Economy
Sanwo-Olu Seeks Recognition Of 37 LCDAs, State Police, Genuine Federalism In Constitution Review
Sanwo-Olu Seeks Recognition Of 37 LCDAs, State Police, Genuine Federalism In Constitution Review
Sanwo-Olu seeks recognition of 37 LCDAs, state police, genuine federalism in Constitution Review. Mr Sanwo-Olu said it was unfair that the state, which he said carries the burden of many other states, does not enjoy special status.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on the National Assembly to be fair to the state by enlisting the 37 local council development areas and granting the state a special status in the constitution.
Mr Sanwo-Olu made the call at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Lagos.
“What we are asking is that the 37 local council development areas we have given birth to since 2000 should be listed in the constitution.
“Can we have a child who is 25 years old and without giving them a birth certificate?. Let us get our birth certificates,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said it was unfair that the state, which he said carries the burden of many other states, does not enjoy special status.
Further justifying his call for special status for the state, the governor said Lagos and Kano States were created in 1967, but that in 1991, Jigawa was carved out of Kano State.
The governor said Lagos had remained the same with 20 local governments, while Kano now has 44 LGs, and Jigawa has 27 LGs. He described the arrangement as unfair.
“As a nation, we cannot and we should not continue to deceive ourselves. We must be guided by the principle of inclusiveness, equity, and justice.
“It is not about emotion, it is about facts and fairness. Is that fair? Is that right?
“This issue of special status for Lagos is not a unique thing to Lagos; it is the same in Brazil, Indonesia, and others.
“When you move your capital from one place to another, you do not abandon where you left. For me, as a nation, let us be fair to Lagos and everybody,” he said.
He stated that the state contested the population figures of the Nigerian Population Commission in the 2006 census in 19 local government areas at the tribunal.
“The tribunal agreed with us on what we raised in 18 local government areas. Let us even agree with the figure, Alimosho LGA in 2006 was given the population of 1,371,000 while Bayelsa has a population of 1.67 million,” he added.
Mr Sanwo-Olu highlighted the need for genuine federalism and devolution of powers, state police, electoral and judicial reforms, a special seat for women, among others.
He stated, “Just for the simplicity of it, state policing is not about semantics, it is about the protection of the people. So, let us have it.”
Corroborating, a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Abiodun Ogunleye, stated that the state had met all the conditions to have the 37 LCDAs recognised in the nation’s constitution.
Mr Ogunleye also called fiscal federalism, which would allow state control of their resources, while contributing to the centre.

Sanwo-Olu
A former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, said the state had the highest population, but fewer local governments when compared to its counterparts across the nation.
Also, an APC chieftain and former Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Lanre Balogun, reiterated the recognition of 37 LCDAs and the creation of state police.
Responding, Ibrahim Isiaka, the House of Representatives Deputy Chief Whip and chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, assured stakeholders that the National Assembly would address all demands.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce 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,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, 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.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is 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 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.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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