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Opinion

Lagos Heaps of Refuse and the Coming Rains

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By Eric Elezuo

The Cleaner Lagos Initiative initiated by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration late last year is without doubt one of the best things to have happened to the state in recent times. However, tried as it may, the initiative, handled and supervised by a highly reputable foreign based industry, Visionscape, has yet to give out the maximum of its services.

Earlier this year, the Lagos State House of Assembly passed a “Bill to Provide for the Management, Protection and Sustainable Development of the Environment in Lagos State and for other connected purposes.

The objective of the bill was to ensure a cleaner environment within the state in consonance with Ambode CLI project.

All these are no longer news today because assurances have flowed from various quarters involved in the cleaner Lagos project to live upto expectation in making Lagos clean again, and not return to those days when the city was reputed as one of the dirtiest world capitals. What is news today, however, is the the rains are upon us, and there is never a way heaps of dirt and rain can co-exist.

It is disheartening, whether we believe it or not that despite the Sanitation Law and the existence of LAWMA, among other efforts put in place by Governor Akinwumi Ambode, such as the concession of the waste management system to private holders, the city still wallow in piles of filth.

A few days ago when a major rain fell in Lagos, the sight was an eyesore. As a result therefore, there is an urgent need for the government to step up their game and drop whatever politics involved in apportioning duties to all the stakeholders involved in keeping Lagos clean. These included the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), who some time ago, warned that the new environmental sanitation initiative would only lead to crisis in the sector, in the attempt to replace the monthly sanitation exercise; the professional company, Visionscape, and Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).

The assurances of the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Adejare, that the era of wastes littering Lagos streets would soon be over, with the conclusion of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal with a Europe- based waste management firm is good, but will amount to nothing if no tangible effort is put to see its materialization.

In the same vein, Head of Public Affairs, LAWMA, Mr. Lanre Bajulaiye, assurance that, the authority was doing its best to ensure that all the streets and highways in Lagos were cleared of wastes soon, is also soothing. But it will make enduring sense if the dirt disappears before the rains set in heavily.

We believe so much in the administration of Governor Ambode based on his giant strides so far, in the bid to make Lagos a true smart city. However, it must be understood that the heaps of refuse are proving to be dent on the good and perfect works of the able administrator.

The time is now for more efforts to be put in to clear the refuse which has spared no part of the town, with areas outside Ikeja being the worst hit before the rains come in full force.

 

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Opinion

Dele Momodu: Charismatic Gentleman @65

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By Yemi Edun

Aare Dele Momodu is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable names, voices, and personalities to emerge from the world’s most populous Black nation Nigeria.

Anyone who has travelled with Bob Dee would understand the magnetic presence he carries from Atlanta Georgia, Accra to Nairobi, down to Central London. He receives nods of admiration, requests for photos, and warm pats on the back wherever he goes. A true cultural ambassador, effortlessly at ease in rich native attire, which his commanding presence makes look truly majestic, he wears native outfits like royalty.

He is a consummate storyteller, an indefatigable workhorse, and one of the most selfless and hospitable people I know. His generosity is legendary. Mention Dele Momodu at any Marriott Hotel in East Africa, and you can expect the red carpet to be rolled out.

I was stunned at Kotoka International Airport as immigration and customs officials broke into chants of “Ovation! Ovation!” while we walked through, it was surreal but perfectly fitting for a man so deeply respected.

Bob Dee is at home with the old and young, with royalty and regular folk alike. There are countless moments that reflect his goodness, but allow me to share just one:

In Summer 2023, while holidaying in Accra with my family, Aare generously assigned his Ghanaian chef to us for two full weeks serving delicious meals until we had to kindly ask him to pause! Not long after, he flew into Accra and hosted us at La Chaumiere his favourite upscale French restaurant, where his presence is evidently cherished.

As my daughter and I prepared to return to London, we discovered shockingly that her passport had expired just a day earlier. I had to remain behind to resolve the issue. By divine timing, Bob Dee called to check in, and upon hearing the situation, immediately sent his driver. We spent that night in his elegant Accra home.

The next morning, using her Nigerian passport, we flew into Lagos. On his advice, I contacted Mr. Governor, and thanks to that call and Bob Dee’s understanding of the terrain, a new British passport was issued the same day.

Happy Birthday, Aare. A charismatic gentleman, who treats all with warmth and deserved respect.

@yemiedundf

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Opinion

A Tribute of Grace to My Younger Brother, Dele Momodu, @65

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By Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

My Beloved Aburo,

Your heart beats with the rhythm of compassion,
Your laughter softens the storms of men,
And your pen—yes, that mighty pen—has built bridges where once stood walls.

Today, I speak not only with words,
But with the rhythm of gratitude,
The poetry of love,
And the dance of legacy.

You are more than a name—
You are Dele Momodu.
A spirit of honour.
A vessel of humility.
A generous soul.
A quiet strength wrapped in dignity and thunder.

In you, kindness flows like a river,
And generosity walks hand in hand with wisdom.

You have fed minds, lifted voices,
And sewn hope into the very fabric of Africa.

You write—oh, how you write—
With fire, with elegance, with truth.
You publish, you speak, you dream aloud.
You carry the soul of a president, even when the title passed by.

But allow me this honest moment:
As I turned through the pages of Ovation Magazine,
I searched for a picture of us—
You and I,
Captured in joy, frozen in memory.
But it was not there.

*Yes, I am jealous!*
I say it with a loving smile.
It’s alright… this time.
But when the next milestone arrives,
*When seventy comes knocking—*
*By the grace of God, we shall all be alive.*
And when that time comes,
Let my picture rise with yours,
Let our laughter live in history.
Let it not be forgotten—*again.*

So, as you are honoured today,
And as voices rise in celebration,
Know this, my dear brother:

You are deeply cherished.
You are profoundly celebrated.
And I—your sister, your friend, your family—
Walk with pride in your light.

May joy crown your 65 years,
And may heaven prepare glory for your 70th.

With all my heart and prayers,
Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

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Opinion

Towards a Non-Violent Local Government Election in Lagos State

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By Tola Ogunnubi

The upcoming July 12, 2025 Local Government Election in Lagos State is a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.

The election of executives at the grassroots level to run the affairs of the Local Government has always been a mixture of peace and violence between leading political parties, aspirants, indigenes and settlers in the various area councils. Local government elections is a critical element of democracy and governance which provides a vital pathway for new political participants to engage communities and impact governance from the ground up in their quest for good governance.

In Lagos State, elections have always been characterized with violence and peaceful conducts. Clashes between APC supporters and main opponents’ supporters from the PDP have been reported from various parts of the state like Surulere, Agege, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo and Kosofe LGAs of the state.

Election violence can diminish voter turnout, influence election outcomes, and erode public trust in the electoral system raising concerns about the legitimacy of results according to Yiaga Africa. Political parties should ensure that the local elections is not a zero sum game, whereby the winners takes it all and the benefits of good governance is limited and retained to only party members and loyalists.

The violence that led to the death of Jide Badaru and one other with several people injured in August 2018 in Surulere Local Government should not be allowed to happen again. According to the cousin of the deceased Mr. Babatunde Badaru, a former Local Government Chairmanship Aspirant in his accounts of the violence that characterizes elections in Surulere LGA.

The wanton destruction of properties, continued threat to lives of opposition supporters should be a thing of the past. Since it is a grassroots election, the African communal sense of being should be displayed during the elections. Perpetrators of electoral violence and their sponsors should be arrested and should be diligently prosecuted so as to deter others who see violence as a viable pathway to electoral victory.

Tola Ogunnubi ANIPR wrote in from Abuja Abuja

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