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Ogunsan Felicitates Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr, Urges Support for Security Trust Fund

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Ogunsan Felicitates Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr, Urges Support for Security Trust Fund

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has congratulated Muslim faithful on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement released on Friday, Ogunsan joined Muslims in celebrating the successful completion of 30 days of fasting, devotion, sacrifice, and spiritual reflection observed during Ramadan.

He commended the Muslim community for their steadfast commitment to the core values of the season, including piety, empathy, and unity, noting that these virtues are essential for peaceful coexistence and societal development.

Ogunsan also prayed for continued blessings, expressing hope that the sacrifices and good deeds of the faithful would be richly rewarded.

“I pray that your good deeds and sacrifices will be abundantly rewarded, and that the blessings of Ramadan will continue to strengthen our homes, communities, state, and nation. I wish you all a blessed Eid,” he said.

The LSSTF boss further urged Muslims to sustain the spirit of generosity by extending support to the less privileged, while also calling on residents to contribute to the Security Trust Fund as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

Lagos Delegation Visits Benin Republic to Boost Heritage Tourism in Badagry

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Lagos Delegation Visits Benin Republic to Boost Heritage Tourism in Badagry

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to reposition Badagry as a leading heritage tourism destination, as top officials embarked on a two-day working tour of historical sites in the Republic of Benin.

Leading the delegation was the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka said the visit was aimed at drawing lessons from the Republic of Benin’s approach to preserving similar historical assets and promoting them as global tourism attractions.

Benson-Awoyinka noted that the tour reflects Lagos State’s commitment to preserving shared history between West African nations, while also leveraging cultural diplomacy to deepen regional ties.

She said the visit is expected to inform ongoing and future tourism development initiatives in Badagry, with the aim of elevating its historical assets to meet international standards and attract a broader global audience.

Leading the delegation was the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka said the visit was aimed at drawing lessons from the Republic of Benin’s approach to preserving similar historical assets and promoting them as global tourism attractions.

Benson-Awoyinka noted that the tour reflects Lagos State’s commitment to preserving shared history between West African nations, while also leveraging cultural diplomacy to deepen regional ties.

She said the visit is expected to inform ongoing and future tourism development initiatives in Badagry, with the aim of elevating its historical assets to meet international standards and attract a broader global audience.

During the tour, the delegation visited key landmarks in Ouidah, including the Point of No Return, the Slave Market, and the iconic Amazon Statue. These sites provided insights into global best practices in heritage tourism, particularly in the areas of storytelling, site preservation, and immersive cultural experiences.

Others in the delegation are the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu. Also on the tour were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Adekunle Olayinka; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila; senior management staff; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sageto Nigeria Limited, Engr. Salim Abou Jaoude.




Rite Foods Launches “Waste-Is-Naira” Initiative with RecyclePoints

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Rite Foods Launches “Waste-Is-Naira” Initiative with RecyclePoints

Rite Foods Limited has partnered with RecyclePoints to launch the “Waste-Is-Naira” (W.I.N) initiative.

This is a community-driven programme that converts post-consumer plastic waste into cash, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

The program, unveiled at Rite Foods’ corporate headquarters in Opebi, Lagos, aims to create a structured system for the collection, recovery, and recycling of used packaging materials, transforming environmental stewardship into tangible economic opportunities for Nigerians.

Through W.I.N, residents can exchange plastic bottles and beverage cans for cash, with the initiative projected to recover over 750 tonnes of plastic annually.

The programme also integrates households, informal waste collectors, and aggregators into a formal recycling value chain, creating jobs and fostering grassroots economic empowerment.

Speaking at the launch, Ekuma Eze, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, said:

“This initiative goes beyond clean-up efforts. It reflects our responsibility as a producer to close the loop on our packaging materials. With ‘Waste-Is-Naira’, post-consumer waste is recovered, reintegrated into the value chain, and translated into socio-economic benefits for Nigerians.”

Programme Manager at RecyclePoints, Daniel Oderinde, highlighted the operational framework, explaining that participants use designated ‘Waste-Is-Naira’ sacks for proper segregation, with materials weighed, logged, and payments processed digitally to ensure transparency and financial inclusion.

