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Lagos Lawmakers Demand Enforcement on Sales of Combustible Substance in Residentials

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Following a recent gas explosion in the Ajeromi/Ifelodun area of Lagos that resulted in fatalities, the state House of Assembly has called on concerned ministries, departments and agencies of government to step up enforcement of safety laws to protect lives and property.

 

 

The House, at plenary presided over by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on Monday, tasked two ministries – Physical Planning and Urban Development as well as Special Duties – to up their responsibilities to ensure that lives are protected against sales of combustible substances in residential areas.

 

 

In a statement made available to thecolumn.ng by Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, said that the House frowned against the proliferation of gas shops across the state and asked the Lagos State Safety Agency not to compromise on enforcement of laws regulating the activities of such outlets.

 

 

A recent gas explosion had led to the death of 15 residents with at least 35 others sustaining injuries according to their representative at the Lagos Assembly, Hon. Sabur Oluwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun 2).

 

 

The House urged the government to support the victims in the form of relief materials.

 

 

Before the lawmakers observed a minute silence for the victims of the explosion, Speaker Obasa sympathised with the affected constituents and emphasised the need to address the issue.

 

 

He acknowledged that gas regulation falls under the ‘exclusive list’, but urged the state to find a way around it to prevent further tragedies.

 

 

“Having gas shops and outlets within the community without proper regulations must be looked into. It calls for concern and we must look for a way out,” Dr. Obasa said as he directed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to communicate the resolution of the House to the appropriate authorities.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Assembly has commended the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Gbagada General Hospital for their swift handling of emergency cases brought to the facilities.

 

 

Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere 1) said he witnessed how medical personnel at the two hospitals battled to save the lives of fire accident victims recently.

 

 

“Our health sector should be commended,” he said while acknowledging the collaboration between arms of government resulting in elevated healthcare standards in the state.

 

 

“The commitment and dedication I witnessed in the handling of fire victims at LASUTH and the Gbagada General Hospital are encouraging, reflecting a system where all hands were indeed on deck.

 

 

“When I got to the wards, I met over nine doctors and nurses attending to the victims at the LASUTH. I saw the same thing at the Gbagada General hospital,” he said.

 

 

Speaker Obasa, who emphasised the role of the legislative body in recognising and supporting such commendable endeavours, added: “This is exactly what the House is expected to do at all times.

 

 

“We will always commend the MDAs for a job well-done, and anywhere they falter, we will always point such out.”

 

 

He, thereafter, directed the Clerk to forward letters of commendation to the management of LASUTH, Gbagada General Hospital and the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

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Sign-Out Viral Video: Ondo Withholds 17 WAEC Results, Expels Non-Graduating Students

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The Ondo State Government has sanctioned 17 secondary school students by withholding their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and testimonials over a viral “sign-out” video that sparked widespread reactions on social media.

 

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the students are from three schools: Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas College and CAC Grammar School, all in Akure.

Recall that the video surfaced shortly after the students completed the 2026 WASSCE.

It showed them engaging in unruly conduct, including tearing school uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans during end-of-examination celebrations.

Disciplinary measures were announced after an emergency meeting between ministry officials and administrators of the affected schools at the ministry’s headquarters in Akure.

According to the ministry, official testimonials and WASSCE results of the 17 students identified in the video have been withheld indefinitely.

Their names will be entered into a newly established “black book” for student misconduct in their respective schools. Principals across the state were directed to create similar records for disciplinary infractions.

Senior officers in the affected schools were also issued queries for alleged lapses in supervision that allowed the celebrations to degenerate into disorder.

The ministry further ordered the immediate expulsion of any student featured in the video who is not in the graduating class.

Commissioner for Education Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun said the government would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining discipline and the reputation of schools.

Ajibefun said that “While celebrating academic milestones is natural, the growing sign-out culture among secondary school students must be guided by decency.

“We will not fold our arms and watch the discipline we have painstakingly instilled in our schools be eroded for the sake of social media clout,” he said.

Ajibefun added that government is determined to protect the integrity of the state’s education system.

