Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Sanwo-Olu

  • Lagos Governor Donates N100 Million and Housing to Nigerian Legion

    Lagos Governor Donates N100 Million and Housing to Nigerian Legion

    Figures cited by The Guardian show that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has donated N100 million to the Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Legion to launch the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund. In addition to the cash donation, the Governor provided four sets of two-bedroom apartments, utility vehicles, and 500 bags of rice to support the families of fallen heroes and surviving veterans. During the launch at Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that honoring those who paid the supreme price is a national tradition and a constitutional responsibility. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of veterans, stating that their sacrifices remain the foundation of the nation’s peace. The event was also reported by Vanguard and Channels TV. Vanguard noted that ‘Sanwo-Olu gifts N100m apartments to Nigerian Legion,’ while Channels TV highlighted that the Governor called for ‘increased public support’ for the emblem appeal ahead of the January 15 commemoration.

    Echotitbits take: This gesture serves a dual purpose: social welfare and a morale booster for active-duty personnel. By providing housing and cash, Lagos is setting a high bar for other states. Expect similar launches across the 36 states as the country prepares for the main Remembrance Day ceremony on January 15.

    Source: ThisDay – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/06/sanwo-olu-donates-n100m-houses-food-items-to-nigerian-legion/ January 6 2026

    Photo Credit: ThisDay

  • Sanwo-Olu Sanctions Demolition of Fire-Ravaged GNI Building as Death Toll Hits Eight

    Sanwo-Olu Sanctions Demolition of Fire-Ravaged GNI Building as Death Toll Hits Eight

    Reporting by The Cable indicates that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the total demolition of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building following a catastrophic fire. The Governor confirmed that the death toll has risen to eight, with several others still hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

    The decision to level the structure was made after structural engineers declared the building’s integrity compromised, posing a threat to surrounding properties in the busy Lagos Island district. Emergency services remain on-site to ensure the safe recovery of any remaining remains before the demolition begins.

    BusinessDay reported that the Governor visited the scene for a second time to ‘confirm fatalities and survivors,’ emphasizing the need for stricter safety audits. Premium Times also covered the tragedy, noting that ‘Sanwo-Olu orders demolition as fire death toll rises,’ highlighting the recurring issue of fire safety in Lagos’ high-rise buildings.

    Echotitbits take: This tragedy exposes the ‘death trap’ nature of many old high-rises in Lagos. A forensic audit of all buildings on the Island is overdue; if the state doesn’t enforce the ‘Building Safety Code,’ the skyline of Nigeria’s commercial capital will continue to be a liability.

    Source: The Guardian — https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/again-sanwo-olu-visits-gni-building-fire-scene-confirms-eight-dead/
    The Guardian  January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Guardian

  • Tragedy in Lagos as Fire Claims Eight Lives at Great Nigeria Insurance Building

    Tragedy in Lagos as Fire Claims Eight Lives at Great Nigeria Insurance Building

    Reporting by The Cable confirms that eight people lost their lives in a devastating fire that gutted the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building in Lagos. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who visited the scene, confirmed the fatalities and stated that thirteen survivors are currently receiving medical attention.

    The Governor has ordered the immediate demolition of the burnt-out structure to prevent a secondary collapse. The incident has once again raised questions about fire safety protocols in the high-rise buildings of the Lagos Central Business District, particularly during the dry Harmattan season.

    BusinessDay reported that ‘Sanwo-Olu confirms 8 fatalities, 13 survivors,’ while Premium Times noted that the death toll rose after several victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The state government has pledged to conduct a forensic audit of all high-rise buildings in the vicinity.

    Echotitbits take: This is a grim reminder of the infrastructure decay in Lagos Island. Beyond condolences, the state must enforce the 2025 Building Safety Code strictly; otherwise, these ‘preventable’ tragedies will continue to haunt the city’s skyline.

    Source: Premium Times — https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/847230-sanwo-olu-orders-demolition-of-burnt-out-gni-building-as-fire-death-toll-rises-to-eight.html
    Premium Times  January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: Premium Times

  • Ciara names Lagos Fashion Week a 2025 highlight as Nigeria’s fashion influence spreads

    Ciara names Lagos Fashion Week a 2025 highlight as Nigeria’s fashion influence spreads

    2025-12-31 15:46:00

    In a caption shared by Ciara, the singer described Lagos Fashion Week as one of her standout moments of the year, reflecting on walking in a show and engaging Nigeria’s creative scene.

    Guardian reports she also referenced visiting the Trading Room Floor and meeting local designers—framing the trip as both cultural and professional.

    • Guardian Life (Guardian.ng): “One of my highlights of the year was Lagos Fashion Week!”
    • QED.NG (QED.ng): “One of my highlights of the year was Lagos Fashion Week!”

    Echotitbits take: Big-name global validation boosts Lagos Fashion Week’s export value—more brand partnerships, more fashion tourism, and stronger leverage for Nigerian designers negotiating international visibility and pricing power.

    Source: Guardian — 2025-12-31 — https://guardian.ng/life/style/lagos-fashion-week-was-one-of-my-highlights-of-2025-ciara/

    Guardian
    2025-12-31
    Photo Credit: Guardian

  • Sanwo‑Olu unveils Eyo Monument in Onikan as Lagos pushes heritage tourism

    Sanwo‑Olu unveils Eyo Monument in Onikan as Lagos pushes heritage tourism

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 07:04:00

    As reported by Punch, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned a new Eyo Monument at the John Randle Centre in Onikan, positioning it as a cultural landmark meant to strengthen Lagos’ tourism appeal and heritage branding.

    The unveiling comes alongside renewed festival momentum on Lagos Island, with the state signalling that heritage assets can drive visitor traffic, local commerce, and destination marketing.

