Students Dazzle At "This Is Lagos" Eko Schools Art & Craft Competition 2.0 As Nine Winners Get Scholarships

 Yomi Durojaye 

Students from Lagos State Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions across all Education Districts and Lagos yesterday dazzelled and amazed participants at the Grand Finale of 2nd Edition of Eko Schools Art & Craft Competition 2.0, themed: "This Is Lagos".

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, Winner From Tertiary Institution and Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Hon. Solomon Bonu

The event which held yesterday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos through the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

It was learnt that the competition provides a platform for young artists and creatives to showcase their talents through various artistic expressions. 

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila said that she was delighted with the overwhelming response of students at this year’s competition. 

"A total of 489 participants registered, while 132 registered participants  submitted entries for competition from schools across the five divisions of Lagos State, as well as some tertiary institutions. The competition featured diverse categories, including Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Beadwork, Textile Design, Leatherwork, Digital Art, and Upcycling".

"Every artwork tells a unique story of imagination, dedication, hard work, and passion. To every student who picked up a brush, moulded clay, designed a textile, created digital art, or transformed waste into beauty, I congratulate you. You are all winners. (Please let us applaud the all)

"This year’s theme: “THIS IS LAGOS” challenged participants to creatively interpret the identity, heritage, resilience, innovation, and diversity of our great State. The artworks on display today beautifully capture the essence of Lagos, its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to sustainability.

"These outstanding creations demonstrate that our young minds not only appreciate our cultural values, but also possess the creativity and vision needed to shape a brighter future.

Mrs. Bopo thanked The Lagos State Government administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continue to support for arts education, skills development, mentorship programmes, and platforms that encourage youth creativity and expression. She also acknowledged the beautiful idea of the former SSA to the Governor, Hon. Damilola Ayinde Marsha for the birth of such initiative. "We remain committed to partnering with educational institutions, industry professionals, and the private sector to ensure that young talents are given every opportunity to succeed".

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State House of Assembly Chairman on Tourism, Art and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonus, said the competition was a very big opportunity for students in Lagos to showcase their God's given talents.

Hon. Bonu while appreciating the quality of Art of student, He said that "what you create is not small,  it's not just a mere fit. It is something to be proud of. And this is your creation that brought all this about. Like one of the speakers said earlier, we will not be here without the students, so I want you all to clap for yourselves. 

"You have done very, very well. If I become a child again, I want to be in your position, because when I grew up, I was not given this kind of opportunity. It's a very huge opportunity, and I looked at what every single person here created, and I want to say that you are all amazing artists. You are geniuses, and creating such at your age, it means that there's so much more to look for, especially with Lagos State, because having that level of creativity and also having an avenue to showcase it is something to be very proud of".

To the winners that were chosen here today, and to everyone that submitted their crewtives, "I want to say, congratulations to you. Because there's something I say as an artist, if you do not showcase your work, then you've not started. You can be a great artist and create and put it in your, your bedroom, or put it in your cupboard, and you're the only one that will know what you're doing and be keeping it there. You can't even access yourself".

At the end, Nine student ermerged as winners at this year competition and were granted Government Scholarship with other state recognition. 

See below the list of winners at the  2026 Eko Schools Art & Craft Competition 2.0

TERTIARY

1. Goodness Popoola 400Level Lagos State University of Education 

2. Abdul Rahman Saheed 300Level  Lagos State University of Science & Technology

3. Boton Aina Samuel 400Level Lagos State University of Education

SENIOR SECONDARY 

1. Ajayi Pascal Maugbe SS 2 Methodist Senior High School

2. Makinde Opeyemi Abraham SS 2 Millenium Senior Secondary School

3. Akinola Oluwatobi SS 2 Sanngo Senior Secondary School

JUNIOR SECONDARY 

1. Mufutau Aishat Opeyemi JSS 2 Clegg Girls Junior High School

2. Orungbamila Oluwalonimi Esther JSS 1 Ikotun Junior High School

3. Saheed Khadijat Remilekun JSS 3 Community Junior Grammar School, Akowonjo

Sola Osolana Dole-Out N50,000 Cash To 50 Youths, Cash and Food Items To 100 widows To Mark Birthday

Yomi Durojaye 

Otunba Sola Osolana, one of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Party Chieftains in Agege Lagos State has embarked on annual widows and youths empowerment to mark his 2026 birthday.

Sola Osolana Dole-Out N50,000 Cash To 50 Youths, Cash and Food Items To 100 widows To Mark Birthday

Osolana while addressing the beneficiaries during his birthday celebration said he always loved putting smiles on the people face especially the widows and youths in the community.

“I always want to use my birthday to be a day that I put smiles on the faces of people, especially in Agege, my constituencies and where I also have businesses.

“I believe that instead of organising a party with millions of Naira and taking home millions of Naira, I should actually use that fund to help and support some people.

