LASG Reaffirms Commitment To Youth Creativity, Talent Development, Creative Arts At Grand Finale of EKO Schools Arts, Crafts 2.0

Yomi Durojaye

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young creative talents and strengthening the State’s creative economy through sustained investment in arts education, skills development, mentorship, and talent discovery.

The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Bonu Solomon made the affirmation at the Grand Finale and Prize Presentation Ceremony of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition 2.0 held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026.

Bonu described the competition as a strategic platform for young people to showcase talent and creativity. “Initiatives like this empower students and prepare them to become future leaders and contributors to Lagos State’s socio-economic development,” he said.

According to him, “The future of Lagos begins with you. This platform is designed to equip, inspire, and encourage students to harness their talents, develop their creative abilities, and contribute meaningfully to our State’s growth.”

He commended the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for sustaining the initiative and for providing a consistent platform to discover and nurture emerging creative talents.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, who represented the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Shuaib Agoro, described the competition as an outstanding showcase of talent, creativity, and innovation. He said the initiative gives young people a platform to display artistic ability, gain recognition, and build confidence in their creative potential.

Mr. Agoro applauded the organisers for creating opportunities for self-expression through the arts, noting that such programmes complement the State Government’s drive to promote holistic education and talent development. He urged participants to remain focused on skill development and excellence, and wished them success in their future careers.

Giving a background into the competition, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismail said the competition, which is in its second edition, recorded 489 registered students while only 132 applicants submitted entries from schools across Lagos State’s five divisions and from tertiary institutions.

She noted that students competed in Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Beadwork, Textile Design, Leatherwork, Digital Art, and Upcycling. After rigorous assessment by an independent panel of judges, outstanding entries were shortlisted and honoured at the finale.

She advised the students to develop a passion for the arts beyond the competition, saying that arts and crafts are lucrative and can position them for greater opportunities later in life.

Dignitaries present in attendance included Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries, Lagos State Education District IV, Mr. Olufemi Bamidele Paseda;  Lagos State Education District II, Mr. Omotayo Layemo Sanni; Education Lagos State District I, Dr. (Mrs.) Idowu Olufunke Oyetola, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation, Mrs. Toyin Anjous-Ademuyiwa, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Tertiary Education, Mrs. Olubunmi Ibidapo-Obe and a renowned medical doctor, artist, and member of the judging panel, Mr. Fola David

  

Management and Members of staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, government officials, legislators, school administrators, principals, teachers, parents, development partners, media representatives, and students from various institutions across Lagos also attended.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of prizes, certificates, and recognition awards to outstanding participants whose works demonstrated creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence. The event reinforced Lagos State’s commitment to grooming the next generation of creative talents.

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LASG REAFFIRMS 10% CAP ON TENANCY AGREEMENT FEES, WARNS AGAINST ILLEGAL CHARGES

Eniola Ajose 

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its stance against the imposition of excessive tenancy agreement fees, reminding all stakeholders within the state that the stipulated maximum remains 10% of the annual rent.

This declaration was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Housing, Barrister. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.

Barr. Odunuga-Bakare underscored the clarity and unambiguous nature of the Lagos State Tenancy Law, stating unequivocally that any landlord or agent found demanding or collecting more than 10 per cent of the annual rent as agreement or legal fees is in direct violation of the state’s tenancy regulations.

Expressing concern over reports of unscrupulous practices, the Special Adviser stated, "We have been overwhelmed by reports of the activities of these unscrupulous elements making life hard for Lagosians with agreements and commissions that is like asking for an arm and a leg. We are calling on members of the public not to keep silent but to report such agents and landlords to us for the government cannot be everywhere, every time”.

Acknowledging the significant challenges posed by the nation's burgeoning population and increasing rural-urban migration on the state's housing sector, Barr. Odunuga-Bakare recognised that this situation has unfortunately created opportunities for some individuals to exploit vulnerable residents. However, she firmly asserted the State Government's unwavering commitment to regulating and sanitising the housing sector to protect the interests of Lagosians.

