The Bayelsa State Government has resolved a dispute between Egweama Nembe and Elepa communities in Brass and Nembe local government areas over the ownership of Elepa 1 and 2 oil wells.
Both communities accepted a decision reached by the state government on Friday in Yenagoa to ensure peace and security in the area while awaiting the outcome of ongoing litigation over the dispute.
The Elepa oilfields are currently being operated by the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited after divestment of the facilities by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
Addressing leaders of both communities at a meeting, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the government had endorsed the sharing formula recommended by the Irorodamie Komonibo-led committee set up last year to mediate on the matter.
Ewhrudjakpo announced the allocation of 40 per cent of all royalties, employment chances and contractual jobs from Renaissance Africa Energy Company to Elepa, while Egweama and Nembe were allocated 30 per cent each.
He directed that the three contractors engaged under the company’s Free To Operate system for the supply of a tug boat, swamp buggy, and crew boat should come under one contract and share the profits accordingly based on the sharing formula.
Ewhrudjakpo commended the calmness of leaders and stakeholders of the area, explaining that the government’s position was informed by its overriding interest in ensuring peace among the feuding communities.
He urged them to talk to their people, especially the youth to maintain the existing peace, and patiently wait for the determination of the lawsuit over the ownership of the disputed Elepa 1 and 2 oil wells at the Court of Appeal.
He said, “We have carefully studied the recommendations in the report submitted by the committee we set up sometime last year to look into your dispute, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo. As a government, we have adopted the recommendation. So going forward, the Elepa community will have 40 per cent while Egwema and Nembe will get 30 per cent each, pending when the court will give judgment on the ownership case.”
He stated further: “This decision was reached after a thorough consideration of a lot of factors involved, and I believe it is in the best interest of the communities and that of the state to make this sacrifice.”
Responding separately on behalf of the communities, the Chairman of the Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Bright Ereware-Igbeta, the Paramount Ruler of Elepa Community, Chief Gelegukuma Apiri, and the CDC Chairman of Egweama Community, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha, appreciated the relentless efforts of the state government to ensure that there is peace among the three communities despite their conflict of interest.
While thanking the government for the next parameters put in place in respect of employment opportunities and contracts, they agreed to remain peaceful, stressing there is no price too much to pay to enjoy peace.
The highlight of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Bayelsa State Government represented by the deputy governor and representatives of the three communities.
The Lagos State Government has boosted its emergency care by unveiling 10 new ambulance points.
This expansion aims to improve response times and strengthen the Lagos State Ambulance Service network across the state after some reports published by PUNCH Online.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, announced the addition of ten embulalces on Saturday during the commissioning ceremony that took place at the LASAMBUS Point in Agege, one of the newly established locations.
This is contained in a statement shared on the Lagos Government website on Saturday.
The statement quoted Ogunyemi as saying, “The Lagos State Government today officially commissioned 10 new pre-fabricated ambulance points located at Agege, Agbowa, Masha (Surulere), Badagry, Mile 2, Epe, Shomolu, Igando, Iba, and Ibeju-Lekki areas of the State under the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). The initiative, led by the Ministry of Health, is designed to improve pre-hospital care and emergency response times across communities.”
The event also had in attendance top government officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, and representatives from the contractor, Hamibra Integrated Nigeria Ltd.
Ogunyemi, in her keynote address, described the initiative as a landmark step toward the realisation of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda, particularly in delivering timely and quality emergency healthcare to Lagosians.
“These new ambulance points represent not just infrastructure, but hope and access to lifesaving care,” she said.
Ogunyemi noted that the structures were strategically located to ensure broader and faster emergency medical coverage.
She praised the collaborative spirit that brought the project to fruition, singling out the contractor, Mr. Sulaiman Hammed, for what she called “professional dedication beyond contractual obligations.”
She also acknowledged Mr. Moshood Akintayo, a beneficiary of LASAMBUS services, for voluntarily beautifying the Agege ambulance point with his resources.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, she declared: “We are not just launching facilities today, we are reinforcing our promise to save lives, support frontline responders, and build a healthier, safer Lagos for all.”
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ogboye, shared his deep personal passion for emergency services and highlighted LASAMBUS as a cause he has championed throughout his tenure. “This is not just another ribbon-cutting ceremony,” he said.
