Gov. Sanwo-Olu signs N3.366trn budget into law

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill tagged “Budget of Sustainability.” Sanwo-Olu signed the budget, which is N3.366 trillion, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during a ceremony attended by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat; Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barr (Mrs.) Bimbola Salu-Hudeyin; members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh; and members of the State Executive Council, among others. Speaking after signing of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the budget was structured around five key pillars, which are Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Development; Environmental Sustainability; and Governance and Institutional Reforms. The Governor urged Lagos residents to join hands with his administration as it deploys resources in line with the provisions of the budget. He said, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I perform this task of signing the budget into law. This is the second of four budgets that I will have the honour of assenting to during my second term, and it represents another opportunity to advance our vision of a Greater Lagos for the benefit of all Lagosians and Nigeria at large. “As I noted during my budget presentation speech in November 2025, the Lagos State Budget is structured around five pillars: Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Development; Environmental Sustainability; and Governance and Institutional Reforms. These five pillars fully capture our determination to build on the gains of the past and scale up impact for the future. “I would like to call for continued collaboration between the Executive, who will implement the budget, and the Legislature, who will provide the much-needed monitoring and oversight and ensure that we achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of our people with the limited resources available to us. “On our part as the Lagos State Government, we will also live up to the responsibility of delivering governance that is respectful of and responsive to the people at all times. I am charging the civil service and all other concerned stakeholders to once again deliver an impressive level of budget implementation in 2025.” Sanwo-Olu commended the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the state lawmakers, unseen heroes, and everybody who participated from the preparation of the budget to the presentation, the passage, and the signing of the Appropriation Bill. Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, said the budget will focus on the development of Lagos State. He said, “I want to say categorically that the THEMES agenda in the first term of Mr. Governor and the THEMES+ agenda have been meticulously packaged, and Lagosians have been benefitting from the agenda of Mr. Governor. “We can see that Lagos is the first in almost everything that is done in this country. For the first term, our internal revenue service has crossed the N1 trillion mark in terms of IGR. That tells the dedication and purposefulness in your (Governor Sanwo-Olu) leadership, and I want to celebrate you. “I want to also celebrate your excellent relationship with the House of Assembly. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has always been in the forefront of ensuring that whatever Mr. Governor wants the House to do, it is done, and we will continue to do that to ensure that Lagos moves forward. “This budget was meticulously looked through during the budget defence period. Everything we did, we did it together to ensure that we got to where we are. We have carefully looked into the Electricity Bill. We have looked into the issue of variation, and we have looked into so many things that are dear to the government. We celebrate you and appreciate what you have done in terms of road infrastructure, and we want to pray that you continue in this light.” Speaking earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, said the budget is not only the largest in history but also positions Lagos as the first sub-national government in Nigeria to pass a budget of the magnitude. George said the 2025 budget reflects the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration unwavering commitment to economic growth, infrastructural development, and the welfare of all Lagosians. He said: “This historic budget underscores our commitment to prioritising infrastructure with 62 percent allocated to capital expenditure and 38 percent to recurrent spending. This allocation represents our focus on driving long-term investments while maintaining efficient delivery of essential services. “Our revenue framework, which projects N2.342 trillion from total Internally Generated Revenue and N626.137 billion from federal transfers, is anchored on innovation, accountability, and fiscal sustainability. A deficit financing of N398.662 billion has also been carefully structured to ensure financial prudence.” It would be recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday approved a budget of N3.366 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, injecting an additional N360.88 billion into Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initial proposal of N3.005 trillion. The budget allocates N1.3 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.07 trillion for capital projects, with the financial year ending on 31st December 2025.

