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ZONAL COORDINATOR ZONE A, ACG OG OSISANYA fdc VISITS LAGOS COMMAND
ZONAL COORDINATOR ZONE A, ACG OG OSISANYA fdc VISITS LAGOS COMMAND.
The Assistant Comptroller General in charge of Zone A, ACG OG Osisanya today 8th of February paid a working familiarization visit to Lagos State Command. The visit which forms part of his inaugural tour of all Commands and Formations under Lagos Zone is designed to give the ACG a first hand assessment of the challenges and needs of the entire Zone.
The Zonal Coordinator in his address to Officers and Men of the Command commended them for the warm reception accorded him and also distinctly expressed his delight at the professional performance of the Quater Guard Parade. He rehashed the Ag Comptroller-General, Idris Jere’s cardinal objectives but particularly expanded more on his commitment to implement a comprehensive welfare package for Officers and Men of the Service. He however, relayed the Ag CG’s demand for an improved commitment on the part of officers and men in the spirit of reciprocity.
ACG Osisanya conveyed the Ag CG’s warning against dissemination of official informaition through unofficial social media platforms. He described the act as a brazen violation of Public Service Rules as well as the Oath of Secrecy we are all signatories to.
The Zone A Coordinator closed his address by highlighting the role Divisional Immigration Officers (DIO’s) play in the internal security of the country. He charged the DIO’s to double their efforts due to the fact that Lagos is a melting pot and cosmopolitan area with the trappings that attract’s all forms of economic migrants. He particularly, highlighted the dictates of the Ecowas Protocol which demands that all Ecowas nationals that wishes to explore the rights guaranteed in the Protocol must also abide by the conditions as clearly stated in it. ACG Osisanya instructed the Comptroller to implement a mechanism that will guarantee a routine weekly security reports of all activities in the twenty LGAs in the state.
He afterwards, dismissed the parade and promised to convey the uncovered parts of his address through the CIS and the Command’s Sectional Heads in the Management meeting that held afterwards.
The Comptroller of Lagos State Command, CIS MD Bagiwa pcc in his welcome address promised to consolidate on the accomplishments of his predecessor who he said, “initiated several Corporate Social Responsibility sponsored projects which has significantly improved the conditions of the Command’s Provisional and Annex Office complexes.”
CIS Bagiwa expressed his “determination to ensure that the completed projects are duly maintained and optimally utilised as much as possible”. He declared his resolve to explore avenues that’ll facilitate the improvement of the Command’s Provisional and Annex Facilities, wherever and whenever necessity demands. He admitted that infrastructure wise, the Command is in a better condition than he left when he previously served here, and promised to ensure he will leave it in a better condition when his tenure his over.”
The Comptroller assured the Zonal Coordinator that he will ensure the nearly completed Personal Training and Resource Centre ,(PTRC) constructed by the International Organisation for Migration(IOM) will serve the purpose as intended for. He disclosed that the ever evolving digital transition of our services demands that all Officers and Men of the Command must take full advantage of the Centre to update their knowledge and keep pace with the evolving trends in our ever dynamic operating environment.”
CIS Bagiwa revealed to the ACG “he made it crystal clear to his Sectional and Unit Heads that they must observe rules of engagement and ensure that the Standard Operational Practice (SOP) is optimally observed. The rules of engagement which entails probity, professionalism, fairness, justice and discipline must be stoutly observed in all our engagements with members of the public, in line with the Ag Comptroller-General’s cardinal objectives. He also made it clear that there will be zero tolerance to extortion, undue harassment and exploitation of the public we are meant to dutifully serve. He disclosed to the Zonal Coordinator that he charged them to place a premium on the job as there can be no room for complacency in accomplishing the task of making Lagos Command, and by extension Lagos State investor-friendly in keeping with the ease of doing business mantra of the Federal Government.”
The Lagos Command Comptroller “unequivocally assured ACG Osisanya that he is staunchly commited to ensuring that the Alausa Passport Control Office transparently adhere to the newly implemented Passport Administration Policy. He made it clear that the appointment system which has brought about order and reduced the stress mileage of our Passport Processing Officers will not be sabotaged for any reason whatsoever.”
CIS Bagiwa seized the opportunity of the ACG’s first official familiarization visit to the Command by tabling a number of requests. He did seek the Coordinator’s assistance to apply the necessary pressure required to expedite the completion of the Command’s Headquarter’s Building. He pleaded that the speedy completion of the building will greatly address the challenge of office space shortage currently affecting the Command. The CIS also entreated the support of his boss with regards to pulling together human and material resources required for setting up of a Music Band. The Band which is an important Unit in all Paramilitary Agencies will not only serve Lagos Command, but also by extension serve all other Commands and Formations within the state whenever necessity demands.”
The Comptroller concluded his address by “drawing the attention of the ACG to the need for the swift renovation and fixing of necessary utilities in the Command’s Screening Centre.” This he said is imperative, given the Command’s obligation to ensure we keep up with the minimum global acceptable standard. He revealed that the Centre in its present state, requires significant material and financial support to make it more habitable for the detention of suspects in the facility.”
