society

Okada ban: provide alternative job, residents urge Lagos state govt.

Published

4 years ago

September 4, 2022

Sahara Weekly

Okada ban: provide alternative job, residents urge Lagos state govt.

By Ifeoma Ikem

Residents of Alimiosho area of Lagos state have advised the state government and house of Assembly to provide alternative job before banning the commercial motorcycle operations also known as “okada’’ to avoid creating more hardship for those who depend on it as means of livelihood.

The residents and motorcyclists spoke with our correspondent yesterday during a protest staged by Human right activist Comrade Iche Savior at Jakande gate, Ijegun /Isheri area in Alimiosho local government council.

They expressed fear that the Okada ban will create more difficult times for the communities.

Some of the commercial motorcyclists in the area also added that the government should have involved them in the policy making that led to the ban.

According to the residents, immediately the ban of okada was enforced, people started trekking for long distances to get to their destinations due to non accessibility of good roads in the community.

Mr Williams Okeize, a resident, said the development would worsen the current situation as some people who ride the bikes would now have to trek down to their various destinations.

According to him, majority of these residents are under abject poverty and do not have vehicles of their own, the ban will further make them miserable and worse.

“Many of these okada riders feed themselves and their families with the little they earn from riding these okadas, some of these okada riders are graduates with no jobs, there is a need for the government to provide alternatives before such ban.

Ominyi Odinaka, a Civil Engineer and Unizik graduate decried the already high rate of unemployed youths in the country, saying that the ban would cause more hardship to majority of us that graduated and with no job.

According to him, ‘I graduated two years ago, I had savings of three hundred thousand to set up a business so as to earn a living but could not because of the economic situation before I had to switch to Okada riding for sometime to make up the money I need for the business.

“this ban of Okada affected some of us negatively which added more unemployed youths to the labour market.

A mother of four, Mrs Faitha Idris laments that her husband rides Okada within the axis of Kudeyibu Estate Ijegun and they manage to have two square meals on daily basis but since the enforcement began, the police has been taking advantage of it by arresting the riders and extorting them.

‘I’m pleading with Gov. Sanwo -Olu to help in lifting the ban, many other families whose husbands and fathers operate Okada are dying of hunger.

” Where are we going to start from, school is resuming on Monday, meaning our children can’t go back to school because there is no other job for my husband, I am a petty trader but there’s no sale like before people are not buying again “, she added

Reacting to the ban, Comr Iche Savior advised the state government that instead of banning them especially in the rural area places like Alimiosho area “it is better to register them and integrate them into the ever expanding transportation .

Iche said the government and house of Assembly should have a rethink about the ban in some areas because it would increase the rate of suffering and unemployment in the state.

“We are already having challenges in the country already; the government should provide alternatives to those Okada riders before banning their activities.

” Even though the Okada operators are not happy with the job but that is the only work they do since government have no job for them.

” Okada riders covers a larger population in the state, they provide the needed services to the residents in some area that are not motorable”, he said.

Miss Peculiar Chimeremma, a youth said that the ban would increase more crimes and lead to a lot of youths eventually join criminal groups.

“Some of the operators were honest business men seeking daily income to sustain their families and were not depending on government or anyone else.

She said stopping these people from their means of livelihood would not only affect their businesses but also force the users of these commercial means of transportation to trek to their destinations where other commercial vehicles cannot access

society

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

Published

9 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable. He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

society

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Published

15 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Security operatives in Sokoto State have foiled a coordinated kidnapping attempt by armed bandits targeting two communities, killing one suspect and launching a manhunt for others who escaped with injuries.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Ahmad Rufa’i, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday following a distress call received at about 12:30 a.m. reporting simultaneous attacks on Illela Village, also known as Achida Town, and Kwargaba Hamlet.

“The Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams, responded swiftly to the distress call,” he said. “Our operatives, who were already on high alert, engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the attack.”

Rufa’i disclosed that the security forces overpowered the assailants after a prolonged exchange of gunfire, neutralising one suspect who was dressed in military camouflage, while others fled with gunshot wounds into the nearby Gundumi Forest.

“An intensive manhunt is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects who escaped into the forest with varying degrees of injuries,” he added.

However, before the arrival of security personnel, the bandits reportedly shot and killed a member of the Kwargaba community vigilante group. His body has since been recovered and released to his family for burial.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest security agency, assuring that efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

society

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Published

17 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – April 23, 2026

Successful actors, producers and movie makers like; the Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi were among the facilitators who trained 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Gospel Film Project (AGFP) 2026.

The groundbreaking 6-day Intensive Filmmaking Masterclass and Spiritual Formation Program, were 60 emerging Christian filmmakers from Nigeria and Zambia were trained in Abuja was held at the Gospel Cinema International /High Definition Film Academy (HDFA) Facility in Gwarinpa.

The program brought together a distinguished lineup of facilitators from Nigeria and the United States, positioning AGFP as a leading platform for faith-based filmmaking development in Africa.

Among the international facilitators was Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers, known for films such as The Forge, War Room, Facing the Giants, and Courageous, Overcomer, Fireproof, who delivered a powerful session titled “Heart of The Filmmaker.” Also featured was Cameron Arnett, who led sessions on “Christ Over Career” and acting for film.

Other notable speakers included Nick Carey (Kingdom Story Company), who spoke on “The Making of a Faith-Based Blockbuster Movie,” as well as Bob Saenz (Screenwriting Masterclass), Beverly Holloway (Acting Masterclass), David Cook, Adam Drake, Prince Daniel (Aboki), Lummie Adevbie, Chris Odeh, and Jennifer Keltner (Identity & Storytelling), among others.

The program opened with a strong spiritual foundation, including worship and a keynote by the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, titled “Calling & Identity: Film as Spiritual Influence/Programming,” which challenged participants to view storytelling as a tool for cultural and spiritual transformation.

Participants were grouped into four production studios—House of Gideon, House of Caleb, House of Joshua, and House of David—and underwent three days of intensive masterclasses and workshops across screenwriting, directing, cinematography, acting, editing, and producing, alongside deep spiritual formation.

On Day 4, teams developed and pitched short film concepts for professional review and approval. Day 5 was dedicated to full-scale production, with all four teams executing their projects under real industry conditions.

The program culminated on Day 6 with:

A Pitch-A-Thon, where 20 filmmakers presented original projects for funding and collaboration.

A public screening of four short films produced during the program

Professional feedback from a panel of judges.

Certification of all participants

Awards for best Screenplay, Cinematography, directing, editing, acting, and overall best short film.

The closing ceremony featured a powerful commissioning session led by Pastor Ikenna Okeke, where participants were prayed for and consecrated as “God’s Creative Army.”

Speaking after the event, the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, described AGFP 2026 as “a movement to raise storytellers who will shape culture and influence nations through truth-driven films.

Films that honor God”

With its successful debut, AGFP is now preparing for its next edition, following its mandate to train 300 Christian filmmakers across Africa and develop a slate of six global faith-based films over a three-year period.

The Africa Gospel Film Project continues to position itself as a catalyst for purpose-driven storytelling, industry excellence, and spiritual transformation in African cinema.