News

Residents Count Losses As Floodwaters Take Over Lagos Communities

Published

3 weeks ago

August 9, 2025

…Body of missing child recovered

Even days after the Monday morning downpour that submerged several parts of Lagos, conversations around the incident continue to trigger anxiety among residents, particularly those who were directly affected. For many in the metropolis’ coastal districts, the mere sight of a gathering cloud is now enough to send a chill down the spine.

The fear, unfortunately, is not misplaced. With warnings of more rainfall and the floods they bring, the aftermath of the storm remains a grim reminder of nature’s fury.

Communities such as Aboru in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, Iyana-Ejigbo in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Adamo in Ikorodu Local Government Area and Oke-Elepe in Ijede LCDA were among the worst hit, with homes, cars and livelihoods submerged.

In addition to grounding economic activities statewide, the storm destroyed property worth millions of naira and rendered roads impassable for hours.

Body of missing child recovered in Ayetoro

Chairman of Agbado-Oke Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr Ernest Kasunmu, confirmed that a seven-year-old child swept away by the flood was later found dead at Mopo Junction in Ayetoro, Ogun State, four days after the incident.

“This is not the first time we’re seeing this. We have had children go missing, properties lost, but many cases go unreported,” he said.

While acknowledging efforts by the Lagos State government to mitigate the flood’s impact, Kasunmu lamented that current measures fall short.

“In Aboru, around the Erelu River bank, entire communities were underwater. The government dredged the canal last year, but flooding persists every time it rains,” he said.

He cited inadequate desilting, especially along the boundary with Ogun State, as a major issue, calling for consistent dredging of the lower stream that flows into Ogun.

Kasunmu also called for the demolition of buildings constructed along canal paths and urged the government to provide alternatives for those living in flood-prone zones.

“These wetlands are unsuitable for housing. But desperation, driven by hardship and housing scarcity, forces people to build there. Government housing isn’t affordable; they are not low-cost. We need inclusive solutions,” he said.

He further demanded community involvement in government contracts, noting that “in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, we are always at the receiving end.”

Poor topography, land grabbers behind Ikorodu flooding – CDC

In Ikorodu, the story was just as grim. Alhaji Lukman Shonibare, Secretary of the CDC, pointed to unregulated land sales, blocked drainage channels and poor topography as key culprits.

“Flooding wreaked havoc in Ajegunle and Gberigbe. Even newly constructed roads in Adamo were damaged,” he said.

He blamed unscrupulous land grabbers who sell swampy, lowland plots without drainage provisions.

“There is no plan for water flow. That is why the Gberigbe road project by Governor Sanwo-Olu came as a relief; it included a proper drainage channel,” he noted.

Shonibare warned that the recurring floods will persist unless the government enforces planning regulations.

“Officials from Physical Planning and Environment ministries must visit these sites, assess the terrain, and enforce guidelines,” he said.

He added that waste dumping into gutters, often due to poverty and lack of waste disposal services, compounds the problem.

“Unfortunately, many CDA members are scared to speak up. You risk community backlash if you criticise the system,” he warned.

Abandoned road projects blamed for flooding

In Ijede LCDA, some residents blamed abandoned road projects for the current crisis.

According to Mr Saliu Oriyomi and Mr Ebun Campbell, the halted road construction at Itamaja and the lack of drainage in new estates were major contributors.

“There is no drainage in the new Oko-Ope estate. The Ijede road project was stopped at Gbodu junction. That is why flooding happens. The newly graded Adamo road has now been destroyed,” said Oriyomi.

Campbell pointed to rubble from ongoing construction on Agbole Road as the immediate cause of Monday’s flooding. “The river didn’t overflow, it was rain and blocked drainage from construction debris,” he said.

He lamented the economic toll, saying: “Many homes were flooded, and residents had to hire pumping machines. The losses are enormous.”

Iyana-Ejigbo Market built on drainage –Residents

Residents of Iyana-Ejigbo in Ejigbo Local Government Area said their troubles stem from a market built directly over drainage channels.

Ajagbe Taiwo, a resident of Rafiu Tijani Street, stated: “The market is the biggest obstruction to water flow. The road rebuilt by the last council chairman didn’t last. Rainfall immediately floods the T-junction, making the road impassable.”