The Zone A Coordinator in his response disclosed that the purpose of the visit is to acquaint himself with the ongoings in biggest and most important Command in the country. He commended CIS Bagiwa for his graceful acknowledgement of his predecessors accomplishments. He urged the Management of the Command to extend the unequivocal support they accorded his predecessor which he believes was fundamental to the success of the immediate past Comptroller to CIS Bagiwa.
He labelled his visit as a form of homecoming after having visited the state on several occasions as part of the immediate past Comptroller General’s entourage. He’s also represented the outgone CG in several functions hosted in the state.
The ACG once again rehashed the need for the Command to place a premium on ensuring that the twenty Local Government Areas in the state are well monitored. He revealed that the only reason the NIS is accommodated in State Security Councils hinges on the fact that we have officers stationed in all 774 Local Government Areas in the country. He charged officers and men of the Command, particularly DIOs to double their efforts by ensuring that our inclusion in the State Security Councils is justified. He highlighted the importance of control after entry in order to rid the state of irregular migrants given the economic attraction embedded in Lagos.
ACG Osisanya urged officers to discharge their duties with the civility required of Officers of the Federal Republic as we imminently recommence inspection of companies with expatriates under their employment. He warned against embarrassment, exploitation and harassment of investors who come in with Foreign Direct Investments. He advised officers to use discretional latitude to correct documentation inconsistences when noticed rather than use it as an avenue to exploit for personal gains. He however instructed officers to force out any expatriate who refuses to comply with our attempt to correct and regularise their documents.
The ACG charged officers to dutifully protect the newly implemented appointment system for Passport applications introduced by the Service in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior. “He explained that the appointment system as currently implemented, is working as it has created order and reduce the stress mileage of Passport Processing Officers triggered by the rowdiness that was the norm in all Passport Control Offices before the appointment system. The Zonal Coordinator admitted that the challenges resulting from the appointment system due to fact that the autogenerated appointment dates assigned to some applicants may be too long. He assured that the top echelon of the Service is currently exploring measures to address the challenge. He concluded by revealing that the appointment system gives the Service ample time to verify the veracity of the documents presented by applicants as against the rumours that it is a pretext to mask our inability to provide booklets as demanded by the public.
The Tour was concluded after a guided tour of the entire infrastructure of the Command.
Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected the alleged commercialisation of any unity schools land under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative.
The association made its displeasure known during their awareness walk to protest the concession of the 33 hectares of land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC) Kano yesterday in Lagos.
The members were carrying placards, some of which read “PPP: Save the Future”, “Protect Unity Schools”, “PPP must serve Education not land conversion” and “Schools are not for Real Estate”.
President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association USOSA Michael Magaji says Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) was designed to improve public institutions, and not strip them of assets or reduce their land.
Over 60 Unity schools members were drawn from across the nation for the awareness walk to protest against the alleged sale of the school lands.
The P-G said the association was advocating for a sustainable funding model that would preserve educational assets while improving infrastructure, manpower and learning conditions.
“Our coming together is to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools and strengthen Nigeria’s education system. Unity schools are nation-building institutions that have produced leaders across various sectors.
“Unity Schools were not just about education, they were about integration built not by spectators but by active citizens that believe in one nation.
“ The alumni support PPP but oppose the sale of educational assets. Unity never happens by chance but designed, nurtured and protected,’’ he added.
He added that the awareness walk brought about by the alumni across the nation was also to have a stronger network to revive the vision of the Unity Schools.
Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Lagos Chapter President, Federal Government College, Kano Old Students Association said that they are pushing back against the alleged commercialisation of Unity School lands.
Nwafor pointed out that the 33 hectares of land belonging to FGC Kano was concessioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
“We are saying there is a better option. Instead of selling our lands and assets, we would rather fund the schools ourselves.
“If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of the land,” he said.
According to him, the concession arrangement involving the school’s land will undermine the future of unity schools, which were established in the first place to promote national integration.
“These schools were established to unite Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that public educational assets are protected,” he added.
He called on the Federal Government to leverage alumni networks in addressing funding challenges confronting unity schools.
“We are in solution mode and impact mode and we believe alumni associations should be integrated into the process of repositioning these schools.
“We recently met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and discussions are ongoing toward finding mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.
Mr Alex Akindumila, President of FGC Idoani Alumni Association said the concession controversy was a national test of how public assets and educational institutions are being managed.
He said that they are concerned that reducing lands allocated to unity schools could limit future expansion, agricultural projects, sports facilities, technical workshops and staff accommodation.
“The lands allocated to unity schools were deliberate and visionary.“They were designed to ensure that the schools remain self-sustaining and adaptable to future needs.
According to him, when you shrink the land of a unity school, you do not just reduce space, but reduce possibility , reduce ability to run agricultural programs that can feed students and teach enterprise, even the space required for sports facilities that build discipline, health and national pride.
Also, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, an alumna of FGC Nsukka, called for transparency, due process and stakeholder engagement in any PPP arrangement involving educational institutions.
