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Alaba International Market Demolition, Lagos Govt gave reasons
The Lagos state government says recent demolition of distressed buildings in Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Council was neither a witch-hunt nor intended to acquire the land but done to protect lives .
The general manage Lagos State Building Control Agency, (LABSCA) Gbolahan Oki explained this on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment of the demolition site.
Oki visited the market amid heavy downpour alongside his counterpart in Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authourityb (LASPPPA), Kehinde Osinaike, and the seven-man committee set up by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the aftermath of the demolition exercise.
They were led on the trip by Oluwole Sotire, permanent secretary of their parent parastatal, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
It would be recalled that South-East traders in the market, led by Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma, met with Mr Sanwo-Olu of Lagos to put to rest allegations of tribal bias behind the demolition exercise.
During the on-the-spot assessment, Mr Oki explained that the demolition was simply to enforce building regulations and laws, to prevent building collapse.
According to him, most of the demolished buildings were without permits, and necessary documentations needed by the state government were also ignored.
“All we are after is that the lives of traders and other Nigerians are extremely important to the Lagos State Government.
“I have seen people painting buildings that are delapidated, that are not good, it is not painting that makes a building new. Our lives are more important,” he said.
He urged owners of distressed buildings marked for demolition to remove them within two weeks, to prevent disaster, or else government would move in to take action.
“My mandate is to remove anything that is dilapidated, that is harmful to the people that even owns it,” he said.
He said Mr Sanwo-Olu set up the seven-man committee to look into the demolition without causing disaffection among the traders at Alaba International Market.
He said LASBCA officials were usually prevented from enforcing laws by people who failed to get building plan approvals or those who did illegal conversion of their properties.
The LASBCA boss waded through flash floods to issue stop work order on a
contractor on site from the Ojo Local Government, for amicable resolution of all issues.
He assured protesters carrying placards that government had their interests covered with the appointment of additional 17-man sub-committee compromising their market leadership, for quicker resolution of issues.
Oki explained why distressed buildings were being demolished and the need for some of the traders to do regularisation.
He said this was because of issues of land grabbers selling one land to several people as well as the need to correct haphazard development.
Earlier, the general manager and his team had a meeting with leadership of the Alaba International Market traders at LASBCA head office at Ikeja GRA, before they all embarked on the trip to the market.
During the meeting, the market leaders who are members of the seven-man technical committee set up to look into the issues of demolition in Alaba International Market discussed the way forward.
The LASBCA boss explained processes and procedures guiding laws on physical developments and what must be done to comply with regulation.
He said that there was no ethnic colouration to the decisions of government, whose only motive was to prevent building collapse, to ensure safety of lives of the traders and other Nigerians.
Chris Maduka, secretary to the seven-man technical committee on Alaba International demolition, commended action of the government to sanitise the market.
Mr Maduka said it had brought them closer and was in the best interest of everybody, to save traders from touts extorting them with various conflicting taxes and illegal levies.
During the on-the-spot assessment to the market, Maduka appealed for cooperation and understanding of the traders affected by the demolition exercise.
He said that taking to protest or violence would defeat the purpose for which Sanwo-Olu set up the Committee.
Some of the affected traders carrying placards with various inscriptions at the market pleaded with Mr Sanwo-Olu to fast track the assignment of the committee to restore thier means of livelihood.
Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.
This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.
The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.
The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.
While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).
On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.
Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.
An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.
Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.
However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.
United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
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