He expressed the belief that until the market is relocated, flooding in the area will persist. “Water from Powerline and Ifoshi roads pools here; there’s no exit,” he said.

We are sensitising residents –Ejigbo LG chairman

Ejigbo Local Government Area chairman, Hon. Taoheed Taiwo, said his administration is actively engaging residents on proper waste disposal.

“The problem didn’t start today. We have begun sensitisation and desilting. We have deployed manpower to clear the drainage,” he stated.

He pointed to an ongoing road expansion from Daleko to Ori-Oke, which he believes will improve drainage in the long term.

Taiwo acknowledged street trading contributed to blocked drainage and praised the relocation of traders to the Iyana-Ejigbo market, while also stressing that many markets coexist with drainages without issues, provided cleanliness is maintained.

Government urges relocation from lowlands

In a Tuesday advisory, the Lagos State government urged residents in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised the need for caution, especially in coastal Ikorodu and parts of Lekki.

“Lagos has experienced intense rainfall. People living on lowlands must move to uplands until the rains subside,” he said.

Yet, critics argue the state has been slow to enforce existing environmental laws.

Akeem, a resident of Raji Razak in Aboru, said stricter enforcement is essential.

“People dump refuse in gutters with impunity. This is one of the main causes of flooding. Until offenders, no matter how highly placed, are punished, this won’t stop,” he said.
(TRIBUNE)

News

DANGER: Six Incurable Diseases You Should Know — And Their Causes

Published

4 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Diseases are medical conditions that affect the body and disrupt its normal functions. Although healthcare professionals and researchers have made significant progress in finding cures for many diseases, there are still several illnesses without a permanent cure.

While treatment may help manage symptoms or prolong life, the diseases themselves remain incurable.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at six incurable diseases you should know.

HIV/AIDS

Probably the most well-known disease on the list, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system, which can develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). At this stage, the immune system becomes too weak to fight infections. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps patients live long and healthy lives, there is still no permanent cure for HIV.

Causes

HIV is primarily contracted through specific bodily fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal mucus, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are through unprotected vaginal or anal sex and sharing needles or syringes. Mother-to-child transmission can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Cancer

Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, affecting organs such as the lungs, breasts, and prostate. Treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can manage or remove some cancers, but there is no universal cure.

According to Healthline, there is a difference between cure and remission when it comes to cancer. A cure means all traces of cancer are eliminated and will not return, while remission refers to a state where few to no cancer cells remain. Remission may be complete, with no detectable signs of cancer, often within the first five years after treatment, or partial, where the cancer has shrunk but is still present. Even in complete remission, hidden cancer cells can remain and cause the disease to return.

Causes

Cancer, unlike HIV, is not a contagious disease. Instead, it arises from genetic mutations within cells, which can be inherited, develop over time, or be caused by environmental factors like radiation and chemicals. These mutations cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.

Diabetes

Another incurable disease is diabetes. It is a chronic condition where the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels.

While there are many types of diabetes, the major ones are Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin, while in Type 2 diabetes, the body cannot use insulin effectively. Although medications, insulin injections, and lifestyle changes help manage the disease, there is no cure. Over time, diabetes can lead to complications such as kidney failure and heart disease.

Causes

Diabetes is also not contagious. Type 1 diabetes is mainly due to genetics and environmental factors that trigger the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas while Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is caused by a combination of factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and insulin resistance

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking abilities. It is the leading cause of dementia among older adults. The disease worsens over time and makes it difficult for patients to perform daily activities. Current treatments can only slow down symptoms or improve quality of life, but they cannot stop the disease or reverse the damage.

Causes

Alzheimer’s develops in the brain when abnormal protein deposits build up, damaging nerve cells and affecting memory. Age, genetics, and family history are the strongest risk factors, while lifestyle factors such as poor cardiovascular health can also contribute to the development of this incurable disease.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Not only is this disease incurable, but it also does not have a known cause, according to Professor of Neurology Mayowa Owolabi. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles. Over time, the nerves that send signals from the brain to the muscles weaken and die, causing patients to lose the ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe.

