They include 11 drug kingpins who bagged 254 years imprisonment in the first quarter of 2026 as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, ramped up the arrest, prosecution and forfeiture of the assets of drug traffickers and their collaborators across the country.

The spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, made this known on Friday in a statement he issued.

He said of the 974 drug traffickers convicted between January and March, 899 of them were male and 75 females, while a further breakdown of the conviction figure showed that 265 were secured in January, 316 in February and 393 in March.

Top on the list of the 11 drug kingpins who were successfully prosecuted and convicted within the period include a notorious Italy-based 42-year-old businessman, Adegbite Solomon (a.k.a Obama) who was arraigned on 15-count charge before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court Lagos in suit number: FHC/L/851C/2025.

Delivering his ruling on the matter on 18th March, Justice Kakaki convicted the repeat offender on all 15 counts and sentenced him to a total of 130 years in prison.

Specifically, Justice Kakaki sentenced Adegbite to 15 years’ imprisonment on count 1; 15 years on count 2; 15 years on count 3; 15 years on count 4; 15 years on count 5; 15 years on count 6; 10 years on count 7; four years on count 8; four years on count 9; four years on count 10; four years on count 11; four years on count 12; and 10 years on count 15.

While the prison sentence is to run concurrently, the trial judge also ordered the revocation of the convict’s pharmacy license and the forfeiture of two branches of his pharmacy store as well as the forfeiture of funds in his three bank accounts to the Federal Government, among others.

Another top drug kingpin sentenced to long years in prison in the first quarter of the year is 32-year-old Ridwan Animashaun who was arraigned by NDLEA before Justice Nkenoye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State in charge number: FHC/IB/97C/2025. In her judgment delivered on 26th February 2026, Justice Maha convicted and sentenced Animashaun to 25 calendar years for drug trafficking.

The convict was first convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment for a similar offence on 15th July 2022 by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court following his arrest by NDLEA along Lagos/Ibadan expressway on 27th March 2022.

Two other convicts who bagged long years imprisonment are: Rauf Asogba, 28, and Seun Olaniyi, 24, who were convicted and sentenced to 17 years in jail each by Justice Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi of the Federal High Court Abeokuta, Ogun State on 28th January 2026 after NDLEA arrested and charged them to court for trafficking 1,779 kilograms of skunk in suit number: FHC/AB/160C/2025.

Another set of two convicts got 15 years imprisonment each.

They are: 54-year-old Jonathan Nuhu (a.k.a Doctor) who was convicted by Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Kano, Kano state on 17th March 2026 following his arraignment by NDLEA in charge: FHC/KN/CR/96/2023, and 40-year-old Idris Yusuf who was sentenced on 31st March 2026 by Justice Fatima Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe in suit number FHC/CR/6/21, in addition to another eight years sentence for a similar case brought against Yusuf by NDLEA in charge number FHC/CR/DM/16/24.

Other convicts who got seven years imprisonment each for drug trafficking offences in parts of the country include: Godday Obizuo in FHC/AK/64C/2024; Asabe Abubakar in FHC/BAU/CR/16/2026; Godwin Peter, Asuquo Christian and Olabode Sunday in FHC/AD/CR/66/2024.

In his reaction to the conviction of the drug offenders, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the sentencing of the 11 drug kingpins to a combined 254 years in prison as a watershed moment in the country’s war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

He noted that the conviction of 974 offenders between January and March 2026 sent an unambiguous message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for those who trade in human lives and derive pleasure in destroying the lives of the nation’s youth.

According to him, “Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the thinning patience of the Nigerian state toward drug merchants. To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective residency in correctional centres is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has finally caught up with their greed.”

Marwa commended the Judiciary for the accelerated hearing of the cases, noting that swift justice was the most potent deterrent.

To officers, men and women of the agency, he said, “Your bravery in the face of danger is yielding fruit. We will continue to prioritize your welfare and provide the tools needed to stay ahead of these criminal syndicates.”

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, adding that “these victories belong to the citizens who provide the intelligence that fuels our operations.”

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The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Engr Ramat, 39, is an electrical engineer and administrator, with a PhD in Strategic Management, among other qualifications.

President Tinubu also nominated two commissioners for the NERC.

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They are Mr Abubakar Yusuf, Commissioner of Consumer Affairs and Dr Fouad Olayinka Animashaun, Commissioner of Finance and Management Services.

All nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.

However, to avoid a leadership vacuum in the critical regulatory agency, the pesident directed that Engr Ramat assume office in acting capacity pending his screening by the Senate, as stipulated by the law.