“It’s a signpost of progress, a culmination of years of planning and passionate work”, he added.
Ogboye explained that the 10 new points are part of a larger blueprint to upgrade and establish more strategically located points on the roads, ambulance bases in hospitals, forward-operating posts in local government areas, and trauma centres across Lagos.
He cited already functional trauma centres in Epe and Tollgate, and ongoing works at MCC Eti-Osa and proposed new centres in other locations.
“We’re building more than structures; we’re building systems. From infrastructure to communication upgrades, every piece fits into a larger vision of seamless, responsive emergency medical service delivery,” Ogboye stated, adding that plans are underway to expand beyond these 10 points.
He commended the LASAMBUS team for their dedication and resilience, noting that the addition of new points will naturally increase their workload.
“Even as we celebrate today, we acknowledge the increased demands on our responders. Your sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed,” he assured.
Ogboye also recognised the valuable contributions of the community, citing Mr. Moshood Akintayo’s gesture as “the highest form of civic partnership any government agency could ask for.”
He urged others to emulate such community ownership of public assets.
The MD/CEO of Hamibra Integrated Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Sulaiman Hammed, presented a project brief, explaining the evolution of the prefabricated model from earlier versions that were vulnerable to environmental damage and unrest.
“This new model is fortified, mobile, and designed to stand for over 50 years,” he declared proudly.
He revealed that the structure includes an ambulance personnel station equipped with executive furniture, anti-burglar German steel panels, and hybrid plasma cooling for staff comfort, adding that the ambulance hangar is reinforced with top-grade steel and built to accommodate modern ambulances securely and effectively.
According to Hammed, the modular structures are not only transferable but also cost-effective in the long term.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for supporting innovation and to the Special Adviser and Permanent Secretary for their leadership and trust in local contractors.
Representing LASAMBUS, Deputy Director of Nursing, Mrs. Rasheedat Saka, applauded the commissioning as a game-changer for pre-hospital care delivery.
“These new points drastically improve our comfort, readiness, and response times. So with this in place, we are ready to respond come sun or rain,” she noted.
Mrs. Saka appreciated the Ministry for responding to the needs of ambulance personnel, citing training and continuous capacity-building efforts as crucial elements that enable LASAMBUS responders to remain competent and effective in emergencies.
She reminded Lagosians of the availability of emergency toll-free numbers 767 and 112, urging citizens to call either number during emergencies to receive prompt assistance from trained LASAMBUS professionals.
A high point of the ceremony was the moving testimony by Mr. Moshood Akintayo, a direct beneficiary of LASAMBUS intervention.
He recalled how the service saved his life during an accident earlier this year. “They showed up fast, treated me on-site, and transported me to the hospital, all at no cost,” he shared emotionally.
In appreciation, Mr. Akintayo painted the perimeter wall around the newly constructed LASAMBUS Point in Agege. “This is my small way of giving back. LASAMBUS gave me a second chance at life,” he said, drawing warm applause from attendees.
“Today’s commissioning brings the total number of newly pre-fabricated LASAMBUS Points to 16, following six previously launched stations a year ago. With Governor Sanwo-Olu’s continued support, the State aims to extend the reach of these points to all local government areas.
“By reinforcing infrastructure, upskilling personnel, and engaging communities, the Lagos State Government has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to emergency healthcare. The new LASAMBUS Points represent both immediate impact and long-term investment in public health resilience”, Akintayo added.
Meanwhile, On July 8, 2025, PUNCH Online repported that three young women involved in a serious road accident on Kingsway Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, early Tuesday morning and were reportedly sustained severe head injuries and faced a significant delay in ambulance response, forcing an eyewitness to transport them to the General Hospital, Lagos, in a private vehicle.
The incident sparked concern over the state of emergency services in Lagos, with an eyewitness lamenting the perceived decline in response times.
“Very sad!”, an eyewitness, Agboola Kotun, recounted the ordeal in a Facebook post with photos early on Tuesday.
Similarly, on December 4, 2022, PUNCH Online reported that the Lagos State government renovated an ambulance point on Bajulaiye Road in the Shomolu Local Government Area of the state, which had been abandoned for over five years.
The renovation came after a report by PUNCH HealthWise had revealed the poor state of the ambulance point.