Causes

ALS is not a disease that spreads from person to person. The exact cause is unknown, but research suggests it results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. In some cases, it runs in families, while in others, it occurs randomly.

Parkinson’s Disease

This is another disease scientists have yet to find a cure for. It is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that mainly affects movement. Parkinson’s disease develops gradually and is marked by tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

The condition occurs when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine become damaged or die. While medications and therapies can help control the symptoms, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, and symptoms worsen over time.

Causes

Like some other incurable diseases, Parkinson’s does not spread like an infection. It develops when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine become damaged or die. While the exact cause is not fully understood, Mayo Clinic notes that factors such as genes and environmental toxins may play a role in the development of the disease.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)

News

Police Urge Bauchi Residents To Remain Calm Amidst Soldier’s Death In Bauchi

Published

18 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Police in Bauchi state has called on all the residents of the state to remain calm after a soldier was shot dead by a police officer in the state.

CSP Ahmed Wakil, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) made the call on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani Omolori-Aliyu.

According to him, Inter-agency security forces have initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident which led to the death of the soldier.

The PPRO recalled how a blogger narrated the incident that a member of the Nigerian Army attached to 33 Artillery Brigade was fatally shot while attempting to intercept a truck suspected of transporting solid minerals from an illegal mining site in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state by a mobile police Inspector on illegal duty.

News

How Becoming Bank Manager At 27 Changed My Life, Tony Elumelu Urges Trust In Africa’s Youths

Published

18 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

Prominent African businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has reflected on the defining moment of his early career when he was appointed a bank branch manager at just 27 years old.

In a post shared on his LinkedIn page on Tuesday, Elumelu recounted how his appointment at AllStates Trust Bank changed the trajectory of his life and shaped his passion for empowering young people.

“When I was 27, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: I became a branch manager at AllStates Trust Bank, a young bank in Nigeria.

“Banking was beginning to change the country, it was the sector to be in, ripe for transformation, ready for disruption, for democratisation.

“At that time, few believed a 27-year-old could successfully lead a bank branch. But that opportunity changed the entire course of my life.

“It gave me confidence. It gave me a platform. Most importantly, it gave me perspective,” he wrote.

Elumelu, who is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and chairs Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa, noted that his journey began not with financial capital but with trust.

His post continued, “That’s why today, I am passionate about giving young people the same chance I was given. Because I know what’s possible when someone believes in you early.

“This belief is at the heart of everything we do at The Tony Elumelu Foundation. It’s why we invest in young African entrepreneurs – because someone once invested in me.

“My journey didn’t begin with capital. It began with trust. Let’s keep believing in Africa’s youth. They are ready to lead, grow and transform our continent.”

In a follow-up post on X on Friday, the business leader further highlighted three lessons from his experience as a young bank manager.

“Shared recently on my LinkedIn page how I became a bank manager at just 27. I got a lot of questions. One stood out: How could someone so young handle such responsibility?

“Many doubted a young man could lead a bank branch. That chance changed the entire course of my life,” he wrote.

Outlining the lessons from his journey, Elumelu wrote, “Lesson 1: Age is not a barrier. If you can execute, are hungry to learn, and committed to results — you can lead at any age. Leadership is about clarity of vision and that discipline to execute.

“Lesson 2: The most powerful capital is trust. My journey didn’t start with money — it started with trust. Trust was the seed that propelled everything else. Give young people trust, and they will surprise you. I was trusted, I repaid that trust.”

In the third lesson, Elumelu explained why perspective matters in leadership.

He wrote, “Leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It is about empowering, setting direction, and providing clarity. The sooner you learn this, the faster you grow.

“That’s why today, I am passionate about giving young people the same chance I was given. Cascading luck. Catalysing opportunity.”

Elumelu said these principles continue to drive his commitment to youth empowerment through his foundation.

“It is the reason we invest in Africa’s youths at the #TonyElumeluFDN, because someone once invested in me,” he wrote.

“My story is proof that when we trust in our youths, they are ready to lead, grow, and transform our continent. Let’s keep believing in Africa’s youths,” he concluded.