President Tinubu urged the new appointees to use their knowledge and experience to discharge their functions and work assiduously to advance the administration’s power sector vision.

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Ayuba, popularly known as “Mr Johnson”, took to his Instagram page to appreciate God for the journey so far.

He wrote: “Today, I give thanks to God for the journey so far.

“From Ikenne to the world, it’s been 60 years of grace, music, and purpose.

“I’m grateful for the love, the fans, the stage, the memories, and the legacy still unfolding.

“Thank you for walking this path with me. This new chapter begins with gratitude, joy, and renewed passion. Happy 60th Birthday to me.”

Some celebrities also took to the comment section of the post to celebrate Ayuba.

Veteran Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, said: “Happy birthday to you sir, may God bless your new age baba.”

Also, actor Kunle Adegbite, wrote: “Happy birthday to you, sir. Live long, sir, in good health.”

Dayo Amusan wrote: “Happy Birthday lba Eni.”

Mustapha Sholagbade said: “Happy 60th birthday, sir.

Similarly, entertainment entrepreneur, Ayo Animashaun, wrote “Happy birthday legend.”

Source: NAN

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In a video shared on Headies’ X page, Ayo Animashaun, founder of The Headies, said the 17th edition of the award would take place on April 5, focussing on the music of 2024.

He also revealed that the nominations list for the 17th edition would be released on February 12, and the 18th  edition would take place in December, celebrating music from 2024 and 2025 respectively.

He said: “This awards that is happening in April was meant to happen last year, but for some reasons, it didn’t happen last year.

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“We did not want to miss a calendar year… So the next is going to happen in December. It is going to be a part of the Detty December trend.”

The Headies is a prestigious music awards show established in 2006 to recognise outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

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The spokesperson for agency, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, who disclosed this on Sunday in a statement said that the turkeys were seized by the Nigerian Customs Service.

He said they had also been set ablaze at a dump site, because they were contaminated and could cause cholera outbreak.

He noted that somehow, the contaminated turkeys found their way into the hands of unscrupulous elements trying to sell them to members of the public.

“Following tip off from a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Rasheed Shabi, and the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the officials of the Lagos State Taskforce swung into action.

“The taskforce raided the shanties close to the dumpsite where the contaminated turkeys were said to have been destroyed and arrested eight suspects with some of the turkeys. Harmful weapons were recovered,” he said.

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The spokesperson, who quoted Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the traditional ruler of Epe in his reaction to the arrest, said that, the community was happy for the swift response by the taskforce to check the contaminated products.

“I am glad this menace has been nipped in the bud before it blows out of proportion. The state is currently battling to contain the cholera outbreak in some parts of the metropolis.

“We need not compound the issues; rather, it’s our responsibility to the citizenry to ensure sinister forces do not plunge the state into crisis for their own selfish gains.

“The Nigeria Custom Service should always seek the support of sister agencies like the Police, Military, DSS and LAWMA when carrying out exhibit burning exercise.

“This is to avoid official compromise and ensure they are burnt beyond recovery by miscreants in the community,” the Oba said.

Source: NAN

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The grandmothers voluntarily enrolled at the Lagos State Skill Acquisition Centre in Agidingbi to upgrade their skill set, picking up a new vocation in computer operations and software.

The senior citizens were among the 4,592 trainees graduated by the Lagos State government on Wednesday in various skill acquisition courses.

The Year 2022 graduation ceremony was held at the LTV Blue Roof in Agidingbi.

The graduands took the vocational training in 19 skill development centres across the five traditional divisions in Lagos.

The course fees were borne by the state government.

The skill development programme was supervised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA.

Some of the vocational courses taken by the graduates include photography, textile making, catering and hotel management, hairdressing, fashion designing, welding, aluminum fabrication, leather work, furniture and woodwork.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the initiative was targeted at empowering the grassroots, while giving young people an opportunity to discover their innate potential and to be economically engaged.

He noted that the life skills would help the beneficiaries to be self-reliant, just as their entrepreneurial abilities would be enhanced and make them contribute to the economic growth of the state.

The governor said: “There is no gainsaying that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of any economy, contributing to economic development and prosperity in many ways, chief among which is job creation and providing employment opportunities for people.

“We have continued to encourage vocational and skills acquisition as a pragmatic approach to alleviating poverty and promoting women and youth empowerment for financial sustainability. This administration will not hold back investment in these programmes, believing firmly that lifting people out of poverty is the cardinal goal of government.”

Sanwo-Olu advised the graduands to use the skills to raise their living standards, urging them to pass on the knowledge to empower their neighbours.

The governor told the trainees to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence, pointing out that the road to success had no shortcut.