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5-time Olympian Bose Kaffo drives talents hunt in Lagos

With music flowing out of the big speakers mounted at strategic corners on the dusty Irede street in Okerube-Abaranje around Ikotun in downtown Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, participants who were thrilled at the maiden Sports Fiesta organised by Bose Kaffo Innovations have appealed for more in the New Year. Children, right from age eight moved joyfully to the rhythm as they engaged one another in table tennis, basketball and snooker despite the heat from searing sun. Participants from the street and it’s adjoining areas as well as passerbys jumped on the opportunity at participating in different sports at no fee. While some adults including women tried to roll back the years with some nostalgic strokes on the boards, the children found their levels on the mini-table tennis setups provided by the High Performance expert. Wheelchair basketballers aslo got on the act with a demonstration game. It was the first of experience for many who were awed by the presence of the 5-time Olympics legend who brought sports with entertainment right to their doorsteps. Sports Fiesta appeared to have hit the soft spot of an area where constant hustling on the streets and the rat-race for daily needs have deprived the residents of the awareness about their innate talents. Birthing a sports fiesta in this locality known for other different activities was according to some observers was like making an oasis in the desert. For Bose Kaffo who became the first woman on the continent to participate in five Olympics, watching the raw joy and excitement on their faces described the atmosphere as soul-satisfying. On the sideline, adults were given medical support by Zeniva Pharmacy who checked their sugar level and also provided antimalarial drugs. As time winds down and the volunteers signalled for all activities to end, most of the participants wore long faces as they stopped reluctantly while appealling for more. The hunger has been ignited as it was indeed an eye-opening event. “I enjoyed the Sports Festival and it was very amazing!” Said Farouk a teenager. “I have not seen something like this before.This is my first time of seeing something like this right on our street. I’m very happy and excited. This is going to help me to be a sportsman and I thank the sponsor of Sports Fiesta.” The Amazon has been so resolute with her mission at sparking a change of awareness right at the lowest rung of the country’s pool of talents. According to the Sports Ethics and Integrity expert, her plan, barring any financial limitations is to expand the impactful outdoor programme to different areas of the state where it’s teeming young and restless populace in the suburbs yearn for sporting platforms to display their hidden talents. “This is fulfilling! Can you see how excited they are? This my dream has been in the works for some years now and I’m glad that it’s eliciting this reaction from them. They’ve played table tennis, basketball and snooker. You know, this is how you activate interest among the young ones who could be superstars in the nearest future. With more support we hope to do more,” she stated.

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Police arraign Stella Nwadigbo for indecent child treatment

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigbo, aged 45, for indecent treatment and assault of a child. The suspect, who was arraigned in Magistrate Court 1, Ogba today, January 9, 2025, had been captured in a viral video indecently treating and assaulting a three-year-old pupil of a primary school in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters same day after preliminary investigations. The victim was taken to a medical facility for adequate medical attention. The suspect has since been remanded to Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025 when the case comes up for continuation of hearing. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, psc(+), mnips, while commending Nigerians for promptly alerting the police to the situation, assures them of the ever-readiness of the Command to respond quickly and appropriately to situations towards ensuring the safety and security of resident and visitors to Lagos State.

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Cricket W/Cup: Nigeria set for India training tour

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved training tour of India for the Nigeria U19 Women’s Cricket Team in preparation for their debut appearance at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup slated to take place in Malaysia from January 18, 2025. NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, made the announcement during a briefing highlighting the Commission’s commitment to supporting the team. Discussions during the meeting centered on the logistics, technical, and financial assistance being provided by the NSC in collaboration with the Nigeria Cricket Federation. Hon. Olopade emphasized the importance of this historic participation, praising the federation’s leadership under Uyi Akpata for their efforts in promoting cricket in Nigeria. He further expressed the alignment of this initiative with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which aims to empower youth, particularly young girls, through sports. This milestone signified the growth of cricket in Nigeria and underscores the nation’s readiness to compete on a global stage. Hon. Olopade stressed the need for both media and public support to inspire the team as they represent the country. The training tour in India, followed by the World Cup in Malaysia, will provide the young athletes with exposure and experience crucial to their development. The NSC’s approval of the tour not only reflects the Commission’s dedication to sports development but also serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports. As one of four debutant nations, alongside Samoa, Nepal, and host Malaysia, Nigeria’s participation marks a new chapter in the country’s cricket journey.