The initiative also received commendations from key regulatory and industry stakeholders. Mrs. Adedayo Adebayo, Director of Environmental Sustainability at LASEPA, praised its alignment with environmental standards, while Mrs. Oguntola Omolara of LAWMA described it as a timely intervention supporting Lagos State’s waste management objectives.

Arese Onigise, Executive Secretary of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), emphasised the program’s contribution to building a circular economy:

“Initiatives like ‘Waste-Is-Naira’ exemplify how producers can move beyond compliance to actively implement Extended Producer Responsibility. By integrating informal waste actors and incentivising consumers, Rite Foods is setting a scalable model for long-term environmental sustainability in Nigeria.”

The initiative builds on the company’s previous coastal clean-up campaigns under its Riteonthebeach project, now scaled inland with a structured, incentive-based recycling framework designed to change behavior at the community level.

By embedding EPR into a practical, community-focused model, Rite Foods demonstrates how corporate leadership, regulatory collaboration, and local engagement can drive measurable environmental and socio-economic impact.

NIMC DG Joins Presidential UK Visit, Pledges Expanded Diaspora NIN Enrollment

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NIMC DG Joins Presidential UK Visit, Pledges Expanded Diaspora NIN Enrollment

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has joined senior government officials who welcomed President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, during their historic state visit to the United Kingdom at the personal invitation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Beyond the ceremonial significance, the visit offered a strategic platform for Nigeria to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, identity management, and innovation.

For NIMC, the engagement presents a key opportunity to advance the diaspora National Identification Number, NIN enrollment initiative, ensuring that Nigerians living abroad are fully integrated into the national identity ecosystem.

Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, Engr. Coker-Odusote reaffirmed NIMC’s commitment to expanding NIN enrollment access globally.

“The UK hosts one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the world,” she said, emphasizing the need for more enrollment centers, improved service delivery, and seamless digital processes. “Nigerians abroad deserve nothing less than efficient, timely, and accessible identity services.”

Enhanced NIN services in the UK will enable Nigerian residents to obtain their NIN and related services without delays, access essential government and private-sector services, and participate fully in Nigeria’s growing digital economy, regardless of their location.

At home, NIMC is simultaneously rolling out its ward-level enrollment strategy, a grassroots initiative aimed at delivering identity services directly to rural and underserved communities.

By reducing travel distances and eliminating unnecessary barriers, the Commission is ensuring that all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, can access identity services conveniently.

This dual-track approach, scaling diaspora enrollment while intensifying local registration—reflects NIMC’s commitment to inclusive identity management.

It aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of leveraging digital identity as a catalyst for economic growth, social protection, and efficient governance.

The visit to the United Kingdom not only reinforces Nigeria’s diplomatic and innovation agenda but also highlights the critical role of identity infrastructure in connecting citizens worldwide to opportunities in an increasingly digital world.

Unregulated Food Environment: Nigeria’s Growing Diet-Related Health Crisis

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Unregulated Food Environment: Nigeria’s Growing Diet-Related Health Crisis

Nigeria is quietly facing a public health crisis driven by diet-related non-communicable diseases, NCDs, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and diet-related cancers.

According to recent data, NCDs now account for 29 percent of all deaths in the country, disproportionately affecting working-class and poor Nigerians who often discover their conditions too late for affordable treatment.

Health experts caution that this crisis is not simply a matter of personal choice. “Nigerians are not merely making bad choices; they are navigating a marketplace carefully designed to produce those choices,” said Humphrey Ukeaja, a healthy food advocate and Industry Monitoring Officer at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA.

Over the past two decades, Nigeria’s food landscape has been transformed by the aggressive expansion of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and chemical additives.

These products are strategically positioned in everyday spaces, bus stops, school kiosks, and shopping aisles, while marketing campaigns tie consumption to cultural celebrations, family moments, and social belonging. CAPPA’s monitoring of the 2025 festive season revealed extensive advertising of sugar-laden beverages and processed foods across television, billboards, and digital platforms.

Children are particularly vulnerable. Brand loyalty that begins early can last decades, with schools, parks, and religious centers becoming subtle marketing arenas.

Corporate social responsibility initiatives, including donations to schools and community events, further embed brands into daily life, blurring the line between philanthropy and promotion.