“So I decided to choose today for the widows. Today we are giving widows foodstuff and cash so that they can be able to be part of today’s celebration in one way or the other.

“We are also taking young youth entrepreneurs and petty traders from age 18 to 35 to be able to give them cash to support their business,” he said.

According to him, the empowerment makes him happy. The best birthday I have is the birthday that I spend with the people and support the people in the community.

Otunba Osolana said that was not the first time adding that it was an annual event where he celebrated his birthday with widows and the youth.

This is not the first time, every year I believe my birthday celebration should actually be to support a lot of people.

If you are doing POS, selling provisions just use the grant to support your business for returns don’t use it for something else that will not be productive because if you have N50,000, within a month you can turn around that amount productively.

The politician added that the money was given to beneficiaries for free without paying back to anyone.

“You are not even borrowing it and you are not refunding it back to anybody and you are not paying interest on it.

“So you can actually use it as a seed to improve your business, that is the advice I have.

In chosing the beneficiaries we consulted the Lagos State Ministry of Planning and Budget for the social register of young entrepreneurs in Agege.

So they can pick from the register they already have a register there with their National Identification Number (NIN) so they know the people that are living in Agege.

“They are able to pick from that register without sentiment or any political affiliation and must be 18 to 35 years for the young entrepreneurs and your business must be as a petty trader,” he said.

Osolana added that the widows benefitted food items like rice, beans yams, pastas and seasonings together cash grants to sustain them for a while.

Mrs Taibat Adeleke, one of the beneficiaries thanked the Osolana for his annual kind gestures to the widows in the community.

Adeleke appreciated the politician for the food items and the cash grants saying it would go along way to sustain the family for weeks.

Miss Ireti Olorunyomi, a youth beneficiary also hailed the kind gestures thanking the politician for the cash grants empowerment for entrepreneur among youths in Agege.

In fact N50,000 for 50 youths is not a small money, we really appreciate him for his kindness to the people of Agege.

The newsmen reports that 50 youths benefitted from the empowerment with N50,000 cash grants while 100 widows also benefitted from the free food items and cash grants of N10,000 each from the politician.

Lagos State Holds World Robot Olympiad Final, Selects Team For National, Int'l Competition

Yomi Durojaye 

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, has successfully concluded, and technological excellence among students across the State.

The event, which took place on Wednesday at the Education Resource Centre, Ojodu, Lagos brought together outstanding young innovators from public schools, who competed in various robotics challenges:  Robot Mission; Robot Sport; Future Innovators and Future Engineers aimed at demonstrating their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The competition served as the platform for selecting Team Lagos, which will represent the State at the National finals and subsequently at the International level.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu- Adegbite in her keynote address commended the participating students, teachers, parents, and the department of Science and Technology in the Ministry  for their commitments to advancing technology-driven education in Lagos State.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Tutor- General/ Permanent Secretary of Education District VI, Mrs. Mojisola Christiana Yusuf stated that the young science enthusiasts should be cultural innovators. They should be ready to build designs that can solve african problems.

According to her, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the 21st century.

She noted that the World Robot Olympiad provides a unique opportunity for students to develop problem-solving abilities, teamwork, innovation, and digital competencies that are essential for future careers.

The Permanent Secretary further encouraged the participants to continue pursuing excellence, stressing that the competition was not only about winning but also about learning, collaboration, and innovation.

At the end of the keenly contested event, the following schools emerged winners in the 4 different Robotics Challenges:

Robot Mission:

1st Position:

Senior Category: Igbo Owu Senior Secondary School, 

Junior Category: Akoka Junior High School, Akoka.

Robot Sport: ( general)

1st Position: 

Army Cantonment Senior Girls Secondary School, Ojo

Future Innovators:

1st Position:

Senior Category: Lagos State Model College, Meiran.

Junior Category: Eva Adelaja Junior Girls, Bariga

Future Engineers: ( general)

1st Position: Eva Adelaja Senior Girls, Bariga

The winning teams will represent Lagos State at the World Robot Olympiad National Finals, where they will compete with other top-performing teams from across the country for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the International championship.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening STEM education and fostering innovation among learners through strategic programmes and partnerships that prepare students for future opportunities in technology and related fields.

Other TG/PS present include: Dr. (Mrs.) Idowu Oyetola, Education district 1;  Mr. Omotayo Layemo Sanni, Education district 2 CEO, Global Education Media, Mr. Durotimi Adeboye; all directors in the Ministry;  education stakeholders, school administrators, teachers,  technology partners.

Agege LG Chairman, Vinod Obasa To Find lasting solutions to perennial flooding affecting Oke-Koto, Alfa Nla ...pledges more community-oriented initiatives to strengthen grassroots governance

 Yomi Durojaye

L-R: Executive Chairman, Agege and Vice, Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa and Hon. Sodiq Adewale Azeez

The Executive  Chairman of Agege Local Government, Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to implementing community-oriented initiatives aimed at driving grassroots development and addressing infrastructural deficits affecting residents across the local government area.