She said PPP agreements should align with the public purpose of the schools and not diminish their long-term capacity.
“There must be transparency, competitiveness and proper stakeholder engagement in any concession process involving public educational assets,” she said.
society
NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative
NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Southwest has strongly condemned the continued delay in the passage of the bill aimed at ending the long-standing disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) qualifications in Nigeria. The association has described the delay as unjust, discriminatory, and harmful to the future of polytechnic education in the country.
The NAPS Southwest expressed deep frustration over what it called the unacceptable silence and inaction from the Nigerian Senate and Federal House of Representatives regarding the bill. The proposed legislation seeks to abolish the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc holders, a divide that has for years limited career progression opportunities for polytechnic graduates, particularly in the public sector.
This ongoing delay represents a significant policy gap that must be urgently addressed. The continued discrimination against HND holders contradicts the principles of equity, fairness, and meritocracy that should define Nigeria’s public service.
For years, polytechnic students and graduates have faced systemic discrimination in employment opportunities, career progression, and societal recognition an injustice that undermines the value of technical and vocational education in national development. The proposed bill represents a critical step toward equity, fairness, and the full recognition of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
We therefore call on the current administration and the National Assembly to prioritize the reintroduction and immediate passage of this critical legislation. Nigeria cannot afford to sideline a significant segment of its skilled workforce due to outdated and discriminatory policies.
It is therefore disheartening that the Nigeria Senate and House of Representatives has yet to act decisively on this matter of urgent national importance. The continued delay raises serious questions about the commitment of lawmakers to addressing the challenges faced by millions of Nigerian youths in the polytechnic system.
The NAPS southwest unequivocally calls on the Senate and House of Representatives to, without further delay, deliberate on and pass the bill to end the HND/B.Sc dichotomy. The future of countless students and graduates depends on this decisive action.
The continued delay in passing this bill is a direct attack on the dignity and future of millions of Nigerian students and graduates, the statement read. We cannot continue to tolerate a system that places artificial barriers on capable individuals simply because of the institution they attended.
Failure to meet this demand will leave NAPS Southwest with no choice but to mobilize Nigerian Polytechnic Students and Graduates across the country for peaceful but firm actions to press home our demands. We are prepared to take all legitimate steps necessary to ensure that justice is served.
NAPS Southwest has therefore issued a strong warning to the Senate and House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to prioritize and immediately pass the bill without further delay. The association made it clear that failure to act promptly would trigger nationwide protests and coordinated actions by Nigerian polytechnic students and graduates.
We urge all relevant stakeholders to initiate comprehensive reforms that will harmonize qualification frameworks, ensure equal opportunities for career advancement, and restore confidence in the civil service system.
NAPS Southwest remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of polytechnic students and graduates across Nigeria. We will continue to engage constructively with policymakers and mobilize support until justice is achieved.
Signed
Comr Ogunsola Adewale John
NAPS Southwest Coordinator
+234 704 720 2907
society
African Focus Historic Royal Visit of Olúkòyí of Ìkòyí Ọba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade in Los Angeles, CA —
African Focus Historic Royal Visit of Olúkòyí of Ìkòyí Ọba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade in Los Angeles, CA —
African Focus Inc. its 20th Anniversary with Goodwill Awards and Induction Ceremony in April, 2026, held at the Renaissance LAX in Los Angeles, California.
The landmark event brought together distinguished guests, cultural leaders, and members of the African diaspora for an evening of recognition, reconnection, and celebration.
The ceremony honored outstanding community leaders and cultural champions whose contributions have strengthened African heritage and unity across generations.
The evening featured an elegant dinner, and an inspiring awards presentation, commemorating two decades of impactful service.
Highlight of the event was the African Family Induction, a signature tradition of African Focus.
18 Diaspora Africans were formally welcomed into native African families for a meaningful cultural experience.
The Inductees received certificates bearing their native names, along with cultural artifacts symbolizing their new lineage.
This initiative continues to foster cultural identity, bridge generational and geographical divides, and encourage deeper engagement with the African continent.
Many past inductees have gone on to travel to Africa with their host families, strengthening cultural bonds and understanding.
This year’s event was graced by a Yorùbà monarch His Royal Majesty, Oba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade, the Olukoyi of Ikoyi in Osun State, Nigeria who doubled as special guest of honour and historically served as Royal Father of the Day.
His royal presence brought cultural significance to the celebration.
The event was hosted by Uchenna Nworgu, Founder and Director of African Focus Inc, alongside a distinguished team of Cultural Ambassadors and leaders, including Paul Babatunde, Director of Cultural Initiatives; Dominique DiPrima, Cultural Ambassador; Wole Nipede; Ojise Isedale (also known as Olubunmi Olukanni); Ade James; and other notable contributors.
The event was concluded with vibrant music and dance, reflecting the spirit of unity and cultural pride that has defined African Focus for the past 20 years.
African Focus is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reconnecting the African diaspora with their cultural roots through education, cultural exchange, and community engagement initiatives.
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