The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that four vehicles were involved in the early morning accident on Kara Bridge, inward Mowe-Ibafo.

The accident, which was caused by brake failure, disrupted vehicular movement on the bridge.

LASEMA, however, responded promptly by sending its Response Team.

Explaining in a statement, the Head of Public Affairs, LASEMA, Afolabi Olawale,
on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the LASEMA Agency’s Response Team was deployed at 05:46hrs following reports of a truck accident obstructing the corridor.

“On arrival, responders found a truck laden with bags of monosodium glutamate which had fallen on its side across the carriageway, obstructing approximately 75 per cent of the road inward Mowe-Ibafo.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident was caused by a mechanical failure, specifically brake failure, which led the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn.

“The impact triggered severe traffic congestion and resulted in a secondary collision involving four other vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna, a mini truck conveying paints, a flatbed truck loaded with imported plywood, and another fully loaded truck. As a result of the secondary impact, paint and wooden sheets were spilled across the roadway.”

He disclosed that an adult male was found trapped beneath the overturned truck and was confirmed dead at the scene, with two others sustaining minor injuries.

The body was handed to the Federal Road Safety Corps for evacuation.

Oke Osanyintolu further stated that to safeguard road users, the incident area was immediately secured, and traffic management measures were activated to minimise the risk of further incidents and to ease vehicular movement.

” Recovery operations were commenced with the support of two private tow trucks, working to evacuate the affected vehicles and clear the obstruction.

“The operation is being jointly coordinated by the LASEMA Response Team, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority,” Oke -Osanyintolu stated.

Recovery efforts are currently ongoing to remove the vehicles, clear the spilled contents, and restore full vehicular movement along the affected corridor.

LASEMA advised motorists to exercise patience, adhere to diversions and instructions from traffic officials on ground, and maintain safe driving speeds, particularly around Kara Bridge.

Oke-Osanyintolu commiserated with the family of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“We also appreciate the professionalism of all responders and the cooperation of road users during the operation.

“LASEMA remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to work with sister agencies to ensure prompt and effective emergency response across the State,” he concluded.

By Obaloluwa Darasimi

The Federal Government has approved the release of N3.6 billion to support artisans across the country, with a major focus on the tailoring industry under the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme.

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Hafiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, disclosed this in Abuja during the registration and screening exercise for the third phase of the SUPA programme.

According to Ogun, President Bola Tinubu directed that the fund be earmarked for artisans, particularly tailors, who constitute the largest group of artisans in Nigeria.

He said that under this year’s programme, the ITF would concentrate on strengthening tailoring businesses by providing training, business incubation and other forms of support.

Ogun added that the agency targets no fewer than 200,000 beneficiaries in the tailoring sector during the current phase of the initiative, describing the programme as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance vocational skills, promote entrepreneurship and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Ogun said SUPA is a pet project of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. “The President is not happy that for as little as a plumbing job, Nigerians import skilled artisans from neighbouring countries; they even go as far as China, Bangladesh and far-off countries to bring in artisans, meanwhile able men and women are crying for jobs in Nigeria.

“This shows that the Nigerian informal sector has not been organised in years, which is why the President is doing all it takes to ensure the ITF organises the skill sector, and it is being done through the SUPA program.

“The order is to ensure artisans are well trained and meet up to global standards. After their training, if they do well, they should be given both local and international certificates. Their jobs and crafts should be licensed and captured under national data.”

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Hafiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme is being implemented across all the senatorial districts in the country, with some districts operating between two and three training centres.

He explained that the programme offers three pathways for participants upon completion, one of which is talent export.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu is not opposed to Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad but has consistently advised those intending to relocate to first acquire marketable skills and obtain recognised certifications that would make them competitive in the global labour market.

Ogun also disclosed that the ITF would assist graduates of the programme to secure employment in industries. He said beneficiaries’ profiles, including their skills and areas of expertise, would be uploaded to the ITF marketplace and integrated into the agency’s database.

He explained that the platform would enable prospective employers and clients to search for artisans by name or skill, making it easier for trained participants to access job and business opportunities.

2027: Opposition Leaders Explore Alliance to Challenge APC

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, opposition parties have begun fresh consultations aimed at building a formidable coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Investigations by The Exclusives Online revealed that leaders of some opposition parties met in Abuja on Friday to explore possible areas of collaboration and forge a united front ahead of the polls.

Among those at the meeting were the Accord Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, his Social Democratic Party (SDP) counterpart, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and representatives of several pro-democracy groups.

Sources familiar with the meeting said it formed part of a series of strategic consultations involving opposition figures and pro-democracy advocates with a shared commitment to strengthening democratic governance and advancing centre-left political ideals.

According to the sources, discussions focused on democratic cooperation, institutional reforms and developing a coordinated response to what participants described as increasing challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic space.

The latest meeting also comes amid reports of intensified engagements between Olawepo-Hashim and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, fuelling speculation that a broader pro-democracy coalition may be in the works ahead of the 2027 elections.

Insiders said the talks are being driven by concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, the future of opposition politics and the need to present a credible national alternative capable of defending constitutional governance, electoral integrity and democratic freedoms.

Although details of the consultations remain undisclosed, sources said the discussions have progressed beyond routine political engagements and are increasingly centred on long-term cooperation among leaders with similar democratic and governance reform agendas.

The consultations follow the launch of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) by Olawepo-Hashim and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), including its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The platform was established to promote democratic renewal, strengthen public institutions and mobilise citizens around governance reforms.

Promoters of the MDR argue that Nigeria’s democratic institutions have been weakened by persistent internal crises within political parties and declining public confidence in electoral and governance institutions, making comprehensive democratic reforms imperative.

While none of the political leaders has publicly outlined the full scope of the ongoing consultations, sources said engagements with other opposition leaders, civil society organisations and pro-democracy stakeholders are expected to continue in the coming weeks as efforts to build a broader political alliance gather pace.