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Yoruba Assembly Warn Against Coup, Says Restructuring Key To Nigeria’s Stability

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Yoruba Assembly

By Akinwale Kasali

Emphasises Yoruba people may be forced to organise itself

The Yoruba Assembly has warned of dire consequences if the Military makes any attempt to stage coup in Nigeria.

The group after its extensive conference which drew over 1000 people to Lagos on Wednesday said military incursion into politics at this time has the potential of throwing Nigeria into turmoil. The group also warned about latest reports that Islamic State of West Africa is about to attack Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Osun States saying that the Yoruba people may be forced to organize itself to resist the invasion in their quest for survival.

The group said it is worried about armed opposition to democracy which appears to be sponsored by fascist elements who live under the illusion that the control and management of Nigerian political economy is their birth right.

“We warn military adventurists to stay away from politics. Any attempt to truncate democracy at this moment will end up creating unprecedented violence”, the Yoruba Assembly warned.

In a speech by former National Assembly Lawmaker, Hon. Wale Osun, the Yoruba Assembly said though the military denied allegations of military coup, it however noted it has been the pattern for a certain cabal in the country to destabilize democratic structures once they perceive the loss of the stronghold on the political economy.

Yoruba Assembly said military intervention at this time will scuttle the economy, undermine free speech and destroy the gains of democracy since 1999 while setting the tone for ethnic violence across the country.

The Assembly said the antidote to the lingering situation in Nigeria is to restructure the country along the pre-independence format.

The lead speaker at the conference was Hon Osun and Other speakers that included renowned journalist, Adewale Adeoye, leaders of Pan Yoruba Groups, Rasaq Arogundade, Wasiu Afolabi, Rasaq Olokooba and Taofik Adeyemi, alongside representatives from Itsekiri in Delta State, Akoko Edo, Kwara and Kogi States.

The Summit cautioned desperate politicians not to exploit the socio-political situation to instigate military coup warning that the consequences are unpredictable if the military were to stage a comeback.

The Assembly condemned the invasion and killings in Yoruba ancestral land in Kogi and Kwara States warning that the people cannot continue to tolerate the brazen assault on the culture and heritage.

On Security, the Yoruba Assembly said the marauding terrorists, bandits and criminals in-spite of diverse kinetic and non kinetic efforts of the security agencies still manage to thrive and drive fear in the citizens.

“I believe the circulating news about their activities are more real than unreal, and the Oke Ode implosion in Kwara state is a dire warning to each of the Yoruba states in our region.

“Have we not been silent witnesses  to the murder of a traditional ruler, Onikoro of Ikoro in our domain?  Have some communities not been overrun by these terrorists wrongfully described as herdsmen, in pursuit of a livelihood, when in reality they are a nationality alien to Nigeria in pursuit of land conquest, occupation and political domination?

The Assembly however questioned what the governors and governments of the Yoruba states are doing.

“Does any of them think or is any in a position to contemplate that he acting by himself can protect his people?

“Even when the mighty force of the Federal government and her military sometimes wary under the onslaught of these terrorists! I doubt if the governors’ many internal and external travels would allow them concentrate on tackling the issue of insecurity under their nose.

“It cannot all be the responsibility of the Central government particularly when we speak of the need and inevitability of subnational policing system that is allowed to kit its formation and stand up to the marauders. The governors working together across the country should make the issue of subnational policing become a reality and degrade the cartel that had turned the National Police Agency into more or less an occupational police”.

The Group further said it was important in resolving the issue of insecurity in Yorubaland and in providing solutions to many developmental problems that face our people is the role of  traditional fathers.

“The Obas know themselves, and they must unite their acts if truly they are the custodians of our spirit and heritage. Without any delay a conference of all titular thrones in existence in 1960 to be joined by the Olubadan of Ibadan and Soun of Ogbomosho should quickly be co-convened by the Ooni of Ife and Alafin of Oyo before long.

“This should mark the beginning of positioning Yoruba traditional institutions for the ancestral roles marked out for them.

It emphasized agriculture, security and primary industrial productivity.