The Indigenous People of Biafra has said the recent revelations by the Spokesman to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu that they used the “Villa rat” invasion story to cover up Buhari’s prolonged illness and absence from governance, has vindicated the position of the pro-Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a press statement released by the IPOB’s Spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, the group claimed that Kanu was the first to bring the information to the public and was persecuted by the likes of Shehu, who described it as “fake news” and “hate speech”.
Powerful said, “The IPOB under the leadership of our incorruptible and prophetically gifted leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, notes with righteous vindication the stunning admission by Garba Shehu, former spokesman to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, that the now-infamous ‘villa rat invasion’ story was a calculated lie to cover up Buhari’s prolonged illness and absence from governance.
“Let the world take note: what Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said years ago on Radio Biafra, that Muhammadu Buhari was gravely ill and incapable of leading Nigeria, and that Aso Rock was enmeshed in a web of lies and deception, has now been confirmed by one of the principal architects of that deception himself.
“The same Garba Shehu who accused our leader of ‘fake news’ and ‘hate speech’, has now confessed, with no shame, that they orchestrated a national charade to fool over 200 million people. What greater treason can be committed than lying to an entire nation about the health and whereabouts of its so-called president?
“This disgraceful confirmation vindicates everything Kanu has ever said about the fraudulent and deceptive nature of the Nigerian state. He told the truth and was persecuted for it. He warned Nigerians that their President was missing in action, that shadowy forces had hijacked the machinery of government, and that the people were being ruled by deception.
“Instead of investigating the truth, the Nigerian media and political elite mocked him. They ridiculed his divine insight. They arrested him. They tortured him. They abducted and renditioned him. But they could not bury the truth.”
The group, however, insisted that Shehu’s cowardly confession is not an act of courage, adding that it is a delayed admission born of guilt and irrelevance.
“Where was this honesty when the Nigerian people needed it? Where was this ‘truth’ when IPOB and our leader were being vilified, jailed, and labeled terrorists for speaking it? If this level of deliberate misinformation had happened in any sane society, those responsible would be in jail for subverting the constitution, undermining national security, and deceiving the electorate. But Nigeria rewards mediocrity, protects liars, and punishes truth-tellers.
“Let it be clearly stated once again: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu does not lie. He does not speculate. He speaks only divine truth, and every word he has ever uttered is manifesting before your eyes. From the exposure of Buhari’s health fraud, to the Fulani expansionist agenda, to the illegality of his abduction and extraordinary rendition — time continues to prove Mazi Nnamdi Kanu right.
“Those who still doubt the divine calling of our leader should watch as every falsehood told against him crumbles one after the other. The truth is like the rising sun — it cannot be suppressed. Today Garba Shehu has confessed. Tomorrow others will follow. Aso Rock is a house built on lies, and the foundation is shaking,” the statement added.
The group urged Nigerians and international community to stop enabling tyranny in Nigeria, adding, “You now have confirmation from the mouth of the regime’s own spokesperson that the Nigerian people were lied to on a grand scale. If this does not concern you, then you are complicit.
“In the words of our leader: we are without fear before our enemies” and “in the end, we always win.”
A two-time deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Safuratu AbdulKarim, on Saturday said the All Progressives Congress means well for the country.
AbdulKarim, who recently defected to the APC, said this during the Lagos State local government areas election in Badagry.
She said her decision to join the APC was because they meant well and showing it via their performance.
“Looking well, my defection based on performance has been vindicated,”
Commenting on the election, AbdulKarim said there was no opposition in Badagry, adding that majority of the people are APC members.
“Opposition parties have accepted their fate in Badagry.” she said.
She commended the women in the area for coming out en mass to cast their votes.
NAN reports that the Lagos state council poll held in 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.
According to LASIEC, 15 out of the 18 registered political parties are contesting in the election.
Voting in the ongoing local government elections in Lagos State has been described as peaceful and orderly, with a fair turnout recorded at the Ikosi International Fruit Market.
Mr. Sola Olugungboye, Secretary of the Ikosi International Fruit Market, told journalists on Saturday that traders turned out en masse to perform their civic duty.
He commended the electoral officers for maintaining order and ensuring a smooth process.