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West Ham sack Lopetegui, five staff members

West Ham United have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui after seven months in charge, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter listed as the leading candidate to take over. The Spaniard had been preparing for the team for their FA Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa on January 10. But the board have decided to act, bringing an end to the 58-year-old’s tenure. Lopetegui was relieved of his duties by David Sullivan after holding crunch talks with the West Ham owner in a meeting on Monday. It comes after the Hammers were left languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table following their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City. A club statement reads: “West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club. “The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives. “The club can confirm that assistant head coach Pablo Sanz, head of performance Oscar Caro, head analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, fitness coach Borja De Alba and technical coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect. “The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future. “The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The club will be making no further comment at this time.”

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NFF’s Anyansi suffers injuries in Armed robbery attack

First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu sustained injuries following an armed robbery attack at his residence in Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday. This is according to a press statement made available by the Federation. President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Wednesday morning paid a visit to Anyansi-Agwu’s Abuja home, whose family was attacked by armed robbers some hours earlier. During the visit, Alhaji Gusau prayed for quick return to good health for Chief Anyansi-Agwu, who was injured in the attack, and for the entire Anyansi-Agwu family. He also thanked God that no life was lost in the attack. “The NFF President has been to the house of Chief Anyansi-Agwu. I will also be going to his house shortly to empathise with him and his family. This is an unwholesome incident and the Executive Committee, Management and Staff of NFF feel the stress of the Anyansi-Agwu family at this period,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said. Thenff.com learnt that armed men invaded the Gwarinpa Estate home of former Enyimba FC chairman, Chief Anyansi-Agwu in the early hours of Tuesday, 8th January 2025 and ransacked the entire house. They inflicted injuries on Chief Anyansi-Agwu and carted away one of his cars, as well as mobile phones, cash and other items worth several millions of naira. The football administrator is presently receiving treatment at an undisclosed location in the Federal Capital.

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Trump asks US court to halt sentencing in criminal case

Donald Trump has asked the US supreme court to pause criminal proceedings in his New York hush-money case, according to a filing released on Wednesday. This follows a New York appeals court denying his bid to halt sentencing on Friday in his hush-money case, Reuters reported, in which he became a felon last spring. The president-elect on Monday lost an attempt to put off his sentencing on Friday for his criminal conviction stemming from money paid to an adult film star to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump years ago. In a filing released on Wednesday, Trump’s lawyers asked the nation’s top court to immediately order a stay in the case, as he sought an appeal to resolve questions of presidential immunity following an earlier supreme court ruling. That appeal effort could reach the supreme court as well, his lawyers noted. They also urged the court to issue a temporary “administrative stay” while it considers the request for a broader pause, the filing said. Trump won another term in the White House and is set to take office on 20 January. He has who denied any wrongdoing but was convicted by a jury last May of a plot to influence the 2016 presidential election. The hush-money case made Trump the first US president, sitting or former, to be charged with a crime and also the first to be convicted. Since the verdict, his lawyers have made two unsuccessful attempts to have the case tossed.

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Nollywood actor Dele Odule builds multi-million Naira film village

Veteran actor and film producer Dele Odule has built a multi-million Naira film village in Oru-Ijebu, Ogun State. Odule’s colleague, Prince (Dr.) Babajide Kosoko, also a veteran in the movie industry, posted a video after his visit recently to the village named; Ile Asa. In his post Kosoko wrote; “Yesterday, I and my team visited Oru Ijebu to inspect some of the costumes to be used for Esugbayi Eleko – The Movie! “Dele Odule, who is the owner of the costumes, took me around his Ile Asa complex, a beautiful and proudly African culture complex that is set to redefine the arts and culture sub-sector. “His experience and training as an artist also came handy, as he designed the complex himself and the arts materials as shown in this video. “Dele Odule, I am proud of you and can’t wait to see that complex completed and in full operation.” Odule made his debut appearance in 1986 before he shot into the limelight after starring in the movie titled Ti Oluwa Ni Ile. He has since gone on to star in over 200 movies.

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