Lagosians Lament Excesses of State Police Taskforce, Writes Gov. Sanwo-Olu

 Eniola Jacobs

Dear Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State task force arresting bike riders on the road needs reform, and the civilian touts working with them should be banned. 

The Lagos State Taskforce  chairman and police officers are operating independently for their own gain rather than on behalf of the Lagos State government. 

The majority of the bikes they are arresting are being sold off for themselves, with a 150,000&200,000 naira bail collected for some, and the few that are not functioning properly left at their office!

On 14 of january 2026, I was in a car with a friend at Dopemu under bridge along santous Lagos, around 9:25 pm. 

I wanted to buy fruit 🍎, when I saw four boys running after two bikes. 

They pushed the bike man while he was moving, wounded him with a weapon, and tear-gassed him!  I couldn’t take it and questioned him about why he did this. Did he want to kill someone? 

He’s not even a police officer but they called them AJA Taskforce ( Taskfoce Dog 🐕 ) all of them are criminals, he came to me and other boys came directly to me and started talking. 

Before I knew it, one of them removed a tear gas canister and pushed it towards my face, but I blocked it. A colleague who was also inside the car came out and challenged them before they left with two bikes last night

I asked the riders what was going to happen now, and they said the bikes were gone because they couldn’t be traced, as they had been purchased on installment payments.😢 

The Lagos State Government needs to ban civilian touts working with the Lagos state task force and the task force also needs to be reformed. 

The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo, is  making a lot of money for himself through the selling and bailing of bikes they claim to have arrested!

Lagos Nigeria 

Gov. Sanwo-Olu Unveils J Randle Centre For Yoruba Culture and History For Public

Yomi Durojaye 

...creative centre where you can dream dreams - Commissioner for Tourism, Toke-Benson 

The Lagos State Governor, Mr.  Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled the newly renovated J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

R-L: Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Toke-Benson and Qudus Onikeku

It was unveiled during a a week long  maiden edition of Afropolis Lagos Festival, an international festival of arts, creativity and innovation, as part of activities to mark the festival.

Sanwo-Olu also announced the appointment of Nigerian multimodal international artiste, Qudus Onikeku, as the Centre Director for the J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Qudus Onikeku will now be the Centre Director for the J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. 

“Qudus is fit to manage this place. We are going to be relying on your expertise and skill for the proper management of this centre.

“He  brought the idea of this Afropolis festival, for players in the creative sector to express themselves because we are aware that Lagos is home to lots of creative minds.

“This is a destination for the entire creative sector and people of innovation. It is appropriate for research, meetings, relaxation with lots of hospitality.”

According to him, it is a centre for the younger creatives to develop their talents.

“This is not a localised space, what we have here are things that bring the entire south west states together; you will see Obatala, Oranmiyan and other deities in the Yoruba kingdom.

“I am using this opportunity to say that we are deliberate in christening this place, it is open for the entire Yoruba race, everyone who wants to showcase anything creativity,” he added.

Speaking during the interview, The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the creative centre where a creative entrepreneurs can dream their dreams.

Token-Benson said the centre is not just about Lagos culture but embedded a collective dream, a dream of unity, understanding, and appreciation for the nation’s shared cultural identity.

“The John Randle Centre will serve as a beacon of knowledge, highlighting the profound contributions of our ancestors and the enduring spirit of our culture.

“It envisions a space where the stories of our forebears come alive, a place resonating with traditional music, showcasing intricate artistry, and sharing the vibrant narratives of our history.

“This centre is designed to foster a deep sense of connection and pride among all who visit.

“Importantly, this initiative is not only about preservation, it is about innovation.

“We invite our youth to engage with and reinterpret our heritage in contemporary ways, bridging the gap between generations and ensuring our culture remains dynamic and relevant,” she concluded.

Creative entrepreneurs, Historians, fun seekers were advised to visit J Randle Cultural Center where Afropolis Lagos Festival is currently going on to showcase their talents.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu Appoints Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo Member, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission | AgegePulse Magazine

...Appoints New Chairman

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the nomination of a new Chairman and Members of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission.

In a Statement released by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated that Mr. Governor’s approval of the new Nominees, which was in accordance with the provisions of relevant State Laws, was consequent upon the expiration of the tenure of Office of the former Commission Chairman and members, to whom he expressed Government’s deep appreciation for the services rendered to the State.

The statement noted that the newly nominated Chairman and Members, whose appointments is subject to the confirmation of the Lagos State House of Assembly, had been considered based on their sterling credentials, integrity and depth of experience in Local Government Administration. The Nominees are:

LAGOS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION (LGSC)

i. Hon. Kamal Baiyewu - Chairman

ii. Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo - Member

iii. Mr. Ahmed Seriki - Member

iv. Engr. Biodun Orekoya - Member

v. Hon. Akeem Bamgbola - Member

#LASG

#HealingLagos

#ForAGr