Experts say Nigeria’s regulatory environment has struggled to keep pace with these developments. The excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, introduced in 2021, remains modest at N10 per litre, roughly 3-4 percent of the retail price, far below the levels required to significantly influence consumption.

International evidence suggests meaningful reductions occur when taxes increase prices by about 50 percent.

Other measures, such as mandatory front-of-pack warning labels, remain under discussion, while child-directed marketing rules fail to cover digital platforms, influencer campaigns, AI-generated content, and CSR-mediated access to schools. NAFDAC’s current mandate does not extend to festive activations, music festivals, or the occupation of public parks.

Advocates argue that Nigeria must adopt evidence-based interventions that have proven effective elsewhere. Key recommendations include: raising excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to levels capable of influencing consumption, introducing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels to guide consumer choice and enforcing strict restrictions on marketing aimed at children in schools, public parks, and digital spaces

“None of these policies are radical. They are proportionate, implementable, and endorsed by global health authorities, including the WHO and World Heart Federation,” Ukeaja said.

Without decisive action, experts warn, Nigeria risks allowing its food system, driven by commercial incentives, to dictate public health outcomes, with economic and social consequences for generations to come.

LNSA GM Visits IGP, Advocates Stronger Security Collaboration

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LNSA GM Visits IGP, Advocates Stronger Security Collaboration

The General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, LNSA, Prince Dr. Ifalade Oyekan FISN, has paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Quarters in Abuja to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and enhance national security.

The meeting provided a platform for both leaders to discuss strategies aimed at improving operational effectiveness, intelligence gathering, and the protection of lives and property across Nigeria.

Prince Oyekan commended the IGP for his innovative approach to policing, particularly the use of technology during his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

He expressed optimism that such progressive initiatives could be scaled nationally to improve response times and overall policing outcomes.

He also appealed for the Nigeria Police Force’s support in providing structured training programmes for LNSA personnel, emphasizing continuous capacity building as critical to operational efficiency.

Responding, IGP Disu assured full support to the agency and pledged collaboration to strengthen its operational capacity.

He reaffirmed his commitment to fostering synergy among security agencies to ensure the safety and security of citizens nationwide.

The delegation included senior police and LNSA officials, including DIG Magaret Agebe Ochalla (Force Criminal Investigation Department), DIG Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (Department of Operations), AIG Olabode Adeleye (Force Secretary), and Mr. Lateef Ajao, Director of Operations and Monitoring, LNSA.

Lagos Police Heighten Security Ahead Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations

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Recruitment: Lagos Candidates to Sit Written Exam at Police College Ikeja as PSC Warns Against Scams

The Lagos State Police Command has intensified security measures across the state ahead of the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr, with the deployment of personnel and operational assets to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration.

The move follows directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered extensive security coverage across Lagos.

The Command said the deployment includes conventional police officers, tactical units, and intelligence operatives, supported by an enhanced intelligence network aimed at detecting and preventing potential threats to public peace.

Marine Police personnel have also been mobilised to patrol waterways, while Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and heads of tactical units have been directed to maintain sustained visibility policing across communities, particularly in high-risk and densely populated areas.

To ease movement during the festive period, traffic control officers have been strategically positioned along major highways, inner roads, and congestion-prone locations across the state.

The Police further assured that adequate security has been put in place at Eid prayer grounds, mosques, markets, recreational centres, and other public spaces expected to witness large gatherings.

The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through designated emergency lines or the nearest police station.

The Command added that the coordinated security architecture reflects its proactive approach to ensuring safety before, during, and after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

NRC Rolls Out Special Sallah Train Services on Major Rail Corridors

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NRC Rolls Out Special Sallah Train Services on Major Rail Corridors

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC has announced special train services across key rail corridors to ease passenger movement during the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

The Corporation said the initiative is aimed at accommodating the expected surge in travel demand, with increased capacity and additional trips scheduled on major routes nationwide.

On the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service will operate three trips on March 19, departing from Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta at 7:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., while return services from Obafemi Awolowo Station in Moniya, Ibadan, will run at 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. The NRC noted that this arrangement is for one day, after which normal schedules will resume.

For the Abuja–Kaduna route, the Corporation will run two trips on March 19 and increase operations to three daily trips from March 20 to March 23 to provide more travel options during the festive period.