“Equally important is the place of Industrial Extension centers which in the days of yore, the Federal government groomed as Industrial Development Centers (IDCs) enabled states to play similar role as provided for the Agriculture Extension Centers.

The IDCs rally round potential small scale producers, masons, and furniture makers, auto mechanics operating fully from industrial parks, offer  technical and investment advice, and more than often, deploy the then Bank for Commerce and Industry to support their investment activities”.

Osun further contend that at the center of governance all the indices of growth are claimed; not by the federal government alone but by international agencies who for once could see a deliberate effort to revamp the nation’s economic policies: viz a steadily growing revenue earnings, a Gross Domestic Product, marked to grow at 3.4% in 2024 and 3.8% this quarter; even if regrettably driven more by the financial services sectors rather than the real and or productive sectors.

The group identified a declining inflation which in mid 2024 was 34% but has steadily come down to 22% by September, according to the latest figures by the National Bureau of Statistics( NBS . )

“We can reel out positive figures on the Nigerian economy, but how are they  being  translated to growth and development felt by the ordinary citizen, rather than just stories of growth disbelieved and spurned by a grumbling populace?

“By my own assessment, the economic iron is already in a blistering furnace, what is left is the additional determination and will to ensure that all citizens benefit from the products of the blast furnace. That is all we can describe as development.’On governance in the South West states, Osun said the State Governors need to do more.

“That you need to collaborate with one another, really lean on one another to grow our region. And is the reason that each one of you should work with other interests towards supporting a complete rework of the 1999 Unitary Constitution to a Federal and regional Constitution where the federating units will have the autonomy to advance the wellbeing of their citizens”.

British Firm Injects $40 Million Into Rehabilitation Of Cocoa Plantations In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Mr Jonny Baxter with Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

British International Investment has invested over $40 million in Ondo state to rehabilitate cocoa plantations.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jonny Baxter, disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure, during a visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Baxter disclosed that “Our relationship with Nigeria is now a partnership of equals.

“For instance, the British International Investment (BII) has invested over $40 million in JohnVents here in Ondo to rehabilitate cocoa plantations. We are focused on investments that will benefit both countries.”

He added that BII also provides funding to Nigerian banks to help reduce interest rates and expand credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“The aim is to make capital more affordable and accessible for Nigerian businesses. If we can reduce the cost of capital, more Nigerian institutions will grow stronger and drive economic development.”

Baxter noted that the UK government was eager to understand Ondo’s public-private partnership models and identify areas where British institutions could complement the state’s economic agenda.

Responding, Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa, urged British investors to tap into the state’s abundant natural and economic resources, reaffirming his administration’s readiness to deepen development ties with the United Kingdom.

The Governor, who described Ondo as a land of vast opportunities, told the delegation that the state remains Nigeria’s largest cocoa producer, contributing about 40 per cent of the country’s total output.

The Governor noted that Ondo is endowed with bitumen, coal, gold, gas and other mineral resources, alongside expansive arable land suitable for agriculture.

“This is the land of coco. It was from cocoa that the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo developed the Western Region, building Africa’s first television station, the Cocoa House and several other infrastructures. Ondo is still leading in cocoa production today.”

Welcoming the visiting team, which included the Deputy Political Commissioner, Janet Baxter; Senior Political Adviser, Wale Adebadu; Private Sector Adviser for Finance and Investment, Ms Tevi Hake Demadi; and Digital Communication Lead, Ms Ifeoluwa Hatuludu, the Governor said the state’s population stands at 5.3 million, with a landmass of 15,500 square kilometres and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is approximately ₦5.1 trillion, ranking seventh among Nigeria’s 36 states.

Highlighting the state’s strategic advantages, he noted that Ondo has the longest coastline in Nigeria, which serves as a major gateway to international trade, adding that plans were underway to develop a deep seaport to boost exports and unlock the state’s blue economy potential.

The Governor emphasised that Nigeria’s relationship with the United Kingdom had evolved from colonial and donor dependency into a partnership centred on investment and institutional collaboration.