“So far, voting has been peaceful. All our sellers are fully involved and have come out to vote. There’s no disruption, and everything is moving well,” Olugungboye said
When our correspondent visited the market-based polling unit, a large crowd of onlookers and observers were seen making videos, cheering, and enjoying the atmosphere as they awaited the close of voting scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Our correspondent also observed a queue of accredited voters waiting to cast their votes.
Among the voters was an 84-year-old, who identified herself as the Iyaloja (market leader) of the fruit market.
She said she had cast her vote earlier in the day and was determined to wait until votes were counted.
“I have voted. I will stay here and see that they count our votes. This is our duty as citizens,” she said in Yoruba.
The local government elections, organised by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, are being held across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas. The exercise will determine the next set of chairmen and councillors responsible for grassroots governance in the state.
The elections, which began at 8:30 a.m., are expected to end by 3:00 p.m., after which counting will commence at each polling unit.
Despite concerns raised about voter apathy in other areas of Ikosi, about voter apathy, signs the market suggest increased engagement from residents and traders.
However, a full assessment of turnout across the state remains to be seen as the process concludes.
LASIEC has assured Lagosians of a free, fair, and transparent election.
An agent of the All Progressives Congress, Alli Olugbenga, has raised alarm over incidents of voters demanding money before casting their ballots in Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos State.
Olugbenga, who is stationed at Ward C, Kosofe Local Government Area, told The PUNCH that he encountered several residents who refused to go to polling units unless they were paid.
“They want me to pay them before they come out and vote. It’s wrong. It’s their civic right. They should not sell their vote. We’ve been going from house to house, begging people to come out, but many say they won’t vote unless they are ‘settled’,” he said.
At Polling Unit 028 in Ward C, where 106 voters are expected, only two had cast their votes as of mid-morning.
APC party agents there said they had been calling known voters and waiting patiently since 8:00 a.m.
“We have called some people and we are still waiting for them,” one agent said.
The situation was similar at Polling Unit 029, also in Ward C, where just six out of 160 registered voters had shown up by 11:33 a.m.
Despite the low turnout, officials described the process as peaceful, with agents from different parties cooperating and voters behaving orderly.
A PDP agent, however, expressed disappointment over the apathy.
“Everybody has been at home. No one is coming to vote. I’m frustrated,” she said.
At Polling Unit 015, also in Ward C, only about 20 voters out of 928 had cast their votes as of midday.
An electoral official described the process as peaceful but noted that many residents appeared reluctant to vote.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission is conducting the elections across 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, aiming to fill critical grassroots leadership positions.
But once again, low voter turnout remains a major concern, particularly in Ikosi-Isheri and other parts of Kosofe LGA.
A prominent figure and Board of Trustees member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has openly accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of actively undermining the party’s established system and working in concert with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
George’s remarks came during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, where he addressed the persistent internal crises plaguing the opposition party.
George described Wike as a “loose cannon” whose actions are detrimental to the PDP’s cohesion and future prospects.
He highlighted the party’s structured system, emphasising that all committees, including reconciliation efforts led by figures like Bukola Saraki, ultimately report to the National Executive Committee.
The NEC, according to George, holds the ultimate authority second only to the national convention.
The PDP chieftain revealed that the party’s inability to convene a NEC meeting for an extended period contributed significantly to the ongoing “shenanigans.”
He cited a dispute concerning the party’s secretary, who contested for governorship without resigning, as a key factor that stalled NEC meetings.
However, George confirmed that the party has now resolved these procedural hurdles, with a crucial NEC meeting slated for July 23rd.
“He seems like he’s very much the loose cannon of the party that’s hell-bent on destroying it. In fact, he seems to have succeeded on some levels, working hand-in-hand with the APC,” George asserted, directly implicating Wike in efforts to destabilize the PDP.
He stressed that individuals of Wike’s status, being a member of the Board of Trustees, cannot simply be “fired” but must be held accountable through the party’s established processes.
The upcoming NEC meeting is anticipated to be a pivotal moment for the PDP, where all outstanding issues, including those related to Wike’s alleged anti-party activities, will be tabled for discussion and resolution.
George expressed optimism that adherence to the party’s constitution and the collective will of its members would prevail, leading to a much-needed rebirth and strengthening of the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
The member representing Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliot, says the Permanent Voter Card remains a proof of civic responsibility, rather than a measure of party loyalty.