The chairman made this known during a stakeholders’ engagement with community representatives held at the Agege Local Government Secretariat, where discussions centred on finding lasting solutions to the perennial flooding affecting some parts of the council area.

Hon. Vinod Obasa noted that the local government was working in close collaboration with the Lagos State Government to address critical infrastructural challenges confronting communities within the LGA.

According to him, the synergy between the state and local government authorities is expected to facilitate effective drainage interventions and other developmental projects targeted at improving the living conditions of residents.

He said earlier, that temporary repairs have been carried out in the past, a lasting solution requires the comprehensive reconstruction of the drainage infrastructure. To this end, Agege Local Government is working closely with the Lagos State Government, which has concluded plans for the reconstruction of the drainage channel from Okekoto to Mangoro; an intervention designed to address the root causes of the flooding and erosion challenges affecting the area.

"In the meantime, palliative works have commenced to improve accessibility and ease movement for residents and road users while the permanent solution is being progressed.

Speaking at the meeting, representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment explained that the drainage construction project is community-based and would be handed over to the benefiting communities upon completion.

The representatives also unveiled the contractors handling the project and appealed to residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices, especially during the rainy season, to prevent blockage of drainage channels and recurring flooding.

Health: Dr. Bakare Appointed Acting Medical Director, Orile Agege General Hospital

 

Yomi Durojaye

The Lagos State Government has appointed Dr. Temitope Iyadunni Bakare as the new Acting Medical Director of Orile-Agege General Hospital (OAGH), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to healthcare administration, quality improvement, and system strengthening in Lagos State.

The appointment, approved by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, took effect from May 18, 2026, in line with the administration’s commitment to reinvigorating the State’s policy implementation framework and enhancing service delivery within the public sector.

Dr. Bakare, a former Director of Clinical Services at the OAGH, is a seasoned public health physician, family dentist, healthcare strategist, and public administration expert, bringing over two decades of experience in healthcare service delivery and institutional leadership to her new role. 

Her appointment comes at a time when the Lagos State health sector continues to prioritise quality healthcare, innovation, workforce development, and improved patient outcomes in line with the THEMES+ Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052.

Before her recent appointment, Dr. Bakare played a pivotal role in the transformation of Orile-Agege General Hospital through strategic planning, quality improvement initiatives, policy development, and healthcare systems strengthening.

She was instrumental in the development of the hospital's Business Model and Positioning Strategy and contributed significantly to its 10-Year Strategic Plan (2016–2026), helping to position the institution as an emerging centre for clinical training and healthcare excellence.

An alumna of the Blavatnik School of Government and Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Bakare has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership in healthcare management. She is widely recognised for mentoring quality improvement programmes across several Lagos State General Hospitals and for championing innovations that enhanced service delivery and institutional performance.

Her contributions to healthcare policy development are equally notable. She was part of the think tank that developed the Lagos State Oral Health Policy in 2013 and contributed to the formulation of four additional state health policies, helping to shape healthcare delivery reforms across Lagos State.

Dr. Bakare's commitment to quality healthcare has yielded measurable results. Under her leadership in quality improvement initiatives, Orile-Agege General Hospital improved its SafeCare rating from Level 3 to Level 4, a feat that contributed to the hospital's recognition at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) in 2025.

Beyond institutional development, she has remained passionate about community health and social impact. She played a leading role in the hospital's community outreach programmes, including the "Back to School" initiative and the School Oral Health Programme, which provided oral health screening for students across public schools within the community. 

She also facilitated strategic partnerships that supported maternal and child health interventions, including a corporate social responsibility initiative that provides monthly nutritional support for pregnant women and children receiving care at the hospital.

Her efforts have earned her several awards and recognitions, including the OAGH Outstanding Leadership Award, the HSC Award for Impactful Service, the HSC Most Outstanding Quality Improvement Mentor Award, and the Lagos State Merit Award.

As she assumes office as the Acting Medical Director of OAGH, stakeholders within the health sector have expressed confidence in her ability to build on existing achievements and further position the Hospital as a model institution for quality healthcare delivery, innovation, clinical governance, training, and operational excellence.

Speaking on her vision for the hospital, Dr. Bakare reaffirmed her commitment to advancing healthcare excellence through quality improvement, workforce development, strategic partnerships, and sustainable health system strengthening. She emphasised the need to continually improve patient care outcomes while ensuring that the hospital remains responsive to the healthcare needs of the people.

Her appointment marks a new chapter in the growth and development of Orile-Agege General Hospital, with expectations high that her wealth of experience, strategic leadership, and passion for service will further strengthen the institution's role in delivering accessible, quality, and patient-centred healthcare to residents of Lagos State.

#AGreaterLagosRising

Lagos Monitoring Team