Governor Aiyedatiwa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting that while the policies initially caused hardship, they had begun to stabilise the economy, enabling states like Ondo to perform better financially.

He also revealed that his administration had established a one-stop investment office to assist new investors from documentation to full operations, assuring that the state had significantly improved its security architecture to support business stability.

The Governor mentioned new projects, including a modular refinery and an upcoming chemical plant, both backed by investors working with the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA).

Terror Attack Alert: Ondo Re-assures Residents, In Touch With Security Agencies

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Police on Duty

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Government has assured residents of their safety following a leaked security memo from the State Security Services (SSS) warning of possible terrorist attacks in some parts of the state.

The memo, addressed to the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, listed Eriti Akoko and Oyin Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town in Owo Local Government Area, as potential targets.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had stated in a memo that it’s personnel uncovered plot by terrorists to attack parts of Ondo and Kogi States by suspected fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

This is coming after June 22 terrorists attacks of a Catholic Church, at Owo, which claimed lives and destroyed properties.

In a confidential memo dated October 20, 2025, and addressed to the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Owena Cantonment, Akure, the DSS warned that credible intelligence confirmed plans by the insurgents to launch coordinated assaults on several communities.

The memo, signed by Hi Kana, Director of Security, DSS Ondo State Command, specifically listed Eriti Akoko and Oyin Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town in Owo Local Government Area, as potential targets.

According to the secret service, ISWAP operatives have already commenced surveillance on soft targets in the identified areas, prompting a call for the immediate strengthening of security operations to avert tragedy.

“Intelligence confirmed plans by members of ISWAP to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon.

“The level of security alertness across the identified communities should be immediately scaled up to prevent loss of lives and property.”

However, in a a statement, Ondo state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku said the government is aware of the security alert and is working closely with security agencies to prevent any attack.

According to him, necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of residents, particularly those in border communities.

The government urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.

“We want to reassure you that every measure is being taken to prevent any attack in Ondo State.

“The Ondo State government, led by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, is in constant contact with security agencies and is taking several steps to protect residents.

“The government is working to maintain peace and security in the state and appeals to residents to cooperate with security agencies and provide any information that may help prevent any threat.

“The government appreciates the importance of collaboration between security agencies and the public in preventing and responding to potential threats.

“Residents are encouraged to go about their normal daily activities while remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Bauchi Creates 14 New Emirates, Chiefdoms

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bala Mohammed - Governor of Bauchi State
Governor Bala Mohammad

By Ayodele Oni

Bauchi State Governor,  Bala Mohammed, has explained that the creation of additional Emirate Councils in the State is to make them serve as centre for grassroots governance, conflict resolution, and socio-economic advancement in line with the principle of leaving no one behind.

Speaking in Bauchi during the signing into law two landmark bills, namely the Bauchi State Emirates and Chieftaincies Law, 2025, and the Zaar Chiefdom Law, 2025, the governor declared that “This is not an act of politics, but of policy, not a reward for loyalty, but a recognition of merit and necessity.”

The signing of the bills held at the Government House, Bauchi, marks a defining moment in the state’s governance history as it formally creates 14 new Emirates and Chiefdoms, including the much-anticipated Zaar Chiefdom with headquarters at Mhrim.

Governor Mohammed pointed out that “We are strengthening traditional governance to promote inclusion, peace, and sustainable growth.”

He noted that the Bauchi of 2025 is vastly different from that of 1976, adding that the evolving population and governance demands require reforms that renew tradition while ensuring relevance to modern realities.

The process, the governor explained, began after numerous appeals from communities across the twenty local government areas.

“In response, the state government set up a High-Powered Committee chaired by Hamza Koshe Akuyam on July 17, 2025, to review all requests and make recommendations based on fairness, historical facts, and community consensus.

“The committee received hundreds of memoranda, conducted public hearings, and consulted with experts and traditional leaders.

“Its recommendations were later forwarded to the Bauchi State House of Assembly, which subjected the bills to extensive deliberation and public scrutiny before unanimously passing them into law.”

