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JUST IN: Lagos approves N1billion take off grant for science research, innovation council (PHOTOS)
... Inaugurates Cybersecurity Advisory Board
In its quest to advance scientific innovations in Lagos State, the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated the newly constituted Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) and Cybersecurity Advisory Board.
The event that took place at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja, was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who announced the take-off grant of N1Billion, for the effective commencement of the activities by the Board.

Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration is committed to increasing the success metrics with the provision of LASRIC Seed fund. He added that “with the provision of LASRIC Seed fund to the tune of N1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) in the first tranche payment to the council. We believe this fund would continue to catalyze development in our dear State.”
The Governor noted that the sustenance of the development of the State is the central focus of the present administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda, adding that to drive deeper positive economic outcomes, it was essential to establish an Innovation, Science, and Technology body to manage and propel Lagos State’s engagement with the science and technology ecosystem.

He noted that within the Research and Development, LASRIC has supported more than 70 initiatives, ranging from projects in biomass and biodiesel to artificial intelligence for medical imaging, adding that “their efforts have increased innovation activity within the state by over 250%.
The Governor, enumerated the key areas of responsibilities of the Government to the newly recommissioned LASRIC board, which includes: Increased Funding and Support, Collaboration and Partnerships, Capacity Building, Focus on Local Challenges, Promotion of a Culture of Innovation, and LASRIC SEED FUND, adding that all these areas will increase the ecosystem science, innovation, and technology of the state.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the board is composed of experts from industry, academia, and the public sector, with the mission to deepen and expand innovation activities in Lagos.
While congratulating the newly constituted council, the governor stated that “It is my expectation that the new LASRIC being inaugurated today will work assiduously towards ensuring the realization of our collective goal and aspiration congratulate the Chairman and members of the Board for heeding the call to serve. I have no doubt in my mind that you will bring to bear on your new assignment your experience and expertise which informed your selection to serve the government and the people of Lagos State.
In an earlier event, the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu inaugurated the state cybersecurity council, charging them with the mandate to establish a robust protection ecosystem that will ultimately safeguard the quality of life for all its citizens, stating that the inauguration of the State’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board marks a significant step in its commitment to enhancing digital security and advancing the development agenda in the state.

“Given these escalating threats, it is imperative for Lagos to implement a comprehensive cybersecurity protection strategy. The growing use of digital tools offers both opportunities and real-world risks to our development. Today’s inauguration aligns with our goal of transforming Lagos into a smart, livable, and cyber-protected city,” said the Governor.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tunbosun Alake stated that the Sanwo-Olu administration has continued to enhance technology and digital solutions which will increase the quality of livelihood of its citizens.
The commissioner stated that the inauguration of both the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) Board and the State’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board is a testament to the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu/Kadri Obafemi Hamzat administration’s commitment to innovation science and technology and protecting the state ecosystem.
Also, in their address, both Chairmen of the newly inaugurated boards, LASRIC, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya and Cybersecurity, Dr. Osakwe Fene assured the government of their commitments to the mandate of the council, to protect and promote cybersecurity, science and technology towards the development of the ecosystem of the state and its citizens.
The duo added that technology and cybersecurity are pivotal to the development of any country, especially in achieving the making Lagos a 21st-century economy goal, adding that the present administration is open to different innovative ideas that will continue to enhance the economy of the state and as the 5th largest economy in Africa.





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BREAKING: Private Jet crash Lands in Kano (Video)
A private jet operated by Flybird has reportedly crash-landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in the early hour of today.
The aircraft, was said to be flying from Abuja, and landed around 9:30 a.m with 11 people on board, including three crew members.
Reports says passengers were quickly and safely evacuated from the plane, and no deaths were reported.
More details are expected to come in later.
See video below:
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Botswana, Nigeria Explore Deeper Collaboration in Livestock Development (Photos)
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing evidence-based policies that will modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector and position it as a key driver of national economic growth.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, reiterated this position on Friday, 12th December 2025, when he received Her Excellency, Philda Nani Kereng, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.
He emphasised that the nation can no longer rely on outdated systems but must embrace structured reforms that support productivity, enhance value addition, and create sustainable livelihoods for farmers and livestock value-chain actors.

“The Botswana experience is a major inspiration. Your nation has achieved in 50 years what the world continues to study, and we are interested in domesticating many of those lessons,” the Minister said.
“Nigeria, as the largest market in Africa, is ready to expand its livestock sector to compete globally, while also partnering with Botswana to accelerate the journey,” he added, noting the country’s unique success in exporting beef to Europe, managing transboundary diseases, and integrating technology in livestock traceability.

He stressed Nigeria’s readiness to learn from Botswana’s model, especially as the Ministry moves to rehabilitate and modernise 417 grazing reserves across the country into structured ranching ecosystems.
In her remarks, the High Commissioner highlighted Botswana’s five-decade success story in beef production and export to the European market, describing it as a product of deliberate policies, strong governance structures, and extensive farmer support systems.

She explained that Botswana’s livestock sector grew from a rural development model that prioritised agriculture, backed by policies and laws enabling farmers to produce high-quality cattle for livelihood improvement and national economic growth.
Her Excellency noted that Botswana’s beef sector, second only to diamonds in national revenue, thrives on strict disease-control systems, communal land management, targeted veterinary interventions, and highly subsidised farmer support programmes.
She outlined several areas where Botswana is prepared to collaborate with Nigeria, including beef quality improvement through enhanced genetics, modern abattoir practices, disease management, veterinary protocols, vaccine production, livestock traceability and grazing management.
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JUST IN: Supreme Court Reinstates Death Sentence for Maryam Sanda, Overrides President’s Pardon
Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Friday overturned the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, the Abuja housewife convicted of stabbing her husband to death in 2018, reinstating her original death sentence by hanging.
Sanda, 37, was sentenced to death in January 2020 by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court for culpable homicide punishable with death after she fatally stabbed Bilyaminu Bello during a heated domestic dispute over alleged infidelity. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in December 2020, and the Supreme Court affirmed it in 2023, exhausting her appeals.
In October 2025, President Bola Tinubu initially granted Sanda a full pardon as part of clemency extended to 175 convicts, citing her family’s pleas for the sake of her two children, her good conduct in prison, and remorse. However, amid public backlash, the administration revised the decision, commuting her sentence to 12 years imprisonment on compassionate grounds.
The Supreme Court’s 4-1 majority decision, delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, dismissed Sanda’s final appeal as meritless. Adumein ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, affirming the lower courts’ findings that Sanda’s actions constituted intentional murder.
Crucially, the apex court held that the executive branch’s exercise of pardon powers under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution was invalid in this instance, as Sanda’s appeal was still pending before the judiciary at the time of the grant. “It was wrong for the Executive to seek to exercise its power of pardon over a case of culpable homicide in respect of which an appeal was pending,” Justice Adumein stated in the lead judgment.
The dissenting justice argued for upholding the commutation, emphasizing humanitarian considerations for Sanda’s children and her time served—over seven years at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The ruling has reignited national debates on the separation of powers, domestic violence, and the application of the death penalty. Sanda’s family expressed devastation, while Bello’s relatives hailed the decision as long-overdue justice. Rights groups decried the outcome, calling for legislative reforms on prerogative of mercy.
Sanda remains in custody pending any further legal maneuvers, though options appear exhausted. The Attorney General’s office confirmed investigations into the pardon process’s procedural flaws.
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