The NRC also announced a special partnership with the Osun State Government to operate the Imole Special Train on the narrow gauge line from Iddo Station in Lagos to Osogbo. The service, which will convey indigenes free of charge, is fully sponsored by the state government as part of its Sallah initiative.

On the Warri–Itakpe corridor, train services will continue to run three times weekly, departing Warri on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, and returning from Itakpe on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, while Thursdays remain dedicated to maintenance.

Similarly, the Port Harcourt–Aba service on the Eastern narrow gauge corridor will maintain its regular operations throughout the Sallah period.

The NRC reassured passengers of its commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services, urging travellers to plan ahead, arrive early at stations, and comply with ticketing and security procedures.

The Corporation also extended Eid-el-Fitr greetings to Muslim faithful, encouraging Nigerians to continue to patronise rail transport as a dependable means of travel.

Ogun Police Beef Up Security Ahead Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

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Ogun Police Debunk Banditry Reports, Confirm Security Stability Across State

Ogun State Police Command has intensified security arrangements across the state ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, assuring residents of a peaceful and hitch-free celebration.

The Command said it has deployed personnel and operational assets to strategic locations, with particular focus on Eid prayer grounds, worship centres, markets, highways, and other major public spaces.

According to the Police, the proactive measures include coordinated patrols, intelligence-led operations, and enhanced surveillance aimed at deterring criminal activities and ensuring swift response to any security threats before, during, and after the festive period.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan and extended goodwill messages ahead of the celebration.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, as well as protecting lives and property across the state.

Ogunlowo also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities through designated emergency lines, as the Command reiterated its readiness to ensure a safe environment throughout the festivities.

The Police Commissioner added that the security architecture put in place reflects its broader strategy of proactive policing and community partnership in safeguarding Ogun State during high-traffic festive periods.

Regulators, Others Laud Rite Foods for Safe Manufacturing, Boosting Consumer Confidence

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Regulators, Others Laud Rite Foods for Safe Manufacturing, Boosting Consumer Confidence

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC have commended Rite Foods Limited for its commitment to safe, high-quality manufacturing and consumer-focused practices that continue to strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector.

The commendation was given during a stakeholder forum held to mark World Consumer Rights Day, themed “Safe Product, Confident Consumers,” organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN and hosted at the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Ososa, Ogun State.

The forum brought together regulators, consumer advocates, and media professionals to examine the role of product safety, responsible manufacturing, and consumer awareness in building a more accountable marketplace.

Speaking at the event, General Manager (Operations) at Rite Foods, Femi Ajileye, said the company remains committed to delivering world-class products through advanced technology and strict quality assurance processes.

“At Rite Foods, our philosophy is simply to consistently deliver safe, high-quality products that consumers can trust,” he said, adding that transparency and stakeholder engagement remain central to the company’s operations.

Representing FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, the South-West Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Olubunmi Dorcas Otti, noted that Rite Foods had demonstrated strong adherence to high production standards and consumer protection principles.

“Rite Foods has taken a commendable step in reinforcing consumer confidence through quality products and transparent operations,” she said, stressing that collaboration among regulators, industry players, and the media is essential to safeguarding consumer rights.

Also speaking, Dr. Tinuola Akinnubi of NAFDAC, representing Director General Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted that consumer rights, including safety, information, choice, and redress, remain critical to regulatory governance.

“A protected consumer is a confident consumer. And confident consumers strengthen markets,” she stated, calling for enhanced surveillance, improved monitoring systems, and increased use of technology in consumer protection.

In her keynote address, President of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Sola Salako, underscored the role of technology in advancing consumer rights. She introduced the CAFON Consumer Companion (3C) App, designed to help Nigerians understand and enforce their rights, while also aiding dispute resolution and complaint processes.

Salako commended Rite Foods for opening its factory to stakeholders, describing the move as a demonstration of confidence in its manufacturing processes and product quality.

Chairman of BJAN, Dan Obi, also praised the company’s transparency, noting that the level of professionalism, hygiene, and automation observed during the factory tour reinforces trust in its products.

Rite Foods’ product portfolio includes Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Table Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and a range of sausages. The company has also received multiple recognitions, including Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year at the Edge Awards, as well as honours at the SISA and SERAS Awards.

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