He added that the training was made free for them to remove barriers that may hinder them from acquiring the skills.

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Sanwo-Olu said the state government created the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, LSETF, to support the goals of MSMEs, urging the graduates to approach the offices for business support and opportunities.

“We set up the Ministry of Wealth Creation to hand-hold entrepreneurs and provide support for them. LSETF is another agency working to improve your business. You must show commitment that you are ready for the future. We want to see you in the next five years and be proud of this accomplishment you have achieved today,” the governor said.

The deputy governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, advised the graduands to explore technology and social media in projecting their skills and business.

Hamzat said globalisation had shattered the economic barriers that had prevented people from showcasing their skills to the markets outside their geographical areas.

The deputy governor, however, cautioned the trainees from misusing the social media networks to project wrong image for their businesses.

Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, said the skill development programme was designed with the objective to fight poverty and improve livelihoods of the residents.

She urged the beneficiaries to channel their abilities to good enterprises, saying the state was expecting to unleash their potential in creating more prosperity.

The training produced 3,263 female graduates and 1,329 male graduates.

Nineteen Best Trainees across the vocational courses were presented with equipment to immediately start their crafts.

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Elegushi, who disclosed this on Thursday at a news conference in commemoration of his 13th coronation anniversary, said that the project would be ready in 2025.

The Oba was represented by Chief Olalekan Bakare, the Aro Oba Elegushi.

“Today, 13 years and counting, Oba Elegushi has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of his people and has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of his subjects.

“His reign has been characterised by a deep sense of humility, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve his people.

“As we celebrate this significant milestone in the life and reign of Oba Elegushi, it is important to reflect on the tremendous impact that he has made in his 13 years on the throne.

“Under his leadership, the Ikate Kingdom has witnessed significant progress in various areas of development, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare and infrastructure.

“In furtherance to his commitment to contribute to Lagos Sate and Nigeria, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi has concluded plans to establish a centre for the study of Lagos History at the Lagos State University,” he said.

The Oba said that the establishment of the purpose-built centre was borne out of the need to have an institutional body that would serve as a research and reference centre for Lagos studies.

According to him, it has been observed that the migrants and the settlers have no adequate knowledge of historical evolution as well as the transformational history of the major groups in Lagos despite the plethora of literatures on Lagos.

“The centre is expected to bring people face to face with history, culture, geographical location and socio-economic activities of the people of Lagos across all the five divisions, since pre-European contact.

“This is to correct the misinformation and misrepresentation of the various groups and communities in the state especially on the erroneous view point that “Lagos is no man’s land” (Gbogbo wa la leko…we all own Lagos).

“This perception, is indeed a contradiction to the popular cliché among the indigenous elements of ‘Gedegbe l’Eko wa’ (Lagos Stands alone).

“Historically, the first assumption rests on a misconception rather than on facts of history,” Elegushi said.

According to him, the best way to correct this is through knowledge dissemination and display of historical artefacts.

He said that quest for such a reputable centre that he envisioned was commendable.

The Oba said that “Oba Yekini Elegushi – Centre for Lagos Studies” would serve as a research institute for the study of the socio-cultural, economic as well as the political development of the state since its incipient days.

Elegushi said that it was also meant to be a hub for organising seminars, workshops and conferences for issues relating to Lagos for the purpose of policy formulation.

He added that the centre would serve as a venue for conducting research on the political economy of the state to examine developmental issues that fit a mega city like Lagos.

According to him, it will serve as an institution for documentation and publications of studies, surveys and reports on history, heritage monuments, event, festivals and other tourist events that can boost domestic and international tourism in Lagos.

“The process of construction of this building has commenced; the ground-breaking will be taking place in few days and work will start immediately.

“This is to ensure timely completion and commission of the building for the benefit of LASU community and humanity,” he said.

Also, Dr Bashiru Animashaun, of the Department of History, LASU, said that the centre would serve as a reference point to disseminate information on history of Lagos.

“There are so many erroneous views regarding the indigenous history of Lagos and there are so many ways to correct this without being unnecessarily fanatical about it.

“It is through academic, and that is why the Oba in his wisdom decided that we can do a whole to correct these irregularities for it to take responsibility for the study of Lagos, the culture and the people.

“I have had instances to discuss with some people, somebody from Olowogbowo will tell me Isale-Eko, they don’t know the difference between the Brazilian Quarters, Isale-Eko, Olowogbowo and the rest.

“These are different localities,” Animashaun said.

According to him, those, among others are what the centre aims to achieve to shed more light through research, conferences and make available reference materials.

On April 27, 2010, Elegushi was presented the staff of office, making him the 21st Elegushi and the second traditional ruler of Ikate-Elegushi kingdom.