Elliot said this shortly after casting his vote at Onitolo Nusery/ Primary School, Unit 009, in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos State Government is conducting elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions across all 20 local government areas and 37 local development council areas.
“PVC does not mean voting for my party. It means exercising your civic responsibility,” he said.
According to him, it’s unfair for individuals to seek government support without contributing to the democratic process through voting.
“You can’t sit at home and later come to seek help from people who others sacrificed to vote into power,” he said.
Elliot described the turnout of the election as slightly low but expressed optimism that more voters would show up as the day progressed.
The lawmaker noted that local government elections should attract more participation than presidential polls due to their direct impact on daily life.
“Development begins at the grassroots level. With powers and revenue now devolved to local governments, this election holds significant importance.
“The outcome of this election will have a direct impact on the lives of citizens, making it crucial for voters to exercise their franchise wisely and elect leaders who will prioritise their needs and drive development in their areas,” he said.
He advocated increased public discussion about the responsibilities of local governments, highlighting their critical role in primary healthcare, market management, and maintenance of inner roads.
‘They want to rig’ — Ex Deputy Gov calls for cancellation of Lagos LG polls
The lawmaker commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission for the orderly conduct of the election.
The headquarters of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission in Yaba witnessed tight security on Saturday as the state conducted its local government elections.
A News Agency of Nigeria political correspondent at the LASIEC office reported a strong presence of security personnel, including a commendable number of police officers stationed at the premises.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services were also present, positioned in their respective operational vans.
Vehicular movement on the street leading to the LASIEC office was restricted, with roadblocks mounted at both ends to control access and ensure order.
Elsewhere in Badagry, similar security measures were observed, with personnel from the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, and the Federal Road Safety Corps deployed to maintain peace and order.
There was high compliance with the restriction of movement in the Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area of the state as voters were peaceful in their conduct.
NAN reports that the usually bustling streets of Mosan-Okunola, located in the Alimosho area, were quiet as of 9a.m., with only security personnel, electoral officials, and a few accredited observers seen moving around.
Major roads such as Abesan Gate Road, Akowonjo Road, and the Ipaja-Ayobo axis were deserted, while shops, markets, and motor parks remained closed.
Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators also stayed off the roads in compliance with the directive issued by the Lagos State Government.
Security agencies, including officers of the Nigeria Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, were stationed at strategic locations to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order.
Residents who spoke to NAN commended the level of compliance, noting that it would help ensure a smooth electoral process.
A voter, Mrs Bosede Akinwale, said: “I am happy people are obeying the movement restriction. It shows that we are becoming more conscious of the importance of orderly elections.”
The police had earlier announced that movement would be restricted across the state from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to facilitate the conduct of the Saturday council elections in the state.
NAN reports that the LASIEC is conducting elections into 20 constitutionally recognised local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas.
The election is currently underway across the 57 council areas and 376 electoral wards in the state.
Banjoko Ibidunni became the first person to cast her vote at Ward D, Orile, in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of Kosofe LGA, Lagos State, at exactly 10:28 a.m. on Saturday, well over two hours after voting was expected to begin.
“I call on all youths to come out. We cannot sit back at home and complain. Let’s exercise our civic rights,” she said in an interview with Punch Online.
Our correspondent observed that some voters only began arriving at the polling unit around 9:00 a.m., after struggling to locate it.
One of them said they had to call the ward councillor for directions due to the absence of signage or officials to guide them.
“I had to call the councillor before we could even find the polling unit,” a resident said.
Ibidunni, who had been waiting patiently for hours, finally cast her vote without incident. Electoral officers arrived late, contributing to the delayed commencement of voting.
An electoral officer at the unit told The PUNCH that they were expecting 77 registered voters at the polling unit, but only four had shown up as of 10:35 a.m., when our correspondent left the scene. There was no queue at the unit at the time.
Although the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission had assured voters of early starts across all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, late deployment of officials and materials was reported in multiple locations.
The local government elections are expected to produce chairmen and councillors who will lead grassroots governance efforts for the next term. However, low voter turnout, logistical delays, and general apathy have been recurring issues across the state.
Voting was still ongoing at Ward D as of the time this report was filed.