The Permanent Secretary Dr Akindele Ige urged principals to report disruptive incidents to Zonal Education Offices before they escalate.

Parents and affected students have been summoned to the ministry to receive official letters conveying the sanctions.

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Ogun Doctors Suspend 10-Day Warning Strike

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The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, has suspended its ongoing 10-day warning strike following assurances from the state government on the payment of its members’ professional allowance on or before July 31, 2026.

 

The association said that the government gave this commitment at a meeting held with the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Saka.

The meeting also had in attendance the state leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

The President of the association, Dr John Omotoso, disclosed this in a statement issued at the end of the association’s emergency meeting held on Wednesday.

Omotoso said that the association, after due appraisal of the issues at hand, decided to suspend the warning strike and urged its members to resume work by 8 a.m. on Thursday.

He stated: “Following a thorough appraisal of the association’s demands and the progress made thus far, Congress resolved to suspend the ongoing industrial action, with the expectation that payment of the Professional Allowance will be effected and reflected in members’ accounts on or before 31st July, 2026.

“This follows meetings and dialogue with the Ogun State Government (the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka) in the presence of NMA Ogun leadership.

“We hereby direct that our members should resume work by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, 25th June, 2026.”

Omotoso said the association will convene an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on August 1, 2026, to appraise the situation and determine the next line of action.

The association warned against any form of victimisation, intimidation, or harassment arising from the industrial action, urging members not to hesitate to promptly report such actions to the leadership of the association for appropriate intervention.

The association appreciated the prompt intervention of the state government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun on issues that may disrupt the provision of health services to the people of the state and affect residency training in the state-owned teaching hospital.

The doctors had on Tuesday announced a 10-day warning strike over the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delayed training funds, and worsening welfare conditions.

They noted that despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued by the doctors, no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed, and no firm commitment had been received from the state government regarding the implementation and payment of revised Professional and Specialist Allowances, including outstanding arrears.

The doctors also expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in the payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite its domestication by the government, coupled with critical manpower shortages resulting in excessive workload, burnout, and prolonged working hours due to inadequate staffing across departments.

Other concerns raised by the doctors include recurrent security breaches, theft, and burglary within the hospital environment, posing risks to staff and patients; the poor state of call rooms and inadequate accommodation facilities for doctors; and the persistent poor quality and inadequate provision of call meals for resident doctors, among others.

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Burnley And West Ham To Meet On First Championship Weekend

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Relegated Burnley and West Ham will meet on the opening weekend of the Championship season on Sunday, 16 August.

 

The Clarets finished 19th in the top flight last season and will host the Hammers, who went down on the final day.

Fellow relegated side Wolves will play the league’s curtain-raiser against Blackburn at Molineux on Friday, 14 August.

Elsewhere, Southampton, who will start the season on minus four points after the Spygate scandal, travel to Watford on the opening weekend and promoted Cardiff welcome Welsh rivals Wrexham on Monday, 17 August.

League One champions Lincoln start the season at beaten play-off finalists Middlesbrough on Saturday, 15 August and third tier play-off final winners Bolton begin the campaign with a home game against Preston on the same day.

The Championship season starts a week after clubs play their first competitive fixture in the first round of the Carabao Cup and one week before the Premier League gets under way.

Burnley, West Ham and Wolves will all be looking to secure Premier League promotions at the first time of asking.

The Clarets have now been relegated from or promoted to the top flight in each of the past four seasons.

However, now less than two months out from the start of the season they remain without a manager following the departure of Scott Parker in May.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has remained despite them dropping out of the top flight after 14 seasons.

The Portuguese led Wolves to the Championship title in his one previous season managing at this level in 2017-18.

Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League in 2025-26 and sacked boss Rob Edwards earlier this month to bring in Cesar Peixoto.

They have bolstered their squad with former England defender Kieran Trippier and returning Mexico striker Raul Jimenez.

However, all three will be aware that in both of the past two seasons a team relegated from the top tier has suffered a second successive demotion to League One.

Former Premier League champions Leicester City went the same way as Luton Town had in 2024-25.

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