The Governor commended the legislature for its patriotism and partnership, describing the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms as a model of democratic governance.

The newly created traditional councils are located in Burra, Dambam, Darazo, Duguri, Gamawa, Giade, Toro, Warji, Ari, Jama’a, Lame, Bununu, Lere, and the Zaar Chiefdom.

According to him, the reform is also expected to boost local revenue generation, enhance data collection, and improve access to developmental interventions from both national and international partners.

Mohammed warned against any attempt to undermine or politicize the implementation of the new laws, stressing that peace and order must prevail.

“Any person or group found spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt public peace will face the full consequences of the law. Leadership is a trust from Almighty Allah, and we will all account for how we use it” he said.

In addition to the chieftaincy laws, the governor also assented to two other significant bills, the Bauchi State Supplementary Appropriation Law, 2025 and the Bauchi State Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Law, 2025 — aimed at improving fiscal responsibility and social welfare administration.

He expressed appreciation to the State Executive Council, the Akuyam Committee, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders for their support and cooperation throughout the process.

“As Bauchi State prepares to mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, the reforms serves as a gift to posterity, a foundation for inclusion, and a framework for sustainable governance that aligns with the state’s long-term development plan and the global SDG agenda.

“We have proven that reform can be done with consultation, consensus, and compassion. We did not divide our people; we brought them closer. We did not impose change; we guided it.”

Lecturers Return To Classes As ASUU Suspends Two Weeks Warning Strike

By
Ayodele Oni
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Christopher Piwuna - ASUU President

By Ayodele Oni

Citing achieving reasonable success in discussion with federal government officials, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its ongoing two-week warning strike.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made this known in an ongoing press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Piwuna, the decision stemmed from the meeting of the National Executive Council meeting which was held overnight and ended by 4:00 am on Wednesday.

Piwuna noted that the union decided to embark on the strike due to the failure of the government to meet its demands on time.

“We have had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. However, we are definitely not where we were prior to the commencement of the strike.

“The union acknowledged that the government returned to the negotiation table. While noting that a lot more work is still required, NEC came to the conclusion that the ongoing strike should be reviewed.

“The decision to review the strike action was a result of efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians.”

Recall that ASUU declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13.

ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.

Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).

Genocide Against Christians: Sultan Warns Against Religious War

By
James Orji
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Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa'ad Abubakar
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar lll, has debunked claims of genocide against Christians in northern part of Nigeria. He said such claim is capable of dividing the country and incite religious violence in the country.
According to the traditional ruler who’s also the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, the claim is false and capable of setting people of the two major religions in the country who have been living peacefully against each other.
The Sultan made the remark  while speaking at a recent meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
He stressed that the claim could create tension, and set the country ablaze, urging Nigerians to support security agencies to defeat insurgency and banditry.
“From time immemorial, Christians and Muslims have lived as brothers in the North. These allegations are false and are merely aimed at sowing discord among the inseparable faithful.
“Without the military, we wouldn’t be here holding this meeting comfortably. Therefore, we must encourage them to do more,” Sultan Abubakar said.
The Sultan’s remark comes amid recent move by the United States government to add Nigeria to the list of “Particular Concern” after the President Donald Trump’s administration accused the federal government of turning the blind eye to allege killings of Christians in the country.
The US moves followed the allegation by Senator Ted Cruz from Texas that mass murder is being committed against Christians in Nigeria.
Another US lawmaker, Riley M. More, in a recent letter to President Trump to take immediate action against alleged systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in the country.
In the letter, Rep. Moore wrote, “I write to urge you to take immediate action to address the systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in Nigeria.
“As a Christian nation founded upon biblical principles, the United States bears a unique obligation to stand for the freedom and protection of Christians worldwide. Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, and the United States cannot stand idly by.
“I urge you to use all diplomatic tools available, including designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and halting arms sales and all associated technical support until the Nigerian government demonstrates it is sufficiently committed to ending this reign of persecution and slaughter.”
The federal government has however debunked the allegation.