    Officials describe the monument as both educational and economic—showcasing Yoruba history while also functioning as a photo-magnet attraction for residents and tourists.

    The move fits Lagos’ broader strategy of converting culture into structured tourism revenue, especially through festivals, museums, and curated public art.

    In a post documenting the unveiling, Sanwo‑Olu described the statue as the “tallest Eyo statue ever created,” while Travel and Tour World reported Lagos unveiled a “towering Eyo Monument” to elevate cultural tourism.

    Echotitbits take:
    Lagos is building a heritage-corridor playbook—art, festivals, traffic control, and media packaging. Watch next for crowd management, year-round programming, safety, and whether tourism monetisation becomes systematic rather than seasonal.

    Source: The Punch — December 26, 2025 (https://punchng.com/sanwo-olu-unveils-eyo-monument-to-boost-lagos-tourism/)
    The Punch December 26, 2025

  • Eyo season message: Tinubu urges calm celebration and warns against alcohol-fuelled disorder

    Eyo season message: Tinubu urges calm celebration and warns against alcohol-fuelled disorder

    Photo credit: The Nation

    2025-12-22 09:00:00

    In a statement reported by *The Nation*, President Bola Tinubu has urged Eyo festival organisers and participants to keep the celebration peaceful, specifically cautioning against alcohol-fuelled disorder and any conduct that risks lives.

    The message comes as Lagos ramps up “Detty December” activity—when concerts, tourism, and street festivals raise both economic activity and public safety concerns.

    Tinubu’s appeal frames the Eyo festival as a shared civic moment, with organisers expected to manage crowd behaviour and ensure the cultural event doesn’t become a security problem.

    With Lagos drawing visitors, the festival’s handling will influence perceptions of the city’s readiness for large-scale public events—especially amid ongoing national security pressures.

    Legit.ng quoted Tinubu’s warning: “Stay in peace… No alcohol, no danger to anybody’s life,” while a post attributed to presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga also amplified the “No liquor” message in the context of keeping the festival calm and safe.

    **Echotitbits take:** Lagos’ festive season is now an economic asset—so security, crowd control, and emergency readiness are part of protecting livelihoods. Watch for policing plans, traffic control, and whether organisers enforce rules without turning the festival into a flashpoint.

    Source: The Nation — December 22, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/sanwo-olu-promises-memorable-eyo-festival/)

  • Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

    Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 18:00:00

    According to Punch, President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays after official visits to Borno and Bauchi.

    The report says the President was received at the Murtala Muhammed Airport by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state officials, marking the start of his end-of-year engagements in the state.

    Beyond the holiday optics, the visit doubles as a political homecoming for a former Lagos governor and a chance to hold quiet consultations as 2025 wraps up.

    The Punch account also notes that Tinubu is expected to attend select social and cultural events during the period, including the Eyo Festival later in the week.

    Channels Television wrote, “President Bola Tinubu is in Lagos for the Yuletide,” while TheCable noted the President would “begin a three-state visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Lagos trips at year-end are rarely “just holidays.” Watch for who gets seen, who gets meetings, and whether any policy or political signals drop quietly—especially as blocs position for 2026.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-arrives-lagos-for-end-of-year-holidays/?amp=)
    Punch 2025-12-20

  • Lagos moves to tighten eviction rules with bill requiring court orders

    Lagos moves to tighten eviction rules with bill requiring court orders

    2025-12-15 01:40:00

    According to The Punch, a proposed Lagos Tenancy Bill would require landlords to obtain court orders before evicting tenants, tightening procedures around dispute resolution.

    The report says the measure is aimed at curbing self-help evictions and strengthening legal protections for renters in Nigeria’s biggest city.

    Real estate stakeholders typically watch such reforms for how they affect enforcement timelines, rent defaults, and landlord–tenant dispute costs.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: If passed and enforced, court-order evictions could reduce abuses but may also slow recoveries for landlords. Watch for the bill’s final wording, penalties, and whether Lagos expands housing/tribunal capacity to avoid a backlog.

    Source: The Guardian— December 15, 2025 — https://guardian.ng/opinion/editorial/lagos-tenancy-bill-a-chance-to-reset-rental-market/

    Photo credit: The Guardian

    The Guardian https://guardian.ng/opinion/editorial/lagos-tenancy-bill-a-chance-to-reset-rental-market/ December 15, 2025

  • Light Up Lagos: state begins installing 22,000 solar streetlights

    Light Up Lagos: state begins installing 22,000 solar streetlights

    2025-12-15 04:40:00

    According to The Punch, the Lagos State Government has begun installing more than 22,000 solar-powered streetlights under its Light Up Lagos Solar Streetlight Initiative.

    The report says the rollout is positioned as a public lighting upgrade that can improve visibility and reduce dependence on grid power for street illumination.

    Large-scale streetlight deployments often raise questions around maintenance contracts, vandalism risks, and performance monitoring over time.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Solar streetlights can boost safety and night-time commerce—if uptime stays high. Watch procurement transparency, maintenance KPIs, and whether communities see measurable reductions in dark spots and incident reports.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025 — https://punchng.com/lagos-begins-installation-of-22000-solar-streetlights/

    Photo credit: The Punch

    The Punch https://punchng.com/lagos-begins-installation-of-22000-solar-streetlights/ December 15, 2025

  • Lagos Launches ₦150bn CNG Trucks Financing Scheme

    Lagos Launches ₦150bn CNG Trucks Financing Scheme

    Lagos State has unveiled a ₦150bn CNG Trucks Scheme to provide structured financing for operators to acquire gas-powered trucks. Governor Sanwo-Olu says the PPP programme will cut haulage costs and diesel dependence.

    PUNCH, 11 Dec 2025