Furthermore, Barr. Odunuga-Bakare highlighted the collaborative efforts between the government and recognised associations of real estate agents. "We have met with associations of real estate agents, and they have assured us that the people who are engaging in such practices are not registered agents that identify with their associations," she noted, suggesting that these illegal activities are often perpetrated by unregistered individuals operating outside the purview of established professional bodies."

The Lagos State Government urges all residents who encounter demands for tenancy agreement fees exceeding the legally mandated 10% to report such incidents through the Lagos State Real Estate Regulating Authority (LASRERA) on Facebook, Instagram: lasrera 1 and X (formerly Twitter) @lasrera

This call to action aims to empower citizens and ensure the effective enforcement of the Tenancy Law, thereby fostering a fairer and more transparent housing market in Lagos State.

LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING

 Yomi Durojaye 

The Lagos State Government has once again emphasised its firm stance against any form of child trafficking and, in particular, the buying and selling of children within the State.

LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING

Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, made this declaration at a press briefing aimed at sensitising the public on the prohibition of child trafficking. The event also saw the handover of several children, rescued by the Nigeria Police Force, to the Ministry. The briefing was held on Friday at the Zone II Police Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.

Mr. Ogunlende praised the Police for rescuing five children - Marvelous Obi (M, One-Year-Old), Promise Ifekwuna (M, Three-Year-Old), Somtochukwu Onyemaechi (M, One-Year-Old), Chibuzornma Onyemaechi (F, Three-Year-Old), and Praise Chukwu Ibezim (M, Six-Year-Old) - from a notorious child trafficking syndicate led by Sunday Okputu.

He stated, "Today's gathering is a celebration of the positive results of collaboration. There is power in working together. This event also sends a strong message to those involved in this despicable trade: the buying and selling of children in Lagos State is illegal. They must cease this activity immediately. It will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The government of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of every child in Lagos. Children deserve to grow in a safe and nurturing environment".

In his remarks, DCP Ajao S. Adewale acknowledged that the achievement was a result of the strong collaboration between the Police, local communities, and various agencies. He noted that the effort aligns with the community and intelligence policing mandate given to the Zone II Police Command by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Fayoade M. Adegoke.

DCP Adewale explained further that the rescue operation, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, was based on intelligence received by the Command on January 8, 2025. 

"Intelligence revealed that this syndicate specialised in the buying and selling of newborn babies, toddlers, and children of various ages. The syndicate was led by Sunday Okputu, who supplied the children, while Ibezim Chioma (F) acted as a middle person and caregiver, and Chinasa Echelibe (F) was responsible for caring for the children before they were passed on to their prospective buyers", he added.

Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the need for proper care for every child in the State. She emphasised that adoption and guardianship options are available to ensure the welfare of all children.

Mrs. Oke-Osanyintolu further stated that the rescued children would be taken into government-run homes after undergoing necessary medical evaluations to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation.

CyberCrime: Police Arraign 113 Foreign Nationals, Reaffirms Capacity for Tackling Crime

Yomi Durojaye 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun., Ph.D., NPM., has reaffirmed the capabilities and expertise of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling cybercrimes and protecting cyberspace in Nigeria and beyond.

CyberCrime: Police Arraign 113 Foreign Nationals, Reaffirms Capacity for Tackling Crime

The IGP made this known while commending the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja for bursting a group of foreign Nationals involved in a series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams

The suspects were arrested on the 3rd of November 2024 in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). During investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC recovered a vast array of digital critical evidence, believed to be instrumental in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations. The recovered items include 1 Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops of different makes, smartphones of various brands, tablets, desktops, computers and keyboards, Harman/Kardon sound system, MTN routers, Huawei routers, Airtel routers, D-Link routers, Starlink routers, Gamepads, 1 Sony PlayStation 5, a central processing unit, Multiple SIM cards from both local international service Providers, High-capacity servers, Drones and specialized cyber equipment, international passports, identity cards, and travel documents.

These assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorized data breaches, marketing scams and other cybercrime activities. The scale and sophistication of the operation underscores the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.

As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.

The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, further reiterates that the Force is well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country.