OPINION: Why Tinubu Must Address Rising Cost Of Rent, Properties In Nigeria

By
James Orji
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President Bola Tinubu
By Anirejuoritse Ojuyah
Your Excellency,
With the highest respect for your person and office, and in recognition of your commitment to building a fair and prosperous Nigeria, I write as a concerned professional citizen to express my deep concern over the persistent and unregulated rise in the cost of rent and property sales across our country.
Every day, millions of hardworking Nigerians — civil servants, traders, artisans, young graduates, and families — struggle to secure or maintain decent shelter. The dream of home ownership has become increasingly distant, while many tenants face sudden rent hikes that far exceed their means. This situation has placed countless households under emotional and financial strain.
This is not merely an economic challenge; it is a humanitarian one. Shelter is a fundamental necessity of life and a key measure of social welfare. When people cannot afford a roof over their heads, it erodes family stability, productivity, and hope — the very fabric of our nation.
While the relative stability of the foreign exchange market under your administration has helped to steady the cost of building materials, the continuous increase in rent and property prices suggests that deeper issues are at play.
It has become necessary for the government to investigate the true causes of these persistent hikes — whether they stem from speculative pricing, market manipulation, weak regulatory enforcement, or limited housing supply — and to take decisive action to address them.
Your Excellency, nowhere is this crisis more visible than in Lagos, our nation’s economic capital and commercial nerve centre.
In just a few years, rent in several parts of Lagos has risen by over 400 percent. A three-bedroom apartment that once cost N2.5 million now goes for between N8 million and N12 million, while serviced apartments in high-demand areas such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki have jumped from N6 million to as high as N30–N35 million per annum.
Even middle-income neighbourhoods like Yaba, Surulere, and Gbagada have not been spared, where modest two-bedroom flats that once rented for N600,000 now exceed N2 million.
This unprecedented increase is forcing residents to relocate farther from their workplaces, pushing workers into lengthy commutes and overburdening public infrastructure. It is also widening inequality — creating a city that caters to the wealthy but squeezes out the middle and working class.
If Lagos — the model city of commerce and progress — is becoming unaffordable to the people who drive its economy, then it is a warning sign for the rest of the country.
The Broader Impact
Beyond the hardship faced by individuals and families, this situation is also having serious economic consequences. Many small and medium-sized businesses can no longer afford the unreasonable rent increases on commercial spaces.
As a result, numerous shops, offices, and workshops are closing down — leading to loss of livelihoods, increased unemployment, and reduced productivity. This knock-on effect is shrinking the middle class, discouraging entrepreneurship, and slowing down local economic growth.
If left unchecked, the housing and rent crisis could undermine your administration’s efforts to create jobs, stabilise prices, and promote inclusive economic recovery.
Recommendations for Urgent Action
In light of this, I humbly appeal that your administration kindly consider the following measures:
Initiate a National Housing and Rent Control Framework — in collaboration with state governments, to ensure fair and stable rent practices across urban centres.
Strengthen the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to effectively regulate property development and pricing nationwide.
Expand affordable housing schemes for low- and middle-income earners through public-private partnerships and cooperative models.
Support mortgage reforms to make home loans more accessible, especially to civil servants and young Nigerians.
Introduce tax incentives for landlords and developers who provide affordable housing options.
Investigate the root causes of high rent and property prices and establish transparent guidelines that protect both landlords and tenants from exploitation.
Encourage state governments to implement rent regulation mechanisms tailored to their local realities.
Support small and medium-sized businesses through rent relief or subsidy schemes where unreasonable rent hikes threaten employment and stability.
A Call for Compassionate Leadership
Your Excellency, I write this letter in the spirit of faith and hope — faith in your Renewed Hope Agenda, and hope that every Nigerian will one day have the dignity of living and working in a stable and affordable environment.
A nation’s greatness is not measured by the wealth of a few, but by the well-being and productivity of the many. Lagos stands as both a warning and an opportunity — to reform the housing system, restore affordability, and rekindle the belief that Nigeria can truly work for everyone.
May Almighty God grant you continued wisdom, health, and strength as you lead our country through these transformative times.
With my highest regard and sincere respect.
 Ojuyah is an urban policy analyst

