IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Lagos State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with construction company, Summa Group, for the development and construction of international airport around the Lekki-Epe axis.

This was disclosed by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on his X handle on Saturday. Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Lekki-Epe International Airport will facilitate travel and create new opportunities for businesses and residents throughout the state.

The statement read, “We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the internationally acclaimed construction company, Summa Group, to develop and construct the much-awaited Lekki-Epe International Airport. “This groundbreaking initiative is an essential part of our vision to improve connectivity in Lagos, stimulate economic growth, and draw in global investments.

“The Lekki-Epe International Airport will facilitate travel and create new opportunities for businesses and residents throughout the state. Lagos leads, always.”

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the internationally acclaimed construction company, Summa Group, to develop and construct the much awaited Lekki-Epe International Airport. 

Hamas militants handed over three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the fifth exchange under a fragile Gaza ceasefire, with 183 prisoners held by Israel due to be released later in the day. The swap comes after US President Donald Trump proposed clearing out the Gaza Strip of its inhabitants and for the United States to take over the Palestinian territory — a plan that has sparked global uproar and been rejected by Hamas.

Jubilant crowds in Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv cheered as they watched live footage of the three hostages, flanked by masked gunmen, brought on stage in Deir el-Balah before being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The stage was festooned with a banner bearing images of destroyed Israeli armoured vehicles and a dejected-looking Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister.

Dozens of armed Hamas fighters had formed a cordon around the open area where the release took place, apparently to control crowds of onlookers. The three hostages were identified as Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami. Sharabi, 52, was at his home in kibbutz Beeri with his British-born wife and their two daughters when militants stormed it. The armed men shot their dog, before locking the family in their safe room and setting it on fire. The bodies of his wife and two daughters were later identified.

Levy was abducted from the Nova music festival, where gunmen murdered his wife. Ben Ami, who has dual Israeli-German citizenship, turned 56 in captivity. 

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has joined Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, months after her removal from office by President Bola Tinubu.

Kennedy-Ohanenye, who was appointed as minister in August 2023, was dismissed alongside four others in a cabinet reshuffle on October 23, 2024.

Barely four months after leaving office, the 51-year-old politician has transitioned into filmmaking.

Announcing her new career on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, she shared a video showcasing her latest film project.

A lawyer and entrepreneur, Kennedy-Ohanenye joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 and made history as the party’s first female presidential aspirant in 2023, before stepping down to support Tinubu. 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a nationwide crackdown on fake number plates, particularly those bearing tags of prestigious institutions like the presidency, Nigerian Youth Council (NYC), and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Lagos State FRSC Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, revealed on Channels Television that criminals exploit these tags to evade law enforcement, posing a security threat. He noted that many of these plates do not exist in the national vehicle registration database, making it difficult to track offenders.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has directed officials to impound vehicles linked to NANS as part of efforts to uphold the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS). However, NANS leadership has pushed back, warning of a nationwide protest if the directive is enforced. Despite the threats, FRSC maintains it will proceed with the operation. 

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for the death penalty for individuals involved in the distribution of fake drugs.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Adeyeye stressed that only severe punishments could deter drug peddlers, particularly when their actions lead to the deaths of children.

She cited a case where children’s medicine sold at a suspiciously low price was found to contain no active ingredients after laboratory testing.

“You don’t need a gun to kill a child—just give them bad medicine,” she stated, emphasizing the need for stricter legal consequences.

Adeyeye urged the judiciary and National Assembly to support tougher penalties, arguing that current laws, such as a mere five-year jail term or a N250,000 fine for offenders, are insufficient deterrents.

She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to working with lawmakers to strengthen regulations and ensure harsher penalties for those endangering public health. 

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to successfully hosting the first-ever Niger Delta Sports Festival.

Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit from the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Eno highlighted the unifying role of sports in strengthening ties among Niger Delta states. He expressed gratitude for Akwa Ibom's selection as the event’s host and assured the NDDC of the state’s readiness to collaborate for a successful festival.

The governor emphasized that the event would not only promote regional unity but also serve as a platform to showcase local sporting talent and boost economic activities.

Dr. Ogbuku noted that the festival aligns with the NDDC’s broader efforts to foster unity and showcase the region’s diverse talents. He stated that Akwa Ibom was chosen due to its peaceful environment and well-equipped sports facilities.

The festival, scheduled from April 1 to 8, will mark the NDDC’s 25th anniversary, with the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium set to host 20 sporting events. Athletes and sports enthusiasts from across the nine Niger Delta states are expected to participate in the week-long competition.