He succeeded his father, Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi (Kusenla II) of blessed memory.

Source: NAN

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Musa who was represented by his vice, Mrs Olatunbosun Animashaun, gave the charge when he received in audience the National Council of Women Society, NCWS.

Members of the NCWS were led by the group’s Ogun West coordinator, Alhaja T. A Aroboto, who stated that they had visited to congratulate the chairman and his vice on their victory at the last election.

Aroboto added that their visit was also to intimate the chairman with some of NCWS programmess ahead.

She stated that the objectives of the body was centred on gender equality in political positions.

Animashaun, in her response, appreciated the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, for her determination to support women in taking up political positions in line with the objectives of NCWS.

She promised to convey the messages of the NCWS to the chairman of the local government and pledged to support them in every aspect of their programmes.

She also appreciated NCWS on behalf of the wife of the chairman as she was announced to be the next grand matron of the body in Ado-Odo/Ota local government.

In a separate development, youths in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area have been tasked to take personal hygiene seriously.

Animashaun made the call when she declared open a one day training of youths on the need to put an end to open defecation and improvement in general hygiene.

She charged youth volunteers to imbibe all the teaching on hygienic living and environmental sanitation, saying that would make Ado-Odo/Ota local government area to be safe and free from diseases.

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The group said people of the South West would neither support, tolerate nor join such protests, as the June 12 Democracy Day should be for celebration and not protests.

The warning came against the backdrop of alleged plans by various groups in the country to protest challenges in the nation on the June 12 Democracy Day.

The National Coordinator of the group, Chief Adesina Animashaun, in a statement in Lagos on Friday, said the South West would never allow dissidents to mar the peace and peaceful coexistence in the region.

Animashaun alleged that those influencing the move for protests were enemies of state, who had been behind the many insecurity challenges bedevilling the nation.

“The people of South West and other civil society groups in Nigeria were at the forefront of agitations for the Federal Government to name June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, which was given by the current administration, led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigerians should not forget so soon that past administrations ignored the calls to honour the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 1993 annulled presidential election that later died while in incarceration.

“Therefore, it will be an abomination for the South West which holds the day sacrosanct to see disgruntled persons and hoodlums mar the day rather than celebrating it,” he said.

The YAF national coordinator urged Yoruba youths to shun such calls or protests and should rise up to the challenge by reporting any groups or groups in their domain planning to disrupt the peace in the South West via protests to security agencies closest to them.

He also urged traditional rulers in the South West to speak to their people in their domains against being part of such protests.

“We have enough challenges in Nigeria as it is. Any further action to take to the streets either on presumed peaceful protest will be counter-productive.

“Those bankrolling such moves should get their children and immediate family to embark on such protests as the South West cannot afford to lose their youths on a mundane and irresponsible protest that may likely lead to breakdown of law and order, killings and destruction of property,” Animashaun said.

June 12 is a significant landmark in the political history of Nigeria and the declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day by President Buhari in 2020 further buttressed the importance of the day.

On June 12, 1993, the country witnessed an election that many claimed was the fairest in the nation’s history.

However, the results of the election remain unknown as the election was annulled by the then military head of state, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Source: NAN

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Animashaun made the call in a statement he issued on Thursday.

Expressing his passion for farming and agriculture in general, Animashuan said he was saddened by the attitude of the current generation of youths towards farming.

He asserted that something had to been done about the mindset of the youths towards farming which he described as a very profitable and vital occupation.

He called for a strategic and systematic re-orientation of the youths of the country.

Animashaun commended the efforts of the government over the past couple of years towards the sensitisation of the Nigerian youth about the promise, importance and honour involved in farming.

He said it was unfortunate that youths considered farming as a dirty job despite the fact that government made grants, loans, material and land available to them.

He urged the government to plant the seed for the love of farming in the minds of the next generation of Nigerian youths early.

“These little ones should be taught that a Farmer is as important as a Doctor, Engineer, Teacher, Soldier or President,” he said.

He added: “Having thought about this for quite a while now, I am very sure that a sure fire way to get more youths interested in farming is to start at a very early age. When was the last time you asked a teenager or child for his preferred future occupation and heard “I want to be a Farmer”. They will be made to understand that farming is every bit as vital and profitable as Medicine or Entertainment.”

Emphasising the need to introduce Practical Farming as a compulsory subjects in schools, he said, “We have to create a generation of young, educated and passionate youths who are genuinely interested about farming. We can take a leaf from the Chinese, their young ones are taught about technology at a very tendaer age. We all know how that alone has helped boost the Chinese economy.”

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