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Sports Can Boost Nigeria’s Greatness, Says Obasa

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has reiterated the importance and benefits of sports to Nigeria.

 

According to Dr. Obasa, sports is an area that should not be downplayed as it has the capacity to make the country greater, enrich the youth and improve businesses across the country.

 

The Speaker made the remark on Friday evening at the opening of the second edition of the Obasa Games 2024, a platform through which the organisers seek to further unite the youth in Lagos.

Commending Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, chairman of Kings Sports International and organiser of the Obasa Games, the Speaker noted that emerging developments in sports prompted the Lagos Assembly’s amendment of the State’s Sports Commission Law to accommodate new areas that are beneficial to the youth.

 

“I am passionate about football and I have always been a sportsman myself. Sports is an advantage to us in this state and the nation and I am reiterating that it is the future of our youth. Go anywhere in the world; sports has become a huge business,” he said.

 

Obasa further stressed that sports can help combat crimes and increase youth engagement in activities that boost national growth and development.

 

 

“We have realised that government alone cannot provide employment. We have also realised that because of the peculiarities of our nation as well as our advantage in terms of population, we can generate businesses out of sports to move the youth away from crime,” he said adding that Obasa Games will remain sustained.

 

The Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Omobolaji Ogunlende, also commended the organisers of the games pledging the support of the government for such initiatives aimed at growing the youth. He charged the participants to be at their best.

 

 

In his address, Abdul-Ganiyu said the success of the first edition of the games gave the impetus to continue and expand the scope.

 

“This year’s event, featuring football, boxing, table tennis,
chess, and Scrabble, brings together talented athletes
and teams from across the 10 Local Government Areas
and 18 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the Lagos West Senatorial District.

 

He said the games were organised to honour the remarkable contributions and vision of the Speaker for Lagos State.

 

“His commitment to the development of our state,
his unwavering support for our youth, and his passion for
fostering sports as a vehicle for positive change have
been our inspiration,” he said.

 

Chairman of the Agege Local Government Area, High Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, said his council and the Orile-Agege Local Government Development Area decided to partner with the organisers to be a part of the passion that Obasa exhibits for sports.

 

“Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool for promoting peace and development objectives. Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development,” he said urging residents to always imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

 

 

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Lagos Set To Roll Out Own Driver’s License

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The Lagos State government is set to roll out its own driver’s licence in collaboration with the Federal Government.

 

The move is aimed at boosting road safety, strengthening traffic regulation and making it faster for motorists in the state to get their licences.

Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi announced this on Monday at the 2026 annual ministerial press briefing in Alausa.

The event marked the 7th anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

The commissioner also said to decongest some roads in the state, increase parking management efficiency and increase business turn around time, the Lagos State Parking Authority, LASPA has zoned the ‘Regulated On-street Parking scheme’ into 5 major Locations; Ikeja, Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Surulere.

This will help streamline parking operations across high-traffic areas, reduce indiscriminate parking and improve traffic flow for commuters and businesses.

The structured zoning is also expected to make it easier for motorists to locate available spaces, enhance revenue collection and ensure better monitoring and enforcement of parking regulations in the state.

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International News

JUST IN: Museveni Sworn In For 7th Term At 81 As President Of Ugand

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Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for his seventh term as President of Uganda on May 12, 2026, at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, following his victory in the January 2026 elections.

 

Recall Museveni won with 71.65 percent of the vote, defeating his main challenger, 43-year-old Bobi Wine, who received 24.72 percent of the vote, according to the official results.

 

The 81-year-old leader took his oath for another five-year term, continuing his tenure as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

Museveni, born 1944 in Mbarra district area of Uganda has served as president since 1986.

He started his education in 1953 at Kyamate Boys School, then joined Mbarara High School in 1959.

 

After his family’s migration from Ntungamo in 1960s, then within the British Protectorate of Uganda, he was admitted to Ntare School in 1961.
He studied political science from the University of Dar es Salaam where he initiated the University Students’ African Revolutionary Front.

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Business

Food Prices May Drop By Next Harvest – Farmers

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The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) says food prices may decline by the next harvest season if governments improve security and reduce production costs for farmers.

 

The Deputy Chairman of AFAN, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Shakin Agbayewa, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos

Agbayewa said staple foods such as rice, yam, cassava and Garri would become more affordable if farmers could cultivate safely and access farm inputs at lower costs.

According to him, insecurity, high fertiliser prices, rising fuel costs and expensive farm operations are the major drivers of current food inflation.

“The government must be intentional and deliberate.

“Input costs are high. Fertiliser is expensive, while tractor operations cost more because of rising fuel prices. All these affect production,” he said.

Agbayewa said the high cost of cultivation, transportation and security was ultimately passed on to consumers.

He urged governments at all levels to support farmers with subsidised inputs, improved rural roads, irrigation facilities and affordable credit.

He also called for stronger collaboration with farmers’ associations to identify practical solutions tailored to the needs of each state.

According to him, increased agricultural production in the coming farming season will naturally ease pressure on market prices.

Agbayewa said Nigeria has sufficient land and manpower to feed itself if the right policies are implemented.

He added that supporting farmers remains the most sustainable path to lower food prices and economic stability.

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