NELFUND Opens Loan Application Portal

By
James Orji
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NELFUND
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has announced the opening of its online application portal for students seeking financial assistance for the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to a statement issued by the Fund, the application window will run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.
NELFUND stressed that all accredited tertiary institutions have been directed to upload verified data of both newly admitted and returning students on the Student Verification Portal. Only verified students will be eligible to access the loan, the management said
NELFUND added that for first-year students who do not yet have matriculation numbers, JAMB registration numbers or admission numbers can be used for verification purposes.
The agency further appealed to universities and other tertiary institutions to exercise flexibility with registration and payment deadlines, to ensure that students awaiting disbursement of approved loans are not unduly penalized. It also urged institutions that have not commenced the new session to share their academic calendars with the Fund to enable effective scheduling of disbursement timelines.
NELFUND described the loan scheme as a major step towards equitable access to higher education and a tool for reducing financial barriers faced by students. The loan application process, according to the Fund, is fully digital, free of charge, and can be completed within 15 to 30 minutes through the official portal — portal.nelf.gov.ng.
The management also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in loan processing, stressing that collaboration with institutions remains key to achieving seamless verification and disbursement.
The Fund, established under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  provides interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students to ensure that no citizen is denied access to tertiary education due to financial challenges.
it supports students from federal and state-owned tertiary institutions across the country in the payment of tuition and also provide eligible students monthly feeding stipends.

A Tribute: Senator Abba Moro’s Calm Walk With Death

By
The Source
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Senator Patrick Abba Moro

By James Uloko

When the news arrived that his son’s car had slammed into another vehicle in the opposite direction while attempting to dodge a herd of roaming cattle, Senator Moro felt his  world shook, certainly every thing around him stopped momentarily.

‎He had already buried a grandson twelve hours earlier, the earth of sleepy Okungaga still fresh, and now another loss pressed its cold hand on his shoulder.

‎He turned his eyes to the mortuary balcony, not with trembling limbs but with the measured poise of a man who knows that time can not be rewound, that lament will not turn the hands clock.

‎He stood, shoulders squared, a thin line of sweat glistening at his neck, the only betrayal of the storm inside him. The attendants moved about, preparing the body, and Moro watched, his breath steady as they slipped the son’s travelling box onto the mortuary floor, whispering a silent promise of a final journey.

‎One of his children reached into the box, lifted a simple multi- colour  up – and down jumper, and took it inside the mortuary. At this point, Abba, anxious to take a glimpse of son’s body, asked whether he could come inside the mortuary.

‎The attendant turned down his request as if to spare him more of fatherly heart- wrenching agony. He stood calm, perhaps wondering why the attendant could turn down the last wish of a father.

‎Now, he moved closer to me , I tried to tell him a story, perhaps to amuse him in the hope that the storm raging in him could simmer. He gave a suppressed smile.

‎When the embalming was done, he walked, step by measured step, to the place where his son lay. He placed a hand on the cold forehead of deceased son, then turned, stormed out stoically and thus the beginning of our long journey to Okungaga, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, his home local government area, one of the nine  Local Government areas he represents at the Red Chamber in Abuja, 470 kilometres away via Lokoja.

‎The road stretched, the sun rose and fell, but Moro’s gait never faltered. We arrived at the village before the clock struck nine that evening, the mourners already gathered, the grave already waiting.

‎He stood still again, his composure intact as his kinsmen guided his son into the earth while he watched with the same calm and candour he had carried from the balcony of the mortuary in Abuja to the wailing night of his Okungaga village.

‎Now it was 12 midnight, time to retire and prepare for another round of journey back to Abuja where the story of this unimaginable tragedy and Senator’s  courageous walk with death all began.

