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State Governments Can Offset, Waive Minor Fines Owed By Inmates – Aregbesola
The Federal Government has revealed that state governors can offset or grant waivers to inmates with fines less than N1 million.
This is according to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the commissioning of a 20-bed space medical facility at Port Harcourt maximum security custodial centre.
Aregbesola said while the Federal Government is finding long time solutions to the challenge of prison decongestion, the State Government can in the meantime provide basic supports, like offsetting the meager fines and debts, building court houses at the correctional services premises or try the defendants virtually from the Correctional Centres for speedy determination of cases.
He held that some of the inmates are held behind bars for minor offences that can be easily waved by the states.
The Minister further stated that he recently asked the comptroller of Correctional centres to compile the list of inmates whose reason for incarceration is a fine or a debt not more than one million naira that are meant to be paid to the state governments.
According to him, about 5,000 inmates where shortlisted under this category and most of them have stayed long enough in the care of the Federal Government to consume foods worth more than they are supposed to pay as fines and debt to the states.
According to him, in Rivers State, there are about 22 of such inmates and the 22 of them are collectively owing a little above 3million naira, an amount he thinks the State Government can offset or wave for the inmates to be freed.
The minister noted that apart from reducing the financial burden on the Federal Government, such decisions by the state will also help in decongesting the correctional centres.
He said for instance, the Maximum facility in Port Harcourt was built 1,800 inmates, but as of May 12, 2023 the centre was holding 3,100 inmates.
While emphasizing that the situation in Port Harcourt is a reflection of the cases in most of the facilities across the country, the minister said Additionally, the Federal Government is building 6 mega facilities with at least 3,000 capacity in the six geopolitical zones to further decongest the existing facilities.
The one for the South-South is located in Bori in Khana Local Government Area of the Ogoni ethnic group in Rivers State.
News
Governor Sanwo-Olu Approves Recruitments of Additional 150 Firefighters
Adeseye also informed that the newly recruited 150 firefighters, employed in November 2025, have since resumed intensive training at the upgraded Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Fire Academy.
Photo: LSFRS Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, inspect the parade during the training
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, has approved the recruitment of an additional 150 able-bodied men and women into the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity and enhance public safety across the State.
This was disclosed by the Agency’s Controller General, Margaret Adeseye when she flagged off the LSFRS Squad 23 training exercise in Ikeja, Lagos.
This latest recruitment underscores the present administration’s sustained commitment to building a resilient, well-equipped, and professionally trained fire and rescue service.
It follows earlier landmark recruitments under the Sanwo-Olu-led government, including the engagement of 100 firefighters in 2020, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, to bolster frontline emergency response.
In 2022, the administration recorded the single highest recruitment in the history of Fire Service with the enlistment of 435 firefighters.
Their Passing Out Parade formed part of the week-long Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Service in October 2022.
The milestone event also featured the commissioning of 62 fire apparatuses, the unveiling of new fire stations at Ajegunle, Ebute Elefun and Oba Oniru – Lekki, as well as the commissioning of a purpose-built ultra-modern Headquarters at Alausa, Ikeja.
Adeseye also informed that the newly recruited 150 firefighters, employed in November 2025, have since resumed intensive training at the upgraded Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Fire Academy.
They are currently undergoing the Professional Basic Firefighting Competency and Short Service Course, designed to mould them into disciplined, highly skilled and operationally efficient emergency responders in line with global best practices.
She concluded that the Lagos State Government remains resolute in its determination to continually invest in human capacity development, modern infrastructure and operational equipment to ensure the safety of lives, property and environment across the State.
News
I’m Proudly Nigerian, says Fashola
Former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during his keynote address at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, where he spoke extensively on national identity, migration, patriotism and Nigeria’s global image.
” I remain firmly Nigerian by choice, conviction and identity.”
Former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during his keynote address at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, where he spoke extensively on national identity, migration, patriotism and Nigeria’s global image.
He stressed the need for Nigerians, at home and abroad, to take collective ownership of the country and its problems.
“I don’t think we own Nigeria enough. So, I heard some of our colleagues and our compatriots who, by virtue of the 1999 Constitution, have dual citizenships. But I have only one,” said Fashola.
“And when they talk to me, they say, your country. I say, stop. It’s our country. Your problem is our problem. There must be a common ownership on every platform. If we have common ownership, we will solve it. So, from my childhood experience, I tell people I’m not just a proud Nigerian, I’m an arrogant one. I’m arrogant about my country.“I tell people that I have not received one day’s education outside this country.
All my education was here. So, proudly made in Nigeria. Arrogantly, too. So everything, every inch that we think that we have lost, we can get back if we decide to,” he stated.
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Opral Benson is alive, safe and not missing – AREF , Family
AREF confirms that Mrs. Benson is currently in Liberia, her presence there is voluntary and known.
The African Refugees Foundation (AREF) and family source said that its president, Opral Benson, popularly known as the Iya Oge of Lagos, is alive, safe and not missing.
Her family earlier said that the 90-year-old was last seen on January 13 and had not returned home since then.
However, a statement , titled, Dear Friends, RE: My Mum, signed by her daughter, Bimbo, confirmed that Benson was in Liberia.
Also, the chief executive officer of AREF, Olujimi Olusola III, Said that Benson is hale and hearty, and there is no cause for concern.“
AREF confirms that Mrs. Benson is currently in Liberia, her presence there is voluntary and known.
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