained that since November 2025, the party had taken decisive steps to deal with elements undermining its unity, noting that the PDP was now focused on consolidation and service delivery.

“This building symbolises a new chapter for our party in Oyo State,” the governor said. “It is about unity, discipline and sustaining the confidence the people of Oyo State have placed in us.”

The governor also announced that the secretariat had been named after the late Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha, a former chairman of the Oyo State PDP, who led the party during its historic victory in the 2019 general elections.

Makinde described Mustapha as a loyal party man whose contributions to the PDP’s resurgence in the state deserved permanent recognition.

“He was instrumental to our return to power. Naming this secretariat after him is our way of immortalising his sacrifice and commitment to the party,” the governor added.

In a pointed political remark, Makinde reacted to recent comments reportedly made by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, regarding PDP affairs in Oyo State, asserting that the party’s structure and leadership in the state remain firmly under the control of duly elected officials.

“The PDP in Oyo State is mature enough to manage its own affairs,” Makinde said, insisting that decisions concerning the party would continue to reflect the will of its members within the state.

Performing the commissioning, PDP National Chairman, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), praised the Oyo State chapter for what he described as exemplary organisation and loyalty to the party’s ideals.

Turaki noted that strong state chapters form the foundation of a vibrant national party, urging members to maintain unity as the PDP works to reposition itself nationally.

Party leaders and stakeholders at the event described the new secretariat as a rallying point for reconciliation, strategic planning and grassroots engagement, expressing optimism that the development would further strengthen the PDP’s dominance in Oyo State.

As the ceremony drew to a close, supporters hailed the gathering as a clear signal that the PDP in Oyo State is closing ranks, consolidating its structures and preparing for future political battles with renewed confidence.

Fash-Lanso, Bimbo Oshin, Antar Laniyan, Other Stars Step Out as Bukky Amos-Bello Buries Father in Ibadan

Society figures from far and near, colleagues and family members on Saturday, 17th of January, 2026, honoured the United States based Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Arewa Bukky Amos-Bello, as she hosted a high-profile funeral shindig in honour of her father, Pa Amos Olaniyi Folorunsho Oladapo.

The 5,000 sitting capacity venue, Professor Oristsejolomi Thomas Hall inside the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, was at its full capacity as well-wishers in their ‘ankara’, lace and other expensive ‘aso ebi’ fabrics took up every available space, while the event managers provided extra outdoor spaces for attendees.

Featuring a top music artiste accompanied by a popular DJ, who sizzled the atmosphere with quality blend of music that kept the guests entertained all through the reception, the event was possibly the most-talked-about among the events of the day in the ancient city of Ibadan, not only for its grandeur but also because of Arewa Bukky’s famed status and the honour she commands among her friends and colleagues for her humanitarian efforts and benevolence to all irrespective of class.

While her friends and business associates flew in from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and other bases outside Nigeria, Bukky’s colleagues from within Nigeria and beyond were also on hand to celebrate with her. They include Nollywood stars, Bimbo Oshin; Opeyemi Aiyeola; Yomi Fash-Lanso; Kayode Olaiya a.k.a. Aderupoko; Feyikemi Olayinka; Ajala Jalingo; Adewale Abdulrasak a.k.a. Sokoti; Babatunde Bamgbode a.k.a. Fokoko, who is like a father figure for Bukky in the movie industry; Rotimi Makinde; Wunmi Toriola; Antar Laniyan; Yemi Amodu; Rukayat Lawal a.k.a. Iyaibadansneh; celebrity lawyer, Ope Banwo, and many more.

Rather than a strictly somber occasion, Pa Folorunso Oladapo’s funeral was a three-in-one event; ‘a funeral party, celebration of life, and particularly, a vibrant display of fashion, with guests appearing in their respective colourful and highly fashionable outfits, blending tradition and style for a heartfelt farewell.

Pa Folorunso Oladapo, a devout Christian, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Reliving sweet, old moments with her 99 years old late father, Bukky noted that her father, who was fondly addressed as ‘Baba L’oko’, was a great man who will be sorely missed by her, her siblings, the entire family and the community, noting that her father was a stabilizing community stakeholder in his lifetime. She added that her father’s advice, support and prayers worked for her and his memory will continue to linger in her mind.

Arewa Bukky’s grandiose funeral party for her father reinforces the sentiments that a girl child is as important as her male counterpart, even more nurturing and caring. Thus, in a final way to show love and appreciation for his parental care and support while alive, Arewa Bukky, in collaboration with her siblings, succeeded in organizing a grand farewell to honour their late father.

*by Folorunsho Hamsat