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Mixed reactions trail Lagos food market

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2024

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Following the announcement of the newly introduced Ounje-Eko Initiative by Lagos state state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos residents have received the much-announced initiative with mixed reactions.

While some locations concluded the exercise at 4pm, some, such as Satellite Town, extended till 5.30pm due to the late arrival of food items.

A resident of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mrs. Bianca Okafor, hailed the government for ‘coming to the aid of the masses in such a trying time’.

“I am really happy. Before this discount offer came to us, I have been thinking about how to feed my family of six. I am a single mother and taking care of kids in this hard time is suicidal. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. But, I am grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to our aid,” she said.

Elizabeth Hundeyin at Satellite Town also lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the initiative. She said the gesture would reduce poverty and enable families to have food on their tables.

“I got some food items at discounted prices, and I think it’s a really good one. Kudos to Lagos State for this poverty alleviation scheme; it is a good one and a commendable effort.”

Other beneficiaries also praised government but said other items such as noodles, groundnut oil and spaghetti should be added to the items.

But Basit Ahmed said the initiative was just a peanut to blindfold the masses.

“How could you give this kind of discount to your citizens? It’s not fair. They are to pay 75 per cent, while government pays 25 per cent. It’s as good as nothing. This is supposed to be a palliative. We are not supposed to pay a dime. The government is supposed to give free foodstuff to the citizens in this hard time,” he said.

At Igando Community Grammar School, Igando, about 1,000 residents turned out for the exercise. Abdulhakeem Akindele praised officials for ensuring order. He also lauded the system of having a limit to purchases, saying ‘it will give everyone the opportunity to benefit’.

Others however said more stalls and vendors are needed to ensure efficiency. They said this will make the queues move faster and especially reduce waiting time, especially for the elderly.

“We appreciate the government. However, they need to recruit more staff, traders and officials so that the programme would be organised such that old people would not stand for too long especially in the sun,” Elizabeth said.

The vendors welcomed the initiative and requested an expansion of the programme scope.

A Sales Representative of Country Fresh Bread, Active Foods Bakery, Ajidaun Oluwasegun, opiend that the initiative be made long term.

“I am impressed about it. Kudos to Governor Sanwo-Olu. I would love it to go on because it helps people buy at subsidised rates.”

Salisu Muhammad and Emilia Flay called for wider publicity and a broader variety of food items, including staples like yam, potatoes, semovita, among others.

In Badagry Local Government Area, activities did not start until 1pm because some officials came late.

Residents also registered their displeasure with the prices of commodities.

Mrs. Fatimo Yusuf said there was no difference between what they brought to them and what they buy at Agbalata market.

“I am not happy with this discount market; there is no difference between what we buy in the normal markets and what they brought here today. This is not a discount market, most of the people selling here are from our everyday markets.

“Even the onions and pepper is expensive, compared to what we buy at the normal markets. This is not favourable at all; government should return to the table and do the needful,” she said.

Another resident, Mrs. Olabimpe Bamidele, expressed shock at the prices of produce at the market.

She said: “When I heard about the discount market, I was very happy and left Church early to buy tomatoes and onions. But, unfortunately, what I saw here is nothing to write home about because two kilos of tomatoes selling for N1,800 is too expensive, the same thing with onions.

“This is not what they promised us, people are just leaving the market without buying anything.”

Mrs. Bamidele also said the government officials in charge of the market were not coordinated. But Idowu Jimoh hailed the government for bringing the price of bread and eggs down.

“I came here to buy bread and eggs and I’m so happy because a crate of eggs we buy for N3,800 sells for N2,700. Also, bread is sold for N750 instead of N1,000 per a loaf, and one is permitted to buy two for N1500.

“The government has tried in this area and they should continue because I will come next week to buy again,” he said.

Related Topics:Featured Ounje Eko Initiative

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Otunba Adekunle Ojora, Industrialist and broadcaster dies at 93

Ojora held significant interests in AGIP Petroleum Marketing, NCR Nigeria, and founded several private firms, including Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and Lagos Investments, a holding company. In the wake of the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act.

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January 28, 2026

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• Photo of Otunba Adekunle Ojora

The Head of Ojora Royal Family of Lagos, on Wednesday announced the death of Otunba Adekunle Ojora at the age of 93.

He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape, and children, including, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Ojora Family by Prince Adewale Taorid Ojora, stated that Otunba Ojora who was born on June 13th 1932, died on January the 28th 2026.

Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate leaders of the post-independence era,

Otunba Adekunle Ojora carved an exceptional legacy that spanned journalism, public service, politics, and big-ticket corporate governance.

He was Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.

Ojora’s professional journey began in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London.

He rose to the position of assistant editor, and later returned to Nigeria in 1955 to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter.

He later moved to Ibadan, where he served as an information officer in the office of the then regional premier.In 1961, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining the United African Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and becoming an Executive Director in 1962.

His interest in commerce and enterprise deepened in the years that followed, marking the start of a lifelong influence in Nigerian boardrooms.

Following the military coup that ended the First Republic, Otunba Ojora was nominated to the Lagos City Council in 1966.

In 1967, he held two key appointments: Managing Director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, succeeding Chief Kola Balogun.

After he left WEMABOD, he expanded his footprint as a major investor and entrepreneur.

He acquired equity stakes in numerous foreign companies operating in Nigeria, including Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up.

Beyond the boardroom, Otunba Ojora was deeply rooted in tradition. He was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife and Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.

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FCTA workers back to work in compliance with court orders

Our correspondent observed a steady flow of staff across departments, pointing to a gradual return to normal operations within the FCTA and FCDA.

Published

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January 28, 2026

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23 Views

STAFF of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) have resumed work following a court order directing the suspension of the strikes action.

Consequently, the main gate of the FCTA Secretariat showed workers arriving and proceeding to their various offices, signalling compliance with the court directive.

Our correspondent observed a steady flow of staff across departments, pointing to a gradual return to normal operations within the FCTA and FCDA.

Schools across the Federal Capital Territory have also reopened, bringing relief to residents and raising hopes that ongoing engagements between government and labour unions will remain peaceful and constructive.

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UK begins Alison-Madueke’s trial on bribery charges

Alison-Madueke sat in the dock alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who is charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Published

2 days ago

January 27, 2026

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The alleged corruption trial of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke commenced on Tuesday at the London’s Southwark Crown Court.

British prosecutors told the court that Alison-Madueke took bribes including luxury goods and the use of high-end properties from industry figures interested in lucrative oil and gas contracts, when she was minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-president Goodluck Jonathan and was also briefly president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the first woman to hold either role.

According to Reuters, the 65-year-old is now one of the most high-profile former energy officials to stand trial for alleged corruption, having been charged in 2023 with five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denies.

Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court that Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London”, where she often stayed, provided by those interested in being awarded or retaining contracts with Nigerian state-owned companies.

Healy said Alison-Madueke was given the use of high-end properties and vast quantities of luxury goods by people who “clearly believed she would use her influence to favour them”.

There was no evidence that Alison-Madueke awarded contracts to someone who should not have had one, Healy said.

But given Alison-Madueke’s role “she should not have accepted benefits from those who were no doubt doing extremely lucrative business in oil and gas with government-owned entities”, Healy added.