Uloko, JP, is Executive Director, Corporate Services, North Central Development Commission

Protest Rocks Surulere, As Community Kicks Against Proposed Cemetery In Area

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Protest in Surulere over Cemetery

By Akinwale Kasali

There was massive protest in Surulere area of Lagos State, as residents of Natufe Estate and surrounding communities in the Bode Thomas area of Surulere, Lagos defied heavy rainfall over the weekend to protest the alleged construction of a cemetery within their neighbourhood.

The protest, which drew large crowds from Natufe, Animashaun, and adjoining streets, took place at the disputed site, a wide expanse of land off Babs Animashaun Road, bordered by residential buildings, a school, and a church, just a few metres from the Bode Thomas junction traffic light.

The protesters carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Cemetery Here”, “Our Health Matters”, and “Protect Our Children, Stop the Cemetery Project”, the demonstrators accused the developers of attempting to force the project on them without community consent.

The protesters raised concerns over health and environmental issies.

Speaking during the protest, some residents said the proposed burial ground poses grave health risks due to potential groundwater contamination and environmental hazards.

Seyi Oluwafolalu, a resident, warned that decomposing human remains could contaminate the community’s borehole water supply, especially as the area is already prone to flooding.

“This area is waterlogged. Once it rains, water rises across compounds. If a cemetery is built here, the leachate from decomposing bodies can seep into our boreholes, exposing families to infectious diseases,” he said.

Experts have long cautioned that cemeteries located within residential zones can leach harmful pathogens, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals into groundwater.

The World Health Organization, WHO, also notes that poorly planned cemeteries in flood-prone areas increase the risk of contamination of drinking water sources, potentially causing cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne diseases.

Residents also expressed fears that the site could become a hub for ritual activities, insecurity, and psychological trauma, especially for children and women who move around the area at night.

The Community Leaders in the area stated that they are been manipulated, but, remained defiant that the area would not serve as Cemetery.

Omolabake Aminat Buraimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe-Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), accused the developers and some government officials of conducting meetings without community representation.

“We have been opposing this project since 2020. We went to the Ministry of Physical Planning in Alausa twice. Suddenly, they called a meeting at short notice and claimed 60% of residents agreed, that’s false. They brought people from Orile, Mushin, and other places to represent us. We reject it completely,” she said.

Another resident,  Yinka Iluyomade, who has lived in the area for over 47 years, described the project as “a direct assault on community peace and property values.”

“How can you compare this to cemeteries abroad? Those are planned with strict environmental control. Here, insecurity is already an issue. Siting a cemetery in a densely populated area will worsen it,” she said.

Experts and Urban planners argue that cemeteries should only be located in controlled environments with proper soil testing, drainage systems, and at least 500 metres buffer distance from residential buildings, a guideline often ignored in Nigeria.

Olanrewaju Olaniyan, a former CDA chairman, said the community had written several petitions to ministries of Environment, Physical Planning, and Health.

“We lack good roads and public water supply. Now they want to impose a cemetery that could worsen our health and security challenges. We’ve written to 11 ministries and agencies, yet no action,” he said.

He stressed that cemeteries within urban centres violate international best practices, which recommend siting such facilities on the outskirts of towns to prevent contamination and maintain public safety.

The residents further stated that if a Cemetery is located in the area, it will further devalue their Property and also have Socioeconomic Impact.

Real estate experts note that the presence of cemeteries within residential zones can reduce property values by up to 60 percent. Residents fear their investments and long-term livelihood will be jeopardized if the project continues.

“Nobody wants to live beside graves. Businesses will relocate, schools will lose students, and house rents will drop drastically,” said another resident stated.

Following this massive protest that shook the entire Surulere area of the State, the Lagos State Government is Yet to respond nor issue a statement as regards this development.

The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development had not issued an official statement on the matter which had further raised concern about the stance of the Lagos State Government on the issue.

Community leaders, however, vowed to sustain their peaceful demonstrations until the project is halted and the land use reverted.

Environmental health experts emphasize that cemeteries within residential zones pose long-term risks to water quality, soil health, and mental wellbeing. Proper zoning, groundwater testing, and environmental impact assessments are